By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Sophia Linenberger might not have been able to watch her beloved Chiefs play in Super Bowl LV in person on Sunday, but she was there in spirit.

For the second Super Bowl in a row, Chiefs' quarterback Patrick Mahomes wore Linenberger's yellow "Sophia Strong" wristband during the game.

Sophia's mother, Jenny, bought decorations for the family's Super Bowl watch party, including a cutout out of Mahomes that depicted him wearing Sophia's wristband.

Hays' Northwestern Printers also donated a stadium cardboard cutout depicting Linenberger, which Mahomes' mother, Randi Mahomes, and his younger sister, Mia, took to Miami for the game.

Jenny said it was Sophia's idea to send the cutout to Randi, so she could take it to Miami.

"I have seen a lot of smiles and a lot of joy," Jenny said. "We are so grateful of him and Randi for being supportive of Sophia. ....

"She is so nice and down-to-earth," Jenny said of Randi. "I am sure that is were Mahomes gets it from."

Sophia, 17, a junior at Thomas More Prep-Marian, was diagnosed in January 2019 with a rare cancer, Ewing's sarcoma. She spent much of 2019 going back and forth to Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City for treatment, including two surgeries to her spine.

Sophia was told she was in remission for her cancer, but the cancer appeared again in August 2020. She recently completed a round of chemo in Kansas City.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e2866dc7d7daa72b30eb7a1">Sophia was able to meet Patrick Mahomes in November 2019. </a>She was asked to represent Children's Mercy Hospital at Mahomes' charity gala, 15 and the Mahomies.

Sophia accepted a $15,000 donation for Children's Mercy from Mahomes' foundation. She also received an autographed Mahomes helmet from the Children's Mercy CEO.

Jenny said Sophia and the family were disappointed at the Chiefs' loss, but said they are sure they will come back stronger next year.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612822275979.jpeg" alt="Hays teenager Sophia Linenberger's stadium cutout accompanied Patrick Mahomes' mother,&nbsp;Randi Mahomes, and his younger sister, Mia, to Miami for Super Bowl LV. Photos courtesy of Randi Mahomes and Jenny Linenberger" />
 <figcaption>Hays teenager Sophia Linenberger's stadium cutout accompanied Patrick Mahomes' mother,&nbsp;Randi Mahomes, and his younger sister, Mia, to Miami for Super Bowl LV. Photos courtesy of Randi Mahomes and Jenny Linenberger</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostSophia Linenberger might not have been able to watch her beloved Chiefs play in Super Bowl LV in person on Sunday, but she was there in spirit.For the second Super Bowl in a row, Chiefs' quarterback Patrick Mahomes wore Linenberger's yellow "Sophia Strong" wristband during the game.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612825677843.jpeg" alt="Hays teen Sophia Linenberger, right, and her sister, Holly Linenberger, pose with a cutout of Patrick Mahomes depicting the Chiefs' quarterback wearing Sophia's "Sophia Strong" wristband." />
 <figcaption>Hays teen Sophia Linenberger, right, and her sister, Holly Linenberger, pose with a cutout of Patrick Mahomes depicting the Chiefs' quarterback wearing Sophia's "Sophia Strong" wristband.</figcaption>
 </figure>Sophia's mother, Jenny, bought decorations for the family's Super Bowl watch party, including a cutout out of Mahomes that depicted him wearing Sophia's wristband.Hays' Northwestern Printers also donated a stadium cardboard cutout depicting Linenberger, which Mahomes' mother, Randi Mahomes, and his younger sister, Mia, took to Miami for the game.Jenny said it was Sophia's idea to send the cutout to Randi, so she could take it to Miami."I have seen a lot of smiles and a lot of joy," Jenny said. "We are so grateful of him and Randi for being supportive of Sophia. ...."She is so nice and down-to-earth," Jenny said of Randi. "I am sure that is were Mahomes gets it from."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612822731107.jpeg" alt="Patrick Mahomes' mother, Randi Mahomes, and his younger sister, Mia, with Sophia Linenberger's stadium cutout in Miami this weekend. Randi had to cut off the bottom of Sophia's cutout in order to get it onto the plane and into the stadium." />
 <figcaption>Patrick Mahomes' mother, Randi Mahomes, and his younger sister, Mia, with Sophia Linenberger's stadium cutout in Miami this weekend. Randi had to cut off the bottom of Sophia's cutout in order to get it onto the plane and into the stadium.</figcaption>
 </figure>Sophia, 17, a junior at Thomas More Prep-Marian, was diagnosed in January 2019 with a rare cancer, Ewing's sarcoma. She spent much of 2019 going back and forth to Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City for treatment, including two surgeries to her spine.Sophia was told she was in remission for her cancer, but the cancer appeared again in August 2020. She recently completed a round of chemo in Kansas City.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612822949110.jpeg" alt="Sophia Linenberger, right, with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Sophia's sister, Holly, at a Mahomes charity gala in November 2019. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Sophia Linenberger, right, with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Sophia's sister, Holly, at a Mahomes charity gala in November 2019. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e2866dc7d7daa72b30eb7a1">Sophia was able to meet Patrick Mahomes in November 2019. </a>She was asked to represent Children's Mercy Hospital at Mahomes' charity gala, 15 and the Mahomies.Sophia accepted a $15,000 donation for Children's Mercy from Mahomes' foundation. She also received an autographed Mahomes helmet from the Children's Mercy CEO.Jenny said Sophia and the family were disappointed at the Chiefs' loss, but said they are sure they will come back stronger next year.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612823119656.png" alt="Randi Mahomes with Sophia's cutout before the second half of the Super Bowl." />
 <figcaption>Randi Mahomes with Sophia's cutout before the second half of the Super Bowl.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612823184827.jpeg" alt="Randi Mahomes with Sophia's cutout with the Chiefs' cheerleaders." />
 <figcaption>Randi Mahomes with Sophia's cutout with the Chiefs' cheerleaders.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612823246403.png" alt="Pictures of a note and gifts Randi Mahomes and her daughter, Mia, sent to Sophia." />
 <figcaption>Pictures of a note and gifts Randi Mahomes and her daughter, Mia, sent to Sophia.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612823295220.jpeg" alt="Pictures of a note and gifts Randi Mahomes and her daughter, Mia, sent to Sophia." />
 <figcaption>Pictures of a note and gifts Randi Mahomes and her daughter, Mia, sent to Sophia.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612824773389.jpeg" alt="Randi Mahomes and her daughter, Mia, with Sophia's full cutout, which was donated by Hays'&nbsp; Northwestern Printers. The cutout had to be cut down to fit on the plane to Miami and into the stadium" />
 <figcaption>Randi Mahomes and her daughter, Mia, with Sophia's full cutout, which was donated by Hays'&nbsp; Northwestern Printers. The cutout had to be cut down to fit on the plane to Miami and into the stadium</figcaption>
 </figure>

Local teen with cancer 'attends' Super Bowl with Mahomes

TOPEKA –&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTAyMDguMzQ4MjkzMjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmthbnNhc2ZpdG5lc3Mub3JnLz91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.wfcqOTU00c65MDfimKaeuk6QBd-BEf2ODs7I55S4PpE/s/1305913623/br/97212388369-l" target="_blank">Kansas Governor’s Council on Fitness</a>&nbsp;and Kansas Department of Health and Environment this week announced the appointment of four new board members, Callie Dyer, Travis Rickford of Rawlins County, Becky Tuttle and Judy Works for a three-year term starting in 2021.

“We welcome our newest members to the Council and are excited to have them join this dedicated team of leaders who are committed to improving health in Kansas,” said Miranda Steele, Council Chair. “The Council’s mission is to encourage increased physical activity, nutrition and tobacco use prevention, and we carry out this work through advisement and awareness activities in partnership with governments, businesses, schools and others to promote healthy lifestyles.”

Callie Dyer is the Executive Director of the Finney County Community Health Coalition, Inc. Dyer was recently elected to the Tobacco Free Kansas Coalition Board of Director’s. She serves as an Advisory Council member for the Social Emotional Learning Council and the Wellness Committee for USD 457. Dyer is active in WorkWell Kansas and works with local employers to get involved and practice WorkWell Kansas wellness plans.

Travis Rickford, Rawlins County, is the Executive Director of LiveWell Northwest Kansas where he creates, manages and leads initiatives to address issues related to health and early childhood development for 15 counties in Northwest Kansas. During the past 14 years, Rickford has worked with urban, rural and frontier counties, communities and neighborhoods to identify and implement initiatives that improve the quality of life. He was an active participant in the healthy communities movement in Kansas and has worked extensively with community stakeholders to build an infrastructure that supported opportunities to be physically active, have access to fresh produce and live in tobacco-free environments.

Becky Tuttle serves as the District II City of Wichita Council Member. She has more than 25 years of professional experience engaging community partners through grassroots local coalition efforts focusing on tobacco, physical activity, healthy eating, oral health, fetal infant mortality and worksite wellness. Most Tuttle’s experience has focused on policy and environmental changes to improve the health of communities. Tuttle has a passion for promoting physical activity and good nutrition for every generation to come.

Judy Works is a Clinical Nurse Specialist at KS HealthWorks, PA in Iola. Throughout her professional career she has always promoted healthy lifestyles with individual patients. Five years ago, she started the Monarch HealthWorks program that strives to implement change to promote a healthy workplace environment and improve workplace wellness. Works received the Governor’s Council on Fitness 2019 Organizational Kansas Health Champion Award for exceptional efforts to model, promote and encourage health and fitness in the workplace.

The 2021 Council members are: Chair, Miranda Steele, MPA, MHSA; Vice Chair, Christi Smith, MBA, of Family Preservation for Kansas City; Amy Penrod of Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services; Brandon Skidmore of Sunflower Foundation; Candice McField of Candice McField Fitness; Erik Sartorius, of League of Kansas Municipalities; Jeff A. Usher, of Kansas Health Foundation; Jennifer Bruning, of Kansas State Alliance of YMCAs; Jody Hoener of Bourbon County; Joyce Ellis, PhD, of Fort Hays State University; Kat Wurzer of GetFIT, Inc; Katie Schoenhoff, of United Methodist Health Ministry Fund; Secretary Lee Norman, MD, of Kansas Department of Health and Environment; Mark Thompson, PhD, of Kansas Department of Education; Mary Tritsch, of AARP Kansas; Matt Messina, of Kansas Department of Transportation; Wyatt Thompson, PLA, ASLA, CPSI, of Manhattan Parks and Recreation.

About the Kansas Governor’s Council on Fitness

The purpose of the Governor's Council on Fitness is to advise the Governor and others on ways to enhance the health of all Kansans through promotion of physical activity, good dietary choices, prevention of tobacco use and to promote the improvement of the health of Kansans through the following:

To learn more about Kansas Governor’s Council on fitness visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTAyMDguMzQ4MjkzMjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmthbnNhc2ZpdG5lc3Mub3JnLz91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.qV26xH9oltL1jw6_V6eEptjiG3wc5kQPxvC0UcX5-k8/s/1305913623/br/97212388369-l" target="_blank">www.kansasfitness.org/</a>&nbsp;and like Kansas Governor’s Council on Fitness on Facebook&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTAyMDguMzQ4MjkzMjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmZhY2Vib29rLmNvbS9HZXRBY3RpdmVLYW5zYXMvP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.lLGZUnbHEWPdCRTHWs9Iyruo9G_9QF7Zl-UgK2AxJgQ/s/1305913623/br/97212388369-l" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/GetActiveKansas/</a>.

KDHETOPEKA –&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTAyMDguMzQ4MjkzMjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmthbnNhc2ZpdG5lc3Mub3JnLz91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.wfcqOTU00c65MDfimKaeuk6QBd-BEf2ODs7I55S4PpE/s/1305913623/br/97212388369-l" target="_blank">Kansas Governor’s Council on Fitness</a>&nbsp;and Kansas Department of Health and Environment this week announced the appointment of four new board members, Callie Dyer, Travis Rickford of Rawlins County, Becky Tuttle and Judy Works for a three-year term starting in 2021.“We welcome our newest members to the Council and are excited to have them join this dedicated team of leaders who are committed to improving health in Kansas,” said Miranda Steele, Council Chair. “The Council’s mission is to encourage increased physical activity, nutrition and tobacco use prevention, and we carry out this work through advisement and awareness activities in partnership with governments, businesses, schools and others to promote healthy lifestyles.”Callie DyerCallie Dyer is the Executive Director of the Finney County Community Health Coalition, Inc. Dyer was recently elected to the Tobacco Free Kansas Coalition Board of Director’s. She serves as an Advisory Council member for the Social Emotional Learning Council and the Wellness Committee for USD 457. Dyer is active in WorkWell Kansas and works with local employers to get involved and practice WorkWell Kansas wellness plans.Travis RickfordTravis Rickford, Rawlins County, is the Executive Director of LiveWell Northwest Kansas where he creates, manages and leads initiatives to address issues related to health and early childhood development for 15 counties in Northwest Kansas. During the past 14 years, Rickford has worked with urban, rural and frontier counties, communities and neighborhoods to identify and implement initiatives that improve the quality of life. He was an active participant in the healthy communities movement in Kansas and has worked extensively with community stakeholders to build an infrastructure that supported opportunities to be physically active, have access to fresh produce and live in tobacco-free environments.Becky TuttleBecky Tuttle serves as the District II City of Wichita Council Member. She has more than 25 years of professional experience engaging community partners through grassroots local coalition efforts focusing on tobacco, physical activity, healthy eating, oral health, fetal infant mortality and worksite wellness. Most Tuttle’s experience has focused on policy and environmental changes to improve the health of communities. Tuttle has a passion for promoting physical activity and good nutrition for every generation to come.Judy WorksJudy Works is a Clinical Nurse Specialist at KS HealthWorks, PA in Iola. Throughout her professional career she has always promoted healthy lifestyles with individual patients. Five years ago, she started the Monarch HealthWorks program that strives to implement change to promote a healthy workplace environment and improve workplace wellness. Works received the Governor’s Council on Fitness 2019 Organizational Kansas Health Champion Award for exceptional efforts to model, promote and encourage health and fitness in the workplace.The 2021 Council members are: Chair, Miranda Steele, MPA, MHSA; Vice Chair, Christi Smith, MBA, of Family Preservation for Kansas City; Amy Penrod of Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services; Brandon Skidmore of Sunflower Foundation; Candice McField of Candice McField Fitness; Erik Sartorius, of League of Kansas Municipalities; Jeff A. Usher, of Kansas Health Foundation; Jennifer Bruning, of Kansas State Alliance of YMCAs; Jody Hoener of Bourbon County; Joyce Ellis, PhD, of Fort Hays State University; Kat Wurzer of GetFIT, Inc; Katie Schoenhoff, of United Methodist Health Ministry Fund; Secretary Lee Norman, MD, of Kansas Department of Health and Environment; Mark Thompson, PhD, of Kansas Department of Education; Mary Tritsch, of AARP Kansas; Matt Messina, of Kansas Department of Transportation; Wyatt Thompson, PLA, ASLA, CPSI, of Manhattan Parks and Recreation.About the Kansas Governor’s Council on FitnessThe purpose of the Governor's Council on Fitness is to advise the Governor and others on ways to enhance the health of all Kansans through promotion of physical activity, good dietary choices, prevention of tobacco use and to promote the improvement of the health of Kansans through the following:<ul>
 <li>Encourage the exchange of information about physical activity, healthy diets and tobacco use prevention and cessation.</li><li>Create private and public sector support for physical activity, good nutrition and tobacco use prevention.</li><li>Manage a statewide awards program to recognize communities and organizations demonstrating significant support for physical activity, good nutrition and tobacco use prevention.</li>
 </ul>To learn more about Kansas Governor’s Council on fitness visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTAyMDguMzQ4MjkzMjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmthbnNhc2ZpdG5lc3Mub3JnLz91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.qV26xH9oltL1jw6_V6eEptjiG3wc5kQPxvC0UcX5-k8/s/1305913623/br/97212388369-l" target="_blank">www.kansasfitness.org/</a>&nbsp;and like Kansas Governor’s Council on Fitness on Facebook&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTAyMDguMzQ4MjkzMjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmZhY2Vib29rLmNvbS9HZXRBY3RpdmVLYW5zYXMvP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.lLGZUnbHEWPdCRTHWs9Iyruo9G_9QF7Zl-UgK2AxJgQ/s/1305913623/br/97212388369-l" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/GetActiveKansas/</a>.

Rawlins Co. man appointed to Kan. fitness council

Operation Christmas Child announces that individuals in Northwest Kansas packed 7,130 shoeboxes during the November 2020 Collection Week.&nbsp;&nbsp;Build a Shoebox Online totals were 133 shoeboxes, for a grand total of 7,263, said Rachel Albin, Northwest Kansas area coordinator

Operation Christmas Child is a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief agency headquartered in Boone, N.C. Each year thousands of individuals across the country pack shoeboxes with small toys, school supplies and hygiene items.&nbsp;

These boxes are then collected and shipped to countries around the world where they are distributed to children in need.&nbsp;&nbsp;For many of these children, this is the first present they have ever received. Each shoebox also contains a pamphlet in the child’s own language telling the child about the love of Jesus Christ.

Albin reported that the Lower Midwest Region, which includes Kansas, collected 623,408 shoeboxes.&nbsp;The United States collected more than 7.8 million boxes.&nbsp;&nbsp;Worldwide, more than 9.1 million shoeboxes were packed.

The 2020 coronavirus pandemic presented challenges for volunteer teams across the country, Albin said, and resulted in no-contact curbside drop-off of shoeboxes at collection sites.

“Though last year was very different, and we had to be flexible and creative to continue our mission of sharing the Gospel through shoebox gifts, I am so very honored to serve alongside each of you,” Albin said in her report to Northwest Kansas volunteers. “I want to commend you for your vision and faithfulness to the Lord.&nbsp; We are still focused on the mission of sharing God's love with every child throughout the world.”

More information about Operation Christmas Child is available at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/">https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582750752139.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedThe numbers are in!Operation Christmas Child announces that individuals in Northwest Kansas packed 7,130 shoeboxes during the November 2020 Collection Week.&nbsp;&nbsp;Build a Shoebox Online totals were 133 shoeboxes, for a grand total of 7,263, said Rachel Albin, Northwest Kansas area coordinatorOperation Christmas Child is a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief agency headquartered in Boone, N.C. Each year thousands of individuals across the country pack shoeboxes with small toys, school supplies and hygiene items.&nbsp;These boxes are then collected and shipped to countries around the world where they are distributed to children in need.&nbsp;&nbsp;For many of these children, this is the first present they have ever received. Each shoebox also contains a pamphlet in the child’s own language telling the child about the love of Jesus Christ.Albin reported that the Lower Midwest Region, which includes Kansas, collected 623,408 shoeboxes.&nbsp;The United States collected more than 7.8 million boxes.&nbsp;&nbsp;Worldwide, more than 9.1 million shoeboxes were packed.The 2020 coronavirus pandemic presented challenges for volunteer teams across the country, Albin said, and resulted in no-contact curbside drop-off of shoeboxes at collection sites.“Though last year was very different, and we had to be flexible and creative to continue our mission of sharing the Gospel through shoebox gifts, I am so very honored to serve alongside each of you,” Albin said in her report to Northwest Kansas volunteers. “I want to commend you for your vision and faithfulness to the Lord.&nbsp; We are still focused on the mission of sharing God's love with every child throughout the world.”More information about Operation Christmas Child is available at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/">https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/</a>.

7,263 shoeboxes packed by NW Kansas volunteers

ELLIS - The Kansas Food Bank and Ellis Food Boxes Pantry have openings for the USDA program to help provide monthly food boxes to low income seniors.&nbsp; The Commodity Supplemental Food Program is available in Ellis County to persons age 60 and above who qualify by meeting income requirements.

Interested seniors must fill out an application and provide the following:&nbsp; proof of ID, proof of income (Social Security statement) and proof of address.&nbsp; Once approved, they will receive a monthly food box.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

To be eligible for commodities, your household's total monthly income must be below: * $1,383 Household of one * $1,868 Household of two * $2,353 Household of three * $2,839 Household of four * $3,324 Household of five * $3,809 Household of six * $4,295 Household of seven * $4,780 Household of eight *&nbsp;Add $486 for each additional family member after eight&nbsp;&nbsp;

Applications are available by calling Debi at the Kansas Food Bank 316-265-3663.

Food packages include a variety of foods, such as nonfat dry and ultra-high temperature fluid milk, juice, farina, oats, ready-to-eat cereal, rice, pasta, peanut butter, dry beans, canned meat, poultry or fish, and canned fruits and vegetables.

About the Kansas Food Bank The Kansas Food Bank collects and distributes donated and low-cost nutritious food to more than 500 hunger relief partners in its 85-county service area. In 2020 more than 14 million meals were provided, helping to feed nearly 215,300 different Kansans. Hunger-relief partners include food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, schools in the Food4Kids backpack program, and Bob Box senior box programs. In addition, the Food Bank takes a leadership role in identifying and addressing hunger needs affecting Kansans.

For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kansasfoodbank.org/" target="_blank">www.kansasfoodbank.org</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592580255349.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedELLIS - The Kansas Food Bank and Ellis Food Boxes Pantry have openings for the USDA program to help provide monthly food boxes to low income seniors.&nbsp; The Commodity Supplemental Food Program is available in Ellis County to persons age 60 and above who qualify by meeting income requirements.Interested seniors must fill out an application and provide the following:&nbsp; proof of ID, proof of income (Social Security statement) and proof of address.&nbsp; Once approved, they will receive a monthly food box.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Income guidelines are as follows.To be eligible for commodities, your household's total monthly income must be below: * $1,383 Household of one * $1,868 Household of two * $2,353 Household of three * $2,839 Household of four * $3,324 Household of five * $3,809 Household of six * $4,295 Household of seven * $4,780 Household of eight *&nbsp;Add $486 for each additional family member after eight&nbsp;&nbsp; Applications are available by calling Debi at the Kansas Food Bank 316-265-3663.Food packages include a variety of foods, such as nonfat dry and ultra-high temperature fluid milk, juice, farina, oats, ready-to-eat cereal, rice, pasta, peanut butter, dry beans, canned meat, poultry or fish, and canned fruits and vegetables.About the Kansas Food Bank The Kansas Food Bank collects and distributes donated and low-cost nutritious food to more than 500 hunger relief partners in its 85-county service area. In 2020 more than 14 million meals were provided, helping to feed nearly 215,300 different Kansans. Hunger-relief partners include food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, schools in the Food4Kids backpack program, and Bob Box senior box programs. In addition, the Food Bank takes a leadership role in identifying and addressing hunger needs affecting Kansans. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kansasfoodbank.org/" target="_blank">www.kansasfoodbank.org</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Ellis Food Boxes Pantry has openings for USDA Supplemental Food Program

The situation with Kansas Department of Labor continues to take much of the focus of our time here. 

I have had many conversations, received numerous emails, texts and phone calls from those who have fallen victim to fraud or have been unable to file for unemployment benefits. I have been working with the Department of Labor but it is getting beyond frustrating we must get these issues resolved. 

Once again Kansas made national headlines this past week over failures by the Kelly administration to adequately protect the state’s unemployment system from fraud. 

The latest weekly data from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) indicates Kansas had the second highest number of unemployment claims in the nation, despite the fact that Kansas accounts for less than 1% of the nation’s population. For months, the USDOL has warned the Kelly administration about the need to take protective measures in order to prevent widespread fraud. The Legislature and Kansas employers have also been sounding the alarm since last year, urging the Governor’s office to get the state’s unemployment system in check.

It wasn’t until January 28, months after the fact, that Governor Kelly opted to respond. 

Under mounting pressure from the Legislature, the media and the public, the Kelly administration temporarily shut down the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) in effort to boost security measures. After that shutdown, Governor Kelly reported that the new security measures had blocked more than 600,000 fraudulent attempts in just a day and a half - further indication of the fraud that had been allowed to infiltrate the system all this time.

While other states have seen a steady decline in unemployment claims, Kansas claims have continued to spike. This stark contrast to national trends indicates just how serious the fraud problem is for Kansas.

Unfortunately, the Governor’s security upgrade is too little, too late. Due to the ongoing inaction at KDOL, the Kelly administration has paid out an estimated $300 to $400 million in fraudulent unemployment benefits while Kansans who are legitimately out of work have been forced to wait.

The Legislature took action this pastweek to protect Kansans from the long-term impact of this fraud.

First, the House Appropriations Committee held a hearing on HB 2195. This legislation would hold employers harmless, meaning they would not be on the hook to reimburse the state for fraudulent unemployment benefits paid out without their consent.&nbsp;Additionally, the bill encourages the use of federal pandemic-related funds to replenish the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. 

Our businesses, schools and non-profit organizations should not be forced to pay the price for the Kelly administration’s mistakes. 

I serve on this committee and shared my concerns that those affected are not simply numbers, data and spreadsheets but real men and women, citizens of Kansas just like you and me.

Second, the House Commerce Committee was briefed on HB 2196, which would require KDOL to upgrade its IT system and hold the agency accountable for long-term improvements.

Have you received an incorrect 1099 from KDOL? 

Unfortunately, employers aren’t the only ones impacted by this unemployment fraud. If you are a victim of identity theft, you are not liable to pay taxes on income you did not receive from fraudulent unemployment claims. If you received a Form 1099-G for unemployment benefits you never received, you may dispute the 1099 by calling the KDOL Tax Call Center at 785-575-1461 or 1-888-499-0063. They are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Or there are forms on the Kansas Department of Labor website.

Once again this year, the Governor wants to reamortize KPERS. The KPERS Board met Jan. 29 to review the Governor’s funding proposals for KPERS. This year marks the third year the Governor has attempted to reamortize KPERS in order to pull additional funds in the budget. The proposal was voted down by the Legislature in both 2019 and 2020.

Following their meeting, the Board submitted a letter to Governor Kelly indicating: “These changes to the funding plan impede funding progress leaving KPERS in a more vulnerable funding position for years and costing the State an estimated $4.6 billion in additional employer contributions over time.”

A bill has not yet been introduced to adopt the Governor’s KPERS reamortization plan, which is a cornerstone of her budget.

Because of COVID, we are not encouraging visitors to come to Topeka but if you would like to contact me : my office is still located in Room: 149-S. My phone number is (785) 296- 7463 and email is: ken.rahjes@house.ks.gov and you can always try my cell number at (785) 302-8416. When you call or write you might hear from Terry Bernatis, my assistant during the session.

It is my honor to be your representative.

Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, is the Kansas state representative of the 110th Dist. House District 110 includes:&nbsp; Norton and Phillips Counties Ellis County: Cities: Catharine, Ellis and Schoenchen;&nbsp;Townships: Big Creek(part), Buckeye, Catherine, Ellis, Herzog(part),&nbsp;Lookout(part) and Wheatland(part) Graham County: City: Hill City;&nbsp;Townships: Hill City(part) and Nicodemus(part) Rooks County: Cities: Damar, Palco, Plainville,&nbsp;Stockton, Woodston and Zurich

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581437228209.jpeg" alt="Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, 110th Dist." />
 <figcaption>Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, 110th Dist.</figcaption>
 </figure>Hello from Topeka! The situation with Kansas Department of Labor continues to take much of the focus of our time here. I have had many conversations, received numerous emails, texts and phone calls from those who have fallen victim to fraud or have been unable to file for unemployment benefits. I have been working with the Department of Labor but it is getting beyond frustrating we must get these issues resolved. Once again Kansas made national headlines this past week over failures by the Kelly administration to adequately protect the state’s unemployment system from fraud. The latest weekly data from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) indicates Kansas had the second highest number of unemployment claims in the nation, despite the fact that Kansas accounts for less than 1% of the nation’s population. For months, the USDOL has warned the Kelly administration about the need to take protective measures in order to prevent widespread fraud. The Legislature and Kansas employers have also been sounding the alarm since last year, urging the Governor’s office to get the state’s unemployment system in check.It wasn’t until January 28, months after the fact, that Governor Kelly opted to respond. Under mounting pressure from the Legislature, the media and the public, the Kelly administration temporarily shut down the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) in effort to boost security measures. After that shutdown, Governor Kelly reported that the new security measures had blocked more than 600,000 fraudulent attempts in just a day and a half - further indication of the fraud that had been allowed to infiltrate the system all this time.While other states have seen a steady decline in unemployment claims, Kansas claims have continued to spike. This stark contrast to national trends indicates just how serious the fraud problem is for Kansas.Unfortunately, the Governor’s security upgrade is too little, too late. Due to the ongoing inaction at KDOL, the Kelly administration has paid out an estimated $300 to $400 million in fraudulent unemployment benefits while Kansans who are legitimately out of work have been forced to wait.The Legislature took action this pastweek to protect Kansans from the long-term impact of this fraud.First, the House Appropriations Committee held a hearing on HB 2195. This legislation would hold employers harmless, meaning they would not be on the hook to reimburse the state for fraudulent unemployment benefits paid out without their consent.&nbsp;Additionally, the bill encourages the use of federal pandemic-related funds to replenish the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. Our businesses, schools and non-profit organizations should not be forced to pay the price for the Kelly administration’s mistakes. I serve on this committee and shared my concerns that those affected are not simply numbers, data and spreadsheets but real men and women, citizens of Kansas just like you and me.Second, the House Commerce Committee was briefed on HB 2196, which would require KDOL to upgrade its IT system and hold the agency accountable for long-term improvements.Have you received an incorrect 1099 from KDOL? Unfortunately, employers aren’t the only ones impacted by this unemployment fraud. If you are a victim of identity theft, you are not liable to pay taxes on income you did not receive from fraudulent unemployment claims. If you received a Form 1099-G for unemployment benefits you never received, you may dispute the 1099 by calling the KDOL Tax Call Center at 785-575-1461 or 1-888-499-0063. They are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Or there are forms on the Kansas Department of Labor website.Once again this year, the Governor wants to reamortize KPERS. The KPERS Board met Jan. 29 to review the Governor’s funding proposals for KPERS. This year marks the third year the Governor has attempted to reamortize KPERS in order to pull additional funds in the budget. The proposal was voted down by the Legislature in both 2019 and 2020.Following their meeting, the Board submitted a letter to Governor Kelly indicating: “These changes to the funding plan impede funding progress leaving KPERS in a more vulnerable funding position for years and costing the State an estimated $4.6 billion in additional employer contributions over time.”A bill has not yet been introduced to adopt the Governor’s KPERS reamortization plan, which is a cornerstone of her budget.Because of COVID, we are not encouraging visitors to come to Topeka but if you would like to contact me : my office is still located in Room: 149-S. My phone number is (785) 296- 7463 and email is: ken.rahjes@house.ks.gov and you can always try my cell number at (785) 302-8416. When you call or write you might hear from Terry Bernatis, my assistant during the session.It is my honor to be your representative.Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, is the Kansas state representative of the 110th Dist. House District 110 includes:&nbsp; Norton and Phillips Counties Ellis County: Cities: Catharine, Ellis and Schoenchen;&nbsp;Townships: Big Creek(part), Buckeye, Catherine, Ellis, Herzog(part),&nbsp;Lookout(part) and Wheatland(part) Graham County: City: Hill City;&nbsp;Townships: Hill City(part) and Nicodemus(part) Rooks County: Cities: Damar, Palco, Plainville,&nbsp;Stockton, Woodston and Zurich

Rahjes Report: Feb. 9

Three-day weather outlook

The Thursday, Feb. 11, Hays City Commission meeting has been canceled.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584721067731.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>City of HaysThe Thursday, Feb. 11, Hays City Commission meeting has been canceled.

No Hays City Commission meeting Thursday

ECHD is pleased to announce that emergency testing in response to the variant case has concluded
through KDHE. On Friday, 196 samples were collected with only one positive case found. 
This positive case is unrelated to the variant case and is not believed to have an increased risk of being a
variant case. This new positive case is mildly symptomatic, and all close contacts have been notified. All
close contacts of the variant case are negative for COVID-19. ECHD has closed investigation into the
variant case. Per KDHE request, one additional sample has been sent to KDHE for variant testing.

Ellis County residents who want to receive the COVID-19 vaccine must complete the online request form
located at www.ellisco.net. <a href="https://form.jotform.com/210066258239051">Click on the Vaccine Registration Form on the main page.&nbsp;</a>

If you do not have access to internet, please call 785-621-1812 to have the form filled out for you.


Continue to follow best practices to protect yourself and loved ones:


Do NOT gather in groups. 
Do social distance. 
Do wash your hands frequently. 
Do wear a mask if you cannot socially distance. 
Do isolate immediately if you feel ill. 
Do call your doctor for questions regarding your symptoms and testing.
Do continue to protect yourself, loved ones and the community.

Vaccine Registration:&nbsp; www.ellisco.net

Headline corrected, 7 a.m. Tuesday, to clarify the case discovered was not determined to be the COVID-19 variant. The case has been sent to KDHE for further testing, with results expected by the end of the week. Hays Post apologizes for the error.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593005366466.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Ellis County Health DepartmentECHD is pleased to announce that emergency testing in response to the variant case has concluded
through KDHE. On Friday, 196 samples were collected with only one positive case found. 
This positive case is unrelated to the variant case and is not believed to have an increased risk of being a
variant case. This new positive case is mildly symptomatic, and all close contacts have been notified. All
close contacts of the variant case are negative for COVID-19. ECHD has closed investigation into the
variant case. Per KDHE request, one additional sample has been sent to KDHE for variant testing.
Ellis County residents who want to receive the COVID-19 vaccine must complete the online request form
located at www.ellisco.net. <a href="https://form.jotform.com/210066258239051">Click on the Vaccine Registration Form on the main page.&nbsp;</a>If you do not have access to internet, please call 785-621-1812 to have the form filled out for you.
Continue to follow best practices to protect yourself and loved ones:
Do NOT gather in groups. 
Do social distance. 
Do wash your hands frequently. 
Do wear a mask if you cannot socially distance. 
Do isolate immediately if you feel ill. 
Do call your doctor for questions regarding your symptoms and testing.
Do continue to protect yourself, loved ones and the community.
Vaccine Registration:&nbsp; www.ellisco.netHeadline corrected, 7 a.m. Tuesday, to clarify the case discovered was not determined to be the COVID-19 variant. The case has been sent to KDHE for further testing, with results expected by the end of the week. Hays Post apologizes for the error.

196 tests, just one additional unrelated positive ID'd after emergency testing

The TMP basketball teams host the Oakley Plainsmen in an MCL showdown Monday.

&nbsp;Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. with the Hertz
Rental Car Pregame Show at 5:40 on KHAZ.

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

The TMP basketball teams host the Oakley Plainsmen in an MCL showdown Monday.&nbsp;Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. with the Hertz
Rental Car Pregame Show at 5:40 on KHAZ.Girls game<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mT3TF4L9olw"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Boys game<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5oQrIxLMMvg"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp; You can also listen to the games&nbsp; on&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KHAZ">99.5 KHAZ</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

 🏀WATCH: TMP-Marian vs Oakley

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

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment also announced three additional coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the total to 67.

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

There were 16 new cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County since Friday. There are currently 89 active cases, including five active hospitalizations of Ellis County residents, and 3,463 recovered cases.

As of Monday, there were 21 COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, up from 17 on Friday, with 10 of those active patients and 11 in the recovery phase.

The seven-day average of percent of positive tests rose from 7.5 percent on Friday to 9.4 percent on Monday.

Since reporting began, there have been 3,552 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 67 coronavirus-related deaths.

Of the total 21,744 tests administered, 15.2 percent have returned positive for COVID-19.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612809792975.png" alt="KDHE" />
 <figcaption>KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>The Ellis County Health Department on Monday reported the average number of new coronavirus cases per day in the last seven days rose slightly from seven on Friday to eight on Monday.The Kansas Department of Health and Environment also announced three additional coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the total to 67.<a href="https://form.jotform.com/210066258239051">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;for information on how to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.There were 16 new cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County since Friday. There are currently 89 active cases, including five active hospitalizations of Ellis County residents, and 3,463 recovered cases.As of Monday, there were 21 COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, up from 17 on Friday, with 10 of those active patients and 11 in the recovery phase.The seven-day average of percent of positive tests rose from 7.5 percent on Friday to 9.4 percent on Monday.Since reporting began, there have been 3,552 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 67 coronavirus-related deaths.Of the total 21,744 tests administered, 15.2 percent have returned positive for COVID-19.NOTE:&nbsp;"New cases" reflects cases reported by the Ellis County Health Department between regular reporting periods of Monday, Wednesday and Friday. "Total cases" reflects all cases reported by the department. Because of delayed test results, total cases might include cases prior to the previous reporting period, so KDHE figures might not necessarily correspond.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612823520381.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Per-day virus rate rises in Ellis Co.; three additional deaths reported

Monday afternoon the Hays Police Department was asking for the public's assistance in locating a missing Hays teen.

An announcement by the department on facebook said Anthony Ray Martinez was last seen on Saturday, February 6 at approximately 10:30 p.m. 

Martinez was described as 16 years old, 5’10,” 130lbs with black hair and brown eyes. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hays Police Department immediately at 785-625-1011.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612818873756.jpeg" alt="Anthony Ray Martinez" />
 <figcaption>Anthony Ray Martinez</figcaption>
 </figure>Monday afternoon the Hays Police Department was asking for the public's assistance in locating a missing Hays teen.An announcement by the department on facebook said Anthony Ray Martinez was last seen on Saturday, February 6 at approximately 10:30 p.m. Martinez was described as 16 years old, 5’10,” 130lbs with black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hays Police Department immediately at 785-625-1011.<div><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/HaysPD/posts/4239627856064671" data-width="500" data-show-text="true"><blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/HaysPD/posts/4239627856064671" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">The Hays Police Department is requesting assistance in locating runaway juvenile Anthony Ray Martinez. Anthony was last...Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HaysPD/">Hays Police Department</a> on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HaysPD/posts/4239627856064671">Monday, February 8, 2021</a></blockquote></div></div>

HPD searching for missing teen

<a href="https://hutchpost.com">Hutch Post</a>

HUTCHINSON — The parent company of Dillons Stores is
providing an incentive for its employees to get a COVID-19 vaccine.&nbsp; Kroger says it will provide a one-time
payment of $100 to all associates who receive the
full&nbsp;manufacturer-recommended doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

In addition to the new vaccine payment, the company also
announced an additional $50 million investment to thank and reward associates
across its 35-state footprint, including a $100 store credit and 1,000 fuel
points for hourly frontline grocery, supply chain, manufacturing, pharmacy and
call center associates.&nbsp;Both rewards will be loaded to associates' loyalty
cards on Thursday, Feb. 11.

The one-time $100 vaccine payment will be offered to all
associates who receive the full&nbsp;manufacturer-recommended doses of the
COVID-19 vaccine and present appropriate proof of vaccination to their human
resources representative. Associates who cannot receive the vaccine due to
medical or religious reasons will have the option of completing an educational
health and safety course to receive the payment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584040619502.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hutchpost.com">Hutch Post</a>HUTCHINSON — The parent company of Dillons Stores is
providing an incentive for its employees to get a COVID-19 vaccine.&nbsp; Kroger says it will provide a one-time
payment of $100 to all associates who receive the
full&nbsp;manufacturer-recommended doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.In addition to the new vaccine payment, the company also
announced an additional $50 million investment to thank and reward associates
across its 35-state footprint, including a $100 store credit and 1,000 fuel
points for hourly frontline grocery, supply chain, manufacturing, pharmacy and
call center associates.&nbsp;Both rewards will be loaded to associates' loyalty
cards on Thursday, Feb. 11.The one-time $100 vaccine payment will be offered to all
associates who receive the full&nbsp;manufacturer-recommended doses of the
COVID-19 vaccine and present appropriate proof of vaccination to their human
resources representative. Associates who cannot receive the vaccine due to
medical or religious reasons will have the option of completing an educational
health and safety course to receive the payment.

Dillons employees offered incentive to get vaccine

Months after
a contentious election that brought statewide attention during an already
noteworthy election cycle, Robert Anderson is working harder than ever before
in his new role as Ellis County Attorney — but enjoying every minute.

Now with some
time under his belt in the office after stepping into the role on Jan. 11, he hopes to create a more efficient office that can file as many
cases as would benefit the community.

“This office
receives something like 1,500 police reports a year,” Anderson said. “With the
current budget, attorneys, and staff that we have … operating the way they did,
they were able to get through I believe something close to maybe 1,000 of those
reports. So, whatever the numbers are exactly, we can’t get to all of them, or
at least we couldn’t in the past.”

With that
knowledge, he said choosing which cases take priority is significant.

“While I
don’t like the idea of having unfiled cases, I would like to work more
efficiently and file as many cases as we can, with my main focus of more of a
quality-based solution, then a quantitative-based one,” Anderson said. 

Further, he
explained he wants to focus on ensuring staff attorneys are using good
judgement to prosecute cases that will have the most impact on the public good.

“During the
evaluation of the case, they (should) think to themselves, ‘Is what I am doing
truly making Ellis County safer?’ If the answer to that question is no, then
they must stop doing what they are doing,” Anderson said. “We have too many big
important cases that we have got to get to and those are the ones we have to
focus on.”

He acknowledges
on paper, filing fewer cases may be noticeable, but is for the greater good.

“If that
means our numbers go down, then that is fine,” he said. “We have got to do the
best job we possibly can at identifying the individuals in our community who
are inherently immoral and dangerous and evil, and those are the people that
need to be a priority to be prosecuted and to be potentially imprisoned.”

For other cases
involving mental health concerns, drug abuse or other situations that cause
hardships that lead to crime, he said he wants to find solutions that are cost
effective and just for all parties.

Helping to solidify
his ideas for the office, are his months working with outgoing County Attorney Tom
Drees.

Anderson
credits him with giving him time in the office allowing him to get hands-on
experience, something that is not always afforded an incoming county attorney.

“In this particularly
instance, I think Tom Drees went above and beyond,” he said. “He had room in
the budget to bring me on and make me one of his staff members. He, for the
most part, allowed me to come in and almost take control in a lot of ways.”

That time
allowed Anderson to hit the ground running after being sworn in.

“It did provide
me a great opportunity to get acclimated and to get some experience under my
belt before taking this position and I am very grateful for that,” he said.

Anderson
also said, now that he is in the office, he plans to keep to a campaign promise
and retain the current staff.

“I said this
throughout the campaign, and it is true today as well, that I have no intention
of cutting any of my staff, firing any of my staff, or brining on any
additional staff,” Anderson said. “I think I have a really great staff. I
really do. I am excited about what I believe we will accomplish in the upcoming
years.”

Working as a
prosecutor is something new for Anderson, having spent his career defending suspects,
often as a public defender, but while the two jobs may seem to have conflicting
goals, he said at the core of both is being of service to others.

“One thing
that I loved about defense work was being able to help people,” he said. “You
come into contact with individuals from our community who are often times at
their lowest point, and as a defense attorney you have to have a great ability
to help lift them out of those difficult times. But what I have also discovered
is that I have an equal to, or perhaps even greater, ability to do the same
thing on this side.”

Anderson —
a lifelong Kansan, outside a few years in college — grew up in Ellinwood and, after graduating from Washburn University School of Law, joined his father, Robert
Anderson Sr., brother, Donald E. Anderson II and friend Matt Bristow, in their
firm, traveling across the region for cases.

“It was very
volume-based work that I was doing all over the place,” Anderson said.

Ultimately, he
would focus on court-appointed criminal defense work, including child in need
of care, care and treatment and juvenile offender cases through a contract with
Ellis County.

“That’s kind
of what got me to Ellis County to practice law,” Anderson said. “Almost on a
daily basis.”

Court
appointed lawyers are contracted with privately practicing attorneys to be in
the rotation as needed but are often compensated significantly less than a private
practice lawyer, he said.

In his new
role, however, this experience is invaluable. 

“Pretty much
from the beginning of my career and over the next several years, I was dealing
with every type of case that this office files,” Anderson said.

By mid-2016, Anderson had made the move to Hays full time and was in his own practice,
focusing more on local cases.

And as 2020 neared, he was approached to run for the office of County Attorney.

He would
garner 64.87 percent of the vote in the Republican primary and had no general
election challenger.

Almost as a
testament to the professionalism in the legal community in the area, despite
arguing cases against Drees for years, he was brought into the County Attorney
offices before his term was to begin.

“I think
because we are such small communities, relatively speaking, and because the bar
association is so small in numbers, relatively speaking, it’s imperative that
everyone develop good working professional relationships,” Anderson said.

After
winning the election, Drees brought Anderson
into the office, giving him time as the special prosecutor. From then
until Jan. 11 when he was sworn in, he was becoming familiar with the workings
of the office.

“Basically,
doing all of the things that this job entails,” Anderson said. He also used
that time to begin forming ideas for the office under his leadership.

That is not
to say he did not have some familiarity with the staff beforehand.

“That’s one
of the reasons it made sense for me to run for county attorney,” Anderson said.
“I already knew the personalities in this office as I had been coming in here
almost on a daily basis for five years, in one capacity or another.”

Now with his time in the office, he is ready to implement
some of those ideas that would refocus the office’s priorities.

But with that
shift, he knows there will be some cases that do not get filed this year and he
wants to see how close the office can come to closing the gap between cases
sent and cases filed, before seeking more additional county funds to hire more
staff, outside of a new legal assistant he hopes to bring on soon to help the recent increase in output from the office.

“There is
going to be some cases that we let go. It’s fine that we don’t get to all
cases because all cases don’t necessarily need to be filed,” Anderson said.
“It’s finding a good balance.”

The number
of unfiled cases are also not always due to the need for more staff, he said,
but said if at some point in the future it is found to be justified and needed
he would accept additional funds from the Ellis County Commission to increase
the number of cases filed by his office.

“At the
current time, it would seem that if the answer is, we need to get to all of the
reports that come into this office and all cases need to be filed,” Anderson
said. “Then, yes, we are outmanned, we are outgunned, we are understaffed and
under budgeted. But I don’t think it is necessary at this time. I think that we
can evaluate over the next year how things go and then I think we can have that
discussion with the commissioners about the numbers and about what we can
accomplish.”

&nbsp;Through new policy approaches, he hopes
to create efficiencies that end up resulting in a higher filed rate, and with
new options for office attorney’s like new versions of diversion policies he
plans to put more tools in the office attorneys’ toolbox.

“I am
essentially expanding their position to do their job,” Anderson said. “And with
that, I think some cases will get resolved quicker. Then more attention can be
paid to other cases that are not getting resolved and when more attention is paid,
I think those cases will resolve themselves quicker.

“The
policies are certainly aimed at efficiency for this office,” he said.

After a year
of operating with this new focus, Anderson said he hopes to evaluate the year
compared to previous years, but he said even if the number of unfiled cases
grows, he will not ask the Ellis County Commission for more funds, rather hopes
to share the ways increased staffing could equate to more cases filed.

“I will
present to them this information and basically explain that to some degree the
dollars that they give us equates to the number of cases we can prosecute,” he
said.

While working to make the office his own and awaiting the
outcome of these early policy decisions, Anderson said he is enjoying his time
as county attorney.

“I have had
pretty limited time in this office, but the time that I have had, I have
absolutely loved,” Anderson said. “If the next four years go as well as the
last three months have, I may never leave unless the voters tell me to.

“Who knows
what the future holds, but right now I am happy right where I am.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612593549742.jpeg" alt="Anderson" />
 <figcaption>Anderson</figcaption>
 </figure>By
JAMES BELL Hays
PostMonths after
a contentious election that brought statewide attention during an already
noteworthy election cycle, Robert Anderson is working harder than ever before
in his new role as Ellis County Attorney — but enjoying every minute.Now with some
time under his belt in the office after stepping into the role on Jan. 11, he hopes to create a more efficient office that can file as many
cases as would benefit the community.“This office
receives something like 1,500 police reports a year,” Anderson said. “With the
current budget, attorneys, and staff that we have … operating the way they did,
they were able to get through I believe something close to maybe 1,000 of those
reports. So, whatever the numbers are exactly, we can’t get to all of them, or
at least we couldn’t in the past.”With that
knowledge, he said choosing which cases take priority is significant.“While I
don’t like the idea of having unfiled cases, I would like to work more
efficiently and file as many cases as we can, with my main focus of more of a
quality-based solution, then a quantitative-based one,” Anderson said. Further, he
explained he wants to focus on ensuring staff attorneys are using good
judgement to prosecute cases that will have the most impact on the public good.“During the
evaluation of the case, they (should) think to themselves, ‘Is what I am doing
truly making Ellis County safer?’ If the answer to that question is no, then
they must stop doing what they are doing,” Anderson said. “We have too many big
important cases that we have got to get to and those are the ones we have to
focus on.”He acknowledges
on paper, filing fewer cases may be noticeable, but is for the greater good.“If that
means our numbers go down, then that is fine,” he said. “We have got to do the
best job we possibly can at identifying the individuals in our community who
are inherently immoral and dangerous and evil, and those are the people that
need to be a priority to be prosecuted and to be potentially imprisoned.”For other cases
involving mental health concerns, drug abuse or other situations that cause
hardships that lead to crime, he said he wants to find solutions that are cost
effective and just for all parties.Helping to solidify
his ideas for the office, are his months working with outgoing County Attorney Tom
Drees.Anderson
credits him with giving him time in the office allowing him to get hands-on
experience, something that is not always afforded an incoming county attorney.“In this particularly
instance, I think Tom Drees went above and beyond,” he said. “He had room in
the budget to bring me on and make me one of his staff members. He, for the
most part, allowed me to come in and almost take control in a lot of ways.”That time
allowed Anderson to hit the ground running after being sworn in.“It did provide
me a great opportunity to get acclimated and to get some experience under my
belt before taking this position and I am very grateful for that,” he said.Anderson
also said, now that he is in the office, he plans to keep to a campaign promise
and retain the current staff.“I said this
throughout the campaign, and it is true today as well, that I have no intention
of cutting any of my staff, firing any of my staff, or brining on any
additional staff,” Anderson said. “I think I have a really great staff. I
really do. I am excited about what I believe we will accomplish in the upcoming
years.”<h2>A
history of service</h2>Working as a
prosecutor is something new for Anderson, having spent his career defending suspects,
often as a public defender, but while the two jobs may seem to have conflicting
goals, he said at the core of both is being of service to others.“One thing
that I loved about defense work was being able to help people,” he said. “You
come into contact with individuals from our community who are often times at
their lowest point, and as a defense attorney you have to have a great ability
to help lift them out of those difficult times. But what I have also discovered
is that I have an equal to, or perhaps even greater, ability to do the same
thing on this side.”Anderson —
a lifelong Kansan, outside a few years in college — grew up in Ellinwood and, after graduating from Washburn University School of Law, joined his father, Robert
Anderson Sr., brother, Donald E. Anderson II and friend Matt Bristow, in their
firm, traveling across the region for cases.“It was very
volume-based work that I was doing all over the place,” Anderson said.Ultimately, he
would focus on court-appointed criminal defense work, including child in need
of care, care and treatment and juvenile offender cases through a contract with
Ellis County.“That’s kind
of what got me to Ellis County to practice law,” Anderson said. “Almost on a
daily basis.”Court
appointed lawyers are contracted with privately practicing attorneys to be in
the rotation as needed but are often compensated significantly less than a private
practice lawyer, he said.In his new
role, however, this experience is invaluable. “Pretty much
from the beginning of my career and over the next several years, I was dealing
with every type of case that this office files,” Anderson said.By mid-2016, Anderson had made the move to Hays full time and was in his own practice,
focusing more on local cases.And as 2020 neared, he was approached to run for the office of County Attorney.He would
garner 64.87 percent of the vote in the Republican primary and had no general
election challenger.<h2>The
transition</h2>Almost as a
testament to the professionalism in the legal community in the area, despite
arguing cases against Drees for years, he was brought into the County Attorney
offices before his term was to begin.“I think
because we are such small communities, relatively speaking, and because the bar
association is so small in numbers, relatively speaking, it’s imperative that
everyone develop good working professional relationships,” Anderson said.After
winning the election, Drees brought Anderson
into the office, giving him time as the special prosecutor. From then
until Jan. 11 when he was sworn in, he was becoming familiar with the workings
of the office.“Basically,
doing all of the things that this job entails,” Anderson said. He also used
that time to begin forming ideas for the office under his leadership.That is not
to say he did not have some familiarity with the staff beforehand.“That’s one
of the reasons it made sense for me to run for county attorney,” Anderson said.
“I already knew the personalities in this office as I had been coming in here
almost on a daily basis for five years, in one capacity or another.”Now with his time in the office, he is ready to implement
some of those ideas that would refocus the office’s priorities.But with that
shift, he knows there will be some cases that do not get filed this year and he
wants to see how close the office can come to closing the gap between cases
sent and cases filed, before seeking more additional county funds to hire more
staff, outside of a new legal assistant he hopes to bring on soon to help the recent increase in output from the office.“There is
going to be some cases that we let go. It’s fine that we don’t get to all
cases because all cases don’t necessarily need to be filed,” Anderson said.
“It’s finding a good balance.”The number
of unfiled cases are also not always due to the need for more staff, he said,
but said if at some point in the future it is found to be justified and needed
he would accept additional funds from the Ellis County Commission to increase
the number of cases filed by his office.But he will
not ask them for it.“At the
current time, it would seem that if the answer is, we need to get to all of the
reports that come into this office and all cases need to be filed,” Anderson
said. “Then, yes, we are outmanned, we are outgunned, we are understaffed and
under budgeted. But I don’t think it is necessary at this time. I think that we
can evaluate over the next year how things go and then I think we can have that
discussion with the commissioners about the numbers and about what we can
accomplish.”&nbsp;Through new policy approaches, he hopes
to create efficiencies that end up resulting in a higher filed rate, and with
new options for office attorney’s like new versions of diversion policies he
plans to put more tools in the office attorneys’ toolbox.“I am
essentially expanding their position to do their job,” Anderson said. “And with
that, I think some cases will get resolved quicker. Then more attention can be
paid to other cases that are not getting resolved and when more attention is paid,
I think those cases will resolve themselves quicker.“The
policies are certainly aimed at efficiency for this office,” he said.After a year
of operating with this new focus, Anderson said he hopes to evaluate the year
compared to previous years, but he said even if the number of unfiled cases
grows, he will not ask the Ellis County Commission for more funds, rather hopes
to share the ways increased staffing could equate to more cases filed.“I will
present to them this information and basically explain that to some degree the
dollars that they give us equates to the number of cases we can prosecute,” he
said.While working to make the office his own and awaiting the
outcome of these early policy decisions, Anderson said he is enjoying his time
as county attorney.“I have had
pretty limited time in this office, but the time that I have had, I have
absolutely loved,” Anderson said. “If the next four years go as well as the
last three months have, I may never leave unless the voters tell me to.“Who knows
what the future holds, but right now I am happy right where I am.”

New Ellis County Attorney looking for efficiencies while settling into new role

<a href="https://www.mydsnwk.org/">Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas</a> has rented a space in downtown Hays, which they hope to use to showcase the talents of the people who they serve.

Jerry Michaud, DSNWK president, said the exact plan for the space is still being developed by a DSNWK team, but he hopes the building can be a hub where people who have disabilities can connect with the community.

"It has been our desire to have a presence on Main Street, and this has come together in a movement in that direction," he said.&nbsp;

DSNWK is renting 1107 Main, which is next door to Couture for Men. The space is undergoing remodeling, and DSNWK does not intend to occupy the space until October.

The community will need to "stay tuned" to learn the details of the programming that will be offered at the new location. Several options are being considered.

"We envision that this space will be a learning space. We envision that this space will be a front door or a window into the sharing of talent," Michaud said. "You may have seen the stuff with Custom Creations, but there is a number of&nbsp; individuals who we support who have wonderful talents."

DSNWK has individuals who upcycle furniture and sell it through a small business called <a href="https://sites.google.com/mydsnwk.org/eccccatalog/home">EC Custom Creations</a>. The organization has thought about moving that operations from its Employment Connections building, which is the near the Hays airport, to the downtown location.

DSNWK has also partnered with the art department at Fort Hays State University on a collaborative arts project. That could be located in the downtown location, as well.

"It is our desire that this could not only be a window in to see the reality of the talents people have, but it is also a window in to people seeing a little bit more about what individuals with disabilities do and can do," Michaud said.

The building could host a small retail space for the individuals's creations to be sold. It could be a learning site. It could also be a location to display art, said Sara Biggs, DSNWK director of programs and services.

The program doesn't have to be limited to Hays residents. Biggs said DSNWK serves individuals with development disabilities from 18 Kansas counties.

She said she hoped the location would help individuals with disabilities to become more involved in downtown events, including Hays Arts Walks.

"Just that ability to connect with our community and truly be in the heart of downtown Hays on the Bricks, I think that's so important for us and to bring people together," Biggs said.

"A lot of our individuals, I think, will be super excited to be able to connect with other people downtown."

Michaud said the downtown project is continuation of DSNWK's mission and rebranding process.

"For far too long, people with disabilities have been on the outside edges of society," Michaud said. "Unfortunately, that is just part of our history. Any ways that we can build bridges and close that gap is beneficial for them, but it is also beneficial for the community.

"Once you get to know some of the people we serve I think people will get really excited and be like 'Wow! I had no idea.' That's what's exciting."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612558370767.jpeg" alt="DSNWK representatives stand in front of 1107 Main St., Hays. The organization hopes to open a center in the building in October that will promote learning for people with developmental disabilities, as well as showcase their art. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>DSNWK representatives stand in front of 1107 Main St., Hays. The organization hopes to open a center in the building in October that will promote learning for people with developmental disabilities, as well as showcase their art. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post<a href="https://www.mydsnwk.org/">Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas</a> has rented a space in downtown Hays, which they hope to use to showcase the talents of the people who they serve.Jerry Michaud, DSNWK president, said the exact plan for the space is still being developed by a DSNWK team, but he hopes the building can be a hub where people who have disabilities can connect with the community."It has been our desire to have a presence on Main Street, and this has come together in a movement in that direction," he said.&nbsp;DSNWK is renting 1107 Main, which is next door to Couture for Men. The space is undergoing remodeling, and DSNWK does not intend to occupy the space until October.The community will need to "stay tuned" to learn the details of the programming that will be offered at the new location. Several options are being considered."We envision that this space will be a learning space. We envision that this space will be a front door or a window into the sharing of talent," Michaud said. "You may have seen the stuff with Custom Creations, but there is a number of&nbsp; individuals who we support who have wonderful talents."DSNWK has individuals who upcycle furniture and sell it through a small business called <a href="https://sites.google.com/mydsnwk.org/eccccatalog/home">EC Custom Creations</a>. The organization has thought about moving that operations from its Employment Connections building, which is the near the Hays airport, to the downtown location.DSNWK has also partnered with the art department at Fort Hays State University on a collaborative arts project. That could be located in the downtown location, as well."It is our desire that this could not only be a window in to see the reality of the talents people have, but it is also a window in to people seeing a little bit more about what individuals with disabilities do and can do," Michaud said.The building could host a small retail space for the individuals's creations to be sold. It could be a learning site. It could also be a location to display art, said Sara Biggs, DSNWK director of programs and services.The program doesn't have to be limited to Hays residents. Biggs said DSNWK serves individuals with development disabilities from 18 Kansas counties.She said she hoped the location would help individuals with disabilities to become more involved in downtown events, including Hays Arts Walks."Just that ability to connect with our community and truly be in the heart of downtown Hays on the Bricks, I think that's so important for us and to bring people together," Biggs said."A lot of our individuals, I think, will be super excited to be able to connect with other people downtown."Michaud said the downtown project is continuation of DSNWK's mission and rebranding process."For far too long, people with disabilities have been on the outside edges of society," Michaud said. "Unfortunately, that is just part of our history. Any ways that we can build bridges and close that gap is beneficial for them, but it is also beneficial for the community."Once you get to know some of the people we serve I think people will get really excited and be like 'Wow! I had no idea.' That's what's exciting."

DSNWK to open center in downtown Hays

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Ellis County (three down, five right from northwest corner of map) remains in a moderate drought, despite a winter snow storm the last week of January.

The Feb. 4 weekly report comes from the U.S. Drought Monitor.&nbsp;

Hays received eight inches of snow in the <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b26cea9e-ece7-4abe-b3de-c8ea3c0db0a5">Jan. 25-26 storm</a>, yielding 0.64 inches of moisture, the first recorded during 2021.

The southern most section of Ellis County is in slightly better condition, rated moderately dry.&nbsp;

Counties in extreme northwest Kansas are in severe to extreme drought.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612479128293.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostEllis County (three down, five right from northwest corner of map) remains in a moderate drought, despite a winter snow storm the last week of January.The Feb. 4 weekly report comes from the U.S. Drought Monitor.&nbsp;Hays received eight inches of snow in the <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b26cea9e-ece7-4abe-b3de-c8ea3c0db0a5">Jan. 25-26 storm</a>, yielding 0.64 inches of moisture, the first recorded during 2021.The southern most section of Ellis County is in slightly better condition, rated moderately dry.&nbsp;Counties in extreme northwest Kansas are in severe to extreme drought.&nbsp;

Ellis County remains in moderate drought

The Kansas Senate sent a powerful message to Governor Kelly regarding vaccine prioritization by adopting SR 1707, which calls upon “the Governor of Kansas to revise her Administration's current COVID-19 vaccination plan by removing prisoners from the front of the line in Phase 2 and instead prioritizing the vaccination of the elderly, the teachers and those aged 16 to 64 who have severe medical risks, seniors who live on their own and veterans.” 

Chairman of the Senate Public Health &amp; Welfare Committee carried the resolution on the Senate floor. During his remarks, he pointed out that several vulnerable populations in Phase 3 are behind prisoners in priority, who are currently in Phase 2. He noted that while eventually incarcerated populations should receive the vaccine, the current scarcity of vaccines amplified the importance of prioritizing law-abiding citizens ahead of incarcerated individuals. 

Senator Hilderbrand said “I appreciate the Senate passing this resolution, which should not be controversial. We’re simply sending a strong message to the governor that her administration should re-prioritize the phases and not put incarcerated individuals ahead of law-abiding citizens.”

Several Senators spoke in favor of the resolution, with some sharing powerful, personal testimonials about the problems with certain populations not being able to obtain the vaccine, including those who have been isolated and not able to see their families. They cited the importance of prioritizing these vulnerable Kansans at the front of the line, ahead of those in prison. “SR 1707 represents a moment for the Senate to stand together in support of those in Kansas who are at most risk during this pandemic, many for whom vaccines represent the light at the end of the tunnel and a return to normal living. This resolution sends a clear message to the administration that during this time when the availability of the vaccine is limited, law-abiding citizens should be the priority over prisoners.” 

People should be sure to contact their county health offices to schedule their appointments.

This week the Senate votes to establish a Kansas Economic Recovery Loan Deposit Program. On Monday, the Kansas Senate adopted SB 15, which would establish the Kansas Economic Recovery Loan Deposit Program, which updates the field of membership requirements of credit unions and allowing privilege tax deductions on agricultural real estate loans and single-family residence loans. 

The bill is supported by a wide coalition of stakeholders in Kansas, including bankers, the restaurant and hospitality industry, and those in agriculture, all who share a mutual interest in boosting our economy by giving low interest loans to Kansas businesses who have struggled during the pandemic. As NFIB testified, “The proposed program in SB15 will provide small businesses with the critical low-interest capital that they need in these trying times.” The Kansas Bankers Association testified that the bill “will provide low-cost credit to ag producers and rural housing and create an economic recovery linked deposit loan program for small businesses, including farmers and ranchers, financially affected by the pandemic.”

It is an honor and pleasure to serve the 40th Senate District of Kansas. Please do not hesitate to contact me by e-mail at rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov. You may also call me with your questions or concerns. My office number is 785 296-7399, or my cell number is 785 899-4700.

Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, is state senator of the Kansas 40th Dist.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610490291573.jpeg" alt="Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, 40th Dist." />
 <figcaption>Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, 40th Dist.</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Senate sent a powerful message to Governor Kelly regarding vaccine prioritization by adopting SR 1707, which calls upon “the Governor of Kansas to revise her Administration's current COVID-19 vaccination plan by removing prisoners from the front of the line in Phase 2 and instead prioritizing the vaccination of the elderly, the teachers and those aged 16 to 64 who have severe medical risks, seniors who live on their own and veterans.” Chairman of the Senate Public Health &amp; Welfare Committee carried the resolution on the Senate floor. During his remarks, he pointed out that several vulnerable populations in Phase 3 are behind prisoners in priority, who are currently in Phase 2. He noted that while eventually incarcerated populations should receive the vaccine, the current scarcity of vaccines amplified the importance of prioritizing law-abiding citizens ahead of incarcerated individuals. Senator Hilderbrand said “I appreciate the Senate passing this resolution, which should not be controversial. We’re simply sending a strong message to the governor that her administration should re-prioritize the phases and not put incarcerated individuals ahead of law-abiding citizens.” Several Senators spoke in favor of the resolution, with some sharing powerful, personal testimonials about the problems with certain populations not being able to obtain the vaccine, including those who have been isolated and not able to see their families. They cited the importance of prioritizing these vulnerable Kansans at the front of the line, ahead of those in prison. “SR 1707 represents a moment for the Senate to stand together in support of those in Kansas who are at most risk during this pandemic, many for whom vaccines represent the light at the end of the tunnel and a return to normal living. This resolution sends a clear message to the administration that during this time when the availability of the vaccine is limited, law-abiding citizens should be the priority over prisoners.” People should be sure to contact their county health offices to schedule their appointments.This week the Senate votes to establish a Kansas Economic Recovery Loan Deposit Program. On Monday, the Kansas Senate adopted SB 15, which would establish the Kansas Economic Recovery Loan Deposit Program, which updates the field of membership requirements of credit unions and allowing privilege tax deductions on agricultural real estate loans and single-family residence loans. The bill is supported by a wide coalition of stakeholders in Kansas, including bankers, the restaurant and hospitality industry, and those in agriculture, all who share a mutual interest in boosting our economy by giving low interest loans to Kansas businesses who have struggled during the pandemic. As NFIB testified, “The proposed program in SB15 will provide small businesses with the critical low-interest capital that they need in these trying times.” The Kansas Bankers Association testified that the bill “will provide low-cost credit to ag producers and rural housing and create an economic recovery linked deposit loan program for small businesses, including farmers and ranchers, financially affected by the pandemic.”It is an honor and pleasure to serve the 40th Senate District of Kansas. Please do not hesitate to contact me by e-mail at rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov. You may also call me with your questions or concerns. My office number is 785 296-7399, or my cell number is 785 899-4700.Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, is state senator of the Kansas 40th Dist.

BILLINGER: Senate Update, Feb. 8

Congratulations to Colten Lewis and Star Dinkel. Colten has joined the Army National Guard, and Star has joined the Air Force.

We thank them in advance for their service and wish them the best of luck.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612564427210.jpeg" alt="Colten Lewis and Star Dinkel, Ellis High School students, have joined the U.S. Armed Forces." />
 <figcaption>Colten Lewis and Star Dinkel, Ellis High School students, have joined the U.S. Armed Forces.</figcaption>
 </figure>USD 388Congratulations to Colten Lewis and Star Dinkel. Colten has joined the Army National Guard, and Star has joined the Air Force.We thank them in advance for their service and wish them the best of luck.