Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services division of the Kansas Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.6 percent in November. This was a decrease from 3.9 percent in October and a decrease from 4.7 percent in November 2020.

“In November, the Kansas labor market saw the unemployment rate decline to 3.6 percent.  Nonfarm job estimates increased by 2,700 jobs over the month,” said Secretary Amber Shultz. “The labor force participation rate did decrease in November, but is still at pre-pandemic levels.” 

Several counties in northwest Kansas fell below 2 percent unemployment, with Ellis County falling from 2 percent in October to just 1.4 percent in November. The jobless rate in Wallace County was just 0.8 percent.

No county west of Wichita had an unemployment rate higher than Grant County's 2.7 percent in November.

Seasonally adjusted job estimates indicate total Kansas nonfarm jobs increased by 2,700 from October. Private sector jobs, a subset of total nonfarm jobs, increased by 2,400 from the previous month, while government increased by 300.

“The largest over-the-month job gains in November were in trade, transportation, and utilities, as well as leisure and hospitality,” said Labor Economist Emilie Doerksen. “Both of these industries experienced significant declines early in the pandemic, but have seen a steady recovery since April 2020.  Trade, transportation, and utilities have seen relatively strong growth and is now 3.3 percent above pre-pandemic levels.”

Since November 2020, Kansas seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 35,400. This change is due to an increase of 33,000 private sector jobs and 2,400 government jobs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639758482446.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services division of the Kansas Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.6 percent in November. This was a decrease from 3.9 percent in October and a decrease from 4.7 percent in November 2020.“In November, the Kansas labor market saw the unemployment rate decline to 3.6 percent. Nonfarm job estimates increased by 2,700 jobs over the month,” said Secretary Amber Shultz. “The labor force participation rate did decrease in November, but is still at pre-pandemic levels.” Several counties in northwest Kansas fell below 2 percent unemployment, with Ellis County falling from 2 percent in October to just 1.4 percent in November. The jobless rate in Wallace County was just 0.8 percent.No county west of Wichita had an unemployment rate higher than Grant County's 2.7 percent in November.Seasonally adjusted job estimates indicate total Kansas nonfarm jobs increased by 2,700 from October. Private sector jobs, a subset of total nonfarm jobs, increased by 2,400 from the previous month, while government increased by 300.“The largest over-the-month job gains in November were in trade, transportation, and utilities, as well as leisure and hospitality,” said Labor Economist Emilie Doerksen. “Both of these industries experienced significant declines early in the pandemic, but have seen a steady recovery since April 2020. Trade, transportation, and utilities have seen relatively strong growth and is now 3.3 percent above pre-pandemic levels.”Since November 2020, Kansas seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 35,400. This change is due to an increase of 33,000 private sector jobs and 2,400 government jobs.

Most NW Kan. counties fall below 2% unemployment in November

LENORA – The Federal Communications Commission has appointed new members to serve on the Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States.&nbsp;Jimmy Todd, CEO/GM of Nex-Tech, has been appointed as a member of the Precision Ag Connectivity Task Force. The task force will continue its work to provide advice and recommendations to the FCC on accelerating the deployment of broadband internet access service on unserved agricultural land to promote precision agriculture.

Additionally,&nbsp;Teddy Bekele, senior vice president and chief technology officer of Land O’Lakes (MN), will serve as the chairman; and&nbsp;Michael Adelaine,&nbsp;Ph.D., CIO &amp; special advisor to the president at South Dakota State University (SD), will serve as the vice chairman. Other members appointed include&nbsp;The&nbsp;Honorable Dale Artho, commissioner for deaf Smith County (TX);&nbsp;The Honorable Loranne Ausley, Florida State Senator for District 3 (FL);&nbsp;Sreekala Baiwa,&nbsp;Ph.D,. Vice President, dean and director at Montana State University College of Agriculture &amp; Montana Agriculture Experiment Station (MT);&nbsp;Andy Bater, farmer at Fifth Estate Growers LLC (PA);&nbsp;Julie Bushell, president, Paige Wireless at Irrigation Association (NE);&nbsp;Anthony Dillard, tribal councilman of Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (OK);&nbsp;Michael Gomes, vice president, strategic business development at Topcon Agriculture (CA);&nbsp;Heather Hampton-Knodle, vice president and secretary at Knodle Ltd. Farms (IL);&nbsp;Robert Hance, president and CEO at Midwest Energy and Communications (MI);&nbsp;Ryan Krogh,&nbsp;Manager, production system program management at John Deere (IL);&nbsp;Jennifer Manner, executive vice president and general counsel at Hughes Network Systems, LLC (MD);&nbsp;Joy Sterling,&nbsp;CEO at Iron Horse Vineyards (CA); and&nbsp;Christopher McLean, acting administrator, Rural Utilities Service, United States Department of Agriculture.

"It is an honor to be appointed to the Precision Ag Task Force. Being a service provider in rural Kansas agriculture is our life-blood and Nex-Tech has been focused on ensuring connectivity in rural areas despite the challenges of serving in high-cost areas of our country,” said Jimmy Todd. “I plan to help offer insights that allow us to make recommendations that truly benefit precision agriculture and connectivity across rural America."

More information about the Precision Ag Connectivity Task Force is available at

<a href="https://go.nex-tech.com/e3t/Btc/ZO+113/c2T0b04/VW8gnD2cw8-XN5mkH-nGPJv3W5NMkyh4C3xvlN31NNzS5nCTJV3Zsc37CgVq8W8MYj-688D6l4W6SMJG83wXFd4W93Nz852M6SJrN3WNnpzgTH8DW424xvb2hKd_WW3c6Jcq1pY0f8W1Q2wPn29FmJ_W4-trg23jg4sGVF51Xl4crPTmW3VKGrV8gmS9BW32wYJ18SvthfN1761sm9JbkYW3VhVJ79dfMB_W2r93vy2JG1NLW78MwXg5fPyGjW2j4hD-8g8-CtVPkdLW13KVV7W78LpqF2wkJQvN5jSRd_TFkscW7m11Px2vR244W2lY3575B5jvhN7Gm9zGMrX6nW2B-cGF2Vh66WN6f_gqvH24bMW1nCtP74hD7GCW6VQ__D2rjfz7N30lzCGXLpqmW6WM12-6j44WdW6tscH22QhZjxW8h9Vq34R7D_CW82d4s-1Kxy0-W8J-_L38sg9q13dnX1" target="_blank">https://www.fcc.gov/task-force-reviewing-connectivity-and-technology-needs-precision-agriculture-united-states.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1601562391147.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>LENORA – The Federal Communications Commission has appointed new members to serve on the Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States.&nbsp;Jimmy Todd, CEO/GM of Nex-Tech, has been appointed as a member of the Precision Ag Connectivity Task Force. The task force will continue its work to provide advice and recommendations to the FCC on accelerating the deployment of broadband internet access service on unserved agricultural land to promote precision agriculture.Additionally,&nbsp;Teddy Bekele, senior vice president and chief technology officer of Land O’Lakes (MN), will serve as the chairman; and&nbsp;Michael Adelaine,&nbsp;Ph.D., CIO &amp; special advisor to the president at South Dakota State University (SD), will serve as the vice chairman. Other members appointed include&nbsp;The&nbsp;Honorable Dale Artho, commissioner for deaf Smith County (TX);&nbsp;The Honorable Loranne Ausley, Florida State Senator for District 3 (FL);&nbsp;Sreekala Baiwa,&nbsp;Ph.D,. Vice President, dean and director at Montana State University College of Agriculture &amp; Montana Agriculture Experiment Station (MT);&nbsp;Andy Bater, farmer at Fifth Estate Growers LLC (PA);&nbsp;Julie Bushell, president, Paige Wireless at Irrigation Association (NE);&nbsp;Anthony Dillard, tribal councilman of Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (OK);&nbsp;Michael Gomes, vice president, strategic business development at Topcon Agriculture (CA);&nbsp;Heather Hampton-Knodle, vice president and secretary at Knodle Ltd. Farms (IL);&nbsp;Robert Hance, president and CEO at Midwest Energy and Communications (MI);&nbsp;Ryan Krogh,&nbsp;Manager, production system program management at John Deere (IL);&nbsp;Jennifer Manner, executive vice president and general counsel at Hughes Network Systems, LLC (MD);&nbsp;Joy Sterling,&nbsp;CEO at Iron Horse Vineyards (CA); and&nbsp;Christopher McLean, acting administrator, Rural Utilities Service, United States Department of Agriculture."It is an honor to be appointed to the Precision Ag Task Force. Being a service provider in rural Kansas agriculture is our life-blood and Nex-Tech has been focused on ensuring connectivity in rural areas despite the challenges of serving in high-cost areas of our country,” said Jimmy Todd. “I plan to help offer insights that allow us to make recommendations that truly benefit precision agriculture and connectivity across rural America."More information about the Precision Ag Connectivity Task Force is available at<a href="https://go.nex-tech.com/e3t/Btc/ZO+113/c2T0b04/VW8gnD2cw8-XN5mkH-nGPJv3W5NMkyh4C3xvlN31NNzS5nCTJV3Zsc37CgVq8W8MYj-688D6l4W6SMJG83wXFd4W93Nz852M6SJrN3WNnpzgTH8DW424xvb2hKd_WW3c6Jcq1pY0f8W1Q2wPn29FmJ_W4-trg23jg4sGVF51Xl4crPTmW3VKGrV8gmS9BW32wYJ18SvthfN1761sm9JbkYW3VhVJ79dfMB_W2r93vy2JG1NLW78MwXg5fPyGjW2j4hD-8g8-CtVPkdLW13KVV7W78LpqF2wkJQvN5jSRd_TFkscW7m11Px2vR244W2lY3575B5jvhN7Gm9zGMrX6nW2B-cGF2Vh66WN6f_gqvH24bMW1nCtP74hD7GCW6VQ__D2rjfz7N30lzCGXLpqmW6WM12-6j44WdW6tscH22QhZjxW8h9Vq34R7D_CW82d4s-1Kxy0-W8J-_L38sg9q13dnX1" target="_blank">https://www.fcc.gov/task-force-reviewing-connectivity-and-technology-needs-precision-agriculture-united-states.</a>

Nex-Tech CEO named to federal precision ag task force

Aneth Morales-Canales questions how she will ever repay Fort Hays State University for what she calls an “experience of a lifetime.” On second thought, she knows the answer.

She is excited for the opportunity to pay it forward.

Aneth will graduate summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in Spanish at Friday’s FHSU fall commencement ceremonies. Then she will begin work for the College Advising Corps (CAC), which partners with Kansas State University to place advisors in different regions across the state.

The CAC assists low-income, first-generation college and underrepresented high school students to learn about college preparation and career opportunities. Aneth will be stationed in Liberal, a town of 19,800 in the far southwest corner of Kansas whose population is nearly 70 percent Hispanic.

“I’m so grateful to have found this organization, because I get to fill a need that students may have in Liberal,” said Aneth, a first-generation college graduate for her family. “I am looking forward to letting them know that they can make it happen if they wish to seek higher education or enter the workforce.”

She moved from her native Mexico at age 9, knowing little, if anything, about the English language. Having been raised early on by her grandmother, Aneth and her brother joined their mom and their sister in Dodge City to embark on a new life.

Determined to succeed in her new home, Aneth took advantage of the English As A Second Language program. She survived some challenges in elementary school and went on to graduate in the top 10 percent of her class at Dodge City High School in 2017 and was chosen as a keynote speaker at commencement. She decided to stay close to home to attend college and spend her first two years at Dodge City Community College, from where she also graduated with highest honors.

Knowing that she wanted to pursue a bachelor’s degree, Aneth began researching four-year institutions early in her sophomore year at DCCC. Fort Hays State made the shortlist of her choices right away.

Like so many students, Aneth said she was impressed with FHSU’s campus – and the warm welcome she received from Tiger Nation.

“When I visited, I fell in love with everything about campus,” she said, “so it made it easy for me to transfer.”

Once on campus, Aneth got involved with several student organizations and continued to blossom. She didn’t even let a worldwide pandemic derail her goals. When FHSU pivoted to remote operations because of Covid-19 in March 2020 and continued to hold classes online, Aneth welcomed another new way of learning.

<a></a>“I really liked the approach the professors took, not trying to match exactly what we had with an in-person classroom but instead optimizing the new delivery with lecturing online,” she said. “They were really flexible with us students. I truly admire the leadership at FHSU and the faculty of my department. Their efforts ensured that the quality of our education remained unchanged, and I continue to be very inspired by that.”

Ken Windholz, one of Aneth’s instructors in her psychology classes, wasn’t in the least bit surprised that she was successful despite challenges with the transition.

“Aneth has such an eagerness to learn and help educate herself, and she has taken advantage of every opportunity that has come her way,” Windholz said. “She would always ask questions and probe deeper into the material. Even when we had hybrid classes over Zoom, she didn’t let that inhibit her learning at all.”

As she prepares for the next step of life’s journey, Aneth talks about special events in her life that she will cherish forever. One of those is becoming a U.S. citizen in 2019. Another will be crossing the stage in FHSU’s Gross Memorial Coliseum to accept her diploma. She is certain that list will continue to grow when she begins helping students through the College Advising Corps.

“Aneth wants to help people, and she has so much social and emotional intelligence,” Windholz said. “She is very sincere and genuine and just understands people so well. She is perfect for that job.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639681805914.jpeg" alt="Aneth Morales-Canales" />
 <figcaption>Aneth Morales-Canales</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University RelationsAneth Morales-Canales questions how she will ever repay Fort Hays State University for what she calls an “experience of a lifetime.” On second thought, she knows the answer.She is excited for the opportunity to pay it forward.Aneth will graduate summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in Spanish at Friday’s FHSU fall commencement ceremonies. Then she will begin work for the College Advising Corps (CAC), which partners with Kansas State University to place advisors in different regions across the state.The CAC assists low-income, first-generation college and underrepresented high school students to learn about college preparation and career opportunities. Aneth will be stationed in Liberal, a town of 19,800 in the far southwest corner of Kansas whose population is nearly 70 percent Hispanic.“I’m so grateful to have found this organization, because I get to fill a need that students may have in Liberal,” said Aneth, a first-generation college graduate for her family. “I am looking forward to letting them know that they can make it happen if they wish to seek higher education or enter the workforce.”And Aneth should know.She moved from her native Mexico at age 9, knowing little, if anything, about the English language. Having been raised early on by her grandmother, Aneth and her brother joined their mom and their sister in Dodge City to embark on a new life.Determined to succeed in her new home, Aneth took advantage of the English As A Second Language program. She survived some challenges in elementary school and went on to graduate in the top 10 percent of her class at Dodge City High School in 2017 and was chosen as a keynote speaker at commencement. She decided to stay close to home to attend college and spend her first two years at Dodge City Community College, from where she also graduated with highest honors.Knowing that she wanted to pursue a bachelor’s degree, Aneth began researching four-year institutions early in her sophomore year at DCCC. Fort Hays State made the shortlist of her choices right away.Like so many students, Aneth said she was impressed with FHSU’s campus – and the warm welcome she received from Tiger Nation.“When I visited, I fell in love with everything about campus,” she said, “so it made it easy for me to transfer.”Once on campus, Aneth got involved with several student organizations and continued to blossom. She didn’t even let a worldwide pandemic derail her goals. When FHSU pivoted to remote operations because of Covid-19 in March 2020 and continued to hold classes online, Aneth welcomed another new way of learning.<a></a>“I really liked the approach the professors took, not trying to match exactly what we had with an in-person classroom but instead optimizing the new delivery with lecturing online,” she said. “They were really flexible with us students. I truly admire the leadership at FHSU and the faculty of my department. Their efforts ensured that the quality of our education remained unchanged, and I continue to be very inspired by that.”Ken Windholz, one of Aneth’s instructors in her psychology classes, wasn’t in the least bit surprised that she was successful despite challenges with the transition.“Aneth has such an eagerness to learn and help educate herself, and she has taken advantage of every opportunity that has come her way,” Windholz said. “She would always ask questions and probe deeper into the material. Even when we had hybrid classes over Zoom, she didn’t let that inhibit her learning at all.”As she prepares for the next step of life’s journey, Aneth talks about special events in her life that she will cherish forever. One of those is becoming a U.S. citizen in 2019. Another will be crossing the stage in FHSU’s Gross Memorial Coliseum to accept her diploma. She is certain that list will continue to grow when she begins helping students through the College Advising Corps.“Aneth wants to help people, and she has so much social and emotional intelligence,” Windholz said. “She is very sincere and genuine and just understands people so well. She is perfect for that job.”

FHSU first-generation grad delighted to pay it forward

Precision Valley Golf was the sponsor of the Great Christmas Giveaway. 

Over 450 participants entered to win a Cleveland Putter and Cleveland Wedge along with Srixion Z Star XV Golf Balls and a gift card for a two-hour party rental with simulators. 

The winner is Ruth Ann Zimmer, a teacher at Victoria High School who was pleasantly surprised to find out she was the winner of this early Christmas gift valued at over $500! 

Precision Valley Golf and Bike has indoor simulators with over 100 golf courses to virtually play on and other games too such as soccer and doge ball. They also have a wide arrange of entertainment for the whole family, with a space for parties, dart boards, pool table, out door put put, and a driving range. They also have a full service bar and ready to make customizable pizzas. They also have a full service bike shop and golf shop.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639751895759.jpeg" alt="Ruth Ann Zimmer" />
 <figcaption>Ruth Ann Zimmer</figcaption>
 </figure>Precision Valley Golf was the sponsor of the Great Christmas Giveaway. Over 450 participants entered to win a Cleveland Putter and Cleveland Wedge along with Srixion Z Star XV Golf Balls and a gift card for a two-hour party rental with simulators. The winner is Ruth Ann Zimmer, a teacher at Victoria High School who was pleasantly surprised to find out she was the winner of this early Christmas gift valued at over $500! Precision Valley Golf and Bike has indoor simulators with over 100 golf courses to virtually play on and other games too such as soccer and doge ball. They also have a wide arrange of entertainment for the whole family, with a space for parties, dart boards, pool table, out door put put, and a driving range. They also have a full service bar and ready to make customizable pizzas. They also have a full service bike shop and golf shop.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584121520737.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Winner of Great Christmas Giveaway announced

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639609128026.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Aneth Morales-Canales questions how she will ever repay Fort Hays State University for what she calls an “experience of a lifetime.” On second thought, she knows the answer.She is excited for the opportunity to pay it forward.Aneth will graduate summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in Spanish at Friday’s FHSU fall commencement ceremonies. Then she will begin work for the College Advising Corps (CAC), which partners with Kansas State University to place advisors in different regions across the state.The CAC assists low-income, first-generation college and underrepresented high school students to learn about college preparation and career opportunities. Aneth will be stationed in Liberal, a town of 19,800 in the far southwest corner of Kansas whose population is nearly 70 percent Hispanic.“I’m so grateful to have found this organization, because I get to fill a need that students may have in Liberal,” said Aneth, a first-generation college graduate for her family. “I am looking forward to letting them know that they can make it happen if they wish to seek higher education or enter the workforce.”And Aneth should know.She moved from her native Mexico at age 9, knowing little, if anything, about the English language. Having been raised early on by her grandmother, Aneth and her brother joined their mom and their sister in Dodge City to embark on a new life.Determined to succeed in her new home, Aneth took advantage of the English As A Second Language program. She survived some challenges in elementary school and went on to graduate in the top 10 percent of her class at Dodge City High School in 2017 and was chosen as a keynote speaker at commencement. She decided to stay close to home to attend college and spend her first two years at Dodge City Community College, from where she also graduated with highest honors.Knowing that she wanted to pursue a bachelor’s degree, Aneth began researching four-year institutions early in her sophomore year at DCCC. Fort Hays State made the shortlist of her choices right away.Like so many students, Aneth said she was impressed with FHSU’s campus – and the warm welcome she received from Tiger Nation.“When I visited, I fell in love with everything about campus,” she said, “so it made it easy for me to transfer.”Once on campus, Aneth got involved with several student organizations and continued to blossom. She didn’t even let a worldwide pandemic derail her goals. When FHSU pivoted to remote operations because of Covid-19 in March 2020 and continued to hold classes online, Aneth welcomed another new way of learning.<a></a>“I really liked the approach the professors took, not trying to match exactly what we had with an in-person classroom but instead optimizing the new delivery with lecturing online,” she said. “They were really flexible with us students. I truly admire the leadership at FHSU and the faculty of my department. Their efforts ensured that the quality of our education remained unchanged, and I continue to be very inspired by that.”Ken Windholz, one of Aneth’s instructors in her psychology classes, wasn’t in the least bit surprised that she was successful despite challenges with the transition.“Aneth has such an eagerness to learn and help educate herself, and she has taken advantage of every opportunity that has come her way,” Windholz said. “She would always ask questions and probe deeper into the material. Even when we had hybrid classes over Zoom, she didn’t let that inhibit her learning at all.”As she prepares for the next step of life’s journey, Aneth talks about special events in her life that she will cherish forever. One of those is becoming a U.S. citizen in 2019. Another will be crossing the stage in FHSU’s Gross Memorial Coliseum to accept her diploma. She is certain that list will continue to grow when she begins helping students through the College Advising Corps.“Aneth wants to help people, and she has so much social and emotional intelligence,” Windholz said. “She is very sincere and genuine and just understands people so well. She is perfect for that job.”

The Kansas Department of Transportation announces approved bids for state highway construction and maintenance projects.

The letting took place Nov. 17, 2021, in Topeka. Some of the bids may include multiple projects that have been bundled based on proximity and type of work.

Decatur ‑&nbsp;123‑20 KA‑5569‑01 ‑ K‑123, from the Decatur/Sheridan county line north to the K‑383/K‑123 junction, pavement reconstruction, 3.5 miles, McCormick Excavation &amp; Paving LLC, Stratton, Colorado, $2,776,536.44.

Ellis ‑&nbsp;70‑26 KA‑6133‑01 ‑ I‑70, bridge #013 over Yocemento &nbsp;&nbsp; Road located 7.41 miles east of the K‑247/I‑70 junction, and bridges #015 and #016 over Big Creek Drainage located 8.25 miles east of the K‑247/I‑70 junction, bridge repair, PCI Roads, LLC, Saint Michael, Minnesota, $654,706.48.

Gove ‑&nbsp;23‑32 KA‑6324‑01 ‑ K‑23, from the south city limits of Gove to the Sheridan/Gove county line, milling and overlay, 14.6 miles, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Kansas, $2,902,649.60.

Gove ‑&nbsp;23S‑32 KA‑6325‑01 ‑ K‑23S, from the I‑70/K‑23S junction to the K‑23/K‑23S junction, milling and overlay, 0.3 mile, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Kansas, $89,777.01.

Gove ‑&nbsp;23A‑32 KA‑6326‑01 ‑ K‑23A, from the K‑23/K‑23A junction east 1.8 miles to the K‑23/K‑23A junction, milling and overlay, 1.8 miles, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Kansas, $455,162.22.

Sheridan ‑&nbsp;123‑90 KA‑5568‑01 ‑ K‑123, from the beginning of the route at the K-23/K-123/ N. Road 00 intersection north to the Sheridan/Decatur county line, pavement reconstruction, 2.0 miles, McCormick Excavation &amp; Paving LLC, Stratton, Colorado, $1,644,050.44.

KDOT The Kansas Department of Transportation announces approved bids for state highway construction and maintenance projects.The letting took place Nov. 17, 2021, in Topeka. Some of the bids may include multiple projects that have been bundled based on proximity and type of work.District Three — NorthwestDecatur ‑&nbsp;123‑20 KA‑5569‑01 ‑ K‑123, from the Decatur/Sheridan county line north to the K‑383/K‑123 junction, pavement reconstruction, 3.5 miles, McCormick Excavation &amp; Paving LLC, Stratton, Colorado, $2,776,536.44.Ellis ‑&nbsp;70‑26 KA‑6133‑01 ‑ I‑70, bridge #013 over Yocemento &nbsp;&nbsp; Road located 7.41 miles east of the K‑247/I‑70 junction, and bridges #015 and #016 over Big Creek Drainage located 8.25 miles east of the K‑247/I‑70 junction, bridge repair, PCI Roads, LLC, Saint Michael, Minnesota, $654,706.48.Gove ‑&nbsp;23‑32 KA‑6324‑01 ‑ K‑23, from the south city limits of Gove to the Sheridan/Gove county line, milling and overlay, 14.6 miles, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Kansas, $2,902,649.60.Gove ‑&nbsp;23S‑32 KA‑6325‑01 ‑ K‑23S, from the I‑70/K‑23S junction to the K‑23/K‑23S junction, milling and overlay, 0.3 mile, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Kansas, $89,777.01.Gove ‑&nbsp;23A‑32 KA‑6326‑01 ‑ K‑23A, from the K‑23/K‑23A junction east 1.8 miles to the K‑23/K‑23A junction, milling and overlay, 1.8 miles, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Kansas, $455,162.22.Sheridan ‑&nbsp;123‑90 KA‑5568‑01 ‑ K‑123, from the beginning of the route at the K-23/K-123/ N. Road 00 intersection north to the Sheridan/Decatur county line, pavement reconstruction, 2.0 miles, McCormick Excavation &amp; Paving LLC, Stratton, Colorado, $1,644,050.44.

KDOT November bids include Ellis County bridges

Three-day weather outlook

The morning was the coldest morning yet this fall and everything was “crunchy” with a light coating of frost. I parked behind a big cedar along the field edge, donned the orange vest, shouldered my rifle and bag containing knives, binoculars and other necessities, pointed the flashlight toward the ground and set out for our raised blind about 200 yards away. Halfway there I walked up and over a grassy waterway where every blade of grass glistened in the flashlight beam like a thousand shimmering diamonds had been strewn about. Once in the blind, I settled into to one of the swivel chairs and awaited sunrise.&nbsp;

Our blind has three windows facing north, south and east, that slide open vertically. The north window faces a grassy draw that lies between open crop land and a woodlot to the right, and CRP &amp; an overgrown pasture to the left. A drainage creek runs just in front of the blind, making the spot a natural travel way between beddings areas in the woodlot and the overgrown pasture. As the sun slowly crept above the horizon, I opened the north window and scanned the dark landscape in front of me for moving deer.&nbsp;

Once the morning light was bright enough to take a shot if deer were spotted, I stood up, slid open the east-facing window and sat back in the chair. To my left on the edge of the draw and the CRP, two does with nearly grown fawns suddenly appeared as if from nowhere, as only deer can do. They must have seen me open the window, so they were nervous, and trotted along the edge of the draw, turning at about 100 yards, to cross and continue across the wheat field to my right and out of sight. Just minutes later, again as if from nowhere, a nice buck appeared at the same spot. With obvious love on his mind, moving quickly, he followed the exact path of the does. I will not shoot at a moving deer, but they can usually be stopped for a couple seconds by making a grunting sound like that of another deer. I like to be positioned to put my scope on them and be prepared to shoot as soon as they stop, but this guy out-maneuvered me and was soon gone too.&nbsp;

The next few minutes were brutal for me, as only deer hunters will understand. I beat myself with every feeling available. Thoughts like “That could have been the last deer you’ll see this season.” Or, “Why didn’t you at least try something?” Around and around they swirled in my mind, ceasing only when deer suddenly appeared from the right, across the wheatfield where they had all fled. “Could it be, are they actually coming back?” I wondered. First were the does and fawns, then one buck, and then a second buck joined them. We have corn scatted at the edge of the draw that usually stops deer for at least a nibble, but these deer were having none of that, and thought they weren’t running, they were moving quickly with a purpose. Again, only deer hunters will understand the next few seconds as my brain practically short-circuited trying to process the scenario. “No time to pick the best of the two bucks, so which one to choose.” Where do I try to stop him?” “What if they won’t stop and I blow another opportunity?” “Too many deer, will I be able to see him if he runs a little way after I shoot?”

Just then one of the bucks stepped into the draw and stopped perfectly broadside to me at just over a hundred yards, offering the perfect shot, which put him on the ground where he stood, putting-to-rest all the above concerns, and saving me from another brutal mental beating. To this day, I have no clue how big the other buck was, but it doesn’t matter. I firmly believe in God’s guidance in everyday situations, including bringing those deer back before me so soon, and stopping that marvelous creature in front of me to harvest. God knew our freezer needed restocked and once again, He provided…Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve&nbsp;Gilliland" />
 <figcaption>Steve&nbsp;Gilliland</figcaption>
 </figure>The morning was the coldest morning yet this fall and everything was “crunchy” with a light coating of frost. I parked behind a big cedar along the field edge, donned the orange vest, shouldered my rifle and bag containing knives, binoculars and other necessities, pointed the flashlight toward the ground and set out for our raised blind about 200 yards away. Halfway there I walked up and over a grassy waterway where every blade of grass glistened in the flashlight beam like a thousand shimmering diamonds had been strewn about. Once in the blind, I settled into to one of the swivel chairs and awaited sunrise.&nbsp;Our blind has three windows facing north, south and east, that slide open vertically. The north window faces a grassy draw that lies between open crop land and a woodlot to the right, and CRP &amp; an overgrown pasture to the left. A drainage creek runs just in front of the blind, making the spot a natural travel way between beddings areas in the woodlot and the overgrown pasture. As the sun slowly crept above the horizon, I opened the north window and scanned the dark landscape in front of me for moving deer.&nbsp;Once the morning light was bright enough to take a shot if deer were spotted, I stood up, slid open the east-facing window and sat back in the chair. To my left on the edge of the draw and the CRP, two does with nearly grown fawns suddenly appeared as if from nowhere, as only deer can do. They must have seen me open the window, so they were nervous, and trotted along the edge of the draw, turning at about 100 yards, to cross and continue across the wheat field to my right and out of sight. Just minutes later, again as if from nowhere, a nice buck appeared at the same spot. With obvious love on his mind, moving quickly, he followed the exact path of the does. I will not shoot at a moving deer, but they can usually be stopped for a couple seconds by making a grunting sound like that of another deer. I like to be positioned to put my scope on them and be prepared to shoot as soon as they stop, but this guy out-maneuvered me and was soon gone too.&nbsp;The next few minutes were brutal for me, as only deer hunters will understand. I beat myself with every feeling available. Thoughts like “That could have been the last deer you’ll see this season.” Or, “Why didn’t you at least try something?” Around and around they swirled in my mind, ceasing only when deer suddenly appeared from the right, across the wheatfield where they had all fled. “Could it be, are they actually coming back?” I wondered. First were the does and fawns, then one buck, and then a second buck joined them. We have corn scatted at the edge of the draw that usually stops deer for at least a nibble, but these deer were having none of that, and thought they weren’t running, they were moving quickly with a purpose. Again, only deer hunters will understand the next few seconds as my brain practically short-circuited trying to process the scenario. “No time to pick the best of the two bucks, so which one to choose.” Where do I try to stop him?” “What if they won’t stop and I blow another opportunity?” “Too many deer, will I be able to see him if he runs a little way after I shoot?”Just then one of the bucks stepped into the draw and stopped perfectly broadside to me at just over a hundred yards, offering the perfect shot, which put him on the ground where he stood, putting-to-rest all the above concerns, and saving me from another brutal mental beating. To this day, I have no clue how big the other buck was, but it doesn’t matter. I firmly believe in God’s guidance in everyday situations, including bringing those deer back before me so soon, and stopping that marvelous creature in front of me to harvest. God knew our freezer needed restocked and once again, He provided…Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: God, the perfect hunting guide

At Western Cooperative Electric, we know our members expect the lights to come on every time they turn on the switch. However, severe wind in our area has caused the power to go out across a large section of our service area, resulting in an extended outage. Our goal is to safely restore electrical service to every home and business as quickly as possible. However, we know that some members may experience an extended delay in service. 

We ask for your patience as we do our best to respond to the effects of this storm. The weather conditions caused significant outages. As of Wednesday night, power outages affected about 7,600 meters. The power outage area included most of Western Co-op's service territory.

When an outage occurs, power is first restored to substations and major lines and to critical infrastructure in our areas, such as hospitals, police departments, and other emergency responders.

Crews were out working as of Wednesday night on the situation. There were more than 100 downed power poles. Regarding our substations, many of the lines that feed our substations were also affected.

Our service area has over 4,000 miles of lines. Please be aware that sometimes during complicated repairs, you may have your lights come back on, only to have them go off again because we discover another problem that must be fixed.

We understand that it is very frustrating when a neighbor has lights, and you don't, or that people across the street have lights and you don't. Often this may be because your home is on another circuit, or perhaps that your meter is damaged in a way that your neighbor's meter is not damaged.

For your safety, please stay away from any downed power lines.

For the safety of everyone, if you are using a portable electrical generator, do not tie it into your circuit panel. An improperly wired generator can energize downed lines causing severe injury or death to you, a family member, a neighbor, or one of our repair crews. A generator can only be tied into a circuit panel if a licensed electrician has installed a transfer switch.

We have requested assistance from other power companies who participate in our mutual aid program. Ultimately we are not satisfied until every meter is reconnected and the lights are on for everyone.

We would like to thank all of our employees who are working long hours as part of the restoration and response effort.

Although we post service updates to social media, we do not monitor social media for reports of outages. All emergencies must be reported by phone. To report an outage or a downed power line, you can call 1-800-456-6720. To view a real-time outage map or receive updates visit our website at <a href="http://www.westerncoop.com">www.westerncoop.com</a>.

Western Cooperative Electric Association is a member-owned cooperative headquartered in WaKeeney.

Established in 1945, Western now serves more than 12,000 meters and maintains over 4,000 miles of power lines across western and central Kansas.

Submitted At Western Cooperative Electric, we know our members expect the lights to come on every time they turn on the switch. However, severe wind in our area has caused the power to go out across a large section of our service area, resulting in an extended outage. Our goal is to safely restore electrical service to every home and business as quickly as possible. However, we know that some members may experience an extended delay in service. We ask for your patience as we do our best to respond to the effects of this storm. The weather conditions caused significant outages. As of Wednesday night, power outages affected about 7,600 meters. The power outage area included most of Western Co-op's service territory.When an outage occurs, power is first restored to substations and major lines and to critical infrastructure in our areas, such as hospitals, police departments, and other emergency responders.Crews were out working as of Wednesday night on the situation. There were more than 100 downed power poles. Regarding our substations, many of the lines that feed our substations were also affected.Our service area has over 4,000 miles of lines. Please be aware that sometimes during complicated repairs, you may have your lights come back on, only to have them go off again because we discover another problem that must be fixed.We understand that it is very frustrating when a neighbor has lights, and you don't, or that people across the street have lights and you don't. Often this may be because your home is on another circuit, or perhaps that your meter is damaged in a way that your neighbor's meter is not damaged.For your safety, please stay away from any downed power lines.For the safety of everyone, if you are using a portable electrical generator, do not tie it into your circuit panel. An improperly wired generator can energize downed lines causing severe injury or death to you, a family member, a neighbor, or one of our repair crews. A generator can only be tied into a circuit panel if a licensed electrician has installed a transfer switch.We have requested assistance from other power companies who participate in our mutual aid program. Ultimately we are not satisfied until every meter is reconnected and the lights are on for everyone.We would like to thank all of our employees who are working long hours as part of the restoration and response effort.Although we post service updates to social media, we do not monitor social media for reports of outages. All emergencies must be reported by phone. To report an outage or a downed power line, you can call 1-800-456-6720. To view a real-time outage map or receive updates visit our website at <a href="http://www.westerncoop.com">www.westerncoop.com</a>.Western Cooperative Electric Association is a member-owned cooperative headquartered in WaKeeney.Established in 1945, Western now serves more than 12,000 meters and maintains over 4,000 miles of power lines across western and central Kansas.

Western Cooperative Electric also experienced widespread power outages

The lights and decorations are up and Saturday the Frost Fest parade is set to bring Christmas cheer and more to area residents during the annual tradition in downtown Hays.

This year's parade theme is Starry Christmas Night.

"So it should be very, very lit up this year," said Allie Glidewell, Downtown Hays Development Corp. director of events and operations. "Very beautiful, very fun."

And while the lights from the parade will create a bright holiday scene, the downtown itself features its own illumination, adding to the festive display.

"Last year, our organization tripled the amount of lights on that tree in Union Pacific park next to the pavilion," Glidewell said. "So it's going to be huge and beautiful."

And after a year without the beloved celebration, this year will be an exciting event said DHDC executive director Sara Bloom.

"We're very excited to be back in person and to bring the Frost Fest parade back," she said.

Along with the parade, events are planned throughout the day, including programming offered by the Hays Public Library.

"We're very excited," said Hays Public Library communications coordinator Callie Kolacny. "We always enjoy Frost Fest. It's a great time for downtown Hays. It's a lot of fun but lots of activities at the library that basically go from when we open at 9 a.m. until after the parade is over. We will be open. We will have activities."

From 9 to 11 a.m. the library will offer a come-and-go breakfast with Santa to start off the day's festivities.

"This year, we're doing the come-and-go," Kolacny said. "With your food items, you can sit there and have your breakfast, but there's no tickets necessary. You don't have to do any pre-registration or anything, just come in anytime between nine and 11. And get your breakfast and enjoy your time there."

At 10 a.m. Santa will also read a story with the children.

"And of course, you can get pictures with Santa, and it'll be a lot of fun. So that'll be our, our opening for Saturday for the Frost Fest," Callie said.

From 1 to 4 p.m. the library will offer crafts and pictures with Chilly the Penguin.

At the same time Frost Fest Flicks on the Bricks will have a showing of "The Grinch" at the Fox Theatre.

After the showing, participants will have the chance to take pictures with the Grinch and&nbsp;Cindy Lou Who.

At 5 p.m., also at the Fox Theatre, the Downtown Dollar Giveaway is planned, where shoppers that have collected tickets from downtown businesses up to the event can be entered to win.

"Depending on the store, you get a ticket," Glidewell said. "This ticket enters you to win in the downtown dollar giveaway, which is taking place on Dec. 18, where you could win $1,000 or $2,000 in downtown dollars."

"And other great prizes at participating businesses," Bloom said.

"That started that first weekend in November (and goes) all the way through Dec. 18. So you have so much time to gather bunches of chances to win," Glidewell said.

After closing at 5 p.m., the library is set to reopen at 5:30 p.m.

"(We will) have hot cocoa in the lobby area so that people can come in, get your hot cocoa and get ready for the parade, which will be at six o'clock," Kolacny said. 

"This year, we are staying open for the parade," she said. "We've got all those beautiful windows now. And so especially if you want to go up to the second floor and watch from above, then you can go up and watch the parade from inside, especially if it's really chilly."

Following the parade, another movie showing is planned at The Fox.

At 7:30 p.m., "The Polar Express" will be screened, and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available.

For more information, visit the<a href="https://www.downtownhays.com/frostfest"> DHDC </a>or <a href="https://hayslibrary.org/">library websites.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576530096154.jpeg" alt="Frost Fest Parade Hays 2019" />
 <figcaption>Frost Fest Parade Hays 2019</figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostThe lights and decorations are up and Saturday the Frost Fest parade is set to bring Christmas cheer and more to area residents during the annual tradition in downtown Hays.This year's parade theme is Starry Christmas Night."So it should be very, very lit up this year," said Allie Glidewell, Downtown Hays Development Corp. director of events and operations. "Very beautiful, very fun."And while the lights from the parade will create a bright holiday scene, the downtown itself features its own illumination, adding to the festive display."Last year, our organization tripled the amount of lights on that tree in Union Pacific park next to the pavilion," Glidewell said. "So it's going to be huge and beautiful."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576530459186.jpeg" alt="Frost Fest Parade Hays 2019" />
 <figcaption>Frost Fest Parade Hays 2019</figcaption>
 </figure>And after a year without the beloved celebration, this year will be an exciting event said DHDC executive director Sara Bloom."We're very excited to be back in person and to bring the Frost Fest parade back," she said.Along with the parade, events are planned throughout the day, including programming offered by the Hays Public Library."We're very excited," said Hays Public Library communications coordinator Callie Kolacny. "We always enjoy Frost Fest. It's a great time for downtown Hays. It's a lot of fun but lots of activities at the library that basically go from when we open at 9 a.m. until after the parade is over. We will be open. We will have activities."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576530142209.jpeg" alt="Frost Fest Parade Hays 2019" />
 <figcaption>Frost Fest Parade Hays 2019</figcaption>
 </figure>From 9 to 11 a.m. the library will offer a come-and-go breakfast with Santa to start off the day's festivities."This year, we're doing the come-and-go," Kolacny said. "With your food items, you can sit there and have your breakfast, but there's no tickets necessary. You don't have to do any pre-registration or anything, just come in anytime between nine and 11. And get your breakfast and enjoy your time there."At 10 a.m. Santa will also read a story with the children."And of course, you can get pictures with Santa, and it'll be a lot of fun. So that'll be our, our opening for Saturday for the Frost Fest," Callie said.From 1 to 4 p.m. the library will offer crafts and pictures with Chilly the Penguin.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576530080970.jpeg" alt="Frost Fest Parade Hays 2019" />
 <figcaption>Frost Fest Parade Hays 2019</figcaption>
 </figure>At the same time Frost Fest Flicks on the Bricks will have a showing of "The Grinch" at the Fox Theatre.After the showing, participants will have the chance to take pictures with the Grinch and&nbsp;Cindy Lou Who.At 5 p.m., also at the Fox Theatre, the Downtown Dollar Giveaway is planned, where shoppers that have collected tickets from downtown businesses up to the event can be entered to win."Depending on the store, you get a ticket," Glidewell said. "This ticket enters you to win in the downtown dollar giveaway, which is taking place on Dec. 18, where you could win $1,000 or $2,000 in downtown dollars.""And other great prizes at participating businesses," Bloom said."That started that first weekend in November (and goes) all the way through Dec. 18. So you have so much time to gather bunches of chances to win," Glidewell said.After closing at 5 p.m., the library is set to reopen at 5:30 p.m."(We will) have hot cocoa in the lobby area so that people can come in, get your hot cocoa and get ready for the parade, which will be at six o'clock," Kolacny said. "This year, we are staying open for the parade," she said. "We've got all those beautiful windows now. And so especially if you want to go up to the second floor and watch from above, then you can go up and watch the parade from inside, especially if it's really chilly."Following the parade, another movie showing is planned at The Fox.At 7:30 p.m., "The Polar Express" will be screened, and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available.For more information, visit the<a href="https://www.downtownhays.com/frostfest"> DHDC </a>or <a href="https://hayslibrary.org/">library websites.</a>

Downtown Hays to sparkle and shine during Frost Fest Saturday

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The K-State Agriculture Research Center in Hays reported wind gusts of up to 83 mph at 10 meters off the ground Wednesday.

The center also reported a record high temperature of 72 degrees, surpassing the old record of 71 set in 1946.

Unlike other parts of the state, Hays reported no participation, which means a continuation of the drought.

Wind damage reports were reported across the city. 

Hess Services, 2670 E. Ninth, lost part of a roof off one of its buildings.

Sonic, 1708 Vine, and Hays Chevrolet, 2917 Vine, both had damage to their signs.

The sign at Hearing Solutions, 2818 Vine, was rotated 90 degrees. Instead of facing north and south along Vine, it now faces east and west.

Limbs were reported down across the city, as were damaged traffic signals.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/910971b8-3718-4335-adad-50e948137682">RELATED STORY: Ellis Co. waives fees for tree disposal after wind storm.</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/f55a7804-b165-4405-95c9-e61b62084f20">Power poles were snapped across the county.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639691392041.jpeg" alt="Hess Services, 2670 E. Ninth, Hays, lost part of a roof off one of its buildings. CRISTINA JANNEY/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>Hess Services, 2670 E. Ninth, Hays, lost part of a roof off one of its buildings. CRISTINA JANNEY/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe K-State Agriculture Research Center in Hays reported wind gusts of up to 83 mph at 10 meters off the ground Wednesday.The center also reported a record high temperature of 72 degrees, surpassing the old record of 71 set in 1946.The overnight low fell to 17 degrees.Unlike other parts of the state, Hays reported no participation, which means a continuation of the drought.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639691470920.jpeg" alt="A semi-truck was blown over Wednesday just east of the Vine exit in Hays Wednesday. JAMES BELL/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>A semi-truck was blown over Wednesday just east of the Vine exit in Hays Wednesday. JAMES BELL/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure>Wind damage reports were reported across the city. Hess Services, 2670 E. Ninth, lost part of a roof off one of its buildings.Sonic, 1708 Vine, and Hays Chevrolet, 2917 Vine, both had damage to their signs.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639691581225.jpeg" alt="The Sonic sign, 1708 Vine, was blown over during Wednesday storm. CRISTINA JANNEY/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>The Sonic sign, 1708 Vine, was blown over during Wednesday storm. CRISTINA JANNEY/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure>The sign at Hearing Solutions, 2818 Vine, was rotated 90 degrees. Instead of facing north and south along Vine, it now faces east and west.Limbs were reported down across the city, as were damaged traffic signals.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/910971b8-3718-4335-adad-50e948137682">RELATED STORY: Ellis Co. waives fees for tree disposal after wind storm.</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/f55a7804-b165-4405-95c9-e61b62084f20">Power poles were snapped across the county.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639691658783.jpeg" alt="Telephone poles snapped in northeast Ellis County. CRISTINA JANNEY/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>Telephone poles snapped in northeast Ellis County. CRISTINA JANNEY/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639691738722.jpeg" alt="The Hearing Solutions sign, 2818 Vine, was rotated 90 degrees during the storm Wednesday night and now faces east and west instead of north and south. CRISTINA JANNEY/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The Hearing Solutions sign, 2818 Vine, was rotated 90 degrees during the storm Wednesday night and now faces east and west instead of north and south. CRISTINA JANNEY/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>

83 mph winds recorded in Hays; scattered wind damage reported

Hays Young Professionals gathering supplies for storm victims

Midwest Energy was reported at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, they are continuing to repair damage caused by Wednesday's storms, but hundreds of power poles may have been lost across the region.

"Our outage maps currently show 7,900 customers without power, but that is overstated as some of the circuits in Hays showing out are actually on  - it’s just a few locations have damage and no service, so the whole circuit appears as out," the company announced Thursday. "The numbers are dropping by the hour as crews bring more residential customers online system-wide."

They also reported Colby crews working rural outages north of Hoxie, and on a feeder line north of Grinnell have found around 40 poles to replace, and are working to replace them today.

"The Hays District had the worst damage; most residential were back on last night," the company said. "We know of 100 poles down, but there is a huge area of NW Ellis / W Russel and SE Rooks counties where fires likely destroyed the system.  One firefighter said he saw “zero” poles between Gorham and Natoma - which could mean hundreds.  Our GIS folks and stalkers are using drones to survey damage."

The company said another update is expected later today.

By JAMES BELL Hays PostMidwest Energy was reported at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, they are continuing to repair damage caused by Wednesday's storms, but hundreds of power poles may have been lost across the region."Our outage maps currently show 7,900 customers without power, but that is overstated as some of the circuits in Hays showing out are actually on - it’s just a few locations have damage and no service, so the whole circuit appears as out," the company announced Thursday. "The numbers are dropping by the hour as crews bring more residential customers online system-wide."They also reported Colby crews working rural outages north of Hoxie, and on a feeder line north of Grinnell have found around 40 poles to replace, and are working to replace them today."The Hays District had the worst damage; most residential were back on last night," the company said. "We know of 100 poles down, but there is a huge area of NW Ellis / W Russel and SE Rooks counties where fires likely destroyed the system. One firefighter said he saw “zero” poles between Gorham and Natoma - which could mean hundreds. Our GIS folks and stalkers are using drones to survey damage."The company said another update is expected later today.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMidwestEnergy%2Fposts%2F4727561170645359&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="711" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>

Midwest Energy: Potentially hundreds of poles down after Wednesday's storm

Family is important to Fort Hays State University’s Deonna Wellbrock. That includes her Tiger family.

Wellbrock persevered to make a name for herself with Tiger Nation, showcasing her soccer skills that her family knew of all along.

Following a standout multi-sport career at Thomas More Prep-Marian High School in Hays, Wellbrock signed to play soccer with FHSU in 2017, making it easier for her family to attend her games.

After a breakout season for the Tiger women’s soccer team this fall, Wellbrock will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in health and human performance on Friday.

She will spend the next semester working at Herrman Physical Therapy in Hays as a physical therapist aide and planning her upcoming summer wedding. Then it’s off to Colby, where she will work on a degree in the PTA (physical therapist assistant) program at Colby Community College.

While reminiscing about her career as a Tiger, Wellbrock emphasized that her immediate family was her inspiration. So, too, was her extended family, which included FHSU coaches, faculty staff, teammates, and classmates.

“I’m a homebody and wanted to be near family,” she said. “I wanted to go into nursing, and the Fort Hays State nursing program has a great reputation. When I was offered a scholarship to play soccer here, I absolutely couldn’t pass it up.”

Fort Hays State seemed to have it all for Wellbrock. She got to play the sport she was introduced to as a baby when her older brother was excelling in soccer. She met her future husband on campus. And then there’s that college degree that she will have in hand this week.

However, the fairytale ending doesn’t mean it was always easy.

A four-year starter at goalkeeper for TMP-Marian, Wellbrock was accustomed to being on the field for the entire game. She helped lead the Monarchs into the state playoffs three years while earning all-state individual honors all four years.

She redshirted her first year at FHSU, a practice common for incoming freshmen, who practice with their team and get acclimated to the college game but don’t participate in outside competition. Then, she had to stand on the sidelines and watch the next couple of years as veteran goalkeepers led the Tigers’ back line. This was unfamiliar territory for Wellbrock, who also was questioning her major at the time.

With just one year left to complete requirements in the nursing program, Wellbrock decided to change majors. Discussions with her family ultimately helped her decide to remain in the healthcare field, and she switched to HHP with an emphasis in sport and exercise therapy.

“When it came to changing my major, having family here to talk to, just a two-minute drive away, was crucial,” she said. “And so many people at Fort Hays State helped me through that time, too.”

One of those, she said, was Blake Reynolds, the Tigers’ head coach.

“Changing her major completely changed Deonna’s life,” Reynolds said. “It changed her trajectory in everything, and it was fun to see how she blossomed these last couple of years.”

The fall 2020 season was canceled because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Tigers played a shortened spring season in 2021. By then, Wellbrock had moved into a starting role. With one semester left to complete her degree, she decided she wanted to finish on a positive note.

“I didn’t want to hang my cleats up on Covid,” she said. “I remember calling my mom after that last game in the spring and saying, ‘That’s not where I’m ending my career.’ ”

That decision meant a lot more work for Wellbrock, who was determined to be in the starting lineup.

“It was her work ethic this past summer that made the difference for Deonna,” Reynolds said. “I am so happy for she came back one last season. It is so rewarding to get to see the process of growing for those student-athletes.”

Wellbrock received third-team honors in the MIAA while recording seven shutouts and 86 saves – third in Tiger women’s program history for a single season. She led the MIAA during the regular season in both goals-against average (0.80) and save percentage (.849).&nbsp;

“One of my goals was to get some type of recognition in our conference this year,” she said. “Our team was ranked eighth in the MIAA. So to bypass all the goalkeepers on those teams made me happy.”

Possibly even more impressive were Wellbrock’s academic accomplishments – while juggling a busy schedule of a student-athlete. She was named a scholar-athlete by the MIAA and also was named to the CoSIDA all-academic district team.

She is excited about coaching youth soccer teams in the future and passing on what she learned along the way – especially during her time as a Tiger.

“Wow, this has been quite the journey,” she said. “I am so blessed to have gotten the chance to represent Fort Hays State in soccer and to get my degree, too. I’ll never forget my time here at Fort Hays State. It’ll always be a part of me.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639688756227.jpeg" alt="Deonna Wellbrock" />
 <figcaption>Deonna Wellbrock</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University RelationsFamily is important to Fort Hays State University’s Deonna Wellbrock. That includes her Tiger family.Wellbrock persevered to make a name for herself with Tiger Nation, showcasing her soccer skills that her family knew of all along.Following a standout multi-sport career at Thomas More Prep-Marian High School in Hays, Wellbrock signed to play soccer with FHSU in 2017, making it easier for her family to attend her games.After a breakout season for the Tiger women’s soccer team this fall, Wellbrock will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in health and human performance on Friday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639688829968.jpeg" alt="FHSU University Relations" />
 <figcaption>FHSU University Relations</figcaption>
 </figure>She will spend the next semester working at Herrman Physical Therapy in Hays as a physical therapist aide and planning her upcoming summer wedding. Then it’s off to Colby, where she will work on a degree in the PTA (physical therapist assistant) program at Colby Community College.While reminiscing about her career as a Tiger, Wellbrock emphasized that her immediate family was her inspiration. So, too, was her extended family, which included FHSU coaches, faculty staff, teammates, and classmates.“I’m a homebody and wanted to be near family,” she said. “I wanted to go into nursing, and the Fort Hays State nursing program has a great reputation. When I was offered a scholarship to play soccer here, I absolutely couldn’t pass it up.”Fort Hays State seemed to have it all for Wellbrock. She got to play the sport she was introduced to as a baby when her older brother was excelling in soccer. She met her future husband on campus. And then there’s that college degree that she will have in hand this week.However, the fairytale ending doesn’t mean it was always easy.A four-year starter at goalkeeper for TMP-Marian, Wellbrock was accustomed to being on the field for the entire game. She helped lead the Monarchs into the state playoffs three years while earning all-state individual honors all four years.She redshirted her first year at FHSU, a practice common for incoming freshmen, who practice with their team and get acclimated to the college game but don’t participate in outside competition. Then, she had to stand on the sidelines and watch the next couple of years as veteran goalkeepers led the Tigers’ back line. This was unfamiliar territory for Wellbrock, who also was questioning her major at the time.With just one year left to complete requirements in the nursing program, Wellbrock decided to change majors. Discussions with her family ultimately helped her decide to remain in the healthcare field, and she switched to HHP with an emphasis in sport and exercise therapy.“When it came to changing my major, having family here to talk to, just a two-minute drive away, was crucial,” she said. “And so many people at Fort Hays State helped me through that time, too.”One of those, she said, was Blake Reynolds, the Tigers’ head coach.“Changing her major completely changed Deonna’s life,” Reynolds said. “It changed her trajectory in everything, and it was fun to see how she blossomed these last couple of years.”The fall 2020 season was canceled because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Tigers played a shortened spring season in 2021. By then, Wellbrock had moved into a starting role. With one semester left to complete her degree, she decided she wanted to finish on a positive note.“I didn’t want to hang my cleats up on Covid,” she said. “I remember calling my mom after that last game in the spring and saying, ‘That’s not where I’m ending my career.’ ”That decision meant a lot more work for Wellbrock, who was determined to be in the starting lineup.“It was her work ethic this past summer that made the difference for Deonna,” Reynolds said. “I am so happy for she came back one last season. It is so rewarding to get to see the process of growing for those student-athletes.”Wellbrock received third-team honors in the MIAA while recording seven shutouts and 86 saves – third in Tiger women’s program history for a single season. She led the MIAA during the regular season in both goals-against average (0.80) and save percentage (.849).&nbsp;“One of my goals was to get some type of recognition in our conference this year,” she said. “Our team was ranked eighth in the MIAA. So to bypass all the goalkeepers on those teams made me happy.”Possibly even more impressive were Wellbrock’s academic accomplishments – while juggling a busy schedule of a student-athlete. She was named a scholar-athlete by the MIAA and also was named to the CoSIDA all-academic district team.She is excited about coaching youth soccer teams in the future and passing on what she learned along the way – especially during her time as a Tiger.“Wow, this has been quite the journey,” she said. “I am so blessed to have gotten the chance to represent Fort Hays State in soccer and to get my degree, too. I’ll never forget my time here at Fort Hays State. It’ll always be a part of me.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639688897881.jpeg" alt="Wellbrock hugs her father on senior day. FHSU University Relations" />
 <figcaption>Wellbrock hugs her father on senior day. FHSU University Relations</figcaption>
 </figure>

Family first for Fort Hays State's Wellbrock

The Methodist Church in the city of Pradise is currently open for first responders and those forced from their homes due to yesterday's storms and subsequent fires.

Oragnizers are currently looking for food and water donations, including sandwich supplies and snacks.

Donations can be dropped off at the church.

The Methodist Church in the city of Pradise is currently open for first responders and those forced from their homes due to yesterday's storms and subsequent fires.The shelter is open to anyone in need.Oragnizers are currently looking for food and water donations, including sandwich supplies and snacks.Donations can be dropped off at the church.

Paradise Methodist Church set up as shelter for storm victims

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for the City of Timken water supply system located in Rush County. This advisory is not related to COVID-19.

Customers should observe the following precautions until fu­rther notice:

The advisory took effect on December 16, 2021, and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. KDHE issued the advisory because of a loss of pressure in the distribution system due to a power outage. Failure to maintain pressure can lead to a loss of chlorine residual levels and may result in bacterial contamination.

Regardless of whether the public water supplier or KDHE announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

For consumer questions, contact the water system or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information, visit KDHE’s <a href="https://www.kdheks.gov/pws/emergencyresponse/water_disruption.htm?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery">PWS Consumer Information webpage.</a>

KDHETOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for the City of Timken water supply system located in Rush County. This advisory is not related to COVID-19.Customers should observe the following precautions until fu­rther notice:<ul>
 <li>If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.</li><li>Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water.</li><li>Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic ice maker.</li><li>Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.</li><li>Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.</li>
 </ul>The advisory took effect on December 16, 2021, and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. KDHE issued the advisory because of a loss of pressure in the distribution system due to a power outage. Failure to maintain pressure can lead to a loss of chlorine residual levels and may result in bacterial contamination.Regardless of whether the public water supplier or KDHE announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.For consumer questions, contact the water system or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information, visit KDHE’s <a href="https://www.kdheks.gov/pws/emergencyresponse/water_disruption.htm?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery">PWS Consumer Information webpage.</a>

Boil order issued for Timken in Rush County

Ellis Co. waives fees on tree disposal after wind storm

The weather may be cooling off, but the holiday 
season is red hot for Randy Herman of Ellis after winning $50,000 on a 
$5 Super Red Hot Crossword instant scratch ticket.

The funny thing is, Herman didn’t even want to play the Super Red Hot
 Crossword that day, but the store was out of the game he was looking 
for.&nbsp;

“I wanted to try some of the $10 games, but when I looked at the 
ticket display, I realized they were out of the game I wanted,” said 
Herman. “So instead I decided to go with six of the $5 Super Red Hot 
Crosswords.”&nbsp;

Herman took the tickets home with him and planned on scratching them 
later. When he finally plays the very first ticket, he realized he was 
matching more words than he expected.&nbsp;

“I called out to my son and had him look at the ticket with me,” 
Herman said. “He also saw a $50,000 winner! I couldn’t believe it. We 
just kept looking at the ticket and counting over and over.”&nbsp;

“I finally got to show my wife the ticket, and her first reaction was
 to ask if this meant we could finally get a new couch,” Said Herman 
with a laugh. “So we’re already thinking about what we can do with the 
winnings!”&nbsp;

Aside from a new couch, the Herman’s do have some other ideas on what
 to do with their big win. “We are going to do some HVAC work to the 
house, and now we won’t have to take out a loan to do that,” Herman 
said. “Then we may look into getting our son a vehicle, and probably 
take a nice vacation somewhere!”&nbsp;

The winning ticket was sold at Casey’s General Store 1930 in Ellis. There is still one top prize left in the <a href="https://kslottery.com/games/instants/?gameid=286">$5 Super Red Hot Crossword</a> instant game, as well as thousands in other cash prizes.&nbsp;

Players are invited to submit all their winning and non-winning tickets in the Kansas Lottery <a href="https://www.kslottery.com/PlayOn/index.html">PlayOn® Players Loyalty</a>
 program to earn points for drawing entries and a chance to win cash and
 other prizes!&nbsp; PlayOn® is a registered trademark of Pollard Banknote 
Limited used under license.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639664476686.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas LotteryThe weather may be cooling off, but the holiday 
season is red hot for Randy Herman of Ellis after winning $50,000 on a 
$5 Super Red Hot Crossword instant scratch ticket.The funny thing is, Herman didn’t even want to play the Super Red Hot
 Crossword that day, but the store was out of the game he was looking 
for.&nbsp;“I wanted to try some of the $10 games, but when I looked at the 
ticket display, I realized they were out of the game I wanted,” said 
Herman. “So instead I decided to go with six of the $5 Super Red Hot 
Crosswords.”&nbsp;Herman took the tickets home with him and planned on scratching them 
later. When he finally plays the very first ticket, he realized he was 
matching more words than he expected.&nbsp;“I called out to my son and had him look at the ticket with me,” 
Herman said. “He also saw a $50,000 winner! I couldn’t believe it. We 
just kept looking at the ticket and counting over and over.”&nbsp;“I finally got to show my wife the ticket, and her first reaction was
 to ask if this meant we could finally get a new couch,” Said Herman 
with a laugh. “So we’re already thinking about what we can do with the 
winnings!”&nbsp;Aside from a new couch, the Herman’s do have some other ideas on what
 to do with their big win. “We are going to do some HVAC work to the 
house, and now we won’t have to take out a loan to do that,” Herman 
said. “Then we may look into getting our son a vehicle, and probably 
take a nice vacation somewhere!”&nbsp;The winning ticket was sold at Casey’s General Store 1930 in Ellis. There is still one top prize left in the <a href="https://kslottery.com/games/instants/?gameid=286">$5 Super Red Hot Crossword</a> instant game, as well as thousands in other cash prizes.&nbsp;Players are invited to submit all their winning and non-winning tickets in the Kansas Lottery <a href="https://www.kslottery.com/PlayOn/index.html">PlayOn® Players Loyalty</a>
 program to earn points for drawing entries and a chance to win cash and
 other prizes!&nbsp; PlayOn® is a registered trademark of Pollard Banknote 
Limited used under license.

Ellis man wins $50,000 on lottery scratch ticket

It is easy to feel sluggish during or just after the holidays because of all our indulgences. Traveling and guests bring us in contact with more opportunities to spread germs. Keeping somewhat regular in what and how much we eat and drink can get us off to a good start in 2022.

Good luck with maintaining your healthy diet plan through a busy holiday season!

Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 620-793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141404420.png" alt="Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood District.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood District.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>It is easy to feel sluggish during or just after the holidays because of all our indulgences. Traveling and guests bring us in contact with more opportunities to spread germs. Keeping somewhat regular in what and how much we eat and drink can get us off to a good start in 2022.To control the amount of food you eat:<ul>
 <li>Don’t go to a social event starved. Eat or drink something healthy before leaving home.</li><li>Move yourself or the tempting food out of easy reach.</li><li>Don’t skip breakfast. Beginning the day with food revs up your metabolism so that you use more calories than when you skip breakfast.</li><li>Keep up or even increase your physical activity to better control appetite as well as use up extra calories.</li><li>At a party have a low-calorie beverage or water in your hand.</li><li>Consider having fewer items on your plate or menu. Potlucks can spell disaster for weight control.</li>
 </ul>To lower the fat content in your diet:<ul>
 <li>Cut the fat content of a traditional recipe by one-third to one-half. This works best in gravies, sauces, puddings, quick breads, liquid salad dressings, or mashed potatoes. An easy way to cut the fat in baked goods would be to replace up to half the fat with applesauce.</li><li>Top vegetables with lemon juice instead of butter for a zesty flavor.</li><li>Use more spices and herbs to enhance the flavor of muffins, casseroles, soups, or sauces.</li><li>Choose carefully at the salad bar. Salad dressings and mixed salads are usually high in fat.</li><li>Marinate low-fat meats, fish, and poultry to add flavor but reduce the oil in the marinade.</li>
 </ul>To lower sodium in your diet:<ul>
 <li>Gradually cut down the amount of salt you usually use in favorite recipes.</li><li>Avoid recipes with ingredients high in salt content, like those with cured meats.</li><li>Use low or reduced sodium cheese in recipes.</li><li>Cut out processed foods that have a high sodium content. Opt for using spices and herbs to provide extra flavor.</li>
 </ul>Good luck with maintaining your healthy diet plan through a busy holiday season!Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 620-793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;

KRUG: Healthy holiday eating tips

TREGO COUNTY—A Kansas man was injured in an accident just before 12:30p.m. Wednesday in Trego County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Freightliner semi driven by&nbsp; Kent D.&nbsp;Leitner, 62, Olathe, was eastbound on Interstate 70 at Riga Road. Strong winds blew the truck over

EMS transported Leitner to Hays Medical Center. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

TREGO COUNTY—A Kansas man was injured in an accident just before 12:30p.m. Wednesday in Trego County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Freightliner semi driven by&nbsp; Kent D.&nbsp;Leitner, 62, Olathe, was eastbound on Interstate 70 at Riga Road. Strong winds blew the truck overEMS transported Leitner to Hays Medical Center. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kan. man hospitalized in Hays after winds blow semi over on I-70

By GREG DOERING Kansas Farm Bureau Despite all the available metrics available for us to make sense of our world, measuring it is still largely defined by the parameters set forth by humans. Everyone knows Mount Everest is the tallest mountain at just over 29,000 feet above mean sea level. Calculating the distance from base to peak gives the edge to Hawaii’s Mauna Kea at 33,484 feet, with just less than 14,000 of those above sea level. If you move the starting point to Earth’s center and look for the highest point closest to the stars, you’ll land on the top of Ecuador’s Mount Chimborazo because of its proximity to the equator where the Earth’s rotation makes the crust thicker. Measuring the physical attributes around us is tricky enough given the ability to produce vastly different outcomes based on where an observer chooses to begin. Still the measurements of physical attributes are objective. When it comes to measuring the lives of others, we have to resort to subjective opinions. On occasion, however, a person’s accomplishments are so impartially good and decent that society’s instincts and emotions combine into tautological proof. They are mountains in their own right. Bob Dole was a mountain of a man, and his contribution to Kansas and America are immense and immeasurable. After more than a week of reflection and mourning the loss of such a man, it’s quite possible if any metric did exist to quantify the admiration and devotion he inspired, Dole would set records. There are so many inflection points from which to choose to begin measuring. His birth in Russell; the Dust Bowl years of his youth; war wounds suffered on an Italian mountain. You can’t pick just one, they’re all part of the fabric that made up who Dole became. If pressed, however, I’d consider the barrage of enemy fire to be the most consequential for Kansas and the nation. Dole was studying to become a doctor when he enlisted and went off to war. The bullets that tore into his body didn’t just take his right arm, it likely robbed central Kansas of one of its finest physicians. Dole’s arduous three-year recovery also likely factored into his willingness to accept incremental progress, knowing that small changes add up over the course of time. This also meant largely avoiding the legislative spotlight, for as one of his many obituaries mentions, Dole’s record has “no signature bill.” Instead, he was content to leave fingerprints on decades of budget, tax and foreign policy discussions. Though I knew some of the broad strokes about most of the events mentioned above prior to his death earlier this month, I never knew just how much support he garnered outside of Kansas. I was a freshman in high school when his political career ended just short of the presidency. I knew him better as a pharmaceutical pitchman than a legislative powerbroker, though it was the latter that eventually made the biggest impression on me. I met Dole exactly once, during his “farewell” tour in 2014. He wasn’t running for anything, and he didn’t have anything to offer other than some conversation and his wit. Yet is presence alone was enough to draw a crowd on a sunny weekday afternoon in May. Some came just to say hello. For some, it was a chance to say goodbye. Still others just wanted to be in the presence of greatness again. Every one of us was better for the experience, even if we couldn’t quantify that at the time.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574694551876.png" alt="Greg Doering&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Greg Doering&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By GREG DOERING Kansas Farm Bureau Despite all the available metrics available for us to make sense of our world, measuring it is still largely defined by the parameters set forth by humans. Everyone knows Mount Everest is the tallest mountain at just over 29,000 feet above mean sea level. Calculating the distance from base to peak gives the edge to Hawaii’s Mauna Kea at 33,484 feet, with just less than 14,000 of those above sea level. If you move the starting point to Earth’s center and look for the highest point closest to the stars, you’ll land on the top of Ecuador’s Mount Chimborazo because of its proximity to the equator where the Earth’s rotation makes the crust thicker. Measuring the physical attributes around us is tricky enough given the ability to produce vastly different outcomes based on where an observer chooses to begin. Still the measurements of physical attributes are objective. When it comes to measuring the lives of others, we have to resort to subjective opinions. On occasion, however, a person’s accomplishments are so impartially good and decent that society’s instincts and emotions combine into tautological proof. They are mountains in their own right. Bob Dole was a mountain of a man, and his contribution to Kansas and America are immense and immeasurable. After more than a week of reflection and mourning the loss of such a man, it’s quite possible if any metric did exist to quantify the admiration and devotion he inspired, Dole would set records. There are so many inflection points from which to choose to begin measuring. His birth in Russell; the Dust Bowl years of his youth; war wounds suffered on an Italian mountain. You can’t pick just one, they’re all part of the fabric that made up who Dole became. If pressed, however, I’d consider the barrage of enemy fire to be the most consequential for Kansas and the nation. Dole was studying to become a doctor when he enlisted and went off to war. The bullets that tore into his body didn’t just take his right arm, it likely robbed central Kansas of one of its finest physicians. Dole’s arduous three-year recovery also likely factored into his willingness to accept incremental progress, knowing that small changes add up over the course of time. This also meant largely avoiding the legislative spotlight, for as one of his many obituaries mentions, Dole’s record has “no signature bill.” Instead, he was content to leave fingerprints on decades of budget, tax and foreign policy discussions. Though I knew some of the broad strokes about most of the events mentioned above prior to his death earlier this month, I never knew just how much support he garnered outside of Kansas. I was a freshman in high school when his political career ended just short of the presidency. I knew him better as a pharmaceutical pitchman than a legislative powerbroker, though it was the latter that eventually made the biggest impression on me. I met Dole exactly once, during his “farewell” tour in 2014. He wasn’t running for anything, and he didn’t have anything to offer other than some conversation and his wit. Yet is presence alone was enough to draw a crowd on a sunny weekday afternoon in May. Some came just to say hello. For some, it was a chance to say goodbye. Still others just wanted to be in the presence of greatness again. Every one of us was better for the experience, even if we couldn’t quantify that at the time."Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.&nbsp;

Kansas Farm Bureau Insight: Taking measure

As I sit down to write this column, I am preparing for the annual Holiday Open House at the president’s residence and the tree lighting ceremony this evening. The month of December will fly by between semester-end traditions, including in-person commencement, service awards, and of course, the busy-ness and joy of the approaching holiday. I love all of it!

This season always evokes so many sweet memories for me, deep gratitude for all of the love that surrounds me, and the happiness stemming from the extra opportunities to focus on acts of kindness in the spirit of the season.&nbsp;

Sweet memories for me begin with traditional holiday food – especially the sweets. My mom and sister usually set a baking date. By the end of the day, they will have baked about 250 cookies. They are carefully packaged up for neighbors, co-workers, the mail carrier, and for the local shelter. There are still more cookies left to be eaten. My favorite are butterscotch oatmeal and frosted sugar cookies. My dad loves to frost the cutout cookies, and I appreciate his artwork.

My husband Bill’s family makes the most delicious pound cakes. His grandfather was a Methodist bishop, and I think his grandmother baked a cake for the entire congregation. At her house there would be countless pounds cakes, carefully wrapped, lining the stairs to the second floor. The love she poured into each pound cake was abundant. I miss her.

When I was young, my mom always organized a craft day. My brothers and sister and I would gather around the kitchen table and make a paper chain. That chain would be hung on the walls. Each year, the chain would be packed up in a big box, stored away, taken out the next year, and added to. It eventually covered every downstairs wall.

Each of us was also given a very large, personalized ornament. My mom had painted each one with our name on it – very significant for me as back in the day you could not buy anything with the name “Tisa” on it. It was such an honor to hang our special ornament.

We had a lot of Christmas rules. For example, you could never tell what you bought someone. One year, my sister and I decided to break that rule and told one another what we bought. Of course, mom discovered our secret and returned the gifts. Also, there was no peeking, and of course, there were consequences for peaking. On Christmas morning, we were not allowed to go downstairs until our parents were up and ready. I often slept on the stairs just be a little closer to Santa’s arrival and the magic of Christmas presents.&nbsp;

The art of Christmas gift wrapping is also a family tradition. The gift should never look like the actual gift. It is not uncommon for a small gift to be wrapped in several larger boxes. One year, my Dad jokingly put on his wish list “a whole lot of money” – so my mom went to the bank and got a lot of one-dollar bills, placed them in a box, and fluffed them up to create the illusion of bulk. Everyone got a good laugh out of that one.

As we grew older, new traditions emerged, like the tradition of the Christmas pickle ornament. On Christmas eve, after everyone has gone to bed, my parents place an ornament shaped like a pickle on one of the Christmas trees. (My mom usually has at least three trees.) The first to find the ornament is blessed with a year of good luck and an extra present.

I’ll be honest . That tradition gets a bit competitive at our house. One year, I was even disqualified from the competition for getting up early and finding the pickle before everyone had a chance to look. I am still a bit bitter about the disqualification. Even though I did not get the pickle present that year, I believe I was still blessed with a year of good luck.

When my mom remarried, a new tradition came with my stepdad – a Christmas Eve open house. This tradition continues today with neighbors and friends gathering to eat, drink, and be merry. One year, Bill and I were driving home from Kansas to Massachusetts, and we invited two international students, Oliver and Alice, to join us. At the open house, Alice ate her first deviled egg and loved it so much that she ate a least a dozen all by herself.&nbsp; Every year since, we think of Alice on Christmas Eve when my mom puts out the deviled eggs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575302025343.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>As I sit down to write this column, I am preparing for the annual Holiday Open House at the president’s residence and the tree lighting ceremony this evening. The month of December will fly by between semester-end traditions, including in-person commencement, service awards, and of course, the busy-ness and joy of the approaching holiday. I love all of it!This season always evokes so many sweet memories for me, deep gratitude for all of the love that surrounds me, and the happiness stemming from the extra opportunities to focus on acts of kindness in the spirit of the season.&nbsp;Sweet memories for me begin with traditional holiday food – especially the sweets. My mom and sister usually set a baking date. By the end of the day, they will have baked about 250 cookies. They are carefully packaged up for neighbors, co-workers, the mail carrier, and for the local shelter. There are still more cookies left to be eaten. My favorite are butterscotch oatmeal and frosted sugar cookies. My dad loves to frost the cutout cookies, and I appreciate his artwork.My husband Bill’s family makes the most delicious pound cakes. His grandfather was a Methodist bishop, and I think his grandmother baked a cake for the entire congregation. At her house there would be countless pounds cakes, carefully wrapped, lining the stairs to the second floor. The love she poured into each pound cake was abundant. I miss her.When I was young, my mom always organized a craft day. My brothers and sister and I would gather around the kitchen table and make a paper chain. That chain would be hung on the walls. Each year, the chain would be packed up in a big box, stored away, taken out the next year, and added to. It eventually covered every downstairs wall.Each of us was also given a very large, personalized ornament. My mom had painted each one with our name on it – very significant for me as back in the day you could not buy anything with the name “Tisa” on it. It was such an honor to hang our special ornament.We had a lot of Christmas rules. For example, you could never tell what you bought someone. One year, my sister and I decided to break that rule and told one another what we bought. Of course, mom discovered our secret and returned the gifts. Also, there was no peeking, and of course, there were consequences for peaking. On Christmas morning, we were not allowed to go downstairs until our parents were up and ready. I often slept on the stairs just be a little closer to Santa’s arrival and the magic of Christmas presents.&nbsp;The art of Christmas gift wrapping is also a family tradition. The gift should never look like the actual gift. It is not uncommon for a small gift to be wrapped in several larger boxes. One year, my Dad jokingly put on his wish list “a whole lot of money” – so my mom went to the bank and got a lot of one-dollar bills, placed them in a box, and fluffed them up to create the illusion of bulk. Everyone got a good laugh out of that one.As we grew older, new traditions emerged, like the tradition of the Christmas pickle ornament. On Christmas eve, after everyone has gone to bed, my parents place an ornament shaped like a pickle on one of the Christmas trees. (My mom usually has at least three trees.) The first to find the ornament is blessed with a year of good luck and an extra present.I’ll be honest . That tradition gets a bit competitive at our house. One year, I was even disqualified from the competition for getting up early and finding the pickle before everyone had a chance to look. I am still a bit bitter about the disqualification. Even though I did not get the pickle present that year, I believe I was still blessed with a year of good luck.When my mom remarried, a new tradition came with my stepdad – a Christmas Eve open house. This tradition continues today with neighbors and friends gathering to eat, drink, and be merry. One year, Bill and I were driving home from Kansas to Massachusetts, and we invited two international students, Oliver and Alice, to join us. At the open house, Alice ate her first deviled egg and loved it so much that she ate a least a dozen all by herself.&nbsp; Every year since, we think of Alice on Christmas Eve when my mom puts out the deviled eggs.There are so many beautiful memories, music, smells, tastes, warm hugs, and deep friendships surrounding my childhood and adulthood during the Christmas holiday. It is a great time to lovingly remember those who are no longer with us and cherish those who are – new friends and old.I asked some of our international students about their holiday traditions – whether they were celebrating Christmas, Eid, Ramadan, or another tradition. Every student talked about gathering with family and friends. Friendship, family, and a sense of connection is so important to our well-being. So is a sense of generosity.Poet Edwin Arlington Robinson said there are two kinds of gratitude: the sudden kind we feel for what we take and the larger kind we feel for what we give. I couldn’t say it better. May your days ahead be filled with large gratitude.

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