TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly announced more than $1.8 million in grant awards to enhance the responsiveness of victim advocates to victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, rape, and stalking.

“We have a responsibility to do all we can to protect victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“The work our law enforcement officers, victim advocate groups, and the local communities do on this front are important to ensuring justice is served and our communities are safe.”

These grants are provided through the Federal Services, Training, Officers, and Prosecutors Violence Against Women Act Formula Grant Program (S.T.O.P. VAWA). The program supports the efforts of communities to strengthen effective law enforcement and prosecution strategies to combat violent crimes against women, provide victim services in cases involving violent crimes against women, and promote a coordinated community response to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault/rape, and stalking.

Funds from the Federal Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP) assist programs in providing victims of sexual assault with crisis intervention and accompaniment and advocacy assistance through the medical and criminal justice processes. The funds also provide educational information to survivors of sexual assault.

Funds are made available through the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.

Northwest Kansas agencies included in the grant announcement are Northwest Kansas Community Corrections, $35,000,&nbsp;Options: Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, $16,575.

Office of the GovernorTOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly announced more than $1.8 million in grant awards to enhance the responsiveness of victim advocates to victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, rape, and stalking.“We have a responsibility to do all we can to protect victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“The work our law enforcement officers, victim advocate groups, and the local communities do on this front are important to ensuring justice is served and our communities are safe.”These grants are provided through the Federal Services, Training, Officers, and Prosecutors Violence Against Women Act Formula Grant Program (S.T.O.P. VAWA). The program supports the efforts of communities to strengthen effective law enforcement and prosecution strategies to combat violent crimes against women, provide victim services in cases involving violent crimes against women, and promote a coordinated community response to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault/rape, and stalking.Funds from the Federal Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP) assist programs in providing victims of sexual assault with crisis intervention and accompaniment and advocacy assistance through the medical and criminal justice processes. The funds also provide educational information to survivors of sexual assault.Funds are made available through the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.Northwest Kansas agencies included in the grant announcement are Northwest Kansas Community Corrections, $35,000,&nbsp;Options: Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, $16,575.

NW Kan. agencies awarded grants to help aid sexual assault victims

On Feb. 20 at 2 p.m., Fort
Hays welcomes Ken Spurgeon as its featured speaker and presenter. 

Ken is a
historian, teacher and producer/director associated with Fall River
Productions. The film company focuses on historically-themed projects, and they
are currently working on the highly awaited The Contested Plains.

This docu-drama is based on historic
events in the 19th Century American West and is filming in Kansas and Texas.


Filming has already taken place in Wichita and Logan counties. The
project is produced by The White Deer Land Museum Foundation, Pampa, Texas and
Fall River Productions, Wichita. 

The anticipated release date is summer 2022.

The Contested Plains recounts the
story of John and Liddia German, who left Georgia with their seven children in
1870, headed for a better home in the West. 

The family collided with a Cheyenne
raiding party, who were survivors of the Sand Creek Massacre and the attack at
the Washita. 

This unspeakable tragedy occurred twenty miles east of Fort
Wallace in August of 1874 as the family followed the Smoky Hill Trail
westward to Colorado. 

An intensive search for the four surviving German girls
grabbed headlines throughout the nation and made household names of Native
leaders and military officers.

Written by Ken Spurgeon and Deb
Goodrich, and directed by Ken Spurgeon, the film stars Buck Taylor
(Yellowstone, Gunsmoke), Darby Hinton (Israel Boone, The Daniel Boone Show),
Mary McDonough (Erin Walton, The Waltons) and R.W. Hampton (Western Entertainer).

Buck Taylor plays the role of Rufus
Brown, Missouri farmer and uncle to John German, who tries to persuade his
nephew not to venture farther west. 

Fort Hays would like to add that we have a
connection to the project as one of our board members and volunteers, Marla
Matkin plays Ruth Brown, wife of Rufus Brown.

Mr. Spurgeon is a most interesting speaker and is
sure to enlighten his audience not only with the history but the
behind-the-scenes accounts of filming such a historically significant event.


Join us at Fort Hays on February 20th, you don’t want to miss this fascinating
presentation. In the meantime, we encourage you to watch The Contested Plains
Official Teaser on Facebook.

Press releaseOn Feb. 20 at 2 p.m., Fort
Hays welcomes Ken Spurgeon as its featured speaker and presenter. Ken is a
historian, teacher and producer/director associated with Fall River
Productions. The film company focuses on historically-themed projects, and they
are currently working on the highly awaited The Contested Plains.This docu-drama is based on historic
events in the 19th Century American West and is filming in Kansas and Texas.
Filming has already taken place in Wichita and Logan counties. The
project is produced by The White Deer Land Museum Foundation, Pampa, Texas and
Fall River Productions, Wichita. The anticipated release date is summer 2022.The Contested Plains recounts the
story of John and Liddia German, who left Georgia with their seven children in
1870, headed for a better home in the West. The family collided with a Cheyenne
raiding party, who were survivors of the Sand Creek Massacre and the attack at
the Washita. This unspeakable tragedy occurred twenty miles east of Fort
Wallace in August of 1874 as the family followed the Smoky Hill Trail
westward to Colorado. An intensive search for the four surviving German girls
grabbed headlines throughout the nation and made household names of Native
leaders and military officers.Written by Ken Spurgeon and Deb
Goodrich, and directed by Ken Spurgeon, the film stars Buck Taylor
(Yellowstone, Gunsmoke), Darby Hinton (Israel Boone, The Daniel Boone Show),
Mary McDonough (Erin Walton, The Waltons) and R.W. Hampton (Western Entertainer).Buck Taylor plays the role of Rufus
Brown, Missouri farmer and uncle to John German, who tries to persuade his
nephew not to venture farther west. Fort Hays would like to add that we have a
connection to the project as one of our board members and volunteers, Marla
Matkin plays Ruth Brown, wife of Rufus Brown.Mr. Spurgeon is a most interesting speaker and is
sure to enlighten his audience not only with the history but the
behind-the-scenes accounts of filming such a historically significant event.
Join us at Fort Hays on February 20th, you don’t want to miss this fascinating
presentation. In the meantime, we encourage you to watch The Contested Plains
Official Teaser on Facebook.

Historic Fort Hays to welcome filmmaker Ken Spurgeon

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645040233082.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast click here.</a>

Three-day weather outlook

BUNKER HILL — "The Kansas Legislature," a local production of Smoky Hills PBS, will feature state Sen. John Doll, R-Garden City, and state Sen. Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, at 7 p.m. Friday.

"The Kansas Legislature" is a program that takes place during the legislative session and gives the legislators and viewers the opportunity to discuss up-to-date issues.  During the program, viewers can call 1-800-337-4788 with their legislative questions. "The Kansas Legislature" is hosted by Becky Kiser, news reporter for Hays Post and Eagle Radio. 

Streaming is available for each episode on the <a href="http://bit.ly/StreamSmokyHillsPBS">Smoky Hills PBS YouTube channel.</a> A schedule of programs and past episodes are available at www.SmokyHillsPBS.org.

"The Kansas Legislature" is made possible in part by ITC Great Plains and through a partnership with the Docking Institute of Public Affairs, Fort Hays State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578663876107.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Smoky Hills PBSBUNKER HILL — "The Kansas Legislature," a local production of Smoky Hills PBS, will feature state Sen. John Doll, R-Garden City, and state Sen. Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, at 7 p.m. Friday."The Kansas Legislature" is a program that takes place during the legislative session and gives the legislators and viewers the opportunity to discuss up-to-date issues. During the program, viewers can call 1-800-337-4788 with their legislative questions. "The Kansas Legislature" is hosted by Becky Kiser, news reporter for Hays Post and Eagle Radio. Streaming is available for each episode on the <a href="http://bit.ly/StreamSmokyHillsPBS">Smoky Hills PBS YouTube channel.</a> A schedule of programs and past episodes are available at www.SmokyHillsPBS.org. "The Kansas Legislature" is made possible in part by ITC Great Plains and through a partnership with the Docking Institute of Public Affairs, Fort Hays State University.

Doll, Bowers set to appear on 'The Kansas Legislature'

ELLIS —&nbsp;This week, the Ellis USD 388 Board of Education voted to suspend the district's COVID-19 mitigation plan, now treating COVID cases like other communicable diseases that routinely impact schools.

The plan has been in place since September 2021.

The COVID plan now in place is "basically identical" to the district's flu plan, according to Superintendent Corey Burton.

"This is exactly what we were doing pre-COVID, as far as influenza was concerned," he said.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/065b99ab-b335-4f0a-99a1-7e20e286a184">The move follows a similar measure made by the USD 489 Hays school district in late January.</a>

While the plan is now suspended, it will remain in place through the end of the year.

"The thought behind the suspension of it is, if we would ever see a big outbreak again, we can move to reinstate it," Burton said. "So it's not totally gone. I thought it'd be there for us as a backup."

Board member Latisha Haag brought the measure to vote, Cindy Hertel would offer a second, and the measure passed unanimously.

Despite the suspension of the plan, Burton told the board he would continue to update the board regularly on COVID cases in the district.

By JAMES BELL Hays PostELLIS —&nbsp;This week, the Ellis USD 388 Board of Education voted to suspend the district's COVID-19 mitigation plan, now treating COVID cases like other communicable diseases that routinely impact schools.The plan has been in place since September 2021.The COVID plan now in place is "basically identical" to the district's flu plan, according to Superintendent Corey Burton."This is exactly what we were doing pre-COVID, as far as influenza was concerned," he said.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/065b99ab-b335-4f0a-99a1-7e20e286a184">The move follows a similar measure made by the USD 489 Hays school district in late January.</a>While the plan is now suspended, it will remain in place through the end of the year."The thought behind the suspension of it is, if we would ever see a big outbreak again, we can move to reinstate it," Burton said. "So it's not totally gone. I thought it'd be there for us as a backup."Board member Latisha Haag brought the measure to vote, Cindy Hertel would offer a second, and the measure passed unanimously.Despite the suspension of the plan, Burton told the board he would continue to update the board regularly on COVID cases in the district.

Ellis USD 388 suspends COVID mitigation plan

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Wednesday reported 16 new COVID-19 cases in Ellis County had been identified since Monday.

As of Wednesday morning, there were 14 COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, including two active cases and 12 recovering cases.&nbsp;

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/480e57ce-8620-4269-aeec-c2b17d5f16c6">RELATED: HaysMed reports on January COVID numbers</a>

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

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

The Kansas Hospital Organization reported last week that 54 percent of eligible Ellis County residents (5 and older) are fully vaccinated.&nbsp;

Since reporting began, there have been 7,056 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 79 coronavirus-related deaths.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645036408762.png" alt="KDHE" />
 <figcaption>KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Wednesday reported 16 new COVID-19 cases in Ellis County had been identified since Monday.As of Wednesday morning, there were 14 COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, including two active cases and 12 recovering cases.&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/480e57ce-8620-4269-aeec-c2b17d5f16c6">RELATED: HaysMed reports on January COVID numbers</a><a href="https://www.ellisco.net/97/Health">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;for information on how to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/75f061b1-d7f1-4dba-ad9d-36bcbccc8ee8">RELATED: Drive-through testing site returns to Big Creek Crossing</a>The Kansas Hospital Organization reported last week that 54 percent of eligible Ellis County residents (5 and older) are fully vaccinated.&nbsp;Since reporting began, there have been 7,056 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 79 coronavirus-related deaths.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645036437252.png" alt="Statewide COVID-19 curve / KDHE" />
 <figcaption>Statewide COVID-19 curve / KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: 16 new COVID cases in Ellis Co. since Monday

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported just two COVID-19 cluster in the area as of Wednesday.&nbsp;

KDHE on Wednesday reported 341 active COVID clusters in the state, accounting for 9,000 cases, 96 hospitalizations and 86 deaths.&nbsp;

After two straight weeks of having the largest COVID cluster in the state, the Norton Correctional Facility was not listed on this week's cluster update.

Area clusters identified by KDHE were: • Larned State Hospital, 6 cases • Ascension Living Via Christi Village, Hays, 17 cases

A cluster is defined as a location that has five or more cases of COVID-19 with symptom onset in the last 14 days.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645036653085.png" alt="KDHE" />
 <figcaption>KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported just two COVID-19 cluster in the area as of Wednesday.&nbsp;KDHE on Wednesday reported 341 active COVID clusters in the state, accounting for 9,000 cases, 96 hospitalizations and 86 deaths.&nbsp;After two straight weeks of having the largest COVID cluster in the state, the Norton Correctional Facility was not listed on this week's cluster update.Area clusters identified by KDHE were: • Larned State Hospital, 6 cases • Ascension Living Via Christi Village, Hays, 17 cases A cluster is defined as a location that has five or more cases of COVID-19 with symptom onset in the last 14 days.&nbsp;

KDHE: Just two area COVID clusters reported by state

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Hays Chamber and CEO Sarah Wasinger, along with intern Reece Leiker, shares ways the chamber works to connect the community.

<div><iframe title="Hays Chamber works to create stronger community through networking" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=vi79w-11aa04f-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=ffffff&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast, Hays Chamber and CEO Sarah Wasinger, along with intern Reece Leiker, shares ways the chamber works to connect the community.

🎙Post Podcast: Hays Chamber works to create stronger community through networking

The National Weather Service in Dodge City is predicting a drastic cooldown Wednesday night, with wind chills dropping to the low single digits.&nbsp;

While the NWS is predicting heavier snow to the south and east of Ellis County, there remains a 40 percent chance of snow overnight Wednesday and into Thursday.

The front will bring strong winds up to 30 mph Wednesday night and into Thursday as well, with gusts of 45 mph possible. The high Thursday is expected to be just 34 degrees.

By Friday, milder weather returns with clear skies and highs of 56 Friday, 60 Saturday and 66 Sunday predicted.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645027936612.png" alt="Dodge City NWS" />
 <figcaption>Dodge City NWS</figcaption>
 </figure>The National Weather Service in Dodge City is predicting a drastic cooldown Wednesday night, with wind chills dropping to the low single digits.&nbsp;While the NWS is predicting heavier snow to the south and east of Ellis County, there remains a 40 percent chance of snow overnight Wednesday and into Thursday.The front will bring strong winds up to 30 mph Wednesday night and into Thursday as well, with gusts of 45 mph possible. The high Thursday is expected to be just 34 degrees.By Friday, milder weather returns with clear skies and highs of 56 Friday, 60 Saturday and 66 Sunday predicted.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Gusty north winds and accumulating snow may create hazardous travel conditions early Thursday morning across south central Kansas. Snow accumulations of 2 to 6 inches currently look possible and as a result a Winter Storm Watch is in effect for late Tonight and Thursday. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://t.co/W4GZr5KO4f">pic.twitter.com/W4GZr5KO4f</a>&mdash; NWS Dodge City (@NWSDodgeCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSDodgeCity/status/1493882401130385408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div>

NWS: Gusty weather will drop wind chill to the single digits

CORRECTION: Board member Jared Schiel's name and position on the cost of the gym and it's affect on the potential bond issue were updated to more closely reflect his comments during the meeting on Feb. 21. Hays Post apologizes for the error.

ELLIS — During its regular meeting Monday, the Ellis USD
388 Board of Education had planned to vote on sending a potential bond issue to
district voters, but with recent activity in the Kansas Legislature that could
secure a significant amount of funding from the state for the bond, the board decided to postpone its vote until next week.

“There was a state law that changed back in 2015,” said bond
counsel for the district, Dustin Avey, managing director, public finance
investment banking with Piper Sandler. “Because of that change in the law, the Ellis
school district gets zero percent state aid, meaning the state of Kansas does
not pay for any portion of your work.”

But with potential changes to that law currently under
consideration in Topeka, he told the board moving now could cost the district the
opportunity for the state to fund around 20 percent of the potential bond
issue.

“Based upon conversations beginning last Thursday and
Friday, and then into today, there is a potential that a current state aid law
would be fixed by the Legislature this legislative session,” Sandler said. “If
that law becomes fixed, you would receive approximately 20 percent state aid, meaning that the state of Kansas would pay for approximately 20 percent of your
annual principal and interest payment.”

With the board considering a bond issue of around $5 million, that
would mean turning down the potential of around $1 million in state aid if the
law is changed.

While the potential is there, Avey told the board there are
no funding guarantees.

“We expect that bill to be before the Senate and committee
this Friday for a hearing. If it gets passed out of the Senate Ed Committee on
either Friday or Monday, we would expect it to go to the Senate floor for a
vote sometime next week,” Avey said. “So that’s hurdle No. 1.”

If the legislation passed through the Senate, the
legislation would then move through the same process in the House.

“And if through the House, then it would be able to go to the
governor for the signature,” Avey said.

To reap the benefits of
the change, however, would require moving the proposed bond timeline, which would
have seen the measure go to voters in May, to later in the year.

“If we were to proceed tonight, with passing that resolution
and moving forward with the May 10 election — if this fix would become law, it
would not impact this district because it only impacts those districts who have
the bond election approved by voters after July 1,” Avey said.

The change in the law also would not affect the upcoming bond
issue in nearby Hays, as the district is already excluded from the potential
state aid due to the district’s high property tax valuation.

“They don't receive any state aid because their assessed
valuation per pupil is higher,” Avey said. “And they're considered a wealthy
school district per that metric. But there are other districts like yourselves
are considered more property-poor on a comparable basis.”

While the Legislature moves to consider the change in law, Avey
said, the district would have some idea of the potential for the change to
occur this year if it were to move out of senate committee this week.

The board then considered postponing the vote to move forward
until next week.

If the bill were to pass out of committee, the board would consider further options. If it fails, they can choose to move
forward with the bond election on May 10, as proposed.

Waiting “is the most responsible thing for our community,”
said Superintendent Corey Burton.

Board member Latisha
Haag also noted that bond issue components should also be reconsidered with the potential increase in available funds.

“I think we need to reconvene and have a discussion about
the financials because 20 percent is going to make a huge difference,” she
said. “I'm concerned about the backlash that we're going to catch for not
having the gym on there, and then asking the community to pony up money to
build a gym — outside the bond — later.

“For me, I think it's smart to wait until Tuesday to at
least know if it comes out of committee. It doesn't come out of committee, we
have our answer.”

Board member Jared Schiel responded, adding the cost of the gym to the
bond issue may cause the bond to fail when presented to the voters, based on earlier information.

“We’ve already determined you can't put a gym on this bond
and pass it,” he said, but an additional 20 percent could change the bond scope in a way to allow the gym to be put into the bond issue and stay under their desired total cost.

If “waiting till after July 1 we get 20 percent back from
the state, then maybe we relook at our financials, and let's see if we put the
gym back on. So yeah, I wouldn't feel comfortable voting on financials tonight.
I think we have to look to wait and see what's going on.”

Schiel said the decision slows a bond issue that has already faced setbacks due to the pandemic.

“It's one more hurdle," Burton said. “But it has the potential
to be positive. This has the potential to be positive for our community."

The board voted 7-0 to table the measure until a meeting is
set next week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644958531266.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CORRECTION: Board member Jared Schiel's name and position on the cost of the gym and it's affect on the potential bond issue were updated to more closely reflect his comments during the meeting on Feb. 21. Hays Post apologizes for the error.By JAMES BELL Hays PostELLIS — During its regular meeting Monday, the Ellis USD
388 Board of Education had planned to vote on sending a potential bond issue to
district voters, but with recent activity in the Kansas Legislature that could
secure a significant amount of funding from the state for the bond, the board decided to postpone its vote until next week.“There was a state law that changed back in 2015,” said bond
counsel for the district, Dustin Avey, managing director, public finance
investment banking with Piper Sandler. “Because of that change in the law, the Ellis
school district gets zero percent state aid, meaning the state of Kansas does
not pay for any portion of your work.”But with potential changes to that law currently under
consideration in Topeka, he told the board moving now could cost the district the
opportunity for the state to fund around 20 percent of the potential bond
issue.“Based upon conversations beginning last Thursday and
Friday, and then into today, there is a potential that a current state aid law
would be fixed by the Legislature this legislative session,” Sandler said. “If
that law becomes fixed, you would receive approximately 20 percent state aid, meaning that the state of Kansas would pay for approximately 20 percent of your
annual principal and interest payment.”With the board considering a bond issue of around $5 million, that
would mean turning down the potential of around $1 million in state aid if the
law is changed.While the potential is there, Avey told the board there are
no funding guarantees.“We expect that bill to be before the Senate and committee
this Friday for a hearing. If it gets passed out of the Senate Ed Committee on
either Friday or Monday, we would expect it to go to the Senate floor for a
vote sometime next week,” Avey said. “So that’s hurdle No. 1.”If the legislation passed through the Senate, the
legislation would then move through the same process in the House.“And if through the House, then it would be able to go to the
governor for the signature,” Avey said.To reap the benefits of
the change, however, would require moving the proposed bond timeline, which would
have seen the measure go to voters in May, to later in the year.“If we were to proceed tonight, with passing that resolution
and moving forward with the May 10 election — if this fix would become law, it
would not impact this district because it only impacts those districts who have
the bond election approved by voters after July 1,” Avey said.The change in the law also would not affect the upcoming bond
issue in nearby Hays, as the district is already excluded from the potential
state aid due to the district’s high property tax valuation.“They don't receive any state aid because their assessed
valuation per pupil is higher,” Avey said. “And they're considered a wealthy
school district per that metric. But there are other districts like yourselves
are considered more property-poor on a comparable basis.”While the Legislature moves to consider the change in law, Avey
said, the district would have some idea of the potential for the change to
occur this year if it were to move out of senate committee this week.The board then considered postponing the vote to move forward
until next week.If the bill were to pass out of committee, the board would consider further options. If it fails, they can choose to move
forward with the bond election on May 10, as proposed.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644958563398.jpeg" alt="Superintendent Corey Burton" />
 <figcaption>Superintendent Corey Burton</figcaption>
 </figure>Waiting “is the most responsible thing for our community,”
said Superintendent Corey Burton.Board member Latisha
Haag also noted that bond issue components should also be reconsidered with the potential increase in available funds.“I think we need to reconvene and have a discussion about
the financials because 20 percent is going to make a huge difference,” she
said. “I'm concerned about the backlash that we're going to catch for not
having the gym on there, and then asking the community to pony up money to
build a gym — outside the bond — later.“For me, I think it's smart to wait until Tuesday to at
least know if it comes out of committee. It doesn't come out of committee, we
have our answer.”Board member Jared Schiel responded, adding the cost of the gym to the
bond issue may cause the bond to fail when presented to the voters, based on earlier information.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644958606495.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“We’ve already determined you can't put a gym on this bond
and pass it,” he said, but an additional 20 percent could change the bond scope in a way to allow the gym to be put into the bond issue and stay under their desired total cost.If “waiting till after July 1 we get 20 percent back from
the state, then maybe we relook at our financials, and let's see if we put the
gym back on. So yeah, I wouldn't feel comfortable voting on financials tonight.
I think we have to look to wait and see what's going on.”Schiel said the decision slows a bond issue that has already faced setbacks due to the pandemic.“It's one more hurdle," Burton said. “But it has the potential
to be positive. This has the potential to be positive for our community."The board voted 7-0 to table the measure until a meeting is
set next week.

Potential of $1M in state funding pauses Ellis BOE on bond issue 

STERLING — Sterling College student Brooklyn Nisly, Hutchinson, plays the “Dark Lady” in the new play&nbsp;The Book of Will, which will be presented online Thursday, Feb. 17, through Saturday, Feb. 19, through BroadwayOnDemand. 

The show was presented by Sterling College Theatre last fall and was recorded for presentation online. Nisly’s costume was designed by Sterling College student Dylan Werth of Hays. 

To see the online presentation go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.sterling.edu/arts">www.sterling.edu/arts</a>&nbsp;or contact&nbsp;<a href="mailto:arts@sterling.edu">arts@sterling.edu</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644879739922.jpeg" alt="Barton CC" />
 <figcaption>Barton CC</figcaption>
 </figure>STERLING — Sterling College student Brooklyn Nisly, Hutchinson, plays the “Dark Lady” in the new play&nbsp;The Book of Will, which will be presented online Thursday, Feb. 17, through Saturday, Feb. 19, through BroadwayOnDemand. The show was presented by Sterling College Theatre last fall and was recorded for presentation online. Nisly’s costume was designed by Sterling College student Dylan Werth of Hays. To see the online presentation go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.sterling.edu/arts">www.sterling.edu/arts</a>&nbsp;or contact&nbsp;<a href="mailto:arts@sterling.edu">arts@sterling.edu</a>.

Hays student designs costume set for showing on BroadwayOnDemand

ELLIS — Ellis High School had its Annual KAY Snowball Dance on Saturday. Snowball Royalty class winners were:

Freshman Queen, MaKenzie Kohlrus, daughter of Travis and Susie Kohlrus; Sophomore Queen, Kylee Pfeifer, daughter of Brandon and Chandra Pfeifer; Junior Queen, Madelyn Russell, daughter of Kenton and Jessica Russell; Senior Queen, Haley Schmidt, daughter of Matthew and Lisa Schmidt and Clint and Katy Amrein; Not pictured Senior King, Easton Burton, son of Corey and Amy Burton; Junior King, Dakota Metzler, son of Jim and Becky Metzler; Sophomore King, Austin Carroll, son of Matt and Nicole Carroll; Freshman King, Tyler Bongartz, son of Mark and Jenni Bongartz.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644957996201.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>ELLIS — Ellis High School had its Annual KAY Snowball Dance on Saturday. Snowball Royalty class winners were:Freshman Queen, MaKenzie Kohlrus, daughter of Travis and Susie Kohlrus; Sophomore Queen, Kylee Pfeifer, daughter of Brandon and Chandra Pfeifer; Junior Queen, Madelyn Russell, daughter of Kenton and Jessica Russell; Senior Queen, Haley Schmidt, daughter of Matthew and Lisa Schmidt and Clint and Katy Amrein; Not pictured Senior King, Easton Burton, son of Corey and Amy Burton; Junior King, Dakota Metzler, son of Jim and Becky Metzler; Sophomore King, Austin Carroll, son of Matt and Nicole Carroll; Freshman King, Tyler Bongartz, son of Mark and Jenni Bongartz.— Submitted

Ellis High announces 2022 Snowball Royalty

The Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and conducted 16 traffic stops Sun., Jan. 23, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.

MV Accident
/DUI--300 block W 11th St, Hays; 12:20 AM 
Welfare Check—500 block W 7th St, Hays; 3:22 AM 
Civil Dispute—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 7:42 AM 
Mental Health Call—1000 block W 28th St, Hays; 8:43 AM 
Suspicious Person—1300 block Vine St, Hays; 8:53 AM 
Theft of Vehicle—100 block W 4th St, Hays; 1/22 5:15 PM; 1/23 9:45 AM 
Abandoned Vehicle--100 block E 7th St, Hays; 10:23 AM 
Abandoned Vehicle--300 block E 6th St, Hays; 10:35 AM 
Abandoned Vehicle--400 block Oak St, Hays; 10:41 AM 
Lost Animals ONLY--300 block W 33rd St, Hays; 11:54 AM 
Criminal Trespass--500 block E 8th St, Hays; 1:06 PM 
Mental Health Call—500 block E 8th St, Hays; 3:25 PM 
Animal At Large—Hays; 3:52 PM 
Animal At Large—3000 block Broadway Ave, Hays; 4:03 PM 
Harassment, Telephone/FAX—500 block E 20th St, Hays; 5:22 PM 
Criminal Damage to Property--600 block Walnut St, Hays; 1/22 5 PM; 1/23 5 PM Theft
of Vehicle—200 block W 43rd St, Hays; 7 PM 
Domestic Disturbance—400 block E 21st St, Hays; 1/23 9 AM; 7:40 PM 
Assist - Other (not MV)—2700 block Hall St, Hays; 9:03 PM 
Suspicious Activity—2700 block Colonial St, Hay; 1/21 10 PM; 1/22 8:51 AM

The Hays Police Department responded to 2 animal calls and conducted 21 traffic stops Mon., Jan. 24, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Search
Warrant—200 block W 6th St, Hays; 9:23 AM 
Theft (general)—2700 block Vine St, Hays; 1/20 9:58 PM 
Drug Offenses—700 block W 12th St, Hays; 12 PM 
Shoplifting—4300 block Vine St, Hays; 12 PM; 1:55 PM 
Lost Animals ONLY--700 block E 6th St, Hays; 2:31 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--2300 block Pine St, Hays; 4 PM 
Criminal Trespass—500 block E 8th St, Hays; 4:53 PM 
Violation of Restraining Order/PFA—2200 block Drum Ave, Hays; 7:11 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 2 animal calls and conducted 12 traffic stops Tue., Jan. 25, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Criminal
Trespass—2700 block Epworth St, Hays; 8:10 AM 
Suspicious Activity—1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 9:50 AM 
MV Accident-Hit and Run--1900 block Allen St, Hays; 1/24 10 AM; 1/25 10:30 AM Criminal
Damage to Property—800 block Ash St, Hays; 1/22 3:45 PM; 7:15 PM 
Obscenity—2700 block Colonial St, Hays; 12 AM; 6 AM 
Found/Lost Property--1200 block Fort St, Hays; 1:10 PM 
Found/Lost Property--500 block W 34th St, Hay; 12/1/21 12:01 AM; 1/25/22 2:15
PM 
Theft (general)—500 block E 20th St, Hay; 1/23 2:13 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--500 block E 17th St, Hays; 3:33 PM 
Violation of Restraining Order/PFA—2200 block Drum Ave, Hays; 2:18 PM; 3:06 PM 
Credit Card Violations—2300 block Vine St, Hays; 5:33 PM 
Criminal Trespass—1500 block E 17th St, Hays; 6:28 PM; 7:30 PM 
Welfare Check--1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 7:28 PM 
Harassment, Telephone/FA--1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 10:26 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 1 animal call and conducted 8 traffic stops Wed., Jan. 26, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Drug
Offenses—500 block E 20th St, Hay; 5:36 AM 
Theft (general)—1900 block E 25th St, Hays; 7:34 AM 
Theft (general)—200 block E 6th St, Hays; &nbsp;1/1/20; 12/1/2021 
Battery – Domestic—200 block W 4th St, Hays; 11:30 AM 
Domestic Disturbance—200 block W 6th St, Hays; 1/22 1:26 PM; 1/21| 
Abandoned Vehicle--300 block E 23rd St, Hays; 3:22 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle--1600 block E 28th St, Hay; 3:47 PM 
MV Accident-Hit and Run--3300 block Lincoln Dr, Hays; 12 AM 
Civil Dispute—200 block W 4th St, Hays; 6:47 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 1 animal call and conducted 18 traffic stops Thu., Jan. 27, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Unwanted
Person—4000 block Gen Hays Rd, Hays; 7:21 AM 
Animal Bite Investigation—200 block W 4th St, Hays; 1/26 6:45 PM 
Mental Health Call—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 8:42 AM 
Theft (general)—1600 block E 29th St, Hays; 1/1/18 
Harassment, Telephone/FAX—2000 block Gen Custer Rd, Hays; 12:08 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle—400 block E 11th St, Hays; 12:39 PM 
Welfare Check—1000 block E 17th St, Hays; 1:19 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle--2900 block Ash St, Hays; 2:11 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle--300 block E 6th St, Hays; 3:08 PM 
Suspicious letter/package—100 block E 5th St, Hays; 3:30 PM 
Civil Dispute—100 block E 7th St, Hays; 3:59 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle--2200 block Haney Dr, Hays; 4:35 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle--1500 block Marjorie Dr, Hays; 4:47 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle--1300 block E 15th St, Hays; 5:04 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle--1700 block Felten Dr, Hays; 6:27 PM 
Stalking—300 block W 7th St, Hays; 7:17 PM 
Suspicious Activity—200 block E 25th St, Hays; 7:54 PM 
Driving Under the Influence—3200 block Vine St, Hays; 8:31 PM 
Unwanted Person—300 block W 7th St, Hays; 10:48 PM 
Driving Under the Influence--800 block Ash St, Hays; 11:12 PM; 11:13 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and conducted 13 traffic stops Fri., Jan. 28, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Animal Bite
Investigation—100 block W 4th St, Hays; 1:29 AM 
Lost Animals ONLY--300 block W 33rd St, Hays; 10:39 AM 
Phone/Mail Scam—500 block E 20th St, Hays; 5:57 PM 
Found/Lost Property—Hays; 7:21 PM 
MV Accident-Property Damage—500 block W 7th St, Hays; 10:23 PM 
Urinating in Public--2500 block Vine St, Hays; 11:49 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 2 animal calls and conducted 24 traffic stops Sat., Jan. 29, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Disturbance –
Noise—200 block E 5th St, Hays; 12:22 AM 
Welfare Check—500 block E 7th St, Hay; 12:58 AM 
Open Door/Window--1200 block Main St, Hays; 1:42 AM 
Disturbance – Fight—500 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:50 AM; 1:52 AM 
Theft (general)--3300 block Vine St, Hays; 1/28 3:50 PM; 3:52 PM 
Animal Injured—1000 block Old Hwy 40 Bypass, Hays; 11:34 AM 
Animal Cal--300 block Elm St, Hay; 2:12 PM; 2:42 PM 
Domestic Disturbance—3700 block Fairway Dr, Hays; 3 PM; 3:30 PM 
Traffic/Driving Complaint—Hays; 3:20 PM 
Rape—500 block E 20th St, Hay; 5:45 PM 
Shoplifting—4300 block Vine St, Hay; 6:12 PM 
Welfare Check—500 block W 32nd St, Hays; 6:20 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--100 block W 24th St, Hays; 7:10 AM; 7:37 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley—200 block W 8th St, Hays; 8:17 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 2 animal calls and conducted 28 traffic stops Sun., Jan. 30, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Drug
Offenses--500 block Fort St, Hays; 12:20 AM 
Driving Under the Influence--200 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:35 AM 
Drug Offenses--600 block Park St, Hays; 1:30 AM; 1:33 AM 
Theft (general)—300 block Ash St, Hays; 1:36 AM 
Aggravated Battery—400 block W 6th St, Hays; 3:04 AM 
Unwanted Person—400 block W 6th St, Hays; 3:50 AM 
Abandoned Vehicle—200 block E 23rd St, Hays; 10:41 AM 
Lost Animals ONL—2500 block Gen Hancock Rd, Hay; 11:43 AM 
Harassment, Telephone/FAX—100 block W 25th St, Hays; 12:16 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle--300 block W 7th St, Hays; 3 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle--300 block E 6th St, Hay; 3:09 PM 
Welfare Check—1000 block E 15th St, Hays; 4:52 PM; 5:28 PM 
Civil Dispute—300 block W 40th St, Hays; 5:23 PM 
Criminal Trespass—200 block E 8th St, Hays; 5:27 PM 
Criminal Trespass—4300 block Vine St, Hays; 7 PM; 7:46 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 7 animal calls and conducted 9 traffic stops Mon., Jan. 31, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Found/Lost
Propert—1100 block Fort St, Hays; 9:27 AM 
Dangerous Animal--200 block E 25th St, Hays; 10:04 AM 
Burglary/business—300 block E 8th St, Ha; 1/28 5 PM; 1/31 10 AM 
Animal Bite Investigation—Hays; 10:44 AM 
Domestic Disturbance—1200 block Tamarac Cir, Hays; 12:25 PM 
Civil Dispute--500 block E 8th St, Hays; 3:45 PM 
Phone/Mail Scam—2200 block Gen Custer Rd, Hay; 4:46 PM 
Credit Card Violations—3200 block Vine St, Hays; 5:11 PM 
Lost Animals ONLY—600 block W 13th St, Hays; 5:14 PM 
Drug Offenses—400 block E 12th St, Hays; 1/31 9:51 PM; 2/1

The Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and conducted 15 traffic stops Tue., Feb. 1, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Burglary/residence—1000
block Reservation Rd, Hay; 7:57 AM 
Animal At Large—1000 block E 8th St, Hay; 8:05 AM 
Lost Animals ONLY—200 block Ash St, Hays; 11:07 AM 
MV Accident-Hit and Run--100 block W 9th St, Hays; 12:45 PM 
Incident, Miscellaneous—1000 block Vine St, Hays; 4:11 PM 
Suspicious Activity—500 block E 16th St, Ha; 8:07 PM 
Criminal Threat—500 block E 8th St, Hays; 10:49 PM; 10:57 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 4 animal calls and conducted 10 traffic stops Wed., Feb. 2, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Animal At
Large—1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 2:26 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley—Hays; 3:24 PM 
Animal Call—2700 block Colonial St, Hay; 4:04 PM 
MV Accident-Hit and Run--500 block E 8th St, Hays; 5:05 PM 
Assist - Other (not MV)—600 block E 7th St, Hays; 9:38 PM

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573140734289.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and conducted 16 traffic stops Sun., Jan. 23, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.MV Accident
/DUI--300 block W 11th St, Hays; 12:20 AM 
Welfare Check—500 block W 7th St, Hays; 3:22 AM 
Civil Dispute—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 7:42 AM 
Mental Health Call—1000 block W 28th St, Hays; 8:43 AM 
Suspicious Person—1300 block Vine St, Hays; 8:53 AM 
Theft of Vehicle—100 block W 4th St, Hays; 1/22 5:15 PM; 1/23 9:45 AM 
Abandoned Vehicle--100 block E 7th St, Hays; 10:23 AM 
Abandoned Vehicle--300 block E 6th St, Hays; 10:35 AM 
Abandoned Vehicle--400 block Oak St, Hays; 10:41 AM 
Lost Animals ONLY--300 block W 33rd St, Hays; 11:54 AM 
Criminal Trespass--500 block E 8th St, Hays; 1:06 PM 
Mental Health Call—500 block E 8th St, Hays; 3:25 PM 
Animal At Large—Hays; 3:52 PM 
Animal At Large—3000 block Broadway Ave, Hays; 4:03 PM 
Harassment, Telephone/FAX—500 block E 20th St, Hays; 5:22 PM 
Criminal Damage to Property--600 block Walnut St, Hays; 1/22 5 PM; 1/23 5 PM Theft
of Vehicle—200 block W 43rd St, Hays; 7 PM 
Domestic Disturbance—400 block E 21st St, Hays; 1/23 9 AM; 7:40 PM 
Assist - Other (not MV)—2700 block Hall St, Hays; 9:03 PM 
Suspicious Activity—2700 block Colonial St, Hay; 1/21 10 PM; 1/22 8:51 AMThe Hays Police Department responded to 2 animal calls and conducted 21 traffic stops Mon., Jan. 24, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.Search
Warrant—200 block W 6th St, Hays; 9:23 AM 
Theft (general)—2700 block Vine St, Hays; 1/20 9:58 PM 
Drug Offenses—700 block W 12th St, Hays; 12 PM 
Shoplifting—4300 block Vine St, Hays; 12 PM; 1:55 PM 
Lost Animals ONLY--700 block E 6th St, Hays; 2:31 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--2300 block Pine St, Hays; 4 PM 
Criminal Trespass—500 block E 8th St, Hays; 4:53 PM 
Violation of Restraining Order/PFA—2200 block Drum Ave, Hays; 7:11 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 2 animal calls and conducted 12 traffic stops Tue., Jan. 25, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.Criminal
Trespass—2700 block Epworth St, Hays; 8:10 AM 
Suspicious Activity—1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 9:50 AM 
MV Accident-Hit and Run--1900 block Allen St, Hays; 1/24 10 AM; 1/25 10:30 AM Criminal
Damage to Property—800 block Ash St, Hays; 1/22 3:45 PM; 7:15 PM 
Obscenity—2700 block Colonial St, Hays; 12 AM; 6 AM 
Found/Lost Property--1200 block Fort St, Hays; 1:10 PM 
Found/Lost Property--500 block W 34th St, Hay; 12/1/21 12:01 AM; 1/25/22 2:15
PM 
Theft (general)—500 block E 20th St, Hay; 1/23 2:13 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--500 block E 17th St, Hays; 3:33 PM 
Violation of Restraining Order/PFA—2200 block Drum Ave, Hays; 2:18 PM; 3:06 PM 
Credit Card Violations—2300 block Vine St, Hays; 5:33 PM 
Criminal Trespass—1500 block E 17th St, Hays; 6:28 PM; 7:30 PM 
Welfare Check--1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 7:28 PM 
Harassment, Telephone/FA--1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 10:26 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 1 animal call and conducted 8 traffic stops Wed., Jan. 26, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.Drug
Offenses—500 block E 20th St, Hay; 5:36 AM 
Theft (general)—1900 block E 25th St, Hays; 7:34 AM 
Theft (general)—200 block E 6th St, Hays; &nbsp;1/1/20; 12/1/2021 
Battery – Domestic—200 block W 4th St, Hays; 11:30 AM 
Domestic Disturbance—200 block W 6th St, Hays; 1/22 1:26 PM; 1/21| 
Abandoned Vehicle--300 block E 23rd St, Hays; 3:22 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle--1600 block E 28th St, Hay; 3:47 PM 
MV Accident-Hit and Run--3300 block Lincoln Dr, Hays; 12 AM 
Civil Dispute—200 block W 4th St, Hays; 6:47 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 1 animal call and conducted 18 traffic stops Thu., Jan. 27, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.Unwanted
Person—4000 block Gen Hays Rd, Hays; 7:21 AM 
Animal Bite Investigation—200 block W 4th St, Hays; 1/26 6:45 PM 
Mental Health Call—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 8:42 AM 
Theft (general)—1600 block E 29th St, Hays; 1/1/18 
Harassment, Telephone/FAX—2000 block Gen Custer Rd, Hays; 12:08 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle—400 block E 11th St, Hays; 12:39 PM 
Welfare Check—1000 block E 17th St, Hays; 1:19 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle--2900 block Ash St, Hays; 2:11 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle--300 block E 6th St, Hays; 3:08 PM 
Suspicious letter/package—100 block E 5th St, Hays; 3:30 PM 
Civil Dispute—100 block E 7th St, Hays; 3:59 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle--2200 block Haney Dr, Hays; 4:35 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle--1500 block Marjorie Dr, Hays; 4:47 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle--1300 block E 15th St, Hays; 5:04 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle--1700 block Felten Dr, Hays; 6:27 PM 
Stalking—300 block W 7th St, Hays; 7:17 PM 
Suspicious Activity—200 block E 25th St, Hays; 7:54 PM 
Driving Under the Influence—3200 block Vine St, Hays; 8:31 PM 
Unwanted Person—300 block W 7th St, Hays; 10:48 PM 
Driving Under the Influence--800 block Ash St, Hays; 11:12 PM; 11:13 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and conducted 13 traffic stops Fri., Jan. 28, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.Animal Bite
Investigation—100 block W 4th St, Hays; 1:29 AM 
Lost Animals ONLY--300 block W 33rd St, Hays; 10:39 AM 
Phone/Mail Scam—500 block E 20th St, Hays; 5:57 PM 
Found/Lost Property—Hays; 7:21 PM 
MV Accident-Property Damage—500 block W 7th St, Hays; 10:23 PM 
Urinating in Public--2500 block Vine St, Hays; 11:49 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 2 animal calls and conducted 24 traffic stops Sat., Jan. 29, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.Disturbance –
Noise—200 block E 5th St, Hays; 12:22 AM 
Welfare Check—500 block E 7th St, Hay; 12:58 AM 
Open Door/Window--1200 block Main St, Hays; 1:42 AM 
Disturbance – Fight—500 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:50 AM; 1:52 AM 
Theft (general)--3300 block Vine St, Hays; 1/28 3:50 PM; 3:52 PM 
Animal Injured—1000 block Old Hwy 40 Bypass, Hays; 11:34 AM 
Animal Cal--300 block Elm St, Hay; 2:12 PM; 2:42 PM 
Domestic Disturbance—3700 block Fairway Dr, Hays; 3 PM; 3:30 PM 
Traffic/Driving Complaint—Hays; 3:20 PM 
Rape—500 block E 20th St, Hay; 5:45 PM 
Shoplifting—4300 block Vine St, Hay; 6:12 PM 
Welfare Check—500 block W 32nd St, Hays; 6:20 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--100 block W 24th St, Hays; 7:10 AM; 7:37 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley—200 block W 8th St, Hays; 8:17 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 2 animal calls and conducted 28 traffic stops Sun., Jan. 30, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.Drug
Offenses--500 block Fort St, Hays; 12:20 AM 
Driving Under the Influence--200 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:35 AM 
Drug Offenses--600 block Park St, Hays; 1:30 AM; 1:33 AM 
Theft (general)—300 block Ash St, Hays; 1:36 AM 
Aggravated Battery—400 block W 6th St, Hays; 3:04 AM 
Unwanted Person—400 block W 6th St, Hays; 3:50 AM 
Abandoned Vehicle—200 block E 23rd St, Hays; 10:41 AM 
Lost Animals ONL—2500 block Gen Hancock Rd, Hay; 11:43 AM 
Harassment, Telephone/FAX—100 block W 25th St, Hays; 12:16 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle--300 block W 7th St, Hays; 3 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle--300 block E 6th St, Hay; 3:09 PM 
Welfare Check—1000 block E 15th St, Hays; 4:52 PM; 5:28 PM 
Civil Dispute—300 block W 40th St, Hays; 5:23 PM 
Criminal Trespass—200 block E 8th St, Hays; 5:27 PM 
Criminal Trespass—4300 block Vine St, Hays; 7 PM; 7:46 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 7 animal calls and conducted 9 traffic stops Mon., Jan. 31, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.Found/Lost
Propert—1100 block Fort St, Hays; 9:27 AM 
Dangerous Animal--200 block E 25th St, Hays; 10:04 AM 
Burglary/business—300 block E 8th St, Ha; 1/28 5 PM; 1/31 10 AM 
Animal Bite Investigation—Hays; 10:44 AM 
Domestic Disturbance—1200 block Tamarac Cir, Hays; 12:25 PM 
Civil Dispute--500 block E 8th St, Hays; 3:45 PM 
Phone/Mail Scam—2200 block Gen Custer Rd, Hay; 4:46 PM 
Credit Card Violations—3200 block Vine St, Hays; 5:11 PM 
Lost Animals ONLY—600 block W 13th St, Hays; 5:14 PM 
Drug Offenses—400 block E 12th St, Hays; 1/31 9:51 PM; 2/1The Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and conducted 15 traffic stops Tue., Feb. 1, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.Burglary/residence—1000
block Reservation Rd, Hay; 7:57 AM 
Animal At Large—1000 block E 8th St, Hay; 8:05 AM 
Lost Animals ONLY—200 block Ash St, Hays; 11:07 AM 
MV Accident-Hit and Run--100 block W 9th St, Hays; 12:45 PM 
Incident, Miscellaneous—1000 block Vine St, Hays; 4:11 PM 
Suspicious Activity—500 block E 16th St, Ha; 8:07 PM 
Criminal Threat—500 block E 8th St, Hays; 10:49 PM; 10:57 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 4 animal calls and conducted 10 traffic stops Wed., Feb. 2, 2022, according to the HPD Activity Log.Animal At
Large—1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 2:26 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley—Hays; 3:24 PM 
Animal Call—2700 block Colonial St, Hay; 4:04 PM 
MV Accident-Hit and Run--500 block E 8th St, Hays; 5:05 PM 
Assist - Other (not MV)—600 block E 7th St, Hays; 9:38 PM<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573140734289.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Hays PD Activity Log, Jan. 23 - Feb. 2

By GLENN BRUNKOW Pottawatomie County farmer and rancher As I watched the Super Bowl, it occurred to me this is a truly American event only Americans really get. It is a sporting event that is really a national holiday where we celebrate commercials and eat ourselves into oblivion. For most of us the game is the third attraction. Only in the United States would we use the last football game of the season for a reason to gorge ourselves on food we would normally not eat. As I thought about all of this it occurred to me, the biggest MVPs of the Super Bowl are really us, the farmers and ranchers who are responsible for this impressive spread. I know the MVP of the Super Bowl is generally a superstar quarterback who makes more money than any of us will ever see, but I would argue the men and women responsible for all the appetizers, chips and dips, and desserts are the true stars. We take food for granted. Sure, the pandemic helped make consumers aware of how important and fragile the food supply is, but most of the time we forget just how good we have it. That is because as farmers and ranchers we have done such a tremendous job of growing food and fiber that consumers have become accustomed to having an array of available sustenance anytime they want it. In the case of our Super Bowl parties, we can find food we didn’t even know we needed. What we are celebrating during the Super Bowl is not the best two teams of the NFL. What we are really celebrating is the abundance that American agriculture provides our great nation. We are celebrating the vast variety and abundance we all have grown to expect in the grocery store. Shelves and shelves with choices we often take for granted. I know most of us don’t do this for recognition, we are just doing our jobs. But do you know what? We are the best in the world at what we do. No other nation produces as much food or utilizes its resources as well as we do here in the United States. We may not be paid millions of dollars like the superstars we watch in the Super Bowl, but we are just as good. That is something to be proud of. We may never be the MVP of the big game or get a championship ring for what we do, but I do know one thing for sure. The Super Bowl would be just another game without the wings, sliders and other snacks. The commercials would be just more annoying breaks between the game if it were not for the meat and cheese trays, veggies, and cookies. Do you know what? Those of us who produce all that great food really are the MVPs. At least in my book we are. &nbsp;

"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/2019/12/1576508626397.png" alt="Glenn Brunkow" />
 <figcaption>Glenn Brunkow</figcaption>
 </figure>By GLENN BRUNKOW Pottawatomie County farmer and rancher As I watched the Super Bowl, it occurred to me this is a truly American event only Americans really get. It is a sporting event that is really a national holiday where we celebrate commercials and eat ourselves into oblivion. For most of us the game is the third attraction. Only in the United States would we use the last football game of the season for a reason to gorge ourselves on food we would normally not eat. As I thought about all of this it occurred to me, the biggest MVPs of the Super Bowl are really us, the farmers and ranchers who are responsible for this impressive spread. I know the MVP of the Super Bowl is generally a superstar quarterback who makes more money than any of us will ever see, but I would argue the men and women responsible for all the appetizers, chips and dips, and desserts are the true stars. We take food for granted. Sure, the pandemic helped make consumers aware of how important and fragile the food supply is, but most of the time we forget just how good we have it. That is because as farmers and ranchers we have done such a tremendous job of growing food and fiber that consumers have become accustomed to having an array of available sustenance anytime they want it. In the case of our Super Bowl parties, we can find food we didn’t even know we needed. What we are celebrating during the Super Bowl is not the best two teams of the NFL. What we are really celebrating is the abundance that American agriculture provides our great nation. We are celebrating the vast variety and abundance we all have grown to expect in the grocery store. Shelves and shelves with choices we often take for granted. I know most of us don’t do this for recognition, we are just doing our jobs. But do you know what? We are the best in the world at what we do. No other nation produces as much food or utilizes its resources as well as we do here in the United States. We may not be paid millions of dollars like the superstars we watch in the Super Bowl, but we are just as good. That is something to be proud of. We may never be the MVP of the big game or get a championship ring for what we do, but I do know one thing for sure. The Super Bowl would be just another game without the wings, sliders and other snacks. The commercials would be just more annoying breaks between the game if it were not for the meat and cheese trays, veggies, and cookies. Do you know what? Those of us who produce all that great food really are the MVPs. At least in my book we are. &nbsp;"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: Full bowls and football

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644948256928.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast click here.</a>

I love to bake on a cold, winter day because it seems to pick up my spirits. My latest interest is scones and with that I had some questions on ingredients and their purpose in baking.&nbsp;

I often get questions in the Extension office about baking soda and baking powder. The one thing you need to understand about baking soda and baking powder is that they are not the same thing. Baking soda is in baking powder, but they are not interchangeable items.&nbsp;

Baking soda&nbsp;is&nbsp;chemically known as sodium bicarbonate. It’s used to chemically leaven doughs and batters when it is mixed with an acid. Combining baking soda with an acid produces a chemical reaction that releases carbon dioxide gas which causes the food to expand and become fluffy. If you always have light and airy pancakes, that’s the baking soda at work.

Some may place baking soda in the refrigerator because it will absorb orders lingering in that environment. That is a great use for baking soda, but don’t use that baking soda for baking and cooking!

Baking soda is often labeled with a best by date of 18 to 24 months, but you can always test its effectivity by mixing&nbsp;1 1/2 teaspoons of baking soda in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of vinegar. It is still usable if it fizzes.

Baking soda becomes reactive when it’s exposed to acids (buttermilk, vinegar) and must be used right away otherwise the carbon dioxide-producing bubbles will begin to pop and result in a flat and dense product rather than something light and airy. So, it’s probably not a good idea to make and hold a batter for a long time. It’s better to use it right away (or at least within the hour)&nbsp;especially once the baking soda and acidic ingredient has been combined. Protecting those bubbles is also why you’ll want to mix batters lightly. Vigorous mixing will cause bubbles to break.

Baking powder<a></a>&nbsp;is a mixture of baking soda and powdered acids. It’s usually found in recipes that do not call for additional acids because it already contains acid. Like baking soda, it makes products rise by producing carbon dioxide gas; however, it does so in two phases. First, the baking soda in the powder along with one of the acids starts producing carbon dioxide bubbles when they’re mixed with wet ingredients. The second rising phase happens when the other powdery acid reacts with the remaining baking soda producing more bubbles when exposed to heat over 170°F. This two-phase rising method is known as double-acting. There are single-acting baking powders available; these powders only rise once during the heating stage of baking. Your recipe will specifically call for single-acting baking powder if needed. Most baking powders are usually double-acting.

Like baking soda, you can test it to see if it’s still effective. Put one teaspoon of baking powder in a small bowl and mix in one tablespoon of warm water. If the baking powder doesn’t fizz when wet, it’s no longer active and should be thrown out.

Baking powder is usually dated with a “best by” range of 18 to 24 months, but it will last indefinitely if it does not become contaminated. Contamination happens when the same measuring spoon is used to measure other ingredients before it’s used to measure the baking powder.

Don’t have baking powder? You can make your own. For every 1 teaspoon of baking powder, substitute: 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar, and 1/4 teaspoon cornstarch OR 1/4 teaspoon baking soda plus 1/2 cup buttermilk, sour milk or yogurt (for this substitution, you’ll want to decrease the liquid in the recipe by half)

All of these products should be stored in their original containers in a cool, dry place - not over your stove. The heat and moisture from cooking could chemically alter them.

I will be giving a presentation about scones on Friday, Feb. 25, at noon at the Extension Office, 601 Main, Hays. More information will be available soon.&nbsp;

​Berny Unruh is the Family and Community Wellness Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. &nbsp;She can be reached at 785-628-9430 or at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:bunruh@ksu.edu">bunruh@ksu.edu</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588274071306.jpeg" alt="Berny Unruh is Family and Community Wellness agent for the Cottonwood Extension District." />
 <figcaption>Berny Unruh is Family and Community Wellness agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.</figcaption>
 </figure>I love to bake on a cold, winter day because it seems to pick up my spirits. My latest interest is scones and with that I had some questions on ingredients and their purpose in baking.&nbsp;I often get questions in the Extension office about baking soda and baking powder. The one thing you need to understand about baking soda and baking powder is that they are not the same thing. Baking soda is in baking powder, but they are not interchangeable items.&nbsp;Baking soda&nbsp;is&nbsp;chemically known as sodium bicarbonate. It’s used to chemically leaven doughs and batters when it is mixed with an acid. Combining baking soda with an acid produces a chemical reaction that releases carbon dioxide gas which causes the food to expand and become fluffy. If you always have light and airy pancakes, that’s the baking soda at work.Some may place baking soda in the refrigerator because it will absorb orders lingering in that environment. That is a great use for baking soda, but don’t use that baking soda for baking and cooking!Baking soda is often labeled with a best by date of 18 to 24 months, but you can always test its effectivity by mixing&nbsp;1 1/2 teaspoons of baking soda in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of vinegar. It is still usable if it fizzes.Baking soda becomes reactive when it’s exposed to acids (buttermilk, vinegar) and must be used right away otherwise the carbon dioxide-producing bubbles will begin to pop and result in a flat and dense product rather than something light and airy. So, it’s probably not a good idea to make and hold a batter for a long time. It’s better to use it right away (or at least within the hour)&nbsp;especially once the baking soda and acidic ingredient has been combined. Protecting those bubbles is also why you’ll want to mix batters lightly. Vigorous mixing will cause bubbles to break.Baking powder<a></a>&nbsp;is a mixture of baking soda and powdered acids. It’s usually found in recipes that do not call for additional acids because it already contains acid. Like baking soda, it makes products rise by producing carbon dioxide gas; however, it does so in two phases. First, the baking soda in the powder along with one of the acids starts producing carbon dioxide bubbles when they’re mixed with wet ingredients. The second rising phase happens when the other powdery acid reacts with the remaining baking soda producing more bubbles when exposed to heat over 170°F. This two-phase rising method is known as double-acting. There are single-acting baking powders available; these powders only rise once during the heating stage of baking. Your recipe will specifically call for single-acting baking powder if needed. Most baking powders are usually double-acting.Like baking soda, you can test it to see if it’s still effective. Put one teaspoon of baking powder in a small bowl and mix in one tablespoon of warm water. If the baking powder doesn’t fizz when wet, it’s no longer active and should be thrown out.Baking powder is usually dated with a “best by” range of 18 to 24 months, but it will last indefinitely if it does not become contaminated. Contamination happens when the same measuring spoon is used to measure other ingredients before it’s used to measure the baking powder.Don’t have baking powder? You can make your own. For every 1 teaspoon of baking powder, substitute: 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar, and 1/4 teaspoon cornstarch OR 1/4 teaspoon baking soda plus 1/2 cup buttermilk, sour milk or yogurt (for this substitution, you’ll want to decrease the liquid in the recipe by half)All of these products should be stored in their original containers in a cool, dry place - not over your stove. The heat and moisture from cooking could chemically alter them.I will be giving a presentation about scones on Friday, Feb. 25, at noon at the Extension Office, 601 Main, Hays. More information will be available soon.&nbsp;​Berny Unruh is the Family and Community Wellness Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. &nbsp;She can be reached at 785-628-9430 or at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:bunruh@ksu.edu">bunruh@ksu.edu</a>

UNRUH: Ingredients in baking

🎥🏀Watch This Week's Tiger Talk

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 school district experienced a cyber attack on Thursday.

The district in a message to parents today said:

Last week, the district learned of a disruption to our operational systems. We immediately engaged cybersecurity experts to help us investigate and resolve this disruption. As we have worked through this issue, we are taking steps to prevent something similar from happening in the future. Classes have continued as normal for our students and staff this week, but some of our services were temporarily disabled for a period of time. We are hoping to have all of those services restored as quickly as possible.

Hays Post reached out to the district Friday and again Tuesday. It would not confirm what specific systems had been affected or what steps were being taken to resolve the issue.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays USD 489 school district experienced a cyber attack on Thursday.The district in a message to parents today said: Last week, the district learned of a disruption to our operational systems. We immediately engaged cybersecurity experts to help us investigate and resolve this disruption. As we have worked through this issue, we are taking steps to prevent something similar from happening in the future. Classes have continued as normal for our students and staff this week, but some of our services were temporarily disabled for a period of time. We are hoping to have all of those services restored as quickly as possible.Hays Post reached out to the district Friday and again Tuesday. It would not confirm what specific systems had been affected or what steps were being taken to resolve the issue.

Hays USD 489 victim of cyber attack

House bill is response to Phillips Co. jury decision to order hog producer to pay $134K to two landowners

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/15/trespass-case-triggers-attempt-to-legalize-piping-of-hog-waste-on-private-property-in-kansas/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Rodney Ross says his family lived through a four-year 
nightmare instigated by a prominent hog producer who piped urine and 
manure through Ross’ property and sprayed the foul mix on a field next 
to the Ross home in Phillips County.

In July, <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/08/05/phillips-county-jury-sticks-hog-producer-with-134000-judgment-in-rare-trespassing-case/">a jury ordered Terry Nelson to pay $134,000 in damages</a>
 to Ross and another landowner for trespassing and nuisance. On Monday, 
Ross asked the House Agriculture Committee to reject the Kansas 
Livestock Association’s attempt to protect other ag producers from such a
 ruling.

“We are a multigeneration farming family and support being good 
stewards of the land — while respecting others and their own property 
rights,” Ross said. “We must not allow complicating the system just to 
cause undue burden on others. It seems like this could be less 
complicated if people would just ask others for permission.”

The committee heard testimony on <a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.com/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2531/">House Bill 2531</a>,
 which would make it legal for farmers and owners of confined animal 
operations, like Nelson, to use the right-of-way on land they don’t own 
to operate pipelines for agricultural activities.

Mike O’Neal, a lobbyist for a group of landowners, said the court 
ruling last year sent “shockwaves through the state” because so many 
farmers rely on pipelines that go under or alongside roads and have been
 in place for decades.

“Producers don’t necessarily own contiguous ground,” O’Neal said. 
“And in order to get irrigation, effluence, nutrients from one field to 
another, they may have to go down to the right-of-way.”

County commissions have jurisdiction in approving these 
installations, but the judge’s ruling raised the question of whether 
local authority could be in conflict with the rights of private property
 owners.

Ross described his experience with Nelson as an “incredibly unpleasant event.”

Ross said he was driving one day when he unexpectedly discovered a 
mile of land had been destroyed for installation of a pipe extending 
from Nelson’s hog operation. Nelson later admitted to using the wrong 
size of pipe, and Ross said there were places where it was barely below 
the ground.

Ross said Nelson told him: “I have done this before. I will do this again. And you can’t stop me.”

Nelson’s operation in Long Island, Kansas, for years has been a 
source of conflict for the Sierra Club. In 2017, a fire killed 9,000 
pigs and destroyed hog barns owned by the Nelson family. The Kansas 
Department of Health and Environment ordered Nelson to halt construction
 of new facilities, but Nelson ignored the order and eventually paid a 
$34,000 fine.

<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/05/25/sierra-club-blows-whistle-on-kdhe-plan-to-reform-hog-cafo-regulations/">The Sierra Club successfully challenged</a>
 in court a clandestine attempt by Nelson, KDHE and the Kansas Livestock
 Association to evade environmental setback rules. Their strategy was to
 allow Nelson to divide a single facility into multiple limited 
liability companies with separate permits in order to raise more hogs in
 a confined area without having to move further away from a protected 
water source.

In the pipeline case, the jury ordered Nelson to pay the Ross family 
and Laura Field $65,000 each for trespassing and $2,000 for allowing 
liquified waste to drift onto their property.

Zack Pistora, a lobbyist for the Sierra Club, testified in opposition
 to the bill before lawmakers, saying it would legalize trespassing on 
private property.

“I just think we got to be a little cautious about some of this,” 
Pistora said. “There’s property owners, there’s farmers on both sides of
 this equation.”

Gabe Hubbard, a Manhattan-based attorney for landowners, offered a 
more blunt assessment: The legislation represents “a taking by the 
government” of private land.

“It is a naked taking of private property for the benefit of other private actors,” Hubbard said.

Craig Ingram, a farmer with a hog operation in Phillips County, said 
the ability to farm efficiently requires the ability to move water and 
nutrients from one tract of land to another. After the jury decision 
last year, he said, he became worried about what would happen to the 
pipelines he uses in conjunction with a $9 million investment in barns.

“What’s going to happen to us?” Ingram said. “Am I going to be held for blackmail? Extortion?”

The county’s economy depends on agriculture, Ingram said, “or we’re not going to have anything left.”

“We’re dying,” Ingram said. “Agriculture and livestock are going to 
be the only thing that we really get to keep coming out here. And the 
way things are right now with this ruling, you’ll never have another 
livestock system built in Kansas.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644941943837.png" alt="Rodney Ross testifies Monday before the House Agriculture Committee at the Statehouse in Topeka about the “incredibly unpleasant” fight with prominent hog producer Terry Nelson over the installation of pipeline on Ross’ property without permission. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Legislature YouTube channel)" />
 <figcaption>Rodney Ross testifies Monday before the House Agriculture Committee at the Statehouse in Topeka about the “incredibly unpleasant” fight with prominent hog producer Terry Nelson over the installation of pipeline on Ross’ property without permission. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Legislature YouTube channel)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>House bill is response to Phillips Co. jury decision to order hog producer to pay $134K to two landowners</h2>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/15/trespass-case-triggers-attempt-to-legalize-piping-of-hog-waste-on-private-property-in-kansas/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Rodney Ross says his family lived through a four-year 
nightmare instigated by a prominent hog producer who piped urine and 
manure through Ross’ property and sprayed the foul mix on a field next 
to the Ross home in Phillips County.In July, <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/08/05/phillips-county-jury-sticks-hog-producer-with-134000-judgment-in-rare-trespassing-case/">a jury ordered Terry Nelson to pay $134,000 in damages</a>
 to Ross and another landowner for trespassing and nuisance. On Monday, 
Ross asked the House Agriculture Committee to reject the Kansas 
Livestock Association’s attempt to protect other ag producers from such a
 ruling.“We are a multigeneration farming family and support being good 
stewards of the land — while respecting others and their own property 
rights,” Ross said. “We must not allow complicating the system just to 
cause undue burden on others. It seems like this could be less 
complicated if people would just ask others for permission.”The committee heard testimony on <a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.com/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2531/">House Bill 2531</a>,
 which would make it legal for farmers and owners of confined animal 
operations, like Nelson, to use the right-of-way on land they don’t own 
to operate pipelines for agricultural activities.Mike O’Neal, a lobbyist for a group of landowners, said the court 
ruling last year sent “shockwaves through the state” because so many 
farmers rely on pipelines that go under or alongside roads and have been
 in place for decades.“Producers don’t necessarily own contiguous ground,” O’Neal said. 
“And in order to get irrigation, effluence, nutrients from one field to 
another, they may have to go down to the right-of-way.”County commissions have jurisdiction in approving these 
installations, but the judge’s ruling raised the question of whether 
local authority could be in conflict with the rights of private property
 owners.Ross described his experience with Nelson as an “incredibly unpleasant event.”Ross said he was driving one day when he unexpectedly discovered a 
mile of land had been destroyed for installation of a pipe extending 
from Nelson’s hog operation. Nelson later admitted to using the wrong 
size of pipe, and Ross said there were places where it was barely below 
the ground.Ross said Nelson told him: “I have done this before. I will do this again. And you can’t stop me.”Nelson’s operation in Long Island, Kansas, for years has been a 
source of conflict for the Sierra Club. In 2017, a fire killed 9,000 
pigs and destroyed hog barns owned by the Nelson family. The Kansas 
Department of Health and Environment ordered Nelson to halt construction
 of new facilities, but Nelson ignored the order and eventually paid a 
$34,000 fine.<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/05/25/sierra-club-blows-whistle-on-kdhe-plan-to-reform-hog-cafo-regulations/">The Sierra Club successfully challenged</a>
 in court a clandestine attempt by Nelson, KDHE and the Kansas Livestock
 Association to evade environmental setback rules. Their strategy was to
 allow Nelson to divide a single facility into multiple limited 
liability companies with separate permits in order to raise more hogs in
 a confined area without having to move further away from a protected 
water source.In the pipeline case, the jury ordered Nelson to pay the Ross family 
and Laura Field $65,000 each for trespassing and $2,000 for allowing 
liquified waste to drift onto their property.Zack Pistora, a lobbyist for the Sierra Club, testified in opposition
 to the bill before lawmakers, saying it would legalize trespassing on 
private property.“I just think we got to be a little cautious about some of this,” 
Pistora said. “There’s property owners, there’s farmers on both sides of
 this equation.”Gabe Hubbard, a Manhattan-based attorney for landowners, offered a 
more blunt assessment: The legislation represents “a taking by the 
government” of private land.“It is a naked taking of private property for the benefit of other private actors,” Hubbard said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644942019142.png" alt="Craig Ingram testifies Monday before the House Agriculture Committee at the Statehouse in Topeka. Ingram says the Phillips County jury decision makes him wonder if he will be blackmailed for the pipelines he needs to run his farm and animal operations. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Legislature YouTube channel)" />
 <figcaption>Craig Ingram testifies Monday before the House Agriculture Committee at the Statehouse in Topeka. Ingram says the Phillips County jury decision makes him wonder if he will be blackmailed for the pipelines he needs to run his farm and animal operations. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Legislature YouTube channel)</figcaption>
 </figure>Craig Ingram, a farmer with a hog operation in Phillips County, said 
the ability to farm efficiently requires the ability to move water and 
nutrients from one tract of land to another. After the jury decision 
last year, he said, he became worried about what would happen to the 
pipelines he uses in conjunction with a $9 million investment in barns.“What’s going to happen to us?” Ingram said. “Am I going to be held for blackmail? Extortion?”The county’s economy depends on agriculture, Ingram said, “or we’re not going to have anything left.”“We’re dying,” Ingram said. “Agriculture and livestock are going to 
be the only thing that we really get to keep coming out here. And the 
way things are right now with this ruling, you’ll never have another 
livestock system built in Kansas.”

Phillips Co. case triggers attempt to legalize piping of hog waste on private property

Dry conditions and gusty winds have led to a red flag warning for much of western and central Kansas on Tuesday.

The National Weather Service in Dodge City said critical fire conditions are in place, with humidity as low as 11 percent and winds expected to be steady at 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

After a high in the upper-60s on Tuesday, a front is expected to move into western Kansas late Wednesday and into Thursday — bringing cooler temperatures and the possibility of snow.

The NWS said the track of the storm is uncertain, but is calling for a 20 percent to 40 percent chance of snow or rain in Hays and Ellis County beginning Wednesday night.

Skies will clear by Thursday afternoon and remain clear through the weekend.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644940728949.png" alt="Dodge City NWS" />
 <figcaption>Dodge City NWS</figcaption>
 </figure>Dry conditions and gusty winds have led to a red flag warning for much of western and central Kansas on Tuesday.The National Weather Service in Dodge City said critical fire conditions are in place, with humidity as low as 11 percent and winds expected to be steady at 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.After a high in the upper-60s on Tuesday, a front is expected to move into western Kansas late Wednesday and into Thursday — bringing cooler temperatures and the possibility of snow.The NWS said the track of the storm is uncertain, but is calling for a 20 percent to 40 percent chance of snow or rain in Hays and Ellis County beginning Wednesday night.Skies will clear by Thursday afternoon and remain clear through the weekend.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Gusty southwest winds combined with humidity values falling back into the teens will create dangerous fire weather conditions this Tuesday afternoon. A RED FLAG WARNING is currently in effect from noon until 6pm CST. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://t.co/jVVLsI9548">pic.twitter.com/jVVLsI9548</a>&mdash; NWS Dodge City (@NWSDodgeCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSDodgeCity/status/1493515896660234244?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Gusty north winds and accumulating snowfall will be possible Wednesday night and Thursday. Currently there is still some uncertainty on exactly how much snow will fall across SW KS. Stay Weather Aware and monitor the latest forecast for updates. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://t.co/mVqJmQGbLz">pic.twitter.com/mVqJmQGbLz</a>&mdash; NWS Dodge City (@NWSDodgeCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSDodgeCity/status/1493532064724897795?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div>

NWS: Red flag warning Tuesday, chance of snow Wednesday

By JOHN P. TRETBAR Ten years after the Keystone Pipeline began moving oil sands through our state, Kansas governments are now receiving their first tax allocations from the operator. According to reporting in the Abilene Reflector-Chronicle, Dickinson County received its first allocation last month of more than $639,000. Another distribution of the same amount is expected in May.&nbsp; Another $767,000 will go to other taxing entities in the county, including townships, cemeteries and school districts. The company operating the pipeline was granted a ten-year tax exemption before the pipe was completed. Counties have complained they've missed out on millions in tax revenue during the last decade. Crude prices in the Sunflower State rose three dollars on Friday. Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson starts the week at $83.25 per barrel. That's up nearly five dollars from the first of the month and the best price in McPherson since August of 2014. The benchmark crude futures contract in New York was up slightly in midday trading Monday after settling Friday at $93.10 per barrel, also the best price in more than seven years. Drilling activity in Kansas based on spudded wells has a good head start on last year at this time. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 100 wells drilled so far this year, up from 54 at this time last year. That's an increase of 85%. So far this year, 43 active operators have drilled wells in Kansas, up more than 26% from this point last year.&nbsp; The Kansas Geological Society met February 8th to recognize and name three new oil fields and one “infield wildcat” field. Those include the McBroom North field operated by Black Oak Exploration in Russell County. Baker Hughes reported a big increase in drilling activity across the U.S. Friday. The weekly Rotary Rig Count was up 19 oil rigs and two gas rigs, for a total of 635 active drilling rigs. The count in Texas was up 13 rigs. North Dakota, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania were each up three. Utah was up two rigs. The Rig Count in Kansas was down slightly. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 14 active drilling rigs in eastern Kansas, down four from last week, and 25 west of Wichita, which is up one. Operators were preparing to spud a new well on a lease in Ellis County. Kansas regulators okayed 11 new drilling locations last week, with two new drilling permits east of Wichita, and nine in Western Kansas. That's 123 new permits so far this year. Operators completed 30 new wells in Kansas last week, bringing the total for the year to 180. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 15 in eastern Kansas and 15 west of Wichita, including newly completed wells in Barton, Ellis and Russell counties. Crude prices are up nearly thirty dollars a barrel since August, and that's pumping up gasoline prices to levels we haven't seen since 2014. The national average is now over $3.47 per gallon, an increase of more than 17 cents per gallon over the average price a month ago. The auto club AAA says the average across Kansas is a nickel higher than last month at $3.34 per gallon.&nbsp; US Oil-by-rail shipments were down 20% from a year ago. The Association of American Railroads reports 9,148 carloads of petroleum and petroleum products during the week through February 5th. That's down nearly 500 tankers from the week before. Canada reports 8,340 carloads. That's down slightly from a year ago, but down more than 1,000 carloads from the week before. The government this week ramped up predictions for both production and consumption of crude oil, both here and abroad. EIA's Short Term Energy Outlook predicts US output will set a new record of 12.6 million barrels per day next year. US production last week increased 13,000 barrels per day over the week before, to average 11.556 million barrels per day. That's up more than half a million barrels over the same week a year ago. US crude imports dropped by 700,000 barrels per day last week to 6.4 million barrels per day. Over the past four weeks, imports averaged nearly 13% more than the same four-week period a year ago. US crude-oil inventories dropped by nearly five million barrels last week. As of February 4th, the government reports stockpiles of 410.4 million barrels, or about 11% below the five-year average for this time of year. Gasoline stockpiles dropped by 1.6 million barrels and are about three percent below the five-year seasonal average.

By JOHN P. TRETBAR Ten years after the Keystone Pipeline began moving oil sands through our state, Kansas governments are now receiving their first tax allocations from the operator. According to reporting in the Abilene Reflector-Chronicle, Dickinson County received its first allocation last month of more than $639,000. Another distribution of the same amount is expected in May.&nbsp; Another $767,000 will go to other taxing entities in the county, including townships, cemeteries and school districts. The company operating the pipeline was granted a ten-year tax exemption before the pipe was completed. Counties have complained they've missed out on millions in tax revenue during the last decade. Crude prices in the Sunflower State rose three dollars on Friday. Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson starts the week at $83.25 per barrel. That's up nearly five dollars from the first of the month and the best price in McPherson since August of 2014. The benchmark crude futures contract in New York was up slightly in midday trading Monday after settling Friday at $93.10 per barrel, also the best price in more than seven years. Drilling activity in Kansas based on spudded wells has a good head start on last year at this time. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 100 wells drilled so far this year, up from 54 at this time last year. That's an increase of 85%. So far this year, 43 active operators have drilled wells in Kansas, up more than 26% from this point last year.&nbsp; The Kansas Geological Society met February 8th to recognize and name three new oil fields and one “infield wildcat” field. Those include the McBroom North field operated by Black Oak Exploration in Russell County. Baker Hughes reported a big increase in drilling activity across the U.S. Friday. The weekly Rotary Rig Count was up 19 oil rigs and two gas rigs, for a total of 635 active drilling rigs. The count in Texas was up 13 rigs. North Dakota, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania were each up three. Utah was up two rigs. The Rig Count in Kansas was down slightly. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 14 active drilling rigs in eastern Kansas, down four from last week, and 25 west of Wichita, which is up one. Operators were preparing to spud a new well on a lease in Ellis County. Kansas regulators okayed 11 new drilling locations last week, with two new drilling permits east of Wichita, and nine in Western Kansas. That's 123 new permits so far this year. Operators completed 30 new wells in Kansas last week, bringing the total for the year to 180. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 15 in eastern Kansas and 15 west of Wichita, including newly completed wells in Barton, Ellis and Russell counties. Crude prices are up nearly thirty dollars a barrel since August, and that's pumping up gasoline prices to levels we haven't seen since 2014. The national average is now over $3.47 per gallon, an increase of more than 17 cents per gallon over the average price a month ago. The auto club AAA says the average across Kansas is a nickel higher than last month at $3.34 per gallon.&nbsp; US Oil-by-rail shipments were down 20% from a year ago. The Association of American Railroads reports 9,148 carloads of petroleum and petroleum products during the week through February 5th. That's down nearly 500 tankers from the week before. Canada reports 8,340 carloads. That's down slightly from a year ago, but down more than 1,000 carloads from the week before. The government this week ramped up predictions for both production and consumption of crude oil, both here and abroad. EIA's Short Term Energy Outlook predicts US output will set a new record of 12.6 million barrels per day next year. US production last week increased 13,000 barrels per day over the week before, to average 11.556 million barrels per day. That's up more than half a million barrels over the same week a year ago. US crude imports dropped by 700,000 barrels per day last week to 6.4 million barrels per day. Over the past four weeks, imports averaged nearly 13% more than the same four-week period a year ago. US crude-oil inventories dropped by nearly five million barrels last week. As of February 4th, the government reports stockpiles of 410.4 million barrels, or about 11% below the five-year average for this time of year. Gasoline stockpiles dropped by 1.6 million barrels and are about three percent below the five-year seasonal average.

News From the Oil Patch: Kan. county gets 1st Keystone tax revenue

FHSU Online recently shared the news that&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=-2BFJoAhsjp8losQfY8t-2BZtHUQH3ao2jPA-2FmJhxnmcFn5YVBM7HfbELfcuDLO3HISDpxFE3DjLs9anTyzlQT4opwnqSfreSZ83lORUxXB-2BRq-2BayvmBOdARDcTkQV8Vq0atb7zg_r-2BDMsuWuYVmb7-2F1Mu1QL1I-2FJ8-2BHR91nNNNGTTc38Ah0CWayiZL-2BkhdmA3sx0XGnG-2FN1jk6rVQRO9vN7U5rFC-2BcXi909IOPAdkr3SvXFdyn3Ag1h6-2F-2B6atf0vMUKxRgZ-2Bus0Gb5nWeULh-2F6TLbL4REBDcsBPLok35sfZjyutnaq5qmHdxT4NBP3dDZjsEglo14iZPWUd1Z9oI3vtLtnyCLIWa7nA1EQT3olN0UUBJvIj-2BNL9WjIk9PFaCal29PLOhi4QTh8XzAFxL-2FQszZ1OtBw5gNB4652lN4JZqA-2F6FHwqsqN3E527HmhxyjMhO7cACfPzsSPssEmJG4W4qk-2Fr2-2FDdeFlQ1KYtQ4x7FSR8MlvwxtRvZwujKhuXuCEXjpzxF">six of its online programs were recently recognized by U.S. News and World Report</a>&nbsp;as among the best in the nation. FHSU Online, Fort Hays State University’s distance education arm, can also report that it has earned additional recognition across a range of online programs.

These latest rankings further demonstrate that FHSU offers the best online programs at the best price. As one of six institutions in the world to have achieved United States Distance Learning Quality Certification, Fort Hays State is truly the best value in higher education anywhere.&nbsp;

University HQ&nbsp;lists 21 FHSU programs in their latest rankings, including a&nbsp;No. 1 ranking for Most Affordable Colleges by state:&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=-2BFJoAhsjp8losQfY8t-2BZtN-2BRfX1hq6Xel5pNFLgbV6PtIMmOwY-2BO3LZspwVqTCfRFVHTCllNA7ImkQoK4-2FFfoL-2FzEQcwwbTTtOw9qJM7VmuFO1GBaWUO67m-2FGk-2B81y3pLfuu_r-2BDMsuWuYVmb7-2F1Mu1QL1I-2FJ8-2BHR91nNNNGTTc38Ah0CWayiZL-2BkhdmA3sx0XGnG-2FN1jk6rVQRO9vN7U5rFC-2BcXi909IOPAdkr3SvXFdyn3Ag1h6-2F-2B6atf0vMUKxRgZ-2Bus0Gb5nWeULh-2F6TLbL4REBDcsBPLok35sfZjyutnaq5qmHdxT4NBP3dDZjsEglo14iZPWUd1Z9oI3vtLtnyCLC9UmNWe9cCQ0XURvPXO9c2l-2B2IYYju-2FWxCeCKqGFA3dQHZ9jJD-2BKnC-2F6CBYCXqF59eaA4EG-2Ff5hbUuZy96egFCV9DI2jyVGhF5ubpq9NmnfvaaOAaEHuWbtBTDwlxk63UtMzQCbP9RZJ-2F8Ii447VIf1bcgEfDJYaCYf7vEtXl18">https://universityhq.org/best-colleges/fort-hays-state-university/#rankings</a>

No. 1&nbsp;Most Affordable Public Higher-Ed Institution&nbsp;in Kansas&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=-2BFJoAhsjp8losQfY8t-2BZtGzjDU7dpgsJBedxJxWg7o8BtABSyqEoLNzqVLJGuV8omV5EALIyRdp9gUdrKjzD-2BGmpJeoKnOm5eioVRN1SAOH8f4k8pvsp-2FwVqA9TIuuVQrqqgS1AG4W2unpsZ5i2fOkrZApk68NO6dUnSSKrr3JSWgLje-2FMNCb2RRSSg9ycqxRWtdT7ncLekh5fY2GVEvX3opwQOrFUmMg-2BnKQ91vislAwPij8z2cWMBCqA58ilMMr5eH3kawY6tZDyfkhD4jYeflsSKfEZpiAjSOKdDUdsj9R-2FpydG3Yrh-2BT99kxodCay1YJ_r-2BDMsuWuYVmb7-2F1Mu1QL1I-2FJ8-2BHR91nNNNGTTc38Ah0CWayiZL-2BkhdmA3sx0XGnG-2FN1jk6rVQRO9vN7U5rFC-2BcXi909IOPAdkr3SvXFdyn3Ag1h6-2F-2B6atf0vMUKxRgZ-2Bus0Gb5nWeULh-2F6TLbL4REBDcsBPLok35sfZjyutnaq5qmHdxT4NBP3dDZjsEglo14iZPWUd1Z9oI3vtLtnyCLCyQaC98ih-2B6qNicrnteWQtWy1VrlSQm33ZqI7T-2BgPkdCRZ1OSy7p5yGXHdgPOJE2cHMI07TecCsHkvdFYLz-2FXISHb2oFYTZveSldLTi6-2FRT5L-2Be8NogAXUK7zOD7Dhn16z2UtZs2eVcvtdyFoOkVbW4dDdEzuIOZcVkOnnAZItl" target="_blank">Student Loan Hero</a>

One of the 10 Most Popular Affordable Online Masters Degree Program&nbsp;universities in the nation:&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=-2BFJoAhsjp8losQfY8t-2BZtPpPxlyP0NismRpU97EtP34aYgEoItLuL5wc-2BK7x-2F5hBCvKUzyOtrNbHoV4fvdniiUYfaDhJ3vNu6fERst3oFUV14v7Xlv7xAPpUbEuis-2Fg2RGBu_r-2BDMsuWuYVmb7-2F1Mu1QL1I-2FJ8-2BHR91nNNNGTTc38Ah0CWayiZL-2BkhdmA3sx0XGnG-2FN1jk6rVQRO9vN7U5rFC-2BcXi909IOPAdkr3SvXFdyn3Ag1h6-2F-2B6atf0vMUKxRgZ-2Bus0Gb5nWeULh-2F6TLbL4REBDcsBPLok35sfZjyutnaq5qmHdxT4NBP3dDZjsEglo14iZPWUd1Z9oI3vtLtnyCLMJOy-2BNpEYOhelPCR9Pkii4JDFJndcP-2F-2F1rDOTNsYLXwhiPWwt5bog99B0cih35As-2B-2B1R24Qa54kpM8sHQp6LDd2gRTULftMgp3MuOKhxZq36jQuKIxTLFShH5E8WIllOR5Wj9NWBBpxYO03xjH9hCPxpmR8AgX0u6Y8Ywz-2BZN9q">https://www.mastersprogramsguide.com/rankings/popular-affordable-online-masters/</a>

Top Grad School Programs:&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=-2BFJoAhsjp8losQfY8t-2BZtFYAjfL2a1DuZ-2FkIS-2BvWNSD6Y0MWM6WjQhpGlWP3S5dzdjyBpFCfFZ9lJzgfw42lCA-3D-3Df6aq_r-2BDMsuWuYVmb7-2F1Mu1QL1I-2FJ8-2BHR91nNNNGTTc38Ah0CWayiZL-2BkhdmA3sx0XGnG-2FN1jk6rVQRO9vN7U5rFC-2BcXi909IOPAdkr3SvXFdyn3Ag1h6-2F-2B6atf0vMUKxRgZ-2Bus0Gb5nWeULh-2F6TLbL4REBDcsBPLok35sfZjyutnaq5qmHdxT4NBP3dDZjsEglo14iZPWUd1Z9oI3vtLtnyCLBYlg7DiiYLb-2F0SJ-2Fq-2B0AJLgZYh09oNbQie8bex1-2F2EXn1nuNOXmZPT4-2Bp7JHrOTP0Pnq1Cuc2gtT56JD2X4raB3FndZF40K1w4v92vnmlX7os-2BJ-2BCXE4f8ob-2BPm31Df34fw3wB4uTZLYKY-2BUBBIiHsZMkmbvjg4aZQkzGV54ZWE">https://abound.college/gradschool/top-grad-schools/</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644528439209.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University CommunicationsFHSU Online recently shared the news that&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=-2BFJoAhsjp8losQfY8t-2BZtHUQH3ao2jPA-2FmJhxnmcFn5YVBM7HfbELfcuDLO3HISDpxFE3DjLs9anTyzlQT4opwnqSfreSZ83lORUxXB-2BRq-2BayvmBOdARDcTkQV8Vq0atb7zg_r-2BDMsuWuYVmb7-2F1Mu1QL1I-2FJ8-2BHR91nNNNGTTc38Ah0CWayiZL-2BkhdmA3sx0XGnG-2FN1jk6rVQRO9vN7U5rFC-2BcXi909IOPAdkr3SvXFdyn3Ag1h6-2F-2B6atf0vMUKxRgZ-2Bus0Gb5nWeULh-2F6TLbL4REBDcsBPLok35sfZjyutnaq5qmHdxT4NBP3dDZjsEglo14iZPWUd1Z9oI3vtLtnyCLIWa7nA1EQT3olN0UUBJvIj-2BNL9WjIk9PFaCal29PLOhi4QTh8XzAFxL-2FQszZ1OtBw5gNB4652lN4JZqA-2F6FHwqsqN3E527HmhxyjMhO7cACfPzsSPssEmJG4W4qk-2Fr2-2FDdeFlQ1KYtQ4x7FSR8MlvwxtRvZwujKhuXuCEXjpzxF">six of its online programs were recently recognized by U.S. News and World Report</a>&nbsp;as among the best in the nation. FHSU Online, Fort Hays State University’s distance education arm, can also report that it has earned additional recognition across a range of online programs.These latest rankings further demonstrate that FHSU offers the best online programs at the best price. As one of six institutions in the world to have achieved United States Distance Learning Quality Certification, Fort Hays State is truly the best value in higher education anywhere.&nbsp;FHSU Online’s 2021-2022 RankingsUniversity HQ&nbsp;lists 21 FHSU programs in their latest rankings, including a&nbsp;No. 1 ranking for Most Affordable Colleges by state:&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=-2BFJoAhsjp8losQfY8t-2BZtN-2BRfX1hq6Xel5pNFLgbV6PtIMmOwY-2BO3LZspwVqTCfRFVHTCllNA7ImkQoK4-2FFfoL-2FzEQcwwbTTtOw9qJM7VmuFO1GBaWUO67m-2FGk-2B81y3pLfuu_r-2BDMsuWuYVmb7-2F1Mu1QL1I-2FJ8-2BHR91nNNNGTTc38Ah0CWayiZL-2BkhdmA3sx0XGnG-2FN1jk6rVQRO9vN7U5rFC-2BcXi909IOPAdkr3SvXFdyn3Ag1h6-2F-2B6atf0vMUKxRgZ-2Bus0Gb5nWeULh-2F6TLbL4REBDcsBPLok35sfZjyutnaq5qmHdxT4NBP3dDZjsEglo14iZPWUd1Z9oI3vtLtnyCLC9UmNWe9cCQ0XURvPXO9c2l-2B2IYYju-2FWxCeCKqGFA3dQHZ9jJD-2BKnC-2F6CBYCXqF59eaA4EG-2Ff5hbUuZy96egFCV9DI2jyVGhF5ubpq9NmnfvaaOAaEHuWbtBTDwlxk63UtMzQCbP9RZJ-2F8Ii447VIf1bcgEfDJYaCYf7vEtXl18">https://universityhq.org/best-colleges/fort-hays-state-university/#rankings</a>No. 1&nbsp;Most Affordable Public Higher-Ed Institution&nbsp;in Kansas&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=-2BFJoAhsjp8losQfY8t-2BZtGzjDU7dpgsJBedxJxWg7o8BtABSyqEoLNzqVLJGuV8omV5EALIyRdp9gUdrKjzD-2BGmpJeoKnOm5eioVRN1SAOH8f4k8pvsp-2FwVqA9TIuuVQrqqgS1AG4W2unpsZ5i2fOkrZApk68NO6dUnSSKrr3JSWgLje-2FMNCb2RRSSg9ycqxRWtdT7ncLekh5fY2GVEvX3opwQOrFUmMg-2BnKQ91vislAwPij8z2cWMBCqA58ilMMr5eH3kawY6tZDyfkhD4jYeflsSKfEZpiAjSOKdDUdsj9R-2FpydG3Yrh-2BT99kxodCay1YJ_r-2BDMsuWuYVmb7-2F1Mu1QL1I-2FJ8-2BHR91nNNNGTTc38Ah0CWayiZL-2BkhdmA3sx0XGnG-2FN1jk6rVQRO9vN7U5rFC-2BcXi909IOPAdkr3SvXFdyn3Ag1h6-2F-2B6atf0vMUKxRgZ-2Bus0Gb5nWeULh-2F6TLbL4REBDcsBPLok35sfZjyutnaq5qmHdxT4NBP3dDZjsEglo14iZPWUd1Z9oI3vtLtnyCLCyQaC98ih-2B6qNicrnteWQtWy1VrlSQm33ZqI7T-2BgPkdCRZ1OSy7p5yGXHdgPOJE2cHMI07TecCsHkvdFYLz-2FXISHb2oFYTZveSldLTi6-2FRT5L-2Be8NogAXUK7zOD7Dhn16z2UtZs2eVcvtdyFoOkVbW4dDdEzuIOZcVkOnnAZItl" target="_blank">Student Loan Hero</a>One of the 10 Most Popular Affordable Online Masters Degree Program&nbsp;universities in the nation:&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=-2BFJoAhsjp8losQfY8t-2BZtPpPxlyP0NismRpU97EtP34aYgEoItLuL5wc-2BK7x-2F5hBCvKUzyOtrNbHoV4fvdniiUYfaDhJ3vNu6fERst3oFUV14v7Xlv7xAPpUbEuis-2Fg2RGBu_r-2BDMsuWuYVmb7-2F1Mu1QL1I-2FJ8-2BHR91nNNNGTTc38Ah0CWayiZL-2BkhdmA3sx0XGnG-2FN1jk6rVQRO9vN7U5rFC-2BcXi909IOPAdkr3SvXFdyn3Ag1h6-2F-2B6atf0vMUKxRgZ-2Bus0Gb5nWeULh-2F6TLbL4REBDcsBPLok35sfZjyutnaq5qmHdxT4NBP3dDZjsEglo14iZPWUd1Z9oI3vtLtnyCLMJOy-2BNpEYOhelPCR9Pkii4JDFJndcP-2F-2F1rDOTNsYLXwhiPWwt5bog99B0cih35As-2B-2B1R24Qa54kpM8sHQp6LDd2gRTULftMgp3MuOKhxZq36jQuKIxTLFShH5E8WIllOR5Wj9NWBBpxYO03xjH9hCPxpmR8AgX0u6Y8Ywz-2BZN9q">https://www.mastersprogramsguide.com/rankings/popular-affordable-online-masters/</a>Top Grad School Programs:&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=-2BFJoAhsjp8losQfY8t-2BZtFYAjfL2a1DuZ-2FkIS-2BvWNSD6Y0MWM6WjQhpGlWP3S5dzdjyBpFCfFZ9lJzgfw42lCA-3D-3Df6aq_r-2BDMsuWuYVmb7-2F1Mu1QL1I-2FJ8-2BHR91nNNNGTTc38Ah0CWayiZL-2BkhdmA3sx0XGnG-2FN1jk6rVQRO9vN7U5rFC-2BcXi909IOPAdkr3SvXFdyn3Ag1h6-2F-2B6atf0vMUKxRgZ-2Bus0Gb5nWeULh-2F6TLbL4REBDcsBPLok35sfZjyutnaq5qmHdxT4NBP3dDZjsEglo14iZPWUd1Z9oI3vtLtnyCLBYlg7DiiYLb-2F0SJ-2Fq-2B0AJLgZYh09oNbQie8bex1-2F2EXn1nuNOXmZPT4-2Bp7JHrOTP0Pnq1Cuc2gtT56JD2X4raB3FndZF40K1w4v92vnmlX7os-2BJ-2BCXE4f8ob-2BPm31Df34fw3wB4uTZLYKY-2BUBBIiHsZMkmbvjg4aZQkzGV54ZWE">https://abound.college/gradschool/top-grad-schools/</a>Most Affordable&nbsp;Master of Science in Nursing&nbsp;Programs:&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=-2BFJoAhsjp8losQfY8t-2BZtCwmIAIH5CRWXNJL-2BL77IRAJ3e07z08qPLqEzxqmIAo0i5wazgHapteBBy2gVqpbUVNBkVdMz5-2F9nbSemr8Pv70-3DsRSx_r-2BDMsuWuYVmb7-2F1Mu1QL1I-2FJ8-2BHR91nNNNGTTc38Ah0CWayiZL-2BkhdmA3sx0XGnG-2FN1jk6rVQRO9vN7U5rFC-2BcXi909IOPAdkr3SvXFdyn3Ag1h6-2F-2B6atf0vMUKxRgZ-2Bus0Gb5nWeULh-2F6TLbL4REBDcsBPLok35sfZjyutnaq5qmHdxT4NBP3dDZjsEglo14iZPWUd1Z9oI3vtLtnyCLM-2BO96lLY-2FcsEz8gy5OY9T3EyGrB-2BuzgKJPd3L4D3kIrnvrVdPWJtooQOGCCo55AJW7lrm-2B81JrdfsviG-2Bay4FTTqePxRDZQkK2rNxhNUCW1jICXBXw-2FVZpsfT3w39UfqMuexjW0-2Bidvb-2BwobqGVaXM-2FQYSa8NwCdokrPUdtE-2Fxa">Onlinedegreeprof.com</a>Most Affordable Online Master’s in Human Resources Degree Programs:&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=AzU7JuM9gNoo13mIpsUPJEiX4RmvH7hi6KsWCtdikg9tOqANt8BdCLRuvjOywTy5EbNrpphOnbcd7J7rqwG-2FGvWHGCf2ukSkNq03REefgiNlkAjzKWgZLryU-2BopMVaqQ7FOrIPkbrOzBtggYh6G2GXODtl-2Bip82OihoC9v9dQeMHWEaSWebi5gS3Uf8SgsZlBeqzuPwkpQlMG8u1E2MyZw-3D-3DH4UE_r-2BDMsuWuYVmb7-2F1Mu1QL1I-2FJ8-2BHR91nNNNGTTc38Ah0CWayiZL-2BkhdmA3sx0XGnG-2FN1jk6rVQRO9vN7U5rFC-2BcXi909IOPAdkr3SvXFdyn3Ag1h6-2F-2B6atf0vMUKxRgZ-2Bus0Gb5nWeULh-2F6TLbL4REBDcsBPLok35sfZjyutnaq5qmHdxT4NBP3dDZjsEglo14iZPWUd1Z9oI3vtLtnyCLF3on4VwQtFn-2BcT0GIc-2BSKGPB60RBGYKcmiby64Fhnf7zlSRWOCAiRAiZA4vQx1NO1zzIwNu3L6chbHsQlhUmUOsfILikpaE6tCb0uBp6rdt-2Bezc8c3rf9VfaC2Z3Dc-2BTqRu2fQ-2BemBWmO-2BlzxPeYnCewzeeLYZy1qRc8Q3D8W3i" target="_blank">http://news.richmondnewsnow.com/story/519556/education-reference-desk-announces-2021s-most-affordable-masters-in-human-resources-degree-online.html</a>Best Online Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=-2BFJoAhsjp8losQfY8t-2BZtL4fRygHpBTuGLIXflJjR3GByf6TPDG5xqyN08ErT1WVz91T2yV5OJh-2F1hQcI6aHfrRUi1xp0BEv12zKe294pFHkZwSMkT4EsXc7HyCox-2FB-2B5SiM_r-2BDMsuWuYVmb7-2F1Mu1QL1I-2FJ8-2BHR91nNNNGTTc38Ah0CWayiZL-2BkhdmA3sx0XGnG-2FN1jk6rVQRO9vN7U5rFC-2BcXi909IOPAdkr3SvXFdyn3Ag1h6-2F-2B6atf0vMUKxRgZ-2Bus0Gb5nWeULh-2F6TLbL4REBDcsBPLok35sfZjyutnaq5qmHdxT4NBP3dDZjsEglo14iZPWUd1Z9oI3vtLtnyCLBhNBamNf7vgdF6aDRfRp-2B6x0-2Fm9JSdtc6-2B5nlTgLFG525fGXbMOaRvxoKMrYxBtSZvvhixL2OemLFsQOC2Yr6G06oTuwsbkWsSylPsdiSWqNYGAYR9abyCigaqRO76jZ-2BgjMNATx6PqNrURN-2BTNbYsl6EPzlOcRE8QRH2nDfzrU">https://bestaccreditedcolleges.org/degrees/online-bachelors-degrees-in-sociology.html</a>Best Bachelor’s in Education Teacher Certification Programs&nbsp;for 2022:&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=-2BFJoAhsjp8losQfY8t-2BZtFZv28FB3gTq-2F14w1ZK0VgmZtD6g9T6lJu2pZEhrHeQXXiAmpiZWAPvdwlsb9Wk6D0njms6bjK69C8mioamyIeQewx4IRYMIHSQXEgZX5-2FGH-2BhGCG8R-2Bhb4DuDUqWIfbbQ-3D-3Dd0tf_r-2BDMsuWuYVmb7-2F1Mu1QL1I-2FJ8-2BHR91nNNNGTTc38Ah0CWayiZL-2BkhdmA3sx0XGnG-2FN1jk6rVQRO9vN7U5rFC-2BcXi909IOPAdkr3SvXFdyn3Ag1h6-2F-2B6atf0vMUKxRgZ-2Bus0Gb5nWeULh-2F6TLbL4REBDcsBPLok35sfZjyutnaq5qmHdxT4NBP3dDZjsEglo14iZPWUd1Z9oI3vtLtnyCLDurygsGOMmVQQhueBfK-2F6BqHSp59cfSToI-2FEzZO6OV5RA-2BvZwDOeicEQVL3RN-2BIIEuZy-2FC-2BROKFF1m1st51VhARgeaFGdqrLlr56zDvZIoGm-2FCLD3e84H-2B5kHhOa8FnJWJuJHE-2FIhqSMbqKh4IVXALPP-2FXcbzfQVZD5Ye6mXCTA">https://www.teacher.org/blog/50-favorite-online-bachelors-in-education-teacher-certification-programs/</a>In its 2021 rankings,&nbsp;<a href="http://bestaccreditedcolleges.org/">bestaccreditedcolleges.org</a>&nbsp;recognized two FHSU programs:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li><a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=-2BFJoAhsjp8losQfY8t-2BZtGzjDU7dpgsJBedxJxWg7o8BtABSyqEoLNzqVLJGuV8oMyqaLEZCw8LZ4gEl4jYdtsHMkiCSyCk5qYPxkAmP-2BkeuahKbAMqNm6lLIEgsd1AsN5h-2FKF9uhZUAKCRgEXWZqfAEYATx84B0LShNITQa-2FRfrBxqxihl-2FJqn4ObNIB9Tceq1CQbLYtWjTwUOYoQeQ4eErxy9gLt43I80XCYl-2FfLKCj3uFe7qjNQh1g-2BRqoglAizc-2Fsx5OYHpeCL-2BMAjRq2J1t3YWbjNl-2FkaT0EjQw5CIDqqmLlXuBRayS3EWB-2BnHe7r4htWbvXSzwly3-2Fc7fjvqOiuNvZ1TFiac1cHroadwsvDiozrtFTKcv1uqOeVY2QLdTc2whdxRrV1UJpZd4gryxp6pd2LLRrr3bAcbvmbe3DsrCXZDJANSg1G-2BCtohCJJpl-2B2KJpYrAeUNIjiSV9i01vFDj7g-2Btf9fVEnN-2BrfOUutx6kmGJNGy3bKM7zXL3inVh-_r-2BDMsuWuYVmb7-2F1Mu1QL1I-2FJ8-2BHR91nNNNGTTc38Ah0CWayiZL-2BkhdmA3sx0XGnG-2FN1jk6rVQRO9vN7U5rFC-2BcXi909IOPAdkr3SvXFdyn3Ag1h6-2F-2B6atf0vMUKxRgZ-2Bus0Gb5nWeULh-2F6TLbL4REBDcsBPLok35sfZjyutnaq5qmHdxT4NBP3dDZjsEglo14iZPWUd1Z9oI3vtLtnyCLKsPOqz6BICamSzFBt8Kyp2q-2FWtTxgL86Jnjj681pvOLRUNAgL1Vv8qr-2Fz2WC6RlFONmQJgY3zdzIByw7tmosvf80VLvDGAPDPEXBbmenpYw0NGjt4a4lFA23WJ6BX-2B59O62-2BIr1d76MMOC66Sn9F05n5TGkrsXsAPBJpQxi6kFO">#2 Best Online Master's Degrees in Educational Leadership</a></li><li><a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=-2BFJoAhsjp8losQfY8t-2BZtGzjDU7dpgsJBedxJxWg7o8BtABSyqEoLNzqVLJGuV8oMyqaLEZCw8LZ4gEl4jYdtsHMkiCSyCk5qYPxkAmP-2BkcDzWfDxEtSbay04DDtP7wQEqwcjhpkMb0-2FVmonhlqjWY5sLdYM5kMZkfhz1I6DfZ-2Bphm4ri9GGf1nbCNgH6s0YiSBVLLK-2BLKKI04z7NCffRIeWybUoe09K3SHebiNo6WYsNXoggjAGderMLxJtZ-2BQJlRhZyeBJe95T1RtAZo5X1v7UP1p5o5zQEFZHMSBzolgDsEgqq22BVDlWP7Go4tPWHVZlPTlf0fu2PngPskYxioMdHJjmby0CStmKX50VCWA1yfsHPEurpV3IOUbcXK2PgQfg9A32QuXo2SRVkILsLG8pFe-2BLwZdZ98C6mMkaA-2F6jKaMF5lzkK9xH65i182-2BuTJ8t9AhLvurHgtRz9aCeO6gEoPfG4pk1EMV-2FWxmoJmo-3DHC4G_r-2BDMsuWuYVmb7-2F1Mu1QL1I-2FJ8-2BHR91nNNNGTTc38Ah0CWayiZL-2BkhdmA3sx0XGnG-2FN1jk6rVQRO9vN7U5rFC-2BcXi909IOPAdkr3SvXFdyn3Ag1h6-2F-2B6atf0vMUKxRgZ-2Bus0Gb5nWeULh-2F6TLbL4REBDcsBPLok35sfZjyutnaq5qmHdxT4NBP3dDZjsEglo14iZPWUd1Z9oI3vtLtnyCLBD1pwKgm31F9PR3GuobRN0ay7CAjWgv4D5NhQu7M2DwFLlf5A8XT3cF4dRVZlqN4PBTZQqablN3q5ORHLOpoSzddbdeWDFbmbelM6SE5xAuiOhXXxovbbZn-2BVSLe7RyyeyikQgFcppmFTl45CYMtc-2FA3IHj-2FYRZnKI-2Fg-2F1Vzqag7UP9e0vO6QGpw5SSfUUWYA-3D-3D">#3 Best Online Master's Degrees in Special Education</a></li>
 </ul>

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