The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Monday reported 21 new COVID-19 cases in Ellis County had been identified since Friday.

There have been 531 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 Monday morning, there were 16 COVID inpatients at HaysMed, up from nine Friday.

The KDHE reported Monday 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 4,335 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 75 coronavirus-related deaths.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632767467297.png" alt="KDHE" />
 <figcaption>KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Monday reported 21 new COVID-19 cases in Ellis County had been identified since Friday.There have been 531 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 Monday morning, there were 16 COVID inpatients at HaysMed, up from nine Friday.The KDHE reported Monday 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 4,335 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 75 coronavirus-related deaths.

KDHE: 21 new COVID cases in Ellis CO. since Friday

EDWARDS COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp; Special agents of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) arrested the Edwards County Undersheriff early Monday related to a domestic violence incident, according to a media release from the KBI.

Just after 7:30 p.m. Sunday, a 911 call was made from a residence in Kinsley. When a deputy from the Edwards County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene, he learned that Robert “Bobby” Blackwell, 39, of Kinsley, who is the Edwards County Undersheriff, was involved in a physical altercation. 

At approximately 8:15 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office contacted the KBI to investigate the incident.

KBI agents responded to Kinsley to investigate. After collecting evidence and conducting interviews of involved parties, Blackwell was arrested for aggravated domestic battery. The arrest occurred at around 3:30 a.m. Monday morning. He was then booked into the Ford County Detention Center.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632762276767.png" alt="Blackwell is being held in Ford County" />
 <figcaption>Blackwell is being held in Ford County</figcaption>
 </figure>EDWARDS COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp; Special agents of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) arrested the Edwards County Undersheriff early Monday related to a domestic violence incident, according to a media release from the KBI.Just after 7:30 p.m. Sunday, a 911 call was made from a residence in Kinsley. When a deputy from the Edwards County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene, he learned that Robert “Bobby” Blackwell, 39, of Kinsley, who is the Edwards County Undersheriff, was involved in a physical altercation. At approximately 8:15 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office contacted the KBI to investigate the incident.KBI agents responded to Kinsley to investigate. After collecting evidence and conducting interviews of involved parties, Blackwell was arrested for aggravated domestic battery. The arrest occurred at around 3:30 a.m. Monday morning. He was then booked into the Ford County Detention Center.

Kansas undersheriff jailed for alleged domestic battery 

On this episode of the Post Podcast Holy Family Elementary technology director, Duff Watson shares the latest in technology news from the area Catholic Schools.

<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>

<div><iframe title="Technology helps keeps area Catholic schools running" 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=g6d5v-10edc9a-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>On this episode of the Post Podcast Holy Family Elementary technology director, Duff Watson shares the latest in technology news from the area Catholic Schools.<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>

🎙Post Podcast: Technology helps keeps area Catholic schools running

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Hays set a record high of 98 on Sunday, breaking the old record 95 set in&nbsp;1904, 1938, 1971 and 2013.

The high for today is forecast 93. The record high is 99 set in 1911.

The National Weather Service forecasts a high of 90 on Tuesday before a cold front is set to come in.

The high is set to drop into the low 80s on Wednesday and then into the upper 60s Thursday and Friday.

There's a chance of showers Tuesday night through Sunday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623793306978.jpeg" alt="Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostHays set a record high of 98 on Sunday, breaking the old record 95 set in&nbsp;1904, 1938, 1971 and 2013.The high for today is forecast 93. The record high is 99 set in 1911.The National Weather Service forecasts a high of 90 on Tuesday before a cold front is set to come in.The high is set to drop into the low 80s on Wednesday and then into the upper 60s Thursday and Friday.There's a chance of showers Tuesday night through Sunday.

Hays sets record high Sunday, but cool off, rain coming

The Hays school board will interview candidates to fill a vacant seat on the board during a meeting at 6:30 tonight at the Rockwell Administration Center.

The district has received six applications. They include 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.

The board seeks to fill the position vacated by NuChelle Chance, who has moved out of state.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/f743144f-86f5-409f-af1d-729253115b28">The first five candidates' application letters can be viewed by clicking here</a>.&nbsp; McGowne's letter can be seen at the end of this story.&nbsp;

The board will consider bids for replacement windows in three district facilities — O'Loughlin Elementary, Wilson Elementary and Rockwell. The work will be paid for using federal COVID relief funds.

The board will also consider approval of recommended Kansas Association of School Boards policies.

My name is Chris McGowne, and I am submitting my letter of interest for the open USD 489 board seat recently vacated by Nuchelle Chance. 
As someone who was born and raised in Hays, and attended USD 489 schools throughout my formative years, I truly appreciate what an amazing opportunity it would be to serve the community by sitting on this board. I fully understand what an enormous responsibility this board has in ensuring all the kids who attend schools within the district receive a fair, balanced, and thorough education.

In addition to graduating from USD 489 schools, my mother and father both taught at Hays High, and my grandmother has been a fixture in Hays elementary schools for over 6 decades, both as a full-time teacher as well as a substitute teacher. Their guidance and experience growing up were invaluable in shaping my world view, and their contribution to the education and well being of numerous kids over the years has provided me a valuable perspective in wanting to ensure that future generations are afforded the same opportunity I was.

My background entails working over the past 15 years in law and policy, ranging from a no­partisan job at the Colorado State Senate to recently moving back to Hays to start my own law firm. Indeed, a large part of the reason I moved back to Kansas was to ensure that our current and future generations are provided a quality education and an opportunity to succeed. I have seen firsthand how a public school system that does not value its students can harm the community at large, and my goal is to ensure that is not a scenario that plays out here in my hometown. 
I look forward to the opportunity to answer any question you may have, and wish each of you the very best.&nbsp;

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays school board will interview candidates to fill a vacant seat on the board during a meeting at 6:30 tonight at the Rockwell Administration Center.The district has received six applications. They include 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.The board seeks to fill the position vacated by NuChelle Chance, who has moved out of state.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/f743144f-86f5-409f-af1d-729253115b28">The first five candidates' application letters can be viewed by clicking here</a>.&nbsp; McGowne's letter can be seen at the end of this story.&nbsp;The board will consider bids for replacement windows in three district facilities — O'Loughlin Elementary, Wilson Elementary and Rockwell. The work will be paid for using federal COVID relief funds.The board will also consider approval of recommended Kansas Association of School Boards policies.<h2>Chris McGowne application letter </h2>(Printed as submitted)My name is Chris McGowne, and I am submitting my letter of interest for the open USD 489 board seat recently vacated by Nuchelle Chance. 
As someone who was born and raised in Hays, and attended USD 489 schools throughout my formative years, I truly appreciate what an amazing opportunity it would be to serve the community by sitting on this board. I fully understand what an enormous responsibility this board has in ensuring all the kids who attend schools within the district receive a fair, balanced, and thorough education.In addition to graduating from USD 489 schools, my mother and father both taught at Hays High, and my grandmother has been a fixture in Hays elementary schools for over 6 decades, both as a full-time teacher as well as a substitute teacher. Their guidance and experience growing up were invaluable in shaping my world view, and their contribution to the education and well being of numerous kids over the years has provided me a valuable perspective in wanting to ensure that future generations are afforded the same opportunity I was.My background entails working over the past 15 years in law and policy, ranging from a no­partisan job at the Colorado State Senate to recently moving back to Hays to start my own law firm. Indeed, a large part of the reason I moved back to Kansas was to ensure that our current and future generations are provided a quality education and an opportunity to succeed. I have seen firsthand how a public school system that does not value its students can harm the community at large, and my goal is to ensure that is not a scenario that plays out here in my hometown. 
I look forward to the opportunity to answer any question you may have, and wish each of you the very best.&nbsp;

Hays school board to interview candidates for vacant seat

Starting as a Strategic Doing event around three years ago, the Imagine Ellis County Committee has once again begun moving full steam ahead on its mission of creating a stronger county.

As the committee continues developing an idea of what the county will look like in the future, the group recently presented at the Grow Hays quarterly luncheon.

Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams opened the event recognizing the recent effort to revitalize the committee after the COVID-19 pandemic slowed efforts.&nbsp;

First to present was Hays mayor Sandy Jacobs, who shared information about the origins of the effort.

Jacobs recounted over 150 community leaders gathered together and generated a long list of ideas for improving Ellis County for years to come, filling the walls of the Robins Center with ideas to improved the county during the Strategic Doing event.

"We ended up with a room full of sticky notes," she said. "And I mean a room full. ... Every wall in the Robins Center was full of little yellow sticky notes."

Those notes were compiled in order to give the group direction in a variety of categories.

But as COVID took hold, efforts took a back seat to more immediate concerns.

"So it kind of fell apart, but fortunately Sarah Wasinger has just been instrumental in getting this group back together," Jacobs said. "And I'm so pleased that we have young people — like they're so engaged in the process because it is looking at Hays 10, 15 and 25 years down the road."

And while years have passed since the effort was launched, she said nothing has changed, with many of the concerns as relevant now as they were then and many from the original committee still active in the organization.

Passing the meeting to Wasinger, she noted the long list of area leaders that remain committed to the effort.

"It's been a very exciting process to just
have all of these folks engaged," Wasinger said. "We do have people who either live or work in
Eills, Victoria, of course, Hays, and Catherine and Munjor. So these are people
being a part of this process, who are not only living in these communities but
trying to make a big difference."

She said from the beginning the project was a fluid effort, designed to address input from all.

"So one
thing that we really talked about from the very precipice of this project was
what should our mission be," Wasinger said. "And we revised this mission based on some
things that we felt needed to change a little bit. So our
current mission is to imagine, develop and implement a collaborative strategic
vision for our community and region."

She said the power behind Imagine Ellis County is a large amount of buy-in from community members that will utilize resources from various agencies, government departments and commercial interests.

"That is truly the power behind Imagine
Ellis County and where we feel this project is so very important," Wasinger said.

And that project is now full steam ahead.

"We've met about 14 times now since let's see
September of 2019. And in&nbsp; that time,
we've devised a couple of committees that are really going to be focused on
doing some intentional work." Wasinger said.

Current the steering committee is really the guiding
group that helps establish meeting agendas in person on behalf of Imagine Ellis
County, she said.

"And we'll present public meetings and do other
things as necessary to make sure that the work that this group is doing is an
educated correctly to the community," Wasinger said.&nbsp; "But going forward, we really see that group as
being kind of the guiding force on creating the content that we'll discuss
every month."

And while other committees will be doing valuable work to push the effort ahead, she said the marketing and technology committee has been doing a lot of work in the
background, and area residents will soon see more from the group through their efforts.

If you are a Facebook user, we would love
for you to come at least follow the page for right now," Wasinger said. "We are just starting to put content on that.
So as we do have different projects and things progress or different community-wide means that we'll be inviting the public to that will be one of the main
ways that we can kind of really share that information."

A website is also being developed that will showcase the group's efforts.

While the marketing online is coming together she also said their events committee, was also working on setting up town hall meetings to solicit input moving forward.

&nbsp;"A lot
of the information that we have been gathering is going to be organic in
nature, we want to hear feedback from people and all of the different cities
that exist in Ellis County," Wasinger said.

"The only way that this is really going to work
and be as impactful as you want it to be is that we have the community members
sharing and expressing what their vision is of Ellis County, that's the power
of what we're doing together. If we can have their buy-in from the very
beginning, and know what is important to them. That gives us as a committee a
better set of marching orders and parameters to starting the fight against that
exist in the county."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632709062912.jpeg" alt="Hays mayor Sandy Jacobs presents during the latest Grow Hays quarterly luncheon. During the event, Jacobs, and other community leaders, spoke about the work of the recently revitalized Imagine Ellis County Committee.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Hays mayor Sandy Jacobs presents during the latest Grow Hays quarterly luncheon. During the event, Jacobs, and other community leaders, spoke about the work of the recently revitalized Imagine Ellis County Committee.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostStarting as a Strategic Doing event around three years ago, the Imagine Ellis County Committee has once again begun moving full steam ahead on its mission of creating a stronger county.As the committee continues developing an idea of what the county will look like in the future, the group recently presented at the Grow Hays quarterly luncheon.Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams opened the event recognizing the recent effort to revitalize the committee after the COVID-19 pandemic slowed efforts.&nbsp;First to present was Hays mayor Sandy Jacobs, who shared information about the origins of the effort.Jacobs recounted over 150 community leaders gathered together and generated a long list of ideas for improving Ellis County for years to come, filling the walls of the Robins Center with ideas to improved the county during the Strategic Doing event."We ended up with a room full of sticky notes," she said. "And I mean a room full. ... Every wall in the Robins Center was full of little yellow sticky notes."Those notes were compiled in order to give the group direction in a variety of categories.But as COVID took hold, efforts took a back seat to more immediate concerns.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632709192902.jpeg" alt="Sarah Wasinger speaks about the committee to the crowd." />
 <figcaption>Sarah Wasinger speaks about the committee to the crowd.</figcaption>
 </figure>"So it kind of fell apart, but fortunately Sarah Wasinger has just been instrumental in getting this group back together," Jacobs said. "And I'm so pleased that we have young people — like they're so engaged in the process because it is looking at Hays 10, 15 and 25 years down the road."And while years have passed since the effort was launched, she said nothing has changed, with many of the concerns as relevant now as they were then and many from the original committee still active in the organization.Passing the meeting to Wasinger, she noted the long list of area leaders that remain committed to the effort."It's been a very exciting process to just
have all of these folks engaged," Wasinger said. "We do have people who either live or work in
Eills, Victoria, of course, Hays, and Catherine and Munjor. So these are people
being a part of this process, who are not only living in these communities but
trying to make a big difference."She said from the beginning the project was a fluid effort, designed to address input from all."So one
thing that we really talked about from the very precipice of this project was
what should our mission be," Wasinger said. "And we revised this mission based on some
things that we felt needed to change a little bit. So our
current mission is to imagine, develop and implement a collaborative strategic
vision for our community and region."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632709486720.jpeg" alt="Grow Hays executive&nbsp; director Doug Williams speaks about community needs during the quarterly luncheon." />
 <figcaption>Grow Hays executive&nbsp; director Doug Williams speaks about community needs during the quarterly luncheon.</figcaption>
 </figure>She said the power behind Imagine Ellis County is a large amount of buy-in from community members that will utilize resources from various agencies, government departments and commercial interests."That is truly the power behind Imagine
Ellis County and where we feel this project is so very important," Wasinger said.And that project is now full steam ahead."We've met about 14 times now since let's see
September of 2019. And in&nbsp; that time,
we've devised a couple of committees that are really going to be focused on
doing some intentional work." Wasinger said.Current the steering committee is really the guiding
group that helps establish meeting agendas in person on behalf of Imagine Ellis
County, she said."And we'll present public meetings and do other
things as necessary to make sure that the work that this group is doing is an
educated correctly to the community," Wasinger said.&nbsp; "But going forward, we really see that group as
being kind of the guiding force on creating the content that we'll discuss
every month."And while other committees will be doing valuable work to push the effort ahead, she said the marketing and technology committee has been doing a lot of work in the
background, and area residents will soon see more from the group through their efforts.If you are a Facebook user, we would love
for you to come at least follow the page for right now," Wasinger said. "We are just starting to put content on that.
So as we do have different projects and things progress or different community-wide means that we'll be inviting the public to that will be one of the main
ways that we can kind of really share that information."A website is also being developed that will showcase the group's efforts.While the marketing online is coming together she also said their events committee, was also working on setting up town hall meetings to solicit input moving forward.&nbsp;"A lot
of the information that we have been gathering is going to be organic in
nature, we want to hear feedback from people and all of the different cities
that exist in Ellis County," Wasinger said."The only way that this is really going to work
and be as impactful as you want it to be is that we have the community members
sharing and expressing what their vision is of Ellis County, that's the power
of what we're doing together. If we can have their buy-in from the very
beginning, and know what is important to them. That gives us as a committee a
better set of marching orders and parameters to starting the fight against that
exist in the county."

After being derailed by pandemic, Imagine Ellis County gains momentum

VICTORIA — About 100 members of the Victoria community gathered recently to discusses the future of an iconic building for the city — the Victoria St. John's Rest Home.&nbsp;

The facility has been closed for many years and passed through a series of out-of-state owners, with many doing little to maintain the building, now in a dilapidated state, with mold and water damage visible throughout the building, courtyards that now resemble small forests and a quickly deteriorating flat roof.&nbsp;

After going to a sheriff's sale in August, the building was purchased by Jeff Pfeifer. He called the meeting to hear ideas for the nearly 40,000-square-foot facility.

Prior to the meeting, the community was invited to tour the facility with many, including former staff members, walking the hallways, shocked about the state of the facility while softly recounting memories of the friends and family members that had called the facility their final home.&nbsp;

"When I decided to come to the auction, I had two goals in mind," Pfeifer said. "Preserve the building and to make it an asset for the community."&nbsp;

To that end, he opened the meeting up to the crowd that gathered outside the main entrance on the cool summer night.&nbsp;

"My first thought was it was designed as a rest home, and people donated a lot of money for a rest home, a nursing home, let's do that," Pfeifer said.&nbsp;

But a permanent deed restriction on the land may take that option off the table, he said.&nbsp;

"Forever," Pfeifer said. "It goes with the land."&nbsp;

He said two attorneys said it would preclude the facility from once again being used for that purpose, but he would also look into the matter further.&nbsp;

After his opening remarks, he opened the gathering up to the crowd to share ideas of what the building may be used for in the future, what they would like to save and what they would like to change.&nbsp;

"We're just brainstorming," Pfeifer said. "Some of these ideas may go somewhere else off this property, somewhere else in the city."&nbsp;

As ideas were presented, he recorded the idea on large sheets of paper, in which the group would later place colored dots on the ideas they liked the best.&nbsp;

Despite the potential of a legal restriction on becoming a rest home, the first idea presented and one frequently referenced was turning the facility into some sort of senior group residence, if not a rest home with a full nursing staff, another form of group housing.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Having housing specifically for seniors was suggested, opening housing up in the city as many seniors would like to downsize but currently have no ability to do so without leaving Victoria.&nbsp;

And it would create a better living situation for the many single seniors currently struggling as they live alone.&nbsp;

Marla Robben next suggested the building would make an excellent community center as part of the Victoria Recreation Commission.&nbsp;

&nbsp;"The recreation commission is in the process of working on a community recreation center," she said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Robben said they had considered the facility in their discussions of a new recreation center.&nbsp;

"If we could do something with this building, that would be fantastic," she said. "We could have an exercise room. We could put in a full-size gym."&nbsp;

An exercise facility, offices, a community room and a meal site for the church would also be considered as a part of their plan for the building.&nbsp;

"The problem is the money," Robben said. "We are looking at a (Community Development Block Grant)."&nbsp;

While their planning is in the early stages, she said a major concern for developing a recreation center elsewhere in the city is available land.&nbsp;

"There is no land in Victoria, Kansas, to build something like we want," Robben said. "Unless someone would donate something, or we could buy some land out of town."&nbsp;

Turning the building into low to moderate income apartments was also offered as an idea.&nbsp;

And then, Mary Kay Schippers presented an idea the facility could be an excellent home for the Ellis County Historical Society.&nbsp;

<a target="_blank" href="https://hayspost.com/posts/d7962f54-bf8a-4a91-b474-d9e2acaa0ae2">Currently located in Hays, the museum has struggled in recent years to house its collection safely and is currently unable to open it to the public.</a>&nbsp;

&nbsp;Shippers first acknowledged, "It's a strange idea." Then she asked attendees about their family histories. A majority reported family history in Ellis County for at least three generations.&nbsp;

"Who better to represent Ellis County than us," Schippers said. "We made Ellis County history, and the Ellis County Historical Society is looking for a place."&nbsp;

&nbsp;With the Basilica right down the street and Sternberg Museum a straight shot down Interstate 70, she said the location would be a perfect fit for not only Victoria but for the county.&nbsp;

"The church has anywhere between 10,000 to 15,000 visitors every year," Schippers said. "If we brought in even a small portion of those that are down the street, it could benefit the entire community."&nbsp;

"When they stop and see the church, they are here maybe half an hour, and then they get right back on interstate and go to Hays and eat lunch, or go to Hays and come back or go to Hays and spend the night. 

"But if we can get them here for another two hours, then they are going to fill gas here. They are going to eat lunch here. They are going to go check out maybe Grantsville and maybe Grant's tomb and the cemetery by the railroad tracks. We are just full of history here, and this space would be amazing."&nbsp;

And she said they are looking for a space around the size of the facility – 30,000 square feet.&nbsp;

"Can you imagine what a draw that would be for Herzogfest?" she said.&nbsp;

Those visitors spending money in the city, Schippers said, would then make other projects possible.&nbsp;

"It could help fund those," she said. "The difference between a community that survives and a community that thrives is the community that thrives brings in outside dollars."&nbsp;

"We can support our own community, Schippers said. "We eat at the restaurants. We go to the gas station. We do all of that. But if you want it to thrive, you need dollars from Texas and New York and Pennsylvania and California. And we could get that because that's who comes to this church."&nbsp;

She also told the crowd that while the museum is associated with Hays, there is nothing saying it must remain there.&nbsp;

"It does not say, the Hays Historical Society, it says Ellis County Historical Society," Schippers said. "Why shouldn't it be here? I think we have one of the biggest draws right here, and it's right down the street."&nbsp;

With the organization already operating as a not-for-profit, she also noted their ability to raise funds to make such a move would be easier than any new venture.&nbsp;

"If they had a plan and a place, they could get it," Schippers said.&nbsp;

Another attendee also pointed out, the church is also looking for a space to display historical items, and that could fit perfectly into that plan.&nbsp;

While not mentioned initially by someone at the meeting, Pfeifer said he received messages that suggested the building could be used as a daycare center.&nbsp;

It was then suggested, a senior center and daycare could go well together in the space.&nbsp;

Robben said if the facility were to be incorporated into their organization, those types of uses and others could be developed as a part of their services.&nbsp;

"There would be plenty of room for all of the little things," she said.&nbsp;

Pfeifer said it was also mentioned the center might be of use to the Catholic Church as a retreat center.&nbsp;

No one even suggested the facility be torn down with many in the group sharing aspects of the facility and grounds that they would like saved.&nbsp;

After the discussion ended, people lined up to put three dots next to the ideas for which they were most in favor. Housing, a new recreation center and the Ellis County Historical Society earned the majority of the votes, despite a long list of ideas for the facility.

As potential uses continue to be explored, Pfeifer said feedback could be sent to Facebook at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/savetheresthome">savetheresthome</a>, by email to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="mailto:006pfeifer@gmail.com">006pfeifer@gmail.com</a>, or by mail to Save the Rest Home LLC., P.O. Box 94, Victoria, KS 67671.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632526823044.jpeg" alt="The new owner of the former St. John's Rest Home, Jeff Pfeifer, speaks with area residents gathered to discuss ideas for the nearly 40,000-square-foot facility." />
 <figcaption>The new owner of the former St. John's Rest Home, Jeff Pfeifer, speaks with area residents gathered to discuss ideas for the nearly 40,000-square-foot facility.</figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostVICTORIA — About 100 members of the Victoria community gathered recently to discusses the future of an iconic building for the city — the Victoria St. John's Rest Home.&nbsp;The facility has been closed for many years and passed through a series of out-of-state owners, with many doing little to maintain the building, now in a dilapidated state, with mold and water damage visible throughout the building, courtyards that now resemble small forests and a quickly deteriorating flat roof.&nbsp;After going to a sheriff's sale in August, the building was purchased by Jeff Pfeifer. He called the meeting to hear ideas for the nearly 40,000-square-foot facility.Prior to the meeting, the community was invited to tour the facility with many, including former staff members, walking the hallways, shocked about the state of the facility while softly recounting memories of the friends and family members that had called the facility their final home.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632526837375.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"When I decided to come to the auction, I had two goals in mind," Pfeifer said. "Preserve the building and to make it an asset for the community."&nbsp;To that end, he opened the meeting up to the crowd that gathered outside the main entrance on the cool summer night.&nbsp;"My first thought was it was designed as a rest home, and people donated a lot of money for a rest home, a nursing home, let's do that," Pfeifer said.&nbsp;But a permanent deed restriction on the land may take that option off the table, he said.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632526843312.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"Forever," Pfeifer said. "It goes with the land."&nbsp;He said two attorneys said it would preclude the facility from once again being used for that purpose, but he would also look into the matter further.&nbsp;After his opening remarks, he opened the gathering up to the crowd to share ideas of what the building may be used for in the future, what they would like to save and what they would like to change.&nbsp;"We're just brainstorming," Pfeifer said. "Some of these ideas may go somewhere else off this property, somewhere else in the city."&nbsp;As ideas were presented, he recorded the idea on large sheets of paper, in which the group would later place colored dots on the ideas they liked the best.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632526806667.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>No shortage of ideas</h2>Despite the potential of a legal restriction on becoming a rest home, the first idea presented and one frequently referenced was turning the facility into some sort of senior group residence, if not a rest home with a full nursing staff, another form of group housing.&nbsp;&nbsp;Having housing specifically for seniors was suggested, opening housing up in the city as many seniors would like to downsize but currently have no ability to do so without leaving Victoria.&nbsp;And it would create a better living situation for the many single seniors currently struggling as they live alone.&nbsp;Marla Robben next suggested the building would make an excellent community center as part of the Victoria Recreation Commission.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632526800472.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;"The recreation commission is in the process of working on a community recreation center," she said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Robben said they had considered the facility in their discussions of a new recreation center.&nbsp;"If we could do something with this building, that would be fantastic," she said. "We could have an exercise room. We could put in a full-size gym."&nbsp;An exercise facility, offices, a community room and a meal site for the church would also be considered as a part of their plan for the building.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632526788078.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"The problem is the money," Robben said. "We are looking at a (Community Development Block Grant)."&nbsp;While their planning is in the early stages, she said a major concern for developing a recreation center elsewhere in the city is available land.&nbsp;"There is no land in Victoria, Kansas, to build something like we want," Robben said. "Unless someone would donate something, or we could buy some land out of town."&nbsp;Turning the building into low to moderate income apartments was also offered as an idea.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632526766829.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>And then, Mary Kay Schippers presented an idea the facility could be an excellent home for the Ellis County Historical Society.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://hayspost.com/posts/d7962f54-bf8a-4a91-b474-d9e2acaa0ae2">Currently located in Hays, the museum has struggled in recent years to house its collection safely and is currently unable to open it to the public.</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;Shippers first acknowledged, "It's a strange idea." Then she asked attendees about their family histories. A majority reported family history in Ellis County for at least three generations.&nbsp;"Who better to represent Ellis County than us," Schippers said. "We made Ellis County history, and the Ellis County Historical Society is looking for a place."&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632526778545.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;With the Basilica right down the street and Sternberg Museum a straight shot down Interstate 70, she said the location would be a perfect fit for not only Victoria but for the county.&nbsp;"The church has anywhere between 10,000 to 15,000 visitors every year," Schippers said. "If we brought in even a small portion of those that are down the street, it could benefit the entire community."&nbsp;"When they stop and see the church, they are here maybe half an hour, and then they get right back on interstate and go to Hays and eat lunch, or go to Hays and come back or go to Hays and spend the night. "But if we can get them here for another two hours, then they are going to fill gas here. They are going to eat lunch here. They are going to go check out maybe Grantsville and maybe Grant's tomb and the cemetery by the railroad tracks. We are just full of history here, and this space would be amazing."&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632526773506.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>And she said they are looking for a space around the size of the facility – 30,000 square feet.&nbsp;"Can you imagine what a draw that would be for Herzogfest?" she said.&nbsp;Those visitors spending money in the city, Schippers said, would then make other projects possible.&nbsp;"It could help fund those," she said. "The difference between a community that survives and a community that thrives is the community that thrives brings in outside dollars."&nbsp;"We can support our own community, Schippers said. "We eat at the restaurants. We go to the gas station. We do all of that. But if you want it to thrive, you need dollars from Texas and New York and Pennsylvania and California. And we could get that because that's who comes to this church."&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632526783942.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>She also told the crowd that while the museum is associated with Hays, there is nothing saying it must remain there.&nbsp;"It does not say, the Hays Historical Society, it says Ellis County Historical Society," Schippers said. "Why shouldn't it be here? I think we have one of the biggest draws right here, and it's right down the street."&nbsp;With the organization already operating as a not-for-profit, she also noted their ability to raise funds to make such a move would be easier than any new venture.&nbsp;"If they had a plan and a place, they could get it," Schippers said.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632526817473.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Another attendee also pointed out, the church is also looking for a space to display historical items, and that could fit perfectly into that plan.&nbsp;While not mentioned initially by someone at the meeting, Pfeifer said he received messages that suggested the building could be used as a daycare center.&nbsp;It was then suggested, a senior center and daycare could go well together in the space.&nbsp;Robben said if the facility were to be incorporated into their organization, those types of uses and others could be developed as a part of their services.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632526811715.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"There would be plenty of room for all of the little things," she said.&nbsp;Pfeifer said it was also mentioned the center might be of use to the Catholic Church as a retreat center.&nbsp;No one even suggested the facility be torn down with many in the group sharing aspects of the facility and grounds that they would like saved.&nbsp;After the discussion ended, people lined up to put three dots next to the ideas for which they were most in favor. Housing, a new recreation center and the Ellis County Historical Society earned the majority of the votes, despite a long list of ideas for the facility.As potential uses continue to be explored, Pfeifer said feedback could be sent to Facebook at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/savetheresthome">savetheresthome</a>, by email to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="mailto:006pfeifer@gmail.com">006pfeifer@gmail.com</a>, or by mail to Save the Rest Home LLC., P.O. Box 94, Victoria, KS 67671.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632526849999.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Victoria residents gather to discuss future of former rest home

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.

🎥 Next step in former St. Joseph School RHID request approved by city commission

The Kansas Department of Transportation plans to begin a pair of resurfacing projects on U.S. 24 and K-184 in Thomas County the week of Sept. 27.

Project work will involve a mill and overlay on both routes.

The U.S. 24 portion will begin at the I-70 exit 45 near Levant and extend approximately 9 miles west, ending at the west Colby city limits.

The K-184 portion will cover the approximately 2 miles of road from I-70 to Brewster.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane through the work zones and directed by flaggers and a pilot car. Delays of up to 15 minutes may be possible. KDOT expects the project to be completed by mid-November, weather permitting.

McCormick Excavation and Paving of Stratton, Colo., is the primary contractor for both projects with a combined contract cost of approximately $1.5 million.&nbsp;

KDOTThe Kansas Department of Transportation plans to begin a pair of resurfacing projects on U.S. 24 and K-184 in Thomas County the week of Sept. 27.Project work will involve a mill and overlay on both routes.The U.S. 24 portion will begin at the I-70 exit 45 near Levant and extend approximately 9 miles west, ending at the west Colby city limits.The K-184 portion will cover the approximately 2 miles of road from I-70 to Brewster.Traffic will be reduced to one lane through the work zones and directed by flaggers and a pilot car. Delays of up to 15 minutes may be possible. KDOT expects the project to be completed by mid-November, weather permitting.McCormick Excavation and Paving of Stratton, Colo., is the primary contractor for both projects with a combined contract cost of approximately $1.5 million.&nbsp;

Resurfacing projects starting in Thomas County

LOGAN COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just after 8:30p.m. Sunday in Logan County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Ford F150 driven by Robert E. Long, 53, Oakley, was northbound on U.S. Highway 83 one half mile south of Oakley.

The pickup exited the road to the right, entered the east ditch, came back onto the roadway, crossed the center line, and hit a 1997 Ford F250 driven by Kavan A. Smith, 20, Eckley, Colorado,&nbsp; head on.

EMS transported Long to Hays Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Smith was transported Via Christi in Wichita for treatment.&nbsp; Long was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

LOGAN COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just after 8:30p.m. Sunday in Logan County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Ford F150 driven by Robert E. Long, 53, Oakley, was northbound on U.S. Highway 83 one half mile south of Oakley.The pickup exited the road to the right, entered the east ditch, came back onto the roadway, crossed the center line, and hit a 1997 Ford F250 driven by Kavan A. Smith, 20, Eckley, Colorado,&nbsp; head on.EMS transported Long to Hays Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Smith was transported Via Christi in Wichita for treatment.&nbsp; Long was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dead, another hospitalized after  head-on crash

Three-day weather outlook

Kansas 4-H will celebrate its long-standing commitment to community service when members across the state participate in 48 Hours of 4-H Oct 9-10.

Beth Hinshaw, a 4-H youth development specialist in the southeast region, said the annual event wraps up National 4-H Week in the United States.

“4-H has a really long history of young people being involved in their community,” Hinshaw said. “Some of the research from several years ago tells us that 4-Hers in grades 7 and&nbsp;up&nbsp;are nearly four times more likely to make contributions to their communities. And, those in grades 8-12 are two times more likely to be civically active.”&nbsp;

48 Hours of 4-H is a project that encourages&nbsp;clubs&nbsp;in the state to plan a community service project. “It’s not a 48 hour project,” Hinshaw said, “but rather a project that you do sometime during that 48 hour timeframe.”&nbsp;

In the past, Hinshaw said, groups have been very creative in how they have chosen to help their community, including such things as:&nbsp;

“It’s really about what the 4-H club or group wants to do to serve their community,” Hinshaw said.&nbsp;

“These are the young people that someday they’re going to grow&nbsp;up&nbsp;and be serving their community as adults, as well,” Hinshaw said. “I think we all know that’s the kind of communities we want to live in and enjoy some day… with people who want to make a difference.”&nbsp;

On a local level, Cottonwood Extension District – Barton County 4-H members will be hosting their 4-H BBQ Fundraiser on Sunday, Oct. 10 at the old 4-H grounds between Hoisington and Great Bend. During the meal, the 4-H Clubs will showcase many of the 40 project areas available through Kansas 4-H! Serving is from 11-1:30 and both dine-in and drive-up options are available. This fundraiser supports events, activities, and scholarships for nearly 200 4-H youth! Please plan to join us on Oct. 10.

Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness.

Michelle Beran is the 4-H and Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District – Barton County office. For more information on this article or other 4-H and Youth Development related questions, email Michelle at <a href="mailto:mberan@ksu.edu">mberan@ksu.edu</a> or call 620-793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579114162620.jpeg" alt="Michelle Beran is the 4-H and Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District." />
 <figcaption>Michelle Beran is the 4-H and Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District.</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas 4-H will celebrate its long-standing commitment to community service when members across the state participate in 48 Hours of 4-H Oct 9-10.Beth Hinshaw, a 4-H youth development specialist in the southeast region, said the annual event wraps up National 4-H Week in the United States.“4-H has a really long history of young people being involved in their community,” Hinshaw said. “Some of the research from several years ago tells us that 4-Hers in grades 7 and&nbsp;up&nbsp;are nearly four times more likely to make contributions to their communities. And, those in grades 8-12 are two times more likely to be civically active.”&nbsp;48 Hours of 4-H is a project that encourages&nbsp;clubs&nbsp;in the state to plan a community service project. “It’s not a 48 hour project,” Hinshaw said, “but rather a project that you do sometime during that 48 hour timeframe.”&nbsp;In the past, Hinshaw said, groups have been very creative in how they have chosen to help their community, including such things as:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Beautification of the community, such painting equipment in parks, planting flower bulbs, picking&nbsp;up&nbsp;trash and&nbsp;trimming landscapes.&nbsp;</li><li>Collections, such non-perishable food and laundry supplies.&nbsp;</li><li>Special events.&nbsp;</li><li>Serving meals.&nbsp;</li><li>Visiting nursing homes.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>“It’s really about what the 4-H club or group wants to do to serve their community,” Hinshaw said.&nbsp;“These are the young people that someday they’re going to grow&nbsp;up&nbsp;and be serving their community as adults, as well,” Hinshaw said. “I think we all know that’s the kind of communities we want to live in and enjoy some day… with people who want to make a difference.”&nbsp;On a local level, Cottonwood Extension District – Barton County 4-H members will be hosting their 4-H BBQ Fundraiser on Sunday, Oct. 10 at the old 4-H grounds between Hoisington and Great Bend. During the meal, the 4-H Clubs will showcase many of the 40 project areas available through Kansas 4-H! Serving is from 11-1:30 and both dine-in and drive-up options are available. This fundraiser supports events, activities, and scholarships for nearly 200 4-H youth! Please plan to join us on Oct. 10.Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness.Michelle Beran is the 4-H and Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District – Barton County office. For more information on this article or other 4-H and Youth Development related questions, email Michelle at <a href="mailto:mberan@ksu.edu">mberan@ksu.edu</a> or call 620-793-1910.

BERAN: Gearing up for National 4-H Week

A group of seniors at Thomas More Prep-Marian have received a grant to upgrade the basketball court in Seven Hills Park, 33rd and Hillcrest, near the ARC Park.

Jessica Herrman, Maggie Baalmann and Julie Meitner secured a $7,000 grant from the Heartland Community Foundation to improve the court.

New cement will be laid and an additional smaller court with lower goals will be installed.&nbsp;Meitner said this second court can be used by smaller children or individuals in wheelchairs.

The students recruited Kris Munsch's cement class from the Applied Sciences Department at Fort Hays State Unversity to provide the labor on the project for free.

Meitner's mother, Sarah Meitner, has spearheaded the construction of the ARC playground and splash pad at the same location. <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/97a8f77f-5174-44cd-87a7-1a6a253ea2f6">The playground opened </a>on Sept. 13, and the <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b37312c4-0e9c-41a9-a655-27d867717544">splash pad opened Thursday</a>.

Julia said she was inspired to work on the project after seeing so many children at the park and watching the ARC playground and splash pad come together.

"We just wanted to fix it up and match the rest of the park and give those older kids something to look forward to, as well," she said.

Maggie Baalmann, who is also working on the basketball court project, said the girls wanted to bring some color to the courts. They plan on a collage for the backs of the new basketball goals and hope also to purchase benches for the area.

The basketball court project is one of many Capstone service projects. Each of TMP's 41 seniors will complete a project as a culmination of their Catholic education, Bill Meagher, director of campus ministry, said.

"The idea of the whole Capstone is for them to show what they have learned and take it out into the community," Meagher said.&nbsp;

The projects help build life skills, he said. The students build proposals at the end of their junior year and present them to a committee. They present again to the committee at the end of their projects.

Madelyn Seiler has taken over music for Mass at the school. Monarch Music was a project at the school for many years. It was lead by Jim&nbsp;Balthazor until he died in September 2020.

"There was a group of us, and none of us really wanted it to die," she said.&nbsp;

The students provide music at Mass.&nbsp;Seiler, who also participants in school musicals and Pop Singers, is leading the group, picking the music and making sure copies of the music are available. She hopes to pursue a grant to purchase a digital music library that can be made available through iPads.

The group also sang at Via Christi and DSNWK during the Christmas season, but&nbsp;Seiler said that may not be possible this year because of the pandemic. The group will provide music at the Catholic Schools Week Mass and at a Mass at Holy Family Elementary.

Grace Pope and Emma Dinkel are raising money for the First Step Transitional Housing Project. They are selling hole sponsors for the Tip and Tuck&nbsp; Golf Tournament in April at the Fort Hays Municipal Golf Course. The date is to be determined.

The funds will be used for general operating expenses for the First Step program. Sponsorships are being sold for $50 each. For more information, you can contact the students at egcapstone22@gmail.com. The students hope to raise $1,000.

Other projects include a student teaching art at Holy Family, a student teaching piano, a group promoting TMP, and a student&nbsp;volunteering at the St. Joseph Food Pantry. 

More Capstone projects are planned for next semester.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632508224217.jpeg" alt="Students at Thomas More Prep-Marian are organizing the renovation of this basketball court at&nbsp;Seven Hills Park, 33rd and Hillcrest, near the ARC Park, as their Capstone project." />
 <figcaption>Students at Thomas More Prep-Marian are organizing the renovation of this basketball court at&nbsp;Seven Hills Park, 33rd and Hillcrest, near the ARC Park, as their Capstone project.</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostA group of seniors at Thomas More Prep-Marian have received a grant to upgrade the basketball court in Seven Hills Park, 33rd and Hillcrest, near the ARC Park.Jessica Herrman, Maggie Baalmann and Julie Meitner secured a $7,000 grant from the Heartland Community Foundation to improve the court.New cement will be laid and an additional smaller court with lower goals will be installed.&nbsp;Meitner said this second court can be used by smaller children or individuals in wheelchairs.The students recruited Kris Munsch's cement class from the Applied Sciences Department at Fort Hays State Unversity to provide the labor on the project for free.Meitner's mother, Sarah Meitner, has spearheaded the construction of the ARC playground and splash pad at the same location. <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/97a8f77f-5174-44cd-87a7-1a6a253ea2f6">The playground opened </a>on Sept. 13, and the <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b37312c4-0e9c-41a9-a655-27d867717544">splash pad opened Thursday</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632509714437.png" alt="TMP-Marian seniors Julia Meitner,&nbsp;Jessica Herrman and&nbsp;Maggie Baalmann are working on a capstone project to improve the basketball court at&nbsp;Seven Hills Park, 33rd and Hillcrest, near the ARC Park." />
 <figcaption>TMP-Marian seniors Julia Meitner,&nbsp;Jessica Herrman and&nbsp;Maggie Baalmann are working on a capstone project to improve the basketball court at&nbsp;Seven Hills Park, 33rd and Hillcrest, near the ARC Park.</figcaption>
 </figure>Julia said she was inspired to work on the project after seeing so many children at the park and watching the ARC playground and splash pad come together."We just wanted to fix it up and match the rest of the park and give those older kids something to look forward to, as well," she said.Maggie Baalmann, who is also working on the basketball court project, said the girls wanted to bring some color to the courts. They plan on a collage for the backs of the new basketball goals and hope also to purchase benches for the area.The basketball court project is one of many Capstone service projects. Each of TMP's 41 seniors will complete a project as a culmination of their Catholic education, Bill Meagher, director of campus ministry, said."The idea of the whole Capstone is for them to show what they have learned and take it out into the community," Meagher said.&nbsp;The projects help build life skills, he said. The students build proposals at the end of their junior year and present them to a committee. They present again to the committee at the end of their projects.Madelyn Seiler has taken over music for Mass at the school. Monarch Music was a project at the school for many years. It was lead by Jim&nbsp;Balthazor until he died in September 2020."There was a group of us, and none of us really wanted it to die," she said.&nbsp;The students provide music at Mass.&nbsp;Seiler, who also participants in school musicals and Pop Singers, is leading the group, picking the music and making sure copies of the music are available. She hopes to pursue a grant to purchase a digital music library that can be made available through iPads.The group also sang at Via Christi and DSNWK during the Christmas season, but&nbsp;Seiler said that may not be possible this year because of the pandemic. The group will provide music at the Catholic Schools Week Mass and at a Mass at Holy Family Elementary.Grace Pope and Emma Dinkel are raising money for the First Step Transitional Housing Project. They are selling hole sponsors for the Tip and Tuck&nbsp; Golf Tournament in April at the Fort Hays Municipal Golf Course. The date is to be determined.The funds will be used for general operating expenses for the First Step program. Sponsorships are being sold for $50 each. For more information, you can contact the students at egcapstone22@gmail.com. The students hope to raise $1,000.Other projects include a student teaching art at Holy Family, a student teaching piano, a group promoting TMP, and a student&nbsp;volunteering at the St. Joseph Food Pantry. More Capstone projects are planned for next semester.&nbsp;

Basketball courts one of TMP seniors' Capstone projects this semester

The 45th Smoky Hill River Festival Merit Award-winning artists represent the exciting breadth and high quality of artistic talent that the annual festival features. The awards were presented with fanfare to the artists at their booths on Saturday, September 4th, amidst the festival weekend festivities.&nbsp;

	The top merit awards are the Martha Rhea Merit Award and the Marie Chapman Merit Award. Martha Rhea and Marie Chapman were both integral in the development of the Smoky Hill River Festival from its inception 45 years ago.&nbsp; A panel of five art professionals were onsite to jury the artist’s work based on a number of criteria such as innovation and craftsmanship, originality, evidence of personal imagination, and the use of quality materials.&nbsp;

	Steffan Plisterman, a painter and new artist to the Show, was awarded the Martha Rhea Merit Award for his unique work with glass, producing lasting and truly original works of art.&nbsp; Charley Forsyth, a returning River Festival artist, received the Marie Chapman Merit Award for his engaging and original relief prints which are carved and printed by hand.&nbsp;

The celebrated Fine Art &amp; Craft Show included more than 130 Festival artists, including Art/Craft Demonstration artists, four live stages of entertainment, a colorful Artypolis children’s area, more than 30 Food Row vendors, site-specific outdoor Art Installations and more.&nbsp;

	Artists who win an annual award at the River Festival’s Fine Art &amp; Craft Show are recognized for the body of work they exhibit each year and receive an automatic invitation to the 2022 Smoky Hill River Festival.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632414908679.jpeg" alt="Charley Forsyth, Marie Chapman Award Winner" />
 <figcaption>Charley Forsyth, Marie Chapman Award Winner</figcaption>
 </figure>The 45th Smoky Hill River Festival Merit Award-winning artists represent the exciting breadth and high quality of artistic talent that the annual festival features. The awards were presented with fanfare to the artists at their booths on Saturday, September 4th, amidst the festival weekend festivities.&nbsp;	The top merit awards are the Martha Rhea Merit Award and the Marie Chapman Merit Award. Martha Rhea and Marie Chapman were both integral in the development of the Smoky Hill River Festival from its inception 45 years ago.&nbsp; A panel of five art professionals were onsite to jury the artist’s work based on a number of criteria such as innovation and craftsmanship, originality, evidence of personal imagination, and the use of quality materials.&nbsp;	Steffan Plisterman, a painter and new artist to the Show, was awarded the Martha Rhea Merit Award for his unique work with glass, producing lasting and truly original works of art.&nbsp; Charley Forsyth, a returning River Festival artist, received the Marie Chapman Merit Award for his engaging and original relief prints which are carved and printed by hand.&nbsp;	The other Merit Award winners were:<ul>
 <li>Roura Young, a painter from Lawrence, Kansas</li><li>Sean Cusick, a mixed media artist from St. Paul, Minnesota</li><li>Michelle Chang, a mixed media artist from Rowland Heights, California</li><li>Sheldon Ganstrom, a ceramicist from Hays, Kansas</li><li>Caitlin Penny, a printmaker from Lenexa, Kansas</li><li>Wanda Taylor, a colored pencil artist,&nbsp; from Cameron, Missouri</li><li>Emily Chamberlain, a ceramicist from Wichita, Kansas</li><li>Akeem Ayanniyi, a wood artist from Santa Fe, New Mexico</li><li>Paul Gilliam, a wood artist from Timbo, Arkansas</li><li>Hannah Gebhart, a printmaker&nbsp; from Des Moines, Iowa</li><li>Anna Elmore, a fiber artist from Longmont, Colorado</li><li>Issac Shue, a ceramicist from Harper, Kansas</li>
 </ul><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632414940218.jpeg" alt="Sean Cusick, Merit Winner" />
 <figcaption>Sean Cusick, Merit Winner</figcaption>
 </figure>The celebrated Fine Art &amp; Craft Show included more than 130 Festival artists, including Art/Craft Demonstration artists, four live stages of entertainment, a colorful Artypolis children’s area, more than 30 Food Row vendors, site-specific outdoor Art Installations and more.&nbsp;	Artists who win an annual award at the River Festival’s Fine Art &amp; Craft Show are recognized for the body of work they exhibit each year and receive an automatic invitation to the 2022 Smoky Hill River Festival.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632414959510.jpeg" alt="Michelle Chang, Merit Award Winner" />
 <figcaption>Michelle Chang, Merit Award Winner</figcaption>
 </figure>

Hays artist among winners at Smoky Hill River Festival exhibition

High Plains Mental Health Center has received a two-year Block Grant for Community Mental Health Services from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This project, titled “Hope in the Heartland,” will provide up to $3 million in funding to strengthen and expand current mental health and substance use services provided in HPMHC’s 20-county Northwest Kansas catchment area.&nbsp;

<figure>
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 </figure>News releaseHigh Plains Mental Health Center has received a two-year Block Grant for Community Mental Health Services from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This project, titled “Hope in the Heartland,” will provide up to $3 million in funding to strengthen and expand current mental health and substance use services provided in HPMHC’s 20-county Northwest Kansas catchment area.&nbsp;This project will focus on several key program areas, including identifying and expanding services for adults and children with significant behavioral health disorders and expanding HPMHC’s growing presence in public school districts throughout Northwest Kansas. Embedding mental health services in public schools allows youth to quickly and efficiently be referred for treatment, while also removing potential barriers to care such as travel and requiring guardians to take time off work for appointments. This project will include offering mental health services through a hybrid on-site and telehealth platform to 10 additional schools in the region. An additional two school liaisons will be hired to help facilitate referrals from schools and help families coordinate service delivery. HPMHC also will further expand its existing Mental Health First Aid training program to make this important education more available for students and staff at regional school districts.HPMHC also will create a full-time jail liaison position to assist with diversion and post-release service coordination to help inmates sustain needed levels of treatment following incarceration in efforts to reduce recidivism. This new program also will help inmates enter mental health services and coordinate their care during time served in regional county jails. HPMHC also will partner with existing regional peer support entities to strengthen services and increase referrals for individuals with a diagnosed mental health disorder.&nbsp;In total, HPMHC will be hiring eight new staff positions as part of this grant project and contracting with two additional telehealth LSCSW clinicians to expand access for Medicare clients. The project also will help address current workforce challenges by providing staff retention incentives and additional staff training and development opportunities. The project also will include conducting a regional public survey to identify unmet needs within the community and help guide further outreach and education programming in efforts to reduce stigma.High Plains Mental Health Center also recently received a federal grant to implement Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic services. The two projects will complement each other and allow HPMHC to significantly expand service areas that have seen increasing local demand, said Walt Hill, executive director of HPMHC.“We are very grateful for the federal support, which will enable our community mental health services to significantly expand for the first time in many years as we continue our mission to provide high-quality client care in many settings within our 20 counties,” Hill said. “We are continuing to see unprecedented levels of community needs for services, and we are eager to raise the bar by furthering important community partnerships and making care more accessible for those who need it most.”High Plains Mental Health Center is a licensed community mental health center dedicated to the aggressive pursuit of providing a comprehensive mental health program to the residents of Northwest Kansas. Embodied in this pursuit are fundamental principles of establishing quality services as close to home as possible, at an affordable fee, and delivered in the least disruptive manner available. Such services will offer a continuum of care so that treatment can be individualized, and our staff can respond quickly and compassionately to those reaching out to us. We’re Here for You!

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