By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

A former Smoky Valley Middle School counselor whose 2014 convictions of rape of a child under the age of 14 were vacated by the Kansas Supreme Court in September has pleaded no contest to contributing to a child's misconduct in the case.

According to Saline County District Court documents, Judge Patrick H. Thompson accepted Brooke Dinkel's no contest plea Wednesday. Dinkel, now 40, was convicted in Saline County District Court in 2014. According to court records, the victim was a student at the middle school. When the case went to trial, Dinkel had been charged with 10 counts of rape of a child under 14 years of age, and 10 counts of criminal sodomy for allegedly engaging in sex acts with the student. A jury convicted Dinkel of two counts of rape of a child under 14 years of age, and acquitted her of the remaining 18 charges, according to information in a later Kansas Supreme Court ruling on the case.

In her defense, Dinkel, who formerly taught in Hays, argued the alleged victim had physically forced the first act of sexual intercourse and blackmailed Dinkel into continuing the sexual contact and that she had a mental disease or defect.

After the conviction in Saline County District Court, Dinkel appealed, alleging a number of errors, and the Court of Appeals remanded the case for a hearing on whether her trial counsel had been ineffective, according to information released by the Kansas Supreme Court with its ruling. The district court concluded that Dinkel's counsel had not been ineffective and the Court of Appeals agreed. Additionally, the Court of Appeals rejected Dinkel's claims of error, largely based on its conclusion that her intent was irrelevant because there is no mental culpability requirement for rape of a child.

"On review, the Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals conclusion that Dinkel's intent was irrelevant. It ruled that evidence the sexual intercourse was physically forced was relevant to the voluntary act requirement," the Kansas Supreme Court information noted.

The Kansas Supreme Court then remanded the case to the district court for a hearing concerning whether Dinkel's counsel had been ineffective for failing to argue the voluntary act requirement. According to the information from the Kansas Supreme Court, the district court concluded counsel had not been ineffective.

"In an opinion written by Justice Eric Rosen, a majority of the Supreme Court disagreed. It held that counsel had been ineffective when it failed to craft a defense that rendered Dinkel's claims of forced intercourse legally relevant. But it affirmed the Court of Appeals conclusion there is no mental culpability requirement for rape of a child," the Kansas Supreme Court noted when it vacated Dinkel's convictions in September.

The plea agreement According to plea agreement information provided in Saline County District Court documents, "The Defendant will plead no contest to contributing to a child’s misconduct, 21- 5603(a)(4), a SL8 person felony. Both parties will recommend the Defendant be sentenced to the maximum sentence in the applicable guideline grid box and one-year’s post release supervision. The State agrees it will not oppose an expungement when available under the statute, as long as the Defendant has had no convictions in that time period."

The maximum presumptive sentence for contributing to a child's misconduct, a felony, is 23 months in prison and a potential fine of $100,000, according to Saline County District Court documents.

Salina Post requested a comment from the Saline County Attorney's Office concerning why a plea deal was accepted over retrying the case. Check Hays Post for more as details become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632500056460.png" alt="Brook Dinkel / Photo Kansas Department of Corrections&nbsp;&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Brook Dinkel / Photo Kansas Department of Corrections&nbsp;&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostA former Smoky Valley Middle School counselor whose 2014 convictions of rape of a child under the age of 14 were vacated by the Kansas Supreme Court in September has pleaded no contest to contributing to a child's misconduct in the case. According to Saline County District Court documents, Judge Patrick H. Thompson accepted Brooke Dinkel's no contest plea Wednesday. Dinkel, now 40, was convicted in Saline County District Court in 2014. According to court records, the victim was a student at the middle school. When the case went to trial, Dinkel had been charged with 10 counts of rape of a child under 14 years of age, and 10 counts of criminal sodomy for allegedly engaging in sex acts with the student. A jury convicted Dinkel of two counts of rape of a child under 14 years of age, and acquitted her of the remaining 18 charges, according to information in a later Kansas Supreme Court ruling on the case. In her defense, Dinkel, who formerly taught in Hays, argued the alleged victim had physically forced the first act of sexual intercourse and blackmailed Dinkel into continuing the sexual contact and that she had a mental disease or defect. After the conviction in Saline County District Court, Dinkel appealed, alleging a number of errors, and the Court of Appeals remanded the case for a hearing on whether her trial counsel had been ineffective, according to information released by the Kansas Supreme Court with its ruling. The district court concluded that Dinkel's counsel had not been ineffective and the Court of Appeals agreed. Additionally, the Court of Appeals rejected Dinkel's claims of error, largely based on its conclusion that her intent was irrelevant because there is no mental culpability requirement for rape of a child. "On review, the Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals conclusion that Dinkel's intent was irrelevant. It ruled that evidence the sexual intercourse was physically forced was relevant to the voluntary act requirement," the Kansas Supreme Court information noted. The Kansas Supreme Court then remanded the case to the district court for a hearing concerning whether Dinkel's counsel had been ineffective for failing to argue the voluntary act requirement. According to the information from the Kansas Supreme Court, the district court concluded counsel had not been ineffective. "In an opinion written by Justice Eric Rosen, a majority of the Supreme Court disagreed. It held that counsel had been ineffective when it failed to craft a defense that rendered Dinkel's claims of forced intercourse legally relevant. But it affirmed the Court of Appeals conclusion there is no mental culpability requirement for rape of a child," the Kansas Supreme Court noted when it vacated Dinkel's convictions in September. The plea agreement According to plea agreement information provided in Saline County District Court documents, "The Defendant will plead no contest to contributing to a child’s misconduct, 21- 5603(a)(4), a SL8 person felony. Both parties will recommend the Defendant be sentenced to the maximum sentence in the applicable guideline grid box and one-year’s post release supervision. The State agrees it will not oppose an expungement when available under the statute, as long as the Defendant has had no convictions in that time period." The maximum presumptive sentence for contributing to a child's misconduct, a felony, is 23 months in prison and a potential fine of $100,000, according to Saline County District Court documents. Salina Post requested a comment from the Saline County Attorney's Office concerning why a plea deal was accepted over retrying the case. Check Hays Post for more as details become available.

Former Hays teacher pleads to lesser charge in student sex crime case

Camdyn Darrah is a 13-year-old Hays girl who was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma.

 Styles Dance Center is putting on a benefit concert at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6, at Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center with all proceeds to go to Camdyn and her family. Admission will be a freewill donation. 

Doors will open at 5 p.m. The event will include special guests from DSNWK.

There will also be a raffle/auction, again with all proceeds going to Camdyn's family.&nbsp; 

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/936acd61-abef-43a5-bfb2-2d697541f5db">RELATED STORY: Dance family rallies around Hays girl fighting cancer</a>

SubmittedCamdyn Darrah is a 13-year-old Hays girl who was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma. Styles Dance Center is putting on a benefit concert at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6, at Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center with all proceeds to go to Camdyn and her family. Admission will be a freewill donation. Doors will open at 5 p.m. The event will include special guests from DSNWK. There will also be a raffle/auction, again with all proceeds going to Camdyn's family.&nbsp; <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/936acd61-abef-43a5-bfb2-2d697541f5db">RELATED STORY: Dance family rallies around Hays girl fighting cancer</a> <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643234908725.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Dance fundraiser to help Hays girl fighting cancer

By JAMES BELL 
Hays Post

As the Imagine Ellis County Committee continues to strategize
the future of the area, a town hall meeting has been set in order to solicit feedback
from community members as to the direction of the county moving into the future.

The town hall is scheduled from 5:30 to 8 p.m., Feb. 7, at
the Hilton Garden Inn, 221 W. 43rd. A free meal for attendees is planned.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/e264fbc7-ab51-427a-9b26-e420d611ad4f">The Imagine
Ellis County committee has recently become active again, after efforts were
derailed by the ongoing pandemic</a>. Originally a Strategic Doing project, the committee is made
up of a diverse group of community members.

“This is
the committee that was put together a large group of cross-section of the
community,” said Grow Hays Executive Director Doug Williams. “Very diverse in
terms of age group in terms of occupations and backgrounds, to try and take a
look at where we want to be in Ellis County five, 10, 25 years from now. And we're
in the input-gathering stage where we're trying to get feedback from the
community. And that's what this town hall meeting is, in part, about is to get
people from the community to ... tell us what they'd like to
see what they think Ellis County should be."

“Really our mission is to imagine, develop and implement
a collaborative strategic vision for our community and region,” said Hays
Chamber President and CEO Sarah Wasinger. 

The town hall will help create that vision.

“What we're
trying to do is kind of more or less solicit the ideas and the needs of the
community,” said committee member Ryan Benton. “We want to ask them, basic
questions of what do you think the strengths of Ellis County are? What do you
think, we could do better.”

While some community needs are well known, such as housing, childcare
and staffing shortages, others might be slipping under the radar of groups like the
chamber and Grow Hays.

“Part of me almost wants to hear something that our group
hasn't even considered yet,” Benton said. “You can put 30 people in a room and
come up with some of the greatest ideas. But there has to be something out in the community that somebody knows and needs to be
said that hasn't been said yet. And, in all reality, I think I think that is
what we're hoping to find is that there's few things that the members of Imagine Ellis County haven't thought about yet.”

For the problems and solutions already known, Williams said
the meeting will help solidify ideas.

“Just
what would you like to see? Do you think Ellis County or Rooks County or
wherever they're (located) needs a theme park, something like that? Just to let
your imagination run wild. We're kind of honing in on some things right now and
trying to be a little bit more specific. OK, what can we do in our community that's going to make it a better place to live? And yes, it's going to be broad
in some senses that it may include retail, it may include housing, it may
include lots of different things, but we want to make sure that we're
addressing those things and come up with what might be some great ideas.”

“This is everyone's chance to come to that evening and
really just give feedback,” Wasinger said. “And it's not intended to be a gripe
session. It's really intended to stimulate creativity and just genuine
conversation as to what does Ellis County looks like and how do we get there.”

In order to garner the most ideas, attendees will initially be
placed into small groups.

“We're going to
ask about five to seven questions,” Benton said. “But we are going to break up
into smaller groups, depending on&nbsp; ... how many people we
end up getting, getting more conversation, getting people talking, getting the
creative juices flowing that way, so that people aren't maybe timid about
speaking in front of an entire room.”

And to keep the meeting moving forward, a professional facilitator
from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation will run the town hall.

Alongside the town hall, the committee also has been developing
online tools that will be used to share the story of Hays and
Ellis County across the region.

“One of those was our leadership transformation grant for
leadership training and spots through the Kansas Leadership Center,” Wasinger
said. “And we also have a $10,000 grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, a
$50,000 grant from the Robert E. And Patricia A. Schmidt Foundation, and then a
$5,000 grant from the Heartland Community Foundation. We are using that to help
not only create our website, (but) there's been a series of videos that expressed how
the quality of life is a very attractive place for people to live here in Ellis
County.”

Using the grant funds, a survey is also planned for later on in the year to gather
even more feedback from the community, and the marketing
efforts are also designed to capture those that are currently looking to leave
urban settings.

“There are 20 million people in the next 10 years who will migrate
away from these urban areas,” Williams said. “They're looking for places to go.

“We hope it makes an impact on that,” he said. “We believe
that we have an amazing community and a great place to live. We have a lot to
offer, whether it be companies that might move here, whether it be the local
companies that want to expand, people that want to retire here, or people that
want to relocate here because they work remotely. But we have to identify the
type of things that people want and see what we can do about delivering those
types of things if we want to be successful in those efforts — attracting
people and keeping people in our community.”

Registration is requested in order for the committee to
have an accurate meal count but is not required.

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ImagineEllisCounty">For
more information about the town hall or the Imagine Ellis County Committee,
visit the Imagine Ellis County Facebook page, by clicking here.</a>

<div><iframe title="Hays group seeks community feedback about future of Ellis Co." 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=x2j24-1189ff0-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=ffffff&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>By JAMES BELL 
Hays PostAs the Imagine Ellis County Committee continues to strategize
the future of the area, a town hall meeting has been set in order to solicit feedback
from community members as to the direction of the county moving into the future.The town hall is scheduled from 5:30 to 8 p.m., Feb. 7, at
the Hilton Garden Inn, 221 W. 43rd. A free meal for attendees is planned.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/e264fbc7-ab51-427a-9b26-e420d611ad4f">The Imagine
Ellis County committee has recently become active again, after efforts were
derailed by the ongoing pandemic</a>. Originally a Strategic Doing project, the committee is made
up of a diverse group of community members.“This is
the committee that was put together a large group of cross-section of the
community,” said Grow Hays Executive Director Doug Williams. “Very diverse in
terms of age group in terms of occupations and backgrounds, to try and take a
look at where we want to be in Ellis County five, 10, 25 years from now. And we're
in the input-gathering stage where we're trying to get feedback from the
community. And that's what this town hall meeting is, in part, about is to get
people from the community to ... tell us what they'd like to
see what they think Ellis County should be."“Really our mission is to imagine, develop and implement
a collaborative strategic vision for our community and region,” said Hays
Chamber President and CEO Sarah Wasinger. The town hall will help create that vision.“What we're
trying to do is kind of more or less solicit the ideas and the needs of the
community,” said committee member Ryan Benton. “We want to ask them, basic
questions of what do you think the strengths of Ellis County are? What do you
think, we could do better.”While some community needs are well known, such as housing, childcare
and staffing shortages, others might be slipping under the radar of groups like the
chamber and Grow Hays.“Part of me almost wants to hear something that our group
hasn't even considered yet,” Benton said. “You can put 30 people in a room and
come up with some of the greatest ideas. But there has to be something out in the community that somebody knows and needs to be
said that hasn't been said yet. And, in all reality, I think I think that is
what we're hoping to find is that there's few things that the members of Imagine Ellis County haven't thought about yet.”<div><iframe title="Upcoming Imagine Ellis County town hall seeks to inform the future to the county" 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=kmmbc-118654e-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=ffffff&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>For the problems and solutions already known, Williams said
the meeting will help solidify ideas.“Just
what would you like to see? Do you think Ellis County or Rooks County or
wherever they're (located) needs a theme park, something like that? Just to let
your imagination run wild. We're kind of honing in on some things right now and
trying to be a little bit more specific. OK, what can we do in our community that's going to make it a better place to live? And yes, it's going to be broad
in some senses that it may include retail, it may include housing, it may
include lots of different things, but we want to make sure that we're
addressing those things and come up with what might be some great ideas.”“This is everyone's chance to come to that evening and
really just give feedback,” Wasinger said. “And it's not intended to be a gripe
session. It's really intended to stimulate creativity and just genuine
conversation as to what does Ellis County looks like and how do we get there.”In order to garner the most ideas, attendees will initially be
placed into small groups.“We're going to
ask about five to seven questions,” Benton said. “But we are going to break up
into smaller groups, depending on&nbsp; ... how many people we
end up getting, getting more conversation, getting people talking, getting the
creative juices flowing that way, so that people aren't maybe timid about
speaking in front of an entire room.”And to keep the meeting moving forward, a professional facilitator
from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation will run the town hall.Alongside the town hall, the committee also has been developing
online tools that will be used to share the story of Hays and
Ellis County across the region.“One of those was our leadership transformation grant for
leadership training and spots through the Kansas Leadership Center,” Wasinger
said. “And we also have a $10,000 grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, a
$50,000 grant from the Robert E. And Patricia A. Schmidt Foundation, and then a
$5,000 grant from the Heartland Community Foundation. We are using that to help
not only create our website, (but) there's been a series of videos that expressed how
the quality of life is a very attractive place for people to live here in Ellis
County.”Using the grant funds, a survey is also planned for later on in the year to gather
even more feedback from the community, and the marketing
efforts are also designed to capture those that are currently looking to leave
urban settings.“There are 20 million people in the next 10 years who will migrate
away from these urban areas,” Williams said. “They're looking for places to go.“We hope it makes an impact on that,” he said. “We believe
that we have an amazing community and a great place to live. We have a lot to
offer, whether it be companies that might move here, whether it be the local
companies that want to expand, people that want to retire here, or people that
want to relocate here because they work remotely. But we have to identify the
type of things that people want and see what we can do about delivering those
types of things if we want to be successful in those efforts — attracting
people and keeping people in our community.”Registration is requested in order for the committee to
have an accurate meal count but is not required.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ImagineEllisCounty">For
more information about the town hall or the Imagine Ellis County Committee,
visit the Imagine Ellis County Facebook page, by clicking here.</a>Cover image courtesy Pixabay

🎙Hays group seeks community feedback about future of Ellis Co.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e6fc163afae0f4d5f5d2e4f">Latest closings and cancellations.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579186347471.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e6fc163afae0f4d5f5d2e4f">Latest closings and cancellations.</a>

SNOW DAY!!! Latest school cancellations

The Hays Board of Realtors has announced it is partnering with the National Association of Realtors Realtor Relief Foundation to assist individuals and families who were displaced from their primary residence from the recent wildfires.

Hays Board of Realtors President John Holub and Association Executive Amy Rohr along with a committee of the Hays Board of Realtors are currently working with displaced families to complete necessary applications and processes to receive assistance from the Foundation. Individuals and families have been identified by working closely with County Emergency Management offices in Trego, Ellis and Russell counties.

The National Association of Realtors Realtor Relief Foundation is designed to assist homeowners who have been displaced by natural disasters and is funded by donations from Realtors nationwide.

Any individual or family that feels they may qualify, but have not been contacted by the committee, can reach out to the Hays Board of Realtors at 785-625-8155, or by email to hays<a href="mailto:board@haysboard.com">board@haysboard.com</a> or johnh@nationsauction.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643219164965.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>News releaseThe Hays Board of Realtors has announced it is partnering with the National Association of Realtors Realtor Relief Foundation to assist individuals and families who were displaced from their primary residence from the recent wildfires.Hays Board of Realtors President John Holub and Association Executive Amy Rohr along with a committee of the Hays Board of Realtors are currently working with displaced families to complete necessary applications and processes to receive assistance from the Foundation. Individuals and families have been identified by working closely with County Emergency Management offices in Trego, Ellis and Russell counties.The National Association of Realtors Realtor Relief Foundation is designed to assist homeowners who have been displaced by natural disasters and is funded by donations from Realtors nationwide.Any individual or family that feels they may qualify, but have not been contacted by the committee, can reach out to the Hays Board of Realtors at 785-625-8155, or by email to hays<a href="mailto:board@haysboard.com">board@haysboard.com</a> or johnh@nationsauction.com.

Hays Board of Realtors, foundation will help wildfire victims

LENORA — Nex-Tech announced recently that it has started a new Technology Education Sponsorship Program for students interested in Telecommunications and Information Technology. Beginning this year, students applying for the program can be considered for a scholarship covering the cost of tuition and books at NCK Tech.&nbsp;

In order to be considered for the program, students must first apply for a qualified program (Telecommunications or Information Technology) with NCK Tech (<a href="https://go.nex-tech.com/e3t/Btc/ZO+113/c2T0b04/MX8TDfNR6WGN3lN-7nby4_TW2gkVcw4Dt71yMhPPRy3q3n5V1-WJV7CgzTGW6Q77Kn48GflWW1k0zFz6y2b5yW8CPg8k51P6MVW1HFrkl7xmP6mW3rFcVS1HHRW3N8psKvzzx84sN3jbKGprvbyhW6jZlXb5jDmtCW5l3Nxy6Y0pP-W84_r7v44LZG8W6V3zBW6N6dx1VV7v574gTcW7VKvrVy7SZ0j8VpHwQB2zmRv6W2NM_vG1VpSYBW8PbTNf1-hBD2W2c3MCK1KyYK-W324kJ-61f0DSW1S4SV_6HmZ_ZW3lFlPs6K8GzF3dty1" target="_blank">www.ncktc.edu</a>). Students will also complete the Nex-Tech Sponsorship program application, found on the&nbsp;<a href="https://go.nex-tech.com/e3t/Btc/ZO+113/c2T0b04/MX8TDfNR6WGN3lN-7nby4_TW2gkVcw4Dt71yMhPPSL3q3phV1-WJV7CgY4pW7lBtXW92y6jrW6LfsbT7g1pn2W243YL88p2ylJW2G23QH7kvdr3N98GHCYs8y16W2-w5HG6nkjt1W82Qf5Q3P2r75N5C20XFMpp3wW8yjSRw5mdMc4W8pJYv08CP-T-W67NFJd70L9hCW6CXqWd92Z8GRW1Ssbgd6D0vkBVjg9M52-gjS0W6PTWgH7R4-7fW451qFX3GPZWfW4jqgw64k16NVW7ql_b851P4h-VDCVKw3QZZHSW2ZRbBQ6s07rNW5xSBPH6xS4f0W1jQj163_GdS_V7QxJD1SWPWRW8T6fRq1wLwH_W4dNnTr2xR4GSW3HT4rB6Wzy6SW7TZDVk4BD-TKN4WwyLMQ6TSq39nT1" target="_blank">Nex-Tech website</a>. Nex-Tech will review these applications and conduct interviews of select candidates. At the end of the process, one or more students will be admitted into the Nex-Tech program.&nbsp;

Upon signing a program agreement, Nex-Tech will award scholarship funds in the amount of the full cost of tuition and books. The agreement indicates the students’ intention to complete the 18-month NCK Tech program and earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree. Candidates will also be required to complete an internship with Nex-Tech between their first and second years in the program. After graduation, they will employ with Nex-Tech for a minimum of three years.&nbsp;

While the Nex-Tech Technology and Sponsorship Program pledges monetary support of selected candidates, it also offers additional opportunity and experience.&nbsp;

“This is a tremendous opportunity for students in our area,” said Nex-Tech Youth Services/Training Specialist Jacque Beckman. “Through this program, selected candidates will not only receive a solid education in Telecommunications or Information Technology from NCK Tech, but they will also receive practical, on-the-job training using state-of-the-art technologies, as well as receive mentoring from a team of extremely talented and highly motivated specialists, right here at Nex-Tech.”

The unique partnership with NCK Tech is an exciting investment for all parties involved.&nbsp;

"We are thrilled to bring our Telecommunications program to Hays and to partner with Nex-Tech.&nbsp; Their dedication to the field of Telecommunications and desire to assist students who want to get into the field is very much appreciated,” said Corey Isbell Ed.D, VP of Student and Instructional Services at NCK Tech. “NCK Tech is excited to have a partner that shares the desire to see students succeed.&nbsp; We are looking forward to working with Nex-Tech to build this program into a regional training hub for the Telecommunications field!"&nbsp;&nbsp;

Students seeking admission to the program this year should complete and submit an application by February 1, 2022. Candidates can access this application and additional information about the program through the Nex-Tech website:&nbsp;<a href="https://go.nex-tech.com/e3t/Btc/ZO+113/c2T0b04/MX8TDfNR6WGN3lN-7nby4_TW2gkVcw4Dt71yMhPPSL3q3phV1-WJV7CgH0xW1551Vn7jKGQ1M3Kn4_8PCcnW3NVQdb3bkKqnW9k4LBn7qt12lW1P4-LP35R8V3W5_FDTS6n4cBRW2-6fQT11dqQ8W484jVV7LR-FQN5QnYFks_NgVW1Bd4HD1qFY9FW5Gt3L-6pMG3TN8sjzZR5MWKtVJDp3m8BM05gW6Xb44L4GHcBwW5qHpSN6mVvcrW4Lh8SV219LVmW5bvMN-7FG59SW1lffzh5ls3fPVnpBQh4SCYRqW79g00d7T57YHW6Tqggz7Wc9GkW82KC4_2L3DQ6W4bjLFp1ZsDY6W65WDMZ51y51sN5HXrJSDL3MFW88Slqh51z7NHV_kRz66qHGv6W95PQGC3fWzmY3myF1" target="_blank">https://www.nex-tech.com/About/Community/Nex-TechYouthServices/TechEdSponsorship.aspx</a>

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1601562391147.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure>News releaseLENORA — Nex-Tech announced recently that it has started a new Technology Education Sponsorship Program for students interested in Telecommunications and Information Technology. Beginning this year, students applying for the program can be considered for a scholarship covering the cost of tuition and books at NCK Tech.&nbsp;In order to be considered for the program, students must first apply for a qualified program (Telecommunications or Information Technology) with NCK Tech (<a href="https://go.nex-tech.com/e3t/Btc/ZO+113/c2T0b04/MX8TDfNR6WGN3lN-7nby4_TW2gkVcw4Dt71yMhPPRy3q3n5V1-WJV7CgzTGW6Q77Kn48GflWW1k0zFz6y2b5yW8CPg8k51P6MVW1HFrkl7xmP6mW3rFcVS1HHRW3N8psKvzzx84sN3jbKGprvbyhW6jZlXb5jDmtCW5l3Nxy6Y0pP-W84_r7v44LZG8W6V3zBW6N6dx1VV7v574gTcW7VKvrVy7SZ0j8VpHwQB2zmRv6W2NM_vG1VpSYBW8PbTNf1-hBD2W2c3MCK1KyYK-W324kJ-61f0DSW1S4SV_6HmZ_ZW3lFlPs6K8GzF3dty1" target="_blank">www.ncktc.edu</a>). Students will also complete the Nex-Tech Sponsorship program application, found on the&nbsp;<a href="https://go.nex-tech.com/e3t/Btc/ZO+113/c2T0b04/MX8TDfNR6WGN3lN-7nby4_TW2gkVcw4Dt71yMhPPSL3q3phV1-WJV7CgY4pW7lBtXW92y6jrW6LfsbT7g1pn2W243YL88p2ylJW2G23QH7kvdr3N98GHCYs8y16W2-w5HG6nkjt1W82Qf5Q3P2r75N5C20XFMpp3wW8yjSRw5mdMc4W8pJYv08CP-T-W67NFJd70L9hCW6CXqWd92Z8GRW1Ssbgd6D0vkBVjg9M52-gjS0W6PTWgH7R4-7fW451qFX3GPZWfW4jqgw64k16NVW7ql_b851P4h-VDCVKw3QZZHSW2ZRbBQ6s07rNW5xSBPH6xS4f0W1jQj163_GdS_V7QxJD1SWPWRW8T6fRq1wLwH_W4dNnTr2xR4GSW3HT4rB6Wzy6SW7TZDVk4BD-TKN4WwyLMQ6TSq39nT1" target="_blank">Nex-Tech website</a>. Nex-Tech will review these applications and conduct interviews of select candidates. At the end of the process, one or more students will be admitted into the Nex-Tech program.&nbsp;Upon signing a program agreement, Nex-Tech will award scholarship funds in the amount of the full cost of tuition and books. The agreement indicates the students’ intention to complete the 18-month NCK Tech program and earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree. Candidates will also be required to complete an internship with Nex-Tech between their first and second years in the program. After graduation, they will employ with Nex-Tech for a minimum of three years.&nbsp;While the Nex-Tech Technology and Sponsorship Program pledges monetary support of selected candidates, it also offers additional opportunity and experience.&nbsp;“This is a tremendous opportunity for students in our area,” said Nex-Tech Youth Services/Training Specialist Jacque Beckman. “Through this program, selected candidates will not only receive a solid education in Telecommunications or Information Technology from NCK Tech, but they will also receive practical, on-the-job training using state-of-the-art technologies, as well as receive mentoring from a team of extremely talented and highly motivated specialists, right here at Nex-Tech.”The unique partnership with NCK Tech is an exciting investment for all parties involved.&nbsp;"We are thrilled to bring our Telecommunications program to Hays and to partner with Nex-Tech.&nbsp; Their dedication to the field of Telecommunications and desire to assist students who want to get into the field is very much appreciated,” said Corey Isbell Ed.D, VP of Student and Instructional Services at NCK Tech. “NCK Tech is excited to have a partner that shares the desire to see students succeed.&nbsp; We are looking forward to working with Nex-Tech to build this program into a regional training hub for the Telecommunications field!"&nbsp;&nbsp;Students seeking admission to the program this year should complete and submit an application by February 1, 2022. Candidates can access this application and additional information about the program through the Nex-Tech website:&nbsp;<a href="https://go.nex-tech.com/e3t/Btc/ZO+113/c2T0b04/MX8TDfNR6WGN3lN-7nby4_TW2gkVcw4Dt71yMhPPSL3q3phV1-WJV7CgH0xW1551Vn7jKGQ1M3Kn4_8PCcnW3NVQdb3bkKqnW9k4LBn7qt12lW1P4-LP35R8V3W5_FDTS6n4cBRW2-6fQT11dqQ8W484jVV7LR-FQN5QnYFks_NgVW1Bd4HD1qFY9FW5Gt3L-6pMG3TN8sjzZR5MWKtVJDp3m8BM05gW6Xb44L4GHcBwW5qHpSN6mVvcrW4Lh8SV219LVmW5bvMN-7FG59SW1lffzh5ls3fPVnpBQh4SCYRqW79g00d7T57YHW6Tqggz7Wc9GkW82KC4_2L3DQ6W4bjLFp1ZsDY6W65WDMZ51y51sN5HXrJSDL3MFW88Slqh51z7NHV_kRz66qHGv6W95PQGC3fWzmY3myF1" target="_blank">https://www.nex-tech.com/About/Community/Nex-TechYouthServices/TechEdSponsorship.aspx</a>

Nex-Tech announces technology Education Sponsorship Program

For me, this year in particular signals surges of hopefulness and confidence in our students and the future of Fort Hays State University. That confidence is fueled by the resiliency of our students and the determination of our hardworking faculty and staff.&nbsp;

Every day I look out the front window of the president’s residence, and I’m hopeful as I see the activity of our campus, the beauty of our grounds, and the promise of the Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success. Everything we do at FHSU is ultimately about student success; that is what drives us.&nbsp;

“One of the many benefits of our Center for Student Success was the idea of not only creating efficiencies by moving multiple offices in one location, but re-thinking how those services were provided,” said Dr. Joey Linn, vice president for Student Affairs. “We have streamlined student support services in such a way that makes it very easy for students to receive multiple facets of assistance – all in one convenient location, connected to the Memorial Union.”

The vision of the three-level center was purposeful and strategic. The first floor concentrates on inclusive academic support, such as free tutoring, professional advising, and career services.&nbsp;

Also on the first floor is a student welcome center for prospective students – the heartbeat of our on-campus strategic enrollment plan. The second floor features student organizations and campus activities, ensuring all students understand the importance of student engagement, whether on campus or online.

“Many universities across the country have created success centers. Most have concentrated on academic support resources and student involvement opportunities,” Dr. Linn said. “What sets our center apart, and makes it truly forward-thinking, is the integration of health and wellness services on the third floor."

The third floor of the success center connects all areas of student health – mind, body, and soul.&nbsp; From supportive counseling services and accessibility services, to convenient and affordable medical services, all focuses on the students’ well-being.

As we transition to a new semester, among our new staff on campus is Dr. Jeff Curtis, medical director of the Health and Wellness Center. Although new in this role, Dr. Curtis is not new to Tiger Nation. He is an alumnus of FHSU and can be seen frequently on campus at sporting events and a myriad of other activities. He currently serves on the executive committee of the FHSU Foundation. He is also well known to the community, having served as a cardiologist and director of cardiology services at Hays Medical Center.

The hiring of Dr. Curtis is strategic. It is one of the many deliberate decisions we are making that fills me with that hopefulness and confidence. He not only brings a valuable skill set to the position but also a philosophy that is congruent with the mission of the Student Success Center.

Gina Smith, director of health and wellness, adds, “Our floor is ideal for meeting the physical and mental health needs of FHSU students. We can easily communicate and collaborate between counseling and health staff to address the comprehensive needs of our students in a timely manner. I look forward to working with Hays Medical Center to bring specialists to the Health and Wellness Services office and to implement programming such as cooking nutritious meals on a limited budget and time-efficient ways to manage stress for a healthy lifestyle.”

Will Stutterheim, assistant director of health and wellness, shared, “we are very excited to have someone of Dr. Curtis’ caliber join our team. His connections with HaysMed are invaluable in helping us work collaboratively to provide the best care for our students. He has had many years of practice and has seen countless innovations in his time as a provider working in Kansas.”

“Our current space provides us the opportunity to have a specialist or a visiting provider,” Will added. “With Dr. Curtis’ connections to other providers and agencies in town, there is a real opportunity to expand services based on the needs of our students.”

As we strategically think about how we can better serve our students in the future, staff members are exploring the expansion of services and rethinking how to best care for our students. I look forward to learning more about new programming and potential new partnerships with local agencies.&nbsp;

Dr. Curtis said, “the integration of student physical and mental health services in a collaborative fashion in a single student-centered location, was a draw for me to consider this position.”

“Students are much more likely to succeed academically and socially if they are physically and mentally fit,” he said. “I can’t think of a better reason to come out of retirement. It is a great opportunity to serve our students and to give back to my alma mater.”&nbsp;

This center, and the focus of the staff who work there, truly encapsulates how student success and the culture of care is at the heart of this great university.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575301942236.jpeg" alt="Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president</figcaption>
 </figure>For me, this year in particular signals surges of hopefulness and confidence in our students and the future of Fort Hays State University. That confidence is fueled by the resiliency of our students and the determination of our hardworking faculty and staff.&nbsp;Every day I look out the front window of the president’s residence, and I’m hopeful as I see the activity of our campus, the beauty of our grounds, and the promise of the Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success. Everything we do at FHSU is ultimately about student success; that is what drives us.&nbsp;“One of the many benefits of our Center for Student Success was the idea of not only creating efficiencies by moving multiple offices in one location, but re-thinking how those services were provided,” said Dr. Joey Linn, vice president for Student Affairs. “We have streamlined student support services in such a way that makes it very easy for students to receive multiple facets of assistance – all in one convenient location, connected to the Memorial Union.”The vision of the three-level center was purposeful and strategic. The first floor concentrates on inclusive academic support, such as free tutoring, professional advising, and career services.&nbsp;Also on the first floor is a student welcome center for prospective students – the heartbeat of our on-campus strategic enrollment plan. The second floor features student organizations and campus activities, ensuring all students understand the importance of student engagement, whether on campus or online.“Many universities across the country have created success centers. Most have concentrated on academic support resources and student involvement opportunities,” Dr. Linn said. “What sets our center apart, and makes it truly forward-thinking, is the integration of health and wellness services on the third floor."The third floor of the success center connects all areas of student health – mind, body, and soul.&nbsp; From supportive counseling services and accessibility services, to convenient and affordable medical services, all focuses on the students’ well-being.As we transition to a new semester, among our new staff on campus is Dr. Jeff Curtis, medical director of the Health and Wellness Center. Although new in this role, Dr. Curtis is not new to Tiger Nation. He is an alumnus of FHSU and can be seen frequently on campus at sporting events and a myriad of other activities. He currently serves on the executive committee of the FHSU Foundation. He is also well known to the community, having served as a cardiologist and director of cardiology services at Hays Medical Center.The hiring of Dr. Curtis is strategic. It is one of the many deliberate decisions we are making that fills me with that hopefulness and confidence. He not only brings a valuable skill set to the position but also a philosophy that is congruent with the mission of the Student Success Center.Gina Smith, director of health and wellness, adds, “Our floor is ideal for meeting the physical and mental health needs of FHSU students. We can easily communicate and collaborate between counseling and health staff to address the comprehensive needs of our students in a timely manner. I look forward to working with Hays Medical Center to bring specialists to the Health and Wellness Services office and to implement programming such as cooking nutritious meals on a limited budget and time-efficient ways to manage stress for a healthy lifestyle.”Will Stutterheim, assistant director of health and wellness, shared, “we are very excited to have someone of Dr. Curtis’ caliber join our team. His connections with HaysMed are invaluable in helping us work collaboratively to provide the best care for our students. He has had many years of practice and has seen countless innovations in his time as a provider working in Kansas.”“Our current space provides us the opportunity to have a specialist or a visiting provider,” Will added. “With Dr. Curtis’ connections to other providers and agencies in town, there is a real opportunity to expand services based on the needs of our students.”As we strategically think about how we can better serve our students in the future, staff members are exploring the expansion of services and rethinking how to best care for our students. I look forward to learning more about new programming and potential new partnerships with local agencies.&nbsp;Dr. Curtis said, “the integration of student physical and mental health services in a collaborative fashion in a single student-centered location, was a draw for me to consider this position.”“Students are much more likely to succeed academically and socially if they are physically and mentally fit,” he said. “I can’t think of a better reason to come out of retirement. It is a great opportunity to serve our students and to give back to my alma mater.”&nbsp;This center, and the focus of the staff who work there, truly encapsulates how student success and the culture of care is at the heart of this great university.

MASON: A promising year ahead at Fort Hays State

<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/2022/1/1643219373355.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 Chamber in Hays, Kansas is pleased to announce the winners of the 2022 Annual Chamber Banquet awards. 

 Eight awards were given to businesses, organizations, and individuals who provided significant contributions to the Hays area before and throughout 2021. 

Becky Kiser, news reporter for Hays Post and Eagle Radio, was the emcee for the evening.

The 2022 Annual Chamber Awards Banquet ceremony began with the Vyve Broadband Rising Star Award, recognizing a young professional for leadership and service within their profession, the community, and overall chamber participation. 

The nominator for this individual stated, “His charisma is far more than just skin deep, revealing a man who lives with purpose and who truly cares about his family, his friends, and his community.”

Nathan Legleiter, vice president of Golden Belt Bank, was recognized as the winner.

The eyeSMILE Vision + Dental Helping Hands Award was the second award presented.  The award was created to honor a nonprofit organization or individual whose outstanding work improves the quality of life for residents in the Hays area. 

The first individual recipient of this award was Linda Mills, executive director of First Call for Help.  She has devoted much of her career to serving non-profits. Linda recently led the way on the new First Step Housing program, an aggressive project to help clients break the cycle of poverty.  

Each year, The Chamber is proud to acknowledge a respected woman in the business community. The Nex-Tech Wireless Businesswoman of the Year Award recipient must have strong business accomplishments and a history of community service, while assisting others in reaching their full leadership potential.

The Chamber was proud to recognize Judy Parks, regional retail manager and vice president with Sunflower Bank as this year’s recipient.

Her nominator said of Judy “She sees the potential in people and allows them to grow even if it is not a strength of her own. She is always there to support her teams no matter what the need is.”

A new award was the Grow Hays Robert E. Schmidt Entrepreneur of the Year Award. This award was presented to an entrepreneur who has demonstrated the ability to create and grow their business while adding value to our community. 

The Chamber was proud to recognize Mario and Karen Gutierrez, owners of Gutierrez Cocina Mexicana and Trio Tap House as the receipients. For 37 years, they have quietly built a very successful business. Mario and Karen  provided a work environment that was friendly, open and supportive of staff, also giving back to their community and supporting the efforts of other business owners and civic groups.

The Nex-Tech Citizen of the Year Award recognized a dedicated citizen for service to the people and the city of Hays for the past year of bettering our community. 

The 2022 award recipient’s passion is life care planning and making a difference in the lives of families in Hays and Western Kansas.  Randy Clinkscales, president of Clinkscales Elder Law Practice, PA. received the award. As an upstanding man, he has a fierce passion for helping those dealing with aging issues. His goal in life is to help families with not only with their current needs, but also help them plan for the future.

A second new award added this year was the Werth Wealth Management Member Investor of the Year Award.  Consideration for this award was given to members who support The Chamber through the investment of capital and time of volunteers, including service to the Board of Directors, Ambassadors, Hays Young Professionals, and committees, as well as attending chamber events throughout the year.  

Connecting with other businesses and organizations to address community concerns is important to this year’s winner. It gave The Chamber great pleasure to present HaysMed the award.  

Another award honored the success of a local business with the City of Hays Small Business Achievement Award. This award honors a long-standing member and small business that has had a significant impact on the community and contributed to the overall success of Hays.

This year’s winner was Commercial Builders. Since 1995, President Gary Weatherbee has been known for being “On Target, On Time, and On Budget." The nominator wrote, “More than the long list of commercial buildings Gary and team have created… his generosity is second to none.”

The Chamber’s highest honor presented was the Golden Belt Bank Hall of Fame Award recognizing years of unselfish service to the Hays community. This person has demonstrated many years of excellence in their business or profession and has a long history of civic involvement.

In 2019, the award winner, Fr. Earl Befort, Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, celebrated his 50th Jubilee as a priest. It would be nearly impossible to count how many babies he has baptized, couples he has married, and individuals and families he has comforted in their times of need.  

SubmittedThe Chamber in Hays, Kansas is pleased to announce the winners of the 2022 Annual Chamber Banquet awards. Eight awards were given to businesses, organizations, and individuals who provided significant contributions to the Hays area before and throughout 2021. Becky Kiser, news reporter for Hays Post and Eagle Radio, was the emcee for the evening.The 2022 Annual Chamber Awards Banquet ceremony began with the Vyve Broadband Rising Star Award, recognizing a young professional for leadership and service within their profession, the community, and overall chamber participation. The nominator for this individual stated, “His charisma is far more than just skin deep, revealing a man who lives with purpose and who truly cares about his family, his friends, and his community.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643236435566.png" alt="Nathan Legleiter, Vyve Broadband Rising Star Award" />
 <figcaption>Nathan Legleiter, Vyve Broadband Rising Star Award</figcaption>
 </figure>Nathan Legleiter, vice president of Golden Belt Bank, was recognized as the winner.The eyeSMILE Vision + Dental Helping Hands Award was the second award presented. The award was created to honor a nonprofit organization or individual whose outstanding work improves the quality of life for residents in the Hays area. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643236486663.png" alt="Linda Mills, eyeSMILE Vision + Dental Helping Hands Award" />
 <figcaption>Linda Mills, eyeSMILE Vision + Dental Helping Hands Award</figcaption>
 </figure>The first individual recipient of this award was Linda Mills, executive director of First Call for Help. She has devoted much of her career to serving non-profits. Linda recently led the way on the new First Step Housing program, an aggressive project to help clients break the cycle of poverty. Each year, The Chamber is proud to acknowledge a respected woman in the business community. The Nex-Tech Wireless Businesswoman of the Year Award recipient must have strong business accomplishments and a history of community service, while assisting others in reaching their full leadership potential.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643236521414.png" alt="Judy Parks, Nex-Tech Wireless Businesswoman " />
 <figcaption>Judy Parks, Nex-Tech Wireless Businesswoman </figcaption>
 </figure>The Chamber was proud to recognize Judy Parks, regional retail manager and vice president with Sunflower Bank as this year’s recipient.Her nominator said of Judy “She sees the potential in people and allows them to grow even if it is not a strength of her own. She is always there to support her teams no matter what the need is.”A new award was the Grow Hays Robert E. Schmidt Entrepreneur of the Year Award. This award was presented to an entrepreneur who has demonstrated the ability to create and grow their business while adding value to our community. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643236574729.png" alt="Mario and Karen Gutierrez, Grow Hays Robert E. Schmidt Entrepreneur" />
 <figcaption>Mario and Karen Gutierrez, Grow Hays Robert E. Schmidt Entrepreneur</figcaption>
 </figure>The Chamber was proud to recognize Mario and Karen Gutierrez, owners of Gutierrez Cocina Mexicana and Trio Tap House as the receipients. For 37 years, they have quietly built a very successful business. Mario and Karen provided a work environment that was friendly, open and supportive of staff, also giving back to their community and supporting the efforts of other business owners and civic groups.The Nex-Tech Citizen of the Year Award recognized a dedicated citizen for service to the people and the city of Hays for the past year of bettering our community. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643236625658.png" alt="Randy Clinkscales, Nex-Tech Citizen of the Year Award" />
 <figcaption>Randy Clinkscales, Nex-Tech Citizen of the Year Award</figcaption>
 </figure>The 2022 award recipient’s passion is life care planning and making a difference in the lives of families in Hays and Western Kansas. Randy Clinkscales, president of Clinkscales Elder Law Practice, PA. received the award. As an upstanding man, he has a fierce passion for helping those dealing with aging issues. His goal in life is to help families with not only with their current needs, but also help them plan for the future.A second new award added this year was the Werth Wealth Management Member Investor of the Year Award. Consideration for this award was given to members who support The Chamber through the investment of capital and time of volunteers, including service to the Board of Directors, Ambassadors, Hays Young Professionals, and committees, as well as attending chamber events throughout the year. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625772030158.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Connecting with other businesses and organizations to address community concerns is important to this year’s winner. It gave The Chamber great pleasure to present HaysMed the award. Another award honored the success of a local business with the City of Hays Small Business Achievement Award. This award honors a long-standing member and small business that has had a significant impact on the community and contributed to the overall success of Hays.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643236742862.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>This year’s winner was Commercial Builders. Since 1995, President Gary Weatherbee has been known for being “On Target, On Time, and On Budget." The nominator wrote, “More than the long list of commercial buildings Gary and team have created… his generosity is second to none.”The Chamber’s highest honor presented was the Golden Belt Bank Hall of Fame Award recognizing years of unselfish service to the Hays community. This person has demonstrated many years of excellence in their business or profession and has a long history of civic involvement.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643236773070.png" alt="Fr. Earl Befort, Golden Belt Bank Hall of Fame Award " />
 <figcaption>Fr. Earl Befort, Golden Belt Bank Hall of Fame Award </figcaption>
 </figure>In 2019, the award winner, Fr. Earl Befort, Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, celebrated his 50th Jubilee as a priest. It would be nearly impossible to count how many babies he has baptized, couples he has married, and individuals and families he has comforted in their times of need.

Hays Chamber celebrates award winners at annual banquet

Hays High senior Jordan Dale is a multi-sport athlete. Wednesday he chose one of those sports to compete at the collegiate level. Dale inked a Letter Of Intent to compete in track and field at Washburn University.

As a junior Jordan finished second in the Class 5A high jump by clearing 6'4".

Head track coach Tony Crough mentioned a common theme among the athletes that move on to college. "Work ethic." According to Crough that work ethic is shown in Jordan Dale as well. High jump coach Alex Hutchins noted that Dale had a 100% attendance record for summer weights.

But one thing about Dale that has stood apart is his attention to detail and the skill level he shows in his athletics. He has been a wide receiver, quarterback and defensive back in football. During his junior season calling the signals for the Indians, Dale was named the Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year. He is a starting guard on the basketball team and has played in 57 games at the time of his signing. In 2021 he won the Off The Bench Award at the Orange &amp; Black Classic in Colby and in 2022 was named to the All-Tournament team as the Indians repeated as tournament champs.

But it is in track and field, specifically, high jump that Dale focuses that attention to the highest level. The need to be perfect is was draws him to high jump...along with the fact that he can clear a height that is greater than his own.

Come this spring Dale will be a four year varsity member of the track team.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643227835654.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hays High senior Jordan Dale is a multi-sport athlete. Wednesday he chose one of those sports to compete at the collegiate level. Dale inked a Letter Of Intent to compete in track and field at Washburn University.As a junior Jordan finished second in the Class 5A high jump by clearing 6'4".Head track coach Tony Crough mentioned a common theme among the athletes that move on to college. "Work ethic." According to Crough that work ethic is shown in Jordan Dale as well. High jump coach Alex Hutchins noted that Dale had a 100% attendance record for summer weights.Coach Tony Crough<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1204213729&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/tony-crough-about-jordan-dale" title="Tony Crough About Jordan Dale" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Tony Crough About Jordan Dale</a></div></div>But one thing about Dale that has stood apart is his attention to detail and the skill level he shows in his athletics. He has been a wide receiver, quarterback and defensive back in football. During his junior season calling the signals for the Indians, Dale was named the Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year. He is a starting guard on the basketball team and has played in 57 games at the time of his signing. In 2021 he won the Off The Bench Award at the Orange &amp; Black Classic in Colby and in 2022 was named to the All-Tournament team as the Indians repeated as tournament champs.But it is in track and field, specifically, high jump that Dale focuses that attention to the highest level. The need to be perfect is was draws him to high jump...along with the fact that he can clear a height that is greater than his own.Jordan Dale<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1204213966&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/jordan-dale" title="Jordan Dale" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Jordan Dale</a></div></div>Come this spring Dale will be a four year varsity member of the track team.

Hays High's Jordan Dale to Washburn

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported an outbreak of COVID-19 at the Norton Correctional Facility, the largest active coronavirus cluster in the state.&nbsp;

KDHE on Wednesday reported 349 active COVID clusters in the state, accounting for 6,953 cases, 79 hospitalizations and 64 deaths.&nbsp;

There were 156 COVID cases reported at the Norton prison in the last 14 days.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Other northwest Kansas clusters identified by KDHE were:

• Larned State Hospital, 13 cases • Larned Correction Mental Health Facility, 32 cases • Rush County Memorial Hospital ISB Unit, La Crosse, 8 cases • Russell Regional Hospital, 8 cases • Homestead Assisted Living of Russell, 5 cases • Wheatland Nursing Center, Russell, 7 cases • Wichita County Long Term Care, Leoti, 12 cases • La Crosse USD 395, 24 cases

A cluster is defined as a location that has five or more cases of COVID-19 with symptom onset in the last 14 days. Click <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">HERE</a> for more.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643223505690.png" alt="KDHE" />
 <figcaption>KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported an outbreak of COVID-19 at the Norton Correctional Facility, the largest active coronavirus cluster in the state.&nbsp;KDHE on Wednesday reported 349 active COVID clusters in the state, accounting for 6,953 cases, 79 hospitalizations and 64 deaths.&nbsp;There were 156 COVID cases reported at the Norton prison in the last 14 days.&nbsp;&nbsp;Other northwest Kansas clusters identified by KDHE were:• Larned State Hospital, 13 cases • Larned Correction Mental Health Facility, 32 cases • Rush County Memorial Hospital ISB Unit, La Crosse, 8 cases • Russell Regional Hospital, 8 cases • Homestead Assisted Living of Russell, 5 cases • Wheatland Nursing Center, Russell, 7 cases • Wichita County Long Term Care, Leoti, 12 cases • La Crosse USD 395, 24 casesA cluster is defined as a location that has five or more cases of COVID-19 with symptom onset in the last 14 days. Click <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">HERE</a> for more.

Norton prison COVID cluster the state's largest; 8 others in NW Kan.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Wednesday reported 119 new COVID-19 cases in Ellis County had been identified since Monday.

KDHE also reported an additional coronavirus-related death of an Ellis County resident, raising the toll to 79.

There have been 1,434 new coronavirus cases reported in Ellis County in January.&nbsp;

As of Wednesday morning, there were 23 COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, including 12 active cases and 13 recovering cases.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.ellisco.net/97/Health">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;for information on how to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/75f061b1-d7f1-4dba-ad9d-36bcbccc8ee8">RELATED: Drive-through testing site returns to Big Creek Crossing</a>

The KDHE reported on Monday that 51 percent of eligible Ellis County residents (age 5 and older) are fully vaccinated, noting the vaccination rate for the eligible Kansas population (5 and older) is approximately 63 percent.

Since reporting began, there have been 6,608 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 79 coronavirus-related deaths.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643221692661.png" alt="KDHE" />
 <figcaption>KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Wednesday reported 119 new COVID-19 cases in Ellis County had been identified since Monday.KDHE also reported an additional coronavirus-related death of an Ellis County resident, raising the toll to 79.There have been 1,434 new coronavirus cases reported in Ellis County in January.&nbsp;As of Wednesday morning, there were 23 COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, including 12 active cases and 13 recovering cases.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ellisco.net/97/Health">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;for information on how to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/75f061b1-d7f1-4dba-ad9d-36bcbccc8ee8">RELATED: Drive-through testing site returns to Big Creek Crossing</a>The KDHE reported on Monday that 51 percent of eligible Ellis County residents (age 5 and older) are fully vaccinated, noting the vaccination rate for the eligible Kansas population (5 and older) is approximately 63 percent.Since reporting began, there have been 6,608 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 79 coronavirus-related deaths.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643221825348.png" alt="Statewide COVID-19 curve / KDHE" />
 <figcaption>Statewide COVID-19 curve / KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: 119 new COVID cases, additional death in Ellis Co.

On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney speaks with U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) about a variety of situations facing Kansas and the nation.

With the US Senate on break this week Senator Jerry Moran is
back in the area. He stops by to speak with his Post reporter Cristina Janney
to share some updates on this episode of the Post Podcast.

Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney&nbsp; 

What is brought you back home to the northwest part of the
state. 

This week well, it is great to be back home. Senate is out
of session this week, we worked through Martin Luther King, what was traditionally
a recess a time away from Washington DC because of the holiday. And instead
because of work that took place last week, we're away from Washington, DC this
week, gives me the opportunity to be out and about among Kansans. In western
Kansas, certainly paying attention to what's going on here. And one of the ways
I do that is today, yesterday was a visit with the with the Ness City Rotary
Club, getting their perspective on what's going on in NES County, a visit to
lacrosse High School to visit with a young student who's been chosen to be the
Senate youth program opportunity to go to Washington D.C. Oh, I think he has
the misfortune of it being a zoom program this year, and see what's going on in
lacrosse and rush county as well. And mostly just trying to make certain that
Kansans have the opportunity to tell me what's on their mind.

I know you also mentioned you're trying to put out a plea
for blood donation that that was a personal request from your own doctor there
in Plainville to, to put in people's minds that the Red Cross really needs
blood right now.

Earlier this week, I had a conversation with Dr. Sanchez,
one of the physicians in my hometown of Plainville. And the request was, could
I do anything to help encourage people to donate blood and I'm intending to do
so myself today. And just the the point he was making is that surgeries are
being denied because of lack of blood, and just again, encourage Kansans to be
the kind of people that we always are, and rise to the occasion when there's a
need in our community. I know that there's opportunities to do the blood drives
are taking place on certain days across western Kansas. But in Hayes, I think
it's an arc and it occurs most weekdays here in this community. So on behalf of
Dr. Sanchez, and, and his patients, and really all all of us here encouraged
people to donate blood.

Yes, that's so important. I'm planning on doing that myself.
I won't be eligible here for another week. But I do plan on doing that myself.
Let's turn a little bit to the job back in Washington. There's a lot of
interest going around on what is happening in the Ukraine right now. What is
your perspective on that?

You know, we have no choice me as a senator and all of us
really, as citizens of this country wish we could just deal with the local
issues to deal with the things that affect Kansans directly. But we have no
choice but to deal with the huge national international issues. And we are in a
significant circumstance with, with Putin and his desire to retake at least
portions of the Ukraine, which was part of the Soviet Union, but became an
independent state when the Soviet Union fell apart. And this is a test of
American resolve. And I certainly not interested to be discouraged if we had to
put American troops into another battle. But how we handle this is important.
And this really is a mission for NATO. And the challenges that it seems that
particularly Germany is not aligned with other NATO countries in the response.
And over time, I think European countries have become dependent upon Russian
energy, oil and natural gas, and it changes the way that they are willing to
take on Putin and Russia. My view is that we've got to make certain
particularly in light, I'm still angry about the way we came out of
Afghanistan. We were we were poorly prepared, we left people behind, we send a
message to the world that we're not reliable. And it's important for us to work
with our NATO allies to demonstrate to the world not only to protect the
freedoms and liberties as as they are, as we hope they become in Ukraine. But
to make certain that the rest of the world knows that the United States is a
reliable partner.

Also, you said that you were concerned about some legislation
that was being considered in terms of fossil fuel funding?

Absolutely. This is a this is not a piece of legislation.
It's the Biden administration and their policies. And here in oil producing
country. I'm not sure this has become a topic but it is an important one,
because there are not the votes in Congress to to outlaw energy companies to do
away with fossil fuels. This administration, the Biden administration is
looking for every opportunity to undermine the ability of an energy company to
exist. And one of the ways they're doing that is appointing people to the
regulatory organizations, the Federal Reserve Board the Office of Comptroller
of currency, the FDIC, the entities that regulate our banks and credit unions
and financial institutions. And the goal was to put people in place that will
insist that no, no loans would be against their regulations for loans to be
made to energy companies. It's a roundabout way of trying to diminish or
eliminate the role of that kind of energy in our country's economy. And while
we ought to do everything we can to make sure we have the cleanest environment
possible, how we do that, how practical we are, when we do it, and what the
economic consequences are. Look we're facing I would say that Americans,
perhaps greatest domestic concern, is inflation. And here we have an
administration that is doing things to reduce the availability of oil and
natural gas, increasing the price, as we've seen, at the pump, and natural gas,
ask a farmer about the cost of fertilizer, which is components of making
fertilizer or natural gas, these expensive increases are going to be very
damaging to the economy. And it's also so so hypocritical, so odd for President
Biden to call on Russia to increase its oil production, while he and his administration
do everything they can to reduce hours.

Yes, that could be very devastating to our local economy, if
oil companies were not able to take out loans. Do you have any comments about
the election legislation that has been considered in Congress?

Absolutely. That was why the Senate was in session last week
is because of that issue that legislation. First of all, I would say that the
there were not sufficient votes, it takes 60 votes to pass a piece of
legislation, including this election, this voting bill that was crafted solely
by Democrats. And in my view, the rules of the Senate which require 60 votes,
protect us protect, particularly as rural people, but protect the minority, not
necessarily Republicans or Democrats, but people who have different points of
view. And generally, that's those of us who come from rural places like Kansas.
And so the Democrats because they couldn't get 60 votes attempted to change the
rules. Unfortunately, two Democratic senators, Senator Manchin and Senator
cinema refused to go along. And so the Senate rules stay in place. And that is
a good thing for protecting us from a heavy handed urban and suburban Congress.
And really just protecting people who have ideas that are different than
perhaps the majority. So that was part of the debate last week. But the
underlying bill wants to nationalize the process by which people the rules
about how you vote become a national thing. The Constitution says the manner of
voting will be determined for congressional elections will be determined by
states. So constitutionally, this is a Kansas issue, not a Washington issue.
And when people can't get their way in Washington, DC, because states may be
doing something different. They want to change the law, change the rules,
ignore the Constitution and take over this this role. Every almost in every
circumstance, when Washington DC tries to solve a problem. It does so in a
heavy handed, broad based way that is often damaging to Kansas, we know how to
run our elections in Kansas, and we don't need some election board and in the
nation's capital determining how we do that.

Do you think that there's any concern nationwide about voter
suppression, though, coming from it and from individual states here,

Here's what I would say, is that I would never want to
support would never support the very much more straightforward would would
never support or would not encourage, in fact, would discourage any state from
trying to figure out ways to keep people from voting. If they're legally
entitled to vote, whatever their views are, whatever their political party is,
we want people to vote. And so we need to make certain that mean, people need
to make certain that in their own states, there's nothing going on that's designed
to discourage discriminate against people who may have a different idea may
belong to a different political party. We ought to be encouraging people to
vote as long as they're legally entitled to vote.

Okay. We've seen searches in COVID. Do you think that the
federal government is doing enough to address the latest surges in COVID, in
terms of testing and vaccination?

I am certainly encouraged people to be vaccinated and to and
I guess maybe I say this is talk to their physician, talk to the person who
took out their appendix deliver their baby and find out if vaccination is good
for them. Make that decision. I'm opposed to the mandate that comes from
Washington DC telling us we have to be vaccinated, but people ought to take responsibility.
If it's an appropriate opportunity for them then then personally, the federal
government has been provided Congress's provided millions and billions of
dollars to respond to COVID. And my view is that we are still woefully short of
meeting the things that need to happen in this country. Particular The
manufacturing and supply of pharmaceuticals and gas, gas masks gowns and
gloves, the things back at the beginning of the COVID of COVID, in which we
said, we're going to bring this stuff home, we're not going to wait on China,
their suppliers, and they're not dependable and they're our adversary. So my
view is that there's a lot of money that's out there to be spent. And we still
don't have the necessary domestic supply to fight COVID or any other pandemic
and is certainly there's a shortage and a long waiting line for people to be
tested which there many people are now interested in doing.

Do you think that the rollout of the new home tests that you
think that's going to be?

Christina I'm anxious to see what we’re gonna wait to have
to wait and see. I mean, it. It sounds good that you go to your computer and
you can get a test, but we've not seen it work yet.

<div><iframe title="Sen. Moran says situation in Ukraine ’a test of American resolve’" 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=d2v3r-118d06f-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=ffffff&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney speaks with U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) about a variety of situations facing Kansas and the nation.<h2>Transcript</h2>James Bell&nbsp; With the US Senate on break this week Senator Jerry Moran is
back in the area. He stops by to speak with his Post reporter Cristina Janney
to share some updates on this episode of the Post Podcast.Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney&nbsp; What is brought you back home to the northwest part of the
state. U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.)This week well, it is great to be back home. Senate is out
of session this week, we worked through Martin Luther King, what was traditionally
a recess a time away from Washington DC because of the holiday. And instead
because of work that took place last week, we're away from Washington, DC this
week, gives me the opportunity to be out and about among Kansans. In western
Kansas, certainly paying attention to what's going on here. And one of the ways
I do that is today, yesterday was a visit with the with the Ness City Rotary
Club, getting their perspective on what's going on in NES County, a visit to
lacrosse High School to visit with a young student who's been chosen to be the
Senate youth program opportunity to go to Washington D.C. Oh, I think he has
the misfortune of it being a zoom program this year, and see what's going on in
lacrosse and rush county as well. And mostly just trying to make certain that
Kansans have the opportunity to tell me what's on their mind.Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney&nbsp; I know you also mentioned you're trying to put out a plea
for blood donation that that was a personal request from your own doctor there
in Plainville to, to put in people's minds that the Red Cross really needs
blood right now.U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.)Earlier this week, I had a conversation with Dr. Sanchez,
one of the physicians in my hometown of Plainville. And the request was, could
I do anything to help encourage people to donate blood and I'm intending to do
so myself today. And just the the point he was making is that surgeries are
being denied because of lack of blood, and just again, encourage Kansans to be
the kind of people that we always are, and rise to the occasion when there's a
need in our community. I know that there's opportunities to do the blood drives
are taking place on certain days across western Kansas. But in Hayes, I think
it's an arc and it occurs most weekdays here in this community. So on behalf of
Dr. Sanchez, and, and his patients, and really all all of us here encouraged
people to donate blood.Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney&nbsp; Yes, that's so important. I'm planning on doing that myself.
I won't be eligible here for another week. But I do plan on doing that myself.
Let's turn a little bit to the job back in Washington. There's a lot of
interest going around on what is happening in the Ukraine right now. What is
your perspective on that?U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.)You know, we have no choice me as a senator and all of us
really, as citizens of this country wish we could just deal with the local
issues to deal with the things that affect Kansans directly. But we have no
choice but to deal with the huge national international issues. And we are in a
significant circumstance with, with Putin and his desire to retake at least
portions of the Ukraine, which was part of the Soviet Union, but became an
independent state when the Soviet Union fell apart. And this is a test of
American resolve. And I certainly not interested to be discouraged if we had to
put American troops into another battle. But how we handle this is important.
And this really is a mission for NATO. And the challenges that it seems that
particularly Germany is not aligned with other NATO countries in the response.
And over time, I think European countries have become dependent upon Russian
energy, oil and natural gas, and it changes the way that they are willing to
take on Putin and Russia. My view is that we've got to make certain
particularly in light, I'm still angry about the way we came out of
Afghanistan. We were we were poorly prepared, we left people behind, we send a
message to the world that we're not reliable. And it's important for us to work
with our NATO allies to demonstrate to the world not only to protect the
freedoms and liberties as as they are, as we hope they become in Ukraine. But
to make certain that the rest of the world knows that the United States is a
reliable partner.Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney&nbsp; Also, you said that you were concerned about some legislation
that was being considered in terms of fossil fuel funding?U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.)Absolutely. This is a this is not a piece of legislation.
It's the Biden administration and their policies. And here in oil producing
country. I'm not sure this has become a topic but it is an important one,
because there are not the votes in Congress to to outlaw energy companies to do
away with fossil fuels. This administration, the Biden administration is
looking for every opportunity to undermine the ability of an energy company to
exist. And one of the ways they're doing that is appointing people to the
regulatory organizations, the Federal Reserve Board the Office of Comptroller
of currency, the FDIC, the entities that regulate our banks and credit unions
and financial institutions. And the goal was to put people in place that will
insist that no, no loans would be against their regulations for loans to be
made to energy companies. It's a roundabout way of trying to diminish or
eliminate the role of that kind of energy in our country's economy. And while
we ought to do everything we can to make sure we have the cleanest environment
possible, how we do that, how practical we are, when we do it, and what the
economic consequences are. Look we're facing I would say that Americans,
perhaps greatest domestic concern, is inflation. And here we have an
administration that is doing things to reduce the availability of oil and
natural gas, increasing the price, as we've seen, at the pump, and natural gas,
ask a farmer about the cost of fertilizer, which is components of making
fertilizer or natural gas, these expensive increases are going to be very
damaging to the economy. And it's also so so hypocritical, so odd for President
Biden to call on Russia to increase its oil production, while he and his administration
do everything they can to reduce hours.Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney&nbsp; Yes, that could be very devastating to our local economy, if
oil companies were not able to take out loans. Do you have any comments about
the election legislation that has been considered in Congress?U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.)Absolutely. That was why the Senate was in session last week
is because of that issue that legislation. First of all, I would say that the
there were not sufficient votes, it takes 60 votes to pass a piece of
legislation, including this election, this voting bill that was crafted solely
by Democrats. And in my view, the rules of the Senate which require 60 votes,
protect us protect, particularly as rural people, but protect the minority, not
necessarily Republicans or Democrats, but people who have different points of
view. And generally, that's those of us who come from rural places like Kansas.
And so the Democrats because they couldn't get 60 votes attempted to change the
rules. Unfortunately, two Democratic senators, Senator Manchin and Senator
cinema refused to go along. And so the Senate rules stay in place. And that is
a good thing for protecting us from a heavy handed urban and suburban Congress.
And really just protecting people who have ideas that are different than
perhaps the majority. So that was part of the debate last week. But the
underlying bill wants to nationalize the process by which people the rules
about how you vote become a national thing. The Constitution says the manner of
voting will be determined for congressional elections will be determined by
states. So constitutionally, this is a Kansas issue, not a Washington issue.
And when people can't get their way in Washington, DC, because states may be
doing something different. They want to change the law, change the rules,
ignore the Constitution and take over this this role. Every almost in every
circumstance, when Washington DC tries to solve a problem. It does so in a
heavy handed, broad based way that is often damaging to Kansas, we know how to
run our elections in Kansas, and we don't need some election board and in the
nation's capital determining how we do that.Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney&nbsp; Do you think that there's any concern nationwide about voter
suppression, though, coming from it and from individual states here,U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.)Here's what I would say, is that I would never want to
support would never support the very much more straightforward would would
never support or would not encourage, in fact, would discourage any state from
trying to figure out ways to keep people from voting. If they're legally
entitled to vote, whatever their views are, whatever their political party is,
we want people to vote. And so we need to make certain that mean, people need
to make certain that in their own states, there's nothing going on that's designed
to discourage discriminate against people who may have a different idea may
belong to a different political party. We ought to be encouraging people to
vote as long as they're legally entitled to vote.Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney&nbsp; Okay. We've seen searches in COVID. Do you think that the
federal government is doing enough to address the latest surges in COVID, in
terms of testing and vaccination?U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.)I am certainly encouraged people to be vaccinated and to and
I guess maybe I say this is talk to their physician, talk to the person who
took out their appendix deliver their baby and find out if vaccination is good
for them. Make that decision. I'm opposed to the mandate that comes from
Washington DC telling us we have to be vaccinated, but people ought to take responsibility.
If it's an appropriate opportunity for them then then personally, the federal
government has been provided Congress's provided millions and billions of
dollars to respond to COVID. And my view is that we are still woefully short of
meeting the things that need to happen in this country. Particular The
manufacturing and supply of pharmaceuticals and gas, gas masks gowns and
gloves, the things back at the beginning of the COVID of COVID, in which we
said, we're going to bring this stuff home, we're not going to wait on China,
their suppliers, and they're not dependable and they're our adversary. So my
view is that there's a lot of money that's out there to be spent. And we still
don't have the necessary domestic supply to fight COVID or any other pandemic
and is certainly there's a shortage and a long waiting line for people to be
tested which there many people are now interested in doing.Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney&nbsp; Do you think that the rollout of the new home tests that you
think that's going to be?U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.)Christina I'm anxious to see what we’re gonna wait to have
to wait and see. I mean, it. It sounds good that you go to your computer and
you can get a test, but we've not seen it work yet.

🎙Post Podcast: Sen. Moran says situation in Ukraine 'a test of American resolve'

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

A wide swath of snowstorms blanketed western Kansas on Tuesday, dropping&nbsp; 27 inches of snow in Weskan in Wallace County.

Hays was at the far eastern edge of the system with 1.5 inches, according to the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town. Moisture content was 0.14 inches.

January has been a dry month with 0.52 inches of moisture measured to date from 6.5 inches of snow.

Temperatures will<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/e2bcbbd9-42c1-4753-b33a-697676799855"> gradually warm up this week</a> into the low 40s by Friday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642702890780.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostA wide swath of snowstorms blanketed western Kansas on Tuesday, dropping&nbsp; 27 inches of snow in Weskan in Wallace County.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643209167614.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643209405089.jpeg" alt="Northwest Kansas snow fall (Goodland NWS)" />
 <figcaption>Northwest Kansas snow fall (Goodland NWS)</figcaption>
 </figure>Hays was at the far eastern edge of the system with 1.5 inches, according to the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town. Moisture content was 0.14 inches.January has been a dry month with 0.52 inches of moisture measured to date from 6.5 inches of snow.Temperatures will<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/e2bcbbd9-42c1-4753-b33a-697676799855"> gradually warm up this week</a> into the low 40s by Friday.Image courtesy Pixabay&nbsp;

1.5" of snow in Hays; record amounts in west-central Kansas

🎥🏀 Watch This Week's Tiger Talk

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 school board heard from the community bond committee on its recommendation for a $143.5 million, 30-year bond at its meeting Monday night.

The board asked questions but is not set to vote on sending the bond to voters until its meeting on Feb. 7. District officials are hoping to bring the bond to a vote in late spring.

The proposed bond includes a new high school, which would include a new auditorium. It would be built to the east of the current high school on land already owned by the district.

• The middle school moving into the renovated high school • Hays Middle School being renovated into a new elementary school • O'Loughlin and Roosevelt elementary schools would be renovated • Administrative offices and the Westside program would be moved to Wilson • Rockwell Administration Center and Lincoln Elementary School would be closed

As part of the renovations, any facility issues that were rated a one or two out of four on the district's facility report would be addressed. 

If the bond would pass, work on the new high school would likely begin in 2023, with a completion date for the bond work within about three years.

The committee not only outlined the contents of the bond proposal, but options for paying for the bond, why the bond is needed and how the bond would benefit the community as a whole.

As many as 70 people per meeting have been attendance at the committee sessions. Those members have included teachers, administrators, parents and community members. The group gave an estimated 1,300 man hours to developing the proposal that was heard my the board Monday.

Jeff Crispin, committee member, parent and Hays alumnus, said one of the focuses of the bond is adding more space to accommodate how students learn today. This includes spaces in which students can work collaboratively and complete hands-on projects.

"We want [kids] to have a great experience and be able to go on to the next level, whether it's out into the job market or into a trade school or to a four-year school. We want them to be the best prepared they can be," Crispin said.

DLR Group, the district's architect, graded each school for facility condition and educational environment. No school in the district received a passing grade for educational environment. The highest grade was 56 percent at O'Loughlin. 

Most of the district's schools also received F's for facility condition. Hays Middle School scored the highest grade at 70 percent.

With the exception of Lincoln Elementary School, all the schools in the district are over capacity with the district expected to grow enrollment.

Board President Tammy Wellbrock said many of the district's buildings were built before special education classes were added. Those students often need more square footage per student than students who are not disabled.

Although the Hays High has held as many as 1,200 students, the capacity numbers were based on how the buildings are used now and how students are learning today, Amber Beverlin of DLR said.

Board member Meagan Zampieri-Lillpopp said classrooms were added to Hays Middle School, but the school had no extension of its hallway space. 

"Funneling students through the spaces in the allotted time means we are losing instruction time, as well" she said. 

&nbsp;Crispin said Hays is one of two public 5A districts in the state that has not passed a recent bond issue. Hays is the only district in the Western Athletic Conference District that hasn't passed a recent bond issue.

David Clingan, parent and bond committee member, outlined some of the details that would be included in the new high school, as well as the renovated spaces for the middle school and elementary schools.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/2f02daac-7c9f-4ea1-97c3-51ef5369380b">RELATED STORY: Westside struggles with facilities; move could be part of bond</a>

Clingan said he has spoken to residents who had misconceptions about the cost of the bond.

It will be up to the board to decide how the bond is funded. If the bond is funded only through property tax, it would cost a taxpayer $35.94 per month on a $200,000 home. That would be $431 per year.

The median home price in Hays is a little more than $150,000. The cost of the bond on a $150,000 home would $26.95 per month, which equals $323 per year.

However, district officials have suggested using a half cent sales tax to reduce the the property tax rate. The use of a sales tax could reduce the property tax to $21.56 per month for a $200,000 home and to $16.17 for the owner of a $150,000 home.

If sales tax is used, the bond would cost an owner of a $200,000 home about $258 per year and the owner of a $150,000 home $194 per year.

The district plans to soon place a property tax calculator on its website, so home owners can calculate their potential tax bill based on both the full property tax and sales tax options.

Clingan said the district could collect almost $40 million from the half -cent sales tax in 10 years.

&nbsp;Hays has a pull factor of 1.7. What that means is for every dollar in sales tax Hays collects from its residents, it takes in another 70 cents from people who live outside of Hays.

Hays is considered to be a wealthy district by the state. It receives no funding from the state for bond work, whereas many other districts receive state aid to build and renovate schools.

&nbsp;Liberal school district's bond included a 3/4 cent sales tax. Independence and Goodland also used sales tax to support their most recent bonds.

"We are often going to other communities and supporting their dreams and their growth and their progress," Wellbrock said, "so it is not unnecessarily unheard of for us to do that here."

Hays has one of the lowest mill levies in the state, Dustin Avery, the district's bond counsel, said. Even if the bond passed only using property tax, Hays taxpayers property tax burden would be ranked in the middle among its peers.

Sending a sales tax question to voters, would also require the Hays City Commissions approval.

Doug Williams, executive director of Grow Hays, said Hays is in competition with other communities to recruit businesses, people, doctors, professors, teachers, as well as in competition to retain businesses and professionals in our community.

"It's a competitive world we live in, and I can tell you right now, we don't put our best foot forward when it comes to educational facilities," he said. 

One of the first things people look at when they move to a new area is the schools, Williams said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643143379412.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays USD 489 school board heard from the community bond committee on its recommendation for a $143.5 million, 30-year bond at its meeting Monday night.The board asked questions but is not set to vote on sending the bond to voters until its meeting on Feb. 7. District officials are hoping to bring the bond to a vote in late spring.The proposed bond includes a new high school, which would include a new auditorium. It would be built to the east of the current high school on land already owned by the district. Also included in the proposal is • The middle school moving into the renovated high school • Hays Middle School being renovated into a new elementary school • O'Loughlin and Roosevelt elementary schools would be renovated • Administrative offices and the Westside program would be moved to Wilson • Rockwell Administration Center and Lincoln Elementary School would be closed As part of the renovations, any facility issues that were rated a one or two out of four on the district's facility report would be addressed. If the bond would pass, work on the new high school would likely begin in 2023, with a completion date for the bond work within about three years. The committee not only outlined the contents of the bond proposal, but options for paying for the bond, why the bond is needed and how the bond would benefit the community as a whole.As many as 70 people per meeting have been attendance at the committee sessions. Those members have included teachers, administrators, parents and community members. The group gave an estimated 1,300 man hours to developing the proposal that was heard my the board Monday.<h2>Why is the bond needed?</h2>Jeff Crispin, committee member, parent and Hays alumnus, said one of the focuses of the bond is adding more space to accommodate how students learn today. This includes spaces in which students can work collaboratively and complete hands-on projects. "We want [kids] to have a great experience and be able to go on to the next level, whether it's out into the job market or into a trade school or to a four-year school. We want them to be the best prepared they can be," Crispin said.DLR Group, the district's architect, graded each school for facility condition and educational environment. No school in the district received a passing grade for educational environment. The highest grade was 56 percent at O'Loughlin. Most of the district's schools also received F's for facility condition. Hays Middle School scored the highest grade at 70 percent.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643127834232.png" alt="Courtesy of USD 489 " />
 <figcaption>Courtesy of USD 489 </figcaption>
 </figure>With the exception of Lincoln Elementary School, all the schools in the district are over capacity with the district expected to grow enrollment.Board President Tammy Wellbrock said many of the district's buildings were built before special education classes were added. Those students often need more square footage per student than students who are not disabled.Although the Hays High has held as many as 1,200 students, the capacity numbers were based on how the buildings are used now and how students are learning today, Amber Beverlin of DLR said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643128037462.png" alt="Courtesy of USD 489" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy of USD 489</figcaption>
 </figure>Board member Meagan Zampieri-Lillpopp said classrooms were added to Hays Middle School, but the school had no extension of its hallway space. "Funneling students through the spaces in the allotted time means we are losing instruction time, as well" she said. &nbsp;Crispin said Hays is one of two public 5A districts in the state that has not passed a recent bond issue. Hays is the only district in the Western Athletic Conference District that hasn't passed a recent bond issue. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643129127775.png" alt="Districts that have passed bond issues from 1995-2020 are in red. USD 489 is not among them. Courtesy of USD 489" />
 <figcaption>Districts that have passed bond issues from 1995-2020 are in red. USD 489 is not among them. Courtesy of USD 489</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Details by building</h2>David Clingan, parent and bond committee member, outlined some of the details that would be included in the new high school, as well as the renovated spaces for the middle school and elementary schools. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643131112527.png" alt="USD 489 bond scope HHS. The Helping Hands culinary program is currently located at the Rockwell Administration Center. Courtesy of USD 489" />
 <figcaption>USD 489 bond scope HHS. The Helping Hands culinary program is currently located at the Rockwell Administration Center. Courtesy of USD 489</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643131165549.png" alt="USD 489 bond scope HMS. Courtesy of USD 489" />
 <figcaption>USD 489 bond scope HMS. Courtesy of USD 489</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643131240080.png" alt="USD 489 bond scope elementaries. Courtesy of USD 489. The new elementary in the old HMS building would be a four-section elementary. That is four sections of each grade, which is one more classroom per grade than the existing O'Loughlin, Roosevelt and Wilson elementary schools. " />
 <figcaption>USD 489 bond scope elementaries. Courtesy of USD 489. The new elementary in the old HMS building would be a four-section elementary. That is four sections of each grade, which is one more classroom per grade than the existing O'Loughlin, Roosevelt and Wilson elementary schools. </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643131318021.png" alt="USD 489 bond scope Westside, administration. Courtesy of USD 489" />
 <figcaption>USD 489 bond scope Westside, administration. Courtesy of USD 489</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/2f02daac-7c9f-4ea1-97c3-51ef5369380b">RELATED STORY: Westside struggles with facilities; move could be part of bond</a> <h2>Bond cost</h2>Clingan said he has spoken to residents who had misconceptions about the cost of the bond.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643131973564.png" alt="USD 489 bond cost. Courtesy of USD 489" />
 <figcaption>USD 489 bond cost. Courtesy of USD 489</figcaption>
 </figure>It will be up to the board to decide how the bond is funded. If the bond is funded only through property tax, it would cost a taxpayer $35.94 per month on a $200,000 home. That would be $431 per year.The median home price in Hays is a little more than $150,000. The cost of the bond on a $150,000 home would $26.95 per month, which equals $323 per year.However, district officials have suggested using a half cent sales tax to reduce the the property tax rate. The use of a sales tax could reduce the property tax to $21.56 per month for a $200,000 home and to $16.17 for the owner of a $150,000 home.If sales tax is used, the bond would cost an owner of a $200,000 home about $258 per year and the owner of a $150,000 home $194 per year.The district plans to soon place a property tax calculator on its website, so home owners can calculate their potential tax bill based on both the full property tax and sales tax options. Clingan said the district could collect almost $40 million from the half -cent sales tax in 10 years. &nbsp;Hays has a pull factor of 1.7. What that means is for every dollar in sales tax Hays collects from its residents, it takes in another 70 cents from people who live outside of Hays.Hays is considered to be a wealthy district by the state. It receives no funding from the state for bond work, whereas many other districts receive state aid to build and renovate schools.&nbsp;Liberal school district's bond included a 3/4 cent sales tax. Independence and Goodland also used sales tax to support their most recent bonds. "We are often going to other communities and supporting their dreams and their growth and their progress," Wellbrock said, "so it is not unnecessarily unheard of for us to do that here."Hays has one of the lowest mill levies in the state, Dustin Avery, the district's bond counsel, said. Even if the bond passed only using property tax, Hays taxpayers property tax burden would be ranked in the middle among its peers.Sending a sales tax question to voters, would also require the Hays City Commissions approval. <h2>Benefits to community as a whole</h2>Doug Williams, executive director of Grow Hays, said Hays is in competition with other communities to recruit businesses, people, doctors, professors, teachers, as well as in competition to retain businesses and professionals in our community."It's a competitive world we live in, and I can tell you right now, we don't put our best foot forward when it comes to educational facilities," he said. One of the first things people look at when they move to a new area is the schools, Williams said."We do a great job of teaching kids, but we don't make a very good first impression."Williams urged the community to have confidence in the bond committee, which has invested significant time studying the bond options. He said not approving a bond will cost the community more than passing a bond."What are we going to miss in terms of opportunities that won't come to this community because of the level of our schools, the people who won't come here, whether it by a doctor or professor or retailers?" Williams said. Recent research indicates 20 million people are poised to migrate from cities in the next 10 years. Hays could take advantage of that migration, he said. "I know we are going to be in a much better position to do what we want to do in this community and grow if we make the investment in schools," Williams said. "Schools are critical infrastructure, no different than roads or sewer systems or water systems. You have to make those investments sometimes, and we've put it off far too long." <h2>Educator testimony</h2>Jessica Dale, parent, teacher and bond committee member, spoke about some of the needs at HMS, where she is a PE teacher.Hays Middle School was built before girls sports were widespread. HMS has one small girls locker room. During the spring sports season, about 110 students from the girls track and soccer teams have to dress in the same locker room.Even during the school day, between PE and weights, 45 to 50 girls can be using the same locker room.HMS has one gym, which has to accommodate up to 90 students during a class period between girls PE, boys PE and weights. The weight room is up a set of stairs, which means the two students enrolled in that class who are crutches right now can't participate with their class, Dale said. "I want all of our students to be proud of the space that they live in on a daily basis," Dale said.Allison Kitchen&nbsp; is a member of the Hays alumni, parent, committee member and is a past teacher and the district's current MTSS coach. "I'm seeing tons and tons of amazing things happening in the classrooms in spite of the facilities that teachers are dealing with," she said. Bruce Rupp, HMS athletic director and assistant principal, said HMS often can't host athletic events because it only has one gym. It can't host track events, because the track is original to school and in very bad repair. When the school does host athletic events, teams have to use the vocal music room to dress because of a lack of locker room space.Rupp said the community is losing revenue when larger events go to other communities because Hays does not have the facilities to host them. This includes people visiting the community who would spend money on gas, food, shopping and hotels."I think our community owes it to ourselves to allow our community to grow and have facilities that our kids can be proud of," he said. "We lose teachers. We lose coaches because we don't have good facilities, and it's going to continue to happen." Although the enrollment at HMS grew when Kennedy Middle School was closed, the cafeteria has never been enlarged to accommodate the additional students, he added. "We have put off for so long what should have been done 15 years ago. We can no longer put it off," Rupp said. <a href="https://www.usd489.com/page/usd-489-bond">Learn more about the Hays USD 489 bond on its website.</a>Corrected 8 a.m. Wednesday to clarify that Kennedy junior high was closed. The former Felten school was renamed Hays Middle School. Hays Post apologizes for the error.&nbsp;

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