As the new year approaches, it is a time of reflection.

As we close out the year and look ahead to 2025, here is a look back at the top 10 local Hays Post stories from 2024.

10. Hays man seriously injured in incident outside bar

A Hays resident was hospitalized with a serious head injury after an altercation outside of the Sip 'N' Spin, 209 W. 10th, Hays, early Jan.21.

Damien L. Wood, 19, of Bosque, New Mexico, was arrested on a charge of aggravated battery, said Deputy Hays Police Chief Brian Dawson.

A 35-year-old Hays man was taken to HaysMed with a head injury and then flown to KU Medical Center in Kansas City.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1b6d928b-12a4-482b-a583-e5613a0dcc2e">SEE RELATED STORY: Hays man seriously injured outside bar</a>

9. LGBTQ+ inclusion Glitter+Ash event on FHSU campus sparks backlash

An event that combined ashes and glitter to celebrate Ash Wednesday sparked a backlash in the Hays community.

Fort Hays State University students or members of the public were able to be blessed with the traditional ashes or ashes mixed with glitter at the Memorial Union.

Organizers billed the event as a means to foster inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community.

More than 200 people commented on a Facebook posting on the event. Some comments were supportive, and&nbsp;other community members expressed outrage.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/ff4ed31a-2c69-4d33-9b90-9a0d46d1c675">SEE RELATED STORY:&nbsp;LGBTQ+ inclusion Glitter+Ash event on FHSU campus sparks backlash</a>

8. Man from Hays dies after pickup, semi crash

A man from Hays died in an accident just before 9 p.m. Dec. 17 in Ellis County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Toyota Tundra driven by&nbsp; &nbsp;Brandon L.&nbsp; Frick, 40, Hays, was southbound on U.S. 183 at Munjor Road.

The pickup crossed the center line and struck a northbound semi driven by Jesse W. Crum, 34, Colorado. After impact, both vehicles traveled into the west ditch and came to rest on their wheels.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/2c7bee46-550f-486a-8134-1348b8fa9f4c">SEE RELATED STORY:&nbsp;Man from Hays dies after pickup semi crash</a>

7. 48 Hours to feature Hays death: 'Kristen Trickle: Autopsy of the Mind'

A woman who lived in Hays was found dying from a gunshot wound. Evidence at the scene did not add up. Prosecutors came up with a new way—they say—to find out what really happened.

On April 27 on KWCH, Erin Moriarty Reported in “48 Hours: Kristen Trickle: Autopsy of the Mind."&nbsp;

In the early morning hours of Halloween 2019 in Hays, Colby Trickle called 911 and said he woke up to his ears ringing and saw his wife, Kristen Trickle, bleeding next to him in the bed.

Since authorities were divided on the evidence they saw at the crime scene, they tried something new and ordered a very different type of autopsy, an autopsy of Kristen Trickle’s mind.

That investigation eventually led from what Colby Trickle said was suicide to&nbsp;Colby's conviction in his wife's death.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4c33423c-1f63-4d7b-98ec-a4ded347e85e">SEE RELATED STORY:&nbsp;48 Hours to feature Hays Death’ Kristen Trickle: Autopsy of the Mind’</a>

6. Grow Hays announces new shopping center project north of I-70

Grow Hays has contracted to purchase 9.1 acres of land north of Home Depot in Hays. They hope to construct a new shopping center on the land.

The land is north of Interstate 70 on East 41st Street.

Doug Williams, director of Grow Hays, said&nbsp;multiple big-box retailers have expressed interest in Hays.

Williams estimated the new shopping center would generate $20 million in annual sales, which would generate $600,000 combined annually in additional sales tax for the city of Hays, Ellis County and the Hays USD 489 bond issue.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/68c83702-3486-4109-b74f-2a7ee851a4fe">SEE RELATED STORY:&nbsp;Grow Hays announces new shopping center</a>

Ellis County law enforcement authorities investigated the death of a 5-month-old boy who died on April 2 in Hays.

28-year-old Abraham Duran Leon of Hays was arrested on June 17 in connection with the death of his son, Fernando Leon.

An autopsy report revealed the child had methamphetamine in his system and died from complications related to methamphetamine intoxication.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b3e788cd-7e44-4409-a2e4-07584c0e793a">SEE RELATED STORY:&nbsp;Hays infant’s death still under investigation</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b82bb20e-49b1-41cf-bf36-fb0b29acf58a">SEE RELATED STORY: Arrest made in Hays infant death investigation</a>

4. Love's store location in Hays to be put up for sale

Love's Country Store, 2500 Vine, Hays, closed this week after being in operation in that location since the late 1970s.

"Love's made the business decision to close its country store in Hays, Kansas, effective May 7, 2024. This store was opened in the late 1970s, and customer demand for the country store model has decreased in recent years," said&nbsp;Tracey Budz, Love's director of corporate communications, in an email.

Love’s is planning to put the property on the market for sale, Budz said.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5fe47100-3d66-44bb-97b3-25aceb8379e3">SEE RELATED STORY: UPDATE: Love's store location in Hays to be put up for sale</a>

A 16-year-old was killed in a rollover accident southwest of Hays in the early morning hours of Oct. 5.

In a press release, Ellis County Sheriff Scott Braun said the accident was reported at about 12:30 a.m. near 230th Avenue and Spring Hill Road.

Braun said the teen was one of four teenagers in the car that left the roadway and rolled.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/2eab323d-7e99-4dea-878c-9c3087e74868">SEE RELATED STORY: Teen killed in Ellis County accident</a>

2. Hays man arrested for battery after choking victim

A man was arrested in Hays on Sept. 21 for aggravated battery after reportedly choking another man until he lost consciousness.

Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said that 19-year-old Aiden Amrein was arrested and booked into the Ellis County Jail following an altercation with another man.

Scheibler said Amrein got on the back of the alleged victim while they were on the ground and placed him in a chokehold until the victim lost consciousness.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/78986be0-0dfe-405f-b2a7-d971a3fe7459">SEE RELATED STORY:&nbsp;Hays man arrested for battery after choking victim</a>

1. HaysMed losses $5M; current, former staff express concerns about care, administration

The No. 1 Hays Post story of 2024 is not a single story but a series of stories and letters to the editor dating back to August. 

Doctors and staff at HaysMed began expressing concern about HaysMed administration and the loss of medical staff in August. Dr. Jerod Grove, HaysMed surgeon, announced he was leaving the hospital in November.

He was followed by Dr. Robert Rodriguez, an oncologist.

Both doctors filed lawsuits in federal court against the hospital, alleging the noncompete clauses in their contracts are too broad and will harm patients' access to medical care in western Kansas.&nbsp;

HaysMed administrators said noncompete clauses in medical staff members' contracts are standard practice. The hospital has countersued the doctors.

According to Grove's lawsuit, HaysMed has lost 12 physicians, two certified registered nurse anesthetists, and three midlevel providers. None of these have remained in the region and provide services to the residents of the state's western half.

As of Dec. 12, the doctors announced they were trying to resolve their contract disputes with the hospital amicably.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a32ac3e2-3d3b-4a77-94b3-9e455da465e1">HaysMed losses $5M, current, former staff express concerns about care, administration</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a05ca048-415e-412f-bcea-55ff325a76b9">SEE RELATED STORY: Second doctor sues HaysMed over noncompete clause in contract</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b34af9aa-1485-42c1-a272-afe7c74a36fb">SEE RELATED STORY: Doctor files lawsuit against HaysMed, seeks to continue practicing in western Kansas</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/ff47d31e-0893-42cc-9d64-36235a52511f">SEE RELATED STORY: LETTER: Oncologist announces resignation from HaysMed</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/6dbff5d6-d29e-4959-b974-b6e39d502851">SEE RELATED STORY: Doctors share concerns on administration, future of HaysMed</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a32ac3e2-3d3b-4a77-94b3-9e455da465e1"></a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/2be22ca4-173c-464f-b507-918c1bbcc5a8">SEE RELATED STORY: HaysMed administrators respond to challenges facing hospital</a>

As the new year approaches, it is a time of reflection.As we close out the year and look ahead to 2025, here is a look back at the top 10 local Hays Post stories from 2024.<h2>10. Hays man seriously injured in incident outside bar</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734971456233.png" alt="Wood-photo Ellis Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Wood-photo Ellis Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>A Hays resident was hospitalized with a serious head injury after an altercation outside of the Sip 'N' Spin, 209 W. 10th, Hays, early Jan.21.Damien L. Wood, 19, of Bosque, New Mexico, was arrested on a charge of aggravated battery, said Deputy Hays Police Chief Brian Dawson.A 35-year-old Hays man was taken to HaysMed with a head injury and then flown to KU Medical Center in Kansas City.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1b6d928b-12a4-482b-a583-e5613a0dcc2e">SEE RELATED STORY: Hays man seriously injured outside bar</a><h2>9. LGBTQ+ inclusion Glitter+Ash event on FHSU campus sparks backlash</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734971817147.jpeg" alt="Jaelyn Sutter, FHSU student and member of Us4U, receives ashes on Ash Wednesday from Pastor Ben Houchen of the St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Hays during a Glitter+Ash event at the FHSU Memorial Union. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Jaelyn Sutter, FHSU student and member of Us4U, receives ashes on Ash Wednesday from Pastor Ben Houchen of the St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Hays during a Glitter+Ash event at the FHSU Memorial Union. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>An event that combined ashes and glitter to celebrate Ash Wednesday sparked a backlash in the Hays community.Fort Hays State University students or members of the public were able to be blessed with the traditional ashes or ashes mixed with glitter at the Memorial Union.Organizers billed the event as a means to foster inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community.More than 200 people commented on a Facebook posting on the event. Some comments were supportive, and&nbsp;other community members expressed outrage.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/ff4ed31a-2c69-4d33-9b90-9a0d46d1c675">SEE RELATED STORY:&nbsp;LGBTQ+ inclusion Glitter+Ash event on FHSU campus sparks backlash</a><h2>8. Man from Hays dies after pickup, semi crash</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665405753233.png" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>A man from Hays died in an accident just before 9 p.m. Dec. 17 in Ellis County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Toyota Tundra driven by&nbsp; &nbsp;Brandon L.&nbsp; Frick, 40, Hays, was southbound on U.S. 183 at Munjor Road.The pickup crossed the center line and struck a northbound semi driven by Jesse W. Crum, 34, Colorado. After impact, both vehicles traveled into the west ditch and came to rest on their wheels.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/2c7bee46-550f-486a-8134-1348b8fa9f4c">SEE RELATED STORY:&nbsp;Man from Hays dies after pickup semi crash</a><h2>7. 48 Hours to feature Hays death: 'Kristen Trickle: Autopsy of the Mind'</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734972232571.png" alt="Kristen Trickle courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Kristen Trickle courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>A woman who lived in Hays was found dying from a gunshot wound. Evidence at the scene did not add up. Prosecutors came up with a new way—they say—to find out what really happened.On April 27 on KWCH, Erin Moriarty Reported in “48 Hours: Kristen Trickle: Autopsy of the Mind."&nbsp;In the early morning hours of Halloween 2019 in Hays, Colby Trickle called 911 and said he woke up to his ears ringing and saw his wife, Kristen Trickle, bleeding next to him in the bed.Since authorities were divided on the evidence they saw at the crime scene, they tried something new and ordered a very different type of autopsy, an autopsy of Kristen Trickle’s mind.That investigation eventually led from what Colby Trickle said was suicide to&nbsp;Colby's conviction in his wife's death.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4c33423c-1f63-4d7b-98ec-a4ded347e85e">SEE RELATED STORY:&nbsp;48 Hours to feature Hays Death’ Kristen Trickle: Autopsy of the Mind’</a><h2>6. Grow Hays announces new shopping center project north of I-70</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734972432784.jpeg" alt="Proposed location of a new shopping center in Hays. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Proposed location of a new shopping center in Hays. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Grow Hays has contracted to purchase 9.1 acres of land north of Home Depot in Hays. They hope to construct a new shopping center on the land.The land is north of Interstate 70 on East 41st Street.Doug Williams, director of Grow Hays, said&nbsp;multiple big-box retailers have expressed interest in Hays.Williams estimated the new shopping center would generate $20 million in annual sales, which would generate $600,000 combined annually in additional sales tax for the city of Hays, Ellis County and the Hays USD 489 bond issue.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/68c83702-3486-4109-b74f-2a7ee851a4fe">SEE RELATED STORY:&nbsp;Grow Hays announces new shopping center</a><h2>5. Hays infant's death</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734973706234.jpeg" alt="Fernando Leon" />
 <figcaption>Fernando Leon</figcaption>
 </figure>Ellis County law enforcement authorities investigated the death of a 5-month-old boy who died on April 2 in Hays.28-year-old Abraham Duran Leon of Hays was arrested on June 17 in connection with the death of his son, Fernando Leon.An autopsy report revealed the child had methamphetamine in his system and died from complications related to methamphetamine intoxication.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b3e788cd-7e44-4409-a2e4-07584c0e793a">SEE RELATED STORY:&nbsp;Hays infant’s death still under investigation</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b82bb20e-49b1-41cf-bf36-fb0b29acf58a">SEE RELATED STORY: Arrest made in Hays infant death investigation</a> <h2>4. Love's store location in Hays to be put up for sale</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734973901986.jpeg" alt="Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Love's Country Store, 2500 Vine, Hays, closed this week after being in operation in that location since the late 1970s."Love's made the business decision to close its country store in Hays, Kansas, effective May 7, 2024. This store was opened in the late 1970s, and customer demand for the country store model has decreased in recent years," said&nbsp;Tracey Budz, Love's director of corporate communications, in an email.Love’s is planning to put the property on the market for sale, Budz said.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5fe47100-3d66-44bb-97b3-25aceb8379e3">SEE RELATED STORY: UPDATE: Love's store location in Hays to be put up for sale</a><h2>3. Teen killed in Ellis County accident</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614390375120.png" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>A 16-year-old was killed in a rollover accident southwest of Hays in the early morning hours of Oct. 5.In a press release, Ellis County Sheriff Scott Braun said the accident was reported at about 12:30 a.m. near 230th Avenue and Spring Hill Road.Braun said the teen was one of four teenagers in the car that left the roadway and rolled.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/2eab323d-7e99-4dea-878c-9c3087e74868">SEE RELATED STORY: Teen killed in Ellis County accident</a><h2>2. Hays man arrested for battery after choking victim</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734974135428.png" alt="Amrein photo Ellis County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Amrein photo Ellis County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>A man was arrested in Hays on Sept. 21 for aggravated battery after reportedly choking another man until he lost consciousness.Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said that 19-year-old Aiden Amrein was arrested and booked into the Ellis County Jail following an altercation with another man.Scheibler said Amrein got on the back of the alleged victim while they were on the ground and placed him in a chokehold until the victim lost consciousness.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/78986be0-0dfe-405f-b2a7-d971a3fe7459">SEE RELATED STORY:&nbsp;Hays man arrested for battery after choking victim</a><h2>1. HaysMed losses $5M; current, former staff express concerns about care, administration</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592337955905.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>The No. 1 Hays Post story of 2024 is not a single story but a series of stories and letters to the editor dating back to August. Doctors and staff at HaysMed began expressing concern about HaysMed administration and the loss of medical staff in August. Dr. Jerod Grove, HaysMed surgeon, announced he was leaving the hospital in November.He was followed by Dr. Robert Rodriguez, an oncologist.Both doctors filed lawsuits in federal court against the hospital, alleging the noncompete clauses in their contracts are too broad and will harm patients' access to medical care in western Kansas.&nbsp;HaysMed administrators said noncompete clauses in medical staff members' contracts are standard practice. The hospital has countersued the doctors.According to Grove's lawsuit, HaysMed has lost 12 physicians, two certified registered nurse anesthetists, and three midlevel providers. None of these have remained in the region and provide services to the residents of the state's western half.As of Dec. 12, the doctors announced they were trying to resolve their contract disputes with the hospital amicably.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a32ac3e2-3d3b-4a77-94b3-9e455da465e1">HaysMed losses $5M, current, former staff express concerns about care, administration</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a05ca048-415e-412f-bcea-55ff325a76b9">SEE RELATED STORY: Second doctor sues HaysMed over noncompete clause in contract</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b34af9aa-1485-42c1-a272-afe7c74a36fb">SEE RELATED STORY: Doctor files lawsuit against HaysMed, seeks to continue practicing in western Kansas</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/ff47d31e-0893-42cc-9d64-36235a52511f">SEE RELATED STORY: LETTER: Oncologist announces resignation from HaysMed</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/6dbff5d6-d29e-4959-b974-b6e39d502851">SEE RELATED STORY: Doctors share concerns on administration, future of HaysMed</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a32ac3e2-3d3b-4a77-94b3-9e455da465e1"></a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/2be22ca4-173c-464f-b507-918c1bbcc5a8">SEE RELATED STORY: HaysMed administrators respond to challenges facing hospital</a>

Goodbye 2024: A look back at the biggest local stories of the year

NORTON — The Kansas Department of Transportation plans to begin work on a bridge replacement project along U.S. 24 near Stockton the week of Jan. 6.

KDOT will replace the current structure, which is located approximately 0.25 mile west of the U.S. 183/U.S. 24 junction, with a rigid frame box bridge. 

During the first phase of the project, traffic will be reduced to one lane on the eastbound lane and be directed through the work zone by a temporary traffic signal. 

Once the first phase is completed, traffic will move onto the west side of the bridge with one lane maintained in each direction.

Drivers traveling through the area should plan for minor delays, not exceeding five minutes.

KDOT expects the project to be completed in late July, conditions permitting.

Klaver Construction of Wichita is the primary contractor for the $2.3 million project. 

For more information, please contact KDOT Area Construction Manager Dan Moore at 785-302-6200 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:daniel.moore@ks.gov">daniel.moore@ks.gov</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1630526008903.jpeg" alt="Photo by Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>KDOTNORTON — The Kansas Department of Transportation plans to begin work on a bridge replacement project along U.S. 24 near Stockton the week of Jan. 6.KDOT will replace the current structure, which is located approximately 0.25 mile west of the U.S. 183/U.S. 24 junction, with a rigid frame box bridge. During the first phase of the project, traffic will be reduced to one lane on the eastbound lane and be directed through the work zone by a temporary traffic signal. Once the first phase is completed, traffic will move onto the west side of the bridge with one lane maintained in each direction.Drivers traveling through the area should plan for minor delays, not exceeding five minutes.KDOT expects the project to be completed in late July, conditions permitting.Klaver Construction of Wichita is the primary contractor for the $2.3 million project. For more information, please contact KDOT Area Construction Manager Dan Moore at 785-302-6200 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:daniel.moore@ks.gov">daniel.moore@ks.gov</a>.

U.S. 24 bridge to be replaced near Stockton

<a href="https://news.ku.edu/news/article/study-finds-parents-more-open-to-racially-diverse-media-for-children-than-previously-thought">KU News Service</a>

LAWRENCE — New research from the University of Kansas has found that most parents recall watching media with diverse racial and ethnic portrayals of characters with their children and that their own racial-ethnic identity predicted their attitudes toward such content, but not necessarily their beliefs.

Judy Watts, assistant professor of journalism &amp; mass communications at KU, led a study in which 367 Black, Latinx and white parents of children ages 4-7 were surveyed about media they’ve consumed with their kids. Two-thirds of respondents recalled consuming media such as television, movies, video games or books with portrayals of diverse characters and those of races different than their own.

“I was interested in seeing what led some parents in selecting what racially and ethnically diverse media to watch with their children,” Watts said. “My previous research was more conceptually focused on things kids learn in school or media effects over the lifespan. Childhood is an important time to learn about ourselves and others who may be different from ourselves.”

For the study, parents were asked to identify their race, ethnicity and that of their children. The Black, white and Latinx parents were also asked about their attitudes about media representations of race, such as if portrayals they recalled were helpful or not to determine attitudes about such media. They were also asked about ethnic/racial identity with questions such about how strongly they feel they belong with people who share their race and/or ethnicity.

Findings showed that Black and Latinx parents differed significantly on racial/ethnic identity than white parents, but not from each other, with both reporting higher levels of racial identity. That held consistent with previous research on ethnic/racial identity. The parents were also asked about the type of content featuring racial/ethnic depictions they recalled consuming with their children, how diverse the characters were and what sort of situations they were depicted in.

“Seeing what types of content families watched was very intriguing. Black families tended to watch content featuring members of their race. That is possibly because that type of diverse content wasn’t always as readily available as it is now,” Watts said. “Latinx families watched a lot of content featuring characters of their own race/ethnicity, but also with mixed characters. That could speak to things like assimilation into culture.”

The research was tested on themes of social identity gratification and multicultural theories. The former holds that people prefer to consume depictions of people similar to themselves, while the latter holds that people who have a strong racial/ethnic identity are favorable to depictions of other races and ethnicities as well. Each theory was partially supported by findings that ultimately, parents are open to diverse content for their children and their attitudes toward racially and ethnically diverse media portrayals are more open than previous research has indicated.

“This research shows that parents want to show their children diverse content that reflects their own racial/ethnic identities and that they’re open to diverse content as well,” Watts said. “It shows parents are supportive of diversity in content of media their children consume. Parents have various socialization goals for their children. They want to help them learn about their own identities and expose them to others. I think it shows it’s not a dichotomous decision or that it has to be one or the other.”

The study was supported by a research cultivation grant from the National Research Communication Association and was published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08824096.2024.2420056">Communication Research Reports.</a>

Watts, who conducts research into media effects and influences, said the study’s results show parents have varying goals for using media to help their children learn about themselves as well as their identities. She is conducting follow-up research examining explicit and implicit portrayals of racial interactions in children’s media. 

Specifically, she is comparing portrayals including anthropomorphized animals and human characters and their use of racial characteristics to analyze if children understand such racial cues, which characters they liked and to which they assign morality.

The current study showed that nearly two-thirds of parents recalled seeing racially and ethnically diverse portrayals of characters with their children, often in positive contexts, such as characters with differing backgrounds being friends.

“I think this suggests that parents are open to and seeking racially and ethnically diverse content and having more diverse content available in children’s media in recent decades has been helpful,” Watts said. “It also helps us understand parents’ motivations in media they choose for their kids.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1735300591898.jpeg" alt=""Dora the Explorer," a program commonly cited by parents in a study about children's media featuring racially and ethnically diverse characters. Image credit: Nickelodeon Animation Studios." />
 <figcaption>"Dora the Explorer," a program commonly cited by parents in a study about children's media featuring racially and ethnically diverse characters. Image credit: Nickelodeon Animation Studios.</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://news.ku.edu/news/article/study-finds-parents-more-open-to-racially-diverse-media-for-children-than-previously-thought">KU News Service</a>LAWRENCE — New research from the University of Kansas has found that most parents recall watching media with diverse racial and ethnic portrayals of characters with their children and that their own racial-ethnic identity predicted their attitudes toward such content, but not necessarily their beliefs.Judy Watts, assistant professor of journalism &amp; mass communications at KU, led a study in which 367 Black, Latinx and white parents of children ages 4-7 were surveyed about media they’ve consumed with their kids. Two-thirds of respondents recalled consuming media such as television, movies, video games or books with portrayals of diverse characters and those of races different than their own.“I was interested in seeing what led some parents in selecting what racially and ethnically diverse media to watch with their children,” Watts said. “My previous research was more conceptually focused on things kids learn in school or media effects over the lifespan. Childhood is an important time to learn about ourselves and others who may be different from ourselves.”For the study, parents were asked to identify their race, ethnicity and that of their children. The Black, white and Latinx parents were also asked about their attitudes about media representations of race, such as if portrayals they recalled were helpful or not to determine attitudes about such media. They were also asked about ethnic/racial identity with questions such about how strongly they feel they belong with people who share their race and/or ethnicity.Findings showed that Black and Latinx parents differed significantly on racial/ethnic identity than white parents, but not from each other, with both reporting higher levels of racial identity. That held consistent with previous research on ethnic/racial identity. The parents were also asked about the type of content featuring racial/ethnic depictions they recalled consuming with their children, how diverse the characters were and what sort of situations they were depicted in.“Seeing what types of content families watched was very intriguing. Black families tended to watch content featuring members of their race. That is possibly because that type of diverse content wasn’t always as readily available as it is now,” Watts said. “Latinx families watched a lot of content featuring characters of their own race/ethnicity, but also with mixed characters. That could speak to things like assimilation into culture.”The research was tested on themes of social identity gratification and multicultural theories. The former holds that people prefer to consume depictions of people similar to themselves, while the latter holds that people who have a strong racial/ethnic identity are favorable to depictions of other races and ethnicities as well. Each theory was partially supported by findings that ultimately, parents are open to diverse content for their children and their attitudes toward racially and ethnically diverse media portrayals are more open than previous research has indicated.“This research shows that parents want to show their children diverse content that reflects their own racial/ethnic identities and that they’re open to diverse content as well,” Watts said. “It shows parents are supportive of diversity in content of media their children consume. Parents have various socialization goals for their children. They want to help them learn about their own identities and expose them to others. I think it shows it’s not a dichotomous decision or that it has to be one or the other.”The study was supported by a research cultivation grant from the National Research Communication Association and was published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08824096.2024.2420056">Communication Research Reports.</a>Watts, who conducts research into media effects and influences, said the study’s results show parents have varying goals for using media to help their children learn about themselves as well as their identities. She is conducting follow-up research examining explicit and implicit portrayals of racial interactions in children’s media. Specifically, she is comparing portrayals including anthropomorphized animals and human characters and their use of racial characteristics to analyze if children understand such racial cues, which characters they liked and to which they assign morality.The current study showed that nearly two-thirds of parents recalled seeing racially and ethnically diverse portrayals of characters with their children, often in positive contexts, such as characters with differing backgrounds being friends.“I think this suggests that parents are open to and seeking racially and ethnically diverse content and having more diverse content available in children’s media in recent decades has been helpful,” Watts said. “It also helps us understand parents’ motivations in media they choose for their kids.”

KU study finds parents more open to racially diverse media for children than previously thought

Registration is now available for a four-part workshop series aimed at helping Midwest farm families develop succession plans for passing on or leaving the business.

The series, Leaving a Lasting Legacy for Midwestern Farm Women, will be available at 63 sites in three states, as well as offered online. 

It is being produced through a partnership between extension professionals at Kansas State University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Purdue University.

Registration is available online for those wishing to attend in-person and costs $60 through Jan. 12, which includes meals and educational materials. The fee increases to $75 after Jan. 12. Organizers say there is an online option available for $75, but “highly encourage” participants to attend in-person due to the value of group discussions with other participants.

The workshops will be held on successive Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 21 and 28, and continuing on Feb. 4 and 11.

“The focus of the workshops is to help people figure out how to set up their succession plan and find the resources they need to implement it on their farm,” said LaVell Winsor, a K-State farm analyst.

This year’s workshops continue a tradition of educational classes for women in agriculture from K-State’s Department of Agricultural Economics, which hosted a series on farm finances in 2020, risk management on the farm in 2022, and land leasing in 2023.

“Succession planning has become a hot button topic, though it should have been that way forever,” said Ashlee Westerhold, director of K-State’s Office of Farm and Ranch Transition. “In agriculture, we’re always in a state of transition. So there are a lot of questions, whether you’re age 45 and thinking that (the family’s) farm will some day be yours, or you’re age 75 and wondering how you’re going to pass that to the next generation.”

According to data from the U.S. Census, 70% of U.S. farmland will transfer to the next generation within 20 years. 

“The impact of farms transitioning – either successfully to the next generation or unsuccessfully in the form of a land and estate sale – has implications for rural communities and rural prosperity,” Westerhold said.

The topics that will be covered in the four-part workshop series include: ·&nbsp; Motivation for succession planning ·&nbsp; Family communication around estate and transition planning ·&nbsp; Financial aspects of estate and transition plans ·&nbsp; Legal aspects of putting your plan into place.

“We’ll also talk about how to pick a provider for all of those pieces,” Winsor said. “The goal is to give people the tools they need to succeed. They can take them home, work on the plan with their families and start to put their succession plan together.”

The workshop is part of K-State’s Women in Ag series, though all sessions are available to all people.

The Great Bend and Hays offices are on the list of host sites for this in person workshop. You can call either 620-793-1910 or 785-628-9430 with and questions about these programs or for help registering.

Alicia Boor 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 her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698682262753.jpeg" alt="Alicia Boor&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Alicia Boor&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Registration is now available for a four-part workshop series aimed at helping Midwest farm families develop succession plans for passing on or leaving the business.The series, Leaving a Lasting Legacy for Midwestern Farm Women, will be available at 63 sites in three states, as well as offered online. It is being produced through a partnership between extension professionals at Kansas State University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Purdue University.Registration is available online for those wishing to attend in-person and costs $60 through Jan. 12, which includes meals and educational materials. The fee increases to $75 after Jan. 12. Organizers say there is an online option available for $75, but “highly encourage” participants to attend in-person due to the value of group discussions with other participants.The workshops will be held on successive Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 21 and 28, and continuing on Feb. 4 and 11.“The focus of the workshops is to help people figure out how to set up their succession plan and find the resources they need to implement it on their farm,” said LaVell Winsor, a K-State farm analyst.This year’s workshops continue a tradition of educational classes for women in agriculture from K-State’s Department of Agricultural Economics, which hosted a series on farm finances in 2020, risk management on the farm in 2022, and land leasing in 2023.“Succession planning has become a hot button topic, though it should have been that way forever,” said Ashlee Westerhold, director of K-State’s Office of Farm and Ranch Transition. “In agriculture, we’re always in a state of transition. So there are a lot of questions, whether you’re age 45 and thinking that (the family’s) farm will some day be yours, or you’re age 75 and wondering how you’re going to pass that to the next generation.”According to data from the U.S. Census, 70% of U.S. farmland will transfer to the next generation within 20 years. “The impact of farms transitioning – either successfully to the next generation or unsuccessfully in the form of a land and estate sale – has implications for rural communities and rural prosperity,” Westerhold said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1735571409325.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>The topics that will be covered in the four-part workshop series include: ·&nbsp; Motivation for succession planning ·&nbsp; Family communication around estate and transition planning ·&nbsp; Financial aspects of estate and transition plans ·&nbsp; Legal aspects of putting your plan into place.“We’ll also talk about how to pick a provider for all of those pieces,” Winsor said. “The goal is to give people the tools they need to succeed. They can take them home, work on the plan with their families and start to put their succession plan together.”The workshop is part of K-State’s Women in Ag series, though all sessions are available to all people.The Great Bend and Hays offices are on the list of host sites for this in person workshop. You can call either 620-793-1910 or 785-628-9430 with and questions about these programs or for help registering.Alicia Boor 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 her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

BOOR: Leaving a lasting legacy for Midwestern farm women

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

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

Three-day weather outlook

THOMAS COUNTY—A grass fire Monday afternoon in Thomas County is under control, according to a statement from the sheriff's office.

The fire was reported northwest of McCarty Dairy Near County Road CC and 31.&nbsp;The fire is believed to be started from downed power lines.

There was no major damage and no injuries.&nbsp; The sheriff's office thanked local farmers and McCarty Dairy, fire departments, law enforcement and the Kansas Highway Patrol for their assistance.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1651259082268.jpeg" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>THOMAS COUNTY—A grass fire Monday afternoon in Thomas County is under control, according to a statement from the sheriff's office.The fire was reported northwest of McCarty Dairy Near County Road CC and 31.&nbsp;The fire is believed to be started from downed power lines.There was no major damage and no injuries.&nbsp; The sheriff's office thanked local farmers and McCarty Dairy, fire departments, law enforcement and the Kansas Highway Patrol for their assistance.

Crews contain grass fire in northwest Kansas

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Ellis County Sheriff's activity report: Dec. 22- 28, 2024

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Ellis County Jail bookings: Dec.23-30, 2024

The January 2, 2025 Hays City Commission work session has been canceled.

City of HaysThe January 2, 2025 Hays City Commission work session has been canceled.

No Hays City Commission work session Thursday

BOGUE&nbsp; — Donna Rae Pearson of Topeka has accepted the position of executive director of the <a href="https://www.nicodemushistoricalsociety.org/nicodemus-kansas-historical-society-contact-us">Nicodemus Historical Society and Museum</a> in Nicodemus. She will assume the position on January 1, 2025.

Pearson brings to the position extensive experience as a museum curator, community development specialist, manager, public speaker, and presenter and advocate for African American history. 

 She is currently employed as a curator at the Kansas Historical Society.  She has substantial experience in community engagement, and among other voluntary contributions, she is presently a member of the planning commission of the City of Topeka.

Pearson replaces founder and longtime executive director and past president Angela Bates. 

Pearson met and worked with Bates in the early 1990s when she administered a Kansas State Historical Society Museum grant. 

 Bates remembered her professionalism and knowledge of collections processing, as well as her years of service in the history and preservation fields.  She strongly encouraged Pearson to become a candidate for the position. 

 With her specific skills and professional background, Pearson brings exceptional professional attributes for leading the organization as it moves forward after Bates' retirement. 

 The Historical Society looks forward to Ms. Pearson’s leadership, vision, and skills in assisting the organization develop a sustainable and viable future.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1735435146076.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Nicodemus Historical SocietyBOGUE&nbsp; — Donna Rae Pearson of Topeka has accepted the position of executive director of the <a href="https://www.nicodemushistoricalsociety.org/nicodemus-kansas-historical-society-contact-us">Nicodemus Historical Society and Museum</a> in Nicodemus. She will assume the position on January 1, 2025.Pearson brings to the position extensive experience as a museum curator, community development specialist, manager, public speaker, and presenter and advocate for African American history. She is currently employed as a curator at the Kansas Historical Society. She has substantial experience in community engagement, and among other voluntary contributions, she is presently a member of the planning commission of the City of Topeka.Pearson replaces founder and longtime executive director and past president Angela Bates. Pearson met and worked with Bates in the early 1990s when she administered a Kansas State Historical Society Museum grant. Bates remembered her professionalism and knowledge of collections processing, as well as her years of service in the history and preservation fields. She strongly encouraged Pearson to become a candidate for the position. With her specific skills and professional background, Pearson brings exceptional professional attributes for leading the organization as it moves forward after Bates' retirement. The Historical Society looks forward to Ms. Pearson’s leadership, vision, and skills in assisting the organization develop a sustainable and viable future.&nbsp;&nbsp;

New executive director named for Nicodemus Historical Society & Museum

Continuing through January 2, the Hays Police Department will join many other law enforcement agencies across the state in the New Year’s holiday 'Taking Down DUI' traffic enforcement campaign. 

 The New Year’s holiday period outranks most of the other holidays in number of crashes in which at least one of the drivers is impaired. 

Leave your car at home and ride with a designated driver or take other transportation services.  If you are hosting a party, make sure everyone has a sober ride home.  If you see what appears to be an impaired driver, please call 911, you might just save a life. 

 Keep in mind that if you are going to be using ANY impairing substance– don’t even consider driving. 

 Line up a ride with a sober acquaintance or other safe transportation BEFORE you go out. 

  Make the right choice, the sober choice.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683645853524.jpg" alt="Photo by Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>Hays Police DepartmentContinuing through January 2, the Hays Police Department will join many other law enforcement agencies across the state in the New Year’s holiday 'Taking Down DUI' traffic enforcement campaign. The New Year’s holiday period outranks most of the other holidays in number of crashes in which at least one of the drivers is impaired. So, plan ahead. Leave your car at home and ride with a designated driver or take other transportation services. If you are hosting a party, make sure everyone has a sober ride home. If you see what appears to be an impaired driver, please call 911, you might just save a life. Keep in mind that if you are going to be using ANY impairing substance– don’t even consider driving. Line up a ride with a sober acquaintance or other safe transportation BEFORE you go out. Make the right choice, the sober choice.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hays Police Department enforcing Taking Down DUI holiday traffic campaign

The Hays High FFA Alumni &amp; Supporters would like to invite you to their 3rd annual benefit dinner, auction, and concert featuring 80 Proof Alice.&nbsp;Reigning from Hays, Kansas, 80 Proof Alice is a high-energy trio performing all types of music blended into a bluegrass style. 

This benefit event will take place on Saturday, January 25 at the Ellis County Fair Grounds, Schenk Building. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., dinner will be served at 6:00 with the concert and auction to follow. Cash bar will be available.

The goal of the Hays High FFA Alumni and Supporters organization is to support the Hays High FFA chapter by providing students with potential scholarships, FFA jackets, meal stipends for travel, or other needs that may arise. Anyone that supports agriculture, and the development of future leaders is encouraged to come out and join us!

Tickets for this evening of food and fun are only $25 per person with children 5 and under FREE. Tickets can be purchased at Vanderbilt’s of Hays, or from any FFA Alumni board member. Limited tickets may be available at the door if the event is not sold out – but don’t wait, get your tickets today!

For more information about this event or the Hays High FFA Alumni &amp; Supporters, follow us on Facebook @HaysHighFFAAlumniandSupporters or email HaysFFAAlumni@gmail.com with questions.

We hope to see you on January 25 at the fairgrounds!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1735333713155.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedThe Hays High FFA Alumni &amp; Supporters would like to invite you to their 3rd annual benefit dinner, auction, and concert featuring 80 Proof Alice.&nbsp;Reigning from Hays, Kansas, 80 Proof Alice is a high-energy trio performing all types of music blended into a bluegrass style. This benefit event will take place on Saturday, January 25 at the Ellis County Fair Grounds, Schenk Building. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., dinner will be served at 6:00 with the concert and auction to follow. Cash bar will be available.The goal of the Hays High FFA Alumni and Supporters organization is to support the Hays High FFA chapter by providing students with potential scholarships, FFA jackets, meal stipends for travel, or other needs that may arise. Anyone that supports agriculture, and the development of future leaders is encouraged to come out and join us!Tickets for this evening of food and fun are only $25 per person with children 5 and under FREE. Tickets can be purchased at Vanderbilt’s of Hays, or from any FFA Alumni board member. Limited tickets may be available at the door if the event is not sold out – but don’t wait, get your tickets today!For more information about this event or the Hays High FFA Alumni &amp; Supporters, follow us on Facebook @HaysHighFFAAlumniandSupporters or email HaysFFAAlumni@gmail.com with questions.We hope to see you on January 25 at the fairgrounds!

Jan. 25 fundraiser to benefit Hays High School FFA members

The Kansas Highway Patrol released its Christmas Holiday Activity Report.&nbsp;

The reporting period for the holiday fan from 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024 through 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024.

The Kansas Highway Patrol worked one fatal non-DUI related crash involving one non-DUI related fatality over the holiday. The fatal crash occurred in Doniphan County.&nbsp;

Preliminary crash log information can be found here:&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.kansas.gov/khp-crashlogs/search.do">https://www.kansas.gov/khp-crashlogs/search.do</a>

Information in the table is compared to data from 2022 and 2023.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718469324090.png" alt="KHP" />
 <figcaption>KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas Highway PatrolThe Kansas Highway Patrol released its Christmas Holiday Activity Report.&nbsp;The reporting period for the holiday fan from 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024 through 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024.The Kansas Highway Patrol worked one fatal non-DUI related crash involving one non-DUI related fatality over the holiday. The fatal crash occurred in Doniphan County.&nbsp;Preliminary crash log information can be found here:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.gov/khp-crashlogs/search.do">https://www.kansas.gov/khp-crashlogs/search.do</a>Information in the table is compared to data from 2022 and 2023.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1735559057591.png" alt="KHP" />
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Kansas Highway Patrol assists 218 motorists over Christmas holiday; 1 fatality crash reported

Trego-Ellis-Scott-Lane-Ness-Rush-Hamilton-Kearny-Finney-Hodgeman-Pawnee-Stafford-Stanton-Grant-Haskell-Gray-Ford-Edwards-Kiowa- Pratt-Morton-Stevens-Seward-Meade-Clark-Comanche-Barber are under wind advisories today.

Northwesterly wind gusts will be as high as 55 mph
along with very low humidity.

Blowing dust is possible for Ellis County.&nbsp;Sunny, with a high near 56. Very windy, with a northwest wind 18 to 23 mph increasing to 27 to 32 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 49 mph.

Trego-Ellis-Scott-Lane-Ness-Rush-Hamilton-Kearny-Finney-Hodgeman-Pawnee-Stafford-Stanton-Grant-Haskell-Gray-Ford-Edwards-Kiowa- Pratt-Morton-Stevens-Seward-Meade-Clark-Comanche-Barber are under wind advisories today.Northwesterly wind gusts will be as high as 55 mph
along with very low humidity.Blowing dust is possible for Ellis County.&nbsp;Sunny, with a high near 56. Very windy, with a northwest wind 18 to 23 mph increasing to 27 to 32 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 49 mph.<figure>
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Areas of northwest, southwest Kansas under high wind, fire danger advisories

By STEVE GILLILAND Exploring Kansas Outdoors

Over the years, I’ve had lots of help getting my harvested deer out of the field and/or into the pickup. I hunt mostly on land owned by a family member, and my sister usually helps hoist my deer into the truck. 

Last year, however, I harvested a really old deer that was also the heaviest deer I’d ever taken. After it was tagged and field dressed, we tried multiple times to get the beast loaded with no luck. With her in the pickup pulling and me on the ground lifting, it just wasn’t going to happen.

 Luckily, a heavy equipment operator working in the field next door agreed to come to the rescue, and with the extra muscle on the ground to lift, it was soon loaded.

I’ve also had some mechanical help loading deer over the years. A few years back, my deer went down on the neighbor’s land. He was quite alright with me going there to retrieve it, but he was slowly clearing much of it for pasture, so the place had become forty acres of brush piles consisting mostly of thorn trees with long massive thorns, and thorny limbs from those trees lay everywhere. A deep creek bed also meandered through the property in several directions. 

If I had dragged the deer, it would have meant getting it down one side of the creek bed and up the other, or somehow heaving it over a fence, neither of which appealed to me. It's possible I could have weaseled my pickup in there, but rubber tires would just have been fodder for the thorn limbs. 

I walked out and drove to the neighbor's, not really sure what good that was going to do, but viola, he had a skid loader on tracks, and in a short while, the deer was rolled onto a pallet on the forks, and away to the truck we went.

When Joyce and I were first married, we hunted on her uncle’s land where she grew up in southwestern Kansas. The first buck she shot was there on an evening hunt. She made what looked like a great shot and the whitetail buck went down immediately. But before we could celebrate, the buck stood up again and ran off down into a maze of briar patches and coulees. 

Both of our hearts sank, as we knew what lay ahead. We began searching, and soon it was dark; not just any normal “dark” as I remember, but pitch black. Somehow God helped us eventually find that deer, which had ended up down a steep embankment into a ravine. 

This was well over 20 years ago, but luckily, we did have a cell phone. I was able to clamor down to it, and while I field dressed the buck, she called her uncle, but what would she tell him? 

We had no idea at all where we were, but after explaining where our blind was and which direction the buck had gone, he seemed to know right where to find us. Soon we heard the motor and saw the lights of the tractor, and after dragging the buck up out of the ravine with a chain, and plopping it into the bucket of the loader, off to the shed we went.

Perhaps the most memorable story comes from harvesting my first deer in Kansas back in the late 1990s. I hunted on Joyce’s uncle’s property in southwestern Kansas, and stayed in his basement. 

This particular morning was the last day I could hunt before I had to come back home, and that morning the fog was so thick you could literally see nothing. I debated on just throwing in the towel and heading home, but visibility slowly got better as the morning progressed. 

I walked up their lane to look down into a grassy pasture below, and as I stood there, two whitetail bucks cantered across the pasture and into his corral below, of all places.

 I found a spot between some trees, and watched until the bigger of the two gave me a shot. 

The buck ran out of the corral and went down in an open spot in the pasture. I drove an older Ford Explorer with a rack on the roof, and easily maneuvered to where the deer lay. I tagged and field dressed the buck, but I guess I hadn’t very well thought about how I was gonna get this beast on the roof of my Explorer. 

I walked to his round top shed, opened the door and there sat the answer with the words Massey Ferguson written on its side. I drove to the deer, got it rolled into the bucket, but then it became a juggling act, getting the bucket just the right height and angle so as to slide the deer out of the bucket and onto the roof rack without crunching the roof of the vehicle or dumping the deer over the side and having to start all over again. 

After many trips on-and-off-the tractor, the deer finally lay on the roof. I returned the Ole’ Massey to its stable, strapped down the deer and headed home, mission accomplished!

I suppose one day when all I can remember are things from 40 years ago, I’ll constantly bore the nurses at the care home with stories like these. Oh well, I guess I could do worse.

Steve can be contacted by email at stevnrgilliland@gmail.com.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1735433168440.png" alt="Steve Gilliland&nbsp; (Courtesy photo)" />
 <figcaption>Steve Gilliland&nbsp; (Courtesy photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>By STEVE GILLILAND Exploring Kansas OutdoorsOver the years, I’ve had lots of help getting my harvested deer out of the field and/or into the pickup. I hunt mostly on land owned by a family member, and my sister usually helps hoist my deer into the truck. Last year, however, I harvested a really old deer that was also the heaviest deer I’d ever taken. After it was tagged and field dressed, we tried multiple times to get the beast loaded with no luck. With her in the pickup pulling and me on the ground lifting, it just wasn’t going to happen. Luckily, a heavy equipment operator working in the field next door agreed to come to the rescue, and with the extra muscle on the ground to lift, it was soon loaded.I’ve also had some mechanical help loading deer over the years. A few years back, my deer went down on the neighbor’s land. He was quite alright with me going there to retrieve it, but he was slowly clearing much of it for pasture, so the place had become forty acres of brush piles consisting mostly of thorn trees with long massive thorns, and thorny limbs from those trees lay everywhere. A deep creek bed also meandered through the property in several directions. If I had dragged the deer, it would have meant getting it down one side of the creek bed and up the other, or somehow heaving it over a fence, neither of which appealed to me. It's possible I could have weaseled my pickup in there, but rubber tires would just have been fodder for the thorn limbs. I walked out and drove to the neighbor's, not really sure what good that was going to do, but viola, he had a skid loader on tracks, and in a short while, the deer was rolled onto a pallet on the forks, and away to the truck we went.When Joyce and I were first married, we hunted on her uncle’s land where she grew up in southwestern Kansas. The first buck she shot was there on an evening hunt. She made what looked like a great shot and the whitetail buck went down immediately. But before we could celebrate, the buck stood up again and ran off down into a maze of briar patches and coulees. Both of our hearts sank, as we knew what lay ahead. We began searching, and soon it was dark; not just any normal “dark” as I remember, but pitch black. Somehow God helped us eventually find that deer, which had ended up down a steep embankment into a ravine. This was well over 20 years ago, but luckily, we did have a cell phone. I was able to clamor down to it, and while I field dressed the buck, she called her uncle, but what would she tell him? We had no idea at all where we were, but after explaining where our blind was and which direction the buck had gone, he seemed to know right where to find us. Soon we heard the motor and saw the lights of the tractor, and after dragging the buck up out of the ravine with a chain, and plopping it into the bucket of the loader, off to the shed we went.Perhaps the most memorable story comes from harvesting my first deer in Kansas back in the late 1990s. I hunted on Joyce’s uncle’s property in southwestern Kansas, and stayed in his basement. This particular morning was the last day I could hunt before I had to come back home, and that morning the fog was so thick you could literally see nothing. I debated on just throwing in the towel and heading home, but visibility slowly got better as the morning progressed. I walked up their lane to look down into a grassy pasture below, and as I stood there, two whitetail bucks cantered across the pasture and into his corral below, of all places. I found a spot between some trees, and watched until the bigger of the two gave me a shot. The buck ran out of the corral and went down in an open spot in the pasture. I drove an older Ford Explorer with a rack on the roof, and easily maneuvered to where the deer lay. I tagged and field dressed the buck, but I guess I hadn’t very well thought about how I was gonna get this beast on the roof of my Explorer. I walked to his round top shed, opened the door and there sat the answer with the words Massey Ferguson written on its side. I drove to the deer, got it rolled into the bucket, but then it became a juggling act, getting the bucket just the right height and angle so as to slide the deer out of the bucket and onto the roof rack without crunching the roof of the vehicle or dumping the deer over the side and having to start all over again. After many trips on-and-off-the tractor, the deer finally lay on the roof. I returned the Ole’ Massey to its stable, strapped down the deer and headed home, mission accomplished!I suppose one day when all I can remember are things from 40 years ago, I’ll constantly bore the nurses at the care home with stories like these. Oh well, I guess I could do worse.Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!Steve can be contacted by email at stevnrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Kansas Outdoors: Loading the harvest

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/12/20/kansas-governor-wary-of-overspending-as-legislatures-budget-overhaul-takes-shape/">Kansas Reflector</a>

<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/"></a>TOPEKA — The Kansas Legislature’s unprecedented budget takeover will enter the 2025 legislative session with a bare bones spending plan and sweeping cuts while Republican lawmakers eye property and corporation tax reductions.

Gov. Laura Kelly is still preparing her own budget — as is customarily the governor’s duty — and said her greatest apprehension ahead of the 2025 session is overspending, she told Kansas Reflector on Dec. 18.

The apprehension applies both to spending on programs and further tax cuts, she said.

“Obviously, we know what happens when you go too far too fast on tax cuts,” Kelly said, recalling her predecessor Gov. Sam Brownback’s tenure, during which he implemented an experimental tax program that diminished the state’s tax base creating revenue deficits. “And I don’t think anybody in the state of Kansas wants to go back to that, including the Legislature.”

Kansas Republicans created a new committee this year to give legislators the opportunity to craft their own preliminary budget. The committee wrapped up its meetings Dec. 19.

The meetings consisted of iterative presentations from almost 100 state agencies and departments seeking funding enhancements, which also were presented to the governor.

Under Kansas’ customary budget process, state agencies can appeal the Division of Budget’s recommendations to the governor. This year, about $1.1 billion worth of requests are up for appeal, according to committee chairman Rep. Troy Waymaster, a Bunker Hill Republican. The governor typically gets the final say on whether to accept or reject an appeal.

Waymaster weighed the possibility of denying all appeals requests in the legislative budget, regardless of what the governor decides.

“If we want to do property tax relief for the people of the state of Kansas, there’s no way we can approve the 1.1 billion that’s been appealed,” he said.

But House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Republican from Wichita, proposed eliminating all requested budget enhancements that added any new staff and the salary increases associated with them, leaving the Legislature with a base budget that could see additions as the session proceeds. A majority of committee members supported Hawkins’ proposal.

Mounting requests for new facilities and expanded bureaucracy have too often flown under the radar, said Rep. Henry Helgerson, a Democrat from Eastborough, at a Dec. 12 committee meeting. He pointed to a&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/11/26/kbi-seeks-114-4-million-for-new-headquarters-and-exit-from-horrible-neighborhood-in-topeka/">$114 million</a>&nbsp;ask from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation for a new headquarters and the now over-budget Docking State Office Building, which is set to finish renovations in April.

“We have gotten to a point where we just approve things and don’t say anything,” Helgerson said.

It’s up to legislators to curtail spending, he said, wary, too, of the majority party’s plans for further tax cuts.

“This group has to change the trajectory of our spending in the state,” he said, referring to the legislative budget committee.

Rep. Kristey Williams, an Augusta Republican who chairs the K-12 Education Budget Committee, agreed but said spending scrutiny must be applied indiscriminately. Lawmakers can’t ignore certain “golden areas” the Legislature refuses to touch, she said, specifically referencing the Kansas State Department of Education.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680363628831.png" alt="File photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector" />
 <figcaption>File photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/12/20/kansas-governor-wary-of-overspending-as-legislatures-budget-overhaul-takes-shape/">Kansas Reflector</a><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/"></a>TOPEKA — The Kansas Legislature’s unprecedented budget takeover will enter the 2025 legislative session with a bare bones spending plan and sweeping cuts while Republican lawmakers eye property and corporation tax reductions.Gov. Laura Kelly is still preparing her own budget — as is customarily the governor’s duty — and said her greatest apprehension ahead of the 2025 session is overspending, she told Kansas Reflector on Dec. 18.The apprehension applies both to spending on programs and further tax cuts, she said.“Obviously, we know what happens when you go too far too fast on tax cuts,” Kelly said, recalling her predecessor Gov. Sam Brownback’s tenure, during which he implemented an experimental tax program that diminished the state’s tax base creating revenue deficits. “And I don’t think anybody in the state of Kansas wants to go back to that, including the Legislature.”Kansas Republicans created a new committee this year to give legislators the opportunity to craft their own preliminary budget. The committee wrapped up its meetings Dec. 19.The meetings consisted of iterative presentations from almost 100 state agencies and departments seeking funding enhancements, which also were presented to the governor.Under Kansas’ customary budget process, state agencies can appeal the Division of Budget’s recommendations to the governor. This year, about $1.1 billion worth of requests are up for appeal, according to committee chairman Rep. Troy Waymaster, a Bunker Hill Republican. The governor typically gets the final say on whether to accept or reject an appeal.Waymaster weighed the possibility of denying all appeals requests in the legislative budget, regardless of what the governor decides.“If we want to do property tax relief for the people of the state of Kansas, there’s no way we can approve the 1.1 billion that’s been appealed,” he said.But House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Republican from Wichita, proposed eliminating all requested budget enhancements that added any new staff and the salary increases associated with them, leaving the Legislature with a base budget that could see additions as the session proceeds. A majority of committee members supported Hawkins’ proposal.<h2>Expanding bureaucracy</h2>Mounting requests for new facilities and expanded bureaucracy have too often flown under the radar, said Rep. Henry Helgerson, a Democrat from Eastborough, at a Dec. 12 committee meeting. He pointed to a&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/11/26/kbi-seeks-114-4-million-for-new-headquarters-and-exit-from-horrible-neighborhood-in-topeka/">$114 million</a>&nbsp;ask from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation for a new headquarters and the now over-budget Docking State Office Building, which is set to finish renovations in April.“We have gotten to a point where we just approve things and don’t say anything,” Helgerson said.It’s up to legislators to curtail spending, he said, wary, too, of the majority party’s plans for further tax cuts.“This group has to change the trajectory of our spending in the state,” he said, referring to the legislative budget committee.Rep. Kristey Williams, an Augusta Republican who chairs the K-12 Education Budget Committee, agreed but said spending scrutiny must be applied indiscriminately. Lawmakers can’t ignore certain “golden areas” the Legislature refuses to touch, she said, specifically referencing the Kansas State Department of Education.

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