The Hays Police Department responded to 9 animal calls and conducted 12 traffic stops Thu., Feb. 25, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Lost Animals
ONLY--19th and Elm, Hays; 12:39 AM 
Welfare Check--1900 block Elm St, Hays; 8:12 AM 
Suspicious Activity—3400 block Vine St, Hays; 8:39 AM 
Stolen/Recovered Property--100 block Main St, Hays; 9:57 AM 
Animal Cruelty/Neglect—100 block E 15th St, Hays; 10:57 AM 
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)--MM5 183 Alt Hwy, Ellis County; 2:13 PM 
Domestic Disturbance—1800 block Walnut St, Hays; 3:15 PM; 3:27 PM 
Battery on LEO—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 6:03 PM 
Assist - Other (not MV)—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 8:59 PM 
Suicidal Subject—200 block W 12th St, Hays; 10:27 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 10 animal calls and conducted 15 traffic stops Fri., Feb. 26, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.

44- Traffic
Stop--500 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:50 AM 
False/Altered ID—100 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:09 AM 
Driving Under the Influence--200 block W 8th St, Hays; 1:13 AM 
Assist - Other (not MV)—3600 block Vine St, Hays; 1:37 AM 
Driving Under the Influence--1200 block Vine St, Hays; 2:38 AM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--27th St and General Lawton, Hays; 7:41 AM 
Dead Animal Call--1500 block Walnut St, Hays; 7:49 AM 
Animal At Large—400 block W 13th St, Hays; 8:20 AM 
Animal Bite Investigation--18th and Main St, Hays; 9:48 AM 
Stalking--1300 block Federal, Hays; 10:14 AM 
Found/Lost Property--2000 block Main St, Hays; 10:18 AM 
Animal At Large—1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 10:30 AM 
Civil Dispute—300 block E 19th St, Hays; 11:11 AM 
Mental Health Call—2800 block Fort St, Hays; 11:12 AM 
Lost Animals ONLY—1200 block Hall St, Hays; 11:11 AM 
Burglary/vehicle--2200 block Main St, Hays; 2/23 6 PM; 2/24 6:30 AM 
Animal At Large—300 block W 12th St, Hays; 12:19 PM 
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)—1200 block Hall St, Hays; 1:10 PM 
Found/Lost Property—1000 block W 28th St, Hays; 1:31 PM 
Found/Lost Property—1000 block Fort St, Hays; 2:36 PM 
Civil Dispute—500 block E 20th St, Hays; 5:42 PM 
Suspicious Activity—1600 block W 29th St, Hays; 9:51 PM 
Theft (general)—100 block W 7th St, Hays; 12 AM; 12:30 AM

The Hays Police Department responded to 8 animal calls and conducted 16 traffic stops Sat., Feb. 27, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Gunshots/Non-Injury
Shooting--1500 block W 27th St, Ellis County; 12:34 AM 
Suicidal Subject—1500 block Main St, Hays; 1:11 AM 
Intoxicated Subject--600 block Elm St, Hays; 1:43 AM 
Weapon Possession, Transport, Concealed—300 block W 8th St, Hays; 2:27 AM 
Animal At Large—400 block W 13th St, Hays; 8:32 AM 
Burglary/business—100 block W 5th St, Hays; 10:15 AM 
Dead Animal Call--8th and Riley St, Hay; 10:22 AM 
Found/Lost Property—1900 block Vine St, Hays; 10:42 AM 
Assist - Other (not MV)--1300 block Elm St, Hays; 2:07 PM 
Theft (general)—4300 block Vine St, Hays; 3:37 PM 
Lost Animals ONLY—300 block E 24th St, Hays; 3:46 PM 
Disturbance – Noise—400 block W 7th St, Hays; 3:48 PM 
Welfare Check--1900 block Elm St, Hays; 10:15 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 2 animal calls and conducted 8 traffic stops Sun., Feb. 28, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.

MV
Accident-City Street/Alley--3500 block Vine St, Hays; 7:18 PM 
Driving Under the Influence—1100 block E 27th St, Hays; 1:10 AM 
Drug Offenses—400 block W 5th St, Hays; 3:23 AM 
Disturbance – Noise—2300 block Donald Dr, Hays; 12:07 PM 
Search Warrant—400 block W 5th St, Hays; 1:33 PM 
Found/Lost Property—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 2:10 PM 
Burglary/vehicle—800 block Ash St, Hays; 1:57 AM; 2:25 AM 
Animal Call—400 block W 5th St, Hays; 3:22 PM 
Animal Call—400 block W 5th St, Hays; 5:10 PM 
Suicidal Subject—1700 block Volga Dr, Hays; 5:50 PM; 8:04 PM 
Mental Health Call –200 block E 5th St, Hays; 6:17 PM 
Theft (general)—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 10:32 PM 
Mental Health Call—200 block E 5th St, Hays; 11:23 PM

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592410704431.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Hays Police Department responded to 9 animal calls and conducted 12 traffic stops Thu., Feb. 25, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.Lost Animals
ONLY--19th and Elm, Hays; 12:39 AM 
Welfare Check--1900 block Elm St, Hays; 8:12 AM 
Suspicious Activity—3400 block Vine St, Hays; 8:39 AM 
Stolen/Recovered Property--100 block Main St, Hays; 9:57 AM 
Animal Cruelty/Neglect—100 block E 15th St, Hays; 10:57 AM 
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)--MM5 183 Alt Hwy, Ellis County; 2:13 PM 
Domestic Disturbance—1800 block Walnut St, Hays; 3:15 PM; 3:27 PM 
Battery on LEO—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 6:03 PM 
Assist - Other (not MV)—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 8:59 PM 
Suicidal Subject—200 block W 12th St, Hays; 10:27 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 10 animal calls and conducted 15 traffic stops Fri., Feb. 26, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.44- Traffic
Stop--500 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:50 AM 
False/Altered ID—100 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:09 AM 
Driving Under the Influence--200 block W 8th St, Hays; 1:13 AM 
Assist - Other (not MV)—3600 block Vine St, Hays; 1:37 AM 
Driving Under the Influence--1200 block Vine St, Hays; 2:38 AM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--27th St and General Lawton, Hays; 7:41 AM 
Dead Animal Call--1500 block Walnut St, Hays; 7:49 AM 
Animal At Large—400 block W 13th St, Hays; 8:20 AM 
Animal Bite Investigation--18th and Main St, Hays; 9:48 AM 
Stalking--1300 block Federal, Hays; 10:14 AM 
Found/Lost Property--2000 block Main St, Hays; 10:18 AM 
Animal At Large—1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 10:30 AM 
Civil Dispute—300 block E 19th St, Hays; 11:11 AM 
Mental Health Call—2800 block Fort St, Hays; 11:12 AM 
Lost Animals ONLY—1200 block Hall St, Hays; 11:11 AM 
Burglary/vehicle--2200 block Main St, Hays; 2/23 6 PM; 2/24 6:30 AM 
Animal At Large—300 block W 12th St, Hays; 12:19 PM 
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)—1200 block Hall St, Hays; 1:10 PM 
Found/Lost Property—1000 block W 28th St, Hays; 1:31 PM 
Found/Lost Property—1000 block Fort St, Hays; 2:36 PM 
Civil Dispute—500 block E 20th St, Hays; 5:42 PM 
Suspicious Activity—1600 block W 29th St, Hays; 9:51 PM 
Theft (general)—100 block W 7th St, Hays; 12 AM; 12:30 AMThe Hays Police Department responded to 8 animal calls and conducted 16 traffic stops Sat., Feb. 27, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.Gunshots/Non-Injury
Shooting--1500 block W 27th St, Ellis County; 12:34 AM 
Suicidal Subject—1500 block Main St, Hays; 1:11 AM 
Intoxicated Subject--600 block Elm St, Hays; 1:43 AM 
Weapon Possession, Transport, Concealed—300 block W 8th St, Hays; 2:27 AM 
Animal At Large—400 block W 13th St, Hays; 8:32 AM 
Burglary/business—100 block W 5th St, Hays; 10:15 AM 
Dead Animal Call--8th and Riley St, Hay; 10:22 AM 
Found/Lost Property—1900 block Vine St, Hays; 10:42 AM 
Assist - Other (not MV)--1300 block Elm St, Hays; 2:07 PM 
Theft (general)—4300 block Vine St, Hays; 3:37 PM 
Lost Animals ONLY—300 block E 24th St, Hays; 3:46 PM 
Disturbance – Noise—400 block W 7th St, Hays; 3:48 PM 
Welfare Check--1900 block Elm St, Hays; 10:15 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 2 animal calls and conducted 8 traffic stops Sun., Feb. 28, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.MV
Accident-City Street/Alley--3500 block Vine St, Hays; 7:18 PM 
Driving Under the Influence—1100 block E 27th St, Hays; 1:10 AM 
Drug Offenses—400 block W 5th St, Hays; 3:23 AM 
Disturbance – Noise—2300 block Donald Dr, Hays; 12:07 PM 
Search Warrant—400 block W 5th St, Hays; 1:33 PM 
Found/Lost Property—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 2:10 PM 
Burglary/vehicle—800 block Ash St, Hays; 1:57 AM; 2:25 AM 
Animal Call—400 block W 5th St, Hays; 3:22 PM 
Animal Call—400 block W 5th St, Hays; 5:10 PM 
Suicidal Subject—1700 block Volga Dr, Hays; 5:50 PM; 8:04 PM 
Mental Health Call –200 block E 5th St, Hays; 6:17 PM 
Theft (general)—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 10:32 PM 
Mental Health Call—200 block E 5th St, Hays; 11:23 PM<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592410704431.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

HPD Activity Log, Feb. 25-28

The TMP-Marian Monarchs take on the Phillipsburg Panthers in the sub-state semifinals Friday in Norton.

The game is set to start at 8:00 p.m. Our coverage begins at 7:40 p.m. with the Hertz Rental Car Pregame show.

You can also listen to the game at&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KHAZ">99.5 KHAZ</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

The TMP-Marian Monarchs take on the Phillipsburg Panthers in the sub-state semifinals Friday in Norton.The game is set to start at 8:00 p.m. Our coverage begins at 7:40 p.m. with the Hertz Rental Car Pregame show.<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NsgmLu1bEgU"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>You can also listen to the game at&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KHAZ">99.5 KHAZ</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

 🏀WATCH: TMP-Marian vs Phillipsburg

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

The Hays Area Board of Zoning Appeals will meet Wednesday, March 10 to hear three requests for public hearings.

Ellis County is requesting a special use permit for a construction and demolition (C &amp; D) landfill at 1515 w. 55th Street.&nbsp;

The current landfill is near capacity for C&amp; D debris and more land is needed to continue the service.&nbsp;

The county has purchased the property to the north of the existing landfill at 55th Street and 240th Avenue for expansion. The property was rezoned to Public and Institutional District in Sept., 2020.

The public hearing is scheduled for April 14, 2021.&nbsp;

Two other requests will be made for public hearings.

Brian Ralph, 203 W. 37th Street, is asking for a side yard setback variance from five feet to three feet to allow for a more adequate distance from an existing screened porch.

BJ and Dena Rupp, owners of Good Times Motorcycle Sales and Service at 1007 Vine, want a variance to paint signage on the north and south sides of the property for visibility to traffic on Vine.&nbsp;

The building is located in a Light Industrial zone which allows signs only on the front façade of the building.&nbsp;

Previous tenants have had signs on the north and south sides of the building.

The complete March 10 agenda is available <a href="https://www.haysusa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03102021-1256">here</a>.

The meeting starts at 8:15 a.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584721067731.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostThe Hays Area Board of Zoning Appeals will meet Wednesday, March 10 to hear three requests for public hearings.Ellis County is requesting a special use permit for a construction and demolition (C &amp; D) landfill at 1515 w. 55th Street.&nbsp;The current landfill is near capacity for C&amp; D debris and more land is needed to continue the service.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614978619853.jpeg" alt="Site of Ellis County landfill planned expansion" />
 <figcaption>Site of Ellis County landfill planned expansion</figcaption>
 </figure>The county has purchased the property to the north of the existing landfill at 55th Street and 240th Avenue for expansion. The property was rezoned to Public and Institutional District in Sept., 2020.The public hearing is scheduled for April 14, 2021.&nbsp;Two other requests will be made for public hearings.Brian Ralph, 203 W. 37th Street, is asking for a side yard setback variance from five feet to three feet to allow for a more adequate distance from an existing screened porch.BJ and Dena Rupp, owners of Good Times Motorcycle Sales and Service at 1007 Vine, want a variance to paint signage on the north and south sides of the property for visibility to traffic on Vine.&nbsp;The building is located in a Light Industrial zone which allows signs only on the front façade of the building.&nbsp;Previous tenants have had signs on the north and south sides of the building.The complete March 10 agenda is available <a href="https://www.haysusa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03102021-1256">here</a>.The meeting starts at 8:15 a.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.&nbsp;

Board of Zoning Appeals to hear request for Ellis Co. landfill expansion

Late last week in the K-12 Education Budget Committee, House Bill 2119 was passed out for full debate on the House Floor.&nbsp; HB 2119 contains the provisions for the Student Empowerment Act, which provides for an educational savings account for at-risk students that is equal to the annual base state aid.&nbsp; All school districts are held harmless for the first three years and will receive the base state aid, plus weightings, attributable to the student.

HB 2119 also removes remote and hybrid students from eligibility and delays implementation until 2022.&nbsp; This bill also offers a tax credit scholarship program to include free and reduced lunch students from any public school.&nbsp; This program is capped at $10 million and in 2020 there were 632 students participating in the program with a maximum scholarship rate of $8,000.&nbsp; Also, the total amount of funding for K-12 Education in Governor Kelly’s budget, which is $5.7 billion, has been inserted into HB 2119.

The bill also provides for the Kansas Department of Education to expend $5 million for the School Safety and Security grants.&nbsp; These are grants that have been provided in previous years for school safety, and in the budget for 2021 this was an allotment by the Governor.&nbsp; It also provides money for the Language Assessment Program for the School for the Deaf in 2022.&nbsp;

There is also an inclusion of $500 for teacher salary bonuses for teachers who provided instruction during the 2021 school year.&nbsp; There is also a provision where there is a maximum of remote learning hours of 240 each year.&nbsp; We are anticipating a debate in the house when we return.

On Wednesday of this week, the House debated bills regarding emergency declarations.&nbsp; House Bill 2416 modifies the procedure for declaring and extending a state of disaster emergency and limits the powers of the Governor during a state of disaster emergency. It also stipulates that the Legislative Coordinating Council (LCC) and the Legislature to take certain action related to a state of disaster emergency and prohibits the Governor or the State Board of Education from closing private schools during a state of disaster emergency.&nbsp; The bill strengthens the oversight role of the Legislature during a disaster and that local control is retained.&nbsp; We also debated House Bill 2183 which prohibits the Governor, the Executive and Judicial branches from altering election laws or procedures and maintains approval to the Legislative Coordinating Council.

<a>Addressing Utility Bill Concerns</a>

On Wednesday, the House and Senate expeditiously debated House Substitute for Senate Bill 88, which assists our cities across the state due to the increases in utilities from the extreme cold weather that we experienced in February.

This bill creates the City Utility Low-Interest Loan Program for the purpose of providing loans to cities for extraordinary electric or natural gas costs incurred during the extreme winter weather event of February 2021. The program would be administered by the State Treasurer and would allow up to $100 million in idle fund balances to be loaned to cities that could only be used for the amount of extraordinary electric or natural gas costs incurred and not for any other utility costs previously budgeted for by the city. The interest charged would be 2 percent below the Pooled Money Investment Board (PMIB) market rate with a minimum interest rate of 0.25 percent. The interest rate on the loan would be recalculated on the first business day of January of each year. The term of the loan could not exceed ten years. The State Treasurer could accept or reject an application based on the State Treasurer’s evaluation of whether the city meets the requirements of the program.

The State Treasurer would be required to provide an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature identifying the cities that are participating in the program, the amount of money loaned, and the amount of money still available for loan on or before January 1, 2022, and each January thereafter. The Legislature would be required to review the loan program on or after January 1, 2024.

Since the idle fund balance is used as the funding source for the loans, it is assumed that State General Fund resources would be needed to backfill idle fund balances if a city were to default on a loan. The bill would require the PMIB, at the direction of the State Treasurer, to make deposits of up to $100 million of idle funds to cities qualifying for the City Utility Low-Interest Loan Program.

This bill passed the House, 124-0, and the Senate 38-1.&nbsp; The Governor signed the bill Wednesday night.

Bills Passed the House – Turnaround

<a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a>This week, the House debated more than sixty bills before we go on break for the midpoint of the Legislative Session, commonly referred to as “Turnaround.&nbsp; Here are a few of the bills we debated:</a>

House Bill 2045 revises the Kansas Angel Investor Tax Credit Act with respect to the definition of qualified securities, tax credit limitations and amounts, investor requirements and extending the date that the tax credits may be allowed.&nbsp;

House Bill 2058 allows for reciprocity to recognize out-of-state concealed carry licenses.

We also discussed House Bill 2196, which addresses many of the issues and concerns with unemployment benefits.&nbsp; This bill would hold employers harmless for fraudulent claims for unemployment benefits and they would not be charged for any benefits paid from March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2020.

On Thursday we debated Senate Bill 13, which establishes notice and public hearing requirements prior to approval of property tax increases by some local entities.&nbsp; It would also discontinue the city and county tax lid, prohibits valuations increases of real estate solely as a result of normal repair, replacement or maintenance of an existing structure, and establishes a payment plan for the payment of delinquent or even non-delinquent property taxes.

We also had a debate on House Bill 2405 regarding the issuance of bonds for the unfunded liability for KPERS.

Anytime that one would like to participate and listen to the developments of committee hearings or discussion on the House floor, one can tune in by listening to the audio footage at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/" target="_blank">www.kslegislature.org</a>.

As always, if you have any concerns, feel free to contact me (785) 296-7672, follow on twitter at @waymaster4house, or email me at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov" target="_blank">troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov</a>.&nbsp; Please contact me regarding any issues and legislation that we are discussing during session.

It is a distinct honor to serve as your representative for the 109th Kansas House District and the state of Kansas. Please contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and questions.&nbsp; I always appreciate hearing from the residents of the 109th House District and others from the state of Kansas, as well.

Troy L. Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, is the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2020/s/pdf/district_maps/district_map_h_109.pdf">109th Kansas House District</a>&nbsp;state representative and chairman of the Appropriations Committee.&nbsp;

The 109th District includes&nbsp;Osborne, Russell, and Smith counties, and portions of Barton, Jewell, Lincoln and Rush counties.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577788173848.jpeg" alt="Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, 109th Dist.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, 109th Dist.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>March 5, 2021K-12 Education BillLate last week in the K-12 Education Budget Committee, House Bill 2119 was passed out for full debate on the House Floor.&nbsp; HB 2119 contains the provisions for the Student Empowerment Act, which provides for an educational savings account for at-risk students that is equal to the annual base state aid.&nbsp; All school districts are held harmless for the first three years and will receive the base state aid, plus weightings, attributable to the student.HB 2119 also removes remote and hybrid students from eligibility and delays implementation until 2022.&nbsp; This bill also offers a tax credit scholarship program to include free and reduced lunch students from any public school.&nbsp; This program is capped at $10 million and in 2020 there were 632 students participating in the program with a maximum scholarship rate of $8,000.&nbsp; Also, the total amount of funding for K-12 Education in Governor Kelly’s budget, which is $5.7 billion, has been inserted into HB 2119.The bill also provides for the Kansas Department of Education to expend $5 million for the School Safety and Security grants.&nbsp; These are grants that have been provided in previous years for school safety, and in the budget for 2021 this was an allotment by the Governor.&nbsp; It also provides money for the Language Assessment Program for the School for the Deaf in 2022.&nbsp;There is also an inclusion of $500 for teacher salary bonuses for teachers who provided instruction during the 2021 school year.&nbsp; There is also a provision where there is a maximum of remote learning hours of 240 each year.&nbsp; We are anticipating a debate in the house when we return.Emergency Disaster OrdersOn Wednesday of this week, the House debated bills regarding emergency declarations.&nbsp; House Bill 2416 modifies the procedure for declaring and extending a state of disaster emergency and limits the powers of the Governor during a state of disaster emergency. It also stipulates that the Legislative Coordinating Council (LCC) and the Legislature to take certain action related to a state of disaster emergency and prohibits the Governor or the State Board of Education from closing private schools during a state of disaster emergency.&nbsp; The bill strengthens the oversight role of the Legislature during a disaster and that local control is retained.&nbsp; We also debated House Bill 2183 which prohibits the Governor, the Executive and Judicial branches from altering election laws or procedures and maintains approval to the Legislative Coordinating Council.<a>Addressing Utility Bill Concerns</a>On Wednesday, the House and Senate expeditiously debated House Substitute for Senate Bill 88, which assists our cities across the state due to the increases in utilities from the extreme cold weather that we experienced in February.This bill creates the City Utility Low-Interest Loan Program for the purpose of providing loans to cities for extraordinary electric or natural gas costs incurred during the extreme winter weather event of February 2021. The program would be administered by the State Treasurer and would allow up to $100 million in idle fund balances to be loaned to cities that could only be used for the amount of extraordinary electric or natural gas costs incurred and not for any other utility costs previously budgeted for by the city. The interest charged would be 2 percent below the Pooled Money Investment Board (PMIB) market rate with a minimum interest rate of 0.25 percent. The interest rate on the loan would be recalculated on the first business day of January of each year. The term of the loan could not exceed ten years. The State Treasurer could accept or reject an application based on the State Treasurer’s evaluation of whether the city meets the requirements of the program.The State Treasurer would be required to provide an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature identifying the cities that are participating in the program, the amount of money loaned, and the amount of money still available for loan on or before January 1, 2022, and each January thereafter. The Legislature would be required to review the loan program on or after January 1, 2024.Since the idle fund balance is used as the funding source for the loans, it is assumed that State General Fund resources would be needed to backfill idle fund balances if a city were to default on a loan. The bill would require the PMIB, at the direction of the State Treasurer, to make deposits of up to $100 million of idle funds to cities qualifying for the City Utility Low-Interest Loan Program.This bill passed the House, 124-0, and the Senate 38-1.&nbsp; The Governor signed the bill Wednesday night.Bills Passed the House – Turnaround<a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a>This week, the House debated more than sixty bills before we go on break for the midpoint of the Legislative Session, commonly referred to as “Turnaround.&nbsp; Here are a few of the bills we debated:</a>House Bill 2045 revises the Kansas Angel Investor Tax Credit Act with respect to the definition of qualified securities, tax credit limitations and amounts, investor requirements and extending the date that the tax credits may be allowed.&nbsp;House Bill 2058 allows for reciprocity to recognize out-of-state concealed carry licenses.We also discussed House Bill 2196, which addresses many of the issues and concerns with unemployment benefits.&nbsp; This bill would hold employers harmless for fraudulent claims for unemployment benefits and they would not be charged for any benefits paid from March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2020.On Thursday we debated Senate Bill 13, which establishes notice and public hearing requirements prior to approval of property tax increases by some local entities.&nbsp; It would also discontinue the city and county tax lid, prohibits valuations increases of real estate solely as a result of normal repair, replacement or maintenance of an existing structure, and establishes a payment plan for the payment of delinquent or even non-delinquent property taxes.We also had a debate on House Bill 2405 regarding the issuance of bonds for the unfunded liability for KPERS.Contact InformationAnytime that one would like to participate and listen to the developments of committee hearings or discussion on the House floor, one can tune in by listening to the audio footage at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/" target="_blank">www.kslegislature.org</a>.As always, if you have any concerns, feel free to contact me (785) 296-7672, follow on twitter at @waymaster4house, or email me at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov" target="_blank">troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov</a>.&nbsp; Please contact me regarding any issues and legislation that we are discussing during session.It is a distinct honor to serve as your representative for the 109th Kansas House District and the state of Kansas. Please contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and questions.&nbsp; I always appreciate hearing from the residents of the 109th House District and others from the state of Kansas, as well.Troy L. Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, is the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2020/s/pdf/district_maps/district_map_h_109.pdf">109th Kansas House District</a>&nbsp;state representative and chairman of the Appropriations Committee.&nbsp;The 109th District includes&nbsp;Osborne, Russell, and Smith counties, and portions of Barton, Jewell, Lincoln and Rush counties.&nbsp;

WAYMASTER: From the Dome to Home, March 5

The Ellis County Health Department on Friday reported the average number of new coronavirus cases per day in the last seven days rose from one on Wednesday to two on Friday.

In today's Post Podcast, Ellis County Health Services Director Jason Kennedy talks about the "precipitous decline" in cases in recent weeks.

<a href="https://form.jotform.com/210066258239051">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;for information on how to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.

There were seven new cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County since Wednesday. There are currently 28 active cases, including four active hospitalizations of Ellis County residents, and 3,664 recovered cases.

As of Friday, there were 10 COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, unchanged from Thursday, with three of those active patients and seven in the recovery phase.

The&nbsp;The seven-day average of percent of positive tests rose from less than 1 percent on Wednesday to 1.9 percent on Friday.

Since reporting began, there have been 3,692 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 72 coronavirus-related deaths.

Of the total 24,927 tests administered, 14.8 returned positive for COVID-19.

NOTE:&nbsp;"New cases" reflects cases reported by the Ellis County Health Department between regular reporting periods of Monday, Wednesday and Friday. "Total cases" reflects all cases reported by the department. Because of delayed test results, total cases might include cases prior to the previous reporting period, so KDHE figures might not necessarily correspond.

GRAPHIC CORRECTION, 4 p.m. Friday: There are 277 probable cases in Ellis County.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614970112735.png" alt="KDHE" />
 <figcaption>KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="ECHS COVID-19 Weekly Update: March 5, 2021" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/nv2yv-fcba47?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div>The Ellis County Health Department on Friday reported the average number of new coronavirus cases per day in the last seven days rose from one on Wednesday to two on Friday.In today's Post Podcast, Ellis County Health Services Director Jason Kennedy talks about the "precipitous decline" in cases in recent weeks.<a href="https://form.jotform.com/210066258239051">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;for information on how to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.There were seven new cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County since Wednesday. There are currently 28 active cases, including four active hospitalizations of Ellis County residents, and 3,664 recovered cases.As of Friday, there were 10 COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, unchanged from Thursday, with three of those active patients and seven in the recovery phase.The&nbsp;The seven-day average of percent of positive tests rose from less than 1 percent on Wednesday to 1.9 percent on Friday.Since reporting began, there have been 3,692 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 72 coronavirus-related deaths.Of the total 24,927 tests administered, 14.8 returned positive for COVID-19.NOTE:&nbsp;"New cases" reflects cases reported by the Ellis County Health Department between regular reporting periods of Monday, Wednesday and Friday. "Total cases" reflects all cases reported by the department. Because of delayed test results, total cases might include cases prior to the previous reporting period, so KDHE figures might not necessarily correspond.GRAPHIC CORRECTION, 4 p.m. Friday: There are 277 probable cases in Ellis County.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614979381017.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

🎙 Kennedy: 'Precipitous decline' in Ellis Co. COVID-19 cases

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, M.D., on Friday announced $1.18 million in funding from the U.S. Economic Development Agency for the expansion of Northwest Kansas Technical College’s training facility in Goodland. The college provides diesel and automotive technician training and EDA funding will allow the school to grow the number of students served annually by nearly 300.

“It is through job training and education that we will truly get people back to work and rebuild our great economy,” Marshall said. “NWKTC provides hands-on training and services to folks across northwest Kansas, providing opportunities for high-wage, high-skill positions that meet regional needs in agriculture, trucking and logistics fields. The expansion of NWKTC will equip graduates with the real-life job skills that allow them to enter the workforce and fill a growing need in the surrounding region.”&nbsp;

Click <a href="https://www.nwktc.edu/">HERE</a> for more about Northwest Tech.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614972145132.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, M.D., on Friday announced $1.18 million in funding from the U.S. Economic Development Agency for the expansion of Northwest Kansas Technical College’s training facility in Goodland. The college provides diesel and automotive technician training and EDA funding will allow the school to grow the number of students served annually by nearly 300.“It is through job training and education that we will truly get people back to work and rebuild our great economy,” Marshall said. “NWKTC provides hands-on training and services to folks across northwest Kansas, providing opportunities for high-wage, high-skill positions that meet regional needs in agriculture, trucking and logistics fields. The expansion of NWKTC will equip graduates with the real-life job skills that allow them to enter the workforce and fill a growing need in the surrounding region.”&nbsp;Click <a href="https://www.nwktc.edu/">HERE</a> for more about Northwest Tech.

Goodland tech college awarded nearly $1.2M to expand training

On this episode of the Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Kansas First District Rep. Tracy Mann.

<div><iframe title="🎤Forward Ever: Kansas First District Rep. Tracy Mann" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/ytbjd-fcb932?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div>On this episode of the Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Kansas First District Rep. Tracy Mann.

🎤Forward Ever: Kansas First District Rep. Tracy Mann

The Ellis County Health Department is warning of a scam circulating in the area.

The department warned that the caller attempts to schedule or reschedule a canceled COVID-19 vaccine appointment.

• We will always state right away that we are from ECHD. • We will only call to confirm your appointment. • We will NEVER ask for your personal information. (provider, address, DOB, insurance, Social Security #, etc.)

The Ellis County Health Department is warning of a scam circulating in the area.The department warned that the caller attempts to schedule or reschedule a canceled COVID-19 vaccine appointment.The department reminded residents:&nbsp;• We will always state right away that we are from ECHD. • We will only call to confirm your appointment. • We will NEVER ask for your personal information. (provider, address, DOB, insurance, Social Security #, etc.)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Felliscokshealth%2Fposts%2F2866001817010086&width=500&show_text=true&height=291&appId" width="500" height="291" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>

Ellis Co. Health Department warns of scam calls

A storm system that covered a large portion of western Kansas Thursday night brought 0.29 inches of rain to Hays.

It was the first moisture recorded by the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town.

So far this year, Hays has received 1.08 inches of moisture. The average total by the end of March is 2.46 inches.

Thursday's overnight low was 33 degrees, the first time the overnight temperature has been above freezing in Hays since January 15, according to the research center.&nbsp;

The <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c8552b33-e144-4ad5-a5a3-fa6846b05b1b">three-day weather forecast</a> calls for dry weather through the weekend.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614956693186.jpeg" alt="(Photo by Unsplash)" />
 <figcaption>(Photo by Unsplash)</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostA storm system that covered a large portion of western Kansas Thursday night brought 0.29 inches of rain to Hays.It was the first moisture recorded by the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town.So far this year, Hays has received 1.08 inches of moisture. The average total by the end of March is 2.46 inches.Thursday's overnight low was 33 degrees, the first time the overnight temperature has been above freezing in Hays since January 15, according to the research center.&nbsp;The <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c8552b33-e144-4ad5-a5a3-fa6846b05b1b">three-day weather forecast</a> calls for dry weather through the weekend.

First rain in March falls overnight in Hays

The Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center vaccinated 70 veterans against COVID-19 Thursday at its outpatient clinic in Hays. Veterans traveled from Russell, Great Bend and Colby — among other towns — to receive the vaccine. Since they were vaccinated with the recently authorized, single-dose Janssen vaccine, they won’t have to make the trip again.

Despite living in Great Bend, an hour away from Hays, Joe Twitchell made his appointment for 9 a.m. He became the first veteran inoculated with the Janssen vaccine. Twitchell said it gives him relief to not only know he is now protected but he is also contributing to the good of the community.

“It’s an overall good thing to do it and do my part to protect other people,” Twitchell said.

He is also happy with the safety of the product. “I read up on the [Janssen vaccine] shot and it’s proven to be a safe one to get.”

Pam Lightfoot, the widow of a Vietnam veteran who suffered from ailments related to exposure to Agent Orange, was the first female to receive the Janssen vaccine. Being vaccinated now gives her the opportunity to enjoy some things she has been putting off for the past year.

“I feel great. I can go see my girlfriends in Kansas City,” said Lightfoot, who has not visited her Kansas City friends since last July.

The staff at the Hays VA clinic take great pride in taking care of their Veterans. Nurse Jennifer Neil said it is quite an honor to be able to see the excitement in the faces of the veterans each time they vaccinate them.

“They’re so excited to be able to get closer to a normal life. I really enjoy it and it melts my heart a little to be able to see that and do that for them,” Neil said.

The Dole VA is currently offering the COVID-19 vaccine to Veterans 65 years of age and older. Veterans must have an appointment; walk-ins are not accepted. Veterans can call the Dole VA at 316-469-0914, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. to get scheduled to receive their vaccine.

Veterans need to be enrolled in health care with a Dole VA facility to be eligible for the vaccine. You can learn more about eligibility and how to apply at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.va.gov/healthbenefits">www.va.gov/healthbenefits</a>&nbsp;or call 1-877-222-VETS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614952994194.jpeg" alt="Joe Twitchell, a resident of Great Bend and Vietnam-era Veteran, is receives the single-dose Janssen COVID-19 vaccine from registered nurse Jennifer Neil at the Robert J. Dole VA community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC) in Hays, KS. Twitchell was the first Veteran to receive the newly authorized vaccine from the Dole VA." />
 <figcaption>Joe Twitchell, a resident of Great Bend and Vietnam-era Veteran, is receives the single-dose Janssen COVID-19 vaccine from registered nurse Jennifer Neil at the Robert J. Dole VA community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC) in Hays, KS. Twitchell was the first Veteran to receive the newly authorized vaccine from the Dole VA.</figcaption>
 </figure>Robert J. Dole VA Medical CenterThe Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center vaccinated 70 veterans against COVID-19 Thursday at its outpatient clinic in Hays. Veterans traveled from Russell, Great Bend and Colby — among other towns — to receive the vaccine. Since they were vaccinated with the recently authorized, single-dose Janssen vaccine, they won’t have to make the trip again.Despite living in Great Bend, an hour away from Hays, Joe Twitchell made his appointment for 9 a.m. He became the first veteran inoculated with the Janssen vaccine. Twitchell said it gives him relief to not only know he is now protected but he is also contributing to the good of the community.“It’s an overall good thing to do it and do my part to protect other people,” Twitchell said.He is also happy with the safety of the product. “I read up on the [Janssen vaccine] shot and it’s proven to be a safe one to get.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614953085996.jpeg" alt="Pam Lightfoot, the widow of a Vietnam Veteran who suffered from ailments related to exposure to Agent Orange, was the first female to receive the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at the VA’s Hays outpatient clinic. Registered nurse Christy Calvin administered the vaccine to Lightfoot." />
 <figcaption>Pam Lightfoot, the widow of a Vietnam Veteran who suffered from ailments related to exposure to Agent Orange, was the first female to receive the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at the VA’s Hays outpatient clinic. Registered nurse Christy Calvin administered the vaccine to Lightfoot.</figcaption>
 </figure>Pam Lightfoot, the widow of a Vietnam veteran who suffered from ailments related to exposure to Agent Orange, was the first female to receive the Janssen vaccine. Being vaccinated now gives her the opportunity to enjoy some things she has been putting off for the past year.“I feel great. I can go see my girlfriends in Kansas City,” said Lightfoot, who has not visited her Kansas City friends since last July.The staff at the Hays VA clinic take great pride in taking care of their Veterans. Nurse Jennifer Neil said it is quite an honor to be able to see the excitement in the faces of the veterans each time they vaccinate them.“They’re so excited to be able to get closer to a normal life. I really enjoy it and it melts my heart a little to be able to see that and do that for them,” Neil said.The Dole VA is currently offering the COVID-19 vaccine to Veterans 65 years of age and older. Veterans must have an appointment; walk-ins are not accepted. Veterans can call the Dole VA at 316-469-0914, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. to get scheduled to receive their vaccine.Veterans need to be enrolled in health care with a Dole VA facility to be eligible for the vaccine. You can learn more about eligibility and how to apply at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.va.gov/healthbenefits">www.va.gov/healthbenefits</a>&nbsp;or call 1-877-222-VETS.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614953120718.jpeg" alt="Clinical pharmacist Dinh Nguyen (Dihn Wihn) traveled from Wichita to the VA’s outpatient clinic in Hays to assist and support the Hays staff with vaccinating Veterans this morning. Here, Nguyen draws a dose of the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine from a vial that contains five doses of the vaccine. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines come in vials that hold 10 doses." />
 <figcaption>Clinical pharmacist Dinh Nguyen (Dihn Wihn) traveled from Wichita to the VA’s outpatient clinic in Hays to assist and support the Hays staff with vaccinating Veterans this morning. Here, Nguyen draws a dose of the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine from a vial that contains five doses of the vaccine. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines come in vials that hold 10 doses.</figcaption>
 </figure>

NW Kan. veterans receive Janssen COVID vaccine at Hays clinic

Hays city commissioners quizzed representatives of First Call For Help (FCFH) for more than 30 minutes Thursday night as Linda Mills, executive director, laid out the request for $30,000 from the city towards construction of transitional housing comprised of four units.

 "First Step Housing" will be located in the back of the FCFH building, 607 E. 13th, Hays, which is currently undergoing renovation.

The back of the building is secured from the FCFH offices in the front and residents will have their own entrance.

The first-ever temporary housing will be open only to Ellis County residents who may live there for up to six months after meeting several qualifications, including drug screening.

"They have to have a commitment and a desire to succeed at providing themselves with stable housing," Mills told commissioners.&nbsp; "They must be employed or looking for a job."

"We're calling this 'First Step Housing' because for some of the participants that will be in the program, it will be a first step. It may be a first step in starting over but it will still be a first step."

She emphasized this will not be just a place to live.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"It's a place where they can learn and grow, work out obstacles they may have faced in the past," Mills said. "We're going to be working with them a lot about budgeting, about renting, how to find that apartment that fits your budget and make sure it's in the shape you need it to be in."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Laura Allen, client services manager, will become the case manager for the four households living in First Step Housing, which can accommodate individuals, couples and small families. Insurance liability disallows single women and single men occupying the building at the same time.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Mayor Sandy Jacobs asked how the need for temporary housing in Ellis County was determined.

The numbers come from FCFH based on its daily interaction with residents needing some type of household assistance.

"In 2020, we did help 78 households with emergency finances for their rent or utilities," Mills reported. "That was a total of 215 people, including 89 children."

There were another 51 individuals and households who contacted FCFH several times saying "they did not have a place to live. They were being evicted, or being booted out of a friend's or family's house they'd been living at, or, some have said they're living with someone but it's not a good situation and they need to get out of it."

"Four units is not enough," said Allen, "but it's what we have room for and it's a start."

"I feel this is a need for Hays, said Shaun Musil, commissioner. "I personally don't think it's big enough, but I don't know where you get the money to make it bigger."

Fundraising for the transitional housing began in 2019. Two major fundraisers had to be cancelled in 2020 because of COVID.

The construction, being done by Paul-Wertenberger, Hays, is estimated to cost $227,000; $160,000 of that has been raised. 

FCFH board members hope the remaining $67,000 will be raised soon in order for the project to be completed in June.&nbsp;

Initial concrete work for water drains and plumbing, window openings in block walls and framing of interior walls is has been finished.&nbsp;

FCFH has received large grants of $25,000 from Union Pacific Railroad and $50,000 from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation in Logan.

Another $20,000 for construction costs came from federal CARES Act funding for Ellis County.

The local <a href="https://www.firstcallelliscounty.com/giving">Schmidt Foundation is matching donations</a> up to $50,000 for the First Step Building campaign through June 30. Only individual and business donations will be matched. According to Mills, about $7,000 has been raised since Feb. 1.&nbsp;

The Ellis County Ministerial Alliance made a donation to create a large meeting room and another office in the front end of the building. Those funds are not part of the construction budget.&nbsp;

Mills says online donations to FCFH have been steady.

"We have one anonymous donor who paid off his house and he sends us his house payment every month. That was a direct tie-in for him and something that he wanted to see happen."&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

The city of Hays has helped support FCFH for several years through its&nbsp; social services funding and the CARE Council, noted commissioner Ron Mellick.

Commissioner Musil pointed out the city's budget is already set for this year.

"What if somebody else has a project and they want $20,000? Is it going to continue every year? And then what do we do for a budget?

"We've always done a really good job with what our budget is, and this is what we play with.

"That's what makes me nervous," Musil said.&nbsp; "Anything we do like that is kind of precedent-setting," added Jacobs.

According to Toby Dougherty, city manager, the requested funds would need to&nbsp;come from the commission capital reserve because the 2021 budget does not have an allocation to absorb a $30,000 nonplanned expenditure.

"I would like to see this completed one way or the other," said Michael Berges, commissioner. He suggested FCFH continue its fundraising and return to the commission in late April or early May, when the financial need and funding request would likely be smaller.

"We definitely want to fund you," said Mellick, "but I think Michael makes a good point. ... We're going to see where you're actually at."

Mills said the construction work is being done and paid for with cash FCFH has in hand.

Commissioners agreed they didn't want the project halted due to no cash flow.

"Construction in Hays is booked out right now," Berges said. "So if they stopped .... To get them back on site may delay the project."

Mills noted the construction budget might change based on the type of fire suppression system that is selected.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614913464104.jpeg" alt="Laura Allen, First Call For Help client services manager, and Linda Mills, executive director, talk to Hays city commissioners Thursday about a request for a $30,000 donation from the city towards construction of temporary transitional housing.&nbsp;&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Laura Allen, First Call For Help client services manager, and Linda Mills, executive director, talk to Hays city commissioners Thursday about a request for a $30,000 donation from the city towards construction of temporary transitional housing.&nbsp;&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostHays city commissioners quizzed representatives of First Call For Help (FCFH) for more than 30 minutes Thursday night as Linda Mills, executive director, laid out the request for $30,000 from the city towards construction of transitional housing comprised of four units. "First Step Housing" will be located in the back of the FCFH building, 607 E. 13th, Hays, which is currently undergoing renovation.The back of the building is secured from the FCFH offices in the front and residents will have their own entrance.The first-ever temporary housing will be open only to Ellis County residents who may live there for up to six months after meeting several qualifications, including drug screening."They have to have a commitment and a desire to succeed at providing themselves with stable housing," Mills told commissioners.&nbsp; "They must be employed or looking for a job.""We're calling this 'First Step Housing' because for some of the participants that will be in the program, it will be a first step. It may be a first step in starting over but it will still be a first step."She emphasized this will not be just a place to live.&nbsp;&nbsp;"It's a place where they can learn and grow, work out obstacles they may have faced in the past," Mills said. "We're going to be working with them a lot about budgeting, about renting, how to find that apartment that fits your budget and make sure it's in the shape you need it to be in."&nbsp;&nbsp;Laura Allen, client services manager, will become the case manager for the four households living in First Step Housing, which can accommodate individuals, couples and small families. Insurance liability disallows single women and single men occupying the building at the same time.&nbsp;&nbsp;Mayor Sandy Jacobs asked how the need for temporary housing in Ellis County was determined.The numbers come from FCFH based on its daily interaction with residents needing some type of household assistance."In 2020, we did help 78 households with emergency finances for their rent or utilities," Mills reported. "That was a total of 215 people, including 89 children."There were another 51 individuals and households who contacted FCFH several times saying "they did not have a place to live. They were being evicted, or being booted out of a friend's or family's house they'd been living at, or, some have said they're living with someone but it's not a good situation and they need to get out of it.""Four units is not enough," said Allen, "but it's what we have room for and it's a start."<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XT45nt1KXlQ"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"I feel this is a need for Hays, said Shaun Musil, commissioner. "I personally don't think it's big enough, but I don't know where you get the money to make it bigger."Fundraising for the transitional housing began in 2019. Two major fundraisers had to be cancelled in 2020 because of COVID.The construction, being done by Paul-Wertenberger, Hays, is estimated to cost $227,000; $160,000 of that has been raised. FCFH board members hope the remaining $67,000 will be raised soon in order for the project to be completed in June.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614919717356.jpeg" alt="(Slide courtesy FCFH)" />
 <figcaption>(Slide courtesy FCFH)</figcaption>
 </figure>Initial concrete work for water drains and plumbing, window openings in block walls and framing of interior walls is has been finished.&nbsp;FCFH has received large grants of $25,000 from Union Pacific Railroad and $50,000 from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation in Logan.Another $20,000 for construction costs came from federal CARES Act funding for Ellis County.The local <a href="https://www.firstcallelliscounty.com/giving">Schmidt Foundation is matching donations</a> up to $50,000 for the First Step Building campaign through June 30. Only individual and business donations will be matched. According to Mills, about $7,000 has been raised since Feb. 1.&nbsp;The Ellis County Ministerial Alliance made a donation to create a large meeting room and another office in the front end of the building. Those funds are not part of the construction budget.&nbsp;Mills says online donations to FCFH have been steady. "We have one anonymous donor who paid off his house and he sends us his house payment every month. That was a direct tie-in for him and something that he wanted to see happen."&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;The city of Hays has helped support FCFH for several years through its&nbsp; social services funding and the CARE Council, noted commissioner Ron Mellick.Commissioner Musil pointed out the city's budget is already set for this year."What if somebody else has a project and they want $20,000? Is it going to continue every year? And then what do we do for a budget?"We've always done a really good job with what our budget is, and this is what we play with."That's what makes me nervous," Musil said.&nbsp; "Anything we do like that is kind of precedent-setting," added Jacobs.According to Toby Dougherty, city manager, the requested funds would need to&nbsp;come from the commission capital reserve because the 2021 budget does not have an allocation to absorb a $30,000 nonplanned expenditure."I would like to see this completed one way or the other," said Michael Berges, commissioner. He suggested FCFH continue its fundraising and return to the commission in late April or early May, when the financial need and funding request would likely be smaller."We definitely want to fund you," said Mellick, "but I think Michael makes a good point. ... We're going to see where you're actually at."Mills said the construction work is being done and paid for with cash FCFH has in hand.Commissioners agreed they didn't want the project halted due to no cash flow."Construction in Hays is booked out right now," Berges said. "So if they stopped .... To get them back on site may delay the project."Mills noted the construction budget might change based on the type of fire suppression system that is selected.&nbsp;

🎥 City commissioners hold off on donation request for first transitional housing

HUTCHINSON — Twenty-seven new law enforcement officers graduated from the&nbsp;Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC)&nbsp;on Feb. 26 at a ceremony held in KLETC’s Integrity Auditorium.&nbsp;

Deputy Luke Davis of the Gray County Sheriff’s Office was the graduating class president. The speaker for the ceremony was Chief Nelson Mosley of the Rose Hill Police Department. Mike Satterlee, KLETC senior instructor of police, was the class coordinator for the 274th Basic Training Class.

Officer Samantha Snell of the Galena Police Department was recognized by KLETC Executive Director Darin Beck and awarded a KLETC Certificate of Commendation for her actions in the performance of her duties. Snell, along with Officer Logan Grant of the Galena Police Department, risked their lives on Jan. 18 in an attempt to save victims of a fiery two-vehicle head-on crash. Grant will be recognized when he graduates March 19.

Jonathon Dunfee of the Kansas City Public Schools Police Department was also recognized during the ceremony for his firearms proficiency as the class “Top Shot.”

Graduates receive certificates of course completion from KLETC and Kansas law enforcement certification from the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training, the state’s law enforcement licensing authority. The training course fulfills the state requirement for law enforcement training. Classroom lectures and hands-on applications help train officers to solve the increasingly complex problems they face in the line of duty.

Established by the Kansas Legislature in 1968, KLETC trains the majority of municipal, county and state law enforcement officers in Kansas and oversees the training of the remaining officers at seven authorized and certified academy programs operated by local law enforcement agencies and the Kansas Highway Patrol.

About 300 officers enroll annually in KLETC 14-week basic training programs. KLETC offers continuing education and specialized training to over 10,000 Kansas officers each year. KLETC is located one mile west and one mile south of Yoder, near Hutchinson, and is a division of&nbsp;University of Kansas Lifelong &amp; Professional Education.

The graduates, who began their training in October 2020, represented 23 municipal, county, and state law enforcement agencies from across Kansas. 

Graduates are listed below by county and agency:

Brown • Brock Becker, Horton Police Department • Chance Johansen, Hiawatha Police Department

Butler •&nbsp;Peyton
Heidebrecht, Rose Hill Police Department

Cherokee •&nbsp;Samantha
Snell, Galena Police Department

Douglas • Andrew Miller, KU Public Safety • Austin Kost, Eudora Police Department

Ellis •&nbsp;Lindsey
Clayton, Hays Police Department

Franklin •&nbsp;Andrew
Dougan, Ottawa Police Department

Grant •&nbsp;Neal
Baker, Ulysses Police Department

Gray •&nbsp;Luke
Davis, Gray County Sheriff’s Office

Johnson • Darien Willis, Kansas City Public Schools Police Department •&nbsp;Jonathon
Dunfee, Kansas City Public Schools Police Department

Kiowa •&nbsp;Sean
Kost, Kiowa County Sheriff’s Office

Leavenworth •&nbsp;Derrick
Weller, Lansing Police Department

Lyon •&nbsp;Benjamin
Folks, Lyon County Sheriff’s Office

Pottawatomie •&nbsp;Luis
Vargas Baez, St. George Police Department

Rawlins • Michael Runkle, Rawlins County Sheriff’s Office

Reno •&nbsp;Michael
Mendez, Reno County Sheriff’s Office •&nbsp;Adam
Scalisi, Reno County Sheriff’s Office •&nbsp;Camron
Hurley, Hutchinson Police Department

Saline •&nbsp;Trenton
Shaft, Saline County Sheriff’s Office

Seward • Malerie Denson, Liberal Police Department

Sherman •&nbsp;Tanner Feasel, Goodland Police Department •&nbsp;Chalee
Luther, Goodland Police Department

Thomas •&nbsp;Justin Barber, Colby
Police Department

Washington •&nbsp;Kolt
Cooper, Washington County Sheriff’s Office • Joshua Kramer, Washington County Sheriff’s Office

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614785483482.jpeg" alt="Officer Lindsey Clayton&nbsp; graduated Feb. 26 from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center with the 274th class. Officer Clayton joined her shift Tuesday night at the Hays Police Department. Pictured are Corporal Scott Heimann, Officer Lindsey Clayton, Sergeant Phillip Gage, and Officer Alex Broadway. (Photo courtesy HPD)" />
 <figcaption>Officer Lindsey Clayton&nbsp; graduated Feb. 26 from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center with the 274th class. Officer Clayton joined her shift Tuesday night at the Hays Police Department. Pictured are Corporal Scott Heimann, Officer Lindsey Clayton, Sergeant Phillip Gage, and Officer Alex Broadway. (Photo courtesy HPD)</figcaption>
 </figure>KLETC HUTCHINSON — Twenty-seven new law enforcement officers graduated from the&nbsp;Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC)&nbsp;on Feb. 26 at a ceremony held in KLETC’s Integrity Auditorium.&nbsp;Deputy Luke Davis of the Gray County Sheriff’s Office was the graduating class president. The speaker for the ceremony was Chief Nelson Mosley of the Rose Hill Police Department. Mike Satterlee, KLETC senior instructor of police, was the class coordinator for the 274th Basic Training Class.Officer Samantha Snell of the Galena Police Department was recognized by KLETC Executive Director Darin Beck and awarded a KLETC Certificate of Commendation for her actions in the performance of her duties. Snell, along with Officer Logan Grant of the Galena Police Department, risked their lives on Jan. 18 in an attempt to save victims of a fiery two-vehicle head-on crash. Grant will be recognized when he graduates March 19.Jonathon Dunfee of the Kansas City Public Schools Police Department was also recognized during the ceremony for his firearms proficiency as the class “Top Shot.”Graduates receive certificates of course completion from KLETC and Kansas law enforcement certification from the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training, the state’s law enforcement licensing authority. The training course fulfills the state requirement for law enforcement training. Classroom lectures and hands-on applications help train officers to solve the increasingly complex problems they face in the line of duty.Established by the Kansas Legislature in 1968, KLETC trains the majority of municipal, county and state law enforcement officers in Kansas and oversees the training of the remaining officers at seven authorized and certified academy programs operated by local law enforcement agencies and the Kansas Highway Patrol.About 300 officers enroll annually in KLETC 14-week basic training programs. KLETC offers continuing education and specialized training to over 10,000 Kansas officers each year. KLETC is located one mile west and one mile south of Yoder, near Hutchinson, and is a division of&nbsp;University of Kansas Lifelong &amp; Professional Education.The graduates, who began their training in October 2020, represented 23 municipal, county, and state law enforcement agencies from across Kansas. Graduates are listed below by county and agency:Brown • Brock Becker, Horton Police Department • Chance Johansen, Hiawatha Police DepartmentButler •&nbsp;Peyton
Heidebrecht, Rose Hill Police DepartmentCherokee •&nbsp;Samantha
Snell, Galena Police Department Douglas • Andrew Miller, KU Public Safety • Austin Kost, Eudora Police Department Ellis •&nbsp;Lindsey
Clayton, Hays Police DepartmentFranklin •&nbsp;Andrew
Dougan, Ottawa Police DepartmentGrant •&nbsp;Neal
Baker, Ulysses Police DepartmentGray •&nbsp;Luke
Davis, Gray County Sheriff’s OfficeJohnson • Darien Willis, Kansas City Public Schools Police Department •&nbsp;Jonathon
Dunfee, Kansas City Public Schools Police DepartmentKiowa •&nbsp;Sean
Kost, Kiowa County Sheriff’s Office Leavenworth •&nbsp;Derrick
Weller, Lansing Police DepartmentLyon •&nbsp;Benjamin
Folks, Lyon County Sheriff’s OfficePottawatomie •&nbsp;Luis
Vargas Baez, St. George Police Department Rawlins • Michael Runkle, Rawlins County Sheriff’s Office Reno •&nbsp;Michael
Mendez, Reno County Sheriff’s Office •&nbsp;Adam
Scalisi, Reno County Sheriff’s Office •&nbsp;Camron
Hurley, Hutchinson Police DepartmentSaline •&nbsp;Trenton
Shaft, Saline County Sheriff’s OfficeSeward • Malerie Denson, Liberal Police DepartmentSherman •&nbsp;Tanner Feasel, Goodland Police Department •&nbsp;Chalee
Luther, Goodland Police Department Thomas •&nbsp;Justin Barber, Colby
Police DepartmentWashington •&nbsp;Kolt
Cooper, Washington County Sheriff’s Office • Joshua Kramer, Washington County Sheriff’s Office

Hays, NW Kan. officers graduate from police academy

Currently proposed legislation for at-risk public school students is an ill-considered mistake. At this writing, part of a bill moving through the Kansas House, if passed in its present form, would set poor precedents for school choice and is fraught with unintended consequences.

The existing law allows low-income K-12 students, who are designated at high risk by their schools and attend the 100 lowest performing schools, to receive as much as $8,000 in state scholarships for private schooling.&nbsp; The funds are made possible through tax credits.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The proposed bill increases the number of scholarship recipients by allowing qualifying students in any school to receive scholarship funding.&nbsp; In addition, it assigns the approximate per pupil $4,500 per year of base state funding to “individual savings accounts” and allows these students to draw down their funds yearly to use for private school tuition and other educational needs.&nbsp; Since about 50 percent of Kansas students receive free or reduced fee lunches, this could result in a major decrease in current school funding.&nbsp;

However well intended, the bill is quite disturbing on multiple levels.

First.&nbsp; The bill has been sold to the public as a victory for school choice that has been denied Kansas families and their children.&nbsp; While most can agree that “choice” is good, the lack of school choice in Kansas is a misnomer leading to inaccurate beliefs.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Depending on the school district, parents have many choices within the public school system among them—home schooling, remote learning, traditional schools and charter schools.&nbsp; Parents also may pay out-of-pocket and send their children to private schools.

Second.&nbsp; Any tax credit at the state level draws resources away from the general fund.&nbsp; Even though the tax credit is capped currently at $10 million, in a COVID induced contracting economy, do we really want to pull any tax dollars away from the general fund?&nbsp; The real benefit of tax credit scholarships goes to wealthy individuals, who may claim their scholarship donation as a state tax write-off, not middle- and lower-earning Kansans, who, by virtue of their income level, cannot benefit from such tax-avoidance opportunities.

Third. Kansas State Treasurer Lynn Rogers has written that the tax credit part of the bill alone would likely cost the state more than $12 million per year to administer.&nbsp; In the current economy, do we really want more burden on taxpayers?

Fourth.&nbsp; Kansas has many private secular and religious schools that provide strong learning environments, but the current bill opens the door to misuse of state funds. The tax credit part of the bill requires private schools to be accredited, yet even though these schools meet initial accreditation standards, they are not prevented from having selective admissions.&nbsp; Neither are private schools monitored regularly, as public schools are, to ensure that they continue to maintain on-going, high-quality standards.&nbsp; The education savings account part of the bill allows state funds to be used at non-accredited private schools that are not regulated by the Kansas State Department of Education.

In its current state, this legislation is bad for Kansas.&nbsp; Its faults are so numerous, onerous and down-right indefensible that major revisions probably cannot repair it.&nbsp; Our legislators need to t step back and give more thought to fair and appropriate ways that the state can provide equitable educational opportunities to low income, low performing students.&nbsp;

Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1593719779701.jpeg" alt="Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education." />
 <figcaption>Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.</figcaption>
 </figure>Currently proposed legislation for at-risk public school students is an ill-considered mistake. At this writing, part of a bill moving through the Kansas House, if passed in its present form, would set poor precedents for school choice and is fraught with unintended consequences.The existing law allows low-income K-12 students, who are designated at high risk by their schools and attend the 100 lowest performing schools, to receive as much as $8,000 in state scholarships for private schooling.&nbsp; The funds are made possible through tax credits.&nbsp;&nbsp;The proposed bill increases the number of scholarship recipients by allowing qualifying students in any school to receive scholarship funding.&nbsp; In addition, it assigns the approximate per pupil $4,500 per year of base state funding to “individual savings accounts” and allows these students to draw down their funds yearly to use for private school tuition and other educational needs.&nbsp; Since about 50 percent of Kansas students receive free or reduced fee lunches, this could result in a major decrease in current school funding.&nbsp;However well intended, the bill is quite disturbing on multiple levels.First.&nbsp; The bill has been sold to the public as a victory for school choice that has been denied Kansas families and their children.&nbsp; While most can agree that “choice” is good, the lack of school choice in Kansas is a misnomer leading to inaccurate beliefs.&nbsp;&nbsp;Depending on the school district, parents have many choices within the public school system among them—home schooling, remote learning, traditional schools and charter schools.&nbsp; Parents also may pay out-of-pocket and send their children to private schools.Second.&nbsp; Any tax credit at the state level draws resources away from the general fund.&nbsp; Even though the tax credit is capped currently at $10 million, in a COVID induced contracting economy, do we really want to pull any tax dollars away from the general fund?&nbsp; The real benefit of tax credit scholarships goes to wealthy individuals, who may claim their scholarship donation as a state tax write-off, not middle- and lower-earning Kansans, who, by virtue of their income level, cannot benefit from such tax-avoidance opportunities.Third. Kansas State Treasurer Lynn Rogers has written that the tax credit part of the bill alone would likely cost the state more than $12 million per year to administer.&nbsp; In the current economy, do we really want more burden on taxpayers?Fourth.&nbsp; Kansas has many private secular and religious schools that provide strong learning environments, but the current bill opens the door to misuse of state funds. The tax credit part of the bill requires private schools to be accredited, yet even though these schools meet initial accreditation standards, they are not prevented from having selective admissions.&nbsp; Neither are private schools monitored regularly, as public schools are, to ensure that they continue to maintain on-going, high-quality standards.&nbsp; The education savings account part of the bill allows state funds to be used at non-accredited private schools that are not regulated by the Kansas State Department of Education.In its current state, this legislation is bad for Kansas.&nbsp; Its faults are so numerous, onerous and down-right indefensible that major revisions probably cannot repair it.&nbsp; Our legislators need to t step back and give more thought to fair and appropriate ways that the state can provide equitable educational opportunities to low income, low performing students.&nbsp;Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.

INSIGHT KANSAS: State scholarships create more problems than solutions

Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas recently announced that the United Way of Ellis County has allocated $25,600 for the Job Placement Follow-along program for 2021. Follow-along services are provided to all individuals who complete DSNWK's Job Placement Program for support to maintain employment and for additional training in the future.&nbsp; DSNWK’s Job Placement Follow-along program can intervene before the individual loses his or her employment and reduces the dollars spent on job procurement, training new employees, and unemployment or disability payments. &nbsp;

ACCESS Public Transportation was informed by the CARE Council of Ellis County that they have recommended an allocation to the Hays City Commission for an award of $77,732.50 for transportation services from the City of Hays Social Service Funds for the 2022 budget.&nbsp; ACCESS provides general public transportation services to the people of Hays and Ellis County.

DSNWK would like to thank the United Way of Ellis County for their continuous support of people with developmental disabilities and to the Care Council for recommending an allocation to the City of Hays for ACCESS general public transportation.&nbsp;

DSNWK is a 501(c)3 nonprofit serving 18 counties in northwest Kansas with a mission to advocate for persons with disabilities and those who care about them by planning and supporting a life of dignity, interdependence, and personal satisfaction in the community.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602261742827.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>DSNWKDevelopmental Services of Northwest Kansas recently announced that the United Way of Ellis County has allocated $25,600 for the Job Placement Follow-along program for 2021. Follow-along services are provided to all individuals who complete DSNWK's Job Placement Program for support to maintain employment and for additional training in the future.&nbsp; DSNWK’s Job Placement Follow-along program can intervene before the individual loses his or her employment and reduces the dollars spent on job procurement, training new employees, and unemployment or disability payments. &nbsp;ACCESS Public Transportation was informed by the CARE Council of Ellis County that they have recommended an allocation to the Hays City Commission for an award of $77,732.50 for transportation services from the City of Hays Social Service Funds for the 2022 budget.&nbsp; ACCESS provides general public transportation services to the people of Hays and Ellis County.DSNWK would like to thank the United Way of Ellis County for their continuous support of people with developmental disabilities and to the Care Council for recommending an allocation to the City of Hays for ACCESS general public transportation.&nbsp;DSNWK is a 501(c)3 nonprofit serving 18 counties in northwest Kansas with a mission to advocate for persons with disabilities and those who care about them by planning and supporting a life of dignity, interdependence, and personal satisfaction in the community.&nbsp;

DSNWK benefits from the support of United Way, CARE Council

Three-day weather outlook

Career opportunity available from Farmers National Bank, with offices in Phillipsburg, Agra, Logan, Kensington, Stockton and Atwood, Kansas.&nbsp; Seeking the right motivated individual to join our team as a Loan Officer with agricultural emphasis.&nbsp; 

Duties include meeting with customers,
 farm visits and inspections, cash flow analysis and general banking.&nbsp; 
Farmers National Bank offers a strong team environment, competitive 
salary and benefits package including retirement.&nbsp; 

Come join our
 team, celebrating 100 years of financial services in the area.&nbsp; 

Submit 
your resume to Farmers National Bank, PO Box 546, Phillipsburg, Kansas 
67661, or deliver to 759 State Street, Phillipsburg, Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614780563822.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Career opportunity available from Farmers National Bank, with offices in Phillipsburg, Agra, Logan, Kensington, Stockton and Atwood, Kansas.&nbsp; Seeking the right motivated individual to join our team as a Loan Officer with agricultural emphasis.&nbsp; Duties include meeting with customers,
 farm visits and inspections, cash flow analysis and general banking.&nbsp; 
Farmers National Bank offers a strong team environment, competitive 
salary and benefits package including retirement.&nbsp; Come join our
 team, celebrating 100 years of financial services in the area.&nbsp; Submit 
your resume to Farmers National Bank, PO Box 546, Phillipsburg, Kansas 
67661, or deliver to 759 State Street, Phillipsburg, Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

🎙 Post Podcast: FHSU continues leading online education during pandemic

TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory for Ellis County Rural Water District No. 1C public water supply system in Ellis County. The advisory was issued because of a line break resulting in a loss of pressure in the distribution system.

Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

Laboratory testing samples collected from Ellis County Rural Water District No. 1C indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved. &nbsp;

TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory for Ellis County Rural Water District No. 1C public water supply system in Ellis County. The advisory was issued because of a line break resulting in a loss of pressure in the distribution system.Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.Laboratory testing samples collected from Ellis County Rural Water District No. 1C indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved. &nbsp;For consumer questions, please contact the water system or you may call KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTAzMDQuMzYzNTQ5OTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmtkaGVrcy5nb3YvcHdzL2VtZXJnZW5jeXJlc3BvbnNlL3dhdGVyX2Rpc3J1cHRpb24uaHRtP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.5spJsp_Qdy1aXt5HE-JqB1foHaxarNKaAOWH5gn4thY/s/1305913623/br/99430252381-l" target="_blank">http://www.kdheks.gov/pws/emergencyresponse/water_disruption.htm</a>

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