An attempted armed robbery that<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a85cb89d-fdb7-4661-a879-dda6994afc71"> forced Hays High School to be locked down Friday afternoon</a> has led to three arrests, while one juvenile suspect remains at large.

Police were first alerted to the situation after the report of an armed robbery in the 1700 block of Volga at 2:05 p.m.

The victim reported a knock on the door and at the door found two males wearing hoodies and bandanas at the doorway, according to Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler.

"They asked if a person lived there," he said. "She responded, then they pulled out a gun and told to get on the ground."

She instead closed and locked the door and called the police.

"Officers responded over there and began investigating," Scheibler said. "Patrol began searching the area, with the investigation division, lead by Detective David Gillan."

Due to the closeness of the incident, he said a request was made to Hays High to lock the building to outside visitors, while the school day continued inside.

"I think it's important for the community to know that the school district has a good plan in place. They were able to secure the building and inside the building, you wouldn't notice anything different. But you weren't getting inside that building and I felt good about that. And the patrol division came over there when&nbsp; they released classes at the scheduled time and stood by in the parking lot just to make people feel comfortable.. ... There's a good staff out there and the community should feel good knowing that school district has a good plan in place."

Meanwhile, a delayed report of another burglary was made to the department.

"We got another report of house burglary ... in the 500 block of West 24th St.," Scheibler said.&nbsp; "Officers went over there and learned that earlier in the day, neighbors had heard pounding coming from the house. When they came around the corner they saw two suspects running from the house and saw them get into a silver SUV and drive off."

Arriving officers found the door of that residence had been kicked in, he said.

Investigators determined, the incidents were related.

"Based on the investigation we believe two adults and two juveniles conspired together to go to several locations in town and either steal property from empty houses or rob people of their property," Scheibler said.

Over the weekend, three of the four suspects were arrested on numerous charges, related to the incidents.

Abigail Christine Buchholz, 24, Hays, was&nbsp;arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary aggravated  endangering a child and contributing to a child's misconduct,&nbsp;interference with a law enforcement officer, and other charges.

Ashton R. Herrman, 18, Hays, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, use of a deadly weapon, aggravated burglary, aggravated endangering a child,&nbsp;contributing to a child's misconduct, conspiracy to commit burglary and interference with a law enforcement officer.

One minor was also arrested, and the search is ongoing for the fourth suspect, also believed to be a minor.

"I'm very pleased with the Investigation Division," Scheibler said. "They took it with the limited information that we had and they were able to piece this together and quickly identify four people who were not only prepared, but had committed violent crimes in our community.

"It happened on Saturday, and within 24 hours, some of these people were in jail. We had limited information to go on, So I'm very, very pleased with their work."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637718477690.png" alt="Herrman photo Ellis Co." />
 <figcaption>Herrman photo Ellis Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostAn attempted armed robbery that<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a85cb89d-fdb7-4661-a879-dda6994afc71"> forced Hays High School to be locked down Friday afternoon</a> has led to three arrests, while one juvenile suspect remains at large.Police were first alerted to the situation after the report of an armed robbery in the 1700 block of Volga at 2:05 p.m.The victim reported a knock on the door and at the door found two males wearing hoodies and bandanas at the doorway, according to Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637718358577.png" alt="Buchholz photo Ellis Co." />
 <figcaption>Buchholz photo Ellis Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>"They asked if a person lived there," he said. "She responded, then they pulled out a gun and told to get on the ground."She instead closed and locked the door and called the police."Officers responded over there and began investigating," Scheibler said. "Patrol began searching the area, with the investigation division, lead by Detective David Gillan."Due to the closeness of the incident, he said a request was made to Hays High to lock the building to outside visitors, while the school day continued inside."I think it's important for the community to know that the school district has a good plan in place. They were able to secure the building and inside the building, you wouldn't notice anything different. But you weren't getting inside that building and I felt good about that. And the patrol division came over there when&nbsp; they released classes at the scheduled time and stood by in the parking lot just to make people feel comfortable.. ... There's a good staff out there and the community should feel good knowing that school district has a good plan in place."Meanwhile, a delayed report of another burglary was made to the department."We got another report of house burglary ... in the 500 block of West 24th St.," Scheibler said.&nbsp; "Officers went over there and learned that earlier in the day, neighbors had heard pounding coming from the house. When they came around the corner they saw two suspects running from the house and saw them get into a silver SUV and drive off."Arriving officers found the door of that residence had been kicked in, he said.Investigators determined, the incidents were related."Based on the investigation we believe two adults and two juveniles conspired together to go to several locations in town and either steal property from empty houses or rob people of their property," Scheibler said.Over the weekend, three of the four suspects were arrested on numerous charges, related to the incidents.Abigail Christine Buchholz, 24, Hays, was&nbsp;arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary aggravated endangering a child and contributing to a child's misconduct,&nbsp;interference with a law enforcement officer, and other charges.Ashton R. Herrman, 18, Hays, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, use of a deadly weapon, aggravated burglary, aggravated endangering a child,&nbsp;contributing to a child's misconduct, conspiracy to commit burglary and interference with a law enforcement officer.One minor was also arrested, and the search is ongoing for the fourth suspect, also believed to be a minor."I'm very pleased with the Investigation Division," Scheibler said. "They took it with the limited information that we had and they were able to piece this together and quickly identify four people who were not only prepared, but had committed violent crimes in our community."It happened on Saturday, and within 24 hours, some of these people were in jail. We had limited information to go on, So I'm very, very pleased with their work."

HPD: Attempted armed robbery Friday in Hays leads to three arrests

<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="Chamber Cheques help keep gifts local" 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=xx7ka-113c157-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>

🎙Post Podcast: Chamber Cheques help keep gifts local

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

The historic 
Christmas light display on the water tower in Larned will be lit on 
Thanksgiving night for the first time in several years. For decades, the
 lights gave an appearance of a royal crown high above the town during 
the holiday season.&nbsp;

According to Larned Mayor William Nusser, the display was discontinued because it could no longer be maintained safely.&nbsp;

A
 campaign to raise $95,000 to restore the display began earlier this 
year. It reached $110,000 after a matching $30,000 donation from the 
Glen and Elaine Mull Family Fund at the Golden Belt Community 
Foundation. Glen and Elaine and two other members of their family died 
in a plane crash in 2014.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Glen Mull's father Keith will light 
the display with a symbolic switch at 7 p.m. Mayor Nusser explains why 
Keith's participation is so important to the Mull family.&nbsp;

"His 
house was right across the street from the water tower," Nusser noted. 
"So&nbsp;when he lived there and family would come over for Christmas and 
holidays, he would tell the grandkids he controlled the lights on the 
water tower."&nbsp;

The mayor says the new lights are LED and should be
 significantly brighter than the lights in the original display. He also
 says a number of activities will take place before and after the 
lighting.&nbsp;

"We've booked a live reindeer, there's a DJ, 
barrel-train," Nusser reported. "We'll have Santa and the Santa House 
there. We're going to do Christmas&nbsp;caroling, hot chocolate/cocoa."&nbsp;

Attendees will gather near Moffett Stadium. The celebration will last from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637677154575.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KEN CARPENTER <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>The historic 
Christmas light display on the water tower in Larned will be lit on 
Thanksgiving night for the first time in several years. For decades, the
 lights gave an appearance of a royal crown high above the town during 
the holiday season.&nbsp;According to Larned Mayor William Nusser, the display was discontinued because it could no longer be maintained safely.&nbsp;A
 campaign to raise $95,000 to restore the display began earlier this 
year. It reached $110,000 after a matching $30,000 donation from the 
Glen and Elaine Mull Family Fund at the Golden Belt Community 
Foundation. Glen and Elaine and two other members of their family died 
in a plane crash in 2014.&nbsp;&nbsp;Glen Mull's father Keith will light 
the display with a symbolic switch at 7 p.m. Mayor Nusser explains why 
Keith's participation is so important to the Mull family.&nbsp;"His 
house was right across the street from the water tower," Nusser noted. 
"So&nbsp;when he lived there and family would come over for Christmas and 
holidays, he would tell the grandkids he controlled the lights on the 
water tower."&nbsp;The mayor says the new lights are LED and should be
 significantly brighter than the lights in the original display. He also
 says a number of activities will take place before and after the 
lighting.&nbsp;"We've booked a live reindeer, there's a DJ, 
barrel-train," Nusser reported. "We'll have Santa and the Santa House 
there. We're going to do Christmas&nbsp;caroling, hot chocolate/cocoa."&nbsp;Attendees will gather near Moffett Stadium. The celebration will last from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.&nbsp;

Historic Christmas lights return to Larned on Thanksgiving

🎥🏀 Watch This Week's Tiger Talk

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 school board approved an Early Childhood Connections policy that will require all employees and volunteers in the program to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

ECC receives federal funds and falls under the federal mandate to have employees vaccinated. The vaccination requirement applies only to Early Childhood Connections.

Donna Hudson-Hamilton, ECC director, told the school board Monday, the Head Start program would be in danger of losing funds if it did not comply with the federal mandate.

The policy will affect about 90 people. About 54 percent of the staff has been vaccinated.

"We really want to move on this and get it out," Hudson-Hamilton said of the policy. "This has weighed on them tremendously. We want something for them to review and fall back on."

Hudson-Hamilton said litigation surrounding the federal vaccine mandate is ongoing across the country, and the outcome of that litigation could affect the ECC policy moving forward.

However, she said she felt the ECC staff needed guidance.

The policy requires all staff, including teachers, program staff, bus drivers, administrative staff, substitute teachers, school nurses, temporary staff and volunteers to be vaccinated.

Those staff and volunteers will be required to be fully vaccinated by Jan. 1. This means two weeks after the second shot of a Moderna or Pfzier vaccine or two weeks after a single dose of the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine. Proof of vaccination will be required.

Exemptions will be allowed for religious or medical reasons. Individuals will not be able to test in lieu of vaccination.

Hudson-Hamilton said the ECC does not intend to require regular testing, masks or other mitigation measures for those who receive exemptions unless they are otherwise required in the community or district-wide.

Failure to receive a vaccination or exemption can lead to disciplinary action up to dismissal, according to the policy.

Employees who know they won't comply are urged to notify they're superiors. Reassignment may be an option.

"We don’t want to risk losing federal dollars," Tammy Wellbrock, board president, said. "We don’t have money to do this program ..."

The policy passed on a vote of 6-1 with Allen Park voting against. 

Newly elected school board member Curt Vajnar was appointed at the beginning of the meeting to fill a vacant seat. He voted to approve the policy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637639473262.jpg" alt="Photo courtesy of Pixaby " />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Pixaby </figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays USD 489 school board approved an Early Childhood Connections policy that will require all employees and volunteers in the program to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.ECC receives federal funds and falls under the federal mandate to have employees vaccinated. The vaccination requirement applies only to Early Childhood Connections.Donna Hudson-Hamilton, ECC director, told the school board Monday, the Head Start program would be in danger of losing funds if it did not comply with the federal mandate.The policy will affect about 90 people. About 54 percent of the staff has been vaccinated. "We really want to move on this and get it out," Hudson-Hamilton said of the policy. "This has weighed on them tremendously. We want something for them to review and fall back on."Hudson-Hamilton said litigation surrounding the federal vaccine mandate is ongoing across the country, and the outcome of that litigation could affect the ECC policy moving forward.However, she said she felt the ECC staff needed guidance.The policy requires all staff, including teachers, program staff, bus drivers, administrative staff, substitute teachers, school nurses, temporary staff and volunteers to be vaccinated.Those staff and volunteers will be required to be fully vaccinated by Jan. 1. This means two weeks after the second shot of a Moderna or Pfzier vaccine or two weeks after a single dose of the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine. Proof of vaccination will be required.Exemptions will be allowed for religious or medical reasons. Individuals will not be able to test in lieu of vaccination. Hudson-Hamilton said the ECC does not intend to require regular testing, masks or other mitigation measures for those who receive exemptions unless they are otherwise required in the community or district-wide.Failure to receive a vaccination or exemption can lead to disciplinary action up to dismissal, according to the policy.Employees who know they won't comply are urged to notify they're superiors. Reassignment may be an option. "We don’t want to risk losing federal dollars," Tammy Wellbrock, board president, said. "We don’t have money to do this program ..." The policy passed on a vote of 6-1 with Allen Park voting against. Newly elected school board member Curt Vajnar was appointed at the beginning of the meeting to fill a vacant seat. He voted to approve the policy.

Early Childhood Connections will require staff vaccinations per fed mandate

The results are in, and Meagan Zampieri-Lillpopp has retained her five-vote lead in the Hays USD 489 school board race to take a seat on the board.

The vote count remained the same after a recount on Friday. Curt Vajnar was the top vote-getter. Ken Brooks was the No. 2 vote-getter, and Meagan Zampieri-Lillpopp placed third. Only the top three candidates take seats on the board.

Cathy Hopkins placed fourth by five votes and requested a recount last week.

 The election were certified by the canvass board Monday morning.

Party representatives took turns feeding single ballots through the ballot scanner during the recount. Representatives of both Hopkins and Zampieri-Lillpopp were present during most of the recount process.

Both candidates said the recount went smoothly.

"It just goes to show you that every vote counts," Hopkins said.

She added she plans to continue to attend school board meetings and advocate for parental choice in student's health care decisions, as well as for board transparency.

"We want to be very proactive and encourage all parents to stay engaged and watchful," she said. 

Zampieri-Lillpopp said transparency will be important to rebuilding the community's trust of the school board. As she takes her seat, she said she will turn her attention toward the school district's work on a bond issues.

She said she looks forward to working with the other newly elected school board members.

"I think everyone on the board has the kids as the highest priority level," she said. "I think it's a great group of individuals."

All three candidates are new to the board and will begin their four-year terms in January. The board had discussed before the election their desire to have the top vote-getter to take his seat early because there is a vacancy on the board.

Vajnar was appointed to that vacant seat and served Monday night at the school board meeting.

Vajnar, Brooks and Zampieri-Lillpopp join existing board members Tammy Wellbrock, Craig Pallister, Lori Hertel and Allen Park.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe results are in, and Meagan Zampieri-Lillpopp has retained her five-vote lead in the Hays USD 489 school board race to take a seat on the board.The vote count remained the same after a recount on Friday. Curt Vajnar was the top vote-getter. Ken Brooks was the No. 2 vote-getter, and Meagan Zampieri-Lillpopp placed third. Only the top three candidates take seats on the board.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633100159398.jpeg" alt="Zampieri-Lillpopp" />
 <figcaption>Zampieri-Lillpopp</figcaption>
 </figure>Cathy Hopkins placed fourth by five votes and requested a recount last week. The election were certified by the canvass board Monday morning.Party representatives took turns feeding single ballots through the ballot scanner during the recount. Representatives of both Hopkins and Zampieri-Lillpopp were present during most of the recount process.Both candidates said the recount went smoothly."It just goes to show you that every vote counts," Hopkins said.She added she plans to continue to attend school board meetings and advocate for parental choice in student's health care decisions, as well as for board transparency."We want to be very proactive and encourage all parents to stay engaged and watchful," she said. Zampieri-Lillpopp said transparency will be important to rebuilding the community's trust of the school board. As she takes her seat, she said she will turn her attention toward the school district's work on a bond issues.She said she looks forward to working with the other newly elected school board members."I think everyone on the board has the kids as the highest priority level," she said. "I think it's a great group of individuals." All three candidates are new to the board and will begin their four-year terms in January. The board had discussed before the election their desire to have the top vote-getter to take his seat early because there is a vacancy on the board.Vajnar was appointed to that vacant seat and served Monday night at the school board meeting. Vajnar, Brooks and Zampieri-Lillpopp join existing board members Tammy Wellbrock, Craig Pallister, Lori Hertel and Allen Park.

Zampieri-Lillpopp holds on to lead after recount to take Hays USD 489 seat

Tradehomes Shoes of Hays will donate 240 packs of socks to the First Call for Help through a buy-a-pair, give-a-pair program.

The store, which is in Big Creek Crossing, donated a pair of socks for every pair sold in the store since March.

The program is ongoing, said Christopher Huntley, manager said.

"This is not just we're donating," he said. "This is what the city of Hays is donating and thinks of First Call for Help."

Some shoppers did not need socks, but bought socks and donated them to the project, Huntley said.

Linda Mills, First Call for Help executive director, said the center does receive requests for socks. First Call did not have any adult-sized socks available until the donation Thursday.

New socks is among one of the most requested items among the homeless population, Mills said.

The store hopes to start up another giving program involving shoe protectant. For every container sold, a portion of the proceeds will go to purchase shoes for needy children in Hays.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637273548501.jpeg" alt="Christopher Huntley, Tradehomes Shoe manager, presents Linda Mills, executive director of First Call for Help with donated socks. " />
 <figcaption>Christopher Huntley, Tradehomes Shoe manager, presents Linda Mills, executive director of First Call for Help with donated socks. </figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostTradehomes Shoes of Hays will donate 240 packs of socks to the First Call for Help through a buy-a-pair, give-a-pair program. The store, which is in Big Creek Crossing, donated a pair of socks for every pair sold in the store since March.The program is ongoing, said Christopher Huntley, manager said."This is not just we're donating," he said. "This is what the city of Hays is donating and thinks of First Call for Help."Some shoppers did not need socks, but bought socks and donated them to the project, Huntley said. Linda Mills, First Call for Help executive director, said the center does receive requests for socks. First Call did not have any adult-sized socks available until the donation Thursday.New socks is among one of the most requested items among the homeless population, Mills said. The store hopes to start up another giving program involving shoe protectant. For every container sold, a portion of the proceeds will go to purchase shoes for needy children in Hays.&nbsp;

Tradehomes donates socks to First Call for Help

By JOHN P. TRETBAR Crude prices dropped 4 percent to six-week lows Friday on the heels of new COVID-19 lockdowns in Europe paired with expected production increases. Prices have dropped for a fourth consecutive week, the longest losing streak since March of last year. Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson starts the week at $66.25 per barrel after dropping $3 per barrel on Friday. Kansas prices are down $8 from the first of the month, but are more than $27 higher than at the first of the year, and more than $34 higher than a year ago. The December benchmark crude contract on the Nymex expired Friday and settled at $76.10 per barrel, down nearly $3 on the day and a four-dollar decline for the week. The January contract settled Friday at $75.94 per barrel. By lunchtime Monday, prices recovered somewhat from Friday's freefall, with the near-month contract up 89 cents from the open at $76.83 per barrel. Reuters reported OPEC+ could adjust its plans to raise oil production if large consuming countries release crude from their reserves or if the coronavirus pandemic dampens demand. Bloomberg reported the U.S. is considering a release of more than 35 million barrels over time, in tandem with releases in Japan, India and possibly other countries. An announcement was expected as soon as Tuesday. The Rig Count in eastern Kansas is up one to 14 active drilling rigs . Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service says the count west of Wichita was unchanged at 27 rigs either scheduled, moving to, or currently on drill sites. Operators are spudding wells in Barton, Ellis and Stafford counties, and they were preparing to spud a new one in Russell County. Baker Hughes reports a spike in horizontal drilling, with 563 active rigs nationwide, a net increase of seven oil rigs. The count in Texas was up seven and New Mexico was up two. Based on spudded wells, drilling activity in Kansas is up more than 80% over last year at this time, with a 39 percent increase in the number of active operators in the state. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports operators in eastern Kansas completed 19 new wells last week, and Western Kansas checks in with 11. That brings the year-to-date total to 808 new completions compared to 732 at this time last year. Kansas Regulators okayed 44 new drilling locations across the state last week, 26 east of Wichita and 18 in Western Kansas, including one in Barton County, two in Ellis county, one in Russell county and one in Stafford County. That's 1,035 new drilling permits so far this year, compared to 412 by this time last year. The auto club Triple-A reported a slight dip in the national average gasoline price. This month the national average has fallen on nine different days, after rising steadily on each of the previous 31 days. On Thursday motorists across the country were paying just over $3.41 per gallon. That's down three tenths of a cent on the week and nearly nine cents lower than a month ago. The average across the Sunflower state is just over $3.09. That's the going price across most of Great Bend and Hays, but if you shop around you can save a nickel a gallon. Filling up a 15-gallon tank will cost you nearly twenty dollars more than it did a year ago. There's no help on the supply-side for U.S. gasoline prices. The government reported U.S. gasoline inventories dropped 700,000 barrels per day last week and are about four percent below the five-year average for this time of year. U.S. crude-oil inventories dropped by more than two million barrels to 433 million. The latest weekly tally is about seven percent below the five-year average for this time of year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. EIA reports U.S. crude production dipped last week by more than 100,000 barrels per day to just over 11.4 million. That's still half a million barrels per day better than a year ago at this time. Domestic crude imports last week rose 83,000 barrels per day over the week before. The four-week average is about 15% higher than average imports during the same four weeks last year. At 10,135 carloads, U.S. oil-by-rail shipments are up 126 tankers over a week ago, but down 5.5% compared to a year ago. The Association of American Railroads says Canadian traffic is up nearly six hundred carloads from a week ago and 5.7% higher than the same week a year ago. Some U.S. lawmakers are seizing on the energy price surge to revive the long-standing "NOPEC" bill.&nbsp; The legislation would subject the OPEC oil cartel to the same antitrust laws used more than century ago to break up Standard Oil’s monopoly. The “No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act” -- known as NOPEC -- would allow the U.S. government to sue members of the cartel, potentially seeking billions of dollars in reparations. The legislation has faced opposition from the State Department in the past. But the House Judiciary Committee did approve the latest version by a voice vote in April. A Senate version has attracted sponsors from across the political spectrum, from Iowa’s conservative Republican Chuck Grassley to Vermont’s liberal Democrat Patrick Leahy. No floor votes have been scheduled. A new government report paints a rosy picture of the near-term and long-term future of solar power generation, which experts predict will cut into the market share in the patch. The Energy Information Administration says solar accounted for three percent of U.S. electricity generation last year. This includes both small scale and utility-scale generation. An EIA forecast predicts that share will grow to four percent this year and five percent next year. The report says that, assuming no change in current law, solar will reach 14% of total U.S. power generation by 2035, and 20% by the year 2050. A tale of two countries could soon become a tale of two companies, as the world's fourth-largest energy producer pulls up roots and over a century of tradition. Royal Dutch Shell is leaving the Netherlands and dropping the "Royal Dutch" from its name. They're moving from The Hague to London, and will soon be known officially as, simply, "Shell." An activist investor wants to split Shell in two, to attract green investors. The company's defense includes a major overhaul of its legal and tax structure. According to Bloomberg News, the Dutch government immediately said it was “unpleasantly surprised” by the announcement. Officials in the UK hailed what it called Shell's faith in the British economy. Oil output in the Permian Basin is projected to hit a record in December as the largest U.S. shale patch ramps up output from its Covid-19 induced slump. A government forecast predicts Permian production will increase to 4.95 million barrels per day next month, beating the record set in March 2020. The United States' number-three crude producing state is increasing production while taking record strides to limit natural gas flaring. In a dramatic change from ten years ago, when burning natural gas across North Dakota was visible from space, the state's gas-capture rate fell to 93% in September, their best monthly tally ever. A trade group credited much of the improvement to the $20 billion they've invested in new natural gas gathering and processing infrastructure. The state's Department of Mineral Resources last week also announced statewide crude-oil production rose to over 1.1 million barrels per day, an increase of a little over 6,000 barrels per day over the month before.

By JOHN P. TRETBAR Crude prices dropped 4 percent to six-week lows Friday on the heels of new COVID-19 lockdowns in Europe paired with expected production increases. Prices have dropped for a fourth consecutive week, the longest losing streak since March of last year. Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson starts the week at $66.25 per barrel after dropping $3 per barrel on Friday. Kansas prices are down $8 from the first of the month, but are more than $27 higher than at the first of the year, and more than $34 higher than a year ago. The December benchmark crude contract on the Nymex expired Friday and settled at $76.10 per barrel, down nearly $3 on the day and a four-dollar decline for the week. The January contract settled Friday at $75.94 per barrel. By lunchtime Monday, prices recovered somewhat from Friday's freefall, with the near-month contract up 89 cents from the open at $76.83 per barrel. Reuters reported OPEC+ could adjust its plans to raise oil production if large consuming countries release crude from their reserves or if the coronavirus pandemic dampens demand. Bloomberg reported the U.S. is considering a release of more than 35 million barrels over time, in tandem with releases in Japan, India and possibly other countries. An announcement was expected as soon as Tuesday. The Rig Count in eastern Kansas is up one to 14 active drilling rigs . Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service says the count west of Wichita was unchanged at 27 rigs either scheduled, moving to, or currently on drill sites. Operators are spudding wells in Barton, Ellis and Stafford counties, and they were preparing to spud a new one in Russell County. Baker Hughes reports a spike in horizontal drilling, with 563 active rigs nationwide, a net increase of seven oil rigs. The count in Texas was up seven and New Mexico was up two. Based on spudded wells, drilling activity in Kansas is up more than 80% over last year at this time, with a 39 percent increase in the number of active operators in the state. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports operators in eastern Kansas completed 19 new wells last week, and Western Kansas checks in with 11. That brings the year-to-date total to 808 new completions compared to 732 at this time last year. Kansas Regulators okayed 44 new drilling locations across the state last week, 26 east of Wichita and 18 in Western Kansas, including one in Barton County, two in Ellis county, one in Russell county and one in Stafford County. That's 1,035 new drilling permits so far this year, compared to 412 by this time last year. The auto club Triple-A reported a slight dip in the national average gasoline price. This month the national average has fallen on nine different days, after rising steadily on each of the previous 31 days. On Thursday motorists across the country were paying just over $3.41 per gallon. That's down three tenths of a cent on the week and nearly nine cents lower than a month ago. The average across the Sunflower state is just over $3.09. That's the going price across most of Great Bend and Hays, but if you shop around you can save a nickel a gallon. Filling up a 15-gallon tank will cost you nearly twenty dollars more than it did a year ago. There's no help on the supply-side for U.S. gasoline prices. The government reported U.S. gasoline inventories dropped 700,000 barrels per day last week and are about four percent below the five-year average for this time of year. U.S. crude-oil inventories dropped by more than two million barrels to 433 million. The latest weekly tally is about seven percent below the five-year average for this time of year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. EIA reports U.S. crude production dipped last week by more than 100,000 barrels per day to just over 11.4 million. That's still half a million barrels per day better than a year ago at this time. Domestic crude imports last week rose 83,000 barrels per day over the week before. The four-week average is about 15% higher than average imports during the same four weeks last year. At 10,135 carloads, U.S. oil-by-rail shipments are up 126 tankers over a week ago, but down 5.5% compared to a year ago. The Association of American Railroads says Canadian traffic is up nearly six hundred carloads from a week ago and 5.7% higher than the same week a year ago. Some U.S. lawmakers are seizing on the energy price surge to revive the long-standing "NOPEC" bill.&nbsp; The legislation would subject the OPEC oil cartel to the same antitrust laws used more than century ago to break up Standard Oil’s monopoly. The “No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act” -- known as NOPEC -- would allow the U.S. government to sue members of the cartel, potentially seeking billions of dollars in reparations. The legislation has faced opposition from the State Department in the past. But the House Judiciary Committee did approve the latest version by a voice vote in April. A Senate version has attracted sponsors from across the political spectrum, from Iowa’s conservative Republican Chuck Grassley to Vermont’s liberal Democrat Patrick Leahy. No floor votes have been scheduled. A new government report paints a rosy picture of the near-term and long-term future of solar power generation, which experts predict will cut into the market share in the patch. The Energy Information Administration says solar accounted for three percent of U.S. electricity generation last year. This includes both small scale and utility-scale generation. An EIA forecast predicts that share will grow to four percent this year and five percent next year. The report says that, assuming no change in current law, solar will reach 14% of total U.S. power generation by 2035, and 20% by the year 2050. A tale of two countries could soon become a tale of two companies, as the world's fourth-largest energy producer pulls up roots and over a century of tradition. Royal Dutch Shell is leaving the Netherlands and dropping the "Royal Dutch" from its name. They're moving from The Hague to London, and will soon be known officially as, simply, "Shell." An activist investor wants to split Shell in two, to attract green investors. The company's defense includes a major overhaul of its legal and tax structure. According to Bloomberg News, the Dutch government immediately said it was “unpleasantly surprised” by the announcement. Officials in the UK hailed what it called Shell's faith in the British economy. Oil output in the Permian Basin is projected to hit a record in December as the largest U.S. shale patch ramps up output from its Covid-19 induced slump. A government forecast predicts Permian production will increase to 4.95 million barrels per day next month, beating the record set in March 2020. The United States' number-three crude producing state is increasing production while taking record strides to limit natural gas flaring. In a dramatic change from ten years ago, when burning natural gas across North Dakota was visible from space, the state's gas-capture rate fell to 93% in September, their best monthly tally ever. A trade group credited much of the improvement to the $20 billion they've invested in new natural gas gathering and processing infrastructure. The state's Department of Mineral Resources last week also announced statewide crude-oil production rose to over 1.1 million barrels per day, an increase of a little over 6,000 barrels per day over the month before.

News From the Oil Patch: Crude prices plunge

At 4 p.m. Tuesday, area leaders and members of the Fort Hays State University are set to gather to formally accept a $1.25 million grant from the Department of Justice that will be used to continue the mission of the regional De-escalation Training Center.

President Tisa Mason said U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., who helped guide the grant to fruition will be on hand as the school officially accepts the grant.

"Senator Moran was very instrumental in facilitating the awarding of this grant," Mason said. "So we're excited we're going to have on campus to celebrate his efforts and our ability to move forward."

She said his efforts to secure the funding began after a conversation on campus in August 2020 after discussing the center.

“As the lead Republican appropriator for the Department of Justice, I work to make certain law enforcement have the tools and resources necessary to keep our communities safe,” Moran said. “I am pleased this federal grant will support the establishment of a regional training center in Hays for law enforcement across the Midwest to learn and develop the skills necessary to effectively and appropriately de-escalate challenging and dangerous situations they encounter in the field.”

&nbsp;"And we're a part of a national network that is definitely working on
education to provide both in-person and online, law enforcement professionals
with some new skills in their toolkit and techniques to defuse potentially
dangerous situations, which we know happens all the time," Mason said. "And not just with law enforcement, it happens in all of our lives. And so
these are really, you know, great skills. And we're really excited about that."

The training at the center places the university at the forefront of this vital law enforcement training initiative, according to FHSU.

“This award will allow the regional training centers to provide advanced de-escalation training to law enforcement across the U.S. at little to no cost,” said&nbsp;Tamara Lynn, department chair and an associate professor, who serves as president of the center's executive council that is responsible for coordinating all regional training centers.

FHSU Police Chief Ed Howell, who serves as co-director of the Fort Hays State’s regional training center along with Lynn, said the tools developed at the center blends well with other law enforcement training.

“This de-escalation model expands the police officers’ tool kit to interact with the people they serve and defuse potential situations that otherwise may escalate in the use of force,” Howell said. “This model does not take the place of other proven crisis intervention models. It seamlessly supplements other proven models of intervention and de-escalation.”

The event is slated to be hosted in the recently opened Fischli-Wills Center for Student Sucess.

"It's fun
to have it there too because it's about success," Mason said. "That's a building about
student success. And this is about a world of success."

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1d5fee93-82fe-455d-923e-b260bac99307">For more about the grant, click here.</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/08267845-c808-4292-84f3-7e596ea367ea">For more about the center, click here.</a>

<div><iframe title="FHSU set to celebrate veterans during Military Appreciation Week" 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=iere8-11238ce-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 JAMES BELL Hays PostAt 4 p.m. Tuesday, area leaders and members of the Fort Hays State University are set to gather to formally accept a $1.25 million grant from the Department of Justice that will be used to continue the mission of the regional De-escalation Training Center.President Tisa Mason said U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., who helped guide the grant to fruition will be on hand as the school officially accepts the grant."Senator Moran was very instrumental in facilitating the awarding of this grant," Mason said. "So we're excited we're going to have on campus to celebrate his efforts and our ability to move forward."She said his efforts to secure the funding began after a conversation on campus in August 2020 after discussing the center.“As the lead Republican appropriator for the Department of Justice, I work to make certain law enforcement have the tools and resources necessary to keep our communities safe,” Moran said. “I am pleased this federal grant will support the establishment of a regional training center in Hays for law enforcement across the Midwest to learn and develop the skills necessary to effectively and appropriately de-escalate challenging and dangerous situations they encounter in the field.”&nbsp;"And we're a part of a national network that is definitely working on
education to provide both in-person and online, law enforcement professionals
with some new skills in their toolkit and techniques to defuse potentially
dangerous situations, which we know happens all the time," Mason said. "And not just with law enforcement, it happens in all of our lives. And so
these are really, you know, great skills. And we're really excited about that."The training at the center places the university at the forefront of this vital law enforcement training initiative, according to FHSU.“This award will allow the regional training centers to provide advanced de-escalation training to law enforcement across the U.S. at little to no cost,” said&nbsp;Tamara Lynn, department chair and an associate professor, who serves as president of the center's executive council that is responsible for coordinating all regional training centers.FHSU Police Chief Ed Howell, who serves as co-director of the Fort Hays State’s regional training center along with Lynn, said the tools developed at the center blends well with other law enforcement training.“This de-escalation model expands the police officers’ tool kit to interact with the people they serve and defuse potential situations that otherwise may escalate in the use of force,” Howell said. “This model does not take the place of other proven crisis intervention models. It seamlessly supplements other proven models of intervention and de-escalation.”The event is slated to be hosted in the recently opened Fischli-Wills Center for Student Sucess."It's fun
to have it there too because it's about success," Mason said. "That's a building about
student success. And this is about a world of success."<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1d5fee93-82fe-455d-923e-b260bac99307">For more about the grant, click here.</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/08267845-c808-4292-84f3-7e596ea367ea">For more about the center, click here.</a>

🎙FHSU to celebrate de-escalation center grant

Three-day weather outlook

ELLIS — During a special meeting at Monday night, the Ellis City Council named an interim police chief following the immediate resignation of Chief Christopher Krom.

After the meeting was opened, the council moved into a 10-minute executive session.

Following the session, the resignation was announced by Ellis Mayor&nbsp;David McDaniel.

Currently, two full-time officers remain with the department, including the newly appointed interim chief Sgt.&nbsp;Avery Smith.

Smith was unanimously appointed by the council.

The department has been filling shifts with part-time officers from other area law enforcement agencies as the search for full-time officers was ongoing.

After the completion of another executive session, the council approved the authorization of the mayor to create a hiring committee and approved the creation of advertising for the position.

Those measures were also passed unanimously by the board.

By JAMES BELL Hays PostELLIS — During a special meeting at Monday night, the Ellis City Council named an interim police chief following the immediate resignation of Chief Christopher Krom.After the meeting was opened, the council moved into a 10-minute executive session.Following the session, the resignation was announced by Ellis Mayor&nbsp;David McDaniel.Krom was not present at the meeting.Currently, two full-time officers remain with the department, including the newly appointed interim chief Sgt.&nbsp;Avery Smith.Smith was unanimously appointed by the council.The department has been filling shifts with part-time officers from other area law enforcement agencies as the search for full-time officers was ongoing.After the completion of another executive session, the council approved the authorization of the mayor to create a hiring committee and approved the creation of advertising for the position.Those measures were also passed unanimously by the board.

Ellis Police chief resigns, interim named

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

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

The KDHE also revised the coronavirus-related death total to 75, down one.

As of Monday morning, HaysMed reported 18 COVID-19 inpatients.

The KDHE reported Friday 53 percent of eligible Ellis County residents are fully vaccinated, noting the vaccination rate for the eligible Kansas population (12 and older) is approximately 64 percent.

Since reporting began, there have been 4,789 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 75 coronavirus-related deaths.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637603879214.png" alt="KDHE" />
 <figcaption>KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Monday reported 19 new COVID-19 cases in Ellis County had been identified since Friday.<a href="https://www.ellisco.net/97/Health">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;for information on how to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.&nbsp;The KDHE also revised the coronavirus-related death total to 75, down one.As of Monday morning, HaysMed reported 18 COVID-19 inpatients.The KDHE reported Friday 53 percent of eligible Ellis County residents are fully vaccinated, noting the vaccination rate for the eligible Kansas population (12 and older) is approximately 64 percent.Since reporting began, there have been 4,789 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 75 coronavirus-related deaths.

KDHE: 19 new COVID cases in Ellis Co. since Friday

City of Hays offices will be closed on Thursday, November 25 and Friday, November 26 in celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584473406560.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>City of HaysCity of Hays offices will be closed on Thursday, November 25 and Friday, November 26 in celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday.

City offices closed Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving holiday

An earthquake was recorded early Monday morning in central Rooks County, according to the Kansas Geological Survey.

The 3.2-magnitude quake was observed at 1:32 a.m. Monday just west of U.S. 183.

An earthquake was recorded early Monday morning in central Rooks County, according to the Kansas Geological Survey.The 3.2-magnitude quake was observed at 1:32 a.m. Monday just west of U.S. 183.

3.2-magnitude quake detected in Rooks County

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Ryan Hoag knew there was about to be more fun when a large group of his family members recently walked quietly into the Rose Garden Banquet Hall&nbsp; just as the party for Hays Special Olympians got started.

Hoag's family was there for a surprise announcement from two surprise guests.

Jason Jordan, the new programs and activities director for the Arc of Central Plains, introduced Brent Kaiser to the crowd. Kaiser held the same position for several years and recently accepted the position of&nbsp;

development and sports coordinator at Special Olympics Kansas.

Kaiser brought Hoag up to the microphone at the front of the room and told him he had been inducted into the Kansas Special Olympics Hall of Fame.

Hoag has been been a distance runner for several years in Special Olympics. Just he and one other athlete competed in the 1500M and 3000M in his first competition. The next year, both races were filled with athletes who had been inspired by Hoag's enthusiasm and dedication to the sport.

Kaiser said Hoag is passionate and "has been a catalyst for reviving distance running in Special Olympics Kansas."

Another surprise came when Kansas Special Olympics President and CEO John Lair, Shawnee, presented the induction trophy to Hoag.&nbsp;

Lair told Hoag it was a "very, very special award and honor with less than 200 athletes in the hall of fame."

Lair also had praise for the entire Hays Special Olympics program.

"Everybody does so much out here, so I wanted to make sure I was here to congratulate Ryan."

"I joined Special Olympics 23-24 years ago, loved every minute of it," Hoag said, also thanking his friends and family and those who have helped him along the way.

After the ceremony, Hoag talked about the importance of staying fit.

"You have to run and eat healthy foods," Hoag said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Noalee&nbsp;McDonald-Augustine is one of Hoag's coaches who has run other races with him.

"Ryan is such a great example and a mentor to other athletes," she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637548848257.jpeg" alt="Ryan Hoag, Hays, (center right in turquoise T-shirt) poses with family members after being surprised Nov. 17 by his induction into the Kansas Special Olympics Hall of Fame." />
 <figcaption>Ryan Hoag, Hays, (center right in turquoise T-shirt) poses with family members after being surprised Nov. 17 by his induction into the Kansas Special Olympics Hall of Fame.</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostA pizza party with bingo is always fun.Ryan Hoag knew there was about to be more fun when a large group of his family members recently walked quietly into the Rose Garden Banquet Hall&nbsp; just as the party for Hays Special Olympians got started.Hoag's family was there for a surprise announcement from two surprise guests.Jason Jordan, the new programs and activities director for the Arc of Central Plains, introduced Brent Kaiser to the crowd. Kaiser held the same position for several years and recently accepted the position of&nbsp;

development and sports coordinator at Special Olympics Kansas.Kaiser brought Hoag up to the microphone at the front of the room and told him he had been inducted into the Kansas Special Olympics Hall of Fame.Hoag has been been a distance runner for several years in Special Olympics. Just he and one other athlete competed in the 1500M and 3000M in his first competition. The next year, both races were filled with athletes who had been inspired by Hoag's enthusiasm and dedication to the sport.Kaiser said Hoag is passionate and "has been a catalyst for reviving distance running in Special Olympics Kansas."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637552932381.jpeg" alt="The trophy representing the recent induction of&nbsp; Ryan Hoag, Hays, into the Special Olympics Kansas Hall of Fame. Fewer than 200 people have been so honored." />
 <figcaption>The trophy representing the recent induction of&nbsp; Ryan Hoag, Hays, into the Special Olympics Kansas Hall of Fame. Fewer than 200 people have been so honored.</figcaption>
 </figure>Another surprise came when Kansas Special Olympics President and CEO John Lair, Shawnee, presented the induction trophy to Hoag.&nbsp;Lair told Hoag it was a "very, very special award and honor with less than 200 athletes in the hall of fame."Lair also had praise for the entire Hays Special Olympics program."Everybody does so much out here, so I wanted to make sure I was here to congratulate Ryan.""I joined Special Olympics 23-24 years ago, loved every minute of it," Hoag said, also thanking his friends and family and those who have helped him along the way.After the ceremony, Hoag talked about the importance of staying fit."You have to run and eat healthy foods," Hoag said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Noalee&nbsp;McDonald-Augustine is one of Hoag's coaches who has run other races with him."Ryan is such a great example and a mentor to other athletes," she said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637586870936.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Hays athlete inducted into Kansas Special Olympics Hall of Fame

TOPEKA — To reaffirm her administration’s support for local organizations engaged in efforts to increase COVID-19 vaccinations, Governor Laura Kelly last week announced the first round of Pandemic Assistance and Vaccine Equity Grants funding.

“The first round of PAVE grant funds will help our local organizations support their communities to beat this virus once and for all,” Kelly said.“Local organizations know their constituents the best, and my administration is committed to supporting their efforts to increase vaccinations, keep our businesses open, and ensure every Kansan stays safe and healthy.”

The Graham County-based Kansas Black Farmers Association was among the grant recipients.

This program is specifically dedicated to reaching high-risk communities disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including underserved populations such as racial and ethnic minorities and rural communities.&nbsp; The 10 organizations receiving these funds will reach communities across the state to help increase the rate of COVID-19 vaccinations.

These organizations will use funds to provide COVID-19 vaccine education and resources to Hispanic and Black populations, limited English speaking persons, older adults, long-term care facilities, foster parents, single mothers, persons with disabilities, schools, and rural communities. The grant will also fund transportation to vaccination sites and social media messaging and radio ads regarding the importance of vaccination.

A list of first round recipients can be found below:

Office of the GovernorTOPEKA — To reaffirm her administration’s support for local organizations engaged in efforts to increase COVID-19 vaccinations, Governor Laura Kelly last week announced the first round of Pandemic Assistance and Vaccine Equity Grants funding.“The first round of PAVE grant funds will help our local organizations support their communities to beat this virus once and for all,” Kelly said.“Local organizations know their constituents the best, and my administration is committed to supporting their efforts to increase vaccinations, keep our businesses open, and ensure every Kansan stays safe and healthy.”The Graham County-based Kansas Black Farmers Association was among the grant recipients.This program is specifically dedicated to reaching high-risk communities disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including underserved populations such as racial and ethnic minorities and rural communities.&nbsp; The 10 organizations receiving these funds will reach communities across the state to help increase the rate of COVID-19 vaccinations.These organizations will use funds to provide COVID-19 vaccine education and resources to Hispanic and Black populations, limited English speaking persons, older adults, long-term care facilities, foster parents, single mothers, persons with disabilities, schools, and rural communities. The grant will also fund transportation to vaccination sites and social media messaging and radio ads regarding the importance of vaccination.A list of first round recipients can be found below:<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637256824057.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Cover image courtesy Pixabay

NW Kan. organization receives grant to boost vaccination rates

By SARAH MEITNER Heartland Community Foundation executive director

Look closely at many of the furniture pieces at Custom Creations – the new downtown Hays storefront staffed by individuals with disabilities through DSNWK’s Employment Connections program. There are intricate cut and engraved wood pieces amid the refinishing work in all shapes and sizes.&nbsp;

Thanks to a $6,990 grant from the Heartland Community Foundation, DSNWK staff purchased a GlowForge machine for the store. With it, artisans with disabilities can create intricate embellishments and details for the furniture and other pieces. Staff have been able to create new merchandise – increasing sales for the store and sparking new, creative ideas. The sense of pride among the staff with disabilities is especially priceless!

This story, along with the countless others like it, demonstrates the importance of U.S. community foundations, which are uniquely situated to improve their regions by enacting innovative solutions and creating powerful partnerships. From November 12-18, we celebrate National Community Foundation Week -- a time when we can share and reflect on stories of local impact and human connection over the past year. Though you may not yet know your local community foundation, you’ve likely felt its impact!

That’s because Heartland Community Foundation and more than 750 other community foundations across the country help to bring donors and residents together. Community foundations work to support the efforts that will help the places we call home continue to flourish and grow.

By the end of 2021, Heartland Community Foundation will have granted more than $360,000 to nonprofit organizations in Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties for new and innovative charitable projects. The impact from that investment is enormous, with immeasurable ripple effects. But beyond our grants, the staff and board members at Heartland have also strived to be community leaders – contributing to community development meetings about childcare, arts, housing, sustainability, schools, and more. We are striving for transformation, not merely transaction.&nbsp;

As we enter the giving season, millions of people from every background will be looking to give back to the communities that have supported them. They’ll also look to ensure that their heartfelt giving—however they choose to give—will have the most impact.

That’s why so many of them will choose to give to their local community foundation! A gift to the Ellis County Legacy Fund, which is an endowed fund, will have an impact forever. The more it grows, the more we can grant from the investment income to charitable groups exclusively in Ellis County.&nbsp;

Additionally, Heartland Community Foundation houses many other types of funds specific for local organizations and causes. We also are uniquely equipped to receive non-cash gifts -- such as stocks, retirement distribution, bonds, grain, real estate and more -- at a tax savings to the donor. With the donor’s help, those gifts can be directed to the causes or organizations they select.&nbsp;

An annual gift or estate gift to your local community foundation is an investment in the future of your community. We like to say that community foundations are “here for good.” At Heartland Community Foundation, we don’t think about the next election or business cycle, we think about the next generation and the next after that.&nbsp;

That can seem a daunting task, but it’s one that we all share. During National Community Foundation Week, I hope you’ll join us in recognizing our collective impact and the difference we can make together.

For more information about Heartland Community Foundation, contact Sarah Meitner at 785-621-4090 or <a href="mailto:sarahmeitner@gscf.org">sarahmeitner@gscf.org</a>. Learn more at <a href="http://www.heartlandcommunityfoundation.org">www.heartlandcommunityfoundation.org</a> or follow us on Facebook.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By SARAH MEITNER Heartland Community Foundation executive director Look closely at many of the furniture pieces at Custom Creations – the new downtown Hays storefront staffed by individuals with disabilities through DSNWK’s Employment Connections program. There are intricate cut and engraved wood pieces amid the refinishing work in all shapes and sizes.&nbsp;Thanks to a $6,990 grant from the Heartland Community Foundation, DSNWK staff purchased a GlowForge machine for the store. With it, artisans with disabilities can create intricate embellishments and details for the furniture and other pieces. Staff have been able to create new merchandise – increasing sales for the store and sparking new, creative ideas. The sense of pride among the staff with disabilities is especially priceless!This story, along with the countless others like it, demonstrates the importance of U.S. community foundations, which are uniquely situated to improve their regions by enacting innovative solutions and creating powerful partnerships. From November 12-18, we celebrate National Community Foundation Week -- a time when we can share and reflect on stories of local impact and human connection over the past year. Though you may not yet know your local community foundation, you’ve likely felt its impact!<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600726153080.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>That’s because Heartland Community Foundation and more than 750 other community foundations across the country help to bring donors and residents together. Community foundations work to support the efforts that will help the places we call home continue to flourish and grow.By the end of 2021, Heartland Community Foundation will have granted more than $360,000 to nonprofit organizations in Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties for new and innovative charitable projects. The impact from that investment is enormous, with immeasurable ripple effects. But beyond our grants, the staff and board members at Heartland have also strived to be community leaders – contributing to community development meetings about childcare, arts, housing, sustainability, schools, and more. We are striving for transformation, not merely transaction.&nbsp;As we enter the giving season, millions of people from every background will be looking to give back to the communities that have supported them. They’ll also look to ensure that their heartfelt giving—however they choose to give—will have the most impact.That’s why so many of them will choose to give to their local community foundation! A gift to the Ellis County Legacy Fund, which is an endowed fund, will have an impact forever. The more it grows, the more we can grant from the investment income to charitable groups exclusively in Ellis County.&nbsp;Additionally, Heartland Community Foundation houses many other types of funds specific for local organizations and causes. We also are uniquely equipped to receive non-cash gifts -- such as stocks, retirement distribution, bonds, grain, real estate and more -- at a tax savings to the donor. With the donor’s help, those gifts can be directed to the causes or organizations they select.&nbsp;An annual gift or estate gift to your local community foundation is an investment in the future of your community. We like to say that community foundations are “here for good.” At Heartland Community Foundation, we don’t think about the next election or business cycle, we think about the next generation and the next after that.&nbsp;That can seem a daunting task, but it’s one that we all share. During National Community Foundation Week, I hope you’ll join us in recognizing our collective impact and the difference we can make together.For more information about Heartland Community Foundation, contact Sarah Meitner at 785-621-4090 or <a href="mailto:sarahmeitner@gscf.org">sarahmeitner@gscf.org</a>. Learn more at <a href="http://www.heartlandcommunityfoundation.org">www.heartlandcommunityfoundation.org</a> or follow us on Facebook.&nbsp;

LETTER: Make a lasting impact on the future of your community

The Hays Police Department responded to 9 animal calls and conducted 12 traffic stops Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.

False Report—200
block W 15th St, Hays; 3:03 AM 
Criminal Trespass—2500 block Sherman Ave, Hays; 8:40 AM 
Welfare Check—200 block E 6th St, Hays; 9:51 AM 
Lost Animals ONLY—1300 block Golden Belt Dr, Hays; 11:23 AM 
Criminal Trespass—200 block E 6th St, Hays; 11/5 1 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--17th St and Canterbury Dr, Hays; 1:04 PM 
Lost Animals ONLY—2500 block Donald Dr, Hays; 1:30 PM 
Aggravated Assault—200 block E 7th St, Hays; 1:20 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--17th St and Vine St, Hay; 3:51 PM 
Animal Injured—1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 3:53 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley—300 block E 17th St, Hays; 4:53 PM 
Found/Lost Property—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 5:27 PM 
Lost Animals ONLY—1900 block MacArthur Rd, Hays; 6:26 PM 
MV Accident-Hit and Run—Hays; 6:40 PM 
Mental Health Call—3400 block Vine St, Hays; 8:07 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 7 animal calls and conducted 9 traffic stops Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Mental
Health Call—400 block E 11th St, Hays; 12:55 AM 
Civil Dispute—200 block E 32nd St, Hays; 5:14 AM 
Disorderly Conduct—800 block E 8th St, Hays; 6:20 AM; 6:34 AM 
Welfare Check—200 block W 43rd St, Hays; 8:23 AM 
Juvenile Complaint-300 block W 12th St, Hays; 8:43 AM; 8:50 AM 
Animal At Large—1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 9:25 AM 
Found/Lost Property—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 9:35 AM 
Animal Call—500 block E 27th St, Hays; 10:14 AM 
Lost Animals ONLY—1000 block Reservation Rd, Ha; 10:15 AM 
Found/Lost Property—300 block W 15th St, Hay; 12:06 PM 
Theft of Vehicle—100 block E 13th St, Hays; &nbsp;11/4 5 PM; 8 PM 
Animal Call—2800 block Grant Ave, Hays; 1:02 PM 
Phone/Mail Scam—300 block W 12th St, Hays; 1:01 PM 
Theft (general)—4400 block Vine St, Hays; 11/4 5:30 PM; 6 PM 
Credit Card Violations--3300 block Vine St, Hays; 1:10 PM; 1:12 PM 
Theft (general)—1100 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 7:44 PM; 10:06 PM 
Suspicious Activity—100 block E 15th St, Hays; 7:49 PM 
Intoxicated Subject—3700 block Vine St, Hays; 8:50 PM 
Suspicious Activity—3400 block Vine St, Hays; 11:12 PM 
Mental Health Call—3700 block Vine St, Hays; 11:44 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 12 animal calls and conducted 16 traffic stops Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.

MV
Accident-Co Road/St Hwy--2800 block Vine St, Hays; 6:59 AM 
Disturbance – General--4000 block General Hays Rd, Hays; 7:11 AM; 7:30 AM 
Lost Animals ONLY—200 block Northridge Dr, Hays; 7:21 AM 
Disturbance – General--1700 block Donald Dr, Hays; 9:21 AM 
Animal At Large--1200 block Vine St, Hays; 9:56 AM 
Animal At Large--37th St and Summer Ln, Hays; 10:17 AM 
Animal At Large--1200 block Vine St, Hays; 10:39 AM 
Theft (general)—Hays; 10:56 AM 
Animal At Large--1200 block Vine St, Hays; 11:30 AM 
Animal At Large—3300 block Hall St, Hays; 12:35 PM 
Drug Offenses—3200 block Vine St, Hays; 11/10 2:02 PM 
Theft of Vehicle—3200 block Vine St, Hays; 2:21 PM 
Dead Animal Call--2700 block Sternberg Dr, Hays; 2:23 PM 
Criminal Damage to Property—200 block E 19th St, Hays; 11/8; 11/10 
Suspicious Person—500 block E 7th St, Hays; 3:41 PM 
Found/Lost Property—1300 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 4:19 PM 
Document Service--1500 block Spring Hill Rd, Ellis County ; 5:12 PM; 5:43 PM 
Criminal Damage to Property—200 block E 21st St, Hays; 11/5 2 PM; 11/10 6:10 PM
 
Domestic Disturbance—500 block E 8th St, Hays; 6:20 PM; 6:23 PM 
Criminal Damage to Property—200 block E 21st St, Hays; 2 PM; 6:10 PM 
Criminal Damage to Property—200 block E 22nd St, Hays; 11/5 2 PM; 11/10 6:10 PM 
Drug Offenses—500 block E 8th St, Hays; 8:08 PM 
Unwanted Person—200 block W 34th St, Hays; 11:01 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 0 animal calls and conducted 23 traffic stops Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Criminal
Trespass—200 block E 6th St, Hays; 9:11 AM; 9:15 AM 
Mental Health Call—500 block E 20th St, Hays; 1:34 PM 
Welfare Check—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 3:35 PM 
Criminal Damage to Property—300 block W 9th St, Hays; 12 PM; 4:47 PM 
Domestic Disturbance—2700 block Augusta Ln, Hays; 7 PM; 7:45 PM 
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)--13th and Donald Dr., Hays; 9:46 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and conducted 29 traffic stops Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.

44 - Traffic
Stop--600 block Park St, Hays; 1:28 AM 
Driving Under the Influence—600 block Park St, Hays; 1:49 AM; 1:50 AM 
Mental Health Call—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 8:54 AM 
Animal Bite Investigation—200 block W 5th St, Hays; 8:58 AM 
Counterfeit currency/documents—2100 block Vine St, Hays; 10:35 AM 
Theft (general)—3500 block Lincoln Dr, Hays; 7/16 8 AM; 11/12 11:42 AM 
Animal At Large—3300 block Hillcrest Dr, Hays; 11:51 AM 
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 10/25 8 AM 
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 10/7 8 AM 
Criminal Threat—1600 block E 27th St Terr, Hays; 1:30 PM 
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)—2800 block Grant Ave, Hays; 4:52 PM 
Driving Under the Influence--100 block W 8th St, Hays; 7:57 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--300 block W 18th St, Hays; 8:18 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 1 animal call and conducted 19 traffic stops Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Driving
Under the Influence--100 block E 8th St, Hays; 1:21 AM 
Driving Under the Influence--400 block W 6th St, Hays; 2:10 AM 
Disturbance – Noise--200 block W 6th St, Hays; 2:33 AM 
MV Accident-Private Property—2800 block Vine St, Hays; 8:45 AM 
Domestic Disturbance—2700 block Epworth St, Hays; 9:51 AM 
Criminal Damage to Property--200 block Ash St, Hays; 11/12 10 PM; 11/13 5:30 AM
Theft (general)--1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 5 PM; 12 PM 
Harassment, Telephone/FAX—500 block E 8th St, Hays; 12:54 PM 
Found/Lost Property—1300 block E 41st St, Hays; 1PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--2700 block Vine St, Hays; 1:22 PM 
Theft (general)--1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 6/1; 6/5 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--100 block E 48th St, Hays; 3:55 PM 
Burglary/residence—400 block W 11th St, Hays; 1 PM; 10:42 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 4 animal calls and conducted 15 traffic stops Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Criminal
Damage to Property—500 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:50 AM; 12:55 AM 
Domestic Disturbance—200 block W 4th St, Hays; 1:49 AM 
Suspicious Activity—200 block E 16th St, Hays; 2:26 AM 
Sex Offense—200 block W 4th St, Hays; 3:40 AM 
Burglary/residence—400 block W 11th St, Hays; 12 PM; 10:30 PM 
Harassment (All Other)—1000 block W 28th St, Hays; 6:54 AM 
Dead Animal Call--100 block E 13th St, Hays; 5:32 PM 
Civil Dispute—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 5:56 PM 
Fireworks Violation--17th and Hall, Hays; 9:30 PM 
Lost Animals ONLY—300 block W 7th St, Hays; 9:43 PM

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573140734289.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Hays Police Department responded to 9 animal calls and conducted 12 traffic stops Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.False Report—200
block W 15th St, Hays; 3:03 AM 
Criminal Trespass—2500 block Sherman Ave, Hays; 8:40 AM 
Welfare Check—200 block E 6th St, Hays; 9:51 AM 
Lost Animals ONLY—1300 block Golden Belt Dr, Hays; 11:23 AM 
Criminal Trespass—200 block E 6th St, Hays; 11/5 1 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--17th St and Canterbury Dr, Hays; 1:04 PM 
Lost Animals ONLY—2500 block Donald Dr, Hays; 1:30 PM 
Aggravated Assault—200 block E 7th St, Hays; 1:20 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--17th St and Vine St, Hay; 3:51 PM 
Animal Injured—1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 3:53 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley—300 block E 17th St, Hays; 4:53 PM 
Found/Lost Property—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 5:27 PM 
Lost Animals ONLY—1900 block MacArthur Rd, Hays; 6:26 PM 
MV Accident-Hit and Run—Hays; 6:40 PM 
Mental Health Call—3400 block Vine St, Hays; 8:07 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 7 animal calls and conducted 9 traffic stops Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.Mental
Health Call—400 block E 11th St, Hays; 12:55 AM 
Civil Dispute—200 block E 32nd St, Hays; 5:14 AM 
Disorderly Conduct—800 block E 8th St, Hays; 6:20 AM; 6:34 AM 
Welfare Check—200 block W 43rd St, Hays; 8:23 AM 
Juvenile Complaint-300 block W 12th St, Hays; 8:43 AM; 8:50 AM 
Animal At Large—1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 9:25 AM 
Found/Lost Property—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 9:35 AM 
Animal Call—500 block E 27th St, Hays; 10:14 AM 
Lost Animals ONLY—1000 block Reservation Rd, Ha; 10:15 AM 
Found/Lost Property—300 block W 15th St, Hay; 12:06 PM 
Theft of Vehicle—100 block E 13th St, Hays; &nbsp;11/4 5 PM; 8 PM 
Animal Call—2800 block Grant Ave, Hays; 1:02 PM 
Phone/Mail Scam—300 block W 12th St, Hays; 1:01 PM 
Theft (general)—4400 block Vine St, Hays; 11/4 5:30 PM; 6 PM 
Credit Card Violations--3300 block Vine St, Hays; 1:10 PM; 1:12 PM 
Theft (general)—1100 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 7:44 PM; 10:06 PM 
Suspicious Activity—100 block E 15th St, Hays; 7:49 PM 
Intoxicated Subject—3700 block Vine St, Hays; 8:50 PM 
Suspicious Activity—3400 block Vine St, Hays; 11:12 PM 
Mental Health Call—3700 block Vine St, Hays; 11:44 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 12 animal calls and conducted 16 traffic stops Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.MV
Accident-Co Road/St Hwy--2800 block Vine St, Hays; 6:59 AM 
Disturbance – General--4000 block General Hays Rd, Hays; 7:11 AM; 7:30 AM 
Lost Animals ONLY—200 block Northridge Dr, Hays; 7:21 AM 
Disturbance – General--1700 block Donald Dr, Hays; 9:21 AM 
Animal At Large--1200 block Vine St, Hays; 9:56 AM 
Animal At Large--37th St and Summer Ln, Hays; 10:17 AM 
Animal At Large--1200 block Vine St, Hays; 10:39 AM 
Theft (general)—Hays; 10:56 AM 
Animal At Large--1200 block Vine St, Hays; 11:30 AM 
Animal At Large—3300 block Hall St, Hays; 12:35 PM 
Drug Offenses—3200 block Vine St, Hays; 11/10 2:02 PM 
Theft of Vehicle—3200 block Vine St, Hays; 2:21 PM 
Dead Animal Call--2700 block Sternberg Dr, Hays; 2:23 PM 
Criminal Damage to Property—200 block E 19th St, Hays; 11/8; 11/10 
Suspicious Person—500 block E 7th St, Hays; 3:41 PM 
Found/Lost Property—1300 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 4:19 PM 
Document Service--1500 block Spring Hill Rd, Ellis County ; 5:12 PM; 5:43 PM 
Criminal Damage to Property—200 block E 21st St, Hays; 11/5 2 PM; 11/10 6:10 PM
 
Domestic Disturbance—500 block E 8th St, Hays; 6:20 PM; 6:23 PM 
Criminal Damage to Property—200 block E 21st St, Hays; 2 PM; 6:10 PM 
Criminal Damage to Property—200 block E 22nd St, Hays; 11/5 2 PM; 11/10 6:10 PM 
Drug Offenses—500 block E 8th St, Hays; 8:08 PM 
Unwanted Person—200 block W 34th St, Hays; 11:01 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 0 animal calls and conducted 23 traffic stops Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.Criminal
Trespass—200 block E 6th St, Hays; 9:11 AM; 9:15 AM 
Mental Health Call—500 block E 20th St, Hays; 1:34 PM 
Welfare Check—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 3:35 PM 
Criminal Damage to Property—300 block W 9th St, Hays; 12 PM; 4:47 PM 
Domestic Disturbance—2700 block Augusta Ln, Hays; 7 PM; 7:45 PM 
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)--13th and Donald Dr., Hays; 9:46 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and conducted 29 traffic stops Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.44 - Traffic
Stop--600 block Park St, Hays; 1:28 AM 
Driving Under the Influence—600 block Park St, Hays; 1:49 AM; 1:50 AM 
Mental Health Call—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 8:54 AM 
Animal Bite Investigation—200 block W 5th St, Hays; 8:58 AM 
Counterfeit currency/documents—2100 block Vine St, Hays; 10:35 AM 
Theft (general)—3500 block Lincoln Dr, Hays; 7/16 8 AM; 11/12 11:42 AM 
Animal At Large—3300 block Hillcrest Dr, Hays; 11:51 AM 
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 10/25 8 AM 
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 10/7 8 AM 
Criminal Threat—1600 block E 27th St Terr, Hays; 1:30 PM 
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)—2800 block Grant Ave, Hays; 4:52 PM 
Driving Under the Influence--100 block W 8th St, Hays; 7:57 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--300 block W 18th St, Hays; 8:18 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 1 animal call and conducted 19 traffic stops Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.Driving
Under the Influence--100 block E 8th St, Hays; 1:21 AM 
Driving Under the Influence--400 block W 6th St, Hays; 2:10 AM 
Disturbance – Noise--200 block W 6th St, Hays; 2:33 AM 
MV Accident-Private Property—2800 block Vine St, Hays; 8:45 AM 
Domestic Disturbance—2700 block Epworth St, Hays; 9:51 AM 
Criminal Damage to Property--200 block Ash St, Hays; 11/12 10 PM; 11/13 5:30 AM
Theft (general)--1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 5 PM; 12 PM 
Harassment, Telephone/FAX—500 block E 8th St, Hays; 12:54 PM 
Found/Lost Property—1300 block E 41st St, Hays; 1PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--2700 block Vine St, Hays; 1:22 PM 
Theft (general)--1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 6/1; 6/5 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--100 block E 48th St, Hays; 3:55 PM 
Burglary/residence—400 block W 11th St, Hays; 1 PM; 10:42 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 4 animal calls and conducted 15 traffic stops Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.Criminal
Damage to Property—500 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:50 AM; 12:55 AM 
Domestic Disturbance—200 block W 4th St, Hays; 1:49 AM 
Suspicious Activity—200 block E 16th St, Hays; 2:26 AM 
Sex Offense—200 block W 4th St, Hays; 3:40 AM 
Burglary/residence—400 block W 11th St, Hays; 12 PM; 10:30 PM 
Harassment (All Other)—1000 block W 28th St, Hays; 6:54 AM 
Dead Animal Call--100 block E 13th St, Hays; 5:32 PM 
Civil Dispute—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 5:56 PM 
Fireworks Violation--17th and Hall, Hays; 9:30 PM 
Lost Animals ONLY—300 block W 7th St, Hays; 9:43 PM<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573140734289.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Hays PD Activity Log, Nov. 8-14

Due to the city of Hays' observation of Thanksgiving Day, refuse/recycling collection schedules will be altered as follows. 

There are no expected changes to Monday’s collection route. 

Tuesday and Wednesday collection routes will be picked up on Tuesday. Thursday and Friday collection routes will be picked up on Wednesday. 

It is anticipated that heavy volumes of refuse/recyclable will be encountered around the holidays. Please be sure to set your bags out by 7&nbsp; a.m. on the collection day and keep in mind that the trucks have no set time schedule. 

City of Hays customers who have questions should contact the Solid Waste Division of the Public Works Department at 1-785-628-7350.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605721681274.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>City of HaysDue to the city of Hays' observation of Thanksgiving Day, refuse/recycling collection schedules will be altered as follows. There are no expected changes to Monday’s collection route. Tuesday and Wednesday collection routes will be picked up on Tuesday. Thursday and Friday collection routes will be picked up on Wednesday. It is anticipated that heavy volumes of refuse/recyclable will be encountered around the holidays. Please be sure to set your bags out by 7&nbsp; a.m. on the collection day and keep in mind that the trucks have no set time schedule. City of Hays customers who have questions should contact the Solid Waste Division of the Public Works Department at 1-785-628-7350.

Refuse/recycling collections changed for Thanksgiving week

It has always pleased me to be part of a church where so many guys and gals are hunters, fishermen, outdoorsmen and shooting enthusiasts. The dedicated upland bird hunters were easy to spot at my churches annual trap shooting get-together on Sunday, as most clay birds had little chance of survival when those shooters were on the firing line. Our small but diverse group consisted of an ex-soldier with extensive marksmanship training, an electrician, an engineer, a golf-course manager, a large farmer, the youth pastor, a couple high school kids and a few retired duffers like myself. Ages ranged from upper 70’s to 14 years young.

A 12-volt clay-bird thrower was set up in the farmers lawn overlooking a corn stubble field. Pickups parked with tail-gates down on the other side of the lawn against a tree row became staging areas for each shooter’s guns, ammo and equipment. After a brief meeting to explain safety expectations and a prayer, thanking God for our time together and asking for His control over the afternoon, we were off. The rules were simple; no loaded shotguns behind the firing line, and constant awareness to keep all guns, loaded or unloaded pointed downrange. Each shooter took a pocketful or a box of shells to the firing line with them and loaded their guns there. Someone ran the thrower with the remote control while two shooters, one on each side of the thrower took turns as targets were thrown. After ten or twelve shots each, shooters changed until each shooter had a few turns on the firing line.&nbsp;

It all reminded me of “turkey shoots” when I was a kid, where shooters shot one round at a paper target, and the shooter’s target with the most BB holes won a turkey or canned ham. My buddy always took his beat-up, scratched-up old twelve gauge single-shot that was so dilapidated it actually fell apart into two pieces to load. He’d walk to the firing line amidst chuckles and guffaws from shooters around him sporting twelve-hundred-dollar professional skeet guns, but you could hear a pin drop when his straight-shootin’ old cannon won every time.

After we tired of breaking clay birds thrown from the thrower, semi-automatic handguns and revolvers emerged from cases and bags. Targets became clay birds hung low to the ground from cornstalks, and paper plates stapled to leftover yard signs from a recent school board election campaign.&nbsp; Our soldier’s marksman’s expertise was invaluable as he was able to help those of us not really good with a handgun, and paper plates began filling with holes and clay birds began breaking.&nbsp;

Again, I’m proud to be part of a family, community and church congregation where numerous guys and gals are hunters, fishermen and outdoor enthusiasts. One of the guys at the trap shoot remarked that he had just taken the last of his pheasant meat out of the freezer to grill, making way for the bounty from this year’s pheasant hunting season which opened Saturday. I thank God every day for His marvelous Creation, and for trusting us to manage His wildlife. Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve&nbsp;Gilliland" />
 <figcaption>Steve&nbsp;Gilliland</figcaption>
 </figure>It has always pleased me to be part of a church where so many guys and gals are hunters, fishermen, outdoorsmen and shooting enthusiasts. The dedicated upland bird hunters were easy to spot at my churches annual trap shooting get-together on Sunday, as most clay birds had little chance of survival when those shooters were on the firing line. Our small but diverse group consisted of an ex-soldier with extensive marksmanship training, an electrician, an engineer, a golf-course manager, a large farmer, the youth pastor, a couple high school kids and a few retired duffers like myself. Ages ranged from upper 70’s to 14 years young.A 12-volt clay-bird thrower was set up in the farmers lawn overlooking a corn stubble field. Pickups parked with tail-gates down on the other side of the lawn against a tree row became staging areas for each shooter’s guns, ammo and equipment. After a brief meeting to explain safety expectations and a prayer, thanking God for our time together and asking for His control over the afternoon, we were off. The rules were simple; no loaded shotguns behind the firing line, and constant awareness to keep all guns, loaded or unloaded pointed downrange. Each shooter took a pocketful or a box of shells to the firing line with them and loaded their guns there. Someone ran the thrower with the remote control while two shooters, one on each side of the thrower took turns as targets were thrown. After ten or twelve shots each, shooters changed until each shooter had a few turns on the firing line.&nbsp;It all reminded me of “turkey shoots” when I was a kid, where shooters shot one round at a paper target, and the shooter’s target with the most BB holes won a turkey or canned ham. My buddy always took his beat-up, scratched-up old twelve gauge single-shot that was so dilapidated it actually fell apart into two pieces to load. He’d walk to the firing line amidst chuckles and guffaws from shooters around him sporting twelve-hundred-dollar professional skeet guns, but you could hear a pin drop when his straight-shootin’ old cannon won every time.After we tired of breaking clay birds thrown from the thrower, semi-automatic handguns and revolvers emerged from cases and bags. Targets became clay birds hung low to the ground from cornstalks, and paper plates stapled to leftover yard signs from a recent school board election campaign.&nbsp; Our soldier’s marksman’s expertise was invaluable as he was able to help those of us not really good with a handgun, and paper plates began filling with holes and clay birds began breaking.&nbsp;Again, I’m proud to be part of a family, community and church congregation where numerous guys and gals are hunters, fishermen and outdoor enthusiasts. One of the guys at the trap shoot remarked that he had just taken the last of his pheasant meat out of the freezer to grill, making way for the bounty from this year’s pheasant hunting season which opened Saturday. I thank God every day for His marvelous Creation, and for trusting us to manage His wildlife. Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: Zoar Trap Shoot 2021

NORTON COUNTY —Two people died in an accident just after 12a.m. Sunday in Norton County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Ford Mustang driven by Michael J.Dela Vega, 37, Norton, was&nbsp;westbound on Kansas 383 two miles east of the U.S. 36 Junction at a high rate of speed.

NORTON COUNTY —Two people died in an accident just after 12a.m. Sunday in Norton County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Ford Mustang driven by Michael J.Dela Vega, 37, Norton, was&nbsp;westbound on Kansas 383 two miles east of the U.S. 36 Junction at a high rate of speed.The driver lost control of the vehicle, It struck a guard rail on the north side of the highway, traveled into the ditch, into a field and rolled.Dela Vega and a passenger Andrew S. Campbell Sr, 44, Colby, were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to&nbsp;Plumer Gobber Funeral Home. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.--------NORTON COUNTY —Authorities are investigating a fatal accident that occurred just after 12a.m. Sunday in Norton County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a vehicle was westbound on Kansas 383 two miles east of the U.S. 36 Junction at a high rate of speed. The driver lost control of the vehicle, It struck a guard rail on the north side of the highway, traveled into the ditch, into a field and rolled.The KHP released no additional details early Sunday. Check Hays Post for more information as it becomes available.