BY STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension District

Kansas has 568,324 acres of alfalfa, which is a very important leguminous crop for the dairy and livestock industry in Kansas. Alfalfa hayfields help to supply forage that is highly digestible and high in protein. Late summer and early fall are often the best times to plant alfalfa in Kansas due to less weed pressure than spring planting.&nbsp;

Available moisture at planting is crucial for alfalfa establishment, but too much moisture can increase seedling disease incidence and reduce alfalfa nodulation and nitrogen fixation.

If soil moisture is available, growers in northwest Kansas can plant as early as August 10. Optimum sowing date occurs later as we move towards southeast Kansas, where growers can plant until mid- to late-September. In other parts of Kansas, the optimal planting time is late August or early September. Producers just need to plant early enough to have three to five trifoliate leaves before the first frost.

Alfalfa is a four to five-year, or longer, investment, and therefore it is crucial to ensure proper establishment. Some producers shy away from alfalfa because of its high establishment cost and risk of stand failure. In the long run, however, it’s relatively inexpensive if amortized over the life of the crop.

If managed properly and given favorable weather conditions, dryland alfalfa can produce 3 to 6 dry matter tons of forage per acre per year. Irrigated fields can produce 6 to 8 dry matter tons per acre per year or more.

When sowing alfalfa, producers should keep the following in mind:

Soil test and correct soil acidity. Alfalfa grows best in well-drained soils with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5 and does not tolerate low soil pH. If the soil is acidic, add lime to raise soil pH to 6.8 before planting. Ensuring appropriate soil pH levels before planting is essential, especially as lime is relatively immobile in the soil profile and the field will not be worked for the next 3-5 years. Remember, after spread, lime takes a few weeks in the soils to react and increase the pH.

Soil test and meet fertilization needs. Apply the needed phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) amounts according to soil test recommendations. Phosphorus fertilizer will be required if soil test P levels are below 25 ppm, and potassium fertilizer will be required if soil K levels are below 120 ppm. Even soils that test higher than these thresholds may need additional fertilizer. Small amounts of nitrogen fertilizer (15 to 20 lb/acre) as a starter at planting are beneficial for alfalfa establishment. In some fields, sulfur can also bring some yield benefits.

Plant certified, inoculated seed.&nbsp;Ensuring the correct&nbsp;Rhizobium&nbsp;inoculation is crucial for alfalfa seedlings to fix available soil nitrogen to meet the needs of growing alfalfa for optimum production.

Plant in firm, moist soil.&nbsp;A firm seedbed ensures good seed-soil contact; therefore, use a press wheel with the drill to firm the soil over the planted seed. No-till planting in small-grains stubble will usually provide a good seedbed.

Don’t plant too deeply. Plant one-fourth to one-half inch deep on medium- and fine-textured soils and three-fourths inch deep on sandy soils. Don’t plant deeper than 10 times the seed diameter.

Use the right seeding rate.&nbsp;Plant 8 to12 pounds of seed per acre on dryland in western Kansas, 12 to15 pounds per acre on irrigated medium- to fine-textured soils, 15 to 20 pounds per acre on irrigated sandy soils, and 12 to 15 pounds per acre on dryland in central and eastern Kansas.

Check for herbicide carryover that could damage the new alfalfa crop&nbsp;– especially when planting alfalfa no-till into corn or grain sorghum stubble. In areas where row crops were drought-stressed and removed for silage, that sets up a great seedbed for alfalfa but may still bring a risk of herbicide damage.

Choose pest-resistant varieties.&nbsp;Resistance to phytophthora root rot, bacterial wilt, fusarium wilt, verticillium wilt, anthracnose, the pea aphid, and the spotted alfalfa aphid is essential. Some varieties are resistant to even more diseases and insects, which could contribute to reducing costs.

Purchase alfalfa varieties with a fall dormancy rating ranging from 4 - 6 for Kansas. Fall dormancy relates to how soon an alfalfa variety will stop growing in the fall and how early it will begin growing in the spring or late winter. Simply put, it would be better not buy a variety with fall dormancy of 9-10, which can be more suitable for California and regions where alfalfa can keep growing year-round under irrigation.

More information about growing alfalfa in Kansas can be found in the&nbsp;Alfalfa Production Handbook. That information also is available on the web at:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/bookstore/pubs/c683.pdf">www.ksre.ksu.edu/bookstore/pubs/c683.pdf</a>

Also see&nbsp;Alfalfa Growth and Development, available on the web at:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3348.pdf">https://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3348.pdf</a>

Stacy Campbell is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or calling 785-628-9430.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631280971606.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension DistrictKansas has 568,324 acres of alfalfa, which is a very important leguminous crop for the dairy and livestock industry in Kansas. Alfalfa hayfields help to supply forage that is highly digestible and high in protein. Late summer and early fall are often the best times to plant alfalfa in Kansas due to less weed pressure than spring planting.&nbsp;Available moisture at planting is crucial for alfalfa establishment, but too much moisture can increase seedling disease incidence and reduce alfalfa nodulation and nitrogen fixation.If soil moisture is available, growers in northwest Kansas can plant as early as August 10. Optimum sowing date occurs later as we move towards southeast Kansas, where growers can plant until mid- to late-September. In other parts of Kansas, the optimal planting time is late August or early September. Producers just need to plant early enough to have three to five trifoliate leaves before the first frost.Alfalfa is a four to five-year, or longer, investment, and therefore it is crucial to ensure proper establishment. Some producers shy away from alfalfa because of its high establishment cost and risk of stand failure. In the long run, however, it’s relatively inexpensive if amortized over the life of the crop.If managed properly and given favorable weather conditions, dryland alfalfa can produce 3 to 6 dry matter tons of forage per acre per year. Irrigated fields can produce 6 to 8 dry matter tons per acre per year or more.When sowing alfalfa, producers should keep the following in mind:Soil test and correct soil acidity. Alfalfa grows best in well-drained soils with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5 and does not tolerate low soil pH. If the soil is acidic, add lime to raise soil pH to 6.8 before planting. Ensuring appropriate soil pH levels before planting is essential, especially as lime is relatively immobile in the soil profile and the field will not be worked for the next 3-5 years. Remember, after spread, lime takes a few weeks in the soils to react and increase the pH.Soil test and meet fertilization needs. Apply the needed phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) amounts according to soil test recommendations. Phosphorus fertilizer will be required if soil test P levels are below 25 ppm, and potassium fertilizer will be required if soil K levels are below 120 ppm. Even soils that test higher than these thresholds may need additional fertilizer. Small amounts of nitrogen fertilizer (15 to 20 lb/acre) as a starter at planting are beneficial for alfalfa establishment. In some fields, sulfur can also bring some yield benefits.Plant certified, inoculated seed.&nbsp;Ensuring the correct&nbsp;Rhizobium&nbsp;inoculation is crucial for alfalfa seedlings to fix available soil nitrogen to meet the needs of growing alfalfa for optimum production.Plant in firm, moist soil.&nbsp;A firm seedbed ensures good seed-soil contact; therefore, use a press wheel with the drill to firm the soil over the planted seed. No-till planting in small-grains stubble will usually provide a good seedbed.Don’t plant too deeply. Plant one-fourth to one-half inch deep on medium- and fine-textured soils and three-fourths inch deep on sandy soils. Don’t plant deeper than 10 times the seed diameter.Use the right seeding rate.&nbsp;Plant 8 to12 pounds of seed per acre on dryland in western Kansas, 12 to15 pounds per acre on irrigated medium- to fine-textured soils, 15 to 20 pounds per acre on irrigated sandy soils, and 12 to 15 pounds per acre on dryland in central and eastern Kansas.Check for herbicide carryover that could damage the new alfalfa crop&nbsp;– especially when planting alfalfa no-till into corn or grain sorghum stubble. In areas where row crops were drought-stressed and removed for silage, that sets up a great seedbed for alfalfa but may still bring a risk of herbicide damage.Choose pest-resistant varieties.&nbsp;Resistance to phytophthora root rot, bacterial wilt, fusarium wilt, verticillium wilt, anthracnose, the pea aphid, and the spotted alfalfa aphid is essential. Some varieties are resistant to even more diseases and insects, which could contribute to reducing costs.Purchase alfalfa varieties with a fall dormancy rating ranging from 4 - 6 for Kansas. Fall dormancy relates to how soon an alfalfa variety will stop growing in the fall and how early it will begin growing in the spring or late winter. Simply put, it would be better not buy a variety with fall dormancy of 9-10, which can be more suitable for California and regions where alfalfa can keep growing year-round under irrigation.More information about growing alfalfa in Kansas can be found in the&nbsp;Alfalfa Production Handbook. That information also is available on the web at:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/bookstore/pubs/c683.pdf">www.ksre.ksu.edu/bookstore/pubs/c683.pdf</a>Also see&nbsp;Alfalfa Growth and Development, available on the web at:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3348.pdf">https://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3348.pdf</a>Stacy Campbell is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or calling 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: Tips for fall planting of alfalfa

SHERMAN COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 4p.m. Friday in Sherman County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Chevy SUV driven by Roybal, Keiah M. Roybal, 18, Burlington, CO., was westbound on Interstate 70 just west of the Kansas 27 Junction.

The driver lost control of the SUV as it was approaching another vehicle at a high rate of speed. The driver over-corrected and the SUV rolled an unknown amount of times.&nbsp;

EMS transported&nbsp;Roybal to the hospital in Goodland. She was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

SHERMAN COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 4p.m. Friday in Sherman County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Chevy SUV driven by Roybal, Keiah M. Roybal, 18, Burlington, CO., was westbound on Interstate 70 just west of the Kansas 27 Junction.The driver lost control of the SUV as it was approaching another vehicle at a high rate of speed. The driver over-corrected and the SUV rolled an unknown amount of times.&nbsp;EMS transported&nbsp;Roybal to the hospital in Goodland. She was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Teen hospitalized after SUV rolls on I-70

Click the player below or click <a href="https://team1sports.com/eaglecommunications/hayshigh/">HERE</a> to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.

Hays High vs. Great Bend. Kickoff set for 7 p.m.

Click the player below or click <a href="https://team1sports.com/eaglecommunications/hayshigh/">HERE</a> to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.Hays High vs. Great Bend. Kickoff set for 7 p.m.<div><iframe src="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/297344?autoplay=1" width="640" height="360" allow="fullscreen;" style="border:0;overflow:hidden;"></iframe></div>

🏈🎥 WATCH LIVE Hays High Indians v. Great Bend Panthers

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TMP-M vs. Russell. Kickoff set for 7 p.m.

Click the player below or click <a href="https://team1sports.com/eaglecommunications/?B=297341/hayshigh/">HERE</a> to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.TMP-M vs. Russell. Kickoff set for 7 p.m.<div><iframe src="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/297341?autoplay=1" width="640" height="360" allow="fullscreen;" style="border:0;overflow:hidden;"></iframe></div>

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ELLIS — Ellis USD 388 schools reported Friday that 49 students and staff of the district are currently under quarantine.

In his weekly COVID-19 update, Superintendent Corey Burton said six positive cases were also identified in the district this week.

The biggest impact, he said, was the football team would be unable to play this week.

The majority of the positive cases are in the combined junior and senior high school, with 5 positive cases reported there and 45 students and staff quarantined.

Enrollment at the school is only 183, meaning nearly a quarter of the student body was&nbsp;quarantined this week.

The bulk of the quarantine began Tuesday, meaning with current COVID-19 mitigation plans in the district, those students will be required to complete 10 days of isolation.

With the significant number of students out, Burton said the school board would look at the current policy at its regular meeting.

"The board could adopt a policy that the county is recommending," Burton said, "which could change that on Monday."

"That would allow students that are under quarantine for school-related exposures to come back to school in a mask and to do a check-in in the morning," Burton said.

He said the new strategy would more closely align with Hays and Victoria school districts to keep&nbsp;quarantine numbers down.

"We are working closely with the Ellis County Health Department to keep our students and staff as safe as possible," Burton said. "Our goal is to keep kids in school and keep our students, staff and community healthy.&nbsp;We will continue to monitor this situation and may need to make changes in the future to adjust for outbreaks."

In the meantime, Burton is asking parents to help the situation as much as possible by keeping ill children at home, encouraging staff and students to wear masks and social distance when possible.

"We also want to take this opportunity to remind you that one of our core values as a district is respect for and among our employees and students," Burton said. "We will treat information regarding the identity of employees/students with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 as confidential to the extent feasible and we will comply with applicable laws regarding the handling of such information.&nbsp;Further, per district policy, we will not tolerate harassment of, or discrimination or retaliation against, employees and students."&nbsp;

By JAMES BELL Hays PostELLIS — Ellis USD 388 schools reported Friday that 49 students and staff of the district are currently under quarantine.In his weekly COVID-19 update, Superintendent Corey Burton said six positive cases were also identified in the district this week.The biggest impact, he said, was the football team would be unable to play this week.The majority of the positive cases are in the combined junior and senior high school, with 5 positive cases reported there and 45 students and staff quarantined.Enrollment at the school is only 183, meaning nearly a quarter of the student body was&nbsp;quarantined this week.The bulk of the quarantine began Tuesday, meaning with current COVID-19 mitigation plans in the district, those students will be required to complete 10 days of isolation.With the significant number of students out, Burton said the school board would look at the current policy at its regular meeting."The board could adopt a policy that the county is recommending," Burton said, "which could change that on Monday.""That would allow students that are under quarantine for school-related exposures to come back to school in a mask and to do a check-in in the morning," Burton said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631305133592.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>He said the new strategy would more closely align with Hays and Victoria school districts to keep&nbsp;quarantine numbers down."We are working closely with the Ellis County Health Department to keep our students and staff as safe as possible," Burton said. "Our goal is to keep kids in school and keep our students, staff and community healthy.&nbsp;We will continue to monitor this situation and may need to make changes in the future to adjust for outbreaks."In the meantime, Burton is asking parents to help the situation as much as possible by keeping ill children at home, encouraging staff and students to wear masks and social distance when possible."We also want to take this opportunity to remind you that one of our core values as a district is respect for and among our employees and students," Burton said. "We will treat information regarding the identity of employees/students with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 as confidential to the extent feasible and we will comply with applicable laws regarding the handling of such information.&nbsp;Further, per district policy, we will not tolerate harassment of, or discrimination or retaliation against, employees and students."&nbsp;

Nearly a quarter of Ellis High students quarantined; football game canceled

If you are a veteran struggling with mental health issues, you can call the High Plains Mental Health 24-hour crisis line at 1-800-432-0333. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline number is 1-800-273-8255.

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HighPlainsMentalHealth/posts/4620836714627109?__cft__[0]=AZWN3hC0Ob2P49AfEi3qQP2CTBF2RcOvGTAADjORoM2YIkN_fKqxndvdV76uePEcKkmBZs6aXPhDSFh5LGNkXXkTDwf4aGtdfQgNIcAlz8oRKq0YV3dkXvCHNvGjBGa1qtNNs4u2jycWYkpQktxUQgb_&amp;__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R">More resources for veterans.</a>

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Hays veteran Mike Morley wants fellow veterans of the last 20 years to know their sacrifices have not been in vain.

As the United States approaches the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, some veterans are struggling to put their sacrifices in perspective.

Morley served as an enlisted man from August 1989 to May 2001 and an officer from August 2001 to September 2012 in the U.S. Navy, including several deployments in the Middle East during his more than 20-year military career.

"I am of the opinion that it is never all for naught," he said. "As evidence of that, I would look back.&nbsp; We've had no attacks anywhere near the scale of 9/11 since that time. Had al-Qaeda been left unchecked ... there is no doubt they could have launched multiple, multiple attacks on the U.S.

"I think over the course of those 20 years, we have probably prevented dozens, if not hundreds, of attacks that never had the opportunity to happen because we were fighting," Morley said. "At the same time, it is not the way you want to end any conflict."

Morley said the way the U.S. left Afghanistan is going to hurt a lot of people.&nbsp;

"Did my friends die for nothing? Did I sacrifice for nothing? I think the answer to that is 'No, you didn't,' " Morley said. "Your sacrifice mattered. The people we lost — that mattered. It's just not as tidy as it has been in the past."

Now is the time for veterans to come together and be there for one another, Morley said.

"The last thing you want to see is anybody harm themself because nothing they did in life made a difference or mattered," Morley said. "It did. It definitely made a difference. It kept America and its allies safer than we would have been had we not gone to Afghanistan and did what we had to do."

Morley had just finished officer training school and been sent to serve in the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, days before 9/11. Sept. 10, 2001, was his first day in the office at the Pacific Fleet office. His family was still staying in a hotel until they could get settled.

Morley usually woke up at 5 a.m., so he could go on a run before work. However, he had an odd feeling on the morning of 9/11. He turned on the TV and flipped over to CNN. Hawaii is six hours behind New York. The south tower and the Pentagon had already been hit and fallen. The north tower fell shortly after.

"I was standing there in disbelief," he said. "How can this be happening?"

He woke up his wife and told her he had to go to work.&nbsp;

There was a long line to enter the gate to the base. The base had gone from the lowest security protocol on Sept. 10 to its highest protocol on Sept. 11. It took him a couple of hours to get into the base.

"It was surreal. The attack had been going on, for at that point, about eight hours," he said. "Everybody knew that this was different than any other situation we had ever been in."

The Pacific Fleet has a fairly senior staff, Morley said. He was working alongside commanders, captains, admirals and flag officers.

"The fact that you are overlooking Pearl Harbor where World War II started for the U.S., you are thinking this is truly a moment to be here at this place and at this point in time," he said.

"Everybody sensed that this one was going to be different than any other war that the U.S. has ever fought in. Indeed, it has been exactly that."

Morley had several deployments to the Middle East, including to Bahrain, Qatar, Aman, as well ships off of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Even in the first Gulf War, the enemy was defined and the enemy could be engaged using traditional military tactics, Morley said.

"This was completely different in that you had an enemy that was rapidly adaptable to whatever their environment was. They could easily blend in. They were very, very hard to detect and root out," he said.

"That is one of the reasons that the U.S. and the coalition had such a hard time from 2001 to 2005 trying to find the terrorist groups and to take them out because they were so well hidden and they were so well adapted to their environment."

Seth Kastle, who is now an assistant professor of leadership studies at Fort Hays State University, was a 20-year-old soldier in the Army Reserves on 9/11. He was at Fort Riley for training when attacks happened.

"You train for war, and we knew that we were going," he said. "We called family members. Everyone knew I was in the military. We knew we were ready to go that day, and we ended up going four months later."

Kastle served from 1998 to 2014. He was stationed along with other Hays soldiers in Qatar and then served in a medical logistics position with the Jordanian army in Afghanistan. In March 2003, he served with a unit during the invasion of Iraq.&nbsp;

When he was in Iraq, he worked with convoys, transporting supplies.&nbsp; IEDs and sniper fire were a constant threat.

Kastle had problems when he came home dealing with what he had experienced. He also lost a friend in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

He said watching the United States' exit from Afghanistan was initially very difficult. However, he said he also thought the war in Afghanistan deterred terrorist attacks on the U.S.

"It was pretty ugly the way everything went down," he said of the end of the war. "Initially, I thought everything was for nothing. ... But you can't look at it that way.

"It's like if a doctor recognizes that you have cancer, and they are able to treat that cancer for 20 years and you still die. There are still 20 good years there. That is the position I have had to take on it.

"There are bad people in control there now, and it is a difficult pill to swallow."

Kastle urged veterans who may be struggling at this time to reach out to their support network, including other veterans with whom they served.

"They understand you more than anyone else will ever be able to," he said.

'I wanted to do something for my country'

Derrick Crisenbery, who is now a Hays police officer, was a junior in high school on 9/11.

He served from 2003 to 2006 on active duty and then in the Reserves until 2010.

He recalled a TV being wheeled into his high school class in the small town of Fayette, Ohio, and watching the planes hit the towers.

"You're young and a lot of times your mind isn't on politics or world views and world events," he said. "It was me trying to figure out what was going on and why people would do something like that. It was shock and awe and anger and trying to figure out the why of it all."

Crisenbery said he was already considering entering the military and the events of 9/11 "sealed the deal."

"I wanted to do something for my country," he said.

Crisenbery served on an armored vehicle crew. He was deployed to Iraq for about six months and faced sniper attacks and IEDs.

"It was a surreal feeling. You go through one town and people are waving at you and smiling and there are kids playing and you go through another town and the kids and people are throwing rocks at you," he said.&nbsp;

He said he thought Americans should honor the anniversary of 9/11.

"It's a reminder to never forget," he said. "A lot of good people lost their lives that day. We owe it to them to pay our respects and honor the fallen."

Alex Broadway, who is also a Hays Police officer, was only 11 on 9/11. He entered the Marines in 2009 and served until 2013. He served on the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier.

"For a lot of people, my generation, [9/11] is the only terrorist attack they can remember," he said. "I know there were other attacks in the '90s, but for my generation, that is what really opened our eyes to the Middle East and terrorism as a whole."

Broadway said he thought remembering 9/11 remains important.

"It is important to reflect and think about the 9/11 attacks. It is important to think about why we were there in the first place and what was accomplished over that time," he said.

Morley said he would have never envisioned 20 years later the war in Afghanistan would end the way that it did.

"We've been there for 20 years," he said, "basically making Afghanistan secure and holding that place together. I think most veterans are looking at what's happening today and are absolutely stunned by the way it ended. No one likes to see that kind of an outcome. ...

&nbsp;"I can't imagine what it will be like to be an Afghani citizen from this point forward."

Morley said he has concerns about terrorist organizations regaining strengthen using Afghanistan as a haven.&nbsp;

"Afghanistan is basically going to have no central government," he said. "It's going to be this loose confederation of warlords united under the Taliban umbrella. I think that is a definite concern. 

"Where are these terrorist organizations going to gravitate? They are going to gravitate to where they can open up shop with the least amount of hassle, and currently, that is Syria and Afghanistan. There's nothing to stop them."

Kastle said he thought it is important that Americans remember 9/11 and the sacrifices of the 20-year war that followed.

"That day shaped American history forever," he said. "There were thousands of men and women who were killed that day. There were thousands of men and women who were killed over the subsequent 20 years of war that ensued following that.

"It's important that stays paramount in our minds, so we don't hastily make commitments or hastily go anywhere else. What we learn from history is important. It's important to remember not only that day, but everything that happened after that day."

Morley said 9/11 also changed the way Americans see the world.

"We grew up with this belief if we stayed strong and cooperated with other countries and treated everyone as equals that everything would be fine," he said. ...

"Sept. 11, 2001, was the giant wake-up call — that's not the case. There is real evil in the world and, when it comes out, it can be very, very ugly and very deadly.&nbsp;I think it destroyed the nation's innocence."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631212640109.jpeg" alt="Mike Morley of Hays was an officer in the U.S. Navy on 9/11. He served until September 2012, including deployments to the Middle East. He retired as a lieutenant commander in 2012. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Mike Morley of Hays was an officer in the U.S. Navy on 9/11. He served until September 2012, including deployments to the Middle East. He retired as a lieutenant commander in 2012. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>If you are a veteran struggling with mental health issues, you can call the High Plains Mental Health 24-hour crisis line at 1-800-432-0333. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline number is 1-800-273-8255.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HighPlainsMentalHealth/posts/4620836714627109?__cft__[0]=AZWN3hC0Ob2P49AfEi3qQP2CTBF2RcOvGTAADjORoM2YIkN_fKqxndvdV76uePEcKkmBZs6aXPhDSFh5LGNkXXkTDwf4aGtdfQgNIcAlz8oRKq0YV3dkXvCHNvGjBGa1qtNNs4u2jycWYkpQktxUQgb_&amp;__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R">More resources for veterans.</a>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostHays veteran Mike Morley wants fellow veterans of the last 20 years to know their sacrifices have not been in vain.As the United States approaches the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, some veterans are struggling to put their sacrifices in perspective.Morley served as an enlisted man from August 1989 to May 2001 and an officer from August 2001 to September 2012 in the U.S. Navy, including several deployments in the Middle East during his more than 20-year military career."I am of the opinion that it is never all for naught," he said. "As evidence of that, I would look back.&nbsp; We've had no attacks anywhere near the scale of 9/11 since that time. Had al-Qaeda been left unchecked ... there is no doubt they could have launched multiple, multiple attacks on the U.S."I think over the course of those 20 years, we have probably prevented dozens, if not hundreds, of attacks that never had the opportunity to happen because we were fighting," Morley said. "At the same time, it is not the way you want to end any conflict."Morley said the way the U.S. left Afghanistan is going to hurt a lot of people.&nbsp;"Did my friends die for nothing? Did I sacrifice for nothing? I think the answer to that is 'No, you didn't,' " Morley said. "Your sacrifice mattered. The people we lost — that mattered. It's just not as tidy as it has been in the past."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631216687979.jpeg" alt="Retired Navy Lt. Commander Mike Morley said he thinks the United States presence in the Middle East after 9/11 prevented further terrorist attacks on U.S. soil. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Retired Navy Lt. Commander Mike Morley said he thinks the United States presence in the Middle East after 9/11 prevented further terrorist attacks on U.S. soil. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Now is the time for veterans to come together and be there for one another, Morley said."The last thing you want to see is anybody harm themself because nothing they did in life made a difference or mattered," Morley said. "It did. It definitely made a difference. It kept America and its allies safer than we would have been had we not gone to Afghanistan and did what we had to do."<h2>9/11 at Pearl Harbor</h2>Morley had just finished officer training school and been sent to serve in the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, days before 9/11. Sept. 10, 2001, was his first day in the office at the Pacific Fleet office. His family was still staying in a hotel until they could get settled.Morley usually woke up at 5 a.m., so he could go on a run before work. However, he had an odd feeling on the morning of 9/11. He turned on the TV and flipped over to CNN. Hawaii is six hours behind New York. The south tower and the Pentagon had already been hit and fallen. The north tower fell shortly after."I was standing there in disbelief," he said. "How can this be happening?"He woke up his wife and told her he had to go to work.&nbsp;There was a long line to enter the gate to the base. The base had gone from the lowest security protocol on Sept. 10 to its highest protocol on Sept. 11. It took him a couple of hours to get into the base."It was surreal. The attack had been going on, for at that point, about eight hours," he said. "Everybody knew that this was different than any other situation we had ever been in."The Pacific Fleet has a fairly senior staff, Morley said. He was working alongside commanders, captains, admirals and flag officers."The fact that you are overlooking Pearl Harbor where World War II started for the U.S., you are thinking this is truly a moment to be here at this place and at this point in time," he said."Everybody sensed that this one was going to be different than any other war that the U.S. has ever fought in. Indeed, it has been exactly that."Morley had several deployments to the Middle East, including to Bahrain, Qatar, Aman, as well ships off of Afghanistan and Pakistan.Even in the first Gulf War, the enemy was defined and the enemy could be engaged using traditional military tactics, Morley said."This was completely different in that you had an enemy that was rapidly adaptable to whatever their environment was. They could easily blend in. They were very, very hard to detect and root out," he said."That is one of the reasons that the U.S. and the coalition had such a hard time from 2001 to 2005 trying to find the terrorist groups and to take them out because they were so well hidden and they were so well adapted to their environment."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631217102319.jpeg" alt="Seth Kastle, left,&nbsp;who is now an assistant professor of leadership studies at Fort Hays State University, was a 20-year-old soldier in the Army Reserves on 9/11.&nbsp; Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Seth Kastle, left,&nbsp;who is now an assistant professor of leadership studies at Fort Hays State University, was a 20-year-old soldier in the Army Reserves on 9/11.&nbsp; Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>'I lost a friend'</h2>Seth Kastle, who is now an assistant professor of leadership studies at Fort Hays State University, was a 20-year-old soldier in the Army Reserves on 9/11. He was at Fort Riley for training when attacks happened."You train for war, and we knew that we were going," he said. "We called family members. Everyone knew I was in the military. We knew we were ready to go that day, and we ended up going four months later."Kastle served from 1998 to 2014. He was stationed along with other Hays soldiers in Qatar and then served in a medical logistics position with the Jordanian army in Afghanistan. In March 2003, he served with a unit during the invasion of Iraq.&nbsp;When he was in Iraq, he worked with convoys, transporting supplies.&nbsp; IEDs and sniper fire were a constant threat.Kastle had problems when he came home dealing with what he had experienced. He also lost a friend in Afghanistan.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631217217329.jpeg" alt="Seth Kastle, far right, served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He said although watching the U.S. withdraw from Afghanistan has been difficult, his service and that of others in the Middle East has been important. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Seth Kastle, far right, served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He said although watching the U.S. withdraw from Afghanistan has been difficult, his service and that of others in the Middle East has been important. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>He said watching the United States' exit from Afghanistan was initially very difficult. However, he said he also thought the war in Afghanistan deterred terrorist attacks on the U.S."It was pretty ugly the way everything went down," he said of the end of the war. "Initially, I thought everything was for nothing. ... But you can't look at it that way."It's like if a doctor recognizes that you have cancer, and they are able to treat that cancer for 20 years and you still die. There are still 20 good years there. That is the position I have had to take on it."There are bad people in control there now, and it is a difficult pill to swallow."Kastle urged veterans who may be struggling at this time to reach out to their support network, including other veterans with whom they served."They understand you more than anyone else will ever be able to," he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631218676566.jpeg" alt="Derrick Crisenbery, who is now a Hays police officer, said 9/11 influenced his decision to join the military. He served in the Army from 2003 to 2006 and in the Reserves until 2010. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Derrick Crisenbery, who is now a Hays police officer, said 9/11 influenced his decision to join the military. He served in the Army from 2003 to 2006 and in the Reserves until 2010. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>'I wanted to do something for my country'</h2>Derrick Crisenbery, who is now a Hays police officer, was a junior in high school on 9/11.He served from 2003 to 2006 on active duty and then in the Reserves until 2010.He recalled a TV being wheeled into his high school class in the small town of Fayette, Ohio, and watching the planes hit the towers."You're young and a lot of times your mind isn't on politics or world views and world events," he said. "It was me trying to figure out what was going on and why people would do something like that. It was shock and awe and anger and trying to figure out the why of it all."Crisenbery said he was already considering entering the military and the events of 9/11 "sealed the deal.""I wanted to do something for my country," he said.Crisenbery served on an armored vehicle crew. He was deployed to Iraq for about six months and faced sniper attacks and IEDs."It was a surreal feeling. You go through one town and people are waving at you and smiling and there are kids playing and you go through another town and the kids and people are throwing rocks at you," he said.&nbsp;He said he thought Americans should honor the anniversary of 9/11."It's a reminder to never forget," he said. "A lot of good people lost their lives that day. We owe it to them to pay our respects and honor the fallen."Alex Broadway, who is also a Hays Police officer, was only 11 on 9/11. He entered the Marines in 2009 and served until 2013. He served on the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier."For a lot of people, my generation, [9/11] is the only terrorist attack they can remember," he said. "I know there were other attacks in the '90s, but for my generation, that is what really opened our eyes to the Middle East and terrorism as a whole."Broadway said he thought remembering 9/11 remains important."It is important to reflect and think about the 9/11 attacks. It is important to think about why we were there in the first place and what was accomplished over that time," he said.<h2>20 years later, terror still a threat</h2>Morley said he would have never envisioned 20 years later the war in Afghanistan would end the way that it did."We've been there for 20 years," he said, "basically making Afghanistan secure and holding that place together. I think most veterans are looking at what's happening today and are absolutely stunned by the way it ended. No one likes to see that kind of an outcome. ...&nbsp;"I can't imagine what it will be like to be an Afghani citizen from this point forward."Morley said he has concerns about terrorist organizations regaining strengthen using Afghanistan as a haven.&nbsp;"Afghanistan is basically going to have no central government," he said. "It's going to be this loose confederation of warlords united under the Taliban umbrella. I think that is a definite concern. "Where are these terrorist organizations going to gravitate? They are going to gravitate to where they can open up shop with the least amount of hassle, and currently, that is Syria and Afghanistan. There's nothing to stop them."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631218830704.jpeg" alt="Seth Kastle of Hays, right, said 9/11 shaped America forever. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Seth Kastle of Hays, right, said 9/11 shaped America forever. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>9/11 destroys nation's innocence</h2>Kastle said he thought it is important that Americans remember 9/11 and the sacrifices of the 20-year war that followed."That day shaped American history forever," he said. "There were thousands of men and women who were killed that day. There were thousands of men and women who were killed over the subsequent 20 years of war that ensued following that."It's important that stays paramount in our minds, so we don't hastily make commitments or hastily go anywhere else. What we learn from history is important. It's important to remember not only that day, but everything that happened after that day."Morley said 9/11 also changed the way Americans see the world."We grew up with this belief if we stayed strong and cooperated with other countries and treated everyone as equals that everything would be fine," he said. ..."Sept. 11, 2001, was the giant wake-up call — that's not the case. There is real evil in the world and, when it comes out, it can be very, very ugly and very deadly.&nbsp;I think it destroyed the nation's innocence."

Hays veterans recall 9/11, say Afghan war kept U.S. safe

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Friday reported 17 new COVID-19 cases in Ellis County had been identified since Wednesday.

There have been 371 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;

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c2444e15-4f2d-4541-a68c-68b51f6432ff">RELATED: New COVID case rates in NW Kansas highest in the state</a>

As of Friday morning, there were 15 COVID inpatients at HaysMed. Of the 46 admissions at HaysMed in the month of August, 40 were unvaccinated, the hospital reported.

The KDHE also reported Friday 47 percent of eligible Ellis County residents are fully vaccinated, noting the vaccination rate for the entire Kansas population is approximately 58 percent.

Since reporting began, there have been 4,175 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 74 coronavirus-related deaths.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631293988083.png" alt="KDHE" />
 <figcaption>KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="ECHS COVID-19 update: Sept. 10, 2021" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=hvqfv-10d840c-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>The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Friday reported 17 new COVID-19 cases in Ellis County had been identified since Wednesday.There have been 371 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;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c2444e15-4f2d-4541-a68c-68b51f6432ff">RELATED: New COVID case rates in NW Kansas highest in the state</a>As of Friday morning, there were 15 COVID inpatients at HaysMed. Of the 46 admissions at HaysMed in the month of August, 40 were unvaccinated, the hospital reported.The KDHE also reported Friday 47 percent of eligible Ellis County residents are fully vaccinated, noting the vaccination rate for the entire Kansas population is approximately 58 percent.Since reporting began, there have been 4,175 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 74 coronavirus-related deaths.

🎙17 new virus cases in Ellis Co.; Kennedy talks vaccine safety

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/da409ca7-823c-4f74-add8-059b2182df5c">RELATED:&nbsp;🎙17 new virus cases in Ellis Co.; Kennedy talks vaccine safety</a>

COVID-19 cases in northwest Kansas are up 65 percent compared to mid-April, according to data compiled by the <a href="https://www.kha-net.org/CriticalIssues/HospitalPreparedness/covid-19/">Kansas Hospital Association</a>&nbsp;and published Wednesday.

It is by far the largest increase in the association's six regions, with south-central Kansas' 43 percent increase the next highest spike.

The KHA also reported that northwest Kansas has a 42 percent vaccination rate, even with southeast Kansas for the lowest rate in the state.

For more data from the Kansas Hospital Association, click <a href="https://www.kha-net.org/DataProductsandServices/STAT/Dashboard/d157638.aspx?type=view">HERE</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631290751755.png" alt="KHA" />
 <figcaption>KHA</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/da409ca7-823c-4f74-add8-059b2182df5c">RELATED:&nbsp;🎙17 new virus cases in Ellis Co.; Kennedy talks vaccine safety</a>COVID-19 cases in northwest Kansas are up 65 percent compared to mid-April, according to data compiled by the <a href="https://www.kha-net.org/CriticalIssues/HospitalPreparedness/covid-19/">Kansas Hospital Association</a>&nbsp;and published Wednesday.It is by far the largest increase in the association's six regions, with south-central Kansas' 43 percent increase the next highest spike.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631291041290.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The KHA also reported that northwest Kansas has a 42 percent vaccination rate, even with southeast Kansas for the lowest rate in the state.For more data from the Kansas Hospital Association, click <a href="https://www.kha-net.org/DataProductsandServices/STAT/Dashboard/d157638.aspx?type=view">HERE</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631291427273.png" alt="KHA regions" />
 <figcaption>KHA regions</figcaption>
 </figure>

KHA: New COVID case rates in NW Kansas highest in the state

TREGO COUNTY—Authorities are investigating an accident involving a school bus that occurred just after 7:30a.m. Friday in Trego County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a&nbsp;2007 Nissan Altima driven by Migel Garcia, 39, Liberal, was northbound on 120 Road&nbsp;approximately one mile northwest of Collyer.

The driver failed to stop at the stop sign at G Road. The Nissan struck the rear left corner of a westbound 2003 Freightliner bus driven by Kirby J. Mader, 69, of Quinter, for USD 293 in Quinter.

Garcia, Mader and four students ages 4, 8, 15 and 16 on the bus were not injured. Garcia was also not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

TREGO COUNTY—Authorities are investigating an accident involving a school bus that occurred just after 7:30a.m. Friday in Trego County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a&nbsp;2007 Nissan Altima driven by Migel Garcia, 39, Liberal, was northbound on 120 Road&nbsp;approximately one mile northwest of Collyer.The driver failed to stop at the stop sign at G Road. The Nissan struck the rear left corner of a westbound 2003 Freightliner bus driven by Kirby J. Mader, 69, of Quinter, for USD 293 in Quinter.Garcia, Mader and four students ages 4, 8, 15 and 16 on the bus were not injured. Garcia was also not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

KHP: Driver ran stop sign, struck Kansas school bus

On this episode of the Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Affiliate Development and Volunteer Coordinator at NAMI Art Summers.

<div><iframe title="Forward Ever: NAMI Volunteer Coordinator Art Summers" 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=kgiy2-10cf415-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 Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Affiliate Development and Volunteer Coordinator at NAMI Art Summers.

🎤Forward Ever: NAMI volunteer coordinator Art Summers

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Fort Hays State University Alumni Association communication coordinator Noelle Husmann and alumni engagement strategist Carolyn Tatro share information about the upcoming FHSU homecoming.

<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="FHSU Alumni Association preparing for Homecoming" 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=7b5cq-10d8446-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, Fort Hays State University Alumni Association communication coordinator Noelle Husmann and alumni engagement strategist Carolyn Tatro share information about the upcoming FHSU homecoming. <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: FHSU Alumni Association preparing for Homecoming

As students went back to school Tuesday after the Labor Day weekend, new quarantine guidelines went into place at Hays schools.

"As we have been working through this on a weekly basis and working with the Ellis County advisory group, [Jason Kennedy, Ellis County public health officer], hearing numbers from all the schools around, he felt like our numbers are surging to the point he needed to put something in place immediately to squash or decrease our numbers the best he could," Hays Superintendent Ron Wilson said Tuesday.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/726df760-8c28-447b-8c39-d34208107c70">See a full copy of the new quarantine guidelines.</a>

Thomas More Prep-Marian also instituted the new COVID quarantine guidelines this week.

Wilson said Kennedy said he was concerned if local schools did not take mitigation efforts now, the community will see a surge in November that will be difficult to contain.

As of Wednesday, the district had 63 students and no staff in quarantine because of close contacts.

Twenty students and four staff members have tested positive and are in isolation. That is down from 29 staff and students in isolation as of last Friday.

"I would not say that our numbers are out of control," Wilson said. ... "It's high, but it's not unreasonable in terms of what we are going to expect from COVID."

A large percentage of the district's students have not been vaccinated either because they are too young to be vaccinated or their families don't feel comfortable with them receiving the vaccine.

The district started the school year without masks.

"I think there is a number out there that is reasonable to say we're going to have to do something different," Wilson said.

That benchmark has yet to be set. Wilson said he will be updating the Hays school board on COVID numbers and policies on Monday.

There will be a board work session at 11:30 a.m. Monday at Roosevelt Elementary School.&nbsp;

"Sometimes people are way more upset about masks and what they do to kids," Wilsons said. "But what bothers me as a superintendent is when we have kids that have to go home and can't be in school. To me, that is way more harmful than asking kids and staff to wear masks. ...

"That impacts students and it impacts families depending on how old they are and how sick they are," he said. ... "My goal is to keep kids in school."

USD 489 will not be offering remote learning this school year.

Wilson said not only were students not benefiting from that learning model, but it increased the strain on teachers&nbsp;

The district will be using Seesaw app at the elementary level and Canvas app at the middle school and high school to communicate assignments to students and parents.

"The thing that I am very proud of about our district in dealing with COVID&nbsp; is that none of the decisions we have made for over a year and a half have been based on fear," Wilson said. "We've based these decisions on what the numbers and the science are telling us about COVID."

He asked for everyone's help in continuing to mitigate the virus, including keeping children at home when they are sick.

"We are not going to deplete it to zero, but we can keep it under control," Wilson said of COVID.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631133499568.jpg" alt="Photo courtesy of Pixaby" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Pixaby</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostAs students went back to school Tuesday after the Labor Day weekend, new quarantine guidelines went into place at Hays schools."As we have been working through this on a weekly basis and working with the Ellis County advisory group, [Jason Kennedy, Ellis County public health officer], hearing numbers from all the schools around, he felt like our numbers are surging to the point he needed to put something in place immediately to squash or decrease our numbers the best he could," Hays Superintendent Ron Wilson said Tuesday.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/726df760-8c28-447b-8c39-d34208107c70">See a full copy of the new quarantine guidelines.</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/da409ca7-823c-4f74-add8-059b2182df5c">RELATED:&nbsp;🎙17 new virus cases in Ellis Co.; Kennedy talks vaccine safety</a>Thomas More Prep-Marian also instituted the new COVID quarantine guidelines this week.Wilson said Kennedy said he was concerned if local schools did not take mitigation efforts now, the community will see a surge in November that will be difficult to contain.As of Wednesday, the district had 63 students and no staff in quarantine because of close contacts.Twenty students and four staff members have tested positive and are in isolation. That is down from 29 staff and students in isolation as of last Friday."I would not say that our numbers are out of control," Wilson said. ... "It's high, but it's not unreasonable in terms of what we are going to expect from COVID."A large percentage of the district's students have not been vaccinated either because they are too young to be vaccinated or their families don't feel comfortable with them receiving the vaccine.The district started the school year without masks."I think there is a number out there that is reasonable to say we're going to have to do something different," Wilson said.That benchmark has yet to be set. Wilson said he will be updating the Hays school board on COVID numbers and policies on Monday.There will be a board work session at 11:30 a.m. Monday at Roosevelt Elementary School.&nbsp;"Sometimes people are way more upset about masks and what they do to kids," Wilsons said. "But what bothers me as a superintendent is when we have kids that have to go home and can't be in school. To me, that is way more harmful than asking kids and staff to wear masks. ..."That impacts students and it impacts families depending on how old they are and how sick they are," he said. ... "My goal is to keep kids in school."USD 489 will not be offering remote learning this school year.Wilson said not only were students not benefiting from that learning model, but it increased the strain on teachers&nbsp;The district will be using Seesaw app at the elementary level and Canvas app at the middle school and high school to communicate assignments to students and parents."The thing that I am very proud of about our district in dealing with COVID&nbsp; is that none of the decisions we have made for over a year and a half have been based on fear," Wilson said. "We've based these decisions on what the numbers and the science are telling us about COVID."He asked for everyone's help in continuing to mitigate the virus, including keeping children at home when they are sick."We are not going to deplete it to zero, but we can keep it under control," Wilson said of COVID.

Hays schools increase mitigation measures as COVID cases increase

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

Saturday is 
the 20th&nbsp;anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the United 
States.&nbsp;Memorials to those who died that day can be found at eight 
airports in Kansas thanks to the work of two Hoisington artists.&nbsp;

Brothers
 Bruce and Brent Bitter created the artwork.&nbsp;They are the owners of 
B&amp;B Metal Arts in Hoisington.&nbsp;Bruce explained how they got involved 
with the project.&nbsp;

"Ten years ago, we received a phone call from 
Homeland Security’s TSA that they had a piece of the World Trade Center 
I-beam,” Bruce remembered. “They were looking for a Kansas artist to put
 that into an artistic view for the Kansas airports.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

The 
brothers were given an 8-foot-long section of the World Trade Center
 I-beam.&nbsp;The&nbsp;largest sculpture&nbsp;was dedicated at Wichita’s airport&nbsp;in 
September of&nbsp;2011.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"We did our best to put an eagle above it 
with its claws gripping the I-beam&nbsp;and carrying that away with the 
background of the American flag with nine stars and eleven stripes&nbsp;with 
the Twin Towers behind it,”&nbsp;Bruce said. “And then we put an uplifting 
pedestal&nbsp;in it&nbsp;to display it.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

The nine stars and eleven stripes represent the number 9/11.

Seven&nbsp;replicas&nbsp;that
 were one-fourth the size&nbsp;of the Wichita artwork&nbsp;were&nbsp;created&nbsp;and placed
 at&nbsp;seven smaller airports in Kansas, including the Great Bend 
Airport.&nbsp;The artworks are identical except for the eagle.&nbsp;Bruce says the
 eagle is posed differently on each&nbsp;sculpture&nbsp;so that each airport has a
 unique piece.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Airports in Liberal, Hays, Salina, Manhattan, Dodge City and Garden City&nbsp;also received the historic artwork.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631282093944.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KEN CARPENTER <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>Saturday is 
the 20th&nbsp;anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the United 
States.&nbsp;Memorials to those who died that day can be found at eight 
airports in Kansas thanks to the work of two Hoisington artists.&nbsp;Brothers
 Bruce and Brent Bitter created the artwork.&nbsp;They are the owners of 
B&amp;B Metal Arts in Hoisington.&nbsp;Bruce explained how they got involved 
with the project.&nbsp;"Ten years ago, we received a phone call from 
Homeland Security’s TSA that they had a piece of the World Trade Center 
I-beam,” Bruce remembered. “They were looking for a Kansas artist to put
 that into an artistic view for the Kansas airports.”&nbsp;&nbsp;The 
brothers were given an 8-foot-long section of the World Trade Center
 I-beam.&nbsp;The&nbsp;largest sculpture&nbsp;was dedicated at Wichita’s airport&nbsp;in 
September of&nbsp;2011.&nbsp;&nbsp;"We did our best to put an eagle above it 
with its claws gripping the I-beam&nbsp;and carrying that away with the 
background of the American flag with nine stars and eleven stripes&nbsp;with 
the Twin Towers behind it,”&nbsp;Bruce said. “And then we put an uplifting 
pedestal&nbsp;in it&nbsp;to display it.”&nbsp;&nbsp;The nine stars and eleven stripes represent the number 9/11.Seven&nbsp;replicas&nbsp;that
 were one-fourth the size&nbsp;of the Wichita artwork&nbsp;were&nbsp;created&nbsp;and placed
 at&nbsp;seven smaller airports in Kansas, including the Great Bend 
Airport.&nbsp;The artworks are identical except for the eagle.&nbsp;Bruce says the
 eagle is posed differently on each&nbsp;sculpture&nbsp;so that each airport has a
 unique piece.&nbsp;&nbsp;Airports in Liberal, Hays, Salina, Manhattan, Dodge City and Garden City&nbsp;also received the historic artwork.&nbsp;

Hoisington artists reflect on 9/11 memorials at Kansas airports

&nbsp;ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Fort Hays State Football fell by a score of 38-31 at Missouri Western on Thursday night. The Tigers held a 17-10 halftime lead only to see a rash of third-quarter mistakes lead to 21 unanswered points for the Griffons. A fourth-quarter comeback attempt by the Tigers came up short. The lead changed hands twice in the first half. FHSU took the lead to start on an&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6186">Adrian Soto</a>&nbsp;1-yard touchdown early in the first quarter. The Griffons responded with a touchdown to tie the game and then took a 10-7 lead on a field goal. In the second quarter, the Tigers took the lead back on a 6-yard touchdown pass from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6146">Chance Fuller</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6130">Hunter Budke</a>, making the score 14-10. FHSU added to its lead as time expired in the first half on a 28-yard field goal by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6122">Fernando Avila-Castro</a>, making it 17-10.

The third quarter mistakes for the Tigers began with Missouri Western scoring a touchdown on an interception thrown on fourth down in Griffon territory. The Tigers responded fast with a Fuller 67-yard touchdown strike to Soto, putting the Tigers back up by seven at 24-17. But three more miscues kept the momentum flowing in Missouri Western's direction. The Tigers fumbled in their own territory and the Griffons scooped the ball to score a touchdown and tie the game at 24-24. Another Tiger interception led to a quick touchdown run by the Griffons, pushing the home team into the lead at 31-24. Then the Tigers had a defensive breakdown and allowed an 86-yard touchdown pass, making it 38-24 Griffons.

The Tigers cut back into the lead when Fuller connected with&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6171">Josh Okechukwu</a>&nbsp;for an 18-yard touchdown pass with 4:41 to go in the game. Missouri Western was able to chew off enough time to punt the ball away to the Tigers with only 13 seconds remaining in the game. The Tigers ran a couple of plays, but could not get past midfield.

It is unknown when accurate stats will be available from this contest. When fully vetted for accuracy, stats will be updated on fhsuathletics.com.

Fort Hays State, now 0-2, returns to action next week at home when it takes on Lincoln University. Kickoff is set for 7 pm on Saturday night (Sept. 18) at Lewis Field Stadium.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Fort Hays State Football fell by a score of 38-31 at Missouri Western on Thursday night. The Tigers held a 17-10 halftime lead only to see a rash of third-quarter mistakes lead to 21 unanswered points for the Griffons. A fourth-quarter comeback attempt by the Tigers came up short. The lead changed hands twice in the first half. FHSU took the lead to start on an&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6186">Adrian Soto</a>&nbsp;1-yard touchdown early in the first quarter. The Griffons responded with a touchdown to tie the game and then took a 10-7 lead on a field goal. In the second quarter, the Tigers took the lead back on a 6-yard touchdown pass from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6146">Chance Fuller</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6130">Hunter Budke</a>, making the score 14-10. FHSU added to its lead as time expired in the first half on a 28-yard field goal by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6122">Fernando Avila-Castro</a>, making it 17-10.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1122108793&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/09-09-21-fhsu-coach-chris-brown-interview" title="Chris Brown Postgame at Missouri Western (Sep 9, 2021)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Chris Brown Postgame at Missouri Western (Sep 9, 2021)</a></div></div>The third quarter mistakes for the Tigers began with Missouri Western scoring a touchdown on an interception thrown on fourth down in Griffon territory. The Tigers responded fast with a Fuller 67-yard touchdown strike to Soto, putting the Tigers back up by seven at 24-17. But three more miscues kept the momentum flowing in Missouri Western's direction. The Tigers fumbled in their own territory and the Griffons scooped the ball to score a touchdown and tie the game at 24-24. Another Tiger interception led to a quick touchdown run by the Griffons, pushing the home team into the lead at 31-24. Then the Tigers had a defensive breakdown and allowed an 86-yard touchdown pass, making it 38-24 Griffons.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1122108856&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/09-09-21-fhsu-player-interview-budke" title="Hunter Budke Postgame at Missouri Western (Sep 9, 2021)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Hunter Budke Postgame at Missouri Western (Sep 9, 2021)</a></div></div>The Tigers cut back into the lead when Fuller connected with&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6171">Josh Okechukwu</a>&nbsp;for an 18-yard touchdown pass with 4:41 to go in the game. Missouri Western was able to chew off enough time to punt the ball away to the Tigers with only 13 seconds remaining in the game. The Tigers ran a couple of plays, but could not get past midfield.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1122108883&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/09-09-21-fhsu-player-interview-starks" title="Jordan Starks Postgame at Missouri Western (Sep 9, 2021)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Jordan Starks Postgame at Missouri Western (Sep 9, 2021)</a></div></div>It is unknown when accurate stats will be available from this contest. When fully vetted for accuracy, stats will be updated on fhsuathletics.com.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1122108817&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/09-09-21-fhsu-fb-vs-mo-western-state-highlights" title="Fort Hays State FB at Missouri Western Highlights (Sep 9, 2021)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Fort Hays State FB at Missouri Western Highlights (Sep 9, 2021)</a></div></div>Fort Hays State, now 0-2, returns to action next week at home when it takes on Lincoln University. Kickoff is set for 7 pm on Saturday night (Sept. 18) at Lewis Field Stadium.&nbsp;&nbsp;FHSU Athletics

🏈 Third quarter mistakes by Tigers lead to 38-31 loss at Missouri Western

Are umbrella insurance policies worth it, or do they just entice people to sue more frequently?

I don’t think there’s any indication umbrella policies entice folks to bring lawsuits more frequently. If you hadn’t noticed, we live in a lawsuit-happy world. There are lots of greedy people out there who would try to sue for absolutely anything—no matter how ridiculous.

I think these types of policies are worth the money. You can get a $1 million umbrella policy that attaches to the top of the liability coverage on your car and homeowners for $200 to $300 a year in most places. So, if your original car and homeowners coverage was $500,000, you’d have $1.5 million in coverage with an umbrella policy.

If you’ve got a substantial net worth, or if there’s just something that gives the impression someone might be able to get a lot out of you, an umbrella&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/insurance/coverage-checkup" target="_blank">insurance policy</a>&nbsp;is a smart buy.

Keep things friendly, but reach an understanding

My husband and I own a small business. We have a large account providing wholesale items to a client. Our original agreement was to work on 30-day payment periods, but he is three months behind on the bill. We live in a small town, and the businesses here stick together and help each other out, so we don’t want to ruin the relationship. Do you have some advice on handling this situation?

From what you said, I assume this guy’s not a cheat or anything like that. He’s probably like a lot of small business owners in that he’s just a little disorganized. Still, you need to correct this behavior.

If it were me, I’d go to his office and have a friendly, sit-down meeting about things. There’s no reason to start throwing threats around, but he needs to understand you can’t be his bank. You’re a small business, too, and you need&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/retirement/investment-calculator" target="_blank">your money</a>.

Ask a few questions, and find out what’s really going on. Then, let him know it will help matters if he can get current on the bill by a certain date. You’ve provided goods and services, and he owes you money, so this is a fair request. You might think about adjusting your payment agreement to reflect that once he’s current, payment must be within 10 days of delivery from that point on.

If that’s not workable, you may have to switch to a cash-only basis—where payment is due on delivery. And if none of these options work, well, you should probably tell him to find another supplier.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596845065840.jpeg" alt="Dave Ramsey" />
 <figcaption>Dave Ramsey</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Is umbrella coverage worth it?</h2>Dear Dave,Are umbrella insurance policies worth it, or do they just entice people to sue more frequently?TammiDear Tammi,I don’t think there’s any indication umbrella policies entice folks to bring lawsuits more frequently. If you hadn’t noticed, we live in a lawsuit-happy world. There are lots of greedy people out there who would try to sue for absolutely anything—no matter how ridiculous.I think these types of policies are worth the money. You can get a $1 million umbrella policy that attaches to the top of the liability coverage on your car and homeowners for $200 to $300 a year in most places. So, if your original car and homeowners coverage was $500,000, you’d have $1.5 million in coverage with an umbrella policy.If you’ve got a substantial net worth, or if there’s just something that gives the impression someone might be able to get a lot out of you, an umbrella&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/insurance/coverage-checkup" target="_blank">insurance policy</a>&nbsp;is a smart buy.Dave<h2>Keep things friendly, but reach an understanding</h2>Dear Dave,My husband and I own a small business. We have a large account providing wholesale items to a client. Our original agreement was to work on 30-day payment periods, but he is three months behind on the bill. We live in a small town, and the businesses here stick together and help each other out, so we don’t want to ruin the relationship. Do you have some advice on handling this situation?HollieDear Hollie,From what you said, I assume this guy’s not a cheat or anything like that. He’s probably like a lot of small business owners in that he’s just a little disorganized. Still, you need to correct this behavior.If it were me, I’d go to his office and have a friendly, sit-down meeting about things. There’s no reason to start throwing threats around, but he needs to understand you can’t be his bank. You’re a small business, too, and you need&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/retirement/investment-calculator" target="_blank">your money</a>.Ask a few questions, and find out what’s really going on. Then, let him know it will help matters if he can get current on the bill by a certain date. You’ve provided goods and services, and he owes you money, so this is a fair request. You might think about adjusting your payment agreement to reflect that once he’s current, payment must be within 10 days of delivery from that point on.If that’s not workable, you may have to switch to a cash-only basis—where payment is due on delivery. And if none of these options work, well, you should probably tell him to find another supplier.Dave

DAVE SAYS: Umbrella coverage worth it? Reach understanding

The USD 489 Early Childhood Connections program will celebrate its thirty-year anniversary with a Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting on Thursday, Sept. 16,&nbsp;at 9:30 a.m.

USD 489 Early Childhood Connections is a&nbsp;child development, parenting and family services program for pregnant women and families.&nbsp; The program integrates Parents as Teachers, Early Head Start, Head Start and Preschool-Aged At-Risk Program.&nbsp; There is no cost for families receiving Connections services.&nbsp; The program provides services to over 380 children, and their families, in Ellis, Rush, Rooks and Russell Counties. The celebration will be held at the USD 489 Early Childhood Complex located at 2501 E. 13th.&nbsp; In addition to the Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting and refreshments, the program will have “birthday party” activities for the children currently enrolled in the program.&nbsp; All celebration activities will be held outside.&nbsp; The ribbon cutting and refreshments are open to the public. For more information about the event, contact Outreach and Grants Coordinator, Dana Stanton at 785-623-2430 or visit the organization’s website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.usd489connections.com/">www.usd489connections.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631036106016.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>News releaseThe USD 489 Early Childhood Connections program will celebrate its thirty-year anniversary with a Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting on Thursday, Sept. 16,&nbsp;at 9:30 a.m.USD 489 Early Childhood Connections is a&nbsp;child development, parenting and family services program for pregnant women and families.&nbsp; The program integrates Parents as Teachers, Early Head Start, Head Start and Preschool-Aged At-Risk Program.&nbsp; There is no cost for families receiving Connections services.&nbsp; The program provides services to over 380 children, and their families, in Ellis, Rush, Rooks and Russell Counties. The celebration will be held at the USD 489 Early Childhood Complex located at 2501 E. 13th.&nbsp; In addition to the Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting and refreshments, the program will have “birthday party” activities for the children currently enrolled in the program.&nbsp; All celebration activities will be held outside.&nbsp; The ribbon cutting and refreshments are open to the public. For more information about the event, contact Outreach and Grants Coordinator, Dana Stanton at 785-623-2430 or visit the organization’s website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.usd489connections.com/">www.usd489connections.com</a>.

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