In its third announcement of 2021, the Carnegie Hero Fund is proud to recognize 18 civilians who risked their lives for others. Each will receive the Carnegie Medal, North America’s highest honor for civilian heroism, according to the Carnegie website.

Among those to be awarded this quarter is&nbsp;Sheriff’s Deputy John Miner, 39, of Phillipsburg.

He pulled off a rural highway in Long Island, Kansas, to offer aid to two families that had pulled their pickup trucks to the side of the road after one of them had engine issues on Nov. 4, 2020. 

A tractor trailer driving on the highway hit the police vehicle and a trailer, rupturing one of the semi-truck’s fuel tanks. Diesel fuel was sprayed onto one of the pickups and flames erupted on its passenger side. After being informed that there were children in the backseat of the truck, Miner ran to the passenger side and opened the rear door. He quickly unlatched 4-year-old Ella Rae L. Sorensen-Wilkens from her car seat, lifted her from the seat and brought her to her father.

Miner then ran back to the vehicle and entered the burning vehicle from the same side to reach 2-year-old Emric C. Wilkens in a car seat behind the driver’s seat. Unable to unlatch the harness, Miner used a pocketknife to cut the straps of the car seat and freed Emric. As flames spread and ignited Miner’s pant leg, Miner dropped Emric to the ground, where his father retrieved him and took him to safety. Ella and Emric were not injured. Miner suffered second- and third-degree burns to his leg that required skin-grafting surgery. He ultimately recovered.

The Carnegie Medal is given throughout the U.S. and Canada to those who enter extreme danger while saving or attempting to save the lives of others. With this announcement, a total of 10,256 Carnegie Medals have been awarded since the Pittsburgh-based Fund’s inception in 1904. Commission Chair Mark Laskow said each of the awardees or their survivors will also receive a financial grant. Throughout the more than 117 years since the Fund was established by industrialist-philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, more than $43 million has been given in one-time grants, scholarship aid, death benefits, and continuing assistance.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608583205491.jpeg" alt="Officials in Phillips honored Miner during a ceremony in December 2020-photo by Kirby Ross Phillips County Review" />
 <figcaption>Officials in Phillips honored Miner during a ceremony in December 2020-photo by Kirby Ross Phillips County Review</figcaption>
 </figure>In its third announcement of 2021, the Carnegie Hero Fund is proud to recognize 18 civilians who risked their lives for others. Each will receive the Carnegie Medal, North America’s highest honor for civilian heroism, according to the Carnegie website.Among those to be awarded this quarter is&nbsp;Sheriff’s Deputy John Miner, 39, of Phillipsburg.He pulled off a rural highway in Long Island, Kansas, to offer aid to two families that had pulled their pickup trucks to the side of the road after one of them had engine issues on Nov. 4, 2020. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604598517835.jpeg" alt="Scene of the accident -photo Courtesy Phillips County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Scene of the accident -photo Courtesy Phillips County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>A tractor trailer driving on the highway hit the police vehicle and a trailer, rupturing one of the semi-truck’s fuel tanks. Diesel fuel was sprayed onto one of the pickups and flames erupted on its passenger side. After being informed that there were children in the backseat of the truck, Miner ran to the passenger side and opened the rear door. He quickly unlatched 4-year-old Ella Rae L. Sorensen-Wilkens from her car seat, lifted her from the seat and brought her to her father.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Congratulations to John Miner, Sheriff’s Deputy in Phillipsburg, who was recently awarded the Carnegie Medal for saving 2 children from a burning vehicle - an extraordinary act of heroism. Thank you, John, for your service &amp; commitment to your community.<a href="https://t.co/kjD6pqXjXS">https://t.co/kjD6pqXjXS</a>&mdash; Governor Laura Kelly (@GovLauraKelly) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovLauraKelly/status/1443280760975335428?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Miner then ran back to the vehicle and entered the burning vehicle from the same side to reach 2-year-old Emric C. Wilkens in a car seat behind the driver’s seat. Unable to unlatch the harness, Miner used a pocketknife to cut the straps of the car seat and freed Emric. As flames spread and ignited Miner’s pant leg, Miner dropped Emric to the ground, where his father retrieved him and took him to safety. Ella and Emric were not injured. Miner suffered second- and third-degree burns to his leg that required skin-grafting surgery. He ultimately recovered.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632997257478.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Carnegie Medal is given throughout the U.S. and Canada to those who enter extreme danger while saving or attempting to save the lives of others. With this announcement, a total of 10,256 Carnegie Medals have been awarded since the Pittsburgh-based Fund’s inception in 1904. Commission Chair Mark Laskow said each of the awardees or their survivors will also receive a financial grant. Throughout the more than 117 years since the Fund was established by industrialist-philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, more than $43 million has been given in one-time grants, scholarship aid, death benefits, and continuing assistance.

Phillips County Deputy to receive Carnegie medal for heroism

After falling just short of $74 on Friday, Nymex benchmark crude topped $75 Monday. Friday's settlement for the near-month contract was $73.98 per barrel. By Monday afternoon that price was up another dollar and a half. Crude prices have reached their highest in three years. Goldman Sachs is calling Hurricane Ida the "most bullish hurricane" for oil prices in U.S. history. Shutdowns in the Gulf of Mexico have prompted reduced inventories, and have effectively canceled out the impact of the recent OPEC+ production increases. Forbes reports WTI and London Brent both reached their highest price since October of 2018, when sanctions against Iran drove prices to four-year highs.&nbsp; Analysts say prices could could continue rising in the months ahead, with cold winter weather and a busy travel season coming up. The government reported the seventh consecutive weekly decline in U.S. crude-oil inventories, confirming industry predictions of another multi-million barrel dip. The Energy Information Administration says stockpiles September 17th totaled 414 million barrels. That's down three-and-a-half million barrels from the week before, and down 71 million barrels or 42% from the beginning of the year. In just the last two months EIA has reported weekly declines that total nearly thirty million barrels. The report says stockpiles are about eight percent below the five-year average for this time of year. Texas energy regulators are limiting energy-related saltwater disposal in an area of the Permian Basin showing a spike in earthquakes. Data from the U.S. Geological Survey show that this year alone, there have been 81 earthquakes of magnitude 1.5 or greater in one seven-mile cluster north of Midland, Texas. There have been three temblors that you could actually feel, above magnitude 3.5, in the last year-and-a-half. A staff report at the Railroad Commission of Texas asserts that production-related saltwater disposal is contributing to the seismic activity.&nbsp;The Commission has stopped granting permits for new disposal wells there, and is requesting reductions of disposal volumes and monthly reports on injection data from operators in the Seismic Response Area. These limits are expected to remain in place for at least a year. The commission has identified 76 permitted wells impacted by the requests.&nbsp; A government report last week outlined the dramatic cumulative effect of ongoing declines in crude-oil stockpiles. Stockpiles at Cushing are down 42% from the first of the year. That figure is 26% below normal, based on the five-year average. The Energy Information Administration reported a monthly decline of 35 million barrels in June, the largest such decline in 40 years of government record-keeping. EIA says the withdrawals in Oklahoma are consistent with those around the U.S. and around the world. U.S. operators pumped more than 10.6 million barrels of crude per day last week, up more than half a million barrels per day from a week earlier. Production is down slightly from a year ago and well below record levels above 13 million barrels per day set in March of last year. The government report noted an increase of 700,000 barrels per day in crude-oil U.S. imports. Averaged over the last four weeks, EIA says crude imports are up nearly 19% from the same period last year. EIA said gasoline stockpiles last week dropped by three-and-a-half million barrels. Gasoline inventories are about three percent below the five year average for this time of year. The Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes on Friday showed 521 active drilling rigs nationwide, an increase of ten oil rigs. The number of offshore rigs was up four over last week. The counts in Oklahoma and Louisiana were each up four. Texas was up three for the week. The weekly Rig Count in Kansas from Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service notes 26 active drilling rigs in Western Kansas, which is up one for the week. The count east of Wichita was unchanged at 12 active rigs. Operators are about to spud new wells in Ellis and Stafford counties, and drilling was underway on one lease in Ellis County. Regulators approved 31 new drilling permits across the state last week. Fifteen of those were in in Western Kansas, including one new permit in Ellis County and three in Stafford County. There are 16 new permits on file in eastern Kansas. So far this year, regulators have okayed 763 new drilling locations in The Sunflower State. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 21 newly-completed wells across Kansas, seven of them east of Wichita, and 14 in the western half of the state. Kansas operators have completed 630 wells so far this year. ConocoPhillips says it will use cash on hand to fund the $9.5 BILLION purchase of Royal Dutch Shell's assets in the Permian Basin. The deal will give Shell the equivalent of more than a decade's worth of cash flow from those assets. With additional daily production of about 200,000 barrels, ConocoPhillips becomes one of the basin's largest producers, rivaling Pioneer Natural Resources and Chevron. Oil-by-rail traffic in the United States is up over last week, but down compared to a year ago. In Canada the reverse is true. The Association of American Railroads reports 10,494 tanker cars hauling petroleum during the week through September 18, up nearly 700 cars from the week before but down 3.6% from a year ago. In Canada crude-oil shipments by rail are up 12% year-over-year, but dipped slightly last week.

By JOHN P. TRETBARAfter falling just short of $74 on Friday, Nymex benchmark crude topped $75 Monday. Friday's settlement for the near-month contract was $73.98 per barrel. By Monday afternoon that price was up another dollar and a half. Crude prices have reached their highest in three years. Goldman Sachs is calling Hurricane Ida the "most bullish hurricane" for oil prices in U.S. history. Shutdowns in the Gulf of Mexico have prompted reduced inventories, and have effectively canceled out the impact of the recent OPEC+ production increases. Forbes reports WTI and London Brent both reached their highest price since October of 2018, when sanctions against Iran drove prices to four-year highs.&nbsp; Analysts say prices could could continue rising in the months ahead, with cold winter weather and a busy travel season coming up. The government reported the seventh consecutive weekly decline in U.S. crude-oil inventories, confirming industry predictions of another multi-million barrel dip. The Energy Information Administration says stockpiles September 17th totaled 414 million barrels. That's down three-and-a-half million barrels from the week before, and down 71 million barrels or 42% from the beginning of the year. In just the last two months EIA has reported weekly declines that total nearly thirty million barrels. The report says stockpiles are about eight percent below the five-year average for this time of year. Texas energy regulators are limiting energy-related saltwater disposal in an area of the Permian Basin showing a spike in earthquakes. Data from the U.S. Geological Survey show that this year alone, there have been 81 earthquakes of magnitude 1.5 or greater in one seven-mile cluster north of Midland, Texas. There have been three temblors that you could actually feel, above magnitude 3.5, in the last year-and-a-half. A staff report at the Railroad Commission of Texas asserts that production-related saltwater disposal is contributing to the seismic activity.&nbsp;The Commission has stopped granting permits for new disposal wells there, and is requesting reductions of disposal volumes and monthly reports on injection data from operators in the Seismic Response Area. These limits are expected to remain in place for at least a year. The commission has identified 76 permitted wells impacted by the requests.&nbsp; A government report last week outlined the dramatic cumulative effect of ongoing declines in crude-oil stockpiles. Stockpiles at Cushing are down 42% from the first of the year. That figure is 26% below normal, based on the five-year average. The Energy Information Administration reported a monthly decline of 35 million barrels in June, the largest such decline in 40 years of government record-keeping. EIA says the withdrawals in Oklahoma are consistent with those around the U.S. and around the world. U.S. operators pumped more than 10.6 million barrels of crude per day last week, up more than half a million barrels per day from a week earlier. Production is down slightly from a year ago and well below record levels above 13 million barrels per day set in March of last year. The government report noted an increase of 700,000 barrels per day in crude-oil U.S. imports. Averaged over the last four weeks, EIA says crude imports are up nearly 19% from the same period last year. EIA said gasoline stockpiles last week dropped by three-and-a-half million barrels. Gasoline inventories are about three percent below the five year average for this time of year. The Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes on Friday showed 521 active drilling rigs nationwide, an increase of ten oil rigs. The number of offshore rigs was up four over last week. The counts in Oklahoma and Louisiana were each up four. Texas was up three for the week. The weekly Rig Count in Kansas from Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service notes 26 active drilling rigs in Western Kansas, which is up one for the week. The count east of Wichita was unchanged at 12 active rigs. Operators are about to spud new wells in Ellis and Stafford counties, and drilling was underway on one lease in Ellis County. Regulators approved 31 new drilling permits across the state last week. Fifteen of those were in in Western Kansas, including one new permit in Ellis County and three in Stafford County. There are 16 new permits on file in eastern Kansas. So far this year, regulators have okayed 763 new drilling locations in The Sunflower State. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 21 newly-completed wells across Kansas, seven of them east of Wichita, and 14 in the western half of the state. Kansas operators have completed 630 wells so far this year. ConocoPhillips says it will use cash on hand to fund the $9.5 BILLION purchase of Royal Dutch Shell's assets in the Permian Basin. The deal will give Shell the equivalent of more than a decade's worth of cash flow from those assets. With additional daily production of about 200,000 barrels, ConocoPhillips becomes one of the basin's largest producers, rivaling Pioneer Natural Resources and Chevron. Oil-by-rail traffic in the United States is up over last week, but down compared to a year ago. In Canada the reverse is true. The Association of American Railroads reports 10,494 tanker cars hauling petroleum during the week through September 18, up nearly 700 cars from the week before but down 3.6% from a year ago. In Canada crude-oil shipments by rail are up 12% year-over-year, but dipped slightly last week.

News From the Oil Patch: Prices reach three-year highs

Three-day weather outlook

The Lions Club issues a challenge for the Octoberfest.

The Lions Club wants bragging rights to Octoberfest&nbsp;cookie dominance.

The
 Prairie Cookie is a tougher short bread,&nbsp;sweet but not too sweet. 
Perfect with tea, coffee or milk. One half pound of the cookies (25 more
 or less)&nbsp; in a plastic&nbsp;box $10 a box.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632510026548.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Lions Club issues a challenge for the Octoberfest.The Prairie Cookie.Look out Hertzen!Look out Spitzbuben.The Lions Club wants bragging rights to Octoberfest&nbsp;cookie dominance.The glove has been thrown.The
 Prairie Cookie is a tougher short bread,&nbsp;sweet but not too sweet. 
Perfect with tea, coffee or milk. One half pound of the cookies (25 more
 or less)&nbsp; in a plastic&nbsp;box $10 a box.The battle is on.

WALZ: Should you let your turf grow tall in the fall?

The National Weather Service in Dodge City has issued a flash flood watch for portions of northwest Kansas, including Ellis, Rush, Trego, Ness and Lane counties. The watch is in effect from 7 p.m. Wednesday to 10 a.m. Thursday.

There is a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms after 4 p.m. Wednesday, with the chance of precipitation rising to 90 percent in the Hays area after 1 a.m. Thursday.

Between a half and three-quarters of an inch of rainfall is possible as the front moves in. There is a chance of showers into Saturday, with skies expected to clear on Sunday.

The front also will bring a mass of colder air, with high temperatures plunging to the low 60s on Thursday and the high 60s to upper-70s the remainder of the week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1563272343983.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The National Weather Service in Dodge City has issued a flash flood watch for portions of northwest Kansas, including Ellis, Rush, Trego, Ness and Lane counties. The watch is in effect from 7 p.m. Wednesday to 10 a.m. Thursday.There is a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms after 4 p.m. Wednesday, with the chance of precipitation rising to 90 percent in the Hays area after 1 a.m. Thursday.Between a half and three-quarters of an inch of rainfall is possible as the front moves in. There is a chance of showers into Saturday, with skies expected to clear on Sunday.The front also will bring a mass of colder air, with high temperatures plunging to the low 60s on Thursday and the high 60s to upper-70s the remainder of the week.

Rain on the way for NW Kansas; flash flood watch issued

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Wednesday reported 22 new COVID-19 cases in Ellis County had been identified since Monday.

There have been 553 new COVID-19 cases identified in Ellis County after a lull in cases dwindled to near zero in June.

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

As of Wednesday morning, there were 15 COVID inpatients at HaysMed.

The KDHE reported Wednesday 49 percent of eligible Ellis County residents are fully vaccinated, noting the vaccination rate for the eligible Kansas population (12 and older) is approximately 60 percent.

Since reporting began, there have been 4,357 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 75 coronavirus-related deaths.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632934531220.png" alt="KDHE" />
 <figcaption>KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Wednesday reported 22 new COVID-19 cases in Ellis County had been identified since Monday.There have been 553 new COVID-19 cases identified in Ellis County after a lull in cases dwindled to near zero in June.<a href="https://www.ellisco.net/97/Health">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;for information on how to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.&nbsp;As of Wednesday morning, there were 15 COVID inpatients at HaysMed.The KDHE reported Wednesday 49 percent of eligible Ellis County residents are fully vaccinated, noting the vaccination rate for the eligible Kansas population (12 and older) is approximately 60 percent.Since reporting began, there have been 4,357 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 75 coronavirus-related deaths.

KDHE: 22 new COVID cases in Ellis Co. since Monday

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post&nbsp;

The Hays school board Monday approved a $652,730 project to replace windows at&nbsp;O'Loughlin Elementary School, Wilson Elementary School and Rockwell Administration Center.

The district will use federal COVID relief funds for the project.

The project is meant to improve airflow in the buildings. Many of the windows are original to the buildings. Some of the windows can't be opened. They are in such bad repair they have been screwed shut, Superintendent Ron Wilson told the board.

O'Loughlin's windows are single pane and not insulated. The school has issues with drafts and condensation.

O'Loughlin was once a Catholic&nbsp;girls school. The library was once a chapel and the windows are colored glass and don't fit the use of the room now.

Although Rockwell houses administrators, its gym is used by Westside students. Those are the windows that will be replaced.

Wilson said district officials took into consideration bond planning in developing the project.

Paul Wartenberger Construction was the low bid and was awarded the contract.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632859877000.jpeg" alt="This bank of windows in a classroom at O'Loughlin Elementary School constantly has an issue with condensation. The single-pane windows are also not insulated." />
 <figcaption>This bank of windows in a classroom at O'Loughlin Elementary School constantly has an issue with condensation. The single-pane windows are also not insulated.</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post&nbsp;The Hays school board Monday approved a $652,730 project to replace windows at&nbsp;O'Loughlin Elementary School, Wilson Elementary School and Rockwell Administration Center.The district will use federal COVID relief funds for the project.The project is meant to improve airflow in the buildings. Many of the windows are original to the buildings. Some of the windows can't be opened. They are in such bad repair they have been screwed shut, Superintendent Ron Wilson told the board.O'Loughlin's windows are single pane and not insulated. The school has issues with drafts and condensation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632860225716.jpeg" alt="This window used to be part of the chapel when O'Loughlin Elementary School was a Catholic girls school. However, the windows aren't insulated and can't be opened." />
 <figcaption>This window used to be part of the chapel when O'Loughlin Elementary School was a Catholic girls school. However, the windows aren't insulated and can't be opened.</figcaption>
 </figure>O'Loughlin was once a Catholic&nbsp;girls school. The library was once a chapel and the windows are colored glass and don't fit the use of the room now.Although Rockwell houses administrators, its gym is used by Westside students. Those are the windows that will be replaced.Wilson said district officials took into consideration bond planning in developing the project.Paul Wartenberger Construction was the low bid and was awarded the contract.

Hays USD 489 to use federal funds to replace windows

Ethan Lang wants to start his own financial planning company in his hometown someday.

The Hays native is confident of reaching that goal sooner rather than later because of the quality education he is receiving from Fort Hays State University – and the philanthropy of donors in the Hays region.

Lang was one of more than 150 FHSU business majors – on campus and online – who were honored at the annual awards ceremony for the Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship (RCOBE) earlier this month.

Including department-level scholarships, the RCOBE awarded approximately 270 student scholarships exceeding $300,000. And that doesn’t include the stipends the numerous graduate assistants receive through their respective business departments.

“The vast majority of these funds, nearly every dollar, is provided solely by donors,” said Dr. Cole Engel, master of ceremonies for the RCOBE awards ceremony. “This is above and beyond the university scholarship program, and we have a host of very generous donors. Several are FHSU alumni who value their education and have become quite successful professionally. Now, they are in a good position to give back.”

Lang is a junior, majoring in finance with a concentration in financial planning. Last year, he was selected as one of two Robbins College ambassadors, an honor that comes with a $5,000 stipend. That, coupled with three other scholarships, earned Lang a total of $8,500 for the 2021-22 school year – from the business college alone.&nbsp;

“This is huge for me,” Lang said. “Being a financial planning major, I know what large amounts of debt and taking on student loans can mean for a person. Not having to do that means I will be in a position to reach my goal of starting my own business a lot sooner.”

Engel –&nbsp; associate professor of economics, finance, and accounting – has first-hand experience of how much impact those types of scholarships can have. He has two bachelor’s and a master’s degrees from Fort Hays State and was aided greatly by scholarship money from some of the same donors who are still giving today.&nbsp;

“I was able to graduate from college debt-free because of scholarships through this program as well as community scholarships,” Engel said. “Then when I was in graduate school, I was a teaching assistant so my tuition was taken care of, and we received a stipend, too. That all allowed me to start my professional life without any debt, so I was able to buy a house immediately and contribute to the economy.”

Engel also most likely was able to give back to the university more quickly than graduates with those carrying student loan debt with them after graduation. This year alone, three students received $2,000 Dr. Cole J. Engel scholarships. Students apply for business college scholarships through the university’s general scholarship application, which matches those eligible for certain scholarships. A committee selects the recipients, and the RCOBE ceremony and reception is a way of honoring those students as well as recognizing the donors.

“We see it as an event that brings the whole business community together – faculty, parents, students, donors,” he said. “It’s a perfect way for the parents to meet the faculty, and most importantly, for the students to meet the donors. It’s just a great way to start the academic year and to celebrate philanthropy.”

Engel called off names of students at the ceremony, who came forward for a quick photo with their donors. He reminded the students that “giving is not just about making a donation. It’s about making a difference.”

David Schulte, a junior from Halstead, said that the RCOBE scholarships have made a huge difference in his college career.

“They have made an enormous impact, and I feel very fortunate,” said Schulte, a finance major with a concentration in economics. He also is getting a minor in banking. Schulte received five scholarships this year worth $8,000.

“Besides having rent and tuition and books paid for, it also helps takes care of a lot of other expenses,” Schulte said.

Even more importantly, Schulte said, are other campus opportunities he is able to take advantage of while still maintaining a 3.96 GPA as a member of the Honors College. This year, he holds offices in numerous organizations: the Economics Club, the Finance Club, the Student Government Association, and Alpha Kappa Psi – the professional co-ed business fraternity.

“I feel that if I was going to another university, I would have to be working 30 to 40 hours to make ends meet,” Schulte said. “With these scholarships, I’m able to seek out positions where I can get valuable experience in my field.”

Lang echoed those sentiments. A member of the Tiger track and field team, he earned All-America honors at last spring’s NCAA Division II National Outdoor Championships. As a freshman, he was part of FHSU’s Financial Planning team that placed fourth in the nation. He helped that team qualify for the top eight in the nation again this year.

Lang wasn’t sure he wanted to attend college in his hometown – until he visited the RCOBE his senior year of high school.

“I was born and raised in Hays, Kansas, so this community is special to me,” he said. “Fort Hays State has great programs and opportunities, and we can take part in a lot of those opportunities in part because of our amazing donors.”

Dr. Muhammad Chishty, dean of the RCOBE, applauded the philanthropy of FHSU donors.

"The Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship wants to provide an excellent education at an affordable price to our students. Our generous alumni and donors have made that possible by their continuing gifts,” Chishty said. “The many endowed scholarships have transformed the lives of our students by making it possible for them to attend college – and begin meaningful and rewarding careers in their chosen professions."

Learn how you can support students within FHSU’s Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship by visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=-2BFJoAhsjp8losQfY8t-2BZtDSAKvxVcchtfV1543l0Kpl6aRGqIctSqa6Magmpvb7gHJnw_r-2BDMsuWuYVmb7-2F1Mu1QL1I-2FJ8-2BHR91nNNNGTTc38Ah0CWayiZL-2BkhdmA3sx0XGnG-2FN1jk6rVQRO9vN7U5rFC-2BcXi909IOPAdkr3SvXFdyn3Ag1h6-2F-2B6atf0vMUKxRgZ-2Bjj6-2BTYmSO9PZ96xBZnZ5rzGZzuOdnugR9V0x6-2FAPH0lkiNwv1-2Fx0KFrb1XJNySgoR5gAZTgwZgwc1jPj6sc3BCtvaE4X-2FK-2BJ0-2FR5I-2B2SMT0A3YrtUMTl6Gv3JonIn0kVBL4TmgQckFipZKK3v767HtVFzabZEpcHb0cX-2BNprrlKOzIoVJp9s79Cj8bo7vsxkYhwWCU14OXg2QBGVY-2BWqIXyyjPxwRchbLa9JOxdsKoa3YpxwdTJWKn4MCDqVFmm-2F">https://foundation.fhsu.edu</a>&nbsp;or by contacting the FHSU Foundation at 785-628-5620 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:foundation@fhsu.edu">foundation@fhsu.edu</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632418885800.jpeg" alt="Ethan Lang, left, and Ryan Stanley – ambassadors for FHSU’s business college – thank donors for their generous support during a scholarship award ceremony on campus earlier this month." />
 <figcaption>Ethan Lang, left, and Ryan Stanley – ambassadors for FHSU’s business college – thank donors for their generous support during a scholarship award ceremony on campus earlier this month.</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University RelationsEthan Lang wants to start his own financial planning company in his hometown someday.The Hays native is confident of reaching that goal sooner rather than later because of the quality education he is receiving from Fort Hays State University – and the philanthropy of donors in the Hays region.Lang was one of more than 150 FHSU business majors – on campus and online – who were honored at the annual awards ceremony for the Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship (RCOBE) earlier this month.Including department-level scholarships, the RCOBE awarded approximately 270 student scholarships exceeding $300,000. And that doesn’t include the stipends the numerous graduate assistants receive through their respective business departments.“The vast majority of these funds, nearly every dollar, is provided solely by donors,” said Dr. Cole Engel, master of ceremonies for the RCOBE awards ceremony. “This is above and beyond the university scholarship program, and we have a host of very generous donors. Several are FHSU alumni who value their education and have become quite successful professionally. Now, they are in a good position to give back.”Lang is a junior, majoring in finance with a concentration in financial planning. Last year, he was selected as one of two Robbins College ambassadors, an honor that comes with a $5,000 stipend. That, coupled with three other scholarships, earned Lang a total of $8,500 for the 2021-22 school year – from the business college alone.&nbsp;“This is huge for me,” Lang said. “Being a financial planning major, I know what large amounts of debt and taking on student loans can mean for a person. Not having to do that means I will be in a position to reach my goal of starting my own business a lot sooner.”Engel –&nbsp; associate professor of economics, finance, and accounting – has first-hand experience of how much impact those types of scholarships can have. He has two bachelor’s and a master’s degrees from Fort Hays State and was aided greatly by scholarship money from some of the same donors who are still giving today.&nbsp;“I was able to graduate from college debt-free because of scholarships through this program as well as community scholarships,” Engel said. “Then when I was in graduate school, I was a teaching assistant so my tuition was taken care of, and we received a stipend, too. That all allowed me to start my professional life without any debt, so I was able to buy a house immediately and contribute to the economy.”Engel also most likely was able to give back to the university more quickly than graduates with those carrying student loan debt with them after graduation. This year alone, three students received $2,000 Dr. Cole J. Engel scholarships. Students apply for business college scholarships through the university’s general scholarship application, which matches those eligible for certain scholarships. A committee selects the recipients, and the RCOBE ceremony and reception is a way of honoring those students as well as recognizing the donors.“We see it as an event that brings the whole business community together – faculty, parents, students, donors,” he said. “It’s a perfect way for the parents to meet the faculty, and most importantly, for the students to meet the donors. It’s just a great way to start the academic year and to celebrate philanthropy.”Engel called off names of students at the ceremony, who came forward for a quick photo with their donors. He reminded the students that “giving is not just about making a donation. It’s about making a difference.”David Schulte, a junior from Halstead, said that the RCOBE scholarships have made a huge difference in his college career.“They have made an enormous impact, and I feel very fortunate,” said Schulte, a finance major with a concentration in economics. He also is getting a minor in banking. Schulte received five scholarships this year worth $8,000.“Besides having rent and tuition and books paid for, it also helps takes care of a lot of other expenses,” Schulte said.Even more importantly, Schulte said, are other campus opportunities he is able to take advantage of while still maintaining a 3.96 GPA as a member of the Honors College. This year, he holds offices in numerous organizations: the Economics Club, the Finance Club, the Student Government Association, and Alpha Kappa Psi – the professional co-ed business fraternity.“I feel that if I was going to another university, I would have to be working 30 to 40 hours to make ends meet,” Schulte said. “With these scholarships, I’m able to seek out positions where I can get valuable experience in my field.”Lang echoed those sentiments. A member of the Tiger track and field team, he earned All-America honors at last spring’s NCAA Division II National Outdoor Championships. As a freshman, he was part of FHSU’s Financial Planning team that placed fourth in the nation. He helped that team qualify for the top eight in the nation again this year.Lang wasn’t sure he wanted to attend college in his hometown – until he visited the RCOBE his senior year of high school.“I was born and raised in Hays, Kansas, so this community is special to me,” he said. “Fort Hays State has great programs and opportunities, and we can take part in a lot of those opportunities in part because of our amazing donors.”Dr. Muhammad Chishty, dean of the RCOBE, applauded the philanthropy of FHSU donors."The Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship wants to provide an excellent education at an affordable price to our students. Our generous alumni and donors have made that possible by their continuing gifts,” Chishty said. “The many endowed scholarships have transformed the lives of our students by making it possible for them to attend college – and begin meaningful and rewarding careers in their chosen professions."Learn how you can support students within FHSU’s Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship by visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=-2BFJoAhsjp8losQfY8t-2BZtDSAKvxVcchtfV1543l0Kpl6aRGqIctSqa6Magmpvb7gHJnw_r-2BDMsuWuYVmb7-2F1Mu1QL1I-2FJ8-2BHR91nNNNGTTc38Ah0CWayiZL-2BkhdmA3sx0XGnG-2FN1jk6rVQRO9vN7U5rFC-2BcXi909IOPAdkr3SvXFdyn3Ag1h6-2F-2B6atf0vMUKxRgZ-2Bjj6-2BTYmSO9PZ96xBZnZ5rzGZzuOdnugR9V0x6-2FAPH0lkiNwv1-2Fx0KFrb1XJNySgoR5gAZTgwZgwc1jPj6sc3BCtvaE4X-2FK-2BJ0-2FR5I-2B2SMT0A3YrtUMTl6Gv3JonIn0kVBL4TmgQckFipZKK3v767HtVFzabZEpcHb0cX-2BNprrlKOzIoVJp9s79Cj8bo7vsxkYhwWCU14OXg2QBGVY-2BWqIXyyjPxwRchbLa9JOxdsKoa3YpxwdTJWKn4MCDqVFmm-2F">https://foundation.fhsu.edu</a>&nbsp;or by contacting the FHSU Foundation at 785-628-5620 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:foundation@fhsu.edu">foundation@fhsu.edu</a>.

FHSU celebrates business college students, donors

Hays High School has announced 2021 Homecoming candidates.

The Homecoming crowning is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 15, during halftime of the football game against Maize South, which starts at 7 p.m. at Fort Hays State University’s Lewis Field Stadium. 

The Homecoming dance is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 16.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632935773431.jpeg" alt="Front Row (left to right): Landri Dotts, Kamree Leiker, Madelyn Martin, Sydney Wittkorn and Samantha Vesper. Back Row (left to right): Jordan Dale, Aidan DeBey, Jaren Kanak, Tyler Solida and&nbsp; Ryan Schuckman." />
 <figcaption>Front Row (left to right): Landri Dotts, Kamree Leiker, Madelyn Martin, Sydney Wittkorn and Samantha Vesper. Back Row (left to right): Jordan Dale, Aidan DeBey, Jaren Kanak, Tyler Solida and&nbsp; Ryan Schuckman.</figcaption>
 </figure>Hays High School has announced 2021 Homecoming candidates.The Homecoming crowning is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 15, during halftime of the football game against Maize South, which starts at 7 p.m. at Fort Hays State University’s Lewis Field Stadium. The Homecoming dance is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 16.

Hays High announces 2021 Homecoming candidates

BY JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

A former Ellis County sheriff’s deputy has been sentenced to
more than eight years in prison after pleading guilty earlier this year to
child pornography and gun charges.

Blaine Dryden, 62, Hays, was sentenced to a total of 102 months
in prison Tuesday in Ellis County District Court for aggravated internet
trading of child pornography, sexual exploitation of a child and theft of a
firearm.

As part of a plea agreement in August, Dryden pleaded no
contest to the three charges and was found guilty. Six counts of sexual exploitation
of a child were dropped in the agreement.

Dryden was sentenced to 61 months in prison for aggravated
internet trading of child pornography, 34 months for sexual exploitation of a
child and seven months for theft of a firearm.

All three sentences will run concurrent for a total of 102
months in prison. He must also register as a sexual offender for at least 25
years and he will be subject to post-release supervision, or parole.

Court documents show that the Hays Police Department
received a tip about child pornography being shared through Facebook in November
2019.

The investigation led officers to Dryden’s residence and it
was determined he uploaded and sent a sexual image of a young girl to a woman in
Nebraska. Authorities said Dryden admitted to the crime, and several other images and electronic devices
were found during the investigation.

Police also later investigated weapons found in Dryden’s
home and determined that they were connected to Hays Police Department
investigations. He had falsified paperwork claiming the guns had been destroyed, according to the investigation.

Dryden has forfeited his law enforcement license.

Because of his work in law enforcement in Kansas, his
attorney has requested that he serve his time outside of the state of Kansas.
District Judge Glenn Braun said Tuesday he would make that request with the
Department of Corrections, which will make that determination.

Dryden was a member of the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office at the time that the crimes occurred. He worked for the department for nearly
six and a half years.

The Kansas Attorney General’s Office handled the prosecution
in the case, and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation handled the investigation.

BY JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostA former Ellis County sheriff’s deputy has been sentenced to
more than eight years in prison after pleading guilty earlier this year to
child pornography and gun charges.Blaine Dryden, 62, Hays, was sentenced to a total of 102 months
in prison Tuesday in Ellis County District Court for aggravated internet
trading of child pornography, sexual exploitation of a child and theft of a
firearm.As part of a plea agreement in August, Dryden pleaded no
contest to the three charges and was found guilty. Six counts of sexual exploitation
of a child were dropped in the agreement.Dryden was sentenced to 61 months in prison for aggravated
internet trading of child pornography, 34 months for sexual exploitation of a
child and seven months for theft of a firearm.All three sentences will run concurrent for a total of 102
months in prison. He must also register as a sexual offender for at least 25
years and he will be subject to post-release supervision, or parole.Court documents show that the Hays Police Department
received a tip about child pornography being shared through Facebook in November
2019.The investigation led officers to Dryden’s residence and it
was determined he uploaded and sent a sexual image of a young girl to a woman in
Nebraska. Authorities said Dryden admitted to the crime, and several other images and electronic devices
were found during the investigation.Police also later investigated weapons found in Dryden’s
home and determined that they were connected to Hays Police Department
investigations. He had falsified paperwork claiming the guns had been destroyed, according to the investigation.Dryden has forfeited his law enforcement license.Because of his work in law enforcement in Kansas, his
attorney has requested that he serve his time outside of the state of Kansas.
District Judge Glenn Braun said Tuesday he would make that request with the
Department of Corrections, which will make that determination.Dryden was a member of the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office at the time that the crimes occurred. He worked for the department for nearly
six and a half years.The Kansas Attorney General’s Office handled the prosecution
in the case, and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation handled the investigation.

Former Ellis Co. sheriff's lieutenant sentenced for child porn, gun charges

Twice a year, NCK Tech awards a member of staff or faculty with a 212° Award. 

The purpose of the 212° Award is to recognize individuals who demonstrate superior dedication and the willingness to go that extra degree. Recipients of this award will be employees who voluntarily go above and beyond the call of duty.&nbsp;These employees demonstrate a positive attitude and commitment to their profession, students, fellow employees, and a loyalty to the mission of NCK Tech. 

The recipient of 2021 Fall 212° Award is Mike Eckroat, director of maintenance operations on the Hays campus.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632406169432.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>News releaseTwice a year, NCK Tech awards a member of staff or faculty with a 212° Award. The purpose of the 212° Award is to recognize individuals who demonstrate superior dedication and the willingness to go that extra degree. Recipients of this award will be employees who voluntarily go above and beyond the call of duty.&nbsp;These employees demonstrate a positive attitude and commitment to their profession, students, fellow employees, and a loyalty to the mission of NCK Tech. The recipient of 2021 Fall 212° Award is Mike Eckroat, director of maintenance operations on the Hays campus.

NCK Tech recognizes staffer for going 'the extra degree'

By GREG DOERING Kansas Farm Bureau The calendar has turned to fall, and the weather is slowly following suit. Harvest is underway with combines rolling through fields and semis hauling grain to elevators and on-farm bins. There’s more of those bins and semis now than ever before because there’s more grain. Over time, small changes can make an extraordinary impact. Of all the crops being cut this season, corn is perhaps the best example of how slow, steady progress has created grain harvests our ancestors could have never fathomed. From the 1860s to the late 1930s, corn yields were essentially flat at 26 bushels per acre. The USDA’s latest estimate for the 2021 crop is projecting a nationwide average of about 175 bushels per acre. Over the span of about 80 years, farmers have increased their production nearly seven-fold. Yields for other grains have shot up too, but corn takes the crown in overall productivity. This proliferation didn’t happen overnight, rather it began quite slowly, with yields inching up about 0.8 bushels per acre per year from the late ’30s to 1955 with the use of double-cross pollinated varieties. Continued improvements in genetic selection, the use of nitrogen fertilizer, mechanization, better management and more effective pesticides have pushed yields up by about 2 bushels per acre per year over the last 65-plus years. While farmers have incorporated all of these advances into their operations, it’s the result of a truly collective effort. Public and private research across a range of industries has contributed to the incremental but reliable yield increase. While the actual yields still vary depending on weather, recent years have seen the national average stay within 10 bushels of the 176.6 bushel-per-acre record set in 2017. We’re just one good growing season away from setting a new national record. Harvest can top 300 bushels per acre in some areas across the country, but it requires some help from Mother Nature. Statewide, Kansas’ average is usually somewhere in the mid-130 bushel range because dryland acres dominate the landscape. Irrigated fields and those dryland parcels blessed with timely, adequate moisture often top 200 bushels per acre. That’s nearly six tons of grain per acre, an enormous increase from the inch-long cobs grown about 10,000 years ago in central Mexico where corn was first domesticated. The Columbian exchange delivered corn to the rest of the world. Now it grows across the globe, and its uses are just as versatile. Cattle convert corn to steak. Manufacturers transform the starch into plastics, fabrics, adhesives and more. It’s also a feedstock for the ethanol in your gas tank. Of course, it’s pounded into flour for things like cornbread and tortillas. Corn sugars sweeten drinks. My favorite though is corn that’s been fermented, distilled and poured over ice. Farmers have gotten so good at growing corn, wheat, soybeans, sorghum and many other staples we no longer see gradual improvements as something that’s especially newsworthy. This is partly because farmers make a very difficult job appear easy. While the rest of us enjoy all the bounty fall offers, from cool nights and tailgates to changing colors and bonfires, I hope the bounties in farmers’ fields are just as rich this autumn.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574694551876.png" alt="Greg Doering&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Greg Doering&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By GREG DOERING Kansas Farm Bureau The calendar has turned to fall, and the weather is slowly following suit. Harvest is underway with combines rolling through fields and semis hauling grain to elevators and on-farm bins. There’s more of those bins and semis now than ever before because there’s more grain. Over time, small changes can make an extraordinary impact. Of all the crops being cut this season, corn is perhaps the best example of how slow, steady progress has created grain harvests our ancestors could have never fathomed. From the 1860s to the late 1930s, corn yields were essentially flat at 26 bushels per acre. The USDA’s latest estimate for the 2021 crop is projecting a nationwide average of about 175 bushels per acre. Over the span of about 80 years, farmers have increased their production nearly seven-fold. Yields for other grains have shot up too, but corn takes the crown in overall productivity. This proliferation didn’t happen overnight, rather it began quite slowly, with yields inching up about 0.8 bushels per acre per year from the late ’30s to 1955 with the use of double-cross pollinated varieties. Continued improvements in genetic selection, the use of nitrogen fertilizer, mechanization, better management and more effective pesticides have pushed yields up by about 2 bushels per acre per year over the last 65-plus years. While farmers have incorporated all of these advances into their operations, it’s the result of a truly collective effort. Public and private research across a range of industries has contributed to the incremental but reliable yield increase. While the actual yields still vary depending on weather, recent years have seen the national average stay within 10 bushels of the 176.6 bushel-per-acre record set in 2017. We’re just one good growing season away from setting a new national record. Harvest can top 300 bushels per acre in some areas across the country, but it requires some help from Mother Nature. Statewide, Kansas’ average is usually somewhere in the mid-130 bushel range because dryland acres dominate the landscape. Irrigated fields and those dryland parcels blessed with timely, adequate moisture often top 200 bushels per acre. That’s nearly six tons of grain per acre, an enormous increase from the inch-long cobs grown about 10,000 years ago in central Mexico where corn was first domesticated. The Columbian exchange delivered corn to the rest of the world. Now it grows across the globe, and its uses are just as versatile. Cattle convert corn to steak. Manufacturers transform the starch into plastics, fabrics, adhesives and more. It’s also a feedstock for the ethanol in your gas tank. Of course, it’s pounded into flour for things like cornbread and tortillas. Corn sugars sweeten drinks. My favorite though is corn that’s been fermented, distilled and poured over ice. Farmers have gotten so good at growing corn, wheat, soybeans, sorghum and many other staples we no longer see gradual improvements as something that’s especially newsworthy. This is partly because farmers make a very difficult job appear easy. While the rest of us enjoy all the bounty fall offers, from cool nights and tailgates to changing colors and bonfires, I hope the bounties in farmers’ fields are just as rich this autumn."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: The bounty of fall

The Prairie Cookie is a tougher short bread,&nbsp;sweet but not too sweet. Perfect with tea, coffee or milk. One half pound of the cookies (25 more or less)&nbsp; in a plastic&nbsp;box $10 a box.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632510026548.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Lions Club issues a challenge for the Octoberfest.We are introducing&nbsp;a new cookie.The Prairie Cookie.Look out Hertzen!Look out Spitzbuben.The Lions Club wants bragging rights to Octoberfest&nbsp;cookie dominance.The glove has been thrown.The Prairie Cookie is a tougher short bread,&nbsp;sweet but not too sweet. Perfect with tea, coffee or milk. One half pound of the cookies (25 more or less)&nbsp; in a plastic&nbsp;box $10 a box.The battle is on.

🏈 Watch This Week's Tiger Talk

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On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Chamber president and CEO Sarah Wasinger shares information about Tuesday's Ag Appreciation event along with Kim Goodnight, regional manager of Local Government and Community Affairs for ITC Great Plains.

Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; We do. He's kind of famous around these parts. It's the one and only Kim Goodnight and he works at ITC. And we were visiting this morning, and he is a man of many titles. So I might just let him kind of cover all of them.

Kim Goodnight &nbsp; Originally, I was hired as a regional manager, local government Community Affairs. And because we have such a large footprint, I mean, Kansas and Oklahoma. So it made sense that I took on additional responsibilities. And so I'm also manager of stakeholder relations and manager of customer and business solutions. So yeah, I've I'm used to wearing many hats though, Sarah, because my background was, I was a farmer for 38 years. And the same time I was county commissioner out there in Orange County, and also owned a car lot. So there you go, I mean, juggling Well, many balls,

Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; You've had, like five life already right?

Kim Goodnight &nbsp; Makes for a very diverse background.

Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; So James, I don't know if you remember or not. But we hosted ITC a couple of weeks ago for a chamber chat at our office. And yeah, I've had a lot of great information about the company. So one thing I think we would be remiss is to talk about what you guys actually do for energy and power and the regions that you serve.

Kim Goodnight &nbsp; Well ITC Great Plains builds, owns and operates high voltage transmission. And so when I'm doing like a three-minute elevator speech and trying to make sure somebody understands what we do, I say, We're the long-distance extension cord that allows these renewables and other generation forces to be put into the nation's grid. I mean, oftentimes, the generation source is nowhere near where you might have an interconnection and, and what that does when we build a high voltage line, it's something that the Southwest power pools is deemed to be important for the area. Right here in Ellis County, we have a postrock substation, it's a 345 kilovolt substation, so at high voltages, and that comes in connects spiritual Kansas, to post rock and then postrock, the line goes on up towards Nebraska. So it's almost at 225 mile 345 kilovolt line. And right now I can tell you that when you see either the wind generation going on out out there or, or whether it's gas generation, where you got to have the infrastructure in place to build support all of those. And out in western Kansas, where you see some wind generation popping up in places you did not see that, because there's a high voltage line or an interconnection at that point.

Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; So James, I don't know if you've been paying much attention between Hays and Ellis, but they have been doing some unique work along Highway 40. And they actually have the crew who will be hanging and suspended from the helicopters. And so I've my husband and I have driven that road several times and have seen this random helicopter and I'm like, Oh my gosh, how does one get into that line of work? And Eric shared with us a few weeks ago that it's the short straw. You draw the short straw for that?

Kim Goodnight &nbsp; Yeah, well, we are currently one of our capital project is installing fiber. Instead of installing that below ground, we're installing it on our 345 structures. And so a helicopter is up there flying. You've got a guy flying it a guy out there in the basket. And I've gotten a few calls from people that say okay, we just want to know who's making more money, the guy flying the helicopter or the guy outside in the basket. I think the guy in the basket, probably doing a little bit better. I think hope so it's a it's a dangerous job. And safety is our number one concern for all of these. So when the wind gets a little bit high, which happens often out here, you know, 20 miles an hour 2025 is not uncommon. We quit, quit flying that helicopter 25. But anyway, we can go four miles at a stretch with this with this fiber, and then they have to drop it down a pole and do a splice and then they can go on other four miles. And I think that's important to mention because where we have to access our right away, we're very cognizant of the landowners and the crops and different things that are going on when we do have to access that pole. And so whether it's damages that we pay due to the crops or making sure communication with the landowner, are is upfront. So that's important to us.

Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; So, James, we are so excited, because as we've been talking, ag appreciation.

James Bell &nbsp; &nbsp;Yes, Ag Appreciation Day.&nbsp;

Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; And one thing that ITC has been just so generous with their time and efforts. And capital is just by supporting our local chamber and a lot of our different events, especially ag appreciation and obviously, with Kim's background, and that kind of speaks to the heart of, you know, the farmers that he was just talking about and how they work together. So, Kim, do you want to talk a little bit about what you guys love the most about ag appreciation.

Kim Goodnight &nbsp; One thing about as I mentioned before, because we have our transmission lines and poles crossing across private property, and landowners are very important to us to be able to make sure that we return that ground back to its original condition after our construction, whether it's gates that we need to install because we do have to access that easement every now and then. But they can continue to operate that ground like it's third, you know, we need I think it's 150 feet right away through there. But if it's through pasture ground or whatever, you know, the cattle continue to graze. And so it's important for us to have that connection with ag producers.

Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; Well, very good. So James, I know that we've been talking a lot about how this event is not possible without all of our great sponsors but tickets can still be picked up today. Really they can be okay, we got a few hours we do so at the moment starts at five o'clock tonight. So we did do a lot of calling around yesterday with our sponsors just to make sure we can tell people as of yesterday, this is still who has tickets. So Carrico Implement, Equity Bank, Golden Bell Bank, High Plains Farm Credit, KSU Ag and Research Center, Nex-tech and Western Beverage is sharing that they will deliver tickets to the car if you call 625-3712 when you get there, but all of these locations should still have tickets. And we just want to say thank you to our farmers and ranchers obviously they have such a big impact not only economically, but just on the quality of life and Ellis counties. So, um, they'll get a meal tonight, the first 200 families will actually receive goodie bags from our sponsors, and Marlis and I counted yesterday, we are right at I think 100 prizes that are going to be given away the farmers. So we think that it's going to be a great evening, a lot of fun. So again, there's a chance for some rain tonight, which means farmers can take the night off,

James Bell &nbsp; In case you had nothing else to do.

Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; That's right. And then of course we want to give one more final shout-out to all of our barn racer sponsors for being so instrumental in our planning process. And those businesses include Astra bank Kericho implement commerce bank, equity bank, Golden Bell bank guitarist Christina Mexicana and trio chophouse Hays med High Plains Farm Credit insurance planning and ag pro crop insurance, ITC and x tech. So, again, come join us this evening, have a great night and our team is going to be spending a lot of time out of the office today. So if for any reason you go to the chamber office, looking for tickets, you may or may not find people there and a friendly reminder, we don't have tickets at the office. So those locations we shared would be the places people can go for those tickets.&nbsp;

James Bell &nbsp; Very cool. So yeah, if you're still wanting to get a ticket, make sure to hit one of those businesses today. And I love that Western Beverage is out there hand-delivering them.

Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; Some curb service for ya.

James Bell &nbsp; Absolutely. Now, before we move on into kind of the rest of this stuff for today, this event next year is going to change a little bit right?

Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; It is, so we are shifting it to January 13 in 2022. We've gotten a lot of great feedback from our farmers and ranchers. September you know, believe it or not, the weather's still nice. They're doing a lot of things like drilling, working cattle planting and getting ready for fall harvest. So we think that January is going to be a lot better and less things going on for them. We hope that at that point in time, they're not quite cabined yet just because that might be a little early, but whether at that point in time will be the only thing that we're hopefully fighting against. So we've heard you, we care about you. We want to make sure that it's convenient for you to come and no you didn't get amnesia when you start hearing us talk about this again in December in January.&nbsp;

James Bell &nbsp; Very cool. Now we got to talk about this you had your quarter three business showcase. I didn't did Oh gosh, what was it last Friday you get some winners on that right?&nbsp;

Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; We do. So, we did a Facebook Live drawing with our premier sponsor premier Business Management yesterday, and Wendy Armbruster. She's famously known as Dustin's Armbrusters' wife around here. But she went ahead and drew five lucky winners, Kelly Hines, Monica Goetz, Marie Froelich, Natasha Cecil and Savannah Pfeifer. So we wanted to congratulate those folks, and anybody who did participate in the business showcase this last go around, please be sure to keep your eyes peeled on our Facebook page, because we'll be trying to tag and share a lot of the differences in storage rights that are participating businesses had, including the chamber drawing for chamber checks, which will be held tomorrow via Facebook Live.

James Bell &nbsp; Cool, lots of winners, lots of good stuff there. And I'm sure everybody had a great time, just get down in the community and, and you're gonna do another one of these here. Pretty soon I'm assuming quarter force coming up. Or maybe we're in quarter four, I don't know that's that's your world,

Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; We have two more sponsors are participating businesses that can still go if they want to. So we've got eight of the 10 spots filled. If they want to go ahead and get in the chamber newsletter that will go out on October 4, we are shifting the release date for that newsletter just because Friday, people are going to be busy at Oktoberfest. And we know they're probably not going to be paying a lot of attention to email, but they can get in touch with us at the chamber office to get added to that list. And then that will start October 29. And we'll run that a full three weeks.&nbsp;

James Bell &nbsp; Very good. And I'm sure we'll be talking about that more in upcoming segments, but Sarah before we run out of time. We've got just about a minute left here. You've got some regular events coming on this week. I think the first one, we've talked about this already this Ark Park presentation. How cool is this?

Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; So excited. It's such a huge project for our community. And it is beautiful. People have been using it so much every evening, but it'll be at 4 p.m. Tomorrow, we did have a previous communication that went out that said 4:30, so please be sure to know that it will start promptly at four. And then we have a ribbon-cutting and joint brick presentation with our friends at DHDC on Thursday, and that'll be at Farmers Insurance Chelsea Proel agency at 4:30. And then of course, it wouldn't be homecoming week unless we weren't on fhsu campus. So we'll be celebrating our chamber chat and a ribbon-cutting at 9 a.m. at the FHSU Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success. So a lot going on. And just wanted to tell people that we hope you come join us tonight for a great evening. And, again, thank him for everything that you ITC do to support our chamber and our community.

Kim Goodnight &nbsp; Thank you very much. I think it's important to surround yourself with good people and be involved with the chamber here in Hays. It is very important to us.

<div><iframe title="Hays Chamber to host Ag Appreciation event Tuesday" 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=57qe3-10ef4b8-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a>On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Chamber president and CEO Sarah Wasinger shares information about Tuesday's Ag Appreciation event along with Kim Goodnight, regional manager of Local Government and Community Affairs for ITC Great Plains.<h2>Transcript:</h2>Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; We do. He's kind of famous around these parts. It's the one and only Kim Goodnight and he works at ITC. And we were visiting this morning, and he is a man of many titles. So I might just let him kind of cover all of them.Kim Goodnight &nbsp; Originally, I was hired as a regional manager, local government Community Affairs. And because we have such a large footprint, I mean, Kansas and Oklahoma. So it made sense that I took on additional responsibilities. And so I'm also manager of stakeholder relations and manager of customer and business solutions. So yeah, I've I'm used to wearing many hats though, Sarah, because my background was, I was a farmer for 38 years. And the same time I was county commissioner out there in Orange County, and also owned a car lot. So there you go, I mean, juggling Well, many balls,Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; You've had, like five life already right?Kim Goodnight &nbsp; Makes for a very diverse background.Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; So James, I don't know if you remember or not. But we hosted ITC a couple of weeks ago for a chamber chat at our office. And yeah, I've had a lot of great information about the company. So one thing I think we would be remiss is to talk about what you guys actually do for energy and power and the regions that you serve.Kim Goodnight &nbsp; Well ITC Great Plains builds, owns and operates high voltage transmission. And so when I'm doing like a three-minute elevator speech and trying to make sure somebody understands what we do, I say, We're the long-distance extension cord that allows these renewables and other generation forces to be put into the nation's grid. I mean, oftentimes, the generation source is nowhere near where you might have an interconnection and, and what that does when we build a high voltage line, it's something that the Southwest power pools is deemed to be important for the area. Right here in Ellis County, we have a postrock substation, it's a 345 kilovolt substation, so at high voltages, and that comes in connects spiritual Kansas, to post rock and then postrock, the line goes on up towards Nebraska. So it's almost at 225 mile 345 kilovolt line. And right now I can tell you that when you see either the wind generation going on out out there or, or whether it's gas generation, where you got to have the infrastructure in place to build support all of those. And out in western Kansas, where you see some wind generation popping up in places you did not see that, because there's a high voltage line or an interconnection at that point.Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; So James, I don't know if you've been paying much attention between Hays and Ellis, but they have been doing some unique work along Highway 40. And they actually have the crew who will be hanging and suspended from the helicopters. And so I've my husband and I have driven that road several times and have seen this random helicopter and I'm like, Oh my gosh, how does one get into that line of work? And Eric shared with us a few weeks ago that it's the short straw. You draw the short straw for that?Kim Goodnight &nbsp; Yeah, well, we are currently one of our capital project is installing fiber. Instead of installing that below ground, we're installing it on our 345 structures. And so a helicopter is up there flying. You've got a guy flying it a guy out there in the basket. And I've gotten a few calls from people that say okay, we just want to know who's making more money, the guy flying the helicopter or the guy outside in the basket. I think the guy in the basket, probably doing a little bit better. I think hope so it's a it's a dangerous job. And safety is our number one concern for all of these. So when the wind gets a little bit high, which happens often out here, you know, 20 miles an hour 2025 is not uncommon. We quit, quit flying that helicopter 25. But anyway, we can go four miles at a stretch with this with this fiber, and then they have to drop it down a pole and do a splice and then they can go on other four miles. And I think that's important to mention because where we have to access our right away, we're very cognizant of the landowners and the crops and different things that are going on when we do have to access that pole. And so whether it's damages that we pay due to the crops or making sure communication with the landowner, are is upfront. So that's important to us.Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; So, James, we are so excited, because as we've been talking, ag appreciation.James Bell &nbsp; &nbsp;Yes, Ag Appreciation Day.&nbsp;Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; And one thing that ITC has been just so generous with their time and efforts. And capital is just by supporting our local chamber and a lot of our different events, especially ag appreciation and obviously, with Kim's background, and that kind of speaks to the heart of, you know, the farmers that he was just talking about and how they work together. So, Kim, do you want to talk a little bit about what you guys love the most about ag appreciation.Kim Goodnight &nbsp; One thing about as I mentioned before, because we have our transmission lines and poles crossing across private property, and landowners are very important to us to be able to make sure that we return that ground back to its original condition after our construction, whether it's gates that we need to install because we do have to access that easement every now and then. But they can continue to operate that ground like it's third, you know, we need I think it's 150 feet right away through there. But if it's through pasture ground or whatever, you know, the cattle continue to graze. And so it's important for us to have that connection with ag producers.Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; Well, very good. So James, I know that we've been talking a lot about how this event is not possible without all of our great sponsors but tickets can still be picked up today. Really they can be okay, we got a few hours we do so at the moment starts at five o'clock tonight. So we did do a lot of calling around yesterday with our sponsors just to make sure we can tell people as of yesterday, this is still who has tickets. So Carrico Implement, Equity Bank, Golden Bell Bank, High Plains Farm Credit, KSU Ag and Research Center, Nex-tech and Western Beverage is sharing that they will deliver tickets to the car if you call 625-3712 when you get there, but all of these locations should still have tickets. And we just want to say thank you to our farmers and ranchers obviously they have such a big impact not only economically, but just on the quality of life and Ellis counties. So, um, they'll get a meal tonight, the first 200 families will actually receive goodie bags from our sponsors, and Marlis and I counted yesterday, we are right at I think 100 prizes that are going to be given away the farmers. So we think that it's going to be a great evening, a lot of fun. So again, there's a chance for some rain tonight, which means farmers can take the night off,James Bell &nbsp; In case you had nothing else to do.Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; That's right. And then of course we want to give one more final shout-out to all of our barn racer sponsors for being so instrumental in our planning process. And those businesses include Astra bank Kericho implement commerce bank, equity bank, Golden Bell bank guitarist Christina Mexicana and trio chophouse Hays med High Plains Farm Credit insurance planning and ag pro crop insurance, ITC and x tech. So, again, come join us this evening, have a great night and our team is going to be spending a lot of time out of the office today. So if for any reason you go to the chamber office, looking for tickets, you may or may not find people there and a friendly reminder, we don't have tickets at the office. So those locations we shared would be the places people can go for those tickets.&nbsp;James Bell &nbsp; Very cool. So yeah, if you're still wanting to get a ticket, make sure to hit one of those businesses today. And I love that Western Beverage is out there hand-delivering them.Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; Some curb service for ya.James Bell &nbsp; Absolutely. Now, before we move on into kind of the rest of this stuff for today, this event next year is going to change a little bit right?Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; It is, so we are shifting it to January 13 in 2022. We've gotten a lot of great feedback from our farmers and ranchers. September you know, believe it or not, the weather's still nice. They're doing a lot of things like drilling, working cattle planting and getting ready for fall harvest. So we think that January is going to be a lot better and less things going on for them. We hope that at that point in time, they're not quite cabined yet just because that might be a little early, but whether at that point in time will be the only thing that we're hopefully fighting against. So we've heard you, we care about you. We want to make sure that it's convenient for you to come and no you didn't get amnesia when you start hearing us talk about this again in December in January.&nbsp;James Bell &nbsp; Very cool. Now we got to talk about this you had your quarter three business showcase. I didn't did Oh gosh, what was it last Friday you get some winners on that right?&nbsp;Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; We do. So, we did a Facebook Live drawing with our premier sponsor premier Business Management yesterday, and Wendy Armbruster. She's famously known as Dustin's Armbrusters' wife around here. But she went ahead and drew five lucky winners, Kelly Hines, Monica Goetz, Marie Froelich, Natasha Cecil and Savannah Pfeifer. So we wanted to congratulate those folks, and anybody who did participate in the business showcase this last go around, please be sure to keep your eyes peeled on our Facebook page, because we'll be trying to tag and share a lot of the differences in storage rights that are participating businesses had, including the chamber drawing for chamber checks, which will be held tomorrow via Facebook Live.James Bell &nbsp; Cool, lots of winners, lots of good stuff there. And I'm sure everybody had a great time, just get down in the community and, and you're gonna do another one of these here. Pretty soon I'm assuming quarter force coming up. Or maybe we're in quarter four, I don't know that's that's your world,Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; We have two more sponsors are participating businesses that can still go if they want to. So we've got eight of the 10 spots filled. If they want to go ahead and get in the chamber newsletter that will go out on October 4, we are shifting the release date for that newsletter just because Friday, people are going to be busy at Oktoberfest. And we know they're probably not going to be paying a lot of attention to email, but they can get in touch with us at the chamber office to get added to that list. And then that will start October 29. And we'll run that a full three weeks.&nbsp;James Bell &nbsp; Very good. And I'm sure we'll be talking about that more in upcoming segments, but Sarah before we run out of time. We've got just about a minute left here. You've got some regular events coming on this week. I think the first one, we've talked about this already this Ark Park presentation. How cool is this?Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; So excited. It's such a huge project for our community. And it is beautiful. People have been using it so much every evening, but it'll be at 4 p.m. Tomorrow, we did have a previous communication that went out that said 4:30, so please be sure to know that it will start promptly at four. And then we have a ribbon-cutting and joint brick presentation with our friends at DHDC on Thursday, and that'll be at Farmers Insurance Chelsea Proel agency at 4:30. And then of course, it wouldn't be homecoming week unless we weren't on fhsu campus. So we'll be celebrating our chamber chat and a ribbon-cutting at 9 a.m. at the FHSU Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success. So a lot going on. And just wanted to tell people that we hope you come join us tonight for a great evening. And, again, thank him for everything that you ITC do to support our chamber and our community.Kim Goodnight &nbsp; Thank you very much. I think it's important to surround yourself with good people and be involved with the chamber here in Hays. It is very important to us.

🎙Post Podcast: Hays Chamber to host Ag Appreciation event Tuesday

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Hays school board was unable Monday night to come up with the four votes necessary to appoint a new person to a vacant school board seat.

The seat was vacated by Nuchelle Chance when she moved out of state.

Chance's term was set to expire in December. The board is not required by statute to appoint anyone to fill the vacancy because there is so little time remaining in the term.

The statute also does not stipulate how local school board seats are to be filled, Bill Jeter, board attorney told the board at an earlier meeting.

The district received six applications for the vacant seat. They included Cathy Hopkins, former small business owner; Derek Yarmer, physician; Meagan Zampieri-Lillpopp, librarian; Curt Vajnar, business owner, farmer and former teacher; Timothy Kershner, Nex-Tech employee; and Chris McGowne, attorney.

Hopkins,&nbsp;Zampieri-Lillpopp,&nbsp;Vajnar and&nbsp;McGowne appeared in person and were interviewed during the public meeting for the position. Yarmer was unable to attend in person. Yarmer submitted answers in writing and those were read aloud during the meeting. Kershner failed to return the board's questionnaire.

Prior to nominations all five of the board members present thanked those people who had applied.

Three motions were made to appoint someone to the position.

Board President Tammy Wellbrock nominated Zampieri-Lillpopp to take the vacant seat. Board member Allen Park said he wanted a candidate with more educational experience.

That motion failed on a vote of 2-3 with board members Allen Park, Lori Hertel and Craig Pallister voting against the nomination.&nbsp;

Craig Pallister nominated Curt Vajnar. That vote failed 2-3 with board members Wellbrock, Mike Walker and Lori Hertel voting against.

Hertel nominated Tim Kershner. Kershner failed to garner any votes.

Park made a motion to appoint the person who is the top vote-getter in the November election to take his or her seat early. He said the idea came from the Kansas Association of School Boards. That motion passed unanimously.

Of the applicants for the vacant seat, Hopkins, Vajnar and&nbsp;Zampieri-Lillpopp are running for a four-year term.

Also running for the seat are Ken Brooks, Casey Herrman and Thomas Wasinger. Nuchelle Chance filed to run in the election but will be ineligible to take the seat because she no longer lives in the district.

Election Day is Nov. 2. Advance voting begins on Oct. 18.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632837389471.jpeg" alt="Hays school board members Monday night." />
 <figcaption>Hays school board members Monday night.</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="USD 489 Board of Education meeting recap Sept. 28, 2021" 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=erhrx-10ef37a-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays school board was unable Monday night to come up with the four votes necessary to appoint a new person to a vacant school board seat.The seat was vacated by Nuchelle Chance when she moved out of state.Chance's term was set to expire in December. The board is not required by statute to appoint anyone to fill the vacancy because there is so little time remaining in the term.The statute also does not stipulate how local school board seats are to be filled, Bill Jeter, board attorney told the board at an earlier meeting.The district received six applications for the vacant seat. They included Cathy Hopkins, former small business owner; Derek Yarmer, physician; Meagan Zampieri-Lillpopp, librarian; Curt Vajnar, business owner, farmer and former teacher; Timothy Kershner, Nex-Tech employee; and Chris McGowne, attorney.Hopkins,&nbsp;Zampieri-Lillpopp,&nbsp;Vajnar and&nbsp;McGowne appeared in person and were interviewed during the public meeting for the position. Yarmer was unable to attend in person. Yarmer submitted answers in writing and those were read aloud during the meeting. Kershner failed to return the board's questionnaire.Prior to nominations all five of the board members present thanked those people who had applied.Three motions were made to appoint someone to the position.Board President Tammy Wellbrock nominated Zampieri-Lillpopp to take the vacant seat. Board member Allen Park said he wanted a candidate with more educational experience.That motion failed on a vote of 2-3 with board members Allen Park, Lori Hertel and Craig Pallister voting against the nomination.&nbsp;Board member Lance Bickle was absent.Craig Pallister nominated Curt Vajnar. That vote failed 2-3 with board members Wellbrock, Mike Walker and Lori Hertel voting against.Hertel nominated Tim Kershner. Kershner failed to garner any votes.Park made a motion to appoint the person who is the top vote-getter in the November election to take his or her seat early. He said the idea came from the Kansas Association of School Boards. That motion passed unanimously.Of the applicants for the vacant seat, Hopkins, Vajnar and&nbsp;Zampieri-Lillpopp are running for a four-year term.Also running for the seat are Ken Brooks, Casey Herrman and Thomas Wasinger. Nuchelle Chance filed to run in the election but will be ineligible to take the seat because she no longer lives in the district.Election Day is Nov. 2. Advance voting begins on Oct. 18.

Vacant Hays school board seat will be filled after election

ELLIS — The Ellis High School homecoming game will be played on Friday, October 8, against the Syracuse Bulldogs. &nbsp;

The parade will be on Friday afternoon starting at 2:30 p.m.&nbsp; The Homecoming Dance will follow the football game.

Homecoming Week Activities Theme:&nbsp; Wreck’em Railers

Monday through Friday:&nbsp; Spirit Days Theme is Disney.

<a></a><a>Monday:&nbsp; Marvel Monday (Hero/America Day)</a>

Tuesday:&nbsp;&nbsp; Monster University (Sports Day)

Wed.:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Inside Out Day (Seniors/Blue, Jr/Purple, Sophomore/Pink, Freshmen/Green, Staff/Yellow)

Thurs:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Moana Day (Tropical Cowboy)

Friday:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Wreck’it Railers&nbsp; (Orange and Black)

Approximately&nbsp; 7:40 p.m. @ Fairgrounds

Friday, October 8 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.&nbsp;

Class Games:&nbsp; Capture the Flag/Kickball

Parade and Pep Rally Parade Route:&nbsp;&nbsp;

Parade will leave the Old High School, going East on 10th&nbsp;Street to the stop lights.

They will turn North on Washington St., by Equity Bank and Trio.

They will continue North on Washington to the Bukovina Society and turn West on 8thStreet.

They will then go West on 8th&nbsp;Street to Jefferson Street and turn South, by the Ellis Post Office.

They will then head South on Jefferson Street turning East on 9th&nbsp;Street.

Pep Rally:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Memorial Park @ Jefferson and 9th&nbsp;Street

Pep Rally will take place between the Memorial Park &amp; Arthur’s Pizza.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632772675550.png" alt="(L to R): Lakyn Fischer, daughter of DJ and Julie Fischer; Mason Gottschalk, son of Dean and Julie Gottschalk; Madison Gottschalk, daughter of Dean and Julie Gottschalk; Tyson Jimenez, son of Javi and Jessica Jimenez; Michelle Gottschalk, daughter of Dean and Julie Gottschalk; and Easton Burton, son of Corey and Amy Burton." />
 <figcaption>(L to R): Lakyn Fischer, daughter of DJ and Julie Fischer; Mason Gottschalk, son of Dean and Julie Gottschalk; Madison Gottschalk, daughter of Dean and Julie Gottschalk; Tyson Jimenez, son of Javi and Jessica Jimenez; Michelle Gottschalk, daughter of Dean and Julie Gottschalk; and Easton Burton, son of Corey and Amy Burton.</figcaption>
 </figure>Ellis USD 388ELLIS — The Ellis High School homecoming game will be played on Friday, October 8, against the Syracuse Bulldogs. &nbsp;The parade will be on Friday afternoon starting at 2:30 p.m.&nbsp; The Homecoming Dance will follow the football game.Homecoming Week Activities Theme:&nbsp; Wreck’em RailersMonday through Friday:&nbsp; Spirit Days Theme is Disney.<a></a><a>Monday:&nbsp; Marvel Monday (Hero/America Day)</a>Tuesday:&nbsp;&nbsp; Monster University (Sports Day)Wed.:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Inside Out Day (Seniors/Blue, Jr/Purple, Sophomore/Pink, Freshmen/Green, Staff/Yellow)Thurs:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Moana Day (Tropical Cowboy)Friday:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Wreck’it Railers&nbsp; (Orange and Black)Thursday, October 7BonfireApproximately&nbsp; 7:40 p.m. @ FairgroundsFriday, October 8 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.&nbsp;Class Games:&nbsp; Capture the Flag/Kickball11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Stuco BBQ @ EHS&nbsp; 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.Powder puff&nbsp;@ FB FieldSR v. JRSO v. FRStaff vs. students VBDismiss students @ 1:30 p.m.1:30 – 2:30 p.m.Parade Line-up @ Old HS parking lot2:30 – 3:15 p.m.Parade and Pep Rally Parade Route:&nbsp;&nbsp;Parade will leave the Old High School, going East on 10th&nbsp;Street to the stop lights.They will turn North on Washington St., by Equity Bank and Trio.They will continue North on Washington to the Bukovina Society and turn West on 8thStreet.They will then go West on 8th&nbsp;Street to Jefferson Street and turn South, by the Ellis Post Office.They will then head South on Jefferson Street turning East on 9th&nbsp;Street.Parade will end.&nbsp;&nbsp;Pep Rally:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Memorial Park @ Jefferson and 9th&nbsp;StreetPep Rally will take place between the Memorial Park &amp; Arthur’s Pizza.6:30 p.m.Crowning7:00 – 9:40 p.m.Football Game (Ellis vs. Syracuse)10:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.Homecoming Dance

Ellis High announces 2021 Homecoming court

More than 275 current Fort Hays State University students stopped by the Robbins Center, home of the FHSU Foundation, to enjoy a free lunch along with the opportunity to win scholarships on Thursday.

Representatives from Astra Bank, the scholarship sponsor, drew names for some of the lucky scholarship winners.

Fort Hays State’s Awareness Day was created to educate current Tigers about the importance of private support.&nbsp;

“Fort Hays State has some truly amazing donors,” said Ricardo Zamora, director of annual giving for the FHSU Foundation, the fundraising arm of the university. “I cannot stress how important it is for our students to learn who those donors are and that there are generous, caring people behind each scholarship, the equipment they utilize in class, and the campus buildings they study in.”

“Ensuring that students know how FHSU is funded is an important lesson,” &nbsp;Zamora added. “Fort Hays State University offers the lowest in-state tuition of regent universities. The low tuition is only possible due to the number of generous alumni and friends who understand how important it is to give the gift of education.”

Many student Awareness Day attendees left behind thank-you notes for FHSU donors:

“Students who attended Awareness Day will soon become alumni, and when theydo, I hope they will understand the significance of supporting future Tigers and paying it forward like those who came before them,” Zamora said. “Their future generosity will be vital to the success of our students to come.”

“Also, a big thank you to Astra Bank for its continued support by providing $2,000 in scholarships for us to give away throughout Awareness Day,” he added. “Astra Bank has been providing scholarships for this event since 2014, and we cannot thank them enough for their partnership and generosity.”

“Thank you so much to Astra Bank for donating. This will help me toward my dream of becoming a nurse,” said Brianna Jones-Rupp, who won a $100 scholarship. “Continue being an amazing support for FHSU students,” said Jones-Rupp, who is a sophomore majoring in nursing.

Our 2021 Awareness Day scholarship winners:

$1,000&nbsp;Scholarship&nbsp;– Elyzabeth Winter, biology/pre-vet, Sutton, Neb.

$500 Scholarship&nbsp;– Andrew Neuman, mathematics, Liberal

$100 Scholarship&nbsp;– Brianna Jones-Rupp, nursing, Hays

$100 Scholarship&nbsp;– Paeton Buchanan, speech-language pathology, Simla, Colo.

$100 Scholarship&nbsp;– Savannah Yost, nursing, Hays

$100 Scholarship&nbsp;– Payton Hake, radiology, Cawker City

$100 Scholarship&nbsp;– Kade Melvin, economics, finance and accounting, Norton

Learn how you can support students at Fort Hays State by visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=-2BFJoAhsjp8losQfY8t-2BZtDSAKvxVcchtfV1543l0Kpl6aRGqIctSqa6Magmpvb7gxi0A_-2FnwFlkKVzcKMOkDYhP8GUyFUplsqhIzQPvqFQr864lE6mcAzErX0FzZi5JGU6rvvK6MLOuHK4jhl5V61fmGkhToZRMbpEKBDAFMZ0jElT3tJmz7vmG2Oh1wrxpMGOIembGZj1JBhMIi52wIuWUKF3NBTs4LiADwQWyfygp0eLDYs3kyBVJOZcWERMfpAQUSkcuRLBhlkqg-2F20BdB7WYWB-2FFUcH7UvzGuzhsbd0FwNIzPqBFN-2Bgplej93lJZPM0WvkwCWYeFu0CJ-2BLy-2Be1ugBEUDpZaMD7lwP187Vf4SNGZrzKjfYq9JLPIwQN-2BJgyQQfofSO-2BUocszgJqbIGLEdyiag-2F15DJXZ4shYbPDcsqO61wc-2F1oi7wTCtyUqEIfL1r6Sx75fv3BrRSlyV1afrXUhA-3D-3D">https://foundation.fhsu.edu</a>&nbsp;or by contacting the FHSU Foundation at 785-628-5620 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:foundation@fhsu.edu">foundation@fhsu.edu</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632512733519.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University RelationsMore than 275 current Fort Hays State University students stopped by the Robbins Center, home of the FHSU Foundation, to enjoy a free lunch along with the opportunity to win scholarships on Thursday.Representatives from Astra Bank, the scholarship sponsor, drew names for some of the lucky scholarship winners.Fort Hays State’s Awareness Day was created to educate current Tigers about the importance of private support.&nbsp;“Fort Hays State has some truly amazing donors,” said Ricardo Zamora, director of annual giving for the FHSU Foundation, the fundraising arm of the university. “I cannot stress how important it is for our students to learn who those donors are and that there are generous, caring people behind each scholarship, the equipment they utilize in class, and the campus buildings they study in.”“Ensuring that students know how FHSU is funded is an important lesson,” &nbsp;Zamora added. “Fort Hays State University offers the lowest in-state tuition of regent universities. The low tuition is only possible due to the number of generous alumni and friends who understand how important it is to give the gift of education.”Many student Awareness Day attendees left behind thank-you notes for FHSU donors:<ul>
 <li>“You are making an impact in so many lives, impacts that will last a lifetime.”</li><li>“Everything that I am working toward is because of you.”</li><li>“Your donation has opened the door to many opportunities at FHSU, and I am forever grateful!”</li><li>““People like you are true heroes. I hope to follow your lead someday by giving back to this amazing university that I call home.”</li><li>“Without your contribution, my schooling would not be possible.”</li>
 </ul>“Students who attended Awareness Day will soon become alumni, and when theydo, I hope they will understand the significance of supporting future Tigers and paying it forward like those who came before them,” Zamora said. “Their future generosity will be vital to the success of our students to come.”“Also, a big thank you to Astra Bank for its continued support by providing $2,000 in scholarships for us to give away throughout Awareness Day,” he added. “Astra Bank has been providing scholarships for this event since 2014, and we cannot thank them enough for their partnership and generosity.”“Thank you so much to Astra Bank for donating. This will help me toward my dream of becoming a nurse,” said Brianna Jones-Rupp, who won a $100 scholarship. “Continue being an amazing support for FHSU students,” said Jones-Rupp, who is a sophomore majoring in nursing.Our 2021 Awareness Day scholarship winners:$1,000&nbsp;Scholarship&nbsp;– Elyzabeth Winter, biology/pre-vet, Sutton, Neb.$500 Scholarship&nbsp;– Andrew Neuman, mathematics, Liberal$100 Scholarship&nbsp;– Brianna Jones-Rupp, nursing, Hays$100 Scholarship&nbsp;– Paeton Buchanan, speech-language pathology, Simla, Colo.$100 Scholarship&nbsp;– Savannah Yost, nursing, Hays$100 Scholarship&nbsp;– Payton Hake, radiology, Cawker City$100 Scholarship&nbsp;– Kade Melvin, economics, finance and accounting, NortonLearn how you can support students at Fort Hays State by visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=-2BFJoAhsjp8losQfY8t-2BZtDSAKvxVcchtfV1543l0Kpl6aRGqIctSqa6Magmpvb7gxi0A_-2FnwFlkKVzcKMOkDYhP8GUyFUplsqhIzQPvqFQr864lE6mcAzErX0FzZi5JGU6rvvK6MLOuHK4jhl5V61fmGkhToZRMbpEKBDAFMZ0jElT3tJmz7vmG2Oh1wrxpMGOIembGZj1JBhMIi52wIuWUKF3NBTs4LiADwQWyfygp0eLDYs3kyBVJOZcWERMfpAQUSkcuRLBhlkqg-2F20BdB7WYWB-2FFUcH7UvzGuzhsbd0FwNIzPqBFN-2Bgplej93lJZPM0WvkwCWYeFu0CJ-2BLy-2Be1ugBEUDpZaMD7lwP187Vf4SNGZrzKjfYq9JLPIwQN-2BJgyQQfofSO-2BUocszgJqbIGLEdyiag-2F15DJXZ4shYbPDcsqO61wc-2F1oi7wTCtyUqEIfL1r6Sx75fv3BrRSlyV1afrXUhA-3D-3D">https://foundation.fhsu.edu</a>&nbsp;or by contacting the FHSU Foundation at 785-628-5620 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:foundation@fhsu.edu">foundation@fhsu.edu</a>.

FHSU students express gratitude for donors

Western Cooperative Electric’s Sharing Success Fund, partnered with CoBank, and managed by the Golden Belt Community Foundation, has awarded a $1,000 grant to Konnor Dreiling for his Eagle Scout project.&nbsp;

Dreiling, a Sophomore at Hays High and a Scout in Troop #101, set out to replace the 30 picnic tables in the Wagon Rut Campground with new composite boards and steel frames, so they can withstand the harsh Kansas seasons with virtually no maintenance.

“My family and I visit Cedar Bluff often, and I wanted to do something to benefit that beautiful park,” said Dreiling.&nbsp;

Only 8% of all scouts achieve the title of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. In order to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, scouts are required to create, plan, and lead a project that demonstrates leadership, planning, and outdoor skills. Drieling began working on his project last Spring.

“Western Co-op was excited to contribute to Konnor’s Eagle Scout project,” said Member Services Manager Nolan Numrich. “Not only did we help this young man attempt to achieve his goal, but we love serving Cedar Bluff with power and helping the park out whenever we can.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632519961947.jpeg" alt="Konnor Dreiling (left) accepted the $1,000 Sharing Success grant from Western Cooperative Member Services Manager Nolan Numrich. Dreiling Replaced picnic tables at Cedar Bluff State Park for his Eagle Scout project." />
 <figcaption>Konnor Dreiling (left) accepted the $1,000 Sharing Success grant from Western Cooperative Member Services Manager Nolan Numrich. Dreiling Replaced picnic tables at Cedar Bluff State Park for his Eagle Scout project.</figcaption>
 </figure>News releaseWestern Cooperative Electric’s Sharing Success Fund, partnered with CoBank, and managed by the Golden Belt Community Foundation, has awarded a $1,000 grant to Konnor Dreiling for his Eagle Scout project.&nbsp;Dreiling, a Sophomore at Hays High and a Scout in Troop #101, set out to replace the 30 picnic tables in the Wagon Rut Campground with new composite boards and steel frames, so they can withstand the harsh Kansas seasons with virtually no maintenance.“My family and I visit Cedar Bluff often, and I wanted to do something to benefit that beautiful park,” said Dreiling.&nbsp;Only 8% of all scouts achieve the title of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. In order to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, scouts are required to create, plan, and lead a project that demonstrates leadership, planning, and outdoor skills. Drieling began working on his project last Spring.“Western Co-op was excited to contribute to Konnor’s Eagle Scout project,” said Member Services Manager Nolan Numrich. “Not only did we help this young man attempt to achieve his goal, but we love serving Cedar Bluff with power and helping the park out whenever we can.”Since 2013, the Sharing Success program has donated $78,000 to local non-profit organizations. To apply, visit westerncoop.com/sharing success. Grants will be available until funds are exhausted.&nbsp;Western Cooperative Electric Association is a member-owned cooperative headquartered in WaKeeney, Kansas. Established in 1945, Western now serves more than 12,000 meters and maintains over 4,000 miles of power lines across northwestern and central Kanas. Together, with the help of our members, Western Co-op is committed to building a stronger future for the communities we serve. For more information about Western, visit <a href="http://www.westerncoop.com">www.westerncoop.com</a>.