Due to cold temperatures, USD 489 will have no school on Tuesday.

Due to cold temperatures, USD 489 will have no school on Tuesday.

No school on Tuesday for Hays USD 489

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

With a high of just 12 degrees in Hays Saturday, the overnight low fell to -4 degrees as light snow fell.

The wind chill at 8 a.m. Sunday was -14 degrees according to the official report from the K-State Agricultural Center.

A wind chill warning until 11 a.m. Tuesday for much of the area, including Ellis County, has been issued by the National Weather Service in Dodge City.

Hays received 2.5 inches of snow overnight, yielding 0.05 inches of moisture. It is the first snow in February for Hays.&nbsp;

By BECKY KISER Hays PostWith a high of just 12 degrees in Hays Saturday, the overnight low fell to -4 degrees as light snow fell.The wind chill at 8 a.m. Sunday was -14 degrees according to the official report from the K-State Agricultural Center.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613334045579.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>A wind chill warning until 11 a.m. Tuesday for much of the area, including Ellis County, has been issued by the National Weather Service in Dodge City.Hays received 2.5 inches of snow overnight, yielding 0.05 inches of moisture. It is the first snow in February for Hays.&nbsp;

Snow and bitterly cold temps in Hays; wind chill warning until Tuesday

TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for&nbsp;a portion of the City of Ellis Public Water Supply System located in Ellis County. 

This advisory is issued for customers located on 11th&nbsp;Street from Cottonwood to Baughman and on Ross Street from Cottonwood to Baughman. This advisory is not related to Covid-19.

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

The advisory took effect on February 13 and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. 

KDHE issued the advisory because of a waterline break causing a loss of pressure in the system. Loss of pressure may cause a loss of chlorine residual which can lead to bacterial contamination.

Regardless of whether the public water supplier or KDHE announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

For consumer questions, please contact the water system or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTAyMTQuMzUyMjM2MTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmtkaGVrcy5nb3YvcHdzL2VtZXJnZW5jeXJlc3BvbnNlL3dhdGVyX2Rpc3J1cHRpb24uaHRtP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.pGgtaBBH5KJU8N2qKuSuo75zuWYiBonTzl9rD5maHvM/s/1305913623/br/97594862776-l" target="_blank">http://www.kdheks.gov/pws/emergencyresponse/water_disruption.htm</a>

Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety &amp; lodging program at&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kda.fsl@ks.gov" target="_blank">kda.fsl@ks.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 785-564-6767.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595873466130.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KDHETOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for&nbsp;a portion of the City of Ellis Public Water Supply System located in Ellis County. This advisory is issued for customers located on 11th&nbsp;Street from Cottonwood to Baughman and on Ross Street from Cottonwood to Baughman. This advisory is not related to Covid-19.Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:<ul>
 <li>If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.</li><li>Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water.</li><li>Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic ice maker.</li><li>Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.</li><li>Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.</li>
 </ul>The advisory took effect on February 13 and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. KDHE issued the advisory because of a waterline break causing a loss of pressure in the system. Loss of pressure may cause a loss of chlorine residual which can lead to bacterial contamination.Regardless of whether the public water supplier or KDHE announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.For consumer questions, please contact the water system or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTAyMTQuMzUyMjM2MTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmtkaGVrcy5nb3YvcHdzL2VtZXJnZW5jeXJlc3BvbnNlL3dhdGVyX2Rpc3J1cHRpb24uaHRtP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.pGgtaBBH5KJU8N2qKuSuo75zuWYiBonTzl9rD5maHvM/s/1305913623/br/97594862776-l" target="_blank">http://www.kdheks.gov/pws/emergencyresponse/water_disruption.htm</a>Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety &amp; lodging program at&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kda.fsl@ks.gov" target="_blank">kda.fsl@ks.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 785-564-6767.

Boil Water Advisory issued for portion of Ellis

Wrapping up their annual Heart 2 Heart campaign managers and staff at Dillons, 1902 Vine, braved extreme cold as Valentines day approached to deliver&nbsp;4,282 roses to area residents living in nursing homes and other care facilities.

"This year has been a pretty tough year, and it really means a lot to be able to give a rose to some people in the rest home and other areas that just need a smile and to brighten their day," said&nbsp;Brad Richmond, store manager. "Sometimes they don't get a chance to see family, so we are just very thankful for our customer base."

For every paper rose purchased at Dillons earlier this month, a single-stem red rose was delivered to local organizations from stores across the region, the company said in a recent announcement.

 All roses typically stay in the communities where purchased, but Richmond said this year so many donations came in at the Hays location there were also delivering to locations in surrounding communities.

"We are delivering to the surrounding communities also, Victoria, Plainville. Ellis, La Crosse, which also represents our customer base so we are just very thankful for our customers' generosity," Richmond said.

Since the collection drive began in late January, more than 45,600 roses have been donated by Dillons’ customers, across the company.

“The teams at Dillons are so excited to share a little cheer this Valentine’s Day with&nbsp;Heart 2 Heart,” said Sheila Regehr, Dillons spokeswoman. “Quite often, it’s the little unexpected things that can bring so much joy, especially at times like these. That’s what makes Heart to Heart so special. Over the next few days, we will have teams of Dillons’ cupids running throughout Kansas sharing a friendly smile and a whole lot of love. Heart to Heart is made possible by the generosity of our Dillons customers. … They are simply the best.”

Other locations in the region also saw impressive donation numbers for this year's program.

In Great Bend 1,384 roses were donated, in Larned, 481, and in Salina 1,874. Eight hundred were donated in Colby.

"We are really thankful for the community's generosity," Richmond said. "It's their money that we collect that enables us to get these roses to people."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613257661181.jpeg" alt="Hays Dillons' store manager Brad Richmond (left) and assistant manager Matt Niles, (right) assistant manager deliver boxes of roses to Roosevelt Elementary School in Hays Friday afternoon as part of the annual Heart 2 Heart campaign." />
 <figcaption>Hays Dillons' store manager Brad Richmond (left) and assistant manager Matt Niles, (right) assistant manager deliver boxes of roses to Roosevelt Elementary School in Hays Friday afternoon as part of the annual Heart 2 Heart campaign.</figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostWrapping up their annual Heart 2 Heart campaign managers and staff at Dillons, 1902 Vine, braved extreme cold as Valentines day approached to deliver&nbsp;4,282 roses to area residents living in nursing homes and other care facilities."This year has been a pretty tough year, and it really means a lot to be able to give a rose to some people in the rest home and other areas that just need a smile and to brighten their day," said&nbsp;Brad Richmond, store manager. "Sometimes they don't get a chance to see family, so we are just very thankful for our customer base."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613257708014.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>For every paper rose purchased at Dillons earlier this month, a single-stem red rose was delivered to local organizations from stores across the region, the company said in a recent announcement. All roses typically stay in the communities where purchased, but Richmond said this year so many donations came in at the Hays location there were also delivering to locations in surrounding communities.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613257736352.jpeg" alt="Dillons floral manager Robert Custer and associate Linda Pfannenstiel help load roses for delivery Friday afternoon." />
 <figcaption>Dillons floral manager Robert Custer and associate Linda Pfannenstiel help load roses for delivery Friday afternoon.</figcaption>
 </figure>"We are delivering to the surrounding communities also, Victoria, Plainville. Ellis, La Crosse, which also represents our customer base so we are just very thankful for our customers' generosity," Richmond said.Since the collection drive began in late January, more than 45,600 roses have been donated by Dillons’ customers, across the company.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613257789674.jpeg" alt="Dillons associate Faith Kohl and&nbsp;assistant manager Matt Niles help load roses Friday afternoon." />
 <figcaption>Dillons associate Faith Kohl and&nbsp;assistant manager Matt Niles help load roses Friday afternoon.</figcaption>
 </figure>“The teams at Dillons are so excited to share a little cheer this Valentine’s Day with&nbsp;Heart 2 Heart,” said Sheila Regehr, Dillons spokeswoman. “Quite often, it’s the little unexpected things that can bring so much joy, especially at times like these. That’s what makes Heart to Heart so special. Over the next few days, we will have teams of Dillons’ cupids running throughout Kansas sharing a friendly smile and a whole lot of love. Heart to Heart is made possible by the generosity of our Dillons customers. … They are simply the best.”Other locations in the region also saw impressive donation numbers for this year's program.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613257621512.jpeg" alt="Trinity Lutheran church administrative assistant Anna Towns speak with Dillons store manager&nbsp; Brad Richmond and assistant manager Matt Niles as they deliver roses to the church on Friday afternoon." />
 <figcaption>Trinity Lutheran church administrative assistant Anna Towns speak with Dillons store manager&nbsp; Brad Richmond and assistant manager Matt Niles as they deliver roses to the church on Friday afternoon.</figcaption>
 </figure>In Great Bend 1,384 roses were donated, in Larned, 481, and in Salina 1,874. Eight hundred were donated in Colby."We are really thankful for the community's generosity," Richmond said. "It's their money that we collect that enables us to get these roses to people."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613257765927.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613257814763.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Hays Dillons delivers over 4,000 roses during annual Heart 2 Heart campaign

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Hays High School athletic director said the district's athletic facilities are lagging behind even some 3A districts in the state.

Lance Krannawitter, HHS athletics director, was at the Monday night's school board meeting updating the members about HHS's athletics and activities.

"What I want to bring to people's attention is that we have school districts around us, including school districts in our own conference, that have facilities that are far beyond what we have here in Hays," Krannawitter said.

"I am not saying that to be condescending, and I am saying that as a matter of fact."

He said 3A districts in Kansas are building amazing five-star facilities. He gave the example of Scott City, which has a new facility for basketball and indoor sports. Colby is also in the process of building a multi-million-dollar indoor sports facility for its high school and junior college.

Dodge City has an indoor football, soccer and band facility, as well as outdoor all-weather surface playing and practice fields.

Krannawitter said many 3A schools are also adding turf football fields—something that is on Hays' wish list. The district currently plays at Fort Hays State University's Lewis Field.

"As we move forward and as we look at making improvements in our district, we need to take a hard look at improving those facilities also," Krannawitter said.&nbsp;

Other items on the district's athletic facilities needs list is a new softball field and a competition-size gym.

The softball team uses a field at Glassman. Krannawitter said there is some concern about students driving to an off-campus facility. This often involves upperclassmen driving underclassmen to the field.

"It's an investment in your community, it is not just an investment in your schools," Krannawitter said. "If you build it, they will stay and they will come."&nbsp;

School board member Tammy Wellbrock asked if there is a way to calculate the potential loss of income to the community becuase the school district is unable to host events because of the district lacks appropriate facilities.

Wellbrock said it was not just athletic events the community has not been able to host, but also other activities. The district wanted to host a regional student council event, but could not because HHS' auditorium was too small.

Wellbrock wanted the district to start documenting the lost potential. Krannawitter said he could do that. He also said he thought including the Hays Recreation Commission in that analysis would be significant.

Krannawitter cited the example of a large softball tournament that was rained out in the recent past. Many of the teams did not rebook that tournament. If Hays had an all-weather field or fields, play could have continued.

"Sports and activities are one of the better avenues to bring money to the area, and we are talking about outside money, not just recirculated currency within your own community," he said.

Wellbrock added, "And it keeps our community here versus going to another community."

HHS has an average of 650 athletic participants annually out of about 850 students. Some of those are individuals who participate in multiple sports.

Sports is a high-maintenance aspect of high school and middle school, Krannawitter said. He highlighted several HHS athletic capital projects that have been recently completed and several more that the district would like to complete.

HHS put a new competition-level volleyball system in its gym A last summer. The school plans on putting in a new pull system that will run length-wise of gym A.

This will allow the school to meet the minimum attendance requirements to host volleyball substate. The district will be able to pull out both sets of bleachers so it can get more people into the gym to watch matches.

The school is also looking at putting a volleyball system in gym B.&nbsp;

A new tennis serving machine has been purchased, and new lockers have been installed in the wrestling locker room.&nbsp;

At the end of the wrestling season, the school will purchase a new wrestling mat.

Two additional weight racks were added in the HHS weight room.

A few years ago, the district also implemented a uniform rotation schedule.

The school is also considering expanding its trophy cases as it is running out of room. The school would also like to add a trophy case or kiosk to highlight the HHS Hall of Fame.

Krannawitter said the district is going to need to make improvements to its tennis courts in the near future.

"We have some surface cracking taking place and it is going to be very difficult to host events and have our kids practice on courts that have difficult surfaces to play on," he said.

The HHS gym floor has dead spots. The surface is worn to the point that a ball will not bounce back if it hits one of the dead spots, Krannawitter said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613063450314.jpeg" alt="Hays High School basketball during the 2019-20 school year. The school needs a new gym floor. Because of age, there are dead spots in the floor. Photos courtesy of Kim Reel Photography&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kimreelphotography" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/kimreelphotography</a>" />
 <figcaption>Hays High School basketball during the 2019-20 school year. The school needs a new gym floor. Because of age, there are dead spots in the floor. Photos courtesy of Kim Reel Photography&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kimreelphotography" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/kimreelphotography</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays High School athletic director said the district's athletic facilities are lagging behind even some 3A districts in the state.Lance Krannawitter, HHS athletics director, was at the Monday night's school board meeting updating the members about HHS's athletics and activities."What I want to bring to people's attention is that we have school districts around us, including school districts in our own conference, that have facilities that are far beyond what we have here in Hays," Krannawitter said."I am not saying that to be condescending, and I am saying that as a matter of fact."<h2>Other school surpassing Hays</h2>He said 3A districts in Kansas are building amazing five-star facilities. He gave the example of Scott City, which has a new facility for basketball and indoor sports. Colby is also in the process of building a multi-million-dollar indoor sports facility for its high school and junior college.Dodge City has an indoor football, soccer and band facility, as well as outdoor all-weather surface playing and practice fields.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613063867520.jpeg" alt="HHS JV football plays at the HHS practice field. The varsity plays at the Fort Hays State University stadium. One of the wishes for the HHS athletic program is its own all-weather turf field. Photos courtesy of Kim Reel Photography&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kimreelphotography" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/kimreelphotography</a>" />
 <figcaption>HHS JV football plays at the HHS practice field. The varsity plays at the Fort Hays State University stadium. One of the wishes for the HHS athletic program is its own all-weather turf field. Photos courtesy of Kim Reel Photography&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kimreelphotography" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/kimreelphotography</a></figcaption>
 </figure>Krannawitter said many 3A schools are also adding turf football fields—something that is on Hays' wish list. The district currently plays at Fort Hays State University's Lewis Field."As we move forward and as we look at making improvements in our district, we need to take a hard look at improving those facilities also," Krannawitter said.&nbsp;Other items on the district's athletic facilities needs list is a new softball field and a competition-size gym.The softball team uses a field at Glassman. Krannawitter said there is some concern about students driving to an off-campus facility. This often involves upperclassmen driving underclassmen to the field."It's an investment in your community, it is not just an investment in your schools," Krannawitter said. "If you build it, they will stay and they will come."&nbsp;<h2>Economic impact of school activities</h2>School board member Tammy Wellbrock asked if there is a way to calculate the potential loss of income to the community becuase the school district is unable to host events because of the district lacks appropriate facilities.Wellbrock said it was not just athletic events the community has not been able to host, but also other activities. The district wanted to host a regional student council event, but could not because HHS' auditorium was too small.Wellbrock wanted the district to start documenting the lost potential. Krannawitter said he could do that. He also said he thought including the Hays Recreation Commission in that analysis would be significant.Krannawitter cited the example of a large softball tournament that was rained out in the recent past. Many of the teams did not rebook that tournament. If Hays had an all-weather field or fields, play could have continued."Sports and activities are one of the better avenues to bring money to the area, and we are talking about outside money, not just recirculated currency within your own community," he said.Wellbrock added, "And it keeps our community here versus going to another community."HHS has an average of 650 athletic participants annually out of about 850 students. Some of those are individuals who participate in multiple sports.<h2>Recent maintenance</h2>Sports is a high-maintenance aspect of high school and middle school, Krannawitter said. He highlighted several HHS athletic capital projects that have been recently completed and several more that the district would like to complete.HHS put a new competition-level volleyball system in its gym A last summer. The school plans on putting in a new pull system that will run length-wise of gym A.This will allow the school to meet the minimum attendance requirements to host volleyball substate. The district will be able to pull out both sets of bleachers so it can get more people into the gym to watch matches.The school is also looking at putting a volleyball system in gym B.&nbsp;A new tennis serving machine has been purchased, and new lockers have been installed in the wrestling locker room.&nbsp;At the end of the wrestling season, the school will purchase a new wrestling mat.Two additional weight racks were added in the HHS weight room.A few years ago, the district also implemented a uniform rotation schedule.The school is also considering expanding its trophy cases as it is running out of room. The school would also like to add a trophy case or kiosk to highlight the HHS Hall of Fame.<h2>Other future needs</h2>Krannawitter said the district is going to need to make improvements to its tennis courts in the near future."We have some surface cracking taking place and it is going to be very difficult to host events and have our kids practice on courts that have difficult surfaces to play on," he said.The HHS gym floor has dead spots. The surface is worn to the point that a ball will not bounce back if it hits one of the dead spots, Krannawitter said.

Other schools' athletic facilities 'far beyond' Hays USD 489

Look at any key community institution in the Post Rock Community Foundation coverage area over the past 10 years and that institution is likely to have at least one project funded, either fully or partially, by a PRCF grant.

Lincoln's Finch Theatre, Art Center, Municipal Swimming Pool and Frisbee Golf Course, Sylvan Grove's American Legion, City Library and historic depot, Vesper's Community Center, Denmark's Community Hall and Preservation Foundation, Lucas' Community Theater and baseball field, Luray's Fire Department and Bandstand, Lincoln County Emergency Services, Hospital, Historical Society and Fairgrounds, the USD #298 and #299 school districts, the City of Barnard, the City of Beverly, Hunter Economic Development projects and many local churches are just a few of the many beneficiaries of PRCF grant funding.

Just last year, the PRCF awarded $130,000 in grants to more than two dozen different community projects.

Over the past four years, the PRCF has hosted a Match Month, taking advantage of a matching grant initiative from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, a philanthropic organization based in Logan, Kan., with a mission to “reverse the population decline, increase the economic opportunities and strengthen critical community services” in its 26 county coverage area.

After a historically successful Match Month in February 2020, punctuated by a well-attended dinner at Flyboy's in Sylvan Grove, this year the PRCF will host a virtual Match Month in February thanks to recommendations to avoid large gatherings in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

PRCF chairman Ruth Sorensen calls Match Month an opportunity for still more growth and community enhancements.

"Leaders across the entire Post Rock area recognize the economic impact of the many contributions of the Dane G Hansen Foundation," Sorensen said. "The current Match Month fundraising effort presents yet another opportunity to benefit from the support of this organization. We ask everyone to consider donating to the Post Rock Community Foundation during February 2021 when, because of the Dane G Hansen Foundation, any donations will immediately grow for the good of the local communities."

During Match Month, the Hansen Foundation will match any donation 150%, making every $1 donated worth $2.50.

"To illustrate just how much impact Match Month has on our local area, we can look at the results of the February 2020 Match Month,” Sorensen noted. “Our area supporters generously gave $43,877 and the Hansen Foundation matched that amount 150% by giving $65,816 to our foundation. This resulted in $109,693 growth in the PRCF endowed fund in a month’s time! This money will continue to grow and will help fund exciting projects for the Post Rock area."

To take advantage of this match consider mailing a donation to the Post Rock Community Foundation, PO Box 62, Sylvan Grove, KS 67481 or go online to donate at <a href="https://postrockcf.org/donate-online">https://postrockcf.org/donate-online</a>.

For more information, find the Post Rock Community Foundation on Facebook or contact a current board member.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613068431166.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>PRCFLook at any key community institution in the Post Rock Community Foundation coverage area over the past 10 years and that institution is likely to have at least one project funded, either fully or partially, by a PRCF grant.Lincoln's Finch Theatre, Art Center, Municipal Swimming Pool and Frisbee Golf Course, Sylvan Grove's American Legion, City Library and historic depot, Vesper's Community Center, Denmark's Community Hall and Preservation Foundation, Lucas' Community Theater and baseball field, Luray's Fire Department and Bandstand, Lincoln County Emergency Services, Hospital, Historical Society and Fairgrounds, the USD #298 and #299 school districts, the City of Barnard, the City of Beverly, Hunter Economic Development projects and many local churches are just a few of the many beneficiaries of PRCF grant funding.Just last year, the PRCF awarded $130,000 in grants to more than two dozen different community projects.Over the past four years, the PRCF has hosted a Match Month, taking advantage of a matching grant initiative from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, a philanthropic organization based in Logan, Kan., with a mission to “reverse the population decline, increase the economic opportunities and strengthen critical community services” in its 26 county coverage area.After a historically successful Match Month in February 2020, punctuated by a well-attended dinner at Flyboy's in Sylvan Grove, this year the PRCF will host a virtual Match Month in February thanks to recommendations to avoid large gatherings in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus.PRCF chairman Ruth Sorensen calls Match Month an opportunity for still more growth and community enhancements."Leaders across the entire Post Rock area recognize the economic impact of the many contributions of the Dane G Hansen Foundation," Sorensen said. "The current Match Month fundraising effort presents yet another opportunity to benefit from the support of this organization. We ask everyone to consider donating to the Post Rock Community Foundation during February 2021 when, because of the Dane G Hansen Foundation, any donations will immediately grow for the good of the local communities."During Match Month, the Hansen Foundation will match any donation 150%, making every $1 donated worth $2.50."To illustrate just how much impact Match Month has on our local area, we can look at the results of the February 2020 Match Month,” Sorensen noted. “Our area supporters generously gave $43,877 and the Hansen Foundation matched that amount 150% by giving $65,816 to our foundation. This resulted in $109,693 growth in the PRCF endowed fund in a month’s time! This money will continue to grow and will help fund exciting projects for the Post Rock area."To take advantage of this match consider mailing a donation to the Post Rock Community Foundation, PO Box 62, Sylvan Grove, KS 67481 or go online to donate at <a href="https://postrockcf.org/donate-online">https://postrockcf.org/donate-online</a>.For more information, find the Post Rock Community Foundation on Facebook or contact a current board member.

Post Rock Community Foundation donations matched 150% in February

Three-day weather outlook

The following suggestions are for cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass or tall fescue. Zoysiagrass, bermudagrass, and buffalograss are warm-season grasses and require a different maintenance regime. A warm-season grass calendar will be covered in a later article. MarchSpot treat broadleaf weeds if necessary. Treat on a day that is 50 degrees or warmer. Rain or irrigation within 24 hours of application will reduce effectiveness. April Apply crabgrass preventer when redbud trees are in full bloom, usually in April. The preventer needs to be watered in before it will start to work. One-quarter inch of water will be enough to water in any of the products mentioned in this calendar. Remember that a good, thick lawn is the best weed prevention and may be all that is needed. May Fertilize with a slow-release fertilizer if you water your lawn or if you normally receive enough rainfall that your turf doesn’t go drought-dormant during the summer. If there are broadleaf weeds, spot treat with a spray or use a fertilizer that includes a weed killer. Rain or irrigation within 24 hours of application will reduce the effectiveness of the weed killer, but the fertilizer needs to be watered in. If you are using a product that has both fertilizer and weed killer, wait 24 hours after application before watering in. June through Mid-July Apply second round of crabgrass preventer by June 15 – unless you have used Dimension (dithiopyr) or Barricade (prodiamine) for the April application. These two products normally provide season-long control with a single application. Remember to water it in. If grubs have been a problem in the past, apply a product containing imidacloprid during the first half of July. This works to prevent grub damage. If rainfall does not occur within 24 hours, irrigate with 1/4" of water. Late-July through August If you see grub damage, apply a grub killer that contains Dylox. Imidacloprid is effective against young grubs but may not be effective on late instar grubs. The grub killer containing Dylox must be watered in within 24 hours or effectiveness drops. September Fertilize around Labor Day. This is the most important fertilization of the year. Water in the fertilizer. November&nbsp; Fertilize. This fertilizer is taken up by the roots but is not used until the following spring. Water in fertilizer. Spray for broadleaf weeds even if they are small. Broadleaf weeds are much easier to control in the fall than in the spring. Try to spray on a day that is at least 50 degrees. Rain or irrigation within 24 hours reduces effectiveness. Use label rates for all products! Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. If you have questions, she can be contacted by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lfick@k-state.edu">lfick@k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 785-628-9430 or 620-793-1910.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580750915301.jpeg" alt="Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>The following suggestions are for cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass or tall fescue. Zoysiagrass, bermudagrass, and buffalograss are warm-season grasses and require a different maintenance regime. A warm-season grass calendar will be covered in a later article. MarchSpot treat broadleaf weeds if necessary. Treat on a day that is 50 degrees or warmer. Rain or irrigation within 24 hours of application will reduce effectiveness. April Apply crabgrass preventer when redbud trees are in full bloom, usually in April. The preventer needs to be watered in before it will start to work. One-quarter inch of water will be enough to water in any of the products mentioned in this calendar. Remember that a good, thick lawn is the best weed prevention and may be all that is needed. May Fertilize with a slow-release fertilizer if you water your lawn or if you normally receive enough rainfall that your turf doesn’t go drought-dormant during the summer. If there are broadleaf weeds, spot treat with a spray or use a fertilizer that includes a weed killer. Rain or irrigation within 24 hours of application will reduce the effectiveness of the weed killer, but the fertilizer needs to be watered in. If you are using a product that has both fertilizer and weed killer, wait 24 hours after application before watering in. June through Mid-July Apply second round of crabgrass preventer by June 15 – unless you have used Dimension (dithiopyr) or Barricade (prodiamine) for the April application. These two products normally provide season-long control with a single application. Remember to water it in. If grubs have been a problem in the past, apply a product containing imidacloprid during the first half of July. This works to prevent grub damage. If rainfall does not occur within 24 hours, irrigate with 1/4" of water. Late-July through August If you see grub damage, apply a grub killer that contains Dylox. Imidacloprid is effective against young grubs but may not be effective on late instar grubs. The grub killer containing Dylox must be watered in within 24 hours or effectiveness drops. September Fertilize around Labor Day. This is the most important fertilization of the year. Water in the fertilizer. November&nbsp; Fertilize. This fertilizer is taken up by the roots but is not used until the following spring. Water in fertilizer. Spray for broadleaf weeds even if they are small. Broadleaf weeds are much easier to control in the fall than in the spring. Try to spray on a day that is at least 50 degrees. Rain or irrigation within 24 hours reduces effectiveness. Use label rates for all products! Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. If you have questions, she can be contacted by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lfick@k-state.edu">lfick@k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 785-628-9430 or 620-793-1910.&nbsp;

​FICK: Lawn calendar for cool-season grasses

The 108th annual Kansas State University Cattlemen’s Day will move to an online format, due to COVID-19 restrictions on the Manhattan campus.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Registration is free&nbsp;and all are encouraged to participate online via the Zoom platform. To participate, you must register online, or for more information, contact Lois Schreiner at 785-532-1267 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lschrein@ksu.edu" target="_blank">lschrein@ksu.edu</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“We’re excited to host the 108th Cattlemen’s Day,” said Ken Odde, K-State professor and Cattlemen’s Day co-chairman. “Although COVID-19 restrictions have led us to transition this year’s event online, we are excited about the lineup of speakers and the topics they will address.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Odde added the annual program addresses key issues and provides current information to keep the industry efficient and relevant.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“This year’s featured speakers — Dr. Jayson Lusk, Jason Rumley and Robert Norris — will summarize how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the U.S. beef industry from the producer and processor and beyond,” Odde said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Mike Day, the department head for K-State’s Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, kicks off the program at 9:30 a.m. March 5.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Lusk, a distinguished professor and head of the Department of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University, will give a presentation titled, “Pandemic Effects on the U.S. Beef Industry.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Rumley, Radian Group principal, and Norris, Radian Group director, will then present “2020 Beef Processing, Retail and Foodservices COVID-19 Insights.”&nbsp;

At the end of the conference, organizers will lead a question-and-answer session.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Also on March 5, the 44th&nbsp;Annual Legacy Bull and Female Sale will begin at 4 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The sale will be online at&nbsp;<a href="https://liveauctions.tv/" target="_blank">LiveAuctions.tv</a>. Please note masks and social distancing will be required for in-person attendees. Due to university protocols regarding COVID-19, attendance numbers will be monitored.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Interested persons are invited to look at the bulls prior to the day of sale day and view the offering online.&nbsp;Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.asi.k-state.edu/about/services-and-sales/legacy/index.html" target="_blank">asi.ksu.edu/legacysale</a>&nbsp;to learn more about this year’s offering and to request a sale catalog. For more information contact Shane Werk at 785-565-1881.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The 2021 Stockmen’s Dinner, typically held the same weekend, has been postponed. Please watch the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.asi.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">K-State Department of Animal Science website</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ksuasi" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>&nbsp;for date and location announcements as well as registration information. Pat Koons will be honored as the 2021 Stockman of the Year. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:aboor@ksu.edu">aboor@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;or calling 620-793-1910&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141354634.png" alt="Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District." />
 <figcaption>Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District.</figcaption>
 </figure>The 108th annual Kansas State University Cattlemen’s Day will move to an online format, due to COVID-19 restrictions on the Manhattan campus.&nbsp;&nbsp;Registration is free&nbsp;and all are encouraged to participate online via the Zoom platform. To participate, you must register online, or for more information, contact Lois Schreiner at 785-532-1267 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lschrein@ksu.edu" target="_blank">lschrein@ksu.edu</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We’re excited to host the 108th Cattlemen’s Day,” said Ken Odde, K-State professor and Cattlemen’s Day co-chairman. “Although COVID-19 restrictions have led us to transition this year’s event online, we are excited about the lineup of speakers and the topics they will address.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Odde added the annual program addresses key issues and provides current information to keep the industry efficient and relevant.&nbsp;&nbsp;“This year’s featured speakers — Dr. Jayson Lusk, Jason Rumley and Robert Norris — will summarize how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the U.S. beef industry from the producer and processor and beyond,” Odde said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Mike Day, the department head for K-State’s Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, kicks off the program at 9:30 a.m. March 5.&nbsp;&nbsp;Lusk, a distinguished professor and head of the Department of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University, will give a presentation titled, “Pandemic Effects on the U.S. Beef Industry.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Rumley, Radian Group principal, and Norris, Radian Group director, will then present “2020 Beef Processing, Retail and Foodservices COVID-19 Insights.”&nbsp;Other presentations include:&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>K-State livestock production specialist Sandy Johnson will talk about reproductive technology resources and tools.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Extension meat science specialist Liz Boyle will lead a discussion on the pandemic’s effect on small Kansas processors.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>At the end of the conference, organizers will lead a question-and-answer session.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also on March 5, the 44th&nbsp;Annual Legacy Bull and Female Sale will begin at 4 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;The sale will be online at&nbsp;<a href="https://liveauctions.tv/" target="_blank">LiveAuctions.tv</a>. Please note masks and social distancing will be required for in-person attendees. Due to university protocols regarding COVID-19, attendance numbers will be monitored.&nbsp;&nbsp;Interested persons are invited to look at the bulls prior to the day of sale day and view the offering online.&nbsp;Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.asi.k-state.edu/about/services-and-sales/legacy/index.html" target="_blank">asi.ksu.edu/legacysale</a>&nbsp;to learn more about this year’s offering and to request a sale catalog. For more information contact Shane Werk at 785-565-1881.&nbsp;&nbsp;The 2021 Stockmen’s Dinner, typically held the same weekend, has been postponed. Please watch the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.asi.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">K-State Department of Animal Science website</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ksuasi" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>&nbsp;for date and location announcements as well as registration information. Pat Koons will be honored as the 2021 Stockman of the Year. &nbsp;&nbsp;Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:aboor@ksu.edu">aboor@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;or calling 620-793-1910&nbsp;

BOOR: 108th Cattlemen's Day will move to virtual format

By ROBERT BICKEL Stetson University College of Law and GENE POLICINSKI Freedom Forum Institute

When the Supreme Court declared in 
Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 that the segregationist doctrine of 
“separate but equal” was unconstitutional, our government, our society 
and our very selves were redefined.

With that decision, the court 
achieved equal status with the other two branches of government — 
legislative and executive — fulfilling the aspirations for our nation’s 
democracy.&nbsp;

In that watershed moment, a young Martin Luther King Jr. emerged as a fresh advocate and leader for a movement many hoped would use the high court’s decision to make democracy “real.”

King understood the power of the 
First Amendment and its guaranteed freedoms, especially the right to 
protest peacefully. He brought that power alive and helped realize the 
promise of Brown the following year when he spoke the words that gave 
the Montgomery, Ala., bus boycott its foundation:

“The only weapon that we have in our hands tonight is the weapon of protest.&nbsp;That’s all.”

With King’s words energizing a 
peaceful mass protest against racial injustice, the leaders and legions 
who were prompted to action in Montgomery after Rosa Parks
 was arrested for refusing to move to the back of a city bus set out to 
change the nation. They sparked social change and examination that 
continues today.&nbsp;

For those who want to better 
understand this and other touchstone events in the fight for civil 
rights, we have created a free online course, “<a href="https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/first-amendment-center/course-the-first-amendment-and-the-civil-rights-movement/" target="_blank">The First Amendment and the Civil Rights Movement</a>.”
 The lessons address important civil rights cases, with video interviews
 of leading figures and historical front pages of newspapers from the 
Newseum collection to set the scenes.

The course’s interdisciplinary, 
multimedia design makes it an excellent resource for teachers, public 
officials, social leaders and others who want to learn about the First 
Amendment’s roots in the nation’s search for racial justice over more 
than two centuries to “form a more perfect union.”&nbsp;

Because of the First Amendment, that mid-20th
 century movement of peaceful mass protest grew throughout the South and
 continued for a decade. The South’s resistance to Brown elevated the 
issue of racial segregation to a violation of the civil rights 
amendments. In turn, that propelled the federal courts at every level to
 reaffirm Brown in its most expansive terms — with a free press and free
 speakers tracking every move.&nbsp;

These cases challenged the courts 
from within to oppose those Southern district and appellate judges who 
openly espoused resistance to Brown. The Doctrine of Interposition — 
which allowed states to stand between the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of
 Rights and federal law — had to be overturned once and for all as an 
unconstitutional view of states’ rights.

The protests and petitions of the 
1950s and 1960s led the White House and Congress to live up to their 
duty to enforce the human rights at stake in Brown, which required 
bipartisan political commitment and action. The result was the passage 
of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act, crowning 
moments in congressional history.&nbsp;

The Black Lives Matter movement is 
today’s version of Selma, Ala., where nonviolent marchers in support of 
voting rights for Black Americans were met on the Edmund Pettus Bridge 
with billy clubs and tear gas.&nbsp;As David Halberstam 
wrote in his book “The Fifties,” the earlier movement educated the news 
media, and the media educated America. The First Amendment freedoms 
powered that education, then and now, by providing a free press and 
protecting the rights of those who marched as they sought to touch the 
conscience of the nation.

The First Amendment is a primary tool for those who seek to revitalize in the 21st
 century the efforts made in the last century to finally fulfill the 
promises of freedom and equality in the Constitution and the Bill of 
Rights.

Robert Bickel, professor emeritus 
of law at Stetson University College of Law, and Gene Policinski, senior
 fellow for the First Amendment at the Freedom Forum, are authors of “<a href="https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/first-amendment-center/course-the-first-amendment-and-the-civil-rights-movement/" target="_blank">The First Amendment and the Civil Rights Movement</a>,” created with the support of Stetson University and the Freedom Forum. The online course is available to all at no charge.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575569932510.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By ROBERT BICKEL Stetson University College of Law and GENE POLICINSKI Freedom Forum InstituteWhen the Supreme Court declared in 
Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 that the segregationist doctrine of 
“separate but equal” was unconstitutional, our government, our society 
and our very selves were redefined.With that decision, the court 
achieved equal status with the other two branches of government — 
legislative and executive — fulfilling the aspirations for our nation’s 
democracy.&nbsp;In that watershed moment, a young Martin Luther King Jr. emerged as a fresh advocate and leader for a movement many hoped would use the high court’s decision to make democracy “real.”King understood the power of the 
First Amendment and its guaranteed freedoms, especially the right to 
protest peacefully. He brought that power alive and helped realize the 
promise of Brown the following year when he spoke the words that gave 
the Montgomery, Ala., bus boycott its foundation:“The only weapon that we have in our hands tonight is the weapon of protest.&nbsp;That’s all.”With King’s words energizing a 
peaceful mass protest against racial injustice, the leaders and legions 
who were prompted to action in Montgomery after Rosa Parks
 was arrested for refusing to move to the back of a city bus set out to 
change the nation. They sparked social change and examination that 
continues today.&nbsp;For those who want to better 
understand this and other touchstone events in the fight for civil 
rights, we have created a free online course, “<a href="https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/first-amendment-center/course-the-first-amendment-and-the-civil-rights-movement/" target="_blank">The First Amendment and the Civil Rights Movement</a>.”
 The lessons address important civil rights cases, with video interviews
 of leading figures and historical front pages of newspapers from the 
Newseum collection to set the scenes.The course’s interdisciplinary, 
multimedia design makes it an excellent resource for teachers, public 
officials, social leaders and others who want to learn about the First 
Amendment’s roots in the nation’s search for racial justice over more 
than two centuries to “form a more perfect union.”&nbsp;Because of the First Amendment, that mid-20th
 century movement of peaceful mass protest grew throughout the South and
 continued for a decade. The South’s resistance to Brown elevated the 
issue of racial segregation to a violation of the civil rights 
amendments. In turn, that propelled the federal courts at every level to
 reaffirm Brown in its most expansive terms — with a free press and free
 speakers tracking every move.&nbsp;These cases challenged the courts 
from within to oppose those Southern district and appellate judges who 
openly espoused resistance to Brown. The Doctrine of Interposition — 
which allowed states to stand between the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of
 Rights and federal law — had to be overturned once and for all as an 
unconstitutional view of states’ rights.The protests and petitions of the 
1950s and 1960s led the White House and Congress to live up to their 
duty to enforce the human rights at stake in Brown, which required 
bipartisan political commitment and action. The result was the passage 
of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act, crowning 
moments in congressional history.&nbsp;The Black Lives Matter movement is 
today’s version of Selma, Ala., where nonviolent marchers in support of 
voting rights for Black Americans were met on the Edmund Pettus Bridge 
with billy clubs and tear gas.&nbsp;As David Halberstam 
wrote in his book “The Fifties,” the earlier movement educated the news 
media, and the media educated America. The First Amendment freedoms 
powered that education, then and now, by providing a free press and 
protecting the rights of those who marched as they sought to touch the 
conscience of the nation.The First Amendment is a primary tool for those who seek to revitalize in the 21st
 century the efforts made in the last century to finally fulfill the 
promises of freedom and equality in the Constitution and the Bill of 
Rights.Robert Bickel, professor emeritus 
of law at Stetson University College of Law, and Gene Policinski, senior
 fellow for the First Amendment at the Freedom Forum, are authors of “<a href="https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/first-amendment-center/course-the-first-amendment-and-the-civil-rights-movement/" target="_blank">The First Amendment and the Civil Rights Movement</a>,” created with the support of Stetson University and the Freedom Forum. The online course is available to all at no charge.

Free online course: The Civil Rights Movement and the First Amendment

TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory for the City of Kanorado, located in Sherman County. The advisory was issued because of an inability to maintain required chlorine residual levels. Inadequate chlorine residuals can lead to bacterial contamination.

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

Laboratory testing samples collected from the City of Kanorado&nbsp;indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved. &nbsp;

For consumer questions, please contact the water system or you may call KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTAyMTMuMzUyMTk2ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmtkaGVrcy5nb3YvcHdzL2VtZXJnZW5jeXJlc3BvbnNlL3dhdGVyX2Rpc3J1cHRpb24uaHRtP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.D-T8g7yXzwYgNt08W2YkjPrdiBlvHDcavI4u8pSGPhQ/s/1305913623/br/97591654220-l">http://www.kdheks.gov/pws/emergencyresponse/water_disruption.htm</a>

TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory for the City of Kanorado, located in Sherman County. The advisory was issued because of an inability to maintain required chlorine residual levels. Inadequate chlorine residuals can lead to bacterial contamination.Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.Laboratory testing samples collected from the City of Kanorado&nbsp;indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved. &nbsp;For consumer questions, please contact the water system or you may call KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTAyMTMuMzUyMTk2ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmtkaGVrcy5nb3YvcHdzL2VtZXJnZW5jeXJlc3BvbnNlL3dhdGVyX2Rpc3J1cHRpb24uaHRtP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.D-T8g7yXzwYgNt08W2YkjPrdiBlvHDcavI4u8pSGPhQ/s/1305913623/br/97591654220-l">http://www.kdheks.gov/pws/emergencyresponse/water_disruption.htm</a>

Boil order lifted for Sherman County community

TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for&nbsp;a portion of the City of Ellis Public Water Supply System located in Ellis County. This advisory is issued for customers located on 11th&nbsp;Street from Cottonwood to Baughman and on Ross Street from Cottonwood to Baughman. This advisory is not related to COVID-19.

The advisory took effect on February 13 and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. KDHE issued the advisory because of a waterline break causing a loss of pressure in the system. Loss of pressure may cause a loss of chlorine residual which can lead to bacterial contamination.

For consumer questions, please contact the water system or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTAyMTQuMzUyMjM2MTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmtkaGVrcy5nb3YvcHdzL2VtZXJnZW5jeXJlc3BvbnNlL3dhdGVyX2Rpc3J1cHRpb24uaHRtP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.pGgtaBBH5KJU8N2qKuSuo75zuWYiBonTzl9rD5maHvM/s/1305913623/br/97594862776-l">http://www.kdheks.gov/pws/emergencyresponse/water_disruption.htm</a>

Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety &amp; lodging program at&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kda.fsl@ks.gov">kda.fsl@ks.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 785-564-6767.

TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for&nbsp;a portion of the City of Ellis Public Water Supply System located in Ellis County. This advisory is issued for customers located on 11th&nbsp;Street from Cottonwood to Baughman and on Ross Street from Cottonwood to Baughman. This advisory is not related to COVID-19.Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:<ul>
 <li>If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.</li><li>Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water.</li><li>Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic ice maker.</li><li>Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.</li><li>Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.</li>
 </ul>The advisory took effect on February 13 and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. KDHE issued the advisory because of a waterline break causing a loss of pressure in the system. Loss of pressure may cause a loss of chlorine residual which can lead to bacterial contamination.Regardless of whether the public water supplier or KDHE announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.For consumer questions, please contact the water system or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTAyMTQuMzUyMjM2MTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmtkaGVrcy5nb3YvcHdzL2VtZXJnZW5jeXJlc3BvbnNlL3dhdGVyX2Rpc3J1cHRpb24uaHRtP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.pGgtaBBH5KJU8N2qKuSuo75zuWYiBonTzl9rD5maHvM/s/1305913623/br/97594862776-l">http://www.kdheks.gov/pws/emergencyresponse/water_disruption.htm</a>Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety &amp; lodging program at&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kda.fsl@ks.gov">kda.fsl@ks.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 785-564-6767.###

Boil order issued for portion of Ellis

RUSSELL - Pursuant to City of Russell Ordinance No. 1575 stating whenever snow has accumulated or there is a possibility that snow will accumulate to such a depth that snow removal operations will be required, the city manager may declare a traffic emergency and until such traffic emergency is terminated is shall be unlawful to park a vehicle on any street designated an emergency snow route. 

Whereas, as a result of a forecasted snow storm and snow storms impeding traffic, causing difficulty in clearance of streets, the undersigned, City Manager of the City of Russell, Kansas does hereby state and declare a Traffic Emergency effective at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 13, 2021.

Parking upon the following listed streets, designated as emergency snow routes, in the City of Russell, Kansas shall be prohibited until this traffic emergency is terminated. •Copeland Street from Wichita Avenue to Wisconsin Street •Lincoln Street from Wichita Avenue to 15th Street •Wisconsin Street from Van Houten to Copeland Street •15th Street from Van Houten Street to Copeland Street •Ash Street from Wichita Avenue to Dorrance Street •Jewell Street from Fossil Street to Maple Street •Maple Street from Jewell Street to Luray Street •Luray Street from Maple Street to Kansas Street •Kansas Street from Luray Street to Jewell Street

All vehicles parked on emergency snow routes must be removed within six hours after notice of a traffic emergency has been given through the local press, radio and other media. Any vehicle parked on an emergency snow route after such period may be towed. Any expenses incurred to vehicles requiring tow away, as a result of snow removal work, shall be the responsibility of the owner or operator thereof and not at the expense or responsibility of the City of Russell, Kansas. 

This traffic emergency will remain in effect until terminated.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611586896424.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>City of Russell&nbsp;RUSSELL - Pursuant to City of Russell Ordinance No. 1575 stating whenever snow has accumulated or there is a possibility that snow will accumulate to such a depth that snow removal operations will be required, the city manager may declare a traffic emergency and until such traffic emergency is terminated is shall be unlawful to park a vehicle on any street designated an emergency snow route. Whereas, as a result of a forecasted snow storm and snow storms impeding traffic, causing difficulty in clearance of streets, the undersigned, City Manager of the City of Russell, Kansas does hereby state and declare a Traffic Emergency effective at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 13, 2021. Parking upon the following listed streets, designated as emergency snow routes, in the City of Russell, Kansas shall be prohibited until this traffic emergency is terminated. •Copeland Street from Wichita Avenue to Wisconsin Street •Lincoln Street from Wichita Avenue to 15th Street •Wisconsin Street from Van Houten to Copeland Street •15th Street from Van Houten Street to Copeland Street •Ash Street from Wichita Avenue to Dorrance Street •Jewell Street from Fossil Street to Maple Street •Maple Street from Jewell Street to Luray Street •Luray Street from Maple Street to Kansas Street •Kansas Street from Luray Street to Jewell Street All vehicles parked on emergency snow routes must be removed within six hours after notice of a traffic emergency has been given through the local press, radio and other media. Any vehicle parked on an emergency snow route after such period may be towed. Any expenses incurred to vehicles requiring tow away, as a result of snow removal work, shall be the responsibility of the owner or operator thereof and not at the expense or responsibility of the City of Russell, Kansas. This traffic emergency will remain in effect until terminated.

No parking on city of Russell snow routes until further notice

Conspiracy theories have taken root in Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;Reporter Jim McLean discovered this while visiting the town of Protection, Kansas, recently for a story.&nbsp;&nbsp;In 1957, this Comanche County community became the first town in the U.S. to be fully vaccinated against polio.&nbsp;&nbsp;Back then, vaccinations were a community event with widespread public support.&nbsp;According to McLean, “it’s a different story today.”

McLean found today’s Protection deeply divided over the COVID-19 vaccine.&nbsp;&nbsp;Refusers and skeptics gave many reasons, including a vague sense of distrust.&nbsp;&nbsp;However, some people he interviewed expressed a more-specific belief, that the government puts a tracking microchip in each dose.&nbsp;&nbsp;This particular belief is not only baseless, it is also a component of a larger conspiracy theory called QAnon.&nbsp;&nbsp;When citizens and public officials tacitly endorse components of larger conspiracy theory narratives, they put public health in danger by raising the percentage of those not vaccinated.&nbsp;&nbsp;They also make it more difficult to properly allocate supplies so that doses do not get wasted.&nbsp;&nbsp;Finally, they help spread the conspiracy theory itself.

Conspiracy theories also endanger our democracy, and Kansas’ elected officials are the culprits.&nbsp;&nbsp;Led by Trump appointee Christopher Krebs, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) reported that the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election was “the most secure in U.S. history.”&nbsp;&nbsp;So, why did&nbsp;&nbsp;Kansas Reps. Tracey Mann, Jake LaTurner, Ron Estes, and Senator Roger Marshall refuse to certify the results?&nbsp;&nbsp;Each was vague, but one of the most popular narratives defending this decision was the belief that Dominion Voting Systems machines were “rigged” to change votes from Trump to Biden.&nbsp;&nbsp;This too is linked closely to QAnon, and it too is false.

What follows is an actual description of what these deniers are helping to spread.&nbsp;&nbsp;This is a brief primer on QAnon, which is taken seriously by an estimated one million Americans.

QAnon backers were heavily involved in the U.S. Capitol rioting on January 6th.&nbsp;&nbsp;QAnon believer Ashli Babbitt was shot and killed by capitol police while leading a mob.&nbsp;&nbsp;The shirtless rioters wearing horned headdresses were also QAnon followers.&nbsp;&nbsp;Other QAnon symbols spotted that day include logos incorporating the capital letter “Q,” references to John F. Kennedy, Jr., and the hashtags #WWG1WGA (Where We Go One We Go All) and #Savethechildren.&nbsp;&nbsp;

QAnon followers believe that leading members of the Democratic Party worship Satan and operate a child trafficking ring because they want to get high from a chemical in the childrens’ blood.&nbsp;&nbsp;QAnon draws heavily upon an anti-Semitic (anti-Jewish), Medieval European conspiracy theory called&nbsp;blood libel.&nbsp;&nbsp;Openly endorsed by two U.S. Representatives, QAnon anticipates&nbsp;the storm, when former President Trump will incarcerate or execute the alleged cabal.&nbsp;

QAnon followers also believe that John F. Kennedy, Jr. is still alive and that home goods retailer&nbsp;<a href="http://wayfair.com/">Wayfair.com</a>&nbsp;is a front for the child trafficking.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Followers are linked to stalking, kidnapping, an attack on the Canadian Prime Minister’s home, at least two murders, a blockade of the Hoover Dam, and a train derailment.&nbsp;&nbsp;Last year, heavily armed QAnon believers were arrested on their way to the Philadelphia Convention Center while ballots were being counted.&nbsp;&nbsp;I recently wrote up my more-detailed deep dive into QAnon on the Midwest Political Science Association’s blog site, available at&nbsp;<a href="http://mpsanet.org/mpsa-blog">mpsanet.org/mpsa-blog</a>

When&nbsp;Kansas politicians and citizens endorse&nbsp;factually baseless&nbsp;components of conspiracy theories, they encourage&nbsp;the whole toxic narrative.&nbsp;&nbsp;They&nbsp;disrupt public health, endanger democracy, and even&nbsp;threaten&nbsp;to undermine our understanding of reality itself.&nbsp;&nbsp;It needs to stop, right now.

Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576785940426.png" alt="Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University." />
 <figcaption>Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.</figcaption>
 </figure>Conspiracy theories have taken root in Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;Reporter Jim McLean discovered this while visiting the town of Protection, Kansas, recently for a story.&nbsp;&nbsp;In 1957, this Comanche County community became the first town in the U.S. to be fully vaccinated against polio.&nbsp;&nbsp;Back then, vaccinations were a community event with widespread public support.&nbsp;According to McLean, “it’s a different story today.”McLean found today’s Protection deeply divided over the COVID-19 vaccine.&nbsp;&nbsp;Refusers and skeptics gave many reasons, including a vague sense of distrust.&nbsp;&nbsp;However, some people he interviewed expressed a more-specific belief, that the government puts a tracking microchip in each dose.&nbsp;&nbsp;This particular belief is not only baseless, it is also a component of a larger conspiracy theory called QAnon.&nbsp;&nbsp;When citizens and public officials tacitly endorse components of larger conspiracy theory narratives, they put public health in danger by raising the percentage of those not vaccinated.&nbsp;&nbsp;They also make it more difficult to properly allocate supplies so that doses do not get wasted.&nbsp;&nbsp;Finally, they help spread the conspiracy theory itself.Conspiracy theories also endanger our democracy, and Kansas’ elected officials are the culprits.&nbsp;&nbsp;Led by Trump appointee Christopher Krebs, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) reported that the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election was “the most secure in U.S. history.”&nbsp;&nbsp;So, why did&nbsp;&nbsp;Kansas Reps. Tracey Mann, Jake LaTurner, Ron Estes, and Senator Roger Marshall refuse to certify the results?&nbsp;&nbsp;Each was vague, but one of the most popular narratives defending this decision was the belief that Dominion Voting Systems machines were “rigged” to change votes from Trump to Biden.&nbsp;&nbsp;This too is linked closely to QAnon, and it too is false.What follows is an actual description of what these deniers are helping to spread.&nbsp;&nbsp;This is a brief primer on QAnon, which is taken seriously by an estimated one million Americans.QAnon backers were heavily involved in the U.S. Capitol rioting on January 6th.&nbsp;&nbsp;QAnon believer Ashli Babbitt was shot and killed by capitol police while leading a mob.&nbsp;&nbsp;The shirtless rioters wearing horned headdresses were also QAnon followers.&nbsp;&nbsp;Other QAnon symbols spotted that day include logos incorporating the capital letter “Q,” references to John F. Kennedy, Jr., and the hashtags #WWG1WGA (Where We Go One We Go All) and #Savethechildren.&nbsp;&nbsp;QAnon followers believe that leading members of the Democratic Party worship Satan and operate a child trafficking ring because they want to get high from a chemical in the childrens’ blood.&nbsp;&nbsp;QAnon draws heavily upon an anti-Semitic (anti-Jewish), Medieval European conspiracy theory called&nbsp;blood libel.&nbsp;&nbsp;Openly endorsed by two U.S. Representatives, QAnon anticipates&nbsp;the storm, when former President Trump will incarcerate or execute the alleged cabal.&nbsp;QAnon followers also believe that John F. Kennedy, Jr. is still alive and that home goods retailer&nbsp;<a href="http://wayfair.com/">Wayfair.com</a>&nbsp;is a front for the child trafficking.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Followers are linked to stalking, kidnapping, an attack on the Canadian Prime Minister’s home, at least two murders, a blockade of the Hoover Dam, and a train derailment.&nbsp;&nbsp;Last year, heavily armed QAnon believers were arrested on their way to the Philadelphia Convention Center while ballots were being counted.&nbsp;&nbsp;I recently wrote up my more-detailed deep dive into QAnon on the Midwest Political Science Association’s blog site, available at&nbsp;<a href="http://mpsanet.org/mpsa-blog">mpsanet.org/mpsa-blog</a>When&nbsp;Kansas politicians and citizens endorse&nbsp;factually baseless&nbsp;components of conspiracy theories, they encourage&nbsp;the whole toxic narrative.&nbsp;&nbsp;They&nbsp;disrupt public health, endanger democracy, and even&nbsp;threaten&nbsp;to undermine our understanding of reality itself.&nbsp;&nbsp;It needs to stop, right now.Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Conspiracy theories attack lives, democracy in Kan.

The Center for Entrepreneurship at Fort Hays State University and Grow Hays will host and broadcast the Faulkner Challenge on Saturday, March 13, through a Zoom virtual platform at the W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship.&nbsp;

Students across the state of Kansas are eligible to compete for $10,000 in prizes. Students eligible to compete at the free event include those at universities, community colleges, trade schools, vocational schools and high schools. The live-streamed event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon. The public is invited to watch the event on multiple platforms: Facebook Live, Linked In and YouTube. &nbsp;&nbsp;

“These pitch events are impressive because they reflect the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of our students and the Kansans across the state,” said Dr. Jane Talkington, interim director of The Center for Entrepreneurship.&nbsp;“This is meant not only to be an enjoyable event for all involved, but these kinds of exercises have potential to contribute to the economic development. The experience is a real boost for those early-stage entrepreneurs on campus and in the community.”&nbsp;

The Faulkner Challenge is made possible by the generosity of FHSU alum Kevin Faulkner. It is a business plan competition for new ventures in the conceptual stage, the seed stage or the startup stage.&nbsp;Grow Hays – a nonprofit organization aimed at advancing economic health in Ellis County – will assist the Faulkner Challenge finalists in practicing their final oral presentations. Doug Williams, executive director of Grow Hays, is committed to helping those with great ideas articulate them clearly and convincingly.&nbsp;

Entry deadline via email is midnight Friday, March 5. The eight best business plans will be selected as finalists who will present virtually via Zoom. Entry information rules and judging criteria can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=AzU7JuM9gNoo13mIpsUPJFWdBnDhG7PXohZUyM7u1Y5NtBF5vxNosRZagRX6kUFVAVLzl6EfdYdLXyw0We8gLg-3D-3DBehb_r-2BDMsuWuYVmb7-2F1Mu1QL1I-2FJ8-2BHR91nNNNGTTc38Ah0CWayiZL-2BkhdmA3sx0XGnG-2FN1jk6rVQRO9vN7U5rFC-2BcXi909IOPAdkr3SvXFdyn3Ag1h6-2F-2B6atf0vMUKxRgZ-2B6a2-2F4am2AzJDqXoZRNg6n-2FAWbQBoPB4yXY03hUdpanGUyxeB373Ez0BQKUwU0y2KwXhJHIMGDltZh92Qtfr-2FnOAG-2BqMJcdfPL-2BBhVwD87MUoLpnCFWa8XAcoGs2xlQo-2FLe1vRt5IDS8c3ZoChjlAekjlFsQfS79VDZ2f3rrUNtqS5ram6xhzouinDdqFN1-2Bz4ofJRAAJeFob6p33lysfJiXHUeJsFAJ3UxM1RX5PfnGwWJMr-2FX3w8E-2FFmNsOVAA1KxqqFRB-2BLdBf-2BkSiXVsl8w-3D-3D">www.fhsu.edu/cob/faulkner-challenge</a>. Finalists will be notified on Monday, March 8, and invited to deliver their 10-minute presentations to a panel of judges on the 13th. The top three business projects will split the $10,000 in prize money into awards of $6,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place and $1,000 for third place.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Following the live-streamed business plan presentations, the judges will deliberate privately on the merits of each presentation until the start of the public awards presentation at 1 p.m. Following the awards presentation, the judges will give each team private feedback. For more information, email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:FaulknerChallenge@FHSU.edu">FaulknerChallenge@FHSU.edu</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612972163649.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University RelationsThe Center for Entrepreneurship at Fort Hays State University and Grow Hays will host and broadcast the Faulkner Challenge on Saturday, March 13, through a Zoom virtual platform at the W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship.&nbsp;Students across the state of Kansas are eligible to compete for $10,000 in prizes. Students eligible to compete at the free event include those at universities, community colleges, trade schools, vocational schools and high schools. The live-streamed event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon. The public is invited to watch the event on multiple platforms: Facebook Live, Linked In and YouTube. &nbsp;&nbsp;“These pitch events are impressive because they reflect the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of our students and the Kansans across the state,” said Dr. Jane Talkington, interim director of The Center for Entrepreneurship.&nbsp;“This is meant not only to be an enjoyable event for all involved, but these kinds of exercises have potential to contribute to the economic development. The experience is a real boost for those early-stage entrepreneurs on campus and in the community.”&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612972279491.jpeg" alt="Dr. Jane Talkington" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Jane Talkington</figcaption>
 </figure>The Faulkner Challenge is made possible by the generosity of FHSU alum Kevin Faulkner. It is a business plan competition for new ventures in the conceptual stage, the seed stage or the startup stage.&nbsp;Grow Hays – a nonprofit organization aimed at advancing economic health in Ellis County – will assist the Faulkner Challenge finalists in practicing their final oral presentations. Doug Williams, executive director of Grow Hays, is committed to helping those with great ideas articulate them clearly and convincingly.&nbsp;Entry deadline via email is midnight Friday, March 5. The eight best business plans will be selected as finalists who will present virtually via Zoom. Entry information rules and judging criteria can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=AzU7JuM9gNoo13mIpsUPJFWdBnDhG7PXohZUyM7u1Y5NtBF5vxNosRZagRX6kUFVAVLzl6EfdYdLXyw0We8gLg-3D-3DBehb_r-2BDMsuWuYVmb7-2F1Mu1QL1I-2FJ8-2BHR91nNNNGTTc38Ah0CWayiZL-2BkhdmA3sx0XGnG-2FN1jk6rVQRO9vN7U5rFC-2BcXi909IOPAdkr3SvXFdyn3Ag1h6-2F-2B6atf0vMUKxRgZ-2B6a2-2F4am2AzJDqXoZRNg6n-2FAWbQBoPB4yXY03hUdpanGUyxeB373Ez0BQKUwU0y2KwXhJHIMGDltZh92Qtfr-2FnOAG-2BqMJcdfPL-2BBhVwD87MUoLpnCFWa8XAcoGs2xlQo-2FLe1vRt5IDS8c3ZoChjlAekjlFsQfS79VDZ2f3rrUNtqS5ram6xhzouinDdqFN1-2Bz4ofJRAAJeFob6p33lysfJiXHUeJsFAJ3UxM1RX5PfnGwWJMr-2FX3w8E-2FFmNsOVAA1KxqqFRB-2BLdBf-2BkSiXVsl8w-3D-3D">www.fhsu.edu/cob/faulkner-challenge</a>. Finalists will be notified on Monday, March 8, and invited to deliver their 10-minute presentations to a panel of judges on the 13th. The top three business projects will split the $10,000 in prize money into awards of $6,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place and $1,000 for third place.&nbsp;&nbsp;Following the live-streamed business plan presentations, the judges will deliberate privately on the merits of each presentation until the start of the public awards presentation at 1 p.m. Following the awards presentation, the judges will give each team private feedback. For more information, email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:FaulknerChallenge@FHSU.edu">FaulknerChallenge@FHSU.edu</a>.

FHSU's Faulkner Challenge set for March 13 via Zoom

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<div><iframe title="Commodity and food distribution ongoing in Ellis" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/xssyg-fa8a1b?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a>

🎙 Post Podcast: Commodity and food distribution ongoing in Ellis

BY RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development

Those who own skid-steer loaders point out that these industrial machines can have many uses. Perhaps their only limitation is the type of equipment that can be attached to those skid steers. These attachments can pull posts, wind wire, cut trees, dig trenches, mix concrete and more.&nbsp;

Today we’ll learn about an innovative rural Kansas business which specializes in designing attachments for those skid steer loaders, while offering all the capabilities of a complete machine shop.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

LeeRoy Douglas is the owner and founder of Douglas Welding and Machine at Kipp, Kansas. LeeRoy and his wife Mary live in Kipp, near Salina. LeeRoy was working in a metal fabrication shop in Salina when he decided to start his own business in 1989.&nbsp;

Regan West is director of purchasing, sales and marketing for Douglas Machine and Welding today. “LeeRoy started working in his garage,” Regan said. “When he outgrew that, he built a shop and it’s grown from there.”&nbsp;

When LeeRoy and Mary’s son Colby joined the company, they had the idea to build attachments to go on skid steers. Their first product was an attachment that enabled the skid steer to pull up a post or small tree. It worked so well that it has become Douglas Welding’s best-selling product. “Other people may sell a post puller that works like scissors, but ours works like hands to grasp the post,” Regan said. “It works so much better, you can’t compare.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Douglas Welding and Machine, also known as DWM Attachments, continued to expand the type of skid steer attachments that it has developed. “We offer more than 40 different attachments,” Regan said. These include wire winders, various saws, stump grinders, mowers, trenchers, post-hole augers, corner-post setters, concrete mixers, buckets, backhoes, harrows, telebooms, bale spears, pallet forks, and more. New items include a tiller, tube grinder, and tree shovel.&nbsp;

Today, Douglas Welding and Machine specializes in fabrication of carbon steel products, including skid steer attachments and custom items. The machine shop offers CNC (computer numerically controlled), plasma-cutting, shearing, breaking, and full range fabrication capabilities.&nbsp;

In addition to attachments, Douglas Welding and Machine also produces products such as park benches, heavy-duty work benches, signs and other yard art, much of which is custom made. “We are able to create our own designs, and we do everything from start to finish,” Regan said. Other than the hydraulic motors, tubing, cylinders or bearings which they have to purchase, the fabricators can build most anything else themselves.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We even make our own hoses,” Regan said. She is involved in many of the artistic products and is self-taught on the CNC equipment.&nbsp;

“Our software allows us to draw unique designs,” Regan said. “I do a lot of benches and custom signs for customers.” Items can also be custom-made as gifts. Regan hopes to enhance the company website to enable e-commerce and encourage online purchases.&nbsp;&nbsp;

One regular customer is a contractor in North Carolina who uses the attachments to install playground equipment. Another interesting customer is in South Carolina. When a hurricane hit that state a couple of years ago, the business ordered a custom-made auger bucket that would fill sandbags to protect from hurricane damage.&nbsp;

The versatility of the uses for skid-steer attachments has created a major market opportunity for Douglas Welding and Machine. “It’s incredible how we’ve grown,” Regan said. “Last year we had orders from Washington to Pennsylvania. December was our busiest month, and sales have tripled.”&nbsp;

It’s a remarkable record for a business based in a rural community such as Kipp, an unincorporated town with an unofficial population of perhaps 50 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;

For more information, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.douglasweldingmachine.com/">www.douglasweldingmachine.com</a>.&nbsp;

Skid steers have many uses, limited only by the type of attachments such as those developed by Douglas Welding and Machine. We commend LeeRoy, Mary, and Colby Douglas, Regan West and all those involved with Douglas Welding and Machine who are making a difference with entrepreneurship and creativity. These are the types of rural businesses to which I feel quite an attachment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612965932440.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural DevelopmentThose who own skid-steer loaders point out that these industrial machines can have many uses. Perhaps their only limitation is the type of equipment that can be attached to those skid steers. These attachments can pull posts, wind wire, cut trees, dig trenches, mix concrete and more.&nbsp;Today we’ll learn about an innovative rural Kansas business which specializes in designing attachments for those skid steer loaders, while offering all the capabilities of a complete machine shop.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;LeeRoy Douglas is the owner and founder of Douglas Welding and Machine at Kipp, Kansas. LeeRoy and his wife Mary live in Kipp, near Salina. LeeRoy was working in a metal fabrication shop in Salina when he decided to start his own business in 1989.&nbsp;Regan West is director of purchasing, sales and marketing for Douglas Machine and Welding today. “LeeRoy started working in his garage,” Regan said. “When he outgrew that, he built a shop and it’s grown from there.”&nbsp;When LeeRoy and Mary’s son Colby joined the company, they had the idea to build attachments to go on skid steers. Their first product was an attachment that enabled the skid steer to pull up a post or small tree. It worked so well that it has become Douglas Welding’s best-selling product. “Other people may sell a post puller that works like scissors, but ours works like hands to grasp the post,” Regan said. “It works so much better, you can’t compare.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Douglas Welding and Machine, also known as DWM Attachments, continued to expand the type of skid steer attachments that it has developed. “We offer more than 40 different attachments,” Regan said. These include wire winders, various saws, stump grinders, mowers, trenchers, post-hole augers, corner-post setters, concrete mixers, buckets, backhoes, harrows, telebooms, bale spears, pallet forks, and more. New items include a tiller, tube grinder, and tree shovel.&nbsp;Today, Douglas Welding and Machine specializes in fabrication of carbon steel products, including skid steer attachments and custom items. The machine shop offers CNC (computer numerically controlled), plasma-cutting, shearing, breaking, and full range fabrication capabilities.&nbsp;In addition to attachments, Douglas Welding and Machine also produces products such as park benches, heavy-duty work benches, signs and other yard art, much of which is custom made. “We are able to create our own designs, and we do everything from start to finish,” Regan said. Other than the hydraulic motors, tubing, cylinders or bearings which they have to purchase, the fabricators can build most anything else themselves.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We even make our own hoses,” Regan said. She is involved in many of the artistic products and is self-taught on the CNC equipment.&nbsp;“Our software allows us to draw unique designs,” Regan said. “I do a lot of benches and custom signs for customers.” Items can also be custom-made as gifts. Regan hopes to enhance the company website to enable e-commerce and encourage online purchases.&nbsp;&nbsp;One regular customer is a contractor in North Carolina who uses the attachments to install playground equipment. Another interesting customer is in South Carolina. When a hurricane hit that state a couple of years ago, the business ordered a custom-made auger bucket that would fill sandbags to protect from hurricane damage.&nbsp;The versatility of the uses for skid-steer attachments has created a major market opportunity for Douglas Welding and Machine. “It’s incredible how we’ve grown,” Regan said. “Last year we had orders from Washington to Pennsylvania. December was our busiest month, and sales have tripled.”&nbsp;It’s a remarkable record for a business based in a rural community such as Kipp, an unincorporated town with an unofficial population of perhaps 50 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;For more information, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.douglasweldingmachine.com/">www.douglasweldingmachine.com</a>.&nbsp;Skid steers have many uses, limited only by the type of attachments such as those developed by Douglas Welding and Machine. We commend LeeRoy, Mary, and Colby Douglas, Regan West and all those involved with Douglas Welding and Machine who are making a difference with entrepreneurship and creativity. These are the types of rural businesses to which I feel quite an attachment.

Now That’s Rural: LeeRoy Douglas, Douglas Welding 

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Kansas schools would be required to offer full, in-person instruction starting March 26 under a bill that was introduced Friday.

Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson said in news release announcing the bill that students must not continue to “languish in virtual learning.”

The state Department of Education recommended this week that school districts allow middle and high school students resume full-time in-person instruction if precautions are taken. Several of the state’s largest districts have been offering in-person classes only part-time for middle and high-schoolers or teaching students only online.

“Kansas parents have been patient, but they have seen their children struggling and they have had enough,” Masterson said. “It’s time to do what is desperately needed and get Kansas kids back to school.”

Marcus Baltzell, a spokesman for the Kansas National Education Association, said he hadn’t yet had a chance to review the bill.

But he noted: “Schools have been open since the beginning but returning to in-person instruction in a time of a pandemic should happen when it is safe to do so according to the medical experts. That has been our position all along and that will continue to be our position.”

The state is currently inoculating teachers as part of its second round of vaccinations, which also extended eligibility to people ages 65 and older, prisoners and essential workers such as law enforcement officers. The second phase covers as many as 1 million of the state’s 2.9 million residents.

As of Friday, 9.4% of the state’s population had been vaccinated, with 273,428 people receiving at least the first of two required doses, state health data showed.

Gov. Laura Kelly said the state is anticipating getting 90,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine next week, double what the state was receiving just two weeks ago,

“We are continuing to urge the federal government to increase the number of vaccines we receive and they are actually doing so,” Kelly said in her biweekly call with elected officials.

The number of cases has dropped dramatically in recent weeks. The state’s health department added 1,208 new confirmed cases from Wednesday to Friday, pushing the state’s pandemic total to 286,102. The number of deaths rose by 61 to 4,364.

The number of hospitalized patients also is dropping and staffing problems are improving as the rollout continues.

Lee Norman, the head of the state’s health department, said that one hospital had seen the number of staff members who were out because of COVID-19 illnesses or quarantines drop into the single digits from an average of 80 to 90.

“Staff are back and healthy and absenteeism is extremely low,” Norman said.

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Kansas schools would be required to offer full, in-person instruction starting March 26 under a bill that was introduced Friday.Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson said in news release announcing the bill that students must not continue to “languish in virtual learning.”The state Department of Education recommended this week that school districts allow middle and high school students resume full-time in-person instruction if precautions are taken. Several of the state’s largest districts have been offering in-person classes only part-time for middle and high-schoolers or teaching students only online.“Kansas parents have been patient, but they have seen their children struggling and they have had enough,” Masterson said. “It’s time to do what is desperately needed and get Kansas kids back to school.”Marcus Baltzell, a spokesman for the Kansas National Education Association, said he hadn’t yet had a chance to review the bill.But he noted: “Schools have been open since the beginning but returning to in-person instruction in a time of a pandemic should happen when it is safe to do so according to the medical experts. That has been our position all along and that will continue to be our position.”The state is currently inoculating teachers as part of its second round of vaccinations, which also extended eligibility to people ages 65 and older, prisoners and essential workers such as law enforcement officers. The second phase covers as many as 1 million of the state’s 2.9 million residents.As of Friday, 9.4% of the state’s population had been vaccinated, with 273,428 people receiving at least the first of two required doses, state health data showed.Gov. Laura Kelly said the state is anticipating getting 90,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine next week, double what the state was receiving just two weeks ago,“We are continuing to urge the federal government to increase the number of vaccines we receive and they are actually doing so,” Kelly said in her biweekly call with elected officials.The number of cases has dropped dramatically in recent weeks. The state’s health department added 1,208 new confirmed cases from Wednesday to Friday, pushing the state’s pandemic total to 286,102. The number of deaths rose by 61 to 4,364.The number of hospitalized patients also is dropping and staffing problems are improving as the rollout continues.Lee Norman, the head of the state’s health department, said that one hospital had seen the number of staff members who were out because of COVID-19 illnesses or quarantines drop into the single digits from an average of 80 to 90.“Staff are back and healthy and absenteeism is extremely low,” Norman said.

Bill would require Kansas schools to fully reopen next month

The TMP-Marian Monarchs travel to Phillipsburg for a key
Mid-Continent League showdown with the Panthers.

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

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

The TMP-Marian Monarchs travel to Phillipsburg for a key
Mid-Continent League showdown with the Panthers.Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. with the Hertz Rental Car Pregame Show at 5:40 on KHAZ.Girls game<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nsQtXhVk5MI"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Boys game<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eNZXioi8ScE"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp; &nbsp; You can also listen to the
games&nbsp; on&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KHAZ">99.5 KHAZ</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

 🏀WATCH: TMP-Marian vs Phillipsburg

The Hays High Indians travel to Colby Friday for a non-league matchup with the Eagles. The girls game is set to start at 6 p.m. with the boys to follow. Our coverage begins at 5:40 with the Hertz Rental Car Pregame Show. Girls game

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; You can also listen to the games on&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KFIX">96.9 KFIX</a>

The Hays High Indians travel to Colby Friday for a non-league matchup with the Eagles. The girls game is set to start at 6 p.m. with the boys to follow. Our coverage begins at 5:40 with the Hertz Rental Car Pregame Show. Girls game <figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qiGKLbNXkWg"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Boys game<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D7o4hmhyANk"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; You can also listen to the games on&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KFIX">96.9 KFIX</a>

 🏀WATCH: Hays High v Colby

With record-breaking cold gripping much of our region through next week, Midwest Energy’s natural gas schedulers have been busy lining up sufficient gas supply to meet demand when temperatures plunge below -10 degrees this weekend.&nbsp; &nbsp;

“We have spent the last several days on the phones, buying enough gas to get us through this cold spell,” said Bill Dowling, Midwest Energy’s Vice President for Engineering and Energy Supply. “Loads on the upstream pipeline that serves the Hays, Ellis and WaKeeney areas will strain the amount of available gas supplies, but unless conditions worsen, we believe we’ll be OK. Throughout the rest of the system, we see fewer issues that could impact gas supply.”

Dowling added that due to the ongoing freezing temperatures, gas supplies throughout the Midwestern U.S. are tight, and that the available gas is priced very high relative to just weeks ago.&nbsp; While Midwest buys a portion of its gas on contract in advance, Dowling said customers are burning “significantly more gas” keeping homes, businesses, hospitals and schools warm, and electric generating facilities throughout the region have ramped up the use of natural gas.&nbsp; Thus, the company has had to purchase additional gas on the spot market to make up the difference.&nbsp; Any fluctuations in the price of gas will be averaged out over the next year, and will be adjusted annually in February 2022.&nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586196165303.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Midwest EnergyWith record-breaking cold gripping much of our region through next week, Midwest Energy’s natural gas schedulers have been busy lining up sufficient gas supply to meet demand when temperatures plunge below -10 degrees this weekend.&nbsp; &nbsp;“We have spent the last several days on the phones, buying enough gas to get us through this cold spell,” said Bill Dowling, Midwest Energy’s Vice President for Engineering and Energy Supply. “Loads on the upstream pipeline that serves the Hays, Ellis and WaKeeney areas will strain the amount of available gas supplies, but unless conditions worsen, we believe we’ll be OK. Throughout the rest of the system, we see fewer issues that could impact gas supply.”Dowling added that due to the ongoing freezing temperatures, gas supplies throughout the Midwestern U.S. are tight, and that the available gas is priced very high relative to just weeks ago.&nbsp; While Midwest buys a portion of its gas on contract in advance, Dowling said customers are burning “significantly more gas” keeping homes, businesses, hospitals and schools warm, and electric generating facilities throughout the region have ramped up the use of natural gas.&nbsp; Thus, the company has had to purchase additional gas on the spot market to make up the difference.&nbsp; Any fluctuations in the price of gas will be averaged out over the next year, and will be adjusted annually in February 2022.&nbsp; &nbsp;Midwest Energy encourages all customers to make sure furnaces are operating at peak efficiency, and changing furnace filters as per the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure airflow isn’t restricted.&nbsp; Closing furnace registers and doors to unoccupied rooms is another way to keep occupied rooms warmer, reducing consumption. &nbsp;

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