<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/6ccdcf9a-1148-4fe7-99f6-aea6edce8bd2">UPDATED forecast from NWS. CLICK HERE.</a>

A winter weather advisory has been issued for much of western Kansas, going into effect at midnight.

Moderate to heavy snow is expected west of Ellis County, with&nbsp; 3 to 5 inches of accumulation expected, the National Weather Service in Goodland reported.

Slippery road conditions are expected to impact the morning and evening commute for much of northwest Kansas. West of Ellis County, snow is expected to begin late Monday and continue into Tuesday morning.

In Hays and Ellis County, the National Weather Service in Dodge City is calling for the possibility of 1 to 2 inches of snowfall. There is a 60 percent chance of snow Tuesday, dissipating Tuesday night.

A high of 25 degrees is expected Tuesday. Skies are projected to clear Wednesday and into the weekend.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643053216248.png" alt="Dodge City NWS" />
 <figcaption>Dodge City NWS</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/6ccdcf9a-1148-4fe7-99f6-aea6edce8bd2">UPDATED forecast from NWS. CLICK HERE.</a>A winter weather advisory has been issued for much of western Kansas, going into effect at midnight.Moderate to heavy snow is expected west of Ellis County, with&nbsp; 3 to 5 inches of accumulation expected, the National Weather Service in Goodland reported.Slippery road conditions are expected to impact the morning and evening commute for much of northwest Kansas. West of Ellis County, snow is expected to begin late Monday and continue into Tuesday morning.In Hays and Ellis County, the National Weather Service in Dodge City is calling for the possibility of 1 to 2 inches of snowfall. There is a 60 percent chance of snow Tuesday, dissipating Tuesday night.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643057721792.jpeg" alt="City crews begin the process of applying deicer on Vine Street in Hays Monday morning. (Becky Kiser/Hays Post)" />
 <figcaption>City crews begin the process of applying deicer on Vine Street in Hays Monday morning. (Becky Kiser/Hays Post)</figcaption>
 </figure>A high of 25 degrees is expected Tuesday. Skies are projected to clear Wednesday and into the weekend.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643053275188.png" alt="Goodland NWS" />
 <figcaption>Goodland NWS</figcaption>
 </figure>

NWS: Winter weather advisory issued for much of NW Kan.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Monday reported 103 new COVID-19 cases in Ellis County had been identified since Friday.

There have been 1,315 new coronavirus cases reported in Ellis County in January.&nbsp;

As of Monday morning, there were 23 COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, including 15 active cases and eight 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 6,489 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 78 coronavirus-related deaths.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643048187538.png" alt="KDHE" />
 <figcaption>KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Monday reported 103 new COVID-19 cases in Ellis County had been identified since Friday.There have been 1,315 new coronavirus cases reported in Ellis County in January.&nbsp;As of Monday morning, there were 23 COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, including 15 active cases and eight 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 6,489 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 78 coronavirus-related deaths.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643048212533.png" alt="Statewide COVID-19 curve / KDHE" />
 <figcaption>Statewide COVID-19 curve / KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: 103 new COVID cases in Ellis County since Friday

UPDATE: While working on the
site yesterday morning, Ellis County Landfill employees discovered a fire about
10:15 a.m. They also found a downed power line in the field north of the landfill,
which is located along 55th Street north of Hays.

Emergency responders
and Midwest Energy were notified.

Rural Fire Chief Darin
Myers said the fire, driven by 25 mph northerly winds, traveled south
down into a draw, crossed 55th Street and continued into a wooded
area.

Fire crews stopped the
blaze about 100 yards before it reached Interstate&nbsp; 70, according to Myers.&nbsp;&nbsp;The smoke caused low visibility on the interstate and traffic was slowed by the Kansas Highway Patrol.

Hot spots were a challenge because of the many
downed trees that continued smoldering.&nbsp;

Rural firefighters
from Hays, Victoria, Catherine, Munjor and Ellis responded.

The Hays Fire Department also responded to the northwest edge of Hays to help protect the homes within the city limits if the fire were to have crossed I-70, which it did not. The Hays Police Department and other sheriff’s deputies were also on site to help with evacuation notices if needed.

The fire was declared under control about noon and crews remained on scene checking hot spots until about 2:15 p.m. 

Myers says the fire
burned 30 acres of grass and brush.&nbsp; There were no injuries or structures
lost in the fire.

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Ellis County rural firefighters and other emergency responders are on the scene of a grass fire near the Ellis County Landfill,&nbsp;1515 W. 55th, north of Hays.

The smoke is blowing to the south driven by 25 mph wind from the north. Visibility on Interstate 70 is limited and the Kansas Highway Patrol has slowed traffic.

Check Hays Post for more as more details become available.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643044309813.jpeg" alt="Smoke from a grass fire at the Ellis County Landfill drifts south into Hays Monday morning near the Eagle Media Center, 2300 Hall.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Smoke from a grass fire at the Ellis County Landfill drifts south into Hays Monday morning near the Eagle Media Center, 2300 Hall.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>UPDATE: While working on the
site yesterday morning, Ellis County Landfill employees discovered a fire about
10:15 a.m. They also found a downed power line in the field north of the landfill,
which is located along 55th Street north of Hays.Emergency responders
and Midwest Energy were notified.Rural Fire Chief Darin
Myers said the fire, driven by 25 mph northerly winds, traveled south
down into a draw, crossed 55th Street and continued into a wooded
area.Fire crews stopped the
blaze about 100 yards before it reached Interstate&nbsp; 70, according to Myers.&nbsp;&nbsp;The smoke caused low visibility on the interstate and traffic was slowed by the Kansas Highway Patrol.Hot spots were a challenge because of the many
downed trees that continued smoldering.&nbsp;Rural firefighters
from Hays, Victoria, Catherine, Munjor and Ellis responded.The Hays Fire Department also responded to the northwest edge of Hays to help protect the homes within the city limits if the fire were to have crossed I-70, which it did not. The Hays Police Department and other sheriff’s deputies were also on site to help with evacuation notices if needed.The fire was declared under control about noon and crews remained on scene checking hot spots until about 2:15 p.m. Myers says the fire
burned 30 acres of grass and brush.&nbsp; There were no injuries or structures
lost in the fire.By BECKY KISER Hays PostEllis County rural firefighters and other emergency responders are on the scene of a grass fire near the Ellis County Landfill,&nbsp;1515 W. 55th, north of Hays.The smoke is blowing to the south driven by 25 mph wind from the north. Visibility on Interstate 70 is limited and the Kansas Highway Patrol has slowed traffic.Check Hays Post for more as more details become available.&nbsp;

UPDATE: Grass fire near Ellis County landfill burns 30 acres

By KEN CARPENTER <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>

Cheyenne 
Bottoms is a popular destination for bird watching in the spring and 
fall when birds are migrating, but some interesting activity can also be
 seen at the wetlands on cold winter days. According to Jason Wagner, 
Wildlife Manager at Cheyenne Bottoms, a couple of large birds attract 
attention this time of year.

"If you want to come see eagles, 
there's tons and tons of eagles out there right now on the ice," Wagner 
noted. "We still have some of the snowy owls out there, too. It's not 
anything to see 30 or 40 eagles out there at a time."

Wagner points out that the eagles are predators in the wetlands' ecosystem.

"They're
 chasing the waterfowl that is out on the ice," Wagner said. "The 
waterfowl are more vulnerable to predation from the eagles out on the 
ice. There's usually some cripples or something out there that the 
eagles help clean up."

The Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area is open 
year-round to vehicles. 30-minute and 90-minute van tours can also be 
scheduled at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center. 

Large numbers of eagles can also be found at the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in Stafford County.

By KEN CARPENTER <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>Cheyenne 
Bottoms is a popular destination for bird watching in the spring and 
fall when birds are migrating, but some interesting activity can also be
 seen at the wetlands on cold winter days. According to Jason Wagner, 
Wildlife Manager at Cheyenne Bottoms, a couple of large birds attract 
attention this time of year."If you want to come see eagles, 
there's tons and tons of eagles out there right now on the ice," Wagner 
noted. "We still have some of the snowy owls out there, too. It's not 
anything to see 30 or 40 eagles out there at a time."Wagner points out that the eagles are predators in the wetlands' ecosystem."They're
 chasing the waterfowl that is out on the ice," Wagner said. "The 
waterfowl are more vulnerable to predation from the eagles out on the 
ice. There's usually some cripples or something out there that the 
eagles help clean up."The Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area is open 
year-round to vehicles. 30-minute and 90-minute van tours can also be 
scheduled at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center. Large numbers of eagles can also be found at the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in Stafford County.Cover image courtesy Pixabay

Cheyenne Bottoms provides home for America's national bird

'... as sick as it is, you can order a person like you order a pizza'

The Polaris National Human Trafficking Hotline is 1-888-373-7888.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Sex trafficking victims are not what many people may think they are. They are not people bound and tied in basements. They are children and adults walking among us who need help.

Jennifer White, executive director of the anti-human trafficking organization ICTSOS, and Tina Peck, founder of the Hope Medical Forensics Services in Wichita, spoke to two groups in Hays Wednesday about human trafficking. The event was sponsored by the HaysMed Foundation.

White&nbsp; and Peck explained some of the misconceptions about human trafficking.

"When in reality they're not tied up," Peck said. "They are walking amongst us in Walmart or Target or going to sporting events. Jen stated a couple of examples about the kids who go to school every day. They are bound by fear."

Many people think that human trafficking is moving people from one place to another or from one country to another. This is not the case, White said.

Any time a person is being taken advantage of for value, this is human trafficking. This does not just have to mean money, it could mean drugs, shelter, food, clothes, technology, hair appointments, or manicures and pedicure.

Labor trafficking can include a person being forced, tricked or threatened to work for little or no pay, in unsafe conditions or unfair hours.

The definitions for sex trafficking differ for adults and minors. Any minor who trades any sexual act for something of value is considered a sex trafficking victim. No one younger than 18, not 16 the age of sexual consent in Kansas, can consent to prostitution, pornography or stripping, White said.

For adults sex must be forced or obtained through fraud or coercion to be considered trafficking.

The average age of entry into prostitution in this area is 14 to 17. However, the national average is 12 to 14.

The majority of sex trafficking has moved online. With this, the locations where trafficking takes place has become much broader.

"With so much of this being facilitated online, as sick as it is, you can order a person like you order a pizza," White said.

Who does a victim, trafficker, buyer look like?

Pimps are not what many people might also imagine. White said she has seen multiple cases where the trafficker had family ties and was a mom, uncle or older brother.

ICTSOS has seen trafficking victims from all walks of life and all races, genders and sexual orientations. Victims can come from all economic classes, as well, White said.

Research done at one of the Wichita hospitals found mental issues were common among trafficked victims. Predators may use that vulnerability to take advantage of their victims.

Predators tend to look for vulnerabilities in their victims and attempt to fill those needs. For some that can be needs on the lower part of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, such as food or shelter.&nbsp;

They can also be needs for love, acceptance and achievement.

White described a scenario of victim, who was an educated, beautiful women from a good home. She was drawn into sex trafficking by a man who ran a modeling agency. He promised her access to connections in the modeling profession, but he was forcing her to have sex with other people.

"We do see this a lot in our homeless and runaway and kids in the foster care system, but really its people who are lacking a safety net," she said, "that don't have good support around them for whatever reason." 

Traffickers also come from all backgrounds, genders and races.

Sex buyers tend to be exclusively male, mostly middle-age white men 

"The buyer tends to be the person with the most power and control in the situation," White said. "They tend to have the resources. They think they are going to walk into the situation, pay for it and be done."

ICTSOS has had cases in which buyers were bankers, farmers, teachers, married men and men with children.

U.S. children's almost universal access to the internet puts them at risk from predators, White said.

• 13 percent of second and third graders report they've used the internet to talk to people they don't know. • 11 percent report having been asked to describe things about their body • 10 percent have been exposed to private things about someone else's body

"You wouldn't throw your keys to the car to your 16-year-old and say, 'Good luck,' but we give our kids access to the internet without any safety net or conversation about it a lot of times," White said.

When the COVID shutdown happened in March 2020, the national reporting of child pornography almost tripled from 379,107 in a week to 944,706 in a week. That number has stayed very high over the last two years, White said.

"With more of us working from home and being online, kids doing schooling online ... because there are more people in those spaces, that's where predators have moved to."

Reporting of trafficking has increased substantially in the last 10 years. The Kansas Attorney General's office reported two cases of human trafficking in 2009, and 503 in 2020.

"This is very hard on someone long term, as you can image," White said. "This is very hard on your body. A lot of times survivors may have long-term issues with nutrition, hygiene or dental health because they haven't had access to services."

White said many of the victims are dealing with substance abuse. Victims may have been caught up in trafficking because of their addiction, their traffickers may have used drugs or alcohol as a means to control their victims or victims may be using alcohol or drugs to deal with the past or present trauma.

White said professionals know victims stay in trafficking situations for many of the same reasons domestic violence victims stay with their abusers. A trafficker may have positioned himself as a boyfriend or husband. The victim may have children with her trafficker.

Victims often have distrust of the systems that are put in place to help them, including law enforcement and medical professionals, White said.

"A lot of survivors have either had bad experiences with law enforcement or they've been told if you go tell somebody, you're going to get in trouble," White said. "You're the one that's breaking the law. They're going to take you to jail. They aren't going to help you."

&nbsp;Many of victims don't realize what's happening to them is&nbsp; a crime, White said. They often blame themselves. Eighty to 90 percent of trafficking victims have a previous history of sexual abuse.

White reiterated victims don't have to be moved around to be considered trafficked. She gave the example of a girl who was being trafficked out of her own home by her brother.

The girl was going to school every day. She looked like all of the other girls. She turned in her homework on time. But her brother was taking her out at night and offering her for sex to his friends.

The case was discovered when one of the girl's friends attended a trafficking education session at school, and the friend brought her suspicions to the attention of authorities.

Traffickers will move victims to stay ahead of law enforcement, they also move victims to areas where there is more demand, like a business moving product, White said.

Interstate 70 and Interstate 35 are both considered corridors for traffickers. Wichita is often a city of origin for victims, White said.

"This happens in every community across the country," White said.

Victims can self report, but that doesn't happen very often, White said. Referrals to ICTSOS often come from medical professionals, as well as social services and law enforcement.

An audience member asked what he could do if he suspects someone is being trafficked. White suggested trying to make an excuse to get the person away from their suspected trafficker and simply ask them if they are safe and if they are OK. She said it's a means to open the conversation in a non-threatening way.

Peck and White both said having empathy toward and believing victims when they disclose trafficking is the most important thing both lay people and professionals can do to help victims.

ICTSOS gives Fresh Start bags to victims. These include a fresh set of clothes, hygiene items, a fast-food gift card, journal and pen for adults and teens and storybook and toy for children. There's no strings attached to the bags. Adults don't have to accept assistance to receive the bags, but it often has led victims to return for services, White said.

Peck spoke on some of the medical considerations concerns surrounding trafficking. The HaysMed Foundation offered a separate session presented by the two women specifically geared toward medical providers.

Peck worked for many years as a forensic nurse in a hospital setting. She said the hospitals have come a long way in terms of offering privacy and confidentiality to sexual violence and trafficking victims. When she started as a nurse, victims were often only separated by a curtain from other patients in the ER.

Working in a hospital and with law enforcement, she learned many victims never report or seek medical care because they've had a bad experience in a hospital setting.

Peck said she also learned medical documentation ways heavily in the ability of law enforcement's ability to charge cases.

This two factors prompted her to open her private clinic. She utilizes victim assistance programs, as well as fundraising so she doesn't have to bill victims for her services.

Health care professionals are in a unique position identify and offer resources to human trafficking victims, but most providers have not received training on identifying or assisting victims, Peck said.

Peck said a provider is doing more harm if they identify a victim and do not have a plan to refer the victim to the appropriate resources.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642628100523.jpg" alt="Cover photo courtesy of Pixabay. " />
 <figcaption>Cover photo courtesy of Pixabay. </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>'... as sick as it is, you can order a person like you order a pizza'</h2>The Polaris National Human Trafficking Hotline is 1-888-373-7888.By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostSex trafficking victims are not what many people may think they are. They are not people bound and tied in basements. They are children and adults walking among us who need help.Jennifer White, executive director of the anti-human trafficking organization ICTSOS, and Tina Peck, founder of the Hope Medical Forensics Services in Wichita, spoke to two groups in Hays Wednesday about human trafficking. The event was sponsored by the HaysMed Foundation.White&nbsp; and Peck explained some of the misconceptions about human trafficking."When in reality they're not tied up," Peck said. "They are walking amongst us in Walmart or Target or going to sporting events. Jen stated a couple of examples about the kids who go to school every day. They are bound by fear." <h2>Defining trafficking</h2>Many people think that human trafficking is moving people from one place to another or from one country to another. This is not the case, White said. Any time a person is being taken advantage of for value, this is human trafficking. This does not just have to mean money, it could mean drugs, shelter, food, clothes, technology, hair appointments, or manicures and pedicure.Labor trafficking can include a person being forced, tricked or threatened to work for little or no pay, in unsafe conditions or unfair hours.The definitions for sex trafficking differ for adults and minors. Any minor who trades any sexual act for something of value is considered a sex trafficking victim. No one younger than 18, not 16 the age of sexual consent in Kansas, can consent to prostitution, pornography or stripping, White said.For adults sex must be forced or obtained through fraud or coercion to be considered trafficking. The average age of entry into prostitution in this area is 14 to 17. However, the national average is 12 to 14.The majority of sex trafficking has moved online. With this, the locations where trafficking takes place has become much broader. "With so much of this being facilitated online, as sick as it is, you can order a person like you order a pizza," White said.<h2>Who does a victim, trafficker, buyer look like? </h2>Pimps are not what many people might also imagine. White said she has seen multiple cases where the trafficker had family ties and was a mom, uncle or older brother.ICTSOS has seen trafficking victims from all walks of life and all races, genders and sexual orientations. Victims can come from all economic classes, as well, White said.Research done at one of the Wichita hospitals found mental issues were common among trafficked victims. Predators may use that vulnerability to take advantage of their victims. Predators tend to look for vulnerabilities in their victims and attempt to fill those needs. For some that can be needs on the lower part of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, such as food or shelter.&nbsp;They can also be needs for love, acceptance and achievement.White described a scenario of victim, who was an educated, beautiful women from a good home. She was drawn into sex trafficking by a man who ran a modeling agency. He promised her access to connections in the modeling profession, but he was forcing her to have sex with other people. "We do see this a lot in our homeless and runaway and kids in the foster care system, but really its people who are lacking a safety net," she said, "that don't have good support around them for whatever reason." Traffickers also come from all backgrounds, genders and races.Sex buyers tend to be exclusively male, mostly middle-age white men "The buyer tends to be the person with the most power and control in the situation," White said. "They tend to have the resources. They think they are going to walk into the situation, pay for it and be done."ICTSOS has had cases in which buyers were bankers, farmers, teachers, married men and men with children.<h2>Online dangers for kids</h2>U.S. children's almost universal access to the internet puts them at risk from predators, White said.• 13 percent of second and third graders report they've used the internet to talk to people they don't know. • 11 percent report having been asked to describe things about their body • 10 percent have been exposed to private things about someone else's body "You wouldn't throw your keys to the car to your 16-year-old and say, 'Good luck,' but we give our kids access to the internet without any safety net or conversation about it a lot of times," White said. When the COVID shutdown happened in March 2020, the national reporting of child pornography almost tripled from 379,107 in a week to 944,706 in a week. That number has stayed very high over the last two years, White said."With more of us working from home and being online, kids doing schooling online ... because there are more people in those spaces, that's where predators have moved to."Reporting of trafficking has increased substantially in the last 10 years. The Kansas Attorney General's office reported two cases of human trafficking in 2009, and 503 in 2020.<h2>Indicators of trafficking</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642781864096.jpeg" alt="Indicators of exploitation. Courtesy of ICTSOS " />
 <figcaption>Indicators of exploitation. Courtesy of ICTSOS </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642782084324.jpeg" alt="Indicators of exploitation. Courtesy of ICTSOS" />
 <figcaption>Indicators of exploitation. Courtesy of ICTSOS</figcaption>
 </figure>"This is very hard on someone long term, as you can image," White said. "This is very hard on your body. A lot of times survivors may have long-term issues with nutrition, hygiene or dental health because they haven't had access to services."White said many of the victims are dealing with substance abuse. Victims may have been caught up in trafficking because of their addiction, their traffickers may have used drugs or alcohol as a means to control their victims or victims may be using alcohol or drugs to deal with the past or present trauma.White said professionals know victims stay in trafficking situations for many of the same reasons domestic violence victims stay with their abusers. A trafficker may have positioned himself as a boyfriend or husband. The victim may have children with her trafficker.Victims often have distrust of the systems that are put in place to help them, including law enforcement and medical professionals, White said."A lot of survivors have either had bad experiences with law enforcement or they've been told if you go tell somebody, you're going to get in trouble," White said. "You're the one that's breaking the law. They're going to take you to jail. They aren't going to help you."&nbsp;Many of victims don't realize what's happening to them is&nbsp; a crime, White said. They often blame themselves. Eighty to 90 percent of trafficking victims have a previous history of sexual abuse.White reiterated victims don't have to be moved around to be considered trafficked. She gave the example of a girl who was being trafficked out of her own home by her brother.The girl was going to school every day. She looked like all of the other girls. She turned in her homework on time. But her brother was taking her out at night and offering her for sex to his friends.The case was discovered when one of the girl's friends attended a trafficking education session at school, and the friend brought her suspicions to the attention of authorities.Traffickers will move victims to stay ahead of law enforcement, they also move victims to areas where there is more demand, like a business moving product, White said.Interstate 70 and Interstate 35 are both considered corridors for traffickers. Wichita is often a city of origin for victims, White said."This happens in every community across the country," White said. <h2>Helping victims </h2>Victims can self report, but that doesn't happen very often, White said. Referrals to ICTSOS often come from medical professionals, as well as social services and law enforcement. An audience member asked what he could do if he suspects someone is being trafficked. White suggested trying to make an excuse to get the person away from their suspected trafficker and simply ask them if they are safe and if they are OK. She said it's a means to open the conversation in a non-threatening way.Peck and White both said having empathy toward and believing victims when they disclose trafficking is the most important thing both lay people and professionals can do to help victims. ICTSOS gives Fresh Start bags to victims. These include a fresh set of clothes, hygiene items, a fast-food gift card, journal and pen for adults and teens and storybook and toy for children. There's no strings attached to the bags. Adults don't have to accept assistance to receive the bags, but it often has led victims to return for services, White said. Peck spoke on some of the medical considerations concerns surrounding trafficking. The HaysMed Foundation offered a separate session presented by the two women specifically geared toward medical providers.Peck worked for many years as a forensic nurse in a hospital setting. She said the hospitals have come a long way in terms of offering privacy and confidentiality to sexual violence and trafficking victims. When she started as a nurse, victims were often only separated by a curtain from other patients in the ER.Working in a hospital and with law enforcement, she learned many victims never report or seek medical care because they've had a bad experience in a hospital setting.Peck said she also learned medical documentation ways heavily in the ability of law enforcement's ability to charge cases.This two factors prompted her to open her private clinic. She utilizes victim assistance programs, as well as fundraising so she doesn't have to bill victims for her services.Health care professionals are in a unique position identify and offer resources to human trafficking victims, but most providers have not received training on identifying or assisting victims, Peck said.Peck said a provider is doing more harm if they identify a victim and do not have a plan to refer the victim to the appropriate resources.

Speaker to Hays crowd: Human trafficking victims bound by fear 

Updated 9:15 a.m. Monday with correct URL to testing scheduler.&nbsp;

In partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, ECHD is happy to announce the return of a drive-through free testing for COVID-19. Testing is available&nbsp;Monday through Saturday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice, weather permitting, at Big Creek Crossing Mall, 2918 Vine.&nbsp;

This is a reliable, PCR-based test. No rapid tests will be offered. Please ensure that you are following COVID-19 safe practices which includes isolating yourself following testing until you receive results. Average turnaround time for results is two to four days after testing.&nbsp;

YOU WILL NEED AN APPOINTMENT TO TEST

Please click <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/280/COVID-19-Testing">HERE</a> to schedule.

We encourage all of Ellis County to continue to follow best practices as we continue to move forward with life.

Testing Site: Big Creek Crossing Mall, 2918 Vine, Hays, KS 67601

Starting Monday, testing will be 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Direct any questions regarding testing and results to <a href="mailto:support@gogettested.com">support@gogettested.com</a> or call 877-837-8461 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Updated 9:15 a.m. Monday with correct URL to testing scheduler.&nbsp;Ellis County Health DepartmentIn partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, ECHD is happy to announce the return of a drive-through free testing for COVID-19. Testing is available&nbsp;Monday through Saturday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice, weather permitting, at Big Creek Crossing Mall, 2918 Vine.&nbsp;This is a reliable, PCR-based test. No rapid tests will be offered. Please ensure that you are following COVID-19 safe practices which includes isolating yourself following testing until you receive results. Average turnaround time for results is two to four days after testing.&nbsp;YOU WILL NEED AN APPOINTMENT TO TESTPlease click <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/280/COVID-19-Testing">HERE</a> to schedule.We encourage all of Ellis County to continue to follow best practices as we continue to move forward with life.<ul>
 <li>Do wash your hands frequently.</li><li>Do wear a mask.</li><li>Do isolate immediately if you feel ill.</li><li>Do call your doctor for questions regarding your symptoms and testing.</li><li>Do continue to protect yourself, loved ones and the community.</li><li>Stay at home if you are sick or test positive.</li><li>Remain proactive about your own health.</li>
 </ul>Testing Site: Big Creek Crossing Mall, 2918 Vine, Hays, KS 67601Starting Monday, testing will be 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.Direct any questions regarding testing and results to <a href="mailto:support@gogettested.com">support@gogettested.com</a> or call 877-837-8461 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Drive-through COVID test site returns to Big Creek Crossing in Hays

The Hays Police Department responded to 0 animal calls and conducted 19 traffic stops Mon., Jan. 10, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Civil
Dispute—1300 block Agnes Dr, Hays; 1/1 11:25 AM; 11:46 AM 
Welfare Check—300 block E 24th St, Hays; 1:23 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle--300 block W 16th St, Hay; 2:22 PM 
Credit Card Violations—500 block W 21st St, Hays; 1/7 2:30 PM; 1/10 2:30 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle--2300 block Walnut St, Hays ; 2:47 PM 
Found/Lost Property—4100 block Covenant Dr, Hays; 1:30 PM 
Obstruction of Legal Process—200 block E 7th St, Hays; 4:11 PM 
Obstruction of Legal Process—3500 block Vine St, Hays; 6:58 PM 
Mental Health Call—100 block E 5th St, Hays; 8:15 PM; 9 PM 
Disturbance – Noise—500 block Ash St, Hays; 11:09 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and conducted 34 traffic stops Tue., Jan. 11, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Lost Animals
ONLY—3200 block Barclay Dr, Hays; 8:02 AM 
Assist - Other (not MV)—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 8:46 AM 
Abandoned Vehicle--1200 block Elm St, Hays; 10:36 AM 
Lost Animals ONLY—3300 block Lincoln Dr, Hays; 11:18 AM 
Disturbance – General—200 block &nbsp;230 W
9th St, Hay; 10:30 AM 
MV Accident-Personal Injury--1000 block E 27th, Hays; 1:04 PM 
Suspicious Activity—1500 block Haney Dr, Hays; 1:44 PM; 2 PM 
Civil Dispute—1300 block Haney Dr, Hays; 2:15 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle--400 block W 24th St, Hays; 2:59 PM 
Animal At Large—1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 3:44 PM 
Disorderly Conduct—2300 block E 13th St, Hays; 8:59 PM; 9 PM 
Lost Animals ONLY—2500 block Marjorie Dr, Hays; 10:41 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 2 animal calls and conducted 15 traffic stops Wed., Jan. 12, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Criminal
Trespass--2800 block Augusta Ln, Hays; 8:41 AM 
Lost Animals ONLY—300 block E 6th St, Hays; 9:43 AM 
Juvenile Complaint—300 block W 12th St, Hays; 10:58 AM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley 8th and Oak St, Hays; 11:17 AM 
Abandoned Vehicle—2400 block Main St Terr, Hays; 1:25 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle--2000 block Pine St, Hays; 1:37 PM 
Intoxicated Subject—700 block Vine St, Hays; 3:35 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle--200 block W 14th St, Hays; 3:50 PM 
Found/Lost Property—1000 block E 43rd St, Hays; 4:21 PM 
Criminal Trespass—200 block W 5th St, Hays; 8:23 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 5 animal calls and conducted 15 traffic stops Thu., Jan. 13, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.

MV
Accident-City Street/Alley--500 block W 33rd St, Hays; 3:32 PM 
Unattended Death—2100 block Fort St, Hays; 3:03 AM; 4 AM 
Abandoned Vehicle—500 block W 23rd St, Hays; 9:03 AM 
Credit Card Violations—1700 block Western Plains Dr, Hays; 10:09 AM 
Lost Animals ONL—1500 block Henry Dr, Hays; 10:27 AM 
Suspicious Activity—200 block W 22nd St, Hays; 2:08 PM 
Animal At Large—2700 block Colonial St, Hays; 5:28 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--100 block E 13th St, Hays; 6:31 PM 
Found/Lost Property—1300 block Douglas Dr, Hays; 9:03 PM 
Welfare Check—1700 block Pine St, Hays; 9:17 PM 
Disturbance – Noise—4000 block General Hays Rd, Hay; 11:51 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 4 animal calls and conducted 19 traffic stops Fri., Jan. 14, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Found/Lost
Property—4300 block Vine St, Hays; 1/5 11:30 AM; 12:30 PM 
Drug Offenses—Hays; 9:20 AM; 9:22 AM 
Found/Lost Property--2700 block Vine St, Hays; 11:37 AM 
Animal At Large--1700 block Marshall Rd, Hays; 1:27 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--13th St and Elm St, Hays; 2:44 PM; 
Identity Theft—1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 4:45 PM; 5:06 PM 
Mental Health Call—500 block E 20th St, Hays; 5:33 PM 
Animal Bite Investigation—2200 block Gen Custer Rd, Hays; 5:53 PM 
Animal At Large--2900 block Broadway Ave, Hays; 5:58 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 8 animal calls and conducted 35 traffic stops Sat., Jan. 15, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Disturbance –
Noise--700 block E 6th St, Hays; 2:06 AM 
Abandoned Vehicle--600 block E 5th St, Hays; 9:50 AM 
Abandoned Vehicle--3200 block Sherman Ave, Hays; 10:14 AM 
Abandoned Vehicle--100 block W 25th St, Hays; 10:26 AM 
Lost Animals ONLY—500 block W 32nd St, Hays; 12:35 PM 
Lost Animals ONLY—400 block W 13th St, Hays; 12:52 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley—400 block E 19th, Hays; 5 AM; 1:50 PM 
Lost Animals ONLY—1100 block E 17th St, Hays; 1:52 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle--500 block Fort St, Hays; 3:51 PM 
Welfare Check—1400 block E 29th St, Hay; 8:27 AM; 8:20 PM 
Unwanted Person—400 block W 8th St, Hays; 9:54 PM; 11 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 3 animal calls and conducted 20 traffic stops Sun., Jan. 16, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573140734289.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Hays Police Department responded to 0 animal calls and conducted 19 traffic stops Mon., Jan. 10, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.Civil
Dispute—1300 block Agnes Dr, Hays; 1/1 11:25 AM; 11:46 AM 
Welfare Check—300 block E 24th St, Hays; 1:23 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle--300 block W 16th St, Hay; 2:22 PM 
Credit Card Violations—500 block W 21st St, Hays; 1/7 2:30 PM; 1/10 2:30 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle--2300 block Walnut St, Hays ; 2:47 PM 
Found/Lost Property—4100 block Covenant Dr, Hays; 1:30 PM 
Obstruction of Legal Process—200 block E 7th St, Hays; 4:11 PM 
Obstruction of Legal Process—3500 block Vine St, Hays; 6:58 PM 
Mental Health Call—100 block E 5th St, Hays; 8:15 PM; 9 PM 
Disturbance – Noise—500 block Ash St, Hays; 11:09 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and conducted 34 traffic stops Tue., Jan. 11, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.Lost Animals
ONLY—3200 block Barclay Dr, Hays; 8:02 AM 
Assist - Other (not MV)—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 8:46 AM 
Abandoned Vehicle--1200 block Elm St, Hays; 10:36 AM 
Lost Animals ONLY—3300 block Lincoln Dr, Hays; 11:18 AM 
Disturbance – General—200 block &nbsp;230 W
9th St, Hay; 10:30 AM 
MV Accident-Personal Injury--1000 block E 27th, Hays; 1:04 PM 
Suspicious Activity—1500 block Haney Dr, Hays; 1:44 PM; 2 PM 
Civil Dispute—1300 block Haney Dr, Hays; 2:15 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle--400 block W 24th St, Hays; 2:59 PM 
Animal At Large—1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 3:44 PM 
Disorderly Conduct—2300 block E 13th St, Hays; 8:59 PM; 9 PM 
Lost Animals ONLY—2500 block Marjorie Dr, Hays; 10:41 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 2 animal calls and conducted 15 traffic stops Wed., Jan. 12, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.Criminal
Trespass--2800 block Augusta Ln, Hays; 8:41 AM 
Lost Animals ONLY—300 block E 6th St, Hays; 9:43 AM 
Juvenile Complaint—300 block W 12th St, Hays; 10:58 AM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley 8th and Oak St, Hays; 11:17 AM 
Abandoned Vehicle—2400 block Main St Terr, Hays; 1:25 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle--2000 block Pine St, Hays; 1:37 PM 
Intoxicated Subject—700 block Vine St, Hays; 3:35 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle--200 block W 14th St, Hays; 3:50 PM 
Found/Lost Property—1000 block E 43rd St, Hays; 4:21 PM 
Criminal Trespass—200 block W 5th St, Hays; 8:23 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 5 animal calls and conducted 15 traffic stops Thu., Jan. 13, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.MV
Accident-City Street/Alley--500 block W 33rd St, Hays; 3:32 PM 
Unattended Death—2100 block Fort St, Hays; 3:03 AM; 4 AM 
Abandoned Vehicle—500 block W 23rd St, Hays; 9:03 AM 
Credit Card Violations—1700 block Western Plains Dr, Hays; 10:09 AM 
Lost Animals ONL—1500 block Henry Dr, Hays; 10:27 AM 
Suspicious Activity—200 block W 22nd St, Hays; 2:08 PM 
Animal At Large—2700 block Colonial St, Hays; 5:28 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--100 block E 13th St, Hays; 6:31 PM 
Found/Lost Property—1300 block Douglas Dr, Hays; 9:03 PM 
Welfare Check—1700 block Pine St, Hays; 9:17 PM 
Disturbance – Noise—4000 block General Hays Rd, Hay; 11:51 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 4 animal calls and conducted 19 traffic stops Fri., Jan. 14, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.Found/Lost
Property—4300 block Vine St, Hays; 1/5 11:30 AM; 12:30 PM 
Drug Offenses—Hays; 9:20 AM; 9:22 AM 
Found/Lost Property--2700 block Vine St, Hays; 11:37 AM 
Animal At Large--1700 block Marshall Rd, Hays; 1:27 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--13th St and Elm St, Hays; 2:44 PM; 
Identity Theft—1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 4:45 PM; 5:06 PM 
Mental Health Call—500 block E 20th St, Hays; 5:33 PM 
Animal Bite Investigation—2200 block Gen Custer Rd, Hays; 5:53 PM 
Animal At Large--2900 block Broadway Ave, Hays; 5:58 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 8 animal calls and conducted 35 traffic stops Sat., Jan. 15, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.Disturbance –
Noise--700 block E 6th St, Hays; 2:06 AM 
Abandoned Vehicle--600 block E 5th St, Hays; 9:50 AM 
Abandoned Vehicle--3200 block Sherman Ave, Hays; 10:14 AM 
Abandoned Vehicle--100 block W 25th St, Hays; 10:26 AM 
Lost Animals ONLY—500 block W 32nd St, Hays; 12:35 PM 
Lost Animals ONLY—400 block W 13th St, Hays; 12:52 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley—400 block E 19th, Hays; 5 AM; 1:50 PM 
Lost Animals ONLY—1100 block E 17th St, Hays; 1:52 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle--500 block Fort St, Hays; 3:51 PM 
Welfare Check—1400 block E 29th St, Hay; 8:27 AM; 8:20 PM 
Unwanted Person—400 block W 8th St, Hays; 9:54 PM; 11 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 3 animal calls and conducted 20 traffic stops Sun., Jan. 16, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.No activity report&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573140734289.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Hays PD Activity Log, Jan. 10-16  

By RON FIELDS <a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/post-news-network">Post News Network</a>

The end of contact tracing by the state and some school districts could be the "pivot point" of nearly two years of dealing with COVID-19, according to a Hays doctor.

Dr. Heather Harris, chief medical officer at HaysMed, told the Post News Network that contact tracing might lead to more people treating the illness like the flu or RSV — moving from a pandemic to an endemic state.

"Patients do not have to hide from being sick or hide their sick kids in fear of quarantining their friends and family," she said. "Everyone can stay home when they are sick which will help the spread of COVID or any viral illness. If the symptoms are mild in a healthy vaccinated adult or child, then testing is probably not needed — and this will decrease the impact on overwhelmed clinics and testing centers."

Harris said those health care centers have seen a spike in testing requests during the latest coronavirus surge, which has seen a tenth of Ellis County's overall total cases diagnosed just during the month of January.

"If your symptoms are mild, it looks like a cold and you're vaccinated, I don't think you need to be tested every time," she said. "If you wouldn't have gone to the doctor before (the pandemic) for those symptoms, stay home and get back when you're well ... unless you're elderly or fragile."

More severe symptoms — sore throat or a temperature —&nbsp;could require an evaluation by a doctor, she added.

Like every hospital, HaysMed is still seeing heavy COVID-related hospitalizations as the omicron variant of COVID displaces the previous delta variant —&nbsp;generally between 20 and 25 COVID inpatients on any given day. The vast majority of those are unvaccinated. 

"The underlying message is that almost two years into this, we have a vaccine we know will protect people from being hospitalized or dying," Harris said. "We need people doing the right thing."

Statewide, the number of COVID-related hospitalizations has jumped —&nbsp;especially pediatric admissions — putting a strain on health care workers.

That strain could be eased in Ellis County with the <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/75f061b1-d7f1-4dba-ad9d-36bcbccc8ee8">reopening of a temporary testing site at a local shopping center.</a>

With the traditional flu season well underway, Harris said it's often difficult to determine what is actually causing illness. And with contact tracing and the resulting mandated quarantines ending in Hays, COVID could become just another viral infection for most.&nbsp; Hays USD 489 will discuss a policy change to end contact tracing Monday.

"You could test positive for flu and COVID or strep and COVID ... and it's hard to tell which is making you sick," she said. "It's hard not to be exposed to COVID. ... But if you're a healthy adult with a mild cough, stay home your five days and get better."

Severity of symptoms related to COVID have recently varied greatly, Harris added, with variables such as vaccination status, booster status and levels of immunity from previous contraction of COVID all playing a role.

"The current data shows that omicron may have more mild symptoms. We will not know for sure the impact of this virus locally for one to three more weeks," she said. "We have an older community and vaccine rates in northwest Kansas continue to be at 50 percent — low — so there should be some concern that we will continue to see more patients that may have severe disease and require hospitalization due to number of patients that are becoming ill with our local vaccine status and the age of our local population."

She added that treatment options are expanding for patients in the highest risk categories, as well, which could help decrease the need for hospital care and help alleviate a rising statewide death toll. 

But Harris also cautioned the toll of the latest COVID surge won't be known for weeks, noting hospitalizations generally increase a couple of weeks after the curve peaks —&nbsp;and deaths begin to increase a couple of weeks after that.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642801695346.png" alt="Kansas Hospital Association" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Hospital Association</figcaption>
 </figure>By RON FIELDS <a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/post-news-network">Post News Network</a>The end of contact tracing by the state and some school districts could be the "pivot point" of nearly two years of dealing with COVID-19, according to a Hays doctor.Dr. Heather Harris, chief medical officer at HaysMed, told the Post News Network that contact tracing might lead to more people treating the illness like the flu or RSV — moving from a pandemic to an endemic state."Patients do not have to hide from being sick or hide their sick kids in fear of quarantining their friends and family," she said. "Everyone can stay home when they are sick which will help the spread of COVID or any viral illness. If the symptoms are mild in a healthy vaccinated adult or child, then testing is probably not needed — and this will decrease the impact on overwhelmed clinics and testing centers."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639254081806.png" alt="Dr. Heather Harris" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Heather Harris</figcaption>
 </figure>Harris said those health care centers have seen a spike in testing requests during the latest coronavirus surge, which has seen a tenth of Ellis County's overall total cases diagnosed just during the month of January."If your symptoms are mild, it looks like a cold and you're vaccinated, I don't think you need to be tested every time," she said. "If you wouldn't have gone to the doctor before (the pandemic) for those symptoms, stay home and get back when you're well ... unless you're elderly or fragile."More severe symptoms — sore throat or a temperature —&nbsp;could require an evaluation by a doctor, she added.Like every hospital, HaysMed is still seeing heavy COVID-related hospitalizations as the omicron variant of COVID displaces the previous delta variant —&nbsp;generally between 20 and 25 COVID inpatients on any given day. The vast majority of those are unvaccinated. "The underlying message is that almost two years into this, we have a vaccine we know will protect people from being hospitalized or dying," Harris said. "We need people doing the right thing."<a href="https://www.ellisco.net/97/Health">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;for information on how to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.Statewide, the number of COVID-related hospitalizations has jumped —&nbsp;especially pediatric admissions — putting a strain on health care workers.That strain could be eased in Ellis County with the <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/75f061b1-d7f1-4dba-ad9d-36bcbccc8ee8">reopening of a temporary testing site at a local shopping center.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642802495067.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>With the traditional flu season well underway, Harris said it's often difficult to determine what is actually causing illness. And with contact tracing and the resulting mandated quarantines ending in Hays, COVID could become just another viral infection for most.&nbsp; Hays USD 489 will discuss a policy change to end contact tracing Monday."You could test positive for flu and COVID or strep and COVID ... and it's hard to tell which is making you sick," she said. "It's hard not to be exposed to COVID. ... But if you're a healthy adult with a mild cough, stay home your five days and get better."Severity of symptoms related to COVID have recently varied greatly, Harris added, with variables such as vaccination status, booster status and levels of immunity from previous contraction of COVID all playing a role."The current data shows that omicron may have more mild symptoms. We will not know for sure the impact of this virus locally for one to three more weeks," she said. "We have an older community and vaccine rates in northwest Kansas continue to be at 50 percent — low — so there should be some concern that we will continue to see more patients that may have severe disease and require hospitalization due to number of patients that are becoming ill with our local vaccine status and the age of our local population."She added that treatment options are expanding for patients in the highest risk categories, as well, which could help decrease the need for hospital care and help alleviate a rising statewide death toll. But Harris also cautioned the toll of the latest COVID surge won't be known for weeks, noting hospitalizations generally increase a couple of weeks after the curve peaks —&nbsp;and deaths begin to increase a couple of weeks after that.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642789294402.png" alt="Statewide COVID-19 curve / KDHE" />
 <figcaption>Statewide COVID-19 curve / KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>

Doctor: End of contact tracing could be 'pivot point' to endemic

By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development&nbsp;

A century of sausage-making. That sounds like a lot of work, and a lot of tasty food. Today we’ll learn the remarkable story of a family-owned meat business that had its beginnings 100 years ago. Now, another young family is taking the business to the next level.&nbsp;

Adam and Ashley Comeau are the owners of Brant’s Market in Lucas and Plainville.&nbsp;&nbsp;Ashley grew up at the nearby rural community of Zurich, population 99 people. She went to Fort Hays State and then earned her law degree at Washburn Law School.&nbsp;

Adam is the son of Plainville entrepreneur Chuck Comeau who we have previously profiled. Adam graduated from the University of Kansas and earned an associate’s degree in paramedicine at Barton County Community College. He met and married Ashley. They moved back to Plainville where Adam works for Ellis County EMS and Ashley is a practicing attorney.&nbsp;

In 2018, they heard disturbing news: Brant’s Market in Lucas was going to close. This meat market had a rich history.&nbsp;

In 1922, James and Marie Brant purchased the meat shop in Lucas and renamed it Brant’s Meat Market. It was a full-service butcher shop that became especially famous for James’s recipes from Czechoslovakia, such as&nbsp;jaternice, ring bologna, and sausage.&nbsp;

James’ sons George and Frank learned these recipes and continued the family business. George’s son Doug became the third generation in the business, later assisted by daughter Stephanie.&nbsp;

By 2018, the required paperwork and regulations had grown to the point that Doug wanted to retire. He never listed the store for sale but announced that it would close.&nbsp;

“We had gone to Brant’s many times,” Ashley said. They loved the products and hated to see the community lose such a long-standing business. They reached out to Doug and eventually purchased the business.&nbsp;

“The Brants really care for the community and they didn’t want the business to leave town,” Adam said. Doug passed along the old family recipes and helped Ashley and Adam get started.&nbsp;

Brant’s Market is located in Lucas, the grassroots art capitol of Kansas. “People came to Lucas to see the Garden of Eden or the Grassroots Art Center, but they came back to go to Brant’s,” Adam said.&nbsp;

In fact, the sausage and bologna sold out every week in Lucas, so the Comeaus saw the opportunity to expand. In late 2018, they bought a building in downtown Plainville to serve as a production facility and second retail store.&nbsp;

After a year of renovation, they opened the second store in February 2020 – just in time for the pandemic. The Comeaus pivoted to online and curbside service. They re-opened the store as conditions allowed. When the pandemic caused reduced product in larger stores, local people had reason to go to local outlets such as Brant’s.&nbsp;

“We bring in whole loins from federally inspected plants,” Ashley said. Adam has learned the process of handcrafting the finished product from there.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The classic sausage and other ethnic recipes made by the Brant family continue to be a hit. Ashley and Adam have also enhanced their online presence, which has had a significant impact.&nbsp;

Today, Brant’s Market has had its products go coast-to-coast and beyond. Brant’s was named by the Kansas Department of Commerce as a merit award winner in 2019 and was selected by the Kansas Sampler Foundation as one of the Eight Wonders of Kansas Commerce.&nbsp;

“Rooks County Economic Development and Russell County Economic Development have been great to work with,” Ashley said. “Also, a shout-out to NetWork Kansas which supported us with an E-community loan.”&nbsp;

“It’s definitely hard work, but there’s a lot of opportunities in rural Kansas,” Ashley said. “If a business has been around for nearly 100 years, it deserves to stay open.”&nbsp;

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

A century of sausage-making. That’s a remarkable achievement, and it’s wonderful to see a young couple carry on this tradition. We commend Ashley and Adam Comeau for making a difference with their entrepreneurship and commitment. They are beginning the next century of sausage – and of service.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642602415626.png" alt="Adam and Ashley Comeau" />
 <figcaption>Adam and Ashley Comeau</figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development&nbsp;A century of sausage-making. That sounds like a lot of work, and a lot of tasty food. Today we’ll learn the remarkable story of a family-owned meat business that had its beginnings 100 years ago. Now, another young family is taking the business to the next level.&nbsp;Adam and Ashley Comeau are the owners of Brant’s Market in Lucas and Plainville.&nbsp;&nbsp;Ashley grew up at the nearby rural community of Zurich, population 99 people. She went to Fort Hays State and then earned her law degree at Washburn Law School.&nbsp;Adam is the son of Plainville entrepreneur Chuck Comeau who we have previously profiled. Adam graduated from the University of Kansas and earned an associate’s degree in paramedicine at Barton County Community College. He met and married Ashley. They moved back to Plainville where Adam works for Ellis County EMS and Ashley is a practicing attorney.&nbsp;In 2018, they heard disturbing news: Brant’s Market in Lucas was going to close. This meat market had a rich history.&nbsp;In 1922, James and Marie Brant purchased the meat shop in Lucas and renamed it Brant’s Meat Market. It was a full-service butcher shop that became especially famous for James’s recipes from Czechoslovakia, such as&nbsp;jaternice, ring bologna, and sausage.&nbsp;James’ sons George and Frank learned these recipes and continued the family business. George’s son Doug became the third generation in the business, later assisted by daughter Stephanie.&nbsp;By 2018, the required paperwork and regulations had grown to the point that Doug wanted to retire. He never listed the store for sale but announced that it would close.&nbsp;“We had gone to Brant’s many times,” Ashley said. They loved the products and hated to see the community lose such a long-standing business. They reached out to Doug and eventually purchased the business.&nbsp;“The Brants really care for the community and they didn’t want the business to leave town,” Adam said. Doug passed along the old family recipes and helped Ashley and Adam get started.&nbsp;Brant’s Market is located in Lucas, the grassroots art capitol of Kansas. “People came to Lucas to see the Garden of Eden or the Grassroots Art Center, but they came back to go to Brant’s,” Adam said.&nbsp;In fact, the sausage and bologna sold out every week in Lucas, so the Comeaus saw the opportunity to expand. In late 2018, they bought a building in downtown Plainville to serve as a production facility and second retail store.&nbsp;After a year of renovation, they opened the second store in February 2020 – just in time for the pandemic. The Comeaus pivoted to online and curbside service. They re-opened the store as conditions allowed. When the pandemic caused reduced product in larger stores, local people had reason to go to local outlets such as Brant’s.&nbsp;“We bring in whole loins from federally inspected plants,” Ashley said. Adam has learned the process of handcrafting the finished product from there.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The classic sausage and other ethnic recipes made by the Brant family continue to be a hit. Ashley and Adam have also enhanced their online presence, which has had a significant impact.&nbsp;Today, Brant’s Market has had its products go coast-to-coast and beyond. Brant’s was named by the Kansas Department of Commerce as a merit award winner in 2019 and was selected by the Kansas Sampler Foundation as one of the Eight Wonders of Kansas Commerce.&nbsp;“Rooks County Economic Development and Russell County Economic Development have been great to work with,” Ashley said. “Also, a shout-out to NetWork Kansas which supported us with an E-community loan.”&nbsp;“It’s definitely hard work, but there’s a lot of opportunities in rural Kansas,” Ashley said. “If a business has been around for nearly 100 years, it deserves to stay open.”&nbsp;For more information, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.brantsmarket.com/">www.brantsmarket.com</a>.&nbsp;A century of sausage-making. That’s a remarkable achievement, and it’s wonderful to see a young couple carry on this tradition. We commend Ashley and Adam Comeau for making a difference with their entrepreneurship and commitment. They are beginning the next century of sausage – and of service.&nbsp;

Now That’s Rural: Ashley and Adam Comeau, Brant’s Market 

Eight registered nurses at HaysMed were honored recently at a recognition ceremony and luncheon.&nbsp; They completed the yearlong RN Residency Program offered at HaysMed.

The program in July with training focused on clinical experience, one on one mentorship with their preceptor, high-fidelity simulations and on the job training. Additionally, nurses received training from professionals in several departments, such as radiology, pharmacy, cardiac care, peri-op and others.

The RN Residency class from Hays included Bailey Foss, RN, Cole Jacobsen, RN, Kylie Levine, RN, Shaila Naegele, RN, Olivia Nelson, RN, Sarah Stout, RN, Melissa Pummel, RN and Madison Wilborn, RN.

“It is so important for new nursing graduates to have a group of peers and mentors who assist them in enhancing their skills and becoming comfortable with the challenges of practice,” said Jennifer Peirano, RN Residency Coordinator. “Our program is evidence based, with positive clinical outcomes that will help not only the participating nurses, but also our patients.”

Currently there are four nurses scheduled in the next program, which begins in February. The program is open to newly graduated RNs and RNs that have less than one year of acute care experience.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642777870866.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HaysMedEight registered nurses at HaysMed were honored recently at a recognition ceremony and luncheon.&nbsp; They completed the yearlong RN Residency Program offered at HaysMed.The program in July with training focused on clinical experience, one on one mentorship with their preceptor, high-fidelity simulations and on the job training. Additionally, nurses received training from professionals in several departments, such as radiology, pharmacy, cardiac care, peri-op and others.The RN Residency class from Hays included Bailey Foss, RN, Cole Jacobsen, RN, Kylie Levine, RN, Shaila Naegele, RN, Olivia Nelson, RN, Sarah Stout, RN, Melissa Pummel, RN and Madison Wilborn, RN.“It is so important for new nursing graduates to have a group of peers and mentors who assist them in enhancing their skills and becoming comfortable with the challenges of practice,” said Jennifer Peirano, RN Residency Coordinator. “Our program is evidence based, with positive clinical outcomes that will help not only the participating nurses, but also our patients.”Currently there are four nurses scheduled in the next program, which begins in February. The program is open to newly graduated RNs and RNs that have less than one year of acute care experience.

HaysMed honors nurses completing RN Residency Program

Thirty-two first-year educators from Kansas were recognized for their outstanding teaching skills through the 2022 Kansas Horizon Award program. Six of those are either current Fort Hays State University students or recent graduates of FHSU.&nbsp;

The Kansas Horizon Award program is sponsored by the Kansas State Department of Education. All school districts across the state have the opportunity to nominate one elementary and one secondary teacher for the award.&nbsp;

The program, in its 20th year, is divided into four regions corresponding to the state’s U.S. congressional districts. Four elementary and four secondary classroom teachers are selected from each region.

FHSU was well represented in Region 1, with half of the winners having ties to Fort Hays State. That is especially impressive since that region corresponds with Kansas’ Big First District, which encompasses all or part of 63 in western and northern Kansas —&nbsp;more than half of the state.

Four of the FHSU winners are current students in the Transition To Teaching (T2T) program, an alternative route to teacher licensure in Kansas.

As recipients of the Kansas Horizon Award, these educators are invited to join the Kansas Exemplary Educators Network, a network of educators from around the state who have been formally recognized for exemplary performance. Members of KEEN have an opportunity to network with other outstanding educators and participate in several professional development programs throughout the year.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Following is a list of the 2022 Horizon Award winners with FHSU ties:

Lindsey Kepka, T2T, Hutchinson Virtual School.

Christine Pianalto, T2T, McPherson High School.

Katelyn Stoss, T2T, Plum Creek Elementary School, Buhler.

Jazzman Tolbert, 2019 graduate, Graber Elementary School, Hutchinson.

Mellisa Wilson, 2019 graduate, Central Heights Elementary School, Richmond.

Kassie Campidilli, T2T, Goddard High School.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642710886381.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University CommunicationsThirty-two first-year educators from Kansas were recognized for their outstanding teaching skills through the 2022 Kansas Horizon Award program. Six of those are either current Fort Hays State University students or recent graduates of FHSU.&nbsp;The Kansas Horizon Award program is sponsored by the Kansas State Department of Education. All school districts across the state have the opportunity to nominate one elementary and one secondary teacher for the award.&nbsp;The program, in its 20th year, is divided into four regions corresponding to the state’s U.S. congressional districts. Four elementary and four secondary classroom teachers are selected from each region.FHSU was well represented in Region 1, with half of the winners having ties to Fort Hays State. That is especially impressive since that region corresponds with Kansas’ Big First District, which encompasses all or part of 63 in western and northern Kansas —&nbsp;more than half of the state.Four of the FHSU winners are current students in the Transition To Teaching (T2T) program, an alternative route to teacher licensure in Kansas.As recipients of the Kansas Horizon Award, these educators are invited to join the Kansas Exemplary Educators Network, a network of educators from around the state who have been formally recognized for exemplary performance. Members of KEEN have an opportunity to network with other outstanding educators and participate in several professional development programs throughout the year.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Following is a list of the 2022 Horizon Award winners with FHSU ties:From Region 1:Lindsey Kepka, T2T, Hutchinson Virtual School.Christine Pianalto, T2T, McPherson High School.Katelyn Stoss, T2T, Plum Creek Elementary School, Buhler.Jazzman Tolbert, 2019 graduate, Graber Elementary School, Hutchinson.From Region 2:Mellisa Wilson, 2019 graduate, Central Heights Elementary School, Richmond.From Region 4:Kassie Campidilli, T2T, Goddard High School.&nbsp;

FHSU students, alumni honored with Kansas Horizon education award

<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/2022/1/1642786314967.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

By JULIE TOLLEFSON KU News Service&nbsp;

LAWRENCE — Researchers at the Kansas Geological Survey at the University of Kansas have teamed with colleagues at three other institutions to investigate what makes some groundwater conservation programs more effective than others.

The project, funded by $1.6 million from the National Science Foundation, focuses on two regions where irrigators have come together to design their own groundwater conservation programs, one in the San Luis Valley in southern Colorado and the other in Sheridan County in northwest Kansas.

The success of the Kansas and Colorado conservation programs has attracted the interest of communities across the United States and abroad, as groundwater levels are declining in many places. Continued unsustainable use will threaten farmers’ livelihoods as well as national and global food supplies.

“We hope our study will help reveal what social and environmental factors have led to successful conservation, which could provide guidance to communities outside our study regions,” said Sam Zipper, assistant scientist at KGS and project co-principal investigator.

The project, “Toward Resilient and Adaptive Community-Driven Management of Groundwater-Dependent Agricultural Systems,” will be led by Landon Marston at Virginia Tech. Purdue University and the Colorado School of Mines are also partners in the research.

In Kansas, groundwater pumping in the High Plains aquifer, which underlies most of western Kansas, has increased significantly over the last 70 years. A long-running KGS project to monitor water levels in a network of wells across central and western Kansas found that from 1996 through 2020, levels declined more than 11 feet, on average, in Groundwater Management District 4, which includes the Sheridan County study area.

In the Sheridan County program, known as the Sheridan-6 Local Enhanced Management Area, or SD-6 LEMA, irrigators developed a conservation plan to reduce pumping by 20%. Since its inception, members of the SD-6 LEMA have reduced pumping by 32%, exceeding their stated goal, and water-level decline rates have diminished by about 65% without a notable reduction in crop production.

However, the program has operated under ideal conditions, with the region experiencing relatively wet years and stable crop markets.

“The challenge for us is to develop a better understanding of the resilience and transferability of these programs,” said Jim Butler, KGS senior scientist and project co-principal investigator. “In other words, how will they perform in a future characterized by a changing climate and far from stable markets, and will what works in Sheridan County continue to work in different agricultural and hydrologic settings? These are the questions we will strive to answer in our effort to better position the irrigation community in Kansas and elsewhere for what the future may hold.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642612261698.jpeg" alt="Haskell County pivot irrigation, fall 2010. (Kansas Groundwater Survey)" />
 <figcaption>Haskell County pivot irrigation, fall 2010. (Kansas Groundwater Survey)</figcaption>
 </figure>By JULIE TOLLEFSON KU News Service&nbsp;LAWRENCE — Researchers at the Kansas Geological Survey at the University of Kansas have teamed with colleagues at three other institutions to investigate what makes some groundwater conservation programs more effective than others.The project, funded by $1.6 million from the National Science Foundation, focuses on two regions where irrigators have come together to design their own groundwater conservation programs, one in the San Luis Valley in southern Colorado and the other in Sheridan County in northwest Kansas.The success of the Kansas and Colorado conservation programs has attracted the interest of communities across the United States and abroad, as groundwater levels are declining in many places. Continued unsustainable use will threaten farmers’ livelihoods as well as national and global food supplies.“We hope our study will help reveal what social and environmental factors have led to successful conservation, which could provide guidance to communities outside our study regions,” said Sam Zipper, assistant scientist at KGS and project co-principal investigator.The project, “Toward Resilient and Adaptive Community-Driven Management of Groundwater-Dependent Agricultural Systems,” will be led by Landon Marston at Virginia Tech. Purdue University and the Colorado School of Mines are also partners in the research.In Kansas, groundwater pumping in the High Plains aquifer, which underlies most of western Kansas, has increased significantly over the last 70 years. A long-running KGS project to monitor water levels in a network of wells across central and western Kansas found that from 1996 through 2020, levels declined more than 11 feet, on average, in Groundwater Management District 4, which includes the Sheridan County study area.<figure>
 <img src="https://news.ku.edu/sites/news.ku.edu/files/images/general/2022_news/january/Butler%20-%20Hoxie%20presentation%20July%2018%202017.JPG" alt="Jim Butler, KGS senior scientist, gives a presentation in Hoxie in 2017. (Kansas Geological Survey)" />
 <figcaption>Jim Butler, KGS senior scientist, gives a presentation in Hoxie in 2017. (Kansas Geological Survey)</figcaption>
 </figure>In the Sheridan County program, known as the Sheridan-6 Local Enhanced Management Area, or SD-6 LEMA, irrigators developed a conservation plan to reduce pumping by 20%. Since its inception, members of the SD-6 LEMA have reduced pumping by 32%, exceeding their stated goal, and water-level decline rates have diminished by about 65% without a notable reduction in crop production.However, the program has operated under ideal conditions, with the region experiencing relatively wet years and stable crop markets.“The challenge for us is to develop a better understanding of the resilience and transferability of these programs,” said Jim Butler, KGS senior scientist and project co-principal investigator. “In other words, how will they perform in a future characterized by a changing climate and far from stable markets, and will what works in Sheridan County continue to work in different agricultural and hydrologic settings? These are the questions we will strive to answer in our effort to better position the irrigation community in Kansas and elsewhere for what the future may hold.”The KGS will employ a postdoctoral scholar to develop a computer program, the Crop-Hydrological-Agent Modeling Platform, or CHAMP, to help answer these questions. CHAMP will integrate types of models that are often used separately — groundwater flow, crop production and human decisions — together into a single tool. This integrated approach will allow researchers, irrigators and other interested parties to model how complex relationships among social and environmental factors affect water resources.CHAMP, along with data collected by other partners in the project through surveys, public document analysis, qualitative interviews and behavioral experiments, will help researchers and others better understand whether self-governing conservation groups are more resilient if their rules respond to changing conditions and are tailored to local needs.“Successful groundwater conservation requires cooperation among many different users, which makes it challenging to achieve,” Zipper said. “Our understanding of the physics of hydrogeology far outpaces our understanding of how the irrigation community makes water-related decisions and how these decisions ultimately influence water resources and the communities that depend on them.”The KGS work will build on both data analysis and modeling efforts conducted in northwestern Kansas in the past. Previous KGS work, including studies of the SD-6 LEMA in Sheridan County, was funded by the Kansas Water Office, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Science Foundation.