By BECKY KISER Hays Post

The planned truck stop and retail center just north of Interstate-70 Exit 157 in west Hays is lagging about a year behind its construction schedule due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5ebdee2feb7f170536050518">original start date</a> for the Community Improvement District (CID) was April 1, 2021. That's when the CID was to have been effective, the truck stop open and operating and generating an additional 2% sales tax.

Developers asked the city for&nbsp;an amendment in the development agreement, changing the start date of the CID sales tax from April 1 to October 1, when the project is now expected to be completed.

City commissioners heard the legal explanation from Kim Rupp, finance director, during their Thursday night work session.&nbsp;

"It doesn't present any other legal considerations or financial considerations," Rupp told the commission. "Pretty straightforward, very simple."

A similar request was previously granted by the city for the Hilton Garden Inn CID.&nbsp;

In answer to a question from Commissioner Ron Mellick whether D &amp; J Land and Development would get another CID start date if work delays continued, Rupp said it has "been communicated to them that this should be their only request."&nbsp;

Commissioners will consider approving the request at their Feb. 25 regular meeting.&nbsp;

The 2% CID sales tax will be imposed on only the travel plaza and truck wash portions of the project to fund certain developer expenditures on a pay-as-you-go basis. The CID sales tax will generate approximately $2.2 million over the maximum 22-year term.

Commissioner Shaun Musil said he remains excited about the project.

"Things happen. You know, 2020 wasn't a good year for anybody," Musil said. "As long as they're still going to do what they say they're going to do, I think it's going to be a good thing for us."

Despite the delay, developer Doug Hutchinson of Topeka told the commission he believes the retail tenant side of the project will actually be stronger because of COVID-19.&nbsp;

"The strong companies have made it. They're looking to expand. They have cash and they're looking to go," Hutchinson said. "It's worked out really good.

"When everything hit, food, of course, was the biggest issue we had. And that's all back. There's money there. These guys want to go."&nbsp;

Plans call for a travel plaza, truck wash, at least one full-service hotel, restaurants and other commercial businesses. There will also be associated public and private infrastructure, utilities, storm water and drainage, landscaping and parking facilities. 

Utility extensions from south of the interstate and running underneath it to the north are about 75% complete, Hutchinson reported. Site grading is about 85% done.

"Although we haven't received them yet, we've put in for building permits on the travel plaza and the truck wash. So we're excited about that.&nbsp;We've had some comments back, all solid, just stuff that needs to be cleaned up from our side. Everything's good there."

One sticking point has been the hotel financing, according to Hutchinson.&nbsp;

"I actually got an email while I was sitting here tonight. It's starting to come around," he said. "It's a tough issue, but we'll get through it."

The development agreement with the city of Hays requires five of the project lots to be sold in five years.&nbsp;

"We'll have two of them up and going and fill the retail strip right after that."

Hutchinson said he'll meet Monday with a national representative for the stand-alone restaurant.

"I do think everything's moving along well and it's turned out for the better for everybody."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613569177740.png" alt="A map of the new truck stop and retail stores to be built by D &amp; J Land and Development on 40 acres north of I-70 on the west side of Hays." />
 <figcaption>A map of the new truck stop and retail stores to be built by D &amp; J Land and Development on 40 acres north of I-70 on the west side of Hays.</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostThe planned truck stop and retail center just north of Interstate-70 Exit 157 in west Hays is lagging about a year behind its construction schedule due to the coronavirus pandemic.The <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5ebdee2feb7f170536050518">original start date</a> for the Community Improvement District (CID) was April 1, 2021. That's when the CID was to have been effective, the truck stop open and operating and generating an additional 2% sales tax.Developers asked the city for&nbsp;an amendment in the development agreement, changing the start date of the CID sales tax from April 1 to October 1, when the project is now expected to be completed.City commissioners heard the legal explanation from Kim Rupp, finance director, during their Thursday night work session.&nbsp;"It doesn't present any other legal considerations or financial considerations," Rupp told the commission. "Pretty straightforward, very simple."A similar request was previously granted by the city for the Hilton Garden Inn CID.&nbsp;In answer to a question from Commissioner Ron Mellick whether D &amp; J Land and Development would get another CID start date if work delays continued, Rupp said it has "been communicated to them that this should be their only request."&nbsp;Commissioners will consider approving the request at their Feb. 25 regular meeting.&nbsp;The 2% CID sales tax will be imposed on only the travel plaza and truck wash portions of the project to fund certain developer expenditures on a pay-as-you-go basis. The CID sales tax will generate approximately $2.2 million over the maximum 22-year term.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613709131729.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Commissioner Shaun Musil said he remains excited about the project."Things happen. You know, 2020 wasn't a good year for anybody," Musil said. "As long as they're still going to do what they say they're going to do, I think it's going to be a good thing for us."Despite the delay, developer Doug Hutchinson of Topeka told the commission he believes the retail tenant side of the project will actually be stronger because of COVID-19.&nbsp;"The strong companies have made it. They're looking to expand. They have cash and they're looking to go," Hutchinson said. "It's worked out really good."When everything hit, food, of course, was the biggest issue we had. And that's all back. There's money there. These guys want to go."&nbsp;Plans call for a travel plaza, truck wash, at least one full-service hotel, restaurants and other commercial businesses. There will also be associated public and private infrastructure, utilities, storm water and drainage, landscaping and parking facilities. <figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Fxt0ZfHpHKw"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Utility extensions from south of the interstate and running underneath it to the north are about 75% complete, Hutchinson reported. Site grading is about 85% done."Although we haven't received them yet, we've put in for building permits on the travel plaza and the truck wash. So we're excited about that.&nbsp;We've had some comments back, all solid, just stuff that needs to be cleaned up from our side. Everything's good there."One sticking point has been the hotel financing, according to Hutchinson.&nbsp;"I actually got an email while I was sitting here tonight. It's starting to come around," he said. "It's a tough issue, but we'll get through it."The development agreement with the city of Hays requires five of the project lots to be sold in five years.&nbsp;"We'll have two of them up and going and fill the retail strip right after that."Hutchinson said he'll meet Monday with a national representative for the stand-alone restaurant."I do think everything's moving along well and it's turned out for the better for everybody."

🎥 Developer updates Hays truck stop project delayed a year by COVID

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Artist Trece Hart must bide her time to create her art.

A rare eye condition, Fuch's corneal dystrophy, means she is only able to see well enough to create her art in the later part of the day as her eyes slowly start to go from a bright white to clear.

"Sometimes it's like having the wrong glasses on when it starts to clear up and then it clears up," she said.&nbsp;

The genetic disease is only solved through an expensive transplant, which Hart said she is not ready to undertake.

Despite this handicap, which has forced her to sell her car and give up driving, Hart, 62, continues to paint.&nbsp;

Hart said the condition has not affected the content of her art, but she said it is frustrating.

"The frustration to me is not being able to do the thing that I want to do whenever I want," she said. "I get up at 5 o'clock in the morning, and I want to get in there and start painting, but I have to wait. That it the hard part — waiting."

Her new exhibit "Floral Pandemonium," a series created in 2020 while under quarantine, is now on display at Professor's Classic Sandwich Shop in Hays. The exhibit will continue through the end of February.

"I have an older son who was very worried about the corona virus, and he said, 'Mom, stay home,' " Hart said. "That was what I did when I stayed home."&nbsp;

She said she wanted to create something that would be easily affordable by the every day person, so she used 4-by-4-inch&nbsp; canvasses for her paintings. The pieces are collages with prints and painting.&nbsp;

Hart used knowledge she gleaned from working at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City to create archival-quality artwork.

The pieces in the exhibit are $20 each, and can be reserved by contacting Amy Jensen at Professor's or calling Hart at 816-548-8110.

"My late sister and I always liked bouquets, always liked flowers in the house and&nbsp;gardens. That's what I was after," Hart said.

Hart said she was excited to show at Professor's as she has been coming to the restaurant for years.

Hart moved back to Hays a year ago from Kansas City, after her retirement.

Hart grew up in Victoria and attended Fort Hays State University in the 1970s where she was mentored by notable artists, including Frank Nichols, Skip Harwick and Kathleen Kuchar.

She then received a scholarship to the Kansas City Art Institute, where she finished her studies, receiving a BSA in printmaking and painting.

Hart operated her own studio for years in the Kansas City area, working in fine art and commercial art, as well as teaching.

When Hart wasn't creating art, she worked in social services as an administrator for services for people who had developmental or intellectual disabilities.

She worked for five years for Resources for Human Development, which had an art studio for individuals who had disabilities. The agency curated shows for the individuals and sold their artwork.

She was also a member of the Kansas City Artist Coalition and advocated for fine art and artists.

"It is very different when you get a piece of fine art and live with it for a year or two and it's on your wall. It happens with almost any image, but it is different than buying something at Walmart or Hobby Lobby," Hart said.

The pandemic has been hard on fine artists, she said.

"When I had the opportunity to show here, I said, 'Let's go,' " she said.

Hart said she would eventually like to become affiliated with the Hays Arts Council and have more shows in Hays. She hopes that could include art of a more serious tone that she produced within the last couple of years after her sister died.

She has also written a book, "Artificum," which is a work of fiction aimed at helping teachers teach art to children. Hart is hoping to have the book published this year, but she is looking for a publisher.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613429569824.jpeg" alt="Artist Trece Hart with some of the art from her "Floral Pandemonium" exhibit, which is on display at Professor's Classic Sandwich Shop through Feb. 28." />
 <figcaption>Artist Trece Hart with some of the art from her "Floral Pandemonium" exhibit, which is on display at Professor's Classic Sandwich Shop through Feb. 28.</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostArtist Trece Hart must bide her time to create her art.A rare eye condition, Fuch's corneal dystrophy, means she is only able to see well enough to create her art in the later part of the day as her eyes slowly start to go from a bright white to clear."Sometimes it's like having the wrong glasses on when it starts to clear up and then it clears up," she said.&nbsp;The genetic disease is only solved through an expensive transplant, which Hart said she is not ready to undertake.Despite this handicap, which has forced her to sell her car and give up driving, Hart, 62, continues to paint.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613587158346.jpeg" alt="Art by Trece Hart" />
 <figcaption>Art by Trece Hart</figcaption>
 </figure>Hart said the condition has not affected the content of her art, but she said it is frustrating."The frustration to me is not being able to do the thing that I want to do whenever I want," she said. "I get up at 5 o'clock in the morning, and I want to get in there and start painting, but I have to wait. That it the hard part — waiting."Her new exhibit "Floral Pandemonium," a series created in 2020 while under quarantine, is now on display at Professor's Classic Sandwich Shop in Hays. The exhibit will continue through the end of February."I have an older son who was very worried about the corona virus, and he said, 'Mom, stay home,' " Hart said. "That was what I did when I stayed home."&nbsp;She said she wanted to create something that would be easily affordable by the every day person, so she used 4-by-4-inch&nbsp; canvasses for her paintings. The pieces are collages with prints and painting.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613587233205.jpeg" alt="Art by Trece Hart" />
 <figcaption>Art by Trece Hart</figcaption>
 </figure>Hart used knowledge she gleaned from working at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City to create archival-quality artwork.The pieces in the exhibit are $20 each, and can be reserved by contacting Amy Jensen at Professor's or calling Hart at 816-548-8110."My late sister and I always liked bouquets, always liked flowers in the house and&nbsp;gardens. That's what I was after," Hart said.Hart said she was excited to show at Professor's as she has been coming to the restaurant for years.Hart moved back to Hays a year ago from Kansas City, after her retirement.Hart grew up in Victoria and attended Fort Hays State University in the 1970s where she was mentored by notable artists, including Frank Nichols, Skip Harwick and Kathleen Kuchar.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613587341563.jpeg" alt="Art by Trece Hart" />
 <figcaption>Art by Trece Hart</figcaption>
 </figure>She then received a scholarship to the Kansas City Art Institute, where she finished her studies, receiving a BSA in printmaking and painting.Hart operated her own studio for years in the Kansas City area, working in fine art and commercial art, as well as teaching.When Hart wasn't creating art, she worked in social services as an administrator for services for people who had developmental or intellectual disabilities.She worked for five years for Resources for Human Development, which had an art studio for individuals who had disabilities. The agency curated shows for the individuals and sold their artwork.She was also a member of the Kansas City Artist Coalition and advocated for fine art and artists."It is very different when you get a piece of fine art and live with it for a year or two and it's on your wall. It happens with almost any image, but it is different than buying something at Walmart or Hobby Lobby," Hart said.The pandemic has been hard on fine artists, she said."When I had the opportunity to show here, I said, 'Let's go,' " she said.Hart said she would eventually like to become affiliated with the Hays Arts Council and have more shows in Hays. She hopes that could include art of a more serious tone that she produced within the last couple of years after her sister died.She has also written a book, "Artificum," which is a work of fiction aimed at helping teachers teach art to children. Hart is hoping to have the book published this year, but she is looking for a publisher.

Artist overcomes rare eye disease to continue to create

Rural Hospital Innovation Grant Fund

<a>When Governor Laura Kelly introduced her budget to the Legislature in early January, she indicated that she would have two Executive Reorganization orders (ERO).&nbsp; An ERO is a reorganization of departments or agencies made by the Governor that must be approved or disapproved by the legislature.&nbsp; The Governor did have two EROs last legislative session, both of which were disapproved by House of Representatives.</a>

ERO 47 renames the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) and combines it with the Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADS).&nbsp; The new state agency would be the Department of Human Services (DHS).&nbsp; This ERO is very similar to the ERO that was submitted to the Legislature last year, although, in last year’s ERO it also included the aspects of juvenile justice.&nbsp; However, this year the Governor did not include combining juvenile justice into DHS.

The Social Services Budget Committee had hearings on the ERO and then made the recommendation to the Appropriations Committee to once again disapprove the merger of the two agencies.&nbsp; The Appropriations Committee accepted the recommendation from the budget committee and now it awaits debate on the House floor.

There is a second ERO which would transfer Tourism from the Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism to the Department of Commerce.&nbsp; This ERO was heard in the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee and their recommendation is to have&nbsp;it approved by the House.

Earlier this week, the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), which Kansas is part of, asked electric utilities to implement controlled and temporary emergency electricity reductions due to the extremely frigid temperatures we were experiencing.&nbsp; 

Across the state of Kansas, there were scheduled and planned rolling blackouts to prevent a larger uncontrolled and extended power outage.&nbsp; In some parts of the state, some utility companies began turning off electricity to blocks of their customers for approximately 30-60 minutes.&nbsp; Once the power was restored, then other outages rotated to other areas of the utility’s service area.&nbsp; They conducted these rolling blackouts throughout Monday afternoon and evening.&nbsp; After the blackouts, the strain on the power grid subsided and maintained and the SPP stated that there would not be any need for anymore scheduled rolling blackouts.

<a></a><a>On Wednesday, February 17, the Kansas House of Representatives debated and voted on eleven bills, passing all of those bills to the Kansas State Senate.</a>

One of those bills that we debated and voted on is House Bill 2187, which would enact the first-time Home Buyer Act and would establish changes to the Kansas adjusted gross income of an individual for contributions to a first-time home buyer savings account.&nbsp; This will also allow for an individual to open first-time home buyer savings accounts to save for the purchase or construction of a home in the state of Kansas.&nbsp; This bill passed out of the House with a vote of 119-3.

On Thursday, we held debate on five additional bills.&nbsp; One of those bills was House Bill 2125 which would allow a copy of a will to be filed and admitted to probate.&nbsp; The bill also states the allowance of a will or copy of a will can be filed within six months after the death of the testator to be admitted to probate at any time. Current law was also amended to reflect that a copy of a decedent’s will may be filed with the district court in the county where the decedent last resided.&nbsp; This bill passed out of the House on Thursday with a vote of 118-3.&nbsp; I voted “yes.”

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 <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;

<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>February 19, 2021Rural Hospital Innovation Grant Fund<a>When Governor Laura Kelly introduced her budget to the Legislature in early January, she indicated that she would have two Executive Reorganization orders (ERO).&nbsp; An ERO is a reorganization of departments or agencies made by the Governor that must be approved or disapproved by the legislature.&nbsp; The Governor did have two EROs last legislative session, both of which were disapproved by House of Representatives.</a>ERO 47 renames the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) and combines it with the Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADS).&nbsp; The new state agency would be the Department of Human Services (DHS).&nbsp; This ERO is very similar to the ERO that was submitted to the Legislature last year, although, in last year’s ERO it also included the aspects of juvenile justice.&nbsp; However, this year the Governor did not include combining juvenile justice into DHS.The Social Services Budget Committee had hearings on the ERO and then made the recommendation to the Appropriations Committee to once again disapprove the merger of the two agencies.&nbsp; The Appropriations Committee accepted the recommendation from the budget committee and now it awaits debate on the House floor.There is a second ERO which would transfer Tourism from the Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism to the Department of Commerce.&nbsp; This ERO was heard in the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee and their recommendation is to have&nbsp;it approved by the House.Power GridEarlier this week, the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), which Kansas is part of, asked electric utilities to implement controlled and temporary emergency electricity reductions due to the extremely frigid temperatures we were experiencing.&nbsp; Across the state of Kansas, there were scheduled and planned rolling blackouts to prevent a larger uncontrolled and extended power outage.&nbsp; In some parts of the state, some utility companies began turning off electricity to blocks of their customers for approximately 30-60 minutes.&nbsp; Once the power was restored, then other outages rotated to other areas of the utility’s service area.&nbsp; They conducted these rolling blackouts throughout Monday afternoon and evening.&nbsp; After the blackouts, the strain on the power grid subsided and maintained and the SPP stated that there would not be any need for anymore scheduled rolling blackouts.Bills Passed the House<a></a><a>On Wednesday, February 17, the Kansas House of Representatives debated and voted on eleven bills, passing all of those bills to the Kansas State Senate.</a>One of those bills that we debated and voted on is House Bill 2187, which would enact the first-time Home Buyer Act and would establish changes to the Kansas adjusted gross income of an individual for contributions to a first-time home buyer savings account.&nbsp; This will also allow for an individual to open first-time home buyer savings accounts to save for the purchase or construction of a home in the state of Kansas.&nbsp; This bill passed out of the House with a vote of 119-3.On Thursday, we held debate on five additional bills.&nbsp; One of those bills was House Bill 2125 which would allow a copy of a will to be filed and admitted to probate.&nbsp; The bill also states the allowance of a will or copy of a will can be filed within six months after the death of the testator to be admitted to probate at any time. Current law was also amended to reflect that a copy of a decedent’s will may be filed with the district court in the county where the decedent last resided.&nbsp; This bill passed out of the House on Thursday with a vote of 118-3.&nbsp; I voted “yes.”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 <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;

WAYMASTER: From the Dome to Home, Feb. 19

Ellis High School had its annual KAY Snowball Recognition on Tuesday, Feb. 16, between the varsity basketball games. Snowball Royalty class winners are as follows:

From left: Freshmen King, Austin Carroll, son of Matt &amp; Nicole Carroll; Freshmen Queen, Kylee Pfeifer, daughter of Brandon &amp; Chandra Pfeifer; Sophomore King, Dakota Metzler, son of Jim &amp; Becky Metzler; Sophomore Queen, Myah McCoy, daughter of Casey &amp; Melanie McCoy; Senior King, Brady Frickey, son of Brad &amp; Stacy Frickey; Senior Queen, Kassidy Winter, daughter of Vic &amp; Joan Winter; Junior King, Easton Burton, son of Corey &amp; Amy Burton; and Junior Queen, Michelle Gottschalk, daughter of Dean &amp; Julie Gottschalk.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613657283447.png" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Ellis High School had its annual KAY Snowball Recognition on Tuesday, Feb. 16, between the varsity basketball games. Snowball Royalty class winners are as follows:From left: Freshmen King, Austin Carroll, son of Matt &amp; Nicole Carroll; Freshmen Queen, Kylee Pfeifer, daughter of Brandon &amp; Chandra Pfeifer; Sophomore King, Dakota Metzler, son of Jim &amp; Becky Metzler; Sophomore Queen, Myah McCoy, daughter of Casey &amp; Melanie McCoy; Senior King, Brady Frickey, son of Brad &amp; Stacy Frickey; Senior Queen, Kassidy Winter, daughter of Vic &amp; Joan Winter; Junior King, Easton Burton, son of Corey &amp; Amy Burton; and Junior Queen, Michelle Gottschalk, daughter of Dean &amp; Julie Gottschalk.

Ellis announces KAY Snowball class royalty

Despite elections and trials and pandemics, some things don’t seem to ever change. The national government pushes around state governments, with mixed amounts of success, and state governments push around city governments, usually with near-total success. It’s consistent.

In the former case, the Republican party deserves credit (or blame) for limiting the success of the national government–which has far more financial resources than any state, as well as the Constitution’s supremacy clause on its side–when it comes to claims of authority.&nbsp;

For over a half-century, the modern GOP has mostly embraced a reading of American federalism focused on the power of states and state legislatures, and they’ve supported that reading with money and votes. The result has been an intrenchment of politically effective state-level “veto points,” where the states have been able to slow or stop policies pursued by nationally elected leaders, sometimes even wresting federal policy power away for the states entirely.

In the latter case, however, the Democratic party has been far less effective in articulating an argument for defending the governing power of municipalities. Indeed, much of the time the Democratic party, often obsessively focused on the White House, fails to even take seriously city governments, counting on the support of urban votes but rarely organizing on their behalf. Mostly they insist that if just the right people can be elected nationally, then financial support for cities–who are obliged to actually run many federally-mandated programs--will be plentiful.

That’s important, surely. Much of the $350 billion which President Biden’s relief plan has earmarked for states and cities will assist municipalities dealing with huge revenue shortfalls. And yet, such promises of aid are of limited use when cities themselves are hamstrung by state governments in their efforts to democratically respond to and serve their own local citizens.

Across the country, states routinely threaten city governments when they attempt to reform their police departments (which those cities pay for), or encourage denser construction practices (along streets which those cities have to maintain), or act in other ways that the often Republican majorities in their state governments don’t care for. Here in Kansas, such examples are common.

In the Kansas state senate, a bill is being debated that would profoundly limit cities’ ability to explore sustainable energy alternatives to natural gas. It may not go anywhere–but it wouldn’t be surprising if it did. In 2014, the Kansas government passed a law undermining the ability of municipal governments to set local gun control ordinances. In 2015, the state sued the city of Wichita to stop from them following through on a minor local marijuana decriminalization referendum. And while in 101 Kansas counties voters can choose their own election officials, in the four largest counties in the state–with cities like Kansas City, Overland Park, Topeka, and Wichita--the state government insists on making those appointments themselves.

You see this in state agencies as well, with the Kansas Board of Regents imposing standardized expectations upon Kansas’s universities and sequestering parts of their budgets, depriving them of the ability to respond to the difficulties they face in ways that will serve local students best.

It would be wonderful if defending the power of cities to serve the 75% of the Kansas population which live in them were a more important part of the state Democratic party’s play book, or the national one’s for that matter. But in the meantime, please: at least don’t get in the way of the funds which cities need to keep doing the things they been tasked to do.

Dr. Russell Arben Fox runs the History &amp; Politics major and the Honors program at Friends University in Wichita.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583339056495.jpeg" alt="Dr. Russell Arben Fox runs the History &amp; Politics major and the Honors program at Friends University in Wichita." />
 <figcaption>Dr. Russell Arben Fox runs the History &amp; Politics major and the Honors program at Friends University in Wichita.</figcaption>
 </figure>Despite elections and trials and pandemics, some things don’t seem to ever change. The national government pushes around state governments, with mixed amounts of success, and state governments push around city governments, usually with near-total success. It’s consistent.In the former case, the Republican party deserves credit (or blame) for limiting the success of the national government–which has far more financial resources than any state, as well as the Constitution’s supremacy clause on its side–when it comes to claims of authority.&nbsp;For over a half-century, the modern GOP has mostly embraced a reading of American federalism focused on the power of states and state legislatures, and they’ve supported that reading with money and votes. The result has been an intrenchment of politically effective state-level “veto points,” where the states have been able to slow or stop policies pursued by nationally elected leaders, sometimes even wresting federal policy power away for the states entirely.In the latter case, however, the Democratic party has been far less effective in articulating an argument for defending the governing power of municipalities. Indeed, much of the time the Democratic party, often obsessively focused on the White House, fails to even take seriously city governments, counting on the support of urban votes but rarely organizing on their behalf. Mostly they insist that if just the right people can be elected nationally, then financial support for cities–who are obliged to actually run many federally-mandated programs--will be plentiful.That’s important, surely. Much of the $350 billion which President Biden’s relief plan has earmarked for states and cities will assist municipalities dealing with huge revenue shortfalls. And yet, such promises of aid are of limited use when cities themselves are hamstrung by state governments in their efforts to democratically respond to and serve their own local citizens.Across the country, states routinely threaten city governments when they attempt to reform their police departments (which those cities pay for), or encourage denser construction practices (along streets which those cities have to maintain), or act in other ways that the often Republican majorities in their state governments don’t care for. Here in Kansas, such examples are common.In the Kansas state senate, a bill is being debated that would profoundly limit cities’ ability to explore sustainable energy alternatives to natural gas. It may not go anywhere–but it wouldn’t be surprising if it did. In 2014, the Kansas government passed a law undermining the ability of municipal governments to set local gun control ordinances. In 2015, the state sued the city of Wichita to stop from them following through on a minor local marijuana decriminalization referendum. And while in 101 Kansas counties voters can choose their own election officials, in the four largest counties in the state–with cities like Kansas City, Overland Park, Topeka, and Wichita--the state government insists on making those appointments themselves.You see this in state agencies as well, with the Kansas Board of Regents imposing standardized expectations upon Kansas’s universities and sequestering parts of their budgets, depriving them of the ability to respond to the difficulties they face in ways that will serve local students best.It would be wonderful if defending the power of cities to serve the 75% of the Kansas population which live in them were a more important part of the state Democratic party’s play book, or the national one’s for that matter. But in the meantime, please: at least don’t get in the way of the funds which cities need to keep doing the things they been tasked to do.Dr. Russell Arben Fox runs the History &amp; Politics major and the Honors program at Friends University in Wichita.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Why is it so easy to push cities around?

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Midland Marketing's FFA video contest voting underway

The Capitol Graduate Research Summit, annually held at the Kansas state capitol in Topeka, has been moved to a virtual program for 2021. The summit, in its 18th year, is an annual showcase of research conducted by graduate students from the Kansas Regents institutions.

This year’s summit will be available online by Thursday, Feb. 18, for state legislators, the KBOR, the university community and the general public to view at&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=-2BFJoAhsjp8losQfY8t-2BZtFNcvO0W-2FQQb-2Fm2EQlKfPPuLlyZ0AeKyts4TszJK0jObc585_-2FnwFlkKVzcKMOkDYhP8GUyFUplsqhIzQPvqFQr864lE6mcAzErX0FzZi5JGU6rvvK6MLOuHK4jhl5V61fmGkhToZRMbpEKBDAFMZ0jElT3tJmz7vmG2Oh1wrxpMGOIemqYm8Y38wxkigbz83BoaEqKbZBBdAGVU1phZzuNdydHX5fIgOtpo-2FlS2ZLevvgr08jI6axDwqyI7s9M-2FprUCF5TJ0SNXST8AI7P4fhENUa3r8LuWCS1ljVg06UGwuz97HhUSMfdInsVFw2K88fRq8n8HIdJObrwtJZU7ftdQ-2FjI7V-2FqTR7bmEYHskAXu3rtcr-2B6LAxzCU5DNV-2BNWaGof5Wyp2hHrXkY2nHMwdJ9IsmzHaSbBh5839340JMoHyPw5BIttF-2FWO6noTdIrX6qiozhw-3D-3D">https://ltblogs.fhsu.edu/cgrs2021</a>. Fort Hays State will be represented by Provost Dr. Jill Arensdorf, who will give a welcoming statement. FHSU presenters will be Viviana Lizarraga, Haley Moon and Jaime Berry. Presentations will be judged by graduate faculty from the participating institutions, and awards will be announced after the 18th.

The summit provides an opportunity for selected graduate students to show state government, education officials and the public the quality of graduate research performed in the state of Kansas. Students selected for this event are involved in research, including physical and natural sciences, engineering, sociology, history and education – all providing a direct impact on the state of Kansas. The Kansas Legislature extends support for basic research funding to these schools, and the summit allows student researchers an opportunity to present the results of this support.

FHSU students participating, in alphabetical order, are:

Jaime Berry, Topeka, graduate student majoring in nursing, will present “Utilization of an OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) Screening Tool in Primary Care.”&nbsp; Dr. Valerie Yu, assistant professor of nursing, is Berry’s project instructor and mentor.

Viviana Lizarraga, Kansas City, Kan., graduate student majoring in psychology, will present “Sexual violence in rural places: Policy implications for first-responding law enforcement officers.” Dr. April Terry, assistant professor of criminal justice, is Lizarraga’s faculty advisor.

Haley Moon, Wakefield, graduate student majoring in psychology, will present “Jury Decision Making: The Influence of Mock-Juror Demographics on Verdict Outcomes.” Brooke Mann, instructor of psychology, is Moon’s faculty advisor.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613419579355.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University RelationsThe Capitol Graduate Research Summit, annually held at the Kansas state capitol in Topeka, has been moved to a virtual program for 2021. The summit, in its 18th year, is an annual showcase of research conducted by graduate students from the Kansas Regents institutions.This year’s summit will be available online by Thursday, Feb. 18, for state legislators, the KBOR, the university community and the general public to view at&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=-2BFJoAhsjp8losQfY8t-2BZtFNcvO0W-2FQQb-2Fm2EQlKfPPuLlyZ0AeKyts4TszJK0jObc585_-2FnwFlkKVzcKMOkDYhP8GUyFUplsqhIzQPvqFQr864lE6mcAzErX0FzZi5JGU6rvvK6MLOuHK4jhl5V61fmGkhToZRMbpEKBDAFMZ0jElT3tJmz7vmG2Oh1wrxpMGOIemqYm8Y38wxkigbz83BoaEqKbZBBdAGVU1phZzuNdydHX5fIgOtpo-2FlS2ZLevvgr08jI6axDwqyI7s9M-2FprUCF5TJ0SNXST8AI7P4fhENUa3r8LuWCS1ljVg06UGwuz97HhUSMfdInsVFw2K88fRq8n8HIdJObrwtJZU7ftdQ-2FjI7V-2FqTR7bmEYHskAXu3rtcr-2B6LAxzCU5DNV-2BNWaGof5Wyp2hHrXkY2nHMwdJ9IsmzHaSbBh5839340JMoHyPw5BIttF-2FWO6noTdIrX6qiozhw-3D-3D">https://ltblogs.fhsu.edu/cgrs2021</a>. Fort Hays State will be represented by Provost Dr. Jill Arensdorf, who will give a welcoming statement. FHSU presenters will be Viviana Lizarraga, Haley Moon and Jaime Berry. Presentations will be judged by graduate faculty from the participating institutions, and awards will be announced after the 18th.The summit provides an opportunity for selected graduate students to show state government, education officials and the public the quality of graduate research performed in the state of Kansas. Students selected for this event are involved in research, including physical and natural sciences, engineering, sociology, history and education – all providing a direct impact on the state of Kansas. The Kansas Legislature extends support for basic research funding to these schools, and the summit allows student researchers an opportunity to present the results of this support.FHSU students participating, in alphabetical order, are:Jaime Berry, Topeka, graduate student majoring in nursing, will present “Utilization of an OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) Screening Tool in Primary Care.”&nbsp; Dr. Valerie Yu, assistant professor of nursing, is Berry’s project instructor and mentor.Viviana Lizarraga, Kansas City, Kan., graduate student majoring in psychology, will present “Sexual violence in rural places: Policy implications for first-responding law enforcement officers.” Dr. April Terry, assistant professor of criminal justice, is Lizarraga’s faculty advisor.Haley Moon, Wakefield, graduate student majoring in psychology, will present “Jury Decision Making: The Influence of Mock-Juror Demographics on Verdict Outcomes.” Brooke Mann, instructor of psychology, is Moon’s faculty advisor.&nbsp;

18th annual Capitol Graduate Research Summit set for Feb. 18

Three-day weather outlook

By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension District

Are you interested in keeping up with the latest weed management information? If so, you’ll want to add the “War Against Weeds” podcast to your weed management toolbox. This podcast is a brand new outreach effort from Sarah Lancaster, K-State Extension Weed Science Specialist, Mandy Bish, Extension Weed Scientist at the University of Missouri, and Joe Ikely, Extension Weed Scientist at North Dakota State.

All podcast episodes will be posted at <a href="https://waragainstweeds.libsyn.com/">https://waragainstweeds.libsyn.com/</a> and will also be freely available on Spotify, a digital streaming service. Additional ways to access the podcast will be available in the future. The first full-length episode was available the week of Jan. 18 and is titled “Silver Bullets are for Werewolves."

Future episodes will feature a variety of guests from private industry, extension and research with expertise in many of aspects of weed science as they discuss key topics like integrated weed management, herbicide resistance, and others.

“We are looking forward to sharing our conversations about current issues in weed management”, says Sarah Lancaster, Extension Weed Specialist.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613668718790.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension DistrictAre you interested in keeping up with the latest weed management information? If so, you’ll want to add the “War Against Weeds” podcast to your weed management toolbox. This podcast is a brand new outreach effort from Sarah Lancaster, K-State Extension Weed Science Specialist, Mandy Bish, Extension Weed Scientist at the University of Missouri, and Joe Ikely, Extension Weed Scientist at North Dakota State.All podcast episodes will be posted at <a href="https://waragainstweeds.libsyn.com/">https://waragainstweeds.libsyn.com/</a> and will also be freely available on Spotify, a digital streaming service. Additional ways to access the podcast will be available in the future. The first full-length episode was available the week of Jan. 18 and is titled “Silver Bullets are for Werewolves." Future episodes will feature a variety of guests from private industry, extension and research with expertise in many of aspects of weed science as they discuss key topics like integrated weed management, herbicide resistance, and others.“We are looking forward to sharing our conversations about current issues in weed management”, says Sarah Lancaster, Extension Weed Specialist.&nbsp;

CAMPBELL: Extension launches a new podcast on battling weeds

RUSSELL - The Southwest Power Pool is no longer under an energy emergency alert (EEA). However, due to continuing high demand across the SPP region and continued cold weather, energy demand and production will fluctuate over the next 48-hours, meaning conditions can change rapidly.

Our customers' conservation efforts and the city's ability to generate electricity helped lower demands on the electric grid, keeping the city from experiencing the controlled outages other communities faced. While the electric grid stabilizes, energy prices remain elevated.

A few items customers can consider to reduce electric and natural gas consumption: • Avoid the use of electric space heaters • Close blinds and shades to reduce the amount of heat loss through windows. • Turn off unnecessary lights and appliances. • When possible, delay non-essential energy use (washing/drying clothes) to hours lower in energy use (between 10 pm and 5 am). "Thank You" to our customers for conserving energy these past few days.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611586896424.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>City of RussellRUSSELL - The Southwest Power Pool is no longer under an energy emergency alert (EEA). However, due to continuing high demand across the SPP region and continued cold weather, energy demand and production will fluctuate over the next 48-hours, meaning conditions can change rapidly.Our customers' conservation efforts and the city's ability to generate electricity helped lower demands on the electric grid, keeping the city from experiencing the controlled outages other communities faced. While the electric grid stabilizes, energy prices remain elevated. A few items customers can consider to reduce electric and natural gas consumption: • Avoid the use of electric space heaters • Close blinds and shades to reduce the amount of heat loss through windows. • Turn off unnecessary lights and appliances. • When possible, delay non-essential energy use (washing/drying clothes) to hours lower in energy use (between 10 pm and 5 am). "Thank You" to our customers for conserving energy these past few days.

RUSSELL: Southwest Power Pool no longer under energy emergency alert; thanks customers

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a>

<div><iframe title="Fitness can be challenging during inclement weather; but there are options" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/f64cy-fb1850?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a>

🎙 Post Podcast: Fitness can be challenging during inclement weather

The Southwest Power Pool, which is the regional transmission operator for a 14-state region, lifted all energy emergency conditions at 9:30 am today.&nbsp; Customers are free to use energy as normal at this time. &nbsp;

Pat Parke, Midwest Energy’s CEO, issued a “Thank You” to customers for conserving energy over these last four days. &nbsp;

“Our customers’ efforts helped lower demands on the electric grid at a most critical time,” Parke said. “Those conservation efforts, and the limited controlled outages we had to impose for 1,200 customers Tuesday morning, helped avoid uncontrolled blackouts and kept the electric grid functioning during the most critical event in the 80-year history of the Southwest Power Pool.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586196165303.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Midwest EnergyThe Southwest Power Pool, which is the regional transmission operator for a 14-state region, lifted all energy emergency conditions at 9:30 am today.&nbsp; Customers are free to use energy as normal at this time. &nbsp;Pat Parke, Midwest Energy’s CEO, issued a “Thank You” to customers for conserving energy over these last four days. &nbsp;“Our customers’ efforts helped lower demands on the electric grid at a most critical time,” Parke said. “Those conservation efforts, and the limited controlled outages we had to impose for 1,200 customers Tuesday morning, helped avoid uncontrolled blackouts and kept the electric grid functioning during the most critical event in the 80-year history of the Southwest Power Pool.”

Midwest Energy resumes normal operations after emergency ends

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

Welfare
Check—2700 block Augusta Ln, Hays; 9:24 AM 
Suspicious Activity—500 block W 37th St, Hays; 10:08 AM 
Abandoned Vehicle—300 block W 7th St, Hays; 11:14 AM 
Worthless Check—2000 block Vine St, Hays; 1/25 12:01 AM; 1/29 12:01 AM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--18th and Vine, Hays; 12:32 PM 
MV Accident-Private Property--2000 block Vine St, Hays; 1:17 PM 
Animal Bite Investigation--300 block W 8th St, Hays; 1:40 PM 
Found/Lost Property—1900 block Holmes Rd, Hays; 4:25 PM 
Welfare Check--1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 9:20 PM 
Suspicious Person—500 block Ash St, Hays; 10:52 PM; 10:55 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 5 animal calls and conducted 12 traffic stops Tue., Feb. 9, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Assist -
Other (not MV)—4600 block Jefferson Dr, Hays; 1:09 AM 
Dead Animal Call--1200 block E 27th St, Hays; 9:38 AM 
Computer Crime—2500 block General Custer Rd, Hays; 2/1; 2/4 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--1200 block Oak St, Hays; 11:36 AM 
Animal Cruelty/Neglect—3100 block Hall St, Hays; 12:31 PM 
Suspicious Activity—1300 block California Dr, Rolla; 12:29 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--27th and Main St, Hays; 3:27 PM 
Theft (general)—400 block W 18th St, Hays; 1/28 12 PM; 2/5 5:30 PM 
Trash Dumping--1600 block E 27th St, Hays; 4:30 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 2 animal calls and conducted 9 traffic stops Wed., Feb. 10, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Battery –
Domestic—2700 block Epworth St, Hays; 1 AM; 1:15 AM 
Suicidal Subject—1500 block Fort St, Hays; 6:28 AM 
44 - Traffic Stop--27th and Fort St, Hays; 9:20 AM 
Animal At Large--19th and Hall St, Hays; 9:40 AM 
Abandoned Vehicle—1100 block Cody Ave, Hays; 11:16 AM 
Criminal Damage to Property—3300 block Thunderbird Dr, Hays; 2/9 6 PM; 11 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--13th and Allen St, Hays; 12:46 PM 
Burglary/vehicle—300 block W 6th St, Hays; 12/10/20 10 PM; 12/15/20 2 PM 
Assist - Other (not MV)—100 block N 11th St, WaKeeney; 4:44 PM 
Assist - Other (not MV)—1900 block Vine St, Hays; 7:11 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle—300 block E 12th St, Hays; 10:22 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 7 animal calls and conducted 11 traffic stops Thu., Feb. 11, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Driving
Under the Influence--Main and 183 Alt, Hays; 1:47 AM 
Animal Cruelty/Neglect—100 block W 36th St, Hays; 10:06 AM 
Civil Dispute—1400 block W 42nd St, Hays; 11:03 AM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley—400 block E 19th St, Hays; 11:08 AM 
Assist - Other (not MV)—1300 block E 33rd St, Hays; 2/9 
Assist - Other (not MV)—2100 block E 21st St, Hays; 2/10 
MV Accident-Hit and Run—2500 block Vine St, Hays; 1:32 PM; 1:36 PM 
Found/Lost Property—1500 block US 183 Alt Hwy, Hays; 5:12 PM 
Theft (general)—4300 block Vine St, Hays; 8 AM; 5 PM 
MV Accident-Private Property-Hit and Run—2500 block Vine St, Hays; 7:49 PM 
Suicidal Subject—400 block Walnut St, Hays; 10 PM 
Assist - Other (not MV)—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 10:36 PM 
Lost Animals ONLY--1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 11:26 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 3 animal calls and conducted 14 traffic stops Fri., Feb. 12, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Battery –
simple--1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 12:36 AM 
Driving Under the Influence--100 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:50 AM; 1:52 AM 
Driving Under the Influence--100 block W 8th St, Hays; 1:28 AM 
Driving Under the Influence--1200 block Vine St, Hays; 2:37 AM 
Suspicious Activity—100 block W 5th St, Hays; 6:25 AM 
Abandoned Vehicle--300 block W 12th St, Hays; 8:02 AM 
Found/Lost Property—100 block E 13th St, Hays; 8:16 AM 
Burglary/residence--1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 1/30 7:40 AM; 2/12 8 AM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--1700 block Wheatland Ave, Hays; 1:57 PM 
Criminal Damage to Property—1300 block Lawrence Dr, Hays; 2:18 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley—400 block E 13th, Hays; 3:15 PM 
Drug Offenses--2500 block Vine St, Hays; 3:29 PM 
Phone/Mail Scam—2700 block Thunderbird Dr, Hays; 4:37 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle—300 block W 9th St, Hays; 4:47 PM 
Suspicious Activity—200 block W 38th St, Hays; 1:50 PM; 1:51 PM 
Theft (general)—1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 2/10 1 PM; 3 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 3 animal calls and conducted 17 traffic stops Sat., Feb. 13, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Driving
Under the Influence--300 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:43 AM; 12:44 AM 
Driving Under the Influence--800 block Fort St, Hays; 1:51 AM 
Driving Under the Influence--100 block E 8th St, Hays; 1:54 AM; 1:56 AM 
Disturbance – Fight—500 block W 7th St, Hays; 2:03 AM 
Found/Lost Property--400 block E 13th St, Hays; 2/12 &nbsp;8 PM; 2/13 2 AM 
MV Accident-Hit and Run--500 block Elm St, Hays; 1:30 AM; 2:35 AM 
Suicidal Subject—200 block E 7th St, Hays; 3:22 AM 
Driving Under the Influence—1000 block E 41st St, Hays; 4:22 AM; 4:25 AM 
&nbsp;Assist - Other (not MV)—2700 block Vine
St, Hays; 7:47 AM 
Abandoned Vehicle--300 block W 9th St, Hays; 8:37 AM 
Violation of Restraining Order/PFA--1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 9:11 AM 
Civil Dispute—1300 block E 33rd St, Hays; 10:08 AM 
Animal At Large—300 block E 6th St, Hays; 10:50 AM 
Suspicious Activity—200 block W 16th St, Hays; 11:02 AM 
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)--400 block W 16th St, Hays; 11:35 AM 
Suspicious Activity—500 block Ash St, Hays; 1:06 PM 
Drug Offenses—1800 block E 26th St, Hays; 1:30 PM; 1:36 PM 
Found/Lost Property—100 block E 14th St, Hays; 3 PM 
Suspicious Activity—300 block E 19th St, Hays; 9:47 PM 
Welfare Check—400 block W 13th St, Hays; 9:54 PM 
Driving Under the Influence--800 block Elm St, Hays; 11:19 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 3 animal calls and conducted 2 traffic stops Sun., Feb. 14, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Suspicious
Activity—500 block W 7th St, Hay; 12 AM; 12:04 AM 
Aggravated Battery—300 block Mopar Dr, Hays; 12:35 AM; 12:39 AM 
Welfare Check—200 block W 10th St, Hays; 12:15 AM; 3:13 AM 
Found/Lost Property—1300 block Vine St, Hays; 3:40 AM 
Animal At Large—1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 12:08 PM 
Theft (general)—200 block E 16th St, Hays; 1 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--1300 block Vine St, Hays; 4:14 PM 
Suicidal Subject—1100 block E 15th St, Hays; 4:26 PM 
Shoplifting--2900 block Broadway Ave, Hays; 5:15 PM; 5:45 PM 
Suspicious Person--1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 7:51 PM 
Disturbance – General—1300 block W 27th St, Hays; 8:05 PM 
Open Door/Window—200 block W 10th St, Hays; 8:54 PM 
Mental Health Call--2700 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 9:20 PM; 9:22 PM 
Harassment, Telephone/FAX—1000 block Country Club Dr, Hays; 11:13 PM 
Fire—400 block W 19th St, Hays; 11:40 PM

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592410704431.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Hays Police Department responded to 2 animal calls and conducted 8 traffic stops Mon., Feb. 8, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.Welfare
Check—2700 block Augusta Ln, Hays; 9:24 AM 
Suspicious Activity—500 block W 37th St, Hays; 10:08 AM 
Abandoned Vehicle—300 block W 7th St, Hays; 11:14 AM 
Worthless Check—2000 block Vine St, Hays; 1/25 12:01 AM; 1/29 12:01 AM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--18th and Vine, Hays; 12:32 PM 
MV Accident-Private Property--2000 block Vine St, Hays; 1:17 PM 
Animal Bite Investigation--300 block W 8th St, Hays; 1:40 PM 
Found/Lost Property—1900 block Holmes Rd, Hays; 4:25 PM 
Welfare Check--1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 9:20 PM 
Suspicious Person—500 block Ash St, Hays; 10:52 PM; 10:55 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 5 animal calls and conducted 12 traffic stops Tue., Feb. 9, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.Assist -
Other (not MV)—4600 block Jefferson Dr, Hays; 1:09 AM 
Dead Animal Call--1200 block E 27th St, Hays; 9:38 AM 
Computer Crime—2500 block General Custer Rd, Hays; 2/1; 2/4 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--1200 block Oak St, Hays; 11:36 AM 
Animal Cruelty/Neglect—3100 block Hall St, Hays; 12:31 PM 
Suspicious Activity—1300 block California Dr, Rolla; 12:29 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--27th and Main St, Hays; 3:27 PM 
Theft (general)—400 block W 18th St, Hays; 1/28 12 PM; 2/5 5:30 PM 
Trash Dumping--1600 block E 27th St, Hays; 4:30 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 2 animal calls and conducted 9 traffic stops Wed., Feb. 10, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.Battery –
Domestic—2700 block Epworth St, Hays; 1 AM; 1:15 AM 
Suicidal Subject—1500 block Fort St, Hays; 6:28 AM 
44 - Traffic Stop--27th and Fort St, Hays; 9:20 AM 
Animal At Large--19th and Hall St, Hays; 9:40 AM 
Abandoned Vehicle—1100 block Cody Ave, Hays; 11:16 AM 
Criminal Damage to Property—3300 block Thunderbird Dr, Hays; 2/9 6 PM; 11 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--13th and Allen St, Hays; 12:46 PM 
Burglary/vehicle—300 block W 6th St, Hays; 12/10/20 10 PM; 12/15/20 2 PM 
Assist - Other (not MV)—100 block N 11th St, WaKeeney; 4:44 PM 
Assist - Other (not MV)—1900 block Vine St, Hays; 7:11 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle—300 block E 12th St, Hays; 10:22 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 7 animal calls and conducted 11 traffic stops Thu., Feb. 11, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.Driving
Under the Influence--Main and 183 Alt, Hays; 1:47 AM 
Animal Cruelty/Neglect—100 block W 36th St, Hays; 10:06 AM 
Civil Dispute—1400 block W 42nd St, Hays; 11:03 AM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley—400 block E 19th St, Hays; 11:08 AM 
Assist - Other (not MV)—1300 block E 33rd St, Hays; 2/9 
Assist - Other (not MV)—2100 block E 21st St, Hays; 2/10 
MV Accident-Hit and Run—2500 block Vine St, Hays; 1:32 PM; 1:36 PM 
Found/Lost Property—1500 block US 183 Alt Hwy, Hays; 5:12 PM 
Theft (general)—4300 block Vine St, Hays; 8 AM; 5 PM 
MV Accident-Private Property-Hit and Run—2500 block Vine St, Hays; 7:49 PM 
Suicidal Subject—400 block Walnut St, Hays; 10 PM 
Assist - Other (not MV)—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 10:36 PM 
Lost Animals ONLY--1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 11:26 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 3 animal calls and conducted 14 traffic stops Fri., Feb. 12, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.Battery –
simple--1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 12:36 AM 
Driving Under the Influence--100 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:50 AM; 1:52 AM 
Driving Under the Influence--100 block W 8th St, Hays; 1:28 AM 
Driving Under the Influence--1200 block Vine St, Hays; 2:37 AM 
Suspicious Activity—100 block W 5th St, Hays; 6:25 AM 
Abandoned Vehicle--300 block W 12th St, Hays; 8:02 AM 
Found/Lost Property—100 block E 13th St, Hays; 8:16 AM 
Burglary/residence--1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 1/30 7:40 AM; 2/12 8 AM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--1700 block Wheatland Ave, Hays; 1:57 PM 
Criminal Damage to Property—1300 block Lawrence Dr, Hays; 2:18 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley—400 block E 13th, Hays; 3:15 PM 
Drug Offenses--2500 block Vine St, Hays; 3:29 PM 
Phone/Mail Scam—2700 block Thunderbird Dr, Hays; 4:37 PM 
Abandoned Vehicle—300 block W 9th St, Hays; 4:47 PM 
Suspicious Activity—200 block W 38th St, Hays; 1:50 PM; 1:51 PM 
Theft (general)—1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 2/10 1 PM; 3 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 3 animal calls and conducted 17 traffic stops Sat., Feb. 13, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.Driving
Under the Influence--300 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:43 AM; 12:44 AM 
Driving Under the Influence--800 block Fort St, Hays; 1:51 AM 
Driving Under the Influence--100 block E 8th St, Hays; 1:54 AM; 1:56 AM 
Disturbance – Fight—500 block W 7th St, Hays; 2:03 AM 
Found/Lost Property--400 block E 13th St, Hays; 2/12 &nbsp;8 PM; 2/13 2 AM 
MV Accident-Hit and Run--500 block Elm St, Hays; 1:30 AM; 2:35 AM 
Suicidal Subject—200 block E 7th St, Hays; 3:22 AM 
Driving Under the Influence—1000 block E 41st St, Hays; 4:22 AM; 4:25 AM 
&nbsp;Assist - Other (not MV)—2700 block Vine
St, Hays; 7:47 AM 
Abandoned Vehicle--300 block W 9th St, Hays; 8:37 AM 
Violation of Restraining Order/PFA--1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 9:11 AM 
Civil Dispute—1300 block E 33rd St, Hays; 10:08 AM 
Animal At Large—300 block E 6th St, Hays; 10:50 AM 
Suspicious Activity—200 block W 16th St, Hays; 11:02 AM 
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)--400 block W 16th St, Hays; 11:35 AM 
Suspicious Activity—500 block Ash St, Hays; 1:06 PM 
Drug Offenses—1800 block E 26th St, Hays; 1:30 PM; 1:36 PM 
Found/Lost Property—100 block E 14th St, Hays; 3 PM 
Suspicious Activity—300 block E 19th St, Hays; 9:47 PM 
Welfare Check—400 block W 13th St, Hays; 9:54 PM 
Driving Under the Influence--800 block Elm St, Hays; 11:19 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 3 animal calls and conducted 2 traffic stops Sun., Feb. 14, 2021, according to the HPD Activity Log.Suspicious
Activity—500 block W 7th St, Hay; 12 AM; 12:04 AM 
Aggravated Battery—300 block Mopar Dr, Hays; 12:35 AM; 12:39 AM 
Welfare Check—200 block W 10th St, Hays; 12:15 AM; 3:13 AM 
Found/Lost Property—1300 block Vine St, Hays; 3:40 AM 
Animal At Large—1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 12:08 PM 
Theft (general)—200 block E 16th St, Hays; 1 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--1300 block Vine St, Hays; 4:14 PM 
Suicidal Subject—1100 block E 15th St, Hays; 4:26 PM 
Shoplifting--2900 block Broadway Ave, Hays; 5:15 PM; 5:45 PM 
Suspicious Person--1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 7:51 PM 
Disturbance – General—1300 block W 27th St, Hays; 8:05 PM 
Open Door/Window—200 block W 10th St, Hays; 8:54 PM 
Mental Health Call--2700 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 9:20 PM; 9:22 PM 
Harassment, Telephone/FAX—1000 block Country Club Dr, Hays; 11:13 PM 
Fire—400 block W 19th St, Hays; 11:40 PM<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592410704431.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

HPD Activity Log, Feb. 8-14

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

The Ellis County Commission sided with a group of
residents and blocked a proposed event center and wedding venue north of Hays on Monday. 

The commission’s vote to deny a conditional use permit for an event center blocks the Zimmerman trust from using a 4-acre
portion of their land to build and operate the Buckeye Barn.

The proposed wedding and event center received <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/7d0613e4-e3b2-4cf2-97d7-240b056b2007">unanimous
support</a> from the Planning and Zoning Commission at their meeting in January,
and would have been located 6 miles north of Hays and just east of U.S. 183 on Buckeye Road.

Only landowners within 1,000 feet of the location had to be
notified of the CUP and could file a formal protest. Only one protest was filed
and that came from a landowner with farm ground, but not a residence, in the
area.

More than 20 additional signatures were submitted as
protesting the CUP — none of those individuals live within the 1,000 feet
protest area and some live several miles from the location of the proposed
event center.

Two individuals elected to speak in opposition of the CUP at
Monday’s meeting. One of them one was Sara Shubert. She and her husband, Dustin, live more than a half-mile from the proposed event center location.

Shubert said she went door-to-door in the area collecting
the more than 20 signatures presented to the commission in opposition of the
Buckeye Barn.

Shubert and Sue McCrae-Bickel, whose father owns farm
ground in the area and submitted the only protest petition from someone who
owns property within the 1,000 feet protest area, presented their concerns to
the commission Monday.

Among the issues they raised before the commission were the
possibility of increased impaired drivers and extra traffic in the area, the increased
fire risk due to discarded cigarettes, the building’s lack of a fire
suppression system and the effect it would have on the water supply. They also
claimed there are already enough event centers in Ellis County. 

Shubert told the commission in a written statement she read
at Monday’s meeting, “This is clearly not welcome in the Buckeye Township.”

The discussion went on for more than an hour with Commissioners
Butch Schlyer, Dean Haselhorst and Neal Younger bringing forth many of the same
concerns the protesters did.

Leanne Zimmerman and her husband, Jayme, attempted to address
some of the concerns. She told the commission that the application for rural
water does not make a distinction between residential use and commercial use.
The Trego Rural Water District had raised concerns about the amount of water
used by the event center.

Zimmerman said after talking with the state fire marshal’s office
they could install a holding tank or pound that would not affect the water
pressure in the area and would also help with fire suppression.

She added that they do not believe there would be a wedding
venue like the one they are proposing within several miles and that she already
people reach out about booking the venue, even though she doesn’t even have a
building up yet. She also said there are different issues with event centers in
the county and the ones McCrae-Bickel listed.

Younger asked Zimmerman if they had
considered moving the event center a half-mile to a mile north on their land.

Zimmerman said they would be open to that and asked members
of the audience, against the vocal opposition of the commission, if they would
be willing to allow the event center to move forward in a new location.

None of the more than a dozen people in the audience
signaled they would OK that proposal.

Zimmerman said she believes those in opposition believe, “We
don’t want you to do this, period.”

Younger called the disagreement “not acceptable” that the
two sides should get along and asked Zimmerman why she didn’t reach out to the
individuals in the area.

Zimmerman said she contacted the individuals she was required
to by the permitting process. She added that she was not approached by any of
those who submitted the protest petitions and that if she needed signatures of
supporters outside the 1,000 feet area she would have collected those.

“I just want the same chance that we have at the
(county-owned) Shenk Building, that is out there in the country,” Zimmerman
said. “The commissioners are the ones that rule over that (and) as an
individual I want that same chance in the county. To have a beautiful place to
have weddings.”

Commissioner Butch Schlyer, said, “I’m going to speak on
behalf of the protesters.”

He said it’s not a building issues and it’s not a safety
issue. Citing the World Health Organization’s definition, he called it a “nuisance.”
&nbsp;

“This kind of business, as perceived by the homeowners in
the area, believe this to be a potential nuisance,” Schlyer said. “It will
interfere with their comfort and repose.”

Because the commission voted to disapprove the CUP the Zimmerman’s
will have to wait a year to re-file for the permit in the same location. If
they chose to select a different location or submit the same application, they
will still have to start the process from the beginning.

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostThe Ellis County Commission sided with a group of
residents and blocked a proposed event center and wedding venue north of Hays on Monday. The commission’s vote to deny a conditional use permit for an event center blocks the Zimmerman trust from using a 4-acre
portion of their land to build and operate the Buckeye Barn.The proposed wedding and event center received <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/7d0613e4-e3b2-4cf2-97d7-240b056b2007">unanimous
support</a> from the Planning and Zoning Commission at their meeting in January,
and would have been located 6 miles north of Hays and just east of U.S. 183 on Buckeye Road.Only landowners within 1,000 feet of the location had to be
notified of the CUP and could file a formal protest. Only one protest was filed
and that came from a landowner with farm ground, but not a residence, in the
area.More than 20 additional signatures were submitted as
protesting the CUP — none of those individuals live within the 1,000 feet
protest area and some live several miles from the location of the proposed
event center.Two individuals elected to speak in opposition of the CUP at
Monday’s meeting. One of them one was Sara Shubert. She and her husband, Dustin, live more than a half-mile from the proposed event center location.Shubert said she went door-to-door in the area collecting
the more than 20 signatures presented to the commission in opposition of the
Buckeye Barn.Shubert and Sue McCrae-Bickel, whose father owns farm
ground in the area and submitted the only protest petition from someone who
owns property within the 1,000 feet protest area, presented their concerns to
the commission Monday.Among the issues they raised before the commission were the
possibility of increased impaired drivers and extra traffic in the area, the increased
fire risk due to discarded cigarettes, the building’s lack of a fire
suppression system and the effect it would have on the water supply. They also
claimed there are already enough event centers in Ellis County. Shubert told the commission in a written statement she read
at Monday’s meeting, “This is clearly not welcome in the Buckeye Township.”The discussion went on for more than an hour with Commissioners
Butch Schlyer, Dean Haselhorst and Neal Younger bringing forth many of the same
concerns the protesters did.Leanne Zimmerman and her husband, Jayme, attempted to address
some of the concerns. She told the commission that the application for rural
water does not make a distinction between residential use and commercial use.
The Trego Rural Water District had raised concerns about the amount of water
used by the event center.Zimmerman said after talking with the state fire marshal’s office
they could install a holding tank or pound that would not affect the water
pressure in the area and would also help with fire suppression.She added that they do not believe there would be a wedding
venue like the one they are proposing within several miles and that she already
people reach out about booking the venue, even though she doesn’t even have a
building up yet. She also said there are different issues with event centers in
the county and the ones McCrae-Bickel listed.Younger asked Zimmerman if they had
considered moving the event center a half-mile to a mile north on their land.Zimmerman said they would be open to that and asked members
of the audience, against the vocal opposition of the commission, if they would
be willing to allow the event center to move forward in a new location.None of the more than a dozen people in the audience
signaled they would OK that proposal.Zimmerman said she believes those in opposition believe, “We
don’t want you to do this, period.”Younger called the disagreement “not acceptable” that the
two sides should get along and asked Zimmerman why she didn’t reach out to the
individuals in the area.Zimmerman said she contacted the individuals she was required
to by the permitting process. She added that she was not approached by any of
those who submitted the protest petitions and that if she needed signatures of
supporters outside the 1,000 feet area she would have collected those.“I just want the same chance that we have at the
(county-owned) Shenk Building, that is out there in the country,” Zimmerman
said. “The commissioners are the ones that rule over that (and) as an
individual I want that same chance in the county. To have a beautiful place to
have weddings.”Commissioner Butch Schlyer, said, “I’m going to speak on
behalf of the protesters.”He said it’s not a building issues and it’s not a safety
issue. Citing the World Health Organization’s definition, he called it a “nuisance.”
&nbsp;“This kind of business, as perceived by the homeowners in
the area, believe this to be a potential nuisance,” Schlyer said. “It will
interfere with their comfort and repose.”Because the commission voted to disapprove the CUP the Zimmerman’s
will have to wait a year to re-file for the permit in the same location. If
they chose to select a different location or submit the same application, they
will still have to start the process from the beginning.

Ellis Co. Commission blocks proposed wedding and event center

Economists give early estimate and projections for 2021&nbsp;

MANHATTAN — Kansas farms appear to be moving out of the shadow of the global pandemic, according to two Kansas State University agricultural economists.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Ad hoc government payments made because of the pandemic and higher than expected grain prices since last summer boosted average estimates for 2020 Kansas net farm income to $137,000, a 7% increase over $128,000 the previous year.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Even though 2020 is past, the $137,000 is still an estimate. K-State economists will not have final numbers from the KFMA until the end of May.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The outlook is a far cry from what was expected late last spring. In May 2020, an initial estimate of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agmanager.info/kfma">Kansas Farm Management Association</a>&nbsp;net farm income was produced, said K-State associate professor Gregg Ibendahl. Using KFMA member farms as a baseline at that time, K-State economists predicted an 87% drop in net farm income.&nbsp;&nbsp;

KFMA member farmers work with agricultural economists across the state to enhance members’ production and financial management skills.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“At the time, COVID-19 was starting to spread across the U.S. and the economic effect on much of the country was devastating,” Ibendahl said. “Prices for both grains and livestock had dropped, leading to questions about how severe the crisis might be for farmers.”&nbsp;

Since then, the profitability outlook changed course on two key developments, according to Ibendahl, an agricultural economist with K-State Research and Extension. First, the USDA announced programs to help both livestock and grain producers affected by the pandemic. The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) provided $23.6 billion to producers through the first two rounds of the program. Additionally, grain prices rose last summer and are now at levels not seen since before the pandemic.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In developing their estimates, Ibendahl and extension agricultural economist Dan O’Brien addressed seven major areas, including yields, prices, crop acres, expenses, crop insurance, government payments from the farm bill, and CFAP or ad hoc government payments. Each area was projected down to the farm level to estimate net farm income for each of the 588 KFMA grain farms for 2020 and 2021.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Their full preliminary report issued Feb. 3 is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agmanager.info/kfma/research-articles/preliminary-estimate-2020-kansas-net-farm-income-and-projection-2021">available online</a>. A more complete analysis of 2020 Kansas net farm income based on KFMA data will be available this spring.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“While it originally appeared that COVID-19 was going to play havoc with net farm income, the average grain farm at least will come through the year (2020) with higher profitability,” Ibendahl said, but noted that not all farms will weather the market effects of the pandemic as well as the average grain farm.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The economists projected that net farm income in 2021 could increase another 35% to $185,000, based on futures prices. Those projections are uncertain, however, and hinge at least in part on whether futures prices translate to actual higher farm prices and if rainfall amounts are normal enough to allow for average yields.&nbsp;

The team also cautioned that the western United States is in a La Nina drought, so the prospect of average yields is questionable. In addition, higher grain prices tend to lead to higher expenses for fuel, fertilizer and seeds, which could cut into farm profitability.&nbsp;&nbsp;

An Agriculture Today podcast featuring Ibendahl speaking on this topic, plus other speakers and topics is&nbsp;<a href="https://agtodayksu.libsyn.com/2021-net-farm-income-projectionsnew-wheat-and-sorghum-research">available online</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613571010261.png" alt="Courtesy K-State Research &amp; Extension" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy K-State Research &amp; Extension</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Economists give early estimate and projections for 2021&nbsp;</h2>K-State Research &amp; ExtensionMANHATTAN — Kansas farms appear to be moving out of the shadow of the global pandemic, according to two Kansas State University agricultural economists.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ad hoc government payments made because of the pandemic and higher than expected grain prices since last summer boosted average estimates for 2020 Kansas net farm income to $137,000, a 7% increase over $128,000 the previous year.&nbsp;&nbsp;Even though 2020 is past, the $137,000 is still an estimate. K-State economists will not have final numbers from the KFMA until the end of May.&nbsp;&nbsp;The outlook is a far cry from what was expected late last spring. In May 2020, an initial estimate of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agmanager.info/kfma">Kansas Farm Management Association</a>&nbsp;net farm income was produced, said K-State associate professor Gregg Ibendahl. Using KFMA member farms as a baseline at that time, K-State economists predicted an 87% drop in net farm income.&nbsp;&nbsp;KFMA member farmers work with agricultural economists across the state to enhance members’ production and financial management skills.&nbsp;&nbsp;“At the time, COVID-19 was starting to spread across the U.S. and the economic effect on much of the country was devastating,” Ibendahl said. “Prices for both grains and livestock had dropped, leading to questions about how severe the crisis might be for farmers.”&nbsp;Since then, the profitability outlook changed course on two key developments, according to Ibendahl, an agricultural economist with K-State Research and Extension. First, the USDA announced programs to help both livestock and grain producers affected by the pandemic. The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) provided $23.6 billion to producers through the first two rounds of the program. Additionally, grain prices rose last summer and are now at levels not seen since before the pandemic.&nbsp;&nbsp;In developing their estimates, Ibendahl and extension agricultural economist Dan O’Brien addressed seven major areas, including yields, prices, crop acres, expenses, crop insurance, government payments from the farm bill, and CFAP or ad hoc government payments. Each area was projected down to the farm level to estimate net farm income for each of the 588 KFMA grain farms for 2020 and 2021.&nbsp;&nbsp;Their full preliminary report issued Feb. 3 is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agmanager.info/kfma/research-articles/preliminary-estimate-2020-kansas-net-farm-income-and-projection-2021">available online</a>. A more complete analysis of 2020 Kansas net farm income based on KFMA data will be available this spring.&nbsp;&nbsp;“While it originally appeared that COVID-19 was going to play havoc with net farm income, the average grain farm at least will come through the year (2020) with higher profitability,” Ibendahl said, but noted that not all farms will weather the market effects of the pandemic as well as the average grain farm.&nbsp;&nbsp;The economists projected that net farm income in 2021 could increase another 35% to $185,000, based on futures prices. Those projections are uncertain, however, and hinge at least in part on whether futures prices translate to actual higher farm prices and if rainfall amounts are normal enough to allow for average yields.&nbsp;The team also cautioned that the western United States is in a La Nina drought, so the prospect of average yields is questionable. In addition, higher grain prices tend to lead to higher expenses for fuel, fertilizer and seeds, which could cut into farm profitability.&nbsp;&nbsp;An Agriculture Today podcast featuring Ibendahl speaking on this topic, plus other speakers and topics is&nbsp;<a href="https://agtodayksu.libsyn.com/2021-net-farm-income-projectionsnew-wheat-and-sorghum-research">available online</a>.&nbsp;

Kan. farm income climbed in 2020 despite COVID; 2021 looks promising 

On this episode of the Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Midwest Energy CEO Pat Parke.

<div><iframe title="🎤Forward Ever: Midwest Energy CEO Pat Parke" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/szbfy-fb05ac?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 Midwest Energy CEO Pat Parke.

🎤Forward Ever: Midwest Energy CEO Pat Parke

The Hays City Commission will conduct a retreat meeting Saturday, Feb.20, at BriefSpace, 219 W. 10th, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Also attending the retreat will be Toby Dougherty, city manager, Collin Bielser, assistant city manager, John Bird, city attorney, and Todd Powell, assistant city attorney.

There is no formal agenda for the meeting.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584473406560.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>City of HaysThe Hays City Commission will conduct a retreat meeting Saturday, Feb.20, at BriefSpace, 219 W. 10th, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.Also attending the retreat will be Toby Dougherty, city manager, Collin Bielser, assistant city manager, John Bird, city attorney, and Todd Powell, assistant city attorney.There is no formal agenda for the meeting.&nbsp;

Hays City Commission to conduct retreat meeting Saturday

Gardeners are eager to get out and do something in the landscape this time of year. One chore that can be taken care of now is pruning certain shrubs. Often, gardeners approach pruning with trepidation, but it is not as difficult as it may seem. Remember, not all shrubs need to be pruned (i.e., witch hazel), and certain shrubs, which will be identified later, should not be pruned this time of year. Shrubs are pruned to maintain or reduce the size, rejuvenate growth, or to remove diseased, dead, or damaged branches. Deciduous shrubs are those that lose their leaves each winter. Evergreen shrubs maintain foliage all year and include yews and junipers. Deciduous shrubs are placed into three groups:&nbsp; &nbsp; - Those that flower in the spring on wood produced last year.&nbsp; &nbsp; - Those that flower later in the year on current seasons’ growth; and&nbsp; &nbsp; - Those that may produce flowers, but those flowers are of little ornamental value.

Shrubs that flower in the spring should not be pruned until immediately after flowering. &nbsp;Though pruning earlier will not harm the health of the plant, the flowering display will be reduced. Examples of these types of plants include forsythia, lilac, and mock orange. Shrubs that bloom on current seasons’ growth or that do not produce ornamental flowers are best pruned in late winter to early spring. Examples include Rose-of-Sharon, pyracantha, Bumald spirea, and Japanese spirea. Pruning during the spring allows wounds to heal quickly without threat from insects or disease. There is no need to treat pruning cuts with paints or sealers. In fact, some of these products may slow healing. There are three basic methods used in pruning shrubs: thinning, heading back, and rejuvenating. Thinning is used to thin out branches from a shrub that is too dense. It is accomplished by removing most of the inward growing twigs by cutting them back to a larger branch. On multi-stemmed shrubs, the oldest canes may be removed entirely. Heading back is done by removing the end of a branch by cutting it back to a bud and is used for either reducing height or keeping a shrub compact. Branches are not cut back to a uniform height because this results in a "witches-broom" effect.​Rejuvenation is the most severe type of pruning and may be used on multi-stem shrubs that have become too large, with too many old branches to justify saving the younger canes. All stems are cut back to 3- to 5-inch stubs. This is not recommended for all shrubs but does work well for spirea, forsythia, pyracantha, ninebark, Russian almond, little leaf mock orange, shrub roses, and flowering quince. Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. If you have questions, she can be contacted by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lfick@k-state.edu">lfick@k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 785-628-9430 or 620-793-1910.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580750915301.jpeg" alt="Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Gardeners are eager to get out and do something in the landscape this time of year. One chore that can be taken care of now is pruning certain shrubs. Often, gardeners approach pruning with trepidation, but it is not as difficult as it may seem. Remember, not all shrubs need to be pruned (i.e., witch hazel), and certain shrubs, which will be identified later, should not be pruned this time of year. Shrubs are pruned to maintain or reduce the size, rejuvenate growth, or to remove diseased, dead, or damaged branches. Deciduous shrubs are those that lose their leaves each winter. Evergreen shrubs maintain foliage all year and include yews and junipers. Deciduous shrubs are placed into three groups:&nbsp; &nbsp; - Those that flower in the spring on wood produced last year.&nbsp; &nbsp; - Those that flower later in the year on current seasons’ growth; and&nbsp; &nbsp; - Those that may produce flowers, but those flowers are of little ornamental value.Shrubs that flower in the spring should not be pruned until immediately after flowering. &nbsp;Though pruning earlier will not harm the health of the plant, the flowering display will be reduced. Examples of these types of plants include forsythia, lilac, and mock orange. Shrubs that bloom on current seasons’ growth or that do not produce ornamental flowers are best pruned in late winter to early spring. Examples include Rose-of-Sharon, pyracantha, Bumald spirea, and Japanese spirea. Pruning during the spring allows wounds to heal quickly without threat from insects or disease. There is no need to treat pruning cuts with paints or sealers. In fact, some of these products may slow healing. There are three basic methods used in pruning shrubs: thinning, heading back, and rejuvenating. Thinning is used to thin out branches from a shrub that is too dense. It is accomplished by removing most of the inward growing twigs by cutting them back to a larger branch. On multi-stemmed shrubs, the oldest canes may be removed entirely. Heading back is done by removing the end of a branch by cutting it back to a bud and is used for either reducing height or keeping a shrub compact. Branches are not cut back to a uniform height because this results in a "witches-broom" effect.​Rejuvenation is the most severe type of pruning and may be used on multi-stem shrubs that have become too large, with too many old branches to justify saving the younger canes. All stems are cut back to 3- to 5-inch stubs. This is not recommended for all shrubs but does work well for spirea, forsythia, pyracantha, ninebark, Russian almond, little leaf mock orange, shrub roses, and flowering quince. Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. If you have questions, she can be contacted by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lfick@k-state.edu">lfick@k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 785-628-9430 or 620-793-1910.&nbsp;

FICK: Pruning deciduous shrubs

In the video above, Midwest Energy director of corporate communications and government affairs&nbsp;Mike Morley, explains what happened to the energy supply this week, the company's actions to help keep the power grid safe and working properly and the current energy situation across the region.

<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SG2DvNFES-I"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>In the video above, Midwest Energy director of corporate communications and government affairs&nbsp;Mike Morley, explains what happened to the energy supply this week, the company's actions to help keep the power grid safe and working properly and the current energy situation across the region.

🎥 Midwest Energy's Mike Morley explains the power shortages in the region

The Ellis County Health Department on Wednesday reported the average number of new coronavirus cases per day in the last seven days remained flat at 6 from Monday to Wednesday.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment also announced an additional coronavirus-related death, bringing the total to 69.

There were 25 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County since Monday. There are currently 77 active cases, including six active hospitalizations of Ellis County residents, and 3,552 recovered cases.

As of Friday, there were 16 COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, unchanged from Thursday, with 10 of those active patients and 6 in the recovery phase.

As of Wednesday, there were 18 COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, up from 12 on Tuesday, with 11 of those active patients and seven in the recovery phase.

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

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1a46ce0f-0f53-4b97-bfb3-93c2d719fb92">RELATED:&nbsp;196 tests, just one additional unrelated positive ID'd after emergency testing</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613600819487.png" alt="KDHE" />
 <figcaption>KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>The Ellis County Health Department on Wednesday reported the average number of new coronavirus cases per day in the last seven days remained flat at 6 from Monday to Wednesday.The Kansas Department of Health and Environment also announced an additional coronavirus-related death, bringing the total to 69.There were 25 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County since Monday. There are currently 77 active cases, including six active hospitalizations of Ellis County residents, and 3,552 recovered cases.As of Friday, there were 16 COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, unchanged from Thursday, with 10 of those active patients and 6 in the recovery phase.As of Wednesday, there were 18 COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, up from 12 on Tuesday, with 11 of those active patients and seven in the recovery phase.<a href="https://form.jotform.com/210066258239051">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;for information on how to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1a46ce0f-0f53-4b97-bfb3-93c2d719fb92">RELATED:&nbsp;196 tests, just one additional unrelated positive ID'd after emergency testing</a>The seven-day average of percent of positive tests rose to 9.8 percent.Since reporting began, there have been 3,629 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County. Of the total 22,992 tests administered, 14.6 percent have returned positive for coronavirus.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.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613600989905.png" alt="ECHD" />
 <figcaption>ECHD</figcaption>
 </figure>

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