Residents of Victoria saw a big change to the city's skyline this month as a new water tower rose from the ground as a part of a major water system project in the city.&nbsp;

As city council members met last Monday, the top of the tower was being welded to the base.&nbsp;

"Once that is welded&nbsp;on,&nbsp;they have one more pipe to go inside the tank," said&nbsp;Brad Schmidtberger, city superintendent.&nbsp;

He said they&nbsp;planned to&nbsp;complete&nbsp;the welding&nbsp;in order&nbsp;to move into the next step&nbsp;last week.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"They have had their welds X-rayed." Schmidtberger said, "So,&nbsp;it's moving along."&nbsp;

While the tower construction is progressing,&nbsp;aesthetics concerns were raised at the meeting.&nbsp;

"Originally we talked about white," Schmidtberger told the council. "But I would shy away from that."&nbsp;

"A white tower is fairly common," he said. "But I will say that I went and physically drove to look at Hoisington's — it's been up for about four or five years...it's actually brown."&nbsp;

He said blowing dust sticks to the outside causing the white paint to not come through as well as other colors.&nbsp;

"All white is going to be brown in not very long,"&nbsp;Schmidtberger said.&nbsp;“When dust blows, tanks sweat and then the dust blows and sticks to it."&nbsp;

He said while looking into blue and silver options, a&nbsp;classic-colored&nbsp;silver tower would be significantly higher&nbsp;in cost&nbsp;due to the style&nbsp;of paint&nbsp;and&nbsp;the&nbsp;application&nbsp;method&nbsp;required.&nbsp;

"It's a whole different process and a whole different style of paint,"&nbsp;Schmidtberger said.&nbsp;

"You have some other color choices, but you have to narrow it down quite a bit because they just don't use very many colors," he said.&nbsp;

He said towers that he looked at that used one of two blue colors available were holding up well.&nbsp;

"They hold the color a little better and the reflectivity is good," Schmidtberger said.&nbsp;

Outside of aesthetics, he said the reflectivity is a large factor to consider as it keeps the water temperature in the tank cooler, and helps the paint to retain its color.&nbsp;

Outside of the practical benefits of a blue color,&nbsp;Schmidtberger said it may help smooth over&nbsp;the&nbsp;hard-feelings of&nbsp;some of the area residents.&nbsp;

"The benefit of the blue is we know not everybody is really happy with the tower next to their house," he said. "I think the more that you can blend this into the scenery and so forth...the better it will be accepted."&nbsp;

"The whole idea of the blue is to blend in with the surroundings," he said. "That's the whole idea."&nbsp;

As council members considered the tower color options, the proposed logo&nbsp;that was to be placed on the tower was also discussed.&nbsp;

"I don't know if those colors are going to go with the blue," said council member Dustin Schumacher.&nbsp;

Mayor&nbsp;John Schulte told the council the logo could be removed and block lettering for the name of the town used instead.&nbsp;

The placement of the logo on the rounded top was also mentioned as a concern.&nbsp;

"It's a lot smaller than I thought it was going to be," said councilman&nbsp;Ryan Lichter.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The smaller than envisioned top would force the logo to wrap either lower or higher than the midpoint of the top of the tower.&nbsp;

"I was always worried about how that would look in three dimensions anyway," Schulte said. "It would either look really cool or not cool at all."&nbsp;

The council was going to explore the options with the contractors and make a decision at a later time, but overall Schmidtberger said the project is progressing as planned.&nbsp;

"It's been moving along (well), everything has been going OK," he said. "We haven't had any disasters, but we are getting to the little bit that makes me a little nervous because we are starting to drill holes in the reservoir building...but so far everything has been good and I am happy with the crews."&nbsp;

Schmidtberger also said major pipework has already been completed.&nbsp;

"The&nbsp;four-inch inbound line is essentially done," he said.&nbsp;

While they continue hooking up smaller lines, the 12-inch line to the water tower has also been installed, save for a tie-in.&nbsp;

"And then essentially that part of the water project will be pretty much complete," Schmidtberger said.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609382656493.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostResidents of Victoria saw a big change to the city's skyline this month as a new water tower rose from the ground as a part of a major water system project in the city.&nbsp;As city council members met last Monday, the top of the tower was being welded to the base.&nbsp;"Once that is welded&nbsp;on,&nbsp;they have one more pipe to go inside the tank," said&nbsp;Brad Schmidtberger, city superintendent.&nbsp;He said they&nbsp;planned to&nbsp;complete&nbsp;the welding&nbsp;in order&nbsp;to move into the next step&nbsp;last week.&nbsp;&nbsp;"They have had their welds X-rayed." Schmidtberger said, "So,&nbsp;it's moving along."&nbsp;While the tower construction is progressing,&nbsp;aesthetics concerns were raised at the meeting.&nbsp;"Originally we talked about white," Schmidtberger told the council. "But I would shy away from that."&nbsp;"A white tower is fairly common," he said. "But I will say that I went and physically drove to look at Hoisington's — it's been up for about four or five years...it's actually brown."&nbsp;He said blowing dust sticks to the outside causing the white paint to not come through as well as other colors.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609366490652.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"All white is going to be brown in not very long,"&nbsp;Schmidtberger said.&nbsp;“When dust blows, tanks sweat and then the dust blows and sticks to it."&nbsp;He said while looking into blue and silver options, a&nbsp;classic-colored&nbsp;silver tower would be significantly higher&nbsp;in cost&nbsp;due to the style&nbsp;of paint&nbsp;and&nbsp;the&nbsp;application&nbsp;method&nbsp;required.&nbsp;"It's a whole different process and a whole different style of paint,"&nbsp;Schmidtberger said.&nbsp;"You have some other color choices, but you have to narrow it down quite a bit because they just don't use very many colors," he said.&nbsp;He said towers that he looked at that used one of two blue colors available were holding up well.&nbsp;"They hold the color a little better and the reflectivity is good," Schmidtberger said.&nbsp;Outside of aesthetics, he said the reflectivity is a large factor to consider as it keeps the water temperature in the tank cooler, and helps the paint to retain its color.&nbsp;Outside of the practical benefits of a blue color,&nbsp;Schmidtberger said it may help smooth over&nbsp;the&nbsp;hard-feelings of&nbsp;some of the area residents.&nbsp;"The benefit of the blue is we know not everybody is really happy with the tower next to their house," he said. "I think the more that you can blend this into the scenery and so forth...the better it will be accepted."&nbsp;"The whole idea of the blue is to blend in with the surroundings," he said. "That's the whole idea."&nbsp;As council members considered the tower color options, the proposed logo&nbsp;that was to be placed on the tower was also discussed.&nbsp;"I don't know if those colors are going to go with the blue," said council member Dustin Schumacher.&nbsp;Mayor&nbsp;John Schulte told the council the logo could be removed and block lettering for the name of the town used instead.&nbsp;The placement of the logo on the rounded top was also mentioned as a concern.&nbsp;"It's a lot smaller than I thought it was going to be," said councilman&nbsp;Ryan Lichter.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The smaller than envisioned top would force the logo to wrap either lower or higher than the midpoint of the top of the tower.&nbsp;"I was always worried about how that would look in three dimensions anyway," Schulte said. "It would either look really cool or not cool at all."&nbsp;The council was going to explore the options with the contractors and make a decision at a later time, but overall Schmidtberger said the project is progressing as planned.&nbsp;"It's been moving along (well), everything has been going OK," he said. "We haven't had any disasters, but we are getting to the little bit that makes me a little nervous because we are starting to drill holes in the reservoir building...but so far everything has been good and I am happy with the crews."&nbsp;Schmidtberger also said major pipework has already been completed.&nbsp;"The&nbsp;four-inch inbound line is essentially done," he said.&nbsp;While they continue hooking up smaller lines, the 12-inch line to the water tower has also been installed, save for a tie-in.&nbsp;"And then essentially that part of the water project will be pretty much complete," Schmidtberger said.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609382623731.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

As New Year approaches, new water tower rises in Victoria

BY DONNA KRUG Cottonwood Extension District

Mike and Amy Jensen, Hays, were recognized recently by the Cottonwood Extension District Executive Board as the 2020 recipients of the Extension Appreciation Award. The Jensen Family works together, serving up locally grown food at Professor's in Hays. Besides that, they are familiar faces at the Downtown Farmer’s market, with their honey and mushrooms.&nbsp;

Still, Mike and Amy find time to make contributions to the Cottonwood Extension District Programs. They have served on various committees related to the 4-H and Youth program, working especially hard to raise funds for the concession area at the Fairgrounds. More recently they have partnered with Lauren Fick, Cottonwood District Horticulture Agent, to develop a “Bee program.” COVID created a challenge, but they are hoping to bring educational programs related to bees to the district in 2021.

Thank you, Mike and Amy, for your involvement and support of our Cottonwood Extension District Programs.&nbsp;

Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608658816374.png" alt="Tatum Kimzey, representing the Cottonwood Extension District Executive Board, presents the 2020 Extension Appreciation Award to Mike and Amy Jensen, from Hays." />
 <figcaption>Tatum Kimzey, representing the Cottonwood Extension District Executive Board, presents the 2020 Extension Appreciation Award to Mike and Amy Jensen, from Hays.</figcaption>
 </figure>BY DONNA KRUG Cottonwood Extension DistrictMike and Amy Jensen, Hays, were recognized recently by the Cottonwood Extension District Executive Board as the 2020 recipients of the Extension Appreciation Award. The Jensen Family works together, serving up locally grown food at Professor's in Hays. Besides that, they are familiar faces at the Downtown Farmer’s market, with their honey and mushrooms.&nbsp;Still, Mike and Amy find time to make contributions to the Cottonwood Extension District Programs. They have served on various committees related to the 4-H and Youth program, working especially hard to raise funds for the concession area at the Fairgrounds. More recently they have partnered with Lauren Fick, Cottonwood District Horticulture Agent, to develop a “Bee program.” COVID created a challenge, but they are hoping to bring educational programs related to bees to the district in 2021.Thank you, Mike and Amy, for your involvement and support of our Cottonwood Extension District Programs.&nbsp;Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;

Hays family honored by Cottonwood Extension District

By MAX MCCOY <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/27/this-story-of-a-famous-photograph-taken-at-the-end-of-a-horrific-year-starts-and-ends-in-kansas/">For the Kansas Reflector</a>

Fifty-two years ago today, Apollo 8 splashed down in the Pacific after taking humanity’s first swing around the moon.

The mission was a triumph 
of science, discovery and American determination. But in an undeveloped 
roll of film in the capsule was an image that might be the mission’s 
most lasting achievement, a self-portrait that continues to inspire hope
 that we just might transcend our worst impulses as a species.

As a kid I would sprawl in
 the grass in the big yard beside my parents’ house in Baxter Springs 
and stare into the night sky. I remember the hazy summer nights, the 
sharp glitter of the stars in winter, and the whine of trucks on nearby 
Highway 66. And I remember during the long months of 1968 being 
frightened, because my parents were frightened.

Then, like now, we were nearing the end of what had been a horrific year.

It had started with the 
bloody Tet Offensive, which rocked the American military back on its 
heels in Vietnam. At home, there were assassinations — King in April, 
Kennedy (Bobby) in June. The chaos surrounding the Democratic National 
Convention in August was a violent burlesque that shook the very core of
 American democracy. Outrage piled upon outrage, leaving average folks 
staring slack-jawed in horror and disbelief at the flickering nightmare 
thrown into their living rooms from the only screen in the house — a 
television.

The Cold War was 
accelerating, and the American and Soviet space programs were 
neck-and-neck for the shining prize that floated in the night sky: the 
moon. Despite consumer kitsch like Tang in kitchen cabinets and 
antigravity space pens that wrote upside down, the colorful trappings of
 a civilian agency called NASA and the dreams of millions of science 
fiction fans, the primary aim of the American space program was 
political. The goal was not just to reach the moon before the end of the
 decade, as John F. Kennedy had promised in 1962, but to beat the 
Russians there. And the project built to get us there was named Apollo, 
after the Greek god of the sun.

But in 1968, the goal seemed as distant as the inconstant moon.

The year before, a flash 
fire had swept through the Apollo 1 command module while it sat on the 
launch pad during a test, killing its three astronauts. It was a tragedy
 that seemed to presage the dark days to come. The moon was a quarter of
 a million miles away, but the farthest Americans had ventured beyond 
the Earth was less than a thousand nautical miles, during the Gemini 
project. The 363-foot Saturn V rocket, the biggest and most powerful 
ever made, had yet to be used in a manned flight. The lunar module, the 
spider-like spacecraft designed to actually touch down on the moon, was 
far behind schedule, plagued with technical and production problems.

But in spite of all this, 
NASA made the decision to launch three men into space, sending them 
farther and faster than human beings had ever gone, put them into lunar 
orbit for Christmas, and bring them back before the New Year.

I remember watching 
television coverage of the space program obsessively, following every 
detail as Walter Cronkite would patiently explain, sometimes with models
 of the spacecraft, each phase of the flights. My space mania had taken 
hold earlier in the year, when my parents had taken me to see Stanley 
Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” at the drive-in. This was on the 
advice of my brother, who was an <a href="https://armyhistory.org/army-reserve-officers-training-corps-hundred-years-old-still-going-strong/">ROTC</a> cadet at the state college in a nearby county.

I did not know then, of 
course, that the American space program was largely built on technology 
developed by the Nazis. At the end of World War II, in a secret 
operation called <a href="https://www.archives.gov/atlanta/exhibits/item452-exh.html">Paperclip</a>, the U.S. government had seized truckloads of V2 rocket technology and the teams of scientists and engineers behind it. <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/history/vonbraun/bio.html">Wernher von Braun</a>,
 the architect of the Saturn V, had also been the chief rocket scientist
 for the Nazis, and his contributions — including gyroscopes for 
guidance and engines that used liquid fuel — would be the foundation for
 the U.S. space program. But what most Americans did not know at the 
time of the Apollo program was that under von Braun’s direction, the 
German V2s that were hurtled at London and other cities had been 
assembled <a href="https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/wonder-weapons-and-slave-labor">with slave labor</a> from concentration camps.

It’s unlikely that any of 
this was even known to the crew of Apollo 8, which blasted off on Dec. 
21, 1968. In the command module were Frank Borman, James Lovell and Bill
 Anders. Their primary mission was a there-and-back proof of concept, to
 do a photo reconnaissance of the lunar surface and to scout likely 
locations for a landing. The risks were considerable, including the 
chance of being stuck in lunar orbit for the rest of their short lives 
should the engine of their service module fail to fire.

It took nearly three days 
to reach the moon, and when they entered lunar orbit they were the first
 human beings to see its far side, which always faces away from Earth. 
Traveling at 5,000 mph, 60 miles above the lunar surface, their 
attention was first drawn to the dawning sunlight illuminating the 
ancient craters below them. But then, as the angles changed as they 
whipped around the moon, they saw the Earth hanging in space beyond the 
lunar horizon.

The moment was recalled in September 2018 by Lovell, the command module pilot, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCvW0kS3zdc&amp;t=23s">at a special event</a> for the 50th anniversary of Apollo 8 at the <a href="https://cosmo.org/">Cosmosphere</a> in Hutchinson.

Surrounded by a couple of dozen fellow Apollo-era astronauts and Mission Control crew members, and gently questioned by <a href="https://www.robertkurson.com/about">Robert Kurson</a>,
 author of “Rocket Men,” the 90-year-old Lovell recalled with impressive
 clarity the moment leading up to the taking of what may be the most 
iconic photo in human history.

“Then suddenly I looked up
 and I saw the Earth come up,” Lovell said. “And I realized what I was 
looking at was something that was 240,000 miles away. … I put my thumb 
up to the window and (discovered) I could hide the Earth behind my 
thumb. Which meant that over five billion people and everything I ever 
knew was behind my thumb. And it sort of gave me a different feeling of 
where we are, how we existed.”

“I looked down at the 
Earth,” he said, “and it was only one of nine planets in our solar 
system, it was a mere speck in our galaxy, and of course it was lost to 
oblivion in the universe. So it got you to start thinking.”

The crew realized it would make a good photograph, even though they joked it wasn’t on the event schedule.

Anders grabbed a 
Hasselblad camera and quickly loaded a magazine of Kodak Ektachrome 
slide film. He took a few photos of the view from the cabin window. Even
 though television coverage was beaming live from the spacecraft — 
including the famous <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToHhQUhdyBY">Christmas Eve reading from Genesis</a>
 — it was fuzzy. There was no way to know the power of the image Anders 
had captured on the Hasselblad. It would be days after splashdown before
 the film could be processed. The image that would eventually go up in 
millions of dorm rooms and inspire generations of environmentalists was 
not released to the world until it ran in “Life” magazine, which had an 
exclusive contract with NASA for first use of its moonshot images.

The original “Earthrise” 
was square, but the version most of us are familiar with has been 
cropped and rotated, giving it a familiar horizon. It is a beautiful 
photograph, with our living planet of swirling blue-and-white poised 
above the barren moonscape. It was the first time human beings had 
voyaged to another celestial body and looked back at home, a fragile 
speck in the oblivion of space.

All human beings who had 
ever lived, except for three, had spent their entire lives down there on
 that tiny blue planet. We are all essentially in a lifeboat floating on
 a starry sea. National boundaries appeared as they were in the cosmic 
scheme of things — meaningless.

Apollo 8 returned to Earth
 as planned on Dec. 27. Borman, the mission commander, had spent most of
 the early flight sick. Lovell would return to the moon in 1970 as 
commander of Apollo 13, but would not get a chance to walk on its 
surface because of an explosion that damaged the service module and 
aborted the mission. The crew was forced to use the lunar module as an 
actual lifeboat to return to Earth.

The Cosmosphere has the <a href="https://cosmo.org/exhibitions/hall-of-space">Apollo 13 capsule</a> on display. It also has several Apollo 8 artifacts, including the camera Anders used for “Earthrise.”

All three Apollo 8 astronauts are still living, men in their late 80s or early 90s.

For Anders, Apollo 8 was 
his first and only spaceflight. He continued to work for NASA, but his 
lasting contribution to the space program — and to photography, popular 
culture, the environmental movement and world peace — continues to be 
“Earthrise.”

I have often stared at the
 photograph and thought about Christmas 1968, and the months that 
followed. In July 1969 Apollo 11 landed on the moon, and Neil Armstrong 
was the first person to walk on the lunar surface. I was again in the 
yard beside my house in Baxter Springs, at my brother’s side, staring up
 at the full moon floating against the night sky. The world still seemed
 a dangerous place. My brother was bound for Vietnam, as an Army 
lieutenant, in just a couple of years.

A decade and a half later,
 I was an applicant for the journalist-in-space project, and I remember 
returning to the newsroom at the Pittsburg Morning Sun one day in 
January and finding the staff clustered around a small television. The 
space shuttle Challenger had exploded, killing all seven crew members, 
including teacher-in-space Christa McAuliffe. Spaceflight, which 
Americans had become bored with, was still risky. The journalist program
 was soon canceled.

Now, at the end of this 
year of unexpected risk and challenge, let us trust in science to bring 
us safely home to normal. This generation’s moonshot are the vaccines 
that have now properly been distributed to many frontline workers and 
may reach the rest of us before too many weeks or months. Let us reflect
 on how technology, whether it is a rocket or a social media platform, 
are merely tools that can be used to build or destroy.

And let us take advantage 
of those unexpected moments which present themselves to capture a moment
 of beauty and wonder, moments which might transcend our limited event 
schedules and serve to inspire and give hope to generations yet unborn.

Max McCoy is an award-winning author and journalist. A native Kansan, he started his career at the Pittsburg Morning Sun and was soon writing for national magazines. His investigative stories on unsolved murders, serial killers and hate groups earned him first-place awards from the Associated Press Managing Editors and other organizations. McCoy has also written more than twenty books, the most recent of which is "Elevations: A Personal Exploration of the Arkansas River," named a Kansas Notable Book by the state library. "Elevations" also won the National Outdoor Book Award, in the history/biography category. Max teaches journalism at Emporia State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609168874436.png" alt="On Dec. 24, 1968, astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and William Anders held a live broadcast from lunar orbit in which they showed pictures of the Earth and moon as seen from their spacecraft. (NASA)" />
 <figcaption>On Dec. 24, 1968, astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and William Anders held a live broadcast from lunar orbit in which they showed pictures of the Earth and moon as seen from their spacecraft. (NASA)</figcaption>
 </figure>By MAX MCCOY <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/27/this-story-of-a-famous-photograph-taken-at-the-end-of-a-horrific-year-starts-and-ends-in-kansas/">For the Kansas Reflector</a>Fifty-two years ago today, Apollo 8 splashed down in the Pacific after taking humanity’s first swing around the moon.The mission was a triumph 
of science, discovery and American determination. But in an undeveloped 
roll of film in the capsule was an image that might be the mission’s 
most lasting achievement, a self-portrait that continues to inspire hope
 that we just might transcend our worst impulses as a species.That image is “Earthrise.”As a kid I would sprawl in
 the grass in the big yard beside my parents’ house in Baxter Springs 
and stare into the night sky. I remember the hazy summer nights, the 
sharp glitter of the stars in winter, and the whine of trucks on nearby 
Highway 66. And I remember during the long months of 1968 being 
frightened, because my parents were frightened.Then, like now, we were nearing the end of what had been a horrific year.It had started with the 
bloody Tet Offensive, which rocked the American military back on its 
heels in Vietnam. At home, there were assassinations — King in April, 
Kennedy (Bobby) in June. The chaos surrounding the Democratic National 
Convention in August was a violent burlesque that shook the very core of
 American democracy. Outrage piled upon outrage, leaving average folks 
staring slack-jawed in horror and disbelief at the flickering nightmare 
thrown into their living rooms from the only screen in the house — a 
television.The Cold War was 
accelerating, and the American and Soviet space programs were 
neck-and-neck for the shining prize that floated in the night sky: the 
moon. Despite consumer kitsch like Tang in kitchen cabinets and 
antigravity space pens that wrote upside down, the colorful trappings of
 a civilian agency called NASA and the dreams of millions of science 
fiction fans, the primary aim of the American space program was 
political. The goal was not just to reach the moon before the end of the
 decade, as John F. Kennedy had promised in 1962, but to beat the 
Russians there. And the project built to get us there was named Apollo, 
after the Greek god of the sun.But in 1968, the goal seemed as distant as the inconstant moon.The year before, a flash 
fire had swept through the Apollo 1 command module while it sat on the 
launch pad during a test, killing its three astronauts. It was a tragedy
 that seemed to presage the dark days to come. The moon was a quarter of
 a million miles away, but the farthest Americans had ventured beyond 
the Earth was less than a thousand nautical miles, during the Gemini 
project. The 363-foot Saturn V rocket, the biggest and most powerful 
ever made, had yet to be used in a manned flight. The lunar module, the 
spider-like spacecraft designed to actually touch down on the moon, was 
far behind schedule, plagued with technical and production problems.But in spite of all this, 
NASA made the decision to launch three men into space, sending them 
farther and faster than human beings had ever gone, put them into lunar 
orbit for Christmas, and bring them back before the New Year.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609168951803.png" alt="The Apollo 8 survival kit was a rucksack that contained two radio battery packs, one knife and water containers. Each Apollo spacecraft was equipped with two survival rucksacks. The contents were to be used in the event of an emergency landing in remote areas of the world. (Cosmosphere, Hutchinson, Kansas, cosmo.org)" />
 <figcaption>The Apollo 8 survival kit was a rucksack that contained two radio battery packs, one knife and water containers. Each Apollo spacecraft was equipped with two survival rucksacks. The contents were to be used in the event of an emergency landing in remote areas of the world. (Cosmosphere, Hutchinson, Kansas, cosmo.org)</figcaption>
 </figure>I remember watching 
television coverage of the space program obsessively, following every 
detail as Walter Cronkite would patiently explain, sometimes with models
 of the spacecraft, each phase of the flights. My space mania had taken 
hold earlier in the year, when my parents had taken me to see Stanley 
Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” at the drive-in. This was on the 
advice of my brother, who was an <a href="https://armyhistory.org/army-reserve-officers-training-corps-hundred-years-old-still-going-strong/">ROTC</a> cadet at the state college in a nearby county.I did not know then, of 
course, that the American space program was largely built on technology 
developed by the Nazis. At the end of World War II, in a secret 
operation called <a href="https://www.archives.gov/atlanta/exhibits/item452-exh.html">Paperclip</a>, the U.S. government had seized truckloads of V2 rocket technology and the teams of scientists and engineers behind it. <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/history/vonbraun/bio.html">Wernher von Braun</a>,
 the architect of the Saturn V, had also been the chief rocket scientist
 for the Nazis, and his contributions — including gyroscopes for 
guidance and engines that used liquid fuel — would be the foundation for
 the U.S. space program. But what most Americans did not know at the 
time of the Apollo program was that under von Braun’s direction, the 
German V2s that were hurtled at London and other cities had been 
assembled <a href="https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/wonder-weapons-and-slave-labor">with slave labor</a> from concentration camps.It’s unlikely that any of 
this was even known to the crew of Apollo 8, which blasted off on Dec. 
21, 1968. In the command module were Frank Borman, James Lovell and Bill
 Anders. Their primary mission was a there-and-back proof of concept, to
 do a photo reconnaissance of the lunar surface and to scout likely 
locations for a landing. The risks were considerable, including the 
chance of being stuck in lunar orbit for the rest of their short lives 
should the engine of their service module fail to fire.It took nearly three days 
to reach the moon, and when they entered lunar orbit they were the first
 human beings to see its far side, which always faces away from Earth. 
Traveling at 5,000 mph, 60 miles above the lunar surface, their 
attention was first drawn to the dawning sunlight illuminating the 
ancient craters below them. But then, as the angles changed as they 
whipped around the moon, they saw the Earth hanging in space beyond the 
lunar horizon.The moment was recalled in September 2018 by Lovell, the command module pilot, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCvW0kS3zdc&amp;t=23s">at a special event</a> for the 50th anniversary of Apollo 8 at the <a href="https://cosmo.org/">Cosmosphere</a> in Hutchinson.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609168984362.png" alt="Apollo 8 command module pilot Jim Lovell at a special event for the 50th anniversary of Apollo 8 at the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson. (Cosmosphere, Hutchinson, Kansas, cosmo.org)" />
 <figcaption>Apollo 8 command module pilot Jim Lovell at a special event for the 50th anniversary of Apollo 8 at the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson. (Cosmosphere, Hutchinson, Kansas, cosmo.org)</figcaption>
 </figure>Surrounded by a couple of dozen fellow Apollo-era astronauts and Mission Control crew members, and gently questioned by <a href="https://www.robertkurson.com/about">Robert Kurson</a>,
 author of “Rocket Men,” the 90-year-old Lovell recalled with impressive
 clarity the moment leading up to the taking of what may be the most 
iconic photo in human history.“Then suddenly I looked up
 and I saw the Earth come up,” Lovell said. “And I realized what I was 
looking at was something that was 240,000 miles away. … I put my thumb 
up to the window and (discovered) I could hide the Earth behind my 
thumb. Which meant that over five billion people and everything I ever 
knew was behind my thumb. And it sort of gave me a different feeling of 
where we are, how we existed.”Then Lovell grew even more philosophic.“I looked down at the 
Earth,” he said, “and it was only one of nine planets in our solar 
system, it was a mere speck in our galaxy, and of course it was lost to 
oblivion in the universe. So it got you to start thinking.”The crew realized it would make a good photograph, even though they joked it wasn’t on the event schedule.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609169022510.png" alt="Astronaut Bill Anders, Apollo 8 lunar module pilot, used this camera to take the famous Earthrise photograph on December 24, 1968. (Cosmosphere, Hutchinson, Kansas, cosmo.org)" />
 <figcaption>Astronaut Bill Anders, Apollo 8 lunar module pilot, used this camera to take the famous Earthrise photograph on December 24, 1968. (Cosmosphere, Hutchinson, Kansas, cosmo.org)</figcaption>
 </figure>Anders grabbed a 
Hasselblad camera and quickly loaded a magazine of Kodak Ektachrome 
slide film. He took a few photos of the view from the cabin window. Even
 though television coverage was beaming live from the spacecraft — 
including the famous <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToHhQUhdyBY">Christmas Eve reading from Genesis</a>
 — it was fuzzy. There was no way to know the power of the image Anders 
had captured on the Hasselblad. It would be days after splashdown before
 the film could be processed. The image that would eventually go up in 
millions of dorm rooms and inspire generations of environmentalists was 
not released to the world until it ran in “Life” magazine, which had an 
exclusive contract with NASA for first use of its moonshot images.The original “Earthrise” 
was square, but the version most of us are familiar with has been 
cropped and rotated, giving it a familiar horizon. It is a beautiful 
photograph, with our living planet of swirling blue-and-white poised 
above the barren moonscape. It was the first time human beings had 
voyaged to another celestial body and looked back at home, a fragile 
speck in the oblivion of space.All human beings who had 
ever lived, except for three, had spent their entire lives down there on
 that tiny blue planet. We are all essentially in a lifeboat floating on
 a starry sea. National boundaries appeared as they were in the cosmic 
scheme of things — meaningless.Apollo 8 returned to Earth
 as planned on Dec. 27. Borman, the mission commander, had spent most of
 the early flight sick. Lovell would return to the moon in 1970 as 
commander of Apollo 13, but would not get a chance to walk on its 
surface because of an explosion that damaged the service module and 
aborted the mission. The crew was forced to use the lunar module as an 
actual lifeboat to return to Earth.The Cosmosphere has the <a href="https://cosmo.org/exhibitions/hall-of-space">Apollo 13 capsule</a> on display. It also has several Apollo 8 artifacts, including the camera Anders used for “Earthrise.”All three Apollo 8 astronauts are still living, men in their late 80s or early 90s.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609169055056.png" alt="In this official NASA portrait, William Anders poses with a Gemini, rather than an Apollo, spacecraft. (NASA)" />
 <figcaption>In this official NASA portrait, William Anders poses with a Gemini, rather than an Apollo, spacecraft. (NASA)</figcaption>
 </figure>For Anders, Apollo 8 was 
his first and only spaceflight. He continued to work for NASA, but his 
lasting contribution to the space program — and to photography, popular 
culture, the environmental movement and world peace — continues to be 
“Earthrise.”I have often stared at the
 photograph and thought about Christmas 1968, and the months that 
followed. In July 1969 Apollo 11 landed on the moon, and Neil Armstrong 
was the first person to walk on the lunar surface. I was again in the 
yard beside my house in Baxter Springs, at my brother’s side, staring up
 at the full moon floating against the night sky. The world still seemed
 a dangerous place. My brother was bound for Vietnam, as an Army 
lieutenant, in just a couple of years.A decade and a half later,
 I was an applicant for the journalist-in-space project, and I remember 
returning to the newsroom at the Pittsburg Morning Sun one day in 
January and finding the staff clustered around a small television. The 
space shuttle Challenger had exploded, killing all seven crew members, 
including teacher-in-space Christa McAuliffe. Spaceflight, which 
Americans had become bored with, was still risky. The journalist program
 was soon canceled.Now, at the end of this 
year of unexpected risk and challenge, let us trust in science to bring 
us safely home to normal. This generation’s moonshot are the vaccines 
that have now properly been distributed to many frontline workers and 
may reach the rest of us before too many weeks or months. Let us reflect
 on how technology, whether it is a rocket or a social media platform, 
are merely tools that can be used to build or destroy.And let us take advantage 
of those unexpected moments which present themselves to capture a moment
 of beauty and wonder, moments which might transcend our limited event 
schedules and serve to inspire and give hope to generations yet unborn.Max McCoy is an award-winning author and journalist. A native Kansan, he started his career at the Pittsburg Morning Sun and was soon writing for national magazines. His investigative stories on unsolved murders, serial killers and hate groups earned him first-place awards from the Associated Press Managing Editors and other organizations. McCoy has also written more than twenty books, the most recent of which is "Elevations: A Personal Exploration of the Arkansas River," named a Kansas Notable Book by the state library. "Elevations" also won the National Outdoor Book Award, in the history/biography category. Max teaches journalism at Emporia State University.

OPINION: This story of a famous photograph starts and ends in Kansas

Fidelity Charitable describes a philanthropist as a person who gives time, money, experience, skills or talent to help create a better world. I find it so interesting how that definition intersects with the primary focus of our mission at Fort Hays State University, which is to develop engaged global citizen-leaders. FHSU provides affordable access to those who seek a top-notch higher education experience. Our caring and compassionate community helps students discover their true gifts. And our students go on to graduate and apply those gifts to create a better world.

Perhaps this all sounds a little hard to believe – but so did the idea of a small teacher’s college in western Kansas becoming one of the most affordable public universities in the United States – a university that this fall graduated students from all 50 states and 20 countries. Or how about the success of the Journey Campaign and its audacious goal to raise a hundred million dollars. By the way, we are currently on track to surpass our goal by Homecoming 2021!

Fort Hays State would not be what it is today without big goals and the compassionate philanthropists who fuel those goals. We have amazing alumni and friends who constantly ask, “How can I help?” Their help comes in many forms: the gift of time through service on boards, the gift of money through scholarships, the gift of experience through mentoring, the gift of donated labor and tradesmanship through projects such as the Downtown Pavilion and the gift of talent such as sharing beautiful music.&nbsp;

Without question, our philanthropists keep our university strong. They change lives. They make dreams come true. Their impact is real – I see it every day.&nbsp;

For instance, John Francis, Emeritus Trustee, called the FHSU Foundation when the pandemic began last March to ask what area of FHSU needed his financial support the most. He and his wife, Nancy, proudly gave to the President’s Strategic Initiatives Fund. He also wrote a letter to all of his fellow Foundation Trustees, current and emeritus, encouraging them to give to either the President’s Strategic Initiatives Fund and/or the Student Emergency Assistance Fund as a vote of confidence in FHSU and our students. His heartfelt letter garnered multiple gifts to both funds at a time when good news was hard to come by.

What about Bill Confer, father of Cindy Coldiron and David Confer, who was an ardent advocate of higher education? After graduating from Fort Hays State in 1955, he became a high school science teacher and encouraged all of his students to continue their education. He was always grateful for the education he received at FHSU. His children have carried on his legacy by establishing a scholarship in his honor.&nbsp;

Look no further than the centerpiece of campus life, the university quad, to see the physical impact of philanthropy at work. The Schmidt Foundation Center for Art and Design was made possible by many generous donors. “The Schmidt Foundation was excited to be a part of such a beautiful project,” said Gary Shorman, president of the Schmidt Foundation. “Bob and Pat Schmidt were not only avid supporters of Fort Hays State University, but they also loved art and those who create it. We believe FHSU’s Center for Art and Design was the perfect place to invest and to build a wonderful future for students who choose to enhance our lives with art.”

The Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success is another remarkable addition to our campus. Our students – current and future –will forever be changed by this cutting-edge student success and engagement facility. The building is named in honor of Richard Fischli and Dolores Wills-Fischli, whose journey with Fort Hays State began with two rural Kansas kids pursuing a college education. Richard and Dolores both earned bachelor's and master's degrees from FHSU in the 1950s. As lifelong K-12 educators, Richard and Dolores made an impact on thousands of students throughout their careers. Beyond the classroom, the Fischlis were known for giving what they could and truly understood the impact every dollar had on student success.&nbsp;

Dr. Dennis King started working at FHSU back in 1996 – the same year he made his first gift to FHSU. Over the last 20-plus years, he has worked across campus in multiple departments and has continued to give back along the way. When asked why he chooses to give back to Fort Hays State, even while he already gives so much of himself to his job each day, he said this: “If I can give a little bit and help individuals have the same success as I’ve had and have the same happiness that I’ve had, that’s what I want to do.”&nbsp;

Dr. Grady Dixon, dean of FHSU’s Werth College of Science, Technology and Mathematics, personally knows the impact of donors and scholarships. “My wife, Melissa, and I give back to FHSU for several reasons. We both benefited from donor-funded scholarships when we were students. I know the flexibility that donor gifts provide to faculty who work to enhance student experiences. As an administrator, I understand that many donors are more eager to give when they know that university employees are invested in the same cause. We strongly believe in the societal value of FHSU and higher education, in general.”

All of these people embrace the spirit of giving. When they got to where they were going, they did not forget to look around – and help others in need.&nbsp;

As 2020 draws to a close, I want to thank all of our alumni and friends for the impact they have had in their communities and especially our philanthropists, who continue to pay it forward to FHSU. I have been moved by your generosity.&nbsp;

If you are interested in fueling the success of FHSU this holiday season, please consider visiting <a href="https://foundation.fhsu.edu/donate">https://foundation.fhsu.edu/donate</a> or contacting the FHSU Foundation at 785.628.5620, <a href="http://foundation.fhsu.edu/">foundation.fhsu.edu</a>, or P.O. Box 1060, Hays, KS 67601. Thank you!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575301942236.jpeg" alt="Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president</figcaption>
 </figure>Fidelity Charitable describes a philanthropist as a person who gives time, money, experience, skills or talent to help create a better world. I find it so interesting how that definition intersects with the primary focus of our mission at Fort Hays State University, which is to develop engaged global citizen-leaders. FHSU provides affordable access to those who seek a top-notch higher education experience. Our caring and compassionate community helps students discover their true gifts. And our students go on to graduate and apply those gifts to create a better world.Perhaps this all sounds a little hard to believe – but so did the idea of a small teacher’s college in western Kansas becoming one of the most affordable public universities in the United States – a university that this fall graduated students from all 50 states and 20 countries. Or how about the success of the Journey Campaign and its audacious goal to raise a hundred million dollars. By the way, we are currently on track to surpass our goal by Homecoming 2021!Fort Hays State would not be what it is today without big goals and the compassionate philanthropists who fuel those goals. We have amazing alumni and friends who constantly ask, “How can I help?” Their help comes in many forms: the gift of time through service on boards, the gift of money through scholarships, the gift of experience through mentoring, the gift of donated labor and tradesmanship through projects such as the Downtown Pavilion and the gift of talent such as sharing beautiful music.&nbsp;Without question, our philanthropists keep our university strong. They change lives. They make dreams come true. Their impact is real – I see it every day.&nbsp;For instance, John Francis, Emeritus Trustee, called the FHSU Foundation when the pandemic began last March to ask what area of FHSU needed his financial support the most. He and his wife, Nancy, proudly gave to the President’s Strategic Initiatives Fund. He also wrote a letter to all of his fellow Foundation Trustees, current and emeritus, encouraging them to give to either the President’s Strategic Initiatives Fund and/or the Student Emergency Assistance Fund as a vote of confidence in FHSU and our students. His heartfelt letter garnered multiple gifts to both funds at a time when good news was hard to come by.What about Bill Confer, father of Cindy Coldiron and David Confer, who was an ardent advocate of higher education? After graduating from Fort Hays State in 1955, he became a high school science teacher and encouraged all of his students to continue their education. He was always grateful for the education he received at FHSU. His children have carried on his legacy by establishing a scholarship in his honor.&nbsp;Look no further than the centerpiece of campus life, the university quad, to see the physical impact of philanthropy at work. The Schmidt Foundation Center for Art and Design was made possible by many generous donors. “The Schmidt Foundation was excited to be a part of such a beautiful project,” said Gary Shorman, president of the Schmidt Foundation. “Bob and Pat Schmidt were not only avid supporters of Fort Hays State University, but they also loved art and those who create it. We believe FHSU’s Center for Art and Design was the perfect place to invest and to build a wonderful future for students who choose to enhance our lives with art.”The Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success is another remarkable addition to our campus. Our students – current and future –will forever be changed by this cutting-edge student success and engagement facility. The building is named in honor of Richard Fischli and Dolores Wills-Fischli, whose journey with Fort Hays State began with two rural Kansas kids pursuing a college education. Richard and Dolores both earned bachelor's and master's degrees from FHSU in the 1950s. As lifelong K-12 educators, Richard and Dolores made an impact on thousands of students throughout their careers. Beyond the classroom, the Fischlis were known for giving what they could and truly understood the impact every dollar had on student success.&nbsp;Dr. Dennis King started working at FHSU back in 1996 – the same year he made his first gift to FHSU. Over the last 20-plus years, he has worked across campus in multiple departments and has continued to give back along the way. When asked why he chooses to give back to Fort Hays State, even while he already gives so much of himself to his job each day, he said this: “If I can give a little bit and help individuals have the same success as I’ve had and have the same happiness that I’ve had, that’s what I want to do.”&nbsp;Dr. Grady Dixon, dean of FHSU’s Werth College of Science, Technology and Mathematics, personally knows the impact of donors and scholarships. “My wife, Melissa, and I give back to FHSU for several reasons. We both benefited from donor-funded scholarships when we were students. I know the flexibility that donor gifts provide to faculty who work to enhance student experiences. As an administrator, I understand that many donors are more eager to give when they know that university employees are invested in the same cause. We strongly believe in the societal value of FHSU and higher education, in general.”All of these people embrace the spirit of giving. When they got to where they were going, they did not forget to look around – and help others in need.&nbsp;As 2020 draws to a close, I want to thank all of our alumni and friends for the impact they have had in their communities and especially our philanthropists, who continue to pay it forward to FHSU. I have been moved by your generosity.&nbsp;If you are interested in fueling the success of FHSU this holiday season, please consider visiting <a href="https://foundation.fhsu.edu/donate">https://foundation.fhsu.edu/donate</a> or contacting the FHSU Foundation at 785.628.5620, <a href="http://foundation.fhsu.edu/">foundation.fhsu.edu</a>, or P.O. Box 1060, Hays, KS 67601. Thank you!

MASON: Making dreams come true at FHSU

Three-day weather outlook

City of Hays offices will be closed on Friday in celebration of New Year's Day.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584721067731.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>City of HaysCity of Hays offices will be closed on Friday in celebration of New Year's Day.

City of Hays offices closed Jan. 1

The Ellis County Health Department on Wednesday reported the average number of new coronavirus cases per day in the last seven days dropped from 10 on Monday to 8 on Wednesday.&nbsp;

The department also announced two additional coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the total to 40.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/68168042-00c8-4c1b-8817-4b26e7c7f51d">RELATED:&nbsp;Who gets vaccinated in Kansas and when</a>

There were 27 new cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County since Monday. There are currently 147 active cases, including six active hospitalizations of Ellis County residents, and 2,896 recovered cases.

As of Wednesday, there were 24 COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, down from 27 on Monday, with 16 of those active patients, two on ventilators and six in the recovery phase.

The seven-day average of percent of positive tests also dropped to 16.1 percent from 19.9 percent Monday.

Since reporting began, there have been 3,210 cases of coronavirus identified in Ellis County, including 40 virus-related deaths.&nbsp;

Of the total 17271 tests administered, 17.4 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 the figures might not necessarily correspond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609357978483.jpeg" 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 dropped from 10 on Monday to 8 on Wednesday.&nbsp;The department also announced two additional coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the total to 40.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/68168042-00c8-4c1b-8817-4b26e7c7f51d">RELATED:&nbsp;Who gets vaccinated in Kansas and when</a>There were 27 new cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County since Monday. There are currently 147 active cases, including six active hospitalizations of Ellis County residents, and 2,896 recovered cases.As of Wednesday, there were 24 COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, down from 27 on Monday, with 16 of those active patients, two on ventilators and six in the recovery phase.The seven-day average of percent of positive tests also dropped to 16.1 percent from 19.9 percent Monday.Since reporting began, there have been 3,210 cases of coronavirus identified in Ellis County, including 40 virus-related deaths.&nbsp;Of the total 17271 tests administered, 17.4 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 the figures might not necessarily correspond.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609357992180.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Rnw0R-SGsnA"></iframe>
 <figcaption>Sponsored</figcaption>
 </figure>

Per-day virus rate in Ellis Co. drops; two additional deaths reported

Beginning Monday, January 4, City of Hays buildings will reopen to the public. 

In accordance with City of Hays policy, visitors will be required to wear a mask. 

The City continues to encourage customers and the public to utilize the City’s online resources at www.haysusa.com to make utility payments, apply for permits, and communicate with City Staff.&nbsp;

Additionally, the Commission Chambers will reopen for public access, but with limited seating. 

City Commission meetings will be broadcasted as is standard practice and can be viewed live via Nex-Tech’s YouTube channel, on Nex-Tech cable channel 103, and on Eagle cable channel 14 or 614. 

Nex-Tech’s YouTube channel can be accessed by going to the homepage of &nbsp;www.haysusa.com and scrolling down to the “City News” section. 

The public is encouraged to watch these meetings remotely. 

Public comments will continue to be accepted electronically, by emailing publiccomment@haysusa.com.&nbsp;

The public’s cooperation is greatly appreciated while we continue to protect the health of the community.

City of HaysBeginning Monday, January 4, City of Hays buildings will reopen to the public. In accordance with City of Hays policy, visitors will be required to wear a mask. The City continues to encourage customers and the public to utilize the City’s online resources at www.haysusa.com to make utility payments, apply for permits, and communicate with City Staff.&nbsp;Additionally, the Commission Chambers will reopen for public access, but with limited seating. City Commission meetings will be broadcasted as is standard practice and can be viewed live via Nex-Tech’s YouTube channel, on Nex-Tech cable channel 103, and on Eagle cable channel 14 or 614. Nex-Tech’s YouTube channel can be accessed by going to the homepage of &nbsp;www.haysusa.com and scrolling down to the “City News” section. The public is encouraged to watch these meetings remotely. Public comments will continue to be accepted electronically, by emailing publiccomment@haysusa.com.&nbsp;The public’s cooperation is greatly appreciated while we continue to protect the health of the community.

Hays city offices set to reopen Monday

Kansas Common crude began the last week of the year at $38.50 per barrel at CHS in McPherson. That's down 75 cents from a week ago, but up nearly four dollars over prices at the beginning of the month. A year ago, Kansas prices were over fifty dollars per barrel.

The Kansas Corporation Commission says a recent string of earthquakes in Wichita is not tied to any oil and gas activity in the area. In a news release, Director Ryan Hoffman of the Conservation Division says they found no new drilling activity, and no permit violations at existing wells within a three-mile radius of the quakes. They reached farther out for disposal wells, but found no volume increases at the five disposal wells within six miles of the epicenter.&nbsp; The Kansas Geological Survey reported a slight decline in new crude-production totals through August, offering the latest county numbers available. Barton County pumped more than 924,000 barrels of crude through August. That's more than 3,700 barrels per day. The Ellis County's total through August was 1.45 million barrels, or just short of 6,000 barrels per day. Russell County year-to-date output through August reached 3,520 barrels per day, while Stafford County notched more than 2,500 barrels per day.&nbsp; Statewide, total August crude-oil production was lower than the month before but higher than reported earlier by the feds. KGS says the Kansas total was 2.56 million barrels in August, or nearly 83,000 barrels per day. That's down a thousand barrels per day from the month before. The year-to-date average statewide was nearly 77,000 barrels per day. Baker Hughes reported 348 active rigs across the U.S. The count in Oklahoma was up two, Texas was up one, New Mexico was down one, and Louisiana was up three rigs over the week before. The Rig Count in Kansas was down slightly. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports nine active rigs in eastern Kansas, down two, and eight west of Wichita, which is unchanged. Drillers reached total depth on a new well last week in Ellis County. Out of nine newly-completed wells reported across Kansas last week, there was one in Russell County among six West of Wichita. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports the year-to-date total is 785 new completions. Eight new drilling permits made the list last week. That's 476 so far this year. There were eight new permits in Western Kansas, including one each in Barton and Stafford counties. The Energy Information Administration reports inventories dropped last week by 600,000 barrels. EIA says U.S. stockpiles are about 11% above the five-year seasonal average. The government says imports increased last week by 140,000 barrels per day to 5.6 million barrels per day. The four-week average is down nearly 13% from the same four weeks a year ago. U.S. crude-oil production topped eleven million barrels per day for the fourth straight week. That's the first time that's happened since August. EIA reports domestic output was up 13,000 barrels per day from a week earlier, but lagged more than 1.7 million barrels per day behind the same week last year. New oil-and-gas drilling rules in Colorado go into effect next month. But there are roughly 5,000 pending drilling permits awaiting action in the meantime, and state officials have to decide which will be approved, which will be rejected and which will have to be redone under the new rules. The Denver Post reports more than 200 people called into a Zoom meeting last week to get a first look at new drilling applications, and to assess the cumulative impacts of the new rules. Colorado officials have agreed to enact more stringent regulations on ozone emissions from oil and gas, and other industries, at the instruction of Governor Jared Polis. The state is hoping to avoid a dramatic downgrade under the federal Clean Air Act, which could require reformulated gasoline blends in some areas. "A pretty terrible year for the industry." That's the description of NorthDakota’s top oil regulator. Mineral Resources Director Lynn Helms told the Bismarck Tribune 2020 will be known for the rapid collapse of crude prices, dismantled drilling rigs and idled wells. Helms says next year does not look very promising in terms of growth. He says we will need a year or more before oil and gas prices prompt sustained growth in North Dakota. State regulators say total crude oil and condensate production in the top U.S. producing state declined for the third straight month, reaching its lowest total since May. The Railroad Commission of Texas reports monthly output of 128 million barrels, or 4.1 million barrels per day. That's down from over five million barrels per day before the pandemic. A yearly survey of more than 160 energy professionals in Texas shows they are concerned about federal overreach, but are generally positive about the future of the industry. The top three issues noted by the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers survey were, in order, the price of oil, demand for oil and gas, and federal over-regulation. Respondents noted the need for increased public education, PR and marketing to address all three concerns. Pipeline construction and some deregulation have spawned some optimism the Canadian oil patch hasn't seen in a while. After six years of delays, work has begin on the replacement of an Enbridge pipeline to Minnesota, and construction is advancing on expansion of the TransMountain Pipeline to the Pacific coast. One is expected to open next year and the other by the end of 2022. Canada's Global News agency reports the Alberta government ended its oil production curtailment program. At least one producer is optimistic, as Canadian NaturalResources said it would boost production by five percent next year. Oil and gas development pumped $2.8 billion into the treasury in New Mexico this year, according to a study commissioned by the New Mexico Oil and GasAssociation. That's the second-highest total revenue they've ever reported, despite a global price war and plummeting demand amid the coronavirus pandemic Work resumed off the coast of Germany on a Russian natural-gas pipeline, despite the recent acceleration of U.S. sanctions. Any individual or company helping the pipeline in any way has been targeted, in what the Russian Press Secretary last week called a kind of "hybrid warfare." Earlier this month the pipe-laying vessel Fortuna began laying a 1.5 mile section of the pipe.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592847975802.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN P. TRETBARKansas Common crude began the last week of the year at $38.50 per barrel at CHS in McPherson. That's down 75 cents from a week ago, but up nearly four dollars over prices at the beginning of the month. A year ago, Kansas prices were over fifty dollars per barrel.The Kansas Corporation Commission says a recent string of earthquakes in Wichita is not tied to any oil and gas activity in the area. In a news release, Director Ryan Hoffman of the Conservation Division says they found no new drilling activity, and no permit violations at existing wells within a three-mile radius of the quakes. They reached farther out for disposal wells, but found no volume increases at the five disposal wells within six miles of the epicenter.&nbsp; The Kansas Geological Survey reported a slight decline in new crude-production totals through August, offering the latest county numbers available. Barton County pumped more than 924,000 barrels of crude through August. That's more than 3,700 barrels per day. The Ellis County's total through August was 1.45 million barrels, or just short of 6,000 barrels per day. Russell County year-to-date output through August reached 3,520 barrels per day, while Stafford County notched more than 2,500 barrels per day.&nbsp; Statewide, total August crude-oil production was lower than the month before but higher than reported earlier by the feds. KGS says the Kansas total was 2.56 million barrels in August, or nearly 83,000 barrels per day. That's down a thousand barrels per day from the month before. The year-to-date average statewide was nearly 77,000 barrels per day. Baker Hughes reported 348 active rigs across the U.S. The count in Oklahoma was up two, Texas was up one, New Mexico was down one, and Louisiana was up three rigs over the week before. The Rig Count in Kansas was down slightly. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports nine active rigs in eastern Kansas, down two, and eight west of Wichita, which is unchanged. Drillers reached total depth on a new well last week in Ellis County. Out of nine newly-completed wells reported across Kansas last week, there was one in Russell County among six West of Wichita. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports the year-to-date total is 785 new completions. Eight new drilling permits made the list last week. That's 476 so far this year. There were eight new permits in Western Kansas, including one each in Barton and Stafford counties. The Energy Information Administration reports inventories dropped last week by 600,000 barrels. EIA says U.S. stockpiles are about 11% above the five-year seasonal average. The government says imports increased last week by 140,000 barrels per day to 5.6 million barrels per day. The four-week average is down nearly 13% from the same four weeks a year ago. U.S. crude-oil production topped eleven million barrels per day for the fourth straight week. That's the first time that's happened since August. EIA reports domestic output was up 13,000 barrels per day from a week earlier, but lagged more than 1.7 million barrels per day behind the same week last year. New oil-and-gas drilling rules in Colorado go into effect next month. But there are roughly 5,000 pending drilling permits awaiting action in the meantime, and state officials have to decide which will be approved, which will be rejected and which will have to be redone under the new rules. The Denver Post reports more than 200 people called into a Zoom meeting last week to get a first look at new drilling applications, and to assess the cumulative impacts of the new rules. Colorado officials have agreed to enact more stringent regulations on ozone emissions from oil and gas, and other industries, at the instruction of Governor Jared Polis. The state is hoping to avoid a dramatic downgrade under the federal Clean Air Act, which could require reformulated gasoline blends in some areas. "A pretty terrible year for the industry." That's the description of NorthDakota’s top oil regulator. Mineral Resources Director Lynn Helms told the Bismarck Tribune 2020 will be known for the rapid collapse of crude prices, dismantled drilling rigs and idled wells. Helms says next year does not look very promising in terms of growth. He says we will need a year or more before oil and gas prices prompt sustained growth in North Dakota. State regulators say total crude oil and condensate production in the top U.S. producing state declined for the third straight month, reaching its lowest total since May. The Railroad Commission of Texas reports monthly output of 128 million barrels, or 4.1 million barrels per day. That's down from over five million barrels per day before the pandemic. A yearly survey of more than 160 energy professionals in Texas shows they are concerned about federal overreach, but are generally positive about the future of the industry. The top three issues noted by the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers survey were, in order, the price of oil, demand for oil and gas, and federal over-regulation. Respondents noted the need for increased public education, PR and marketing to address all three concerns. Pipeline construction and some deregulation have spawned some optimism the Canadian oil patch hasn't seen in a while. After six years of delays, work has begin on the replacement of an Enbridge pipeline to Minnesota, and construction is advancing on expansion of the TransMountain Pipeline to the Pacific coast. One is expected to open next year and the other by the end of 2022. Canada's Global News agency reports the Alberta government ended its oil production curtailment program. At least one producer is optimistic, as Canadian NaturalResources said it would boost production by five percent next year. Oil and gas development pumped $2.8 billion into the treasury in New Mexico this year, according to a study commissioned by the New Mexico Oil and GasAssociation. That's the second-highest total revenue they've ever reported, despite a global price war and plummeting demand amid the coronavirus pandemic Work resumed off the coast of Germany on a Russian natural-gas pipeline, despite the recent acceleration of U.S. sanctions. Any individual or company helping the pipeline in any way has been targeted, in what the Russian Press Secretary last week called a kind of "hybrid warfare." Earlier this month the pipe-laying vessel Fortuna began laying a 1.5 mile section of the pipe.

News From the Oil Patch: Wichita quakes not caused by O&G

By KIM BALDWIN McPherson County farmer and rancher

Farm dogs hold a special place in the day-to-day operations of many family farms and ranches. For my family, our dog serves many important roles. Very quickly after our dog Rosie Bo was brought home to the farm as a tiny puppy, she assumed the role of head of farm security. Over the last few years, she has worked hard to ensure opossums avoid our porches, deer stay out of our yard, birds are made aware of a strict no fly zone near her human’s house, and all shadows of the night get a good barking. 

Although she has a huge, warm doghouse and a big barn full of hay, she has claimed a wicker chair on my front porch as her official post, which clearly allows her to remain on high patrol as she deems fit. I think she likes the spot because she not only can look over her territory, but she can also sit up and look into our living room to keep track of her humans.

Our girl Rosie Bo is fierce yet also the most loving and loyal pup you will ever find. She’ll try to destroy any wild animal that enters her domain, yet she tolerates her humans like only a saint would. Many days while my kids have been home during remote learning, I will look out my kitchen window during a recess break only to see Rosie Bo donning a few yards of fancy pink ruffles around her neck while running around the yard with the kids. It’s a style like that from the Elizabethan era and it is quite becoming of Her Majesty. Rosie Bo’s fashion is usually always styled by a 5-year-old little girl who loves digging through my fabric box and clearly has graduated from dressing her baby dolls to now accessorizing the farm dog.

More often than not this year, Rosie Bo has been allowed into the house to relax on the floor for a bit — usually in the absolute middle of any pathway traversed by her humans. I often wonder if she strategically places herself in these high-traffic areas in an attempt to trip her humans in the hopes they are carrying delicious morsels of food like Goldfish, string cheese or peanut butter sandwiches that she could help clean up.

While her taste in human food is quite sophisticated, Rosie Bo also fancies treasures she can enjoy after finding them while on patrol throughout the farm. She’s very proficient in searching our pastures and recovering deer bones that she then brings to my yard and gnaws on while lying in the sun. She’s also impressively good at sniffing out mummified pests like squirrels, raccoons and opossums and bringing them back to her wicker porch perch for safe keeping. I often wonder what runs through the mind of the UPS delivery guy when he makes deliveries to my house — never quite knowing what he’ll find when leaving a package by our door.

While our two kids have been home for remote school, Rosie Bo has become the third student in our learning environment. In the mornings, after she is allowed into the house, she’ll generally make a round through the kitchen to make sure there’s no cleanup work needed before she walks into one of the kids’ rooms to join a classroom Zoom meeting, listening to recitations of the alphabet by my daughter, and laying on the floor near my son as he works through his phonics lessons. Instead of gold stars, Rosie Bo generally knows she’s been a good pupil when she receives a special scratch behind her ear or on her belly and is told she’s a good dog.

As the final days of 2020 wrap up and a new year is ushered in, my guess is that Rosie Bo will continue with her essential responsibilities on the farm with little hesitation. After all, it’ll just be another day for our farm dog doing what she does so well.

"Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573617414005.jpeg" alt="Kim Baldwin" />
 <figcaption>Kim Baldwin</figcaption>
 </figure>By KIM BALDWIN McPherson County farmer and rancher Farm dogs hold a special place in the day-to-day operations of many family farms and ranches. For my family, our dog serves many important roles. Very quickly after our dog Rosie Bo was brought home to the farm as a tiny puppy, she assumed the role of head of farm security. Over the last few years, she has worked hard to ensure opossums avoid our porches, deer stay out of our yard, birds are made aware of a strict no fly zone near her human’s house, and all shadows of the night get a good barking. Although she has a huge, warm doghouse and a big barn full of hay, she has claimed a wicker chair on my front porch as her official post, which clearly allows her to remain on high patrol as she deems fit. I think she likes the spot because she not only can look over her territory, but she can also sit up and look into our living room to keep track of her humans.Our girl Rosie Bo is fierce yet also the most loving and loyal pup you will ever find. She’ll try to destroy any wild animal that enters her domain, yet she tolerates her humans like only a saint would. Many days while my kids have been home during remote learning, I will look out my kitchen window during a recess break only to see Rosie Bo donning a few yards of fancy pink ruffles around her neck while running around the yard with the kids. It’s a style like that from the Elizabethan era and it is quite becoming of Her Majesty. Rosie Bo’s fashion is usually always styled by a 5-year-old little girl who loves digging through my fabric box and clearly has graduated from dressing her baby dolls to now accessorizing the farm dog.More often than not this year, Rosie Bo has been allowed into the house to relax on the floor for a bit — usually in the absolute middle of any pathway traversed by her humans. I often wonder if she strategically places herself in these high-traffic areas in an attempt to trip her humans in the hopes they are carrying delicious morsels of food like Goldfish, string cheese or peanut butter sandwiches that she could help clean up.While her taste in human food is quite sophisticated, Rosie Bo also fancies treasures she can enjoy after finding them while on patrol throughout the farm. She’s very proficient in searching our pastures and recovering deer bones that she then brings to my yard and gnaws on while lying in the sun. She’s also impressively good at sniffing out mummified pests like squirrels, raccoons and opossums and bringing them back to her wicker porch perch for safe keeping. I often wonder what runs through the mind of the UPS delivery guy when he makes deliveries to my house — never quite knowing what he’ll find when leaving a package by our door.While our two kids have been home for remote school, Rosie Bo has become the third student in our learning environment. In the mornings, after she is allowed into the house, she’ll generally make a round through the kitchen to make sure there’s no cleanup work needed before she walks into one of the kids’ rooms to join a classroom Zoom meeting, listening to recitations of the alphabet by my daughter, and laying on the floor near my son as he works through his phonics lessons. Instead of gold stars, Rosie Bo generally knows she’s been a good pupil when she receives a special scratch behind her ear or on her belly and is told she’s a good dog.As the final days of 2020 wrap up and a new year is ushered in, my guess is that Rosie Bo will continue with her essential responsibilities on the farm with little hesitation. After all, it’ll just be another day for our farm dog doing what she does so well."Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.

Kansas Farm Bureau Insight: The role of a farm dog

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Hays' developmentally disabled population will still have a Night to Shine this year, although the annual event will look a little different.

In years past, the Night to Shine prom sponsored by the Tim Tebow foundation has included 800 to 1,000 people gathering at Celebration Community Church.&nbsp;

That was not possible this year because of COVID, Brent Kaiser, organizer, said.

Although the normal Night to Shine in-person dance will not happen this year, the local Night to Shine Committee will host Shine Thru Drive Thru Promenade Parade from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Jan. 23 in downtown Hays.

Promenade guests will receive a goodie bag at a stop at the Hays Aquatic Park. This will include a crown or tiara for each guest. A Night to Shine tradition has been to crown each participant a queen or king for the night.

They will then cruise Main Street to the Styles Dance Studio parking lot 1501 Main St., which will be the turn around.

Community members are encouraged to stand along the parade route and cheer on the guests. They can also drive the parade route in support. Drivers are encouraged to decorate their vehicles with lights.

"We would love to have as many people as possible cheering," Kaiser said. "That is the way we encourage people to get involved."

The guest vehicles will be clearly marked. Downtown streets will not be closed for the event.

Hot chocolate stands will be available for community members at several locations downtown during the event.

"We've set it up so it's a possibility for everyone who wants to come out can come out and still socially distance and still do all of those things and still be as safe as possible," Kaiser said.

The guest registration deadline is Jan. 15. Visit <a href="http://www.nighttoshinehays.org/?fbclid=IwAR2RVDhAGH68smcsZyfH2LeJ-Mi_0uelWA2YoeOFx7VkDTwq6iWaikOdQ2I" target="_blank">www.nighttoshinehays.org</a> and click on the register link at the top of the page.

Community members do not need to register for the event.

"We really want to make it a community-wide event," Kaiser said.

Organizers ask those participating in this event to wear masks and socially distance.

Tim Tebow Foundation also will host a virtual Night to Shine event on&nbsp;Friday, Feb 12. Guests will receive information on how to participate when they sign up for the Hays parade.&nbsp;

"We really encourage people to get involved in this," Kaiser said. "It is not exactly our No. 1 way to honor our guests or people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, but we feel this is the best opportunity to do that and hopefully next year we'll be able to have the traditional Night to Shine prom."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609176853135.jpeg" alt="A Night to Shine participant at the 2020 event. This year the event will include a socially distanced drive thru parade in downtown Hays. Photos courtesy of Night to Shine." />
 <figcaption>A Night to Shine participant at the 2020 event. This year the event will include a socially distanced drive thru parade in downtown Hays. Photos courtesy of Night to Shine.</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostHays' developmentally disabled population will still have a Night to Shine this year, although the annual event will look a little different.In years past, the Night to Shine prom sponsored by the Tim Tebow foundation has included 800 to 1,000 people gathering at Celebration Community Church.&nbsp;That was not possible this year because of COVID, Brent Kaiser, organizer, said.Although the normal Night to Shine in-person dance will not happen this year, the local Night to Shine Committee will host Shine Thru Drive Thru Promenade Parade from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Jan. 23 in downtown Hays.Promenade guests will receive a goodie bag at a stop at the Hays Aquatic Park. This will include a crown or tiara for each guest. A Night to Shine tradition has been to crown each participant a queen or king for the night.They will then cruise Main Street to the Styles Dance Studio parking lot 1501 Main St., which will be the turn around.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609177103121.jpeg" alt="Participants in 2020's Night to Shine at Celebration Community Church. The Night to Shine Committee will host Shine Thru Drive Thru Promenade Parade from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Jan. 23 in downtown Hays." />
 <figcaption>Participants in 2020's Night to Shine at Celebration Community Church. The Night to Shine Committee will host Shine Thru Drive Thru Promenade Parade from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Jan. 23 in downtown Hays.</figcaption>
 </figure>Community members are encouraged to stand along the parade route and cheer on the guests. They can also drive the parade route in support. Drivers are encouraged to decorate their vehicles with lights."We would love to have as many people as possible cheering," Kaiser said. "That is the way we encourage people to get involved."The guest vehicles will be clearly marked. Downtown streets will not be closed for the event.Hot chocolate stands will be available for community members at several locations downtown during the event."We've set it up so it's a possibility for everyone who wants to come out can come out and still socially distance and still do all of those things and still be as safe as possible," Kaiser said.The guest registration deadline is Jan. 15. Visit <a href="http://www.nighttoshinehays.org/?fbclid=IwAR2RVDhAGH68smcsZyfH2LeJ-Mi_0uelWA2YoeOFx7VkDTwq6iWaikOdQ2I" target="_blank">www.nighttoshinehays.org</a> and click on the register link at the top of the page.Community members do not need to register for the event."We really want to make it a community-wide event," Kaiser said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609177186323.jpeg" alt="Night to Shine guests pose at a photo booth during last year's event." />
 <figcaption>Night to Shine guests pose at a photo booth during last year's event.</figcaption>
 </figure>Organizers ask those participating in this event to wear masks and socially distance.Tim Tebow Foundation also will host a virtual Night to Shine event on&nbsp;Friday, Feb 12. Guests will receive information on how to participate when they sign up for the Hays parade.&nbsp;"We really encourage people to get involved in this," Kaiser said. "It is not exactly our No. 1 way to honor our guests or people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, but we feel this is the best opportunity to do that and hopefully next year we'll be able to have the traditional Night to Shine prom."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609182998795.jpeg" alt="A Night to Shine guest is welcomed to last year's event." />
 <figcaption>A Night to Shine guest is welcomed to last year's event.</figcaption>
 </figure>

Night to Shine pivots to Shine Thru Drive Thru Promenade Parade

UPDATE:&nbsp;The Garden City Police Department reported that Donald Hertel was located safe in Cloud County. They are working with the Cloud County Sheriff’s Office to reunite Hertel with his family.

FINNEY COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Garden City Police Department requested that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issues a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Garden City man.

The whereabouts of 93-year-old Donald Hertel are unknown, and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate him.

Hertel is a white male, 5-foot-8 in. tall and weighing 170 pounds. He has gray hair, blue eyes and wears glasses. 

Hertel was last seen around 8 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29 at his residence in Garden City. He is likely driving a dark blue 4-door 1994 Chevy Caprice with Kansas disabled tag 71528. He was last wearing a red sweater and black slacks.

Hertel has significant hearing loss and is showing signs of dementia. He walks with a bend at the waist, slouching forward. He may be traveling toward Hays, Kan.

If you see Hertel, his vehicle, or know of his whereabouts, please immediately call 911, or the Garden City Police Department at 620-276-1300.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609289206593.png" alt="Hertel-photo courtesy Garden City Police" />
 <figcaption>Hertel-photo courtesy Garden City Police</figcaption>
 </figure>UPDATE:&nbsp;The Garden City Police Department reported that Donald Hertel was located safe in Cloud County. They are working with the Cloud County Sheriff’s Office to reunite Hertel with his family.--------FINNEY COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Garden City Police Department requested that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issues a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Garden City man.The whereabouts of 93-year-old Donald Hertel are unknown, and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate him.Hertel is a white male, 5-foot-8 in. tall and weighing 170 pounds. He has gray hair, blue eyes and wears glasses. Hertel was last seen around 8 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29 at his residence in Garden City. He is likely driving a dark blue 4-door 1994 Chevy Caprice with Kansas disabled tag 71528. He was last wearing a red sweater and black slacks.Hertel has significant hearing loss and is showing signs of dementia. He walks with a bend at the waist, slouching forward. He may be traveling toward Hays, Kan.If you see Hertel, his vehicle, or know of his whereabouts, please immediately call 911, or the Garden City Police Department at 620-276-1300.

KBI: Silver Alert canceled; SW Kan. man found safe

As a weary world struggles to celebrate this holiday season the challenges for Kansas schools and the families they serve are monumental.&nbsp;&nbsp;Fortunately, two key COVID-related events bring hope—the promise of new vaccines to protect us from the virus and a stimulus package to ease the nation’s economic and social adversity.&nbsp;

We’ll learn more about vaccine distribution to educators and school workers in coming weeks.&nbsp;&nbsp;It’s also too early to know Kansas’ share of education funds in the stimulus bill sent to President Trump this week.&nbsp;&nbsp;At this writing, the President is requesting more funding be added before he signs the bill into law.&nbsp;&nbsp;

However, a look at what’s expected for K-12 education at the national level has been published by Future-Ed, a Georgetown University think-tank and the National Association of Elementary School Principals.&nbsp;&nbsp;The review summarizes the 5,593 page package and earmarked funds remaining from the first stimulus (March CARES Act).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

While this may seem like a lot of taxpayer money, COVID-19 has devastated traditional schooling in Kansas; moreover, the stimulus is meant for pandemic control and disaster recovery.&nbsp;&nbsp;It’s not meant to replace state funding for education that covers school operational expenses and teacher salaries.&nbsp;

To illustrate how additional funding can fill gaps that state funding cannot address, let’s compare what the stimulus package offers with what Kansans have voiced online and what news media have reported as the greatest public education needs.

For example, early this year as more children were homebound, public recognition grew for the importance of full-time schools in learning and nurturing the social/emotional development of children that was coupled with an overall commitment to the importance of safety. There also was a strong public reaction to limiting school sports because it was obvious to many that sports, also music and the arts, help keep students focused on their schooling.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Perhaps what most surprised us was realizing that the Kansas economy is driven in large part by the function of our schools to care for children while their parents work.&nbsp;&nbsp;Families lose income, trade and industry suffer and state tax revenue declines when schools shut down.&nbsp;

The proposed stimulus will bring $54.3 billion for K-12 schools nationally, about four times what schools received in March through the CARES Act.&nbsp;&nbsp;The new bill also includes $4 billion for governors to spend at their discretion.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Within the overall amount is $82 billion for colleges and schools for HVAC repair and replacement and other safety measures, along with funds for student support in high-need schools and more nutritional services.&nbsp;&nbsp;There is $7 billion to expand broadband access coupled with a separate item for building school technological capacity.&nbsp;&nbsp;The extant CARES act offers funding for teachers to integrate remote and classroom teaching.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hardships can bring greater understanding.&nbsp;&nbsp;The changes needed in our schools to help control the pandemic are also essential to recover from it and enable students to regain learning losses incurred during the pandemic.&nbsp;

The pandemic that continues to disrupt K-12 schools in every corner of our state will impact us for months, even years.&nbsp;&nbsp;As difficult as it is to accept, there’s no returning to school as it was in the past.&nbsp;&nbsp;By definition, stimulus infers incentive, a jump-start.&nbsp;&nbsp;It will take full, comprehensive state funding plus a strong stimulus package to give Kansas students the high-quality education they deserve.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1593719779701.jpeg" alt="Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education." />
 <figcaption>Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.</figcaption>
 </figure>As a weary world struggles to celebrate this holiday season the challenges for Kansas schools and the families they serve are monumental.&nbsp;&nbsp;Fortunately, two key COVID-related events bring hope—the promise of new vaccines to protect us from the virus and a stimulus package to ease the nation’s economic and social adversity.&nbsp;We’ll learn more about vaccine distribution to educators and school workers in coming weeks.&nbsp;&nbsp;It’s also too early to know Kansas’ share of education funds in the stimulus bill sent to President Trump this week.&nbsp;&nbsp;At this writing, the President is requesting more funding be added before he signs the bill into law.&nbsp;&nbsp;However, a look at what’s expected for K-12 education at the national level has been published by Future-Ed, a Georgetown University think-tank and the National Association of Elementary School Principals.&nbsp;&nbsp;The review summarizes the 5,593 page package and earmarked funds remaining from the first stimulus (March CARES Act).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;While this may seem like a lot of taxpayer money, COVID-19 has devastated traditional schooling in Kansas; moreover, the stimulus is meant for pandemic control and disaster recovery.&nbsp;&nbsp;It’s not meant to replace state funding for education that covers school operational expenses and teacher salaries.&nbsp;To illustrate how additional funding can fill gaps that state funding cannot address, let’s compare what the stimulus package offers with what Kansans have voiced online and what news media have reported as the greatest public education needs.For example, early this year as more children were homebound, public recognition grew for the importance of full-time schools in learning and nurturing the social/emotional development of children that was coupled with an overall commitment to the importance of safety. There also was a strong public reaction to limiting school sports because it was obvious to many that sports, also music and the arts, help keep students focused on their schooling.&nbsp;&nbsp;Perhaps what most surprised us was realizing that the Kansas economy is driven in large part by the function of our schools to care for children while their parents work.&nbsp;&nbsp;Families lose income, trade and industry suffer and state tax revenue declines when schools shut down.&nbsp;The proposed stimulus will bring $54.3 billion for K-12 schools nationally, about four times what schools received in March through the CARES Act.&nbsp;&nbsp;The new bill also includes $4 billion for governors to spend at their discretion.&nbsp;&nbsp;Within the overall amount is $82 billion for colleges and schools for HVAC repair and replacement and other safety measures, along with funds for student support in high-need schools and more nutritional services.&nbsp;&nbsp;There is $7 billion to expand broadband access coupled with a separate item for building school technological capacity.&nbsp;&nbsp;The extant CARES act offers funding for teachers to integrate remote and classroom teaching.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hardships can bring greater understanding.&nbsp;&nbsp;The changes needed in our schools to help control the pandemic are also essential to recover from it and enable students to regain learning losses incurred during the pandemic.&nbsp;The pandemic that continues to disrupt K-12 schools in every corner of our state will impact us for months, even years.&nbsp;&nbsp;As difficult as it is to accept, there’s no returning to school as it was in the past.&nbsp;&nbsp;By definition, stimulus infers incentive, a jump-start.&nbsp;&nbsp;It will take full, comprehensive state funding plus a strong stimulus package to give Kansas students the high-quality education they deserve.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Stimulus funding will help not replace state funding for schools

Dec. 31 is a fifth Thursday of the month; therefore, there won't be a Hays City Commission work session that evening.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584721067731.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>City of HaysDec. 31 is a fifth Thursday of the month; therefore, there won't be a Hays City Commission work session that evening.

No city commission work session Thursday

Due to the observance of the New Year’s holiday on Friday, refuse/recycling route collection schedules in Hays will be altered as follows.

Thursday and Friday routes will be collected on Thursday.

Although collections may not occur on your normal day, collections will be completed during the week. 

It is anticipated that heavy volumes of refuse/recycling will be encountered around the holidays. Please make sure your refuse and recycling are out by 7 a.m., and keep in mind that the trucks have no set time schedule. 

City of Hays customers who&nbsp; may have any questions regarding this notice should contact the Solid Waste Division of the Public Works Department at 785-628-7350.

City of HaysDue to the observance of the New Year’s holiday on Friday, refuse/recycling route collection schedules in Hays will be altered as follows.Thursday and Friday routes will be collected on Thursday.Although collections may not occur on your normal day, collections will be completed during the week. It is anticipated that heavy volumes of refuse/recycling will be encountered around the holidays. Please make sure your refuse and recycling are out by 7 a.m., and keep in mind that the trucks have no set time schedule. City of Hays customers who&nbsp; may have any questions regarding this notice should contact the Solid Waste Division of the Public Works Department at 785-628-7350.

Refuse and recycling changes for New Year's Day holiday

ELLIS COUNTY —A police pursuit ended in an accident just after 10:30p.m. Monday in Ellis County.

A police officer in Ellis observed a driver later identified as 29-year-old Kyle Williams of Abilene driving erratically, according to Police Chief Christopher Krom.

During the police pursuit, the 1998 Ford Taurus driven Williams, left the road&nbsp; in the 100 Block of Old Highway 40. The car entered the north ditch, struck a tree and rolled onto the driver's side, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.

EMS transported Williams to Hays Medical Center. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.&nbsp;&nbsp;

ELLIS COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just after 10:30 p.m. Monday during a police pursuit in Ellis County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported the Ellis Police Department was in pursuit of a 1998 Ford Taurus driven by&nbsp; Kyle L. Williams, 29, Abilene, in the 100 Block of Old Highway 40.

The Taurus left the roadway to the right, entered the north ditch, struck a tree and rolled onto the driver's side.

EMS transported Williams to Hays Medical Center. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.&nbsp; Authorities have not released details on what prompted the chase.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609277859589.png" alt="Williams has previous arrests in Dickinson, Saline, Ottawa and Mitchell County, according to online jail records. He has convictions for theft, aggravated failure to appear and contributing to a child's misconduct in Geary County, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections." />
 <figcaption>Williams has previous arrests in Dickinson, Saline, Ottawa and Mitchell County, according to online jail records. He has convictions for theft, aggravated failure to appear and contributing to a child's misconduct in Geary County, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.</figcaption>
 </figure>ELLIS COUNTY —A police pursuit ended in an accident just after 10:30p.m. Monday in Ellis County.A police officer in Ellis observed a driver later identified as 29-year-old Kyle Williams of Abilene driving erratically, according to Police Chief Christopher Krom.During the police pursuit, the 1998 Ford Taurus driven Williams, left the road&nbsp; in the 100 Block of Old Highway 40. The car entered the north ditch, struck a tree and rolled onto the driver's side, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.EMS transported Williams to Hays Medical Center. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.&nbsp;&nbsp;------ELLIS COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just after 10:30 p.m. Monday during a police pursuit in Ellis County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported the Ellis Police Department was in pursuit of a 1998 Ford Taurus driven by&nbsp; Kyle L. Williams, 29, Abilene, in the 100 Block of Old Highway 40.The Taurus left the roadway to the right, entered the north ditch, struck a tree and rolled onto the driver's side.EMS transported Williams to Hays Medical Center. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.&nbsp; Authorities have not released details on what prompted the chase.

Update: Kan. man hospitalized after police chase, crash 

EDMOND, Okla. – Due to COVID-19 testing protocols, the Fort Hays State 
men's basketball game scheduled for Saturday at Central 
Oklahoma has been postponed. Rescheduling of the game will be announced 
at a later time. 
As it stands right now, the next game on the FHSU men's schedule is on 
Jan. 7 at Central Missouri. Keep an eye on fhsuathletics.com for the 
potential of any further developments with the FHSU men's schedule in 
the coming days.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609279717390.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsEDMOND, Okla. – Due to COVID-19 testing protocols, the Fort Hays State 
men's basketball game scheduled for Saturday at Central 
Oklahoma has been postponed. Rescheduling of the game will be announced 
at a later time. 
As it stands right now, the next game on the FHSU men's schedule is on 
Jan. 7 at Central Missouri. Keep an eye on fhsuathletics.com for the 
potential of any further developments with the FHSU men's schedule in 
the coming days.

FHSU game against Central Oklahoma postponed due to COVID-19 protocols

The Heartland Community Foundation, which serves Ellis, Rooks and Trego counties, recently awarded $163,059 in grants during its fall grant cycle to area organizations across the three counties. These organizations provide much needed education, health, community development, recreation, or public safety services and programs to the region.&nbsp;

In Ellis County, $56,164 was distributed through the foundation’s Ellis County Legacy Fund and the Dane G. Hansen Community Action Fund. In Rooks County, $63,463 was distributed from the Rooks County Legacy Fund, the Heartland Area Action Fund, the Kansas Health Foundation Fund, and the Dane G. Hansen Community Action Fund. And, in Trego County, $43,432 was distributed from the Trego County Legacy Fund and the Dane G. Hansen Community Action Fund.

Contributions to the Heartland Community Foundation directly support these grant programs and charitable agencies. To learn more about donating to Heartland, visit <a href="http://www.heartlandcommunityfoundation.org">www.heartlandcommunityfoundation.org</a> or call 785-621-4090.&nbsp;

The following organizations received funding to benefit Ellis County:

The following organizations received funding to benefit Rooks County:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600726153080.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HCFThe Heartland Community Foundation, which serves Ellis, Rooks and Trego counties, recently awarded $163,059 in grants during its fall grant cycle to area organizations across the three counties. These organizations provide much needed education, health, community development, recreation, or public safety services and programs to the region.&nbsp;In Ellis County, $56,164 was distributed through the foundation’s Ellis County Legacy Fund and the Dane G. Hansen Community Action Fund. In Rooks County, $63,463 was distributed from the Rooks County Legacy Fund, the Heartland Area Action Fund, the Kansas Health Foundation Fund, and the Dane G. Hansen Community Action Fund. And, in Trego County, $43,432 was distributed from the Trego County Legacy Fund and the Dane G. Hansen Community Action Fund.Contributions to the Heartland Community Foundation directly support these grant programs and charitable agencies. To learn more about donating to Heartland, visit <a href="http://www.heartlandcommunityfoundation.org">www.heartlandcommunityfoundation.org</a> or call 785-621-4090.&nbsp;The following organizations received funding to benefit Ellis County:<ul>
 <li>The Arc of Central Plains, $7,450 to purchase a shade structure and benches at the ARC Park Splash Pad.</li><li>Kansas Food Bank, $3,500 for the Food 4 Kids weekend food bags in the community.</li><li>First Presbyterian Church, $5,277 for playground equipment and gross motor activities for The Lighthouse Childcare facility.</li><li>Celebration Community Church, $2,500 for the Night to Shine planned event and community parade for individuals with disabilities.&nbsp;</li><li>Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas, $7,155 to make updates to the Canal Home, including an awning and garage door.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Holy Family Elementary School, $4,967 for four Innovation Stations – Mobile Makerspace carts for students in preschool through sixth grade.</li><li>High Plains Mental Health Center, $2,000, for support for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.</li><li>Downtown Hays Development Corporation, $8,000, for the purchase of a trailer to aid in outreach opportunities, concessions, and support for downtown events.</li><li>Thomas More Prep-Marian High, Inc., $4,500 for updates and furniture for the Junior High Flexible Learning Center.</li><li>USD 432, $4,258 for the purchase design and graphics equipment at Victoria High School, which will be used for classroom and entrepreneurial opportunities.&nbsp;</li><li>Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center, $1,000 for services provided to abused children, related to the organization’s Covid-19 response.&nbsp;</li><li>Heartland Parish – St. Anthony Church, $5,000 to put toward the construction of a new community shelter/building and play area for children.</li><li>CASA of the High Plains, Inc., $307 to update the agency front office area with new paint and chairs.&nbsp;</li><li>Northwest Kansas Juvenile Services, $250 to purchase the curriculum and needed items to implement The Parent Project program.</li>
 </ul>The following organizations received funding to benefit Rooks County:<ul>
 <li>Prairie Frontier Trails Association, $20,000 for cellular trail cameras, a drone package, survey equipment, and basic trail building equipment (KTC Trail in a Box) to use with trail projects in northwest Kansas.</li><li>Webster State Park, $5,000 to update and enhance the outdated playground equipment located within the Rock Point campground at Webster State Park.&nbsp; Money will be allocated towards the purchasing of new equipment and safety measures put in place for kids.</li><li>Kansas Food Bank, $1,000 for the Food 4 Kids weekend food bags in the community.&nbsp;</li><li>Rooks County Healthcare Foundation, $9,875 in matching funds to help purchase a surgical camera system for use during arthroscopic and laparoscopic procedures that can be safely and effectively sterilized.</li><li>Housing Authority of Plainville/Country Lane Apartments, $2,500 to purchase hot water heaters for the facility, which offers affordable housing for low-income individuals.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Celebration Community Church, $500 for the Night to Shine planned event and community parade for individuals with disabilities.&nbsp;</li><li>Plainville Recreation Commission, $3,648 for the purchase of sanitizing supplies and cleaning solution to prevent the spread of germs and Covid-19 in the facility.&nbsp;</li><li>Sacred Heart Parish, $7,000 for the purchase of textbooks and supplies serving children preschool through sixth grade at Sacred Heart Grade School.&nbsp;</li><li>City of Plainville, $4440 for the purchase of additional light-up decorations to be used in downtown Plainville during the holiday season of 2021 and beyond.&nbsp;</li><li>USD 270, $5,403 for the purchase of necessary supplies to create de-escalation rooms at each district school building, which will offer students and staff a place to lessen anxiety or briefly reset following a stressful event.&nbsp;</li><li>Damar Community Historical Foundation, $1,000, for the beautification projects planned throughout Damar.</li>
 </ul>The following organizations received funding to benefit Trego County:<ul>
 <li>City of WaKeeney, $3,748 to put toward the start-up costs for the public transportation van program, which will provide out-of-town transportation to residents for health care, dental, and mental health needs.&nbsp;</li><li>USD 208, $3,154 for the purchase of necessary technology, including an iPad, to enhance virtual learning capabilities.&nbsp;</li><li>Kansas Food Bank, $500 to begin offering a Food 4 Kids weekend food bags in the community.&nbsp;</li><li>Trego County Senior Citizens Center, Inc., $4,205 for the purchase of a new, accessible front door at the Senior Center.</li><li>WaKeeney Saddle Club, $15,000 toward the installation of a storm shelter, restroom/shower, and concession area at the Trego County Fairgrounds.</li><li>Celebration Community Church, $500 for the Night to Shine planned event and community parade for individuals with disabilities.&nbsp;</li><li>WaKeeney Church of God, $5,500 to update and enhance the audio/video streaming system at the church, a system that is managed in part by a teen-age volunteer.</li><li>Trego County, $6,000, toward the purchase of improved jail camera equipment at the Trego County Sheriff’s Office.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>USD 208, $2,000, to implement a Reality U life and financial planning program for 8th, 10th, and 12th graders.&nbsp;</li><li>USD 208, $1,536 for the purchase of games and supplies to furnish the at-risk youth classroom.</li><li>Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital, $1,289 for the purchase and installation of a water refilling station at the hospital.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Applications to the foundation’s next grant cycle will open on March 15 and will close on May 15. Visit <a href="http://www.heartlandcommunityfoundation.org">www.heartlandcommunityfoundation.org</a> for more information.&nbsp;To make a donation, visit www.heartlandcommunityfoundation.org. Each February, during the Twice as Nice campaign, donations are matched dollar-for-dollar by the Dane G. Hansen Foundation.&nbsp;

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