On this episode of the Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Lynn Maska.

<div><iframe title="Forward Ever: Lynn Maska" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/8njze-f957e4?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div>On this episode of the Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Lynn Maska.

🎤Forward Ever: COVID-19 vaccine test participant Lynn Maska

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Mild weather during most of January allowed Hays city crews to complete a number of outdoor projects, including a new signal to help reduce backed-up traffic at 27th and Fort near Hays Middle School and Wilson Elementary School.

Collin Bielser, assistant city manager, presented the January progress report to the city commission Thursday.

"We were able to install a permissive left turn signal at 27th and Fort. We were actually able to recycle some equipment from the North Vine Street Improvement Project," Bielser explained.

"We saved about $15,000 by being able to use that equipment."

The fire department's new training facility classroom construction has been delayed because of the pandemic.&nbsp;Much of the work will be done by students at NCK Tech and Fort Hays State University. 

"NCK Tech has got in there and they're starting to do the wiring and install the HVAC equipment," Bielser noted.

The classroom is located in the new HFD training facility at the former Frank Stremel Softball Fields at U.S. Highway 40 and Chetolah Creek.

The warm temperatures of early winter have allowed installation of the sewer line and manholes for utilities extension - at the Interstate 70 west 157 Exit. The work is nearly 70 percent complete, according to Bielser. Developers plan a 40-acre truck plaza and shopping center on the north side of the interstate.&nbsp;

Work on the North Vine Project is focused currently on 37th Street, Skyline and 41st Street.

In March, project contractor Smoky Hill Construction of Salina will begin work on the next three traffic roundabouts.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a21pzNBfTJ0"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostMild weather during most of January allowed Hays city crews to complete a number of outdoor projects, including a new signal to help reduce backed-up traffic at 27th and Fort near Hays Middle School and Wilson Elementary School.Collin Bielser, assistant city manager, presented the January progress report to the city commission Thursday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611954522670.jpeg" alt="A left turn&nbsp; signal has been installed at 27th and Fort ." />
 <figcaption>A left turn&nbsp; signal has been installed at 27th and Fort .</figcaption>
 </figure>"We were able to install a permissive left turn signal at 27th and Fort. We were actually able to recycle some equipment from the North Vine Street Improvement Project," Bielser explained."We saved about $15,000 by being able to use that equipment."The fire department's new training facility classroom construction has been delayed because of the pandemic.&nbsp;Much of the work will be done by students at NCK Tech and Fort Hays State University. "NCK Tech has got in there and they're starting to do the wiring and install the HVAC equipment," Bielser noted.The classroom is located in the new HFD training facility at the former Frank Stremel Softball Fields at U.S. Highway 40 and Chetolah Creek.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611954799753.jpeg" alt="Work on the sewer line extension under I-70 continued in January thanks to mild weather." />
 <figcaption>Work on the sewer line extension under I-70 continued in January thanks to mild weather.</figcaption>
 </figure>The warm temperatures of early winter have allowed installation of the sewer line and manholes for utilities extension - at the Interstate 70 west 157 Exit. The work is nearly 70 percent complete, according to Bielser. Developers plan a 40-acre truck plaza and shopping center on the north side of the interstate.&nbsp;Work on the North Vine Project is focused currently on 37th Street, Skyline and 41st Street.In March, project contractor Smoky Hill Construction of Salina will begin work on the next three traffic roundabouts.&nbsp;

🎥 City: School traffic congestion eased; I-70 utility extension 67% complete

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The <a href="https://www.haysarcpark.org/">Hays ARC Park</a> received a $198,000 grant from the Sunderland Foundation of Overland Park for its planned accessible splash pad.

The design work has been done for the splash pad, which will be at Seven Hills Park, but the grant will allow the ARC Park to place its final order for the equipment.

The ARC Park's goal is to have the splash pad open by July 4, said Sarah Meitner, Arc of the Central Plains president.

The grant also will allow the ARC Park group to put in a handicap accessible bathroom with changing area, which the group thought it might have to cut from the project.

Seven Hills Park already has bathrooms, but the park group wanted to make sure an area was available where someone who was in a wheelchair could change into dry clothing after using the splash pad.

The bathroom will be between the proposed ball field and splash pad.

The City of Hays has already given the go-ahead for the splash pad phase of the project and has pledged to construct a small parking lot for the park.

"Everything is ready to go," said Brent Kaiser, Arc activities director. "We have been working on the design and the equipment and all of that stuff that we want in our park and what we wanted it to look like for quite a while now. 

"We just basically needed to pull that trigger, and I think we're ready to do that."

The Sunderland Foundation did not give the ARC Park advance notice they would be receiving the grant. They opened the mail, and there was a check with the award letter, Kaiser said.

"I did quite a bit of yelling," Kaiser said happily.

The ARC Park has raised about $1.6 million to complete the first two phases of its three-phase project.

The group has already received the equipment for the first phase of the project, which is an accessible playground, also to be at Seven Hills Park.

After delays involving utilities and storm water requirements, the pre-construction meeting for the installation of the playground was Jan. 22. Workers had hoped to start installing the equipment this week, but work was delayed by the weather.

Once site work begins on the playground, the equipment should be installed within two to four weeks, Kaiser said.

However, workers need temperatures to be warmer and stay warm in order to pour the accessible rubber surface for the playground.

The playground will be unsafe until that surfacing is installed. Although the equipment will be in place, the playground will be fenced off and not open for use until the surfacing can be installed.

The revised opening date for the playground is May 1.

The splash pad project is more complex and will take longer to complete. It includes a water recycling system, which will conserve water.

Fun features include a water tower with a large spigot that drops water into the splash pad, water arches and a windmill.&nbsp;

The splash pad will be fenced, which is not only an important safety feature for families with disabled individuals but also those families with small children, Kaiser said.

The final phase of the park will be an accessible baseball/softball field. The estimated cost for that phase is $400,000.&nbsp;

"This check definitely gives us the ability now to start a campaign for the ball field," Kathy McAdoo, Arc of the Central Plains executive director said of the Sunderland grant.

The ARC Park has already received a pledge for an in-kind donation of turf, which is much of the cost of the ball field.

Kaiser said he did not know what the timeline for the ballpark will be, but now the money has been raised for the splash pad, the group will be able to move into fundraising for the ballpark.

The <a href="https://www.sunderland.org/">Sunderland Foundation</a> was established in 1945 by Lester T. Sunderland, who served as president of the Ash Grove Cement Company for 33 years.

Since its inception, the foundation has focused on supporting construction projects and awarding grants to nonprofits in western Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, western Iowa, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Utah and Montana. The foundation focuses on health care, education, human services, and arts and culture.

"We feel really fortunate that they see the value in this project and the value to northwest Kansas and to Hays," Meitner said of the Sunderland Foundation. "We are so thankful to them."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611784645042.jpeg" alt="Artist rendering for Hays ARC Park splash pad. Courtesy images" />
 <figcaption>Artist rendering for Hays ARC Park splash pad. Courtesy images</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe <a href="https://www.haysarcpark.org/">Hays ARC Park</a> received a $198,000 grant from the Sunderland Foundation of Overland Park for its planned accessible splash pad.The design work has been done for the splash pad, which will be at Seven Hills Park, but the grant will allow the ARC Park to place its final order for the equipment.The ARC Park's goal is to have the splash pad open by July 4, said Sarah Meitner, Arc of the Central Plains president.The grant also will allow the ARC Park group to put in a handicap accessible bathroom with changing area, which the group thought it might have to cut from the project.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611785288915.jpeg" alt="Artist rendering for Hays ARC Park splash pad. Courtesy images" />
 <figcaption>Artist rendering for Hays ARC Park splash pad. Courtesy images</figcaption>
 </figure>Seven Hills Park already has bathrooms, but the park group wanted to make sure an area was available where someone who was in a wheelchair could change into dry clothing after using the splash pad.The bathroom will be between the proposed ball field and splash pad.The City of Hays has already given the go-ahead for the splash pad phase of the project and has pledged to construct a small parking lot for the park."Everything is ready to go," said Brent Kaiser, Arc activities director. "We have been working on the design and the equipment and all of that stuff that we want in our park and what we wanted it to look like for quite a while now. "We just basically needed to pull that trigger, and I think we're ready to do that."The Sunderland Foundation did not give the ARC Park advance notice they would be receiving the grant. They opened the mail, and there was a check with the award letter, Kaiser said."I did quite a bit of yelling," Kaiser said happily.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611785579081.jpeg" alt="Artist rendering for Hays ARC Park splash pad. Courtesy images" />
 <figcaption>Artist rendering for Hays ARC Park splash pad. Courtesy images</figcaption>
 </figure>The ARC Park has raised about $1.6 million to complete the first two phases of its three-phase project.The group has already received the equipment for the first phase of the project, which is an accessible playground, also to be at Seven Hills Park.After delays involving utilities and storm water requirements, the pre-construction meeting for the installation of the playground was Jan. 22. Workers had hoped to start installing the equipment this week, but work was delayed by the weather.Once site work begins on the playground, the equipment should be installed within two to four weeks, Kaiser said.However, workers need temperatures to be warmer and stay warm in order to pour the accessible rubber surface for the playground.The playground will be unsafe until that surfacing is installed. Although the equipment will be in place, the playground will be fenced off and not open for use until the surfacing can be installed.The revised opening date for the playground is May 1.The splash pad project is more complex and will take longer to complete. It includes a water recycling system, which will conserve water.Fun features include a water tower with a large spigot that drops water into the splash pad, water arches and a windmill.&nbsp;The splash pad will be fenced, which is not only an important safety feature for families with disabled individuals but also those families with small children, Kaiser said.The final phase of the park will be an accessible baseball/softball field. The estimated cost for that phase is $400,000.&nbsp;"This check definitely gives us the ability now to start a campaign for the ball field," Kathy McAdoo, Arc of the Central Plains executive director said of the Sunderland grant.The ARC Park has already received a pledge for an in-kind donation of turf, which is much of the cost of the ball field.Kaiser said he did not know what the timeline for the ballpark will be, but now the money has been raised for the splash pad, the group will be able to move into fundraising for the ballpark.The <a href="https://www.sunderland.org/">Sunderland Foundation</a> was established in 1945 by Lester T. Sunderland, who served as president of the Ash Grove Cement Company for 33 years.Since its inception, the foundation has focused on supporting construction projects and awarding grants to nonprofits in western Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, western Iowa, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Utah and Montana. The foundation focuses on health care, education, human services, and arts and culture."We feel really fortunate that they see the value in this project and the value to northwest Kansas and to Hays," Meitner said of the Sunderland Foundation. "We are so thankful to them."

ARC Park receives $198,000; hopes for splash pad opening by July 4

Hello from Topeka!&nbsp;We are already into week four of the Kansas Legislative session.

&nbsp;This past week, it surfaced that the state’s unemployment program has paid out an estimated $300 to $400 million in fraudulent claims. In fact, despite being a smaller population state, Kansas now ranks third in the nation for new unemployment claims, behind California and Illinois. Experts believe the spike in claims in Kansas is due to the fraudulent activity. As these fraudulent claims soared, Kansas families - some of whom applied for benefits months ago - have still been unable to receive their benefits.

Once pressed, Governor Kelly admitted that her administration’s program had been overrun with fraud. Unfortunately, they’ve allowed the problem to balloon to the point that they are shutting down the unemployment system to implement additional security measures. The system will be down, during which time Kansans will be unable to apply for benefits, from January 30 through 7 a.m. February 2.

One of the most frustrating aspects of this costly mistake is that the Legislature has been pushing the Kelly administration to take action for months. However, her administration has either been unable or unwilling to answer basic questions, such as how many fraudulent claims have been paid, how many dollars have been drained from the unemployment trust fund, or what steps will be taken to ensure that Kansas funds are not disbursed to criminal organizations running unemployment scams.

In addition to the urging of Legislature, the U.S. Department of Labor warned the Governor’s office months ago of the potential for fraudulent claims. Unfortunately, it does not appear that the Kelly administration took the preventive steps to counteract the threat.

What will this mean for Kansas businesses and our schools? Previously, the state’s unemployment trust fund had nearly $1 billion in reserves. The administration’s payout of fraudulent claims has more quickly spent down the trust fund. When the trust fund reserves are low, Kansas business owners are on the hook to refill it, meaning businesses are expected to see their premiums skyrocket to cover the fraudulent claims.

Kansas schools are also among those impacted by the Kelly administration’s payout of fraudulent claims. Our K-12 schools, state universities, and not-for-profit organizations handle their unemployment fund participation through reimbursement. This means the state pays their claims and then sends them a statement to reimburse the state. The Kelly administration has begun sending out first quarterly statements to reimbursement employers. One Topeka school district learned the state had paid out $775,000 in fraudulent claims under their name. With federal reimbursements applied, that school district will owe the state nearly $400,000 for claims that never should have been paid and that the school district never authorized to be paid.

What happens next? In response, House Republicans introduced legislation this past week to hold our schools, nonprofits and businesses harmless. They should not have to pay the price for these mistakes. The Legislature will also continue to press the administration for answers and for a plan of action to remedy fraud in the system.

The other big issue is vaccine distribution. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Kansas is again lagging behind in distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. On Tuesday, the CDC COVID Data Tracker ranked Kansas 47th in the nation, ahead of only Alabama, Idaho and Nevada.

Dr. Lee Norman, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health &amp; Environment (KDHE), provided an update to legislative committees last week on the “find my vaccine” portion of the <a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/">kansasvaccine.gov website</a>. He advised Kansans in Phase 2 who are interested in being vaccinated to start by checking with their local county health departments. Many county health departments have sign-up programs. He indicated the number of vaccine providers is growing and will include doctor’s offices, pharmacies and Methodist churches through United Methodist Health Ministry.

Dr. Norman also gave an update on allocation of the vaccine. Kansas is estimated to continue to receive approximately 45,000 doses each week, and there are 800,000 Kansans that fall into Phase 2. At a State Finance Council meeting on Wednesday, the Governor indicated Kansas’ allocated doses will be increasing by 16 percent for the next three weeks, which would increase the 45,000 doses figure. .

I have failed to mention my committee assignments this year: Chairperson of Committee on Agriculture, Member of Higher Education Budget and Member Committee on Appropriations. I am proud to lend my voice to the important issues that are being raised.

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

It is my honor to be your representative.

Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, is the 110th District state representative.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581437228209.jpeg" alt="Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, 110th Dist." />
 <figcaption>Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, 110th Dist.</figcaption>
 </figure>Feb. 1, 2021Hello from Topeka!&nbsp;We are already into week four of the Kansas Legislative session. &nbsp;This past week, it surfaced that the state’s unemployment program has paid out an estimated $300 to $400 million in fraudulent claims. In fact, despite being a smaller population state, Kansas now ranks third in the nation for new unemployment claims, behind California and Illinois. Experts believe the spike in claims in Kansas is due to the fraudulent activity. As these fraudulent claims soared, Kansas families - some of whom applied for benefits months ago - have still been unable to receive their benefits.Once pressed, Governor Kelly admitted that her administration’s program had been overrun with fraud. Unfortunately, they’ve allowed the problem to balloon to the point that they are shutting down the unemployment system to implement additional security measures. The system will be down, during which time Kansans will be unable to apply for benefits, from January 30 through 7 a.m. February 2.One of the most frustrating aspects of this costly mistake is that the Legislature has been pushing the Kelly administration to take action for months. However, her administration has either been unable or unwilling to answer basic questions, such as how many fraudulent claims have been paid, how many dollars have been drained from the unemployment trust fund, or what steps will be taken to ensure that Kansas funds are not disbursed to criminal organizations running unemployment scams.In addition to the urging of Legislature, the U.S. Department of Labor warned the Governor’s office months ago of the potential for fraudulent claims. Unfortunately, it does not appear that the Kelly administration took the preventive steps to counteract the threat.What will this mean for Kansas businesses and our schools? Previously, the state’s unemployment trust fund had nearly $1 billion in reserves. The administration’s payout of fraudulent claims has more quickly spent down the trust fund. When the trust fund reserves are low, Kansas business owners are on the hook to refill it, meaning businesses are expected to see their premiums skyrocket to cover the fraudulent claims.Kansas schools are also among those impacted by the Kelly administration’s payout of fraudulent claims. Our K-12 schools, state universities, and not-for-profit organizations handle their unemployment fund participation through reimbursement. This means the state pays their claims and then sends them a statement to reimburse the state. The Kelly administration has begun sending out first quarterly statements to reimbursement employers. One Topeka school district learned the state had paid out $775,000 in fraudulent claims under their name. With federal reimbursements applied, that school district will owe the state nearly $400,000 for claims that never should have been paid and that the school district never authorized to be paid.What happens next? In response, House Republicans introduced legislation this past week to hold our schools, nonprofits and businesses harmless. They should not have to pay the price for these mistakes. The Legislature will also continue to press the administration for answers and for a plan of action to remedy fraud in the system.The other big issue is vaccine distribution. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Kansas is again lagging behind in distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. On Tuesday, the CDC COVID Data Tracker ranked Kansas 47th in the nation, ahead of only Alabama, Idaho and Nevada.Dr. Lee Norman, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health &amp; Environment (KDHE), provided an update to legislative committees last week on the “find my vaccine” portion of the <a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/">kansasvaccine.gov website</a>. He advised Kansans in Phase 2 who are interested in being vaccinated to start by checking with their local county health departments. Many county health departments have sign-up programs. He indicated the number of vaccine providers is growing and will include doctor’s offices, pharmacies and Methodist churches through United Methodist Health Ministry.Dr. Norman also gave an update on allocation of the vaccine. Kansas is estimated to continue to receive approximately 45,000 doses each week, and there are 800,000 Kansans that fall into Phase 2. At a State Finance Council meeting on Wednesday, the Governor indicated Kansas’ allocated doses will be increasing by 16 percent for the next three weeks, which would increase the 45,000 doses figure. .I have failed to mention my committee assignments this year: Chairperson of Committee on Agriculture, Member of Higher Education Budget and Member Committee on Appropriations. I am proud to lend my voice to the important issues that are being raised.Because of COVID, we are not encouraging visitors to come to Topeka but if you would like to contact me my office is still located in Room: 149-S. My phone number is (785) 296- 7463 and email is: ken.rahjes@house.ks.gov and you can always try my cell number at (785) 302-8416. When you call or write you might hear from Terry Bernatis, my assistant during the session.It is my honor to be your representative.Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, is the 110th District state representative.

RAHJES REPORT: Feb. 1

Governor Kelly announced last Wednesday it will be necessary to shut down the processing system over the weekend for unemployment claims because of the thousands of fraudulent unemployment claims. This will mean some jobless workers will have payments delayed as the state installs new anti-fraud protections. 

The Governor said the unemployment system will go down at 2vp.m. Saturday and will go back up a 7 a.m. Tuesday. During this time the state will not pay benefits and will work to catch up on claims when the system is back up. 

It has been reported by the U.S. Department of Labor, as of January 6 Kansas received approximately 63,500 claims for unemployment benefits. This is the third highest number of any state, behind California and Illinois and ahead of Florida, New York, and Texas.&nbsp;

These numbers are a signal that Kansas is possibly seeing thousands more fraudulent claims a week than the roughly 2,300 a day that the state Department of Labor says it is stopping. 

The Governor’s announcement came shortly after GOP lawmakers said they will push to protect employers from being forced to cover the cost of fraudulent claims in ex-employees' names. They said the state Department of Labor does not have a handle on the problem and that they have not received enough data or answers.

Here is the link that individuals who receive a 1099 due to a fraudulent claim can go to and protest the 1099. If someone gets a 1099 for a fraudulent payment, they should protest it. They can do that&nbsp;starting Monday&nbsp;online at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fuiassistance.getkansasbenefits.gov%2F&amp;data=04%7C01%7CWill.Lawrence%40ks.gov%7C0152567acdb84968761508d8c4a23b02%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637475548335546646%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=ThR8ukHuYCVst%2FHXWC13EpoohwN%2FA9fvNOw0Q%2FYy8hs%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://uiassistance.getkansasbenefits.gov/</a>, or by calling the dedicated line at&nbsp;

<a href="tel:785-575-1461" target="_blank">785-575-1461</a>. Once we receive the protest, a corrected 1099-G will be sent to the claimant and the IRS.&nbsp;

This past week the Senate passed the Value Them Both Amendment 28-11 and this amendment was passed out of the House last week. Voters will have the right to vote on this amendment to the Kansas constitution on the August 2022 ballot. 

The adoption of the Value Them Both Amendment was made possible by a wide coalition of groups and individuals, including Kansans for Life, the Kansas Catholic Conference, and the Family Policy Alliance of Kansas, among others. 

The Bill of Rights of the Kansas Constitution reads as follows: “All men are possessed of equal and inalienable natural rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” The Value Them Both Amendment is necessary due to the April 26, 2019 decision by the Kansas Supreme Court which created an unlimited right to abortion in the 1859 Kansas Constitution, using the Kansas Bill of Rights as justification for their decision. 

Because of the Kansas Supreme Court’s ruling, existing bans on late-term and taxpayer-funded abortions are now in danger of being rendered unenforceable due to the strict scrutiny standard the court used. Furthermore, the ruling allows violent live dismemberment abortions to continue and threatens these lifesaving limits: Parental consent for minors seeking an abortion, Informed consent, alerting women to potential health risks, 24-hour waiting period, Abortion clinic sanitation and safety standards.

It is an honor and pleasure to serve the 40th&nbsp;Senate District of Kansas. 

Please do not hesitate to contact me by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov" target="_blank">rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov</a>. You may also call me with you questions or concerns. My office number is 785 296-7399 or my cell number is 785 899-4700.

Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, is the 40th District senator.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610490291573.jpeg" alt="Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, 40th Dist. " />
 <figcaption>Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, 40th Dist. </figcaption>
 </figure>Feb. 1, 2021Governor Kelly announced last Wednesday it will be necessary to shut down the processing system over the weekend for unemployment claims because of the thousands of fraudulent unemployment claims. This will mean some jobless workers will have payments delayed as the state installs new anti-fraud protections. The Governor said the unemployment system will go down at 2vp.m. Saturday and will go back up a 7 a.m. Tuesday. During this time the state will not pay benefits and will work to catch up on claims when the system is back up. It has been reported by the U.S. Department of Labor, as of January 6 Kansas received approximately 63,500 claims for unemployment benefits. This is the third highest number of any state, behind California and Illinois and ahead of Florida, New York, and Texas.&nbsp;These numbers are a signal that Kansas is possibly seeing thousands more fraudulent claims a week than the roughly 2,300 a day that the state Department of Labor says it is stopping. The Governor’s announcement came shortly after GOP lawmakers said they will push to protect employers from being forced to cover the cost of fraudulent claims in ex-employees' names. They said the state Department of Labor does not have a handle on the problem and that they have not received enough data or answers.Here is the link that individuals who receive a 1099 due to a fraudulent claim can go to and protest the 1099. If someone gets a 1099 for a fraudulent payment, they should protest it. They can do that&nbsp;starting Monday&nbsp;online at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fuiassistance.getkansasbenefits.gov%2F&amp;data=04%7C01%7CWill.Lawrence%40ks.gov%7C0152567acdb84968761508d8c4a23b02%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637475548335546646%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=ThR8ukHuYCVst%2FHXWC13EpoohwN%2FA9fvNOw0Q%2FYy8hs%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://uiassistance.getkansasbenefits.gov/</a>, or by calling the dedicated line at&nbsp;<a href="tel:785-575-1461" target="_blank">785-575-1461</a>. Once we receive the protest, a corrected 1099-G will be sent to the claimant and the IRS.&nbsp;This past week the Senate passed the Value Them Both Amendment 28-11 and this amendment was passed out of the House last week. Voters will have the right to vote on this amendment to the Kansas constitution on the August 2022 ballot. The adoption of the Value Them Both Amendment was made possible by a wide coalition of groups and individuals, including Kansans for Life, the Kansas Catholic Conference, and the Family Policy Alliance of Kansas, among others. The Bill of Rights of the Kansas Constitution reads as follows: “All men are possessed of equal and inalienable natural rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” The Value Them Both Amendment is necessary due to the April 26, 2019 decision by the Kansas Supreme Court which created an unlimited right to abortion in the 1859 Kansas Constitution, using the Kansas Bill of Rights as justification for their decision. Because of the Kansas Supreme Court’s ruling, existing bans on late-term and taxpayer-funded abortions are now in danger of being rendered unenforceable due to the strict scrutiny standard the court used. Furthermore, the ruling allows violent live dismemberment abortions to continue and threatens these lifesaving limits: Parental consent for minors seeking an abortion, Informed consent, alerting women to potential health risks, 24-hour waiting period, Abortion clinic sanitation and safety standards.It is an honor and pleasure to serve the 40th&nbsp;Senate District of Kansas. Please do not hesitate to contact me by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov" target="_blank">rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov</a>. You may also call me with you questions or concerns. My office number is 785 296-7399 or my cell number is 785 899-4700.Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, is the 40th District senator.

BILLINGER: Senate Update, Feb. 1

NetWork Kansas’ Entrepreneurship (E-) Community Partnership announces outstanding teachers who have been involved in the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge Series since the beginning of the program and/or made outstanding efforts to engage students in youth entrepreneurship. The Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge Series consists of local events in Kansas cities and counties that culminate in a state championship. In 2020, 793 students from more than forty-five Kansas communities participated in the YEC series. We are recognizing 5 teachers for their direct efforts with this competition. One of those being Silas Hibbs, Hays High School.

“The YEC series is made possible by the elite teacher champions we have all across Kansas,” Sarah LaRosh, Manager of Rural Entrepreneurship of NetWork Kansas, said. “It is my utmost honor to work with some of these educators. Their dedication to excellence will live on through the students and will be realized in the many entrepreneurial endeavors these students will achieve.”&nbsp;

NetWork Kansas recognizes there are many more amazing educators across the state that deserve recognition. We are incredibly grateful for their hard work teaching students how to grow their local communities through entrepreneurship. Inspiring youth to see the world from a different perspective, strengthens global impact on the next generation of leaders.&nbsp;

Again, we congratulate those teachers recognized for their support of the YEC series from its infancy to now and we look forward to the ideas and projects created as students and teachers gear up for the culmination of the 8th annual season, this spring.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611855640818.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Grow HaysNetWork Kansas’ Entrepreneurship (E-) Community Partnership announces outstanding teachers who have been involved in the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge Series since the beginning of the program and/or made outstanding efforts to engage students in youth entrepreneurship. The Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge Series consists of local events in Kansas cities and counties that culminate in a state championship. In 2020, 793 students from more than forty-five Kansas communities participated in the YEC series. We are recognizing 5 teachers for their direct efforts with this competition. One of those being Silas Hibbs, Hays High School.“The YEC series is made possible by the elite teacher champions we have all across Kansas,” Sarah LaRosh, Manager of Rural Entrepreneurship of NetWork Kansas, said. “It is my utmost honor to work with some of these educators. Their dedication to excellence will live on through the students and will be realized in the many entrepreneurial endeavors these students will achieve.”&nbsp;NetWork Kansas recognizes there are many more amazing educators across the state that deserve recognition. We are incredibly grateful for their hard work teaching students how to grow their local communities through entrepreneurship. Inspiring youth to see the world from a different perspective, strengthens global impact on the next generation of leaders.&nbsp;Again, we congratulate those teachers recognized for their support of the YEC series from its infancy to now and we look forward to the ideas and projects created as students and teachers gear up for the culmination of the 8th annual season, this spring.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611855658953.jpeg" alt="" />
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Hays High School teacher honored by NetWork Kansas

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas Public Management Center has announced the graduates of the Kansas Certified Public Manager (CPM) program. The graduation ceremony was held virtually in December 2020 for COVID-19 safety reasons. Dale Dennis, retired deputy education commissioner and the 2020 Native Sons and Daughters Kansan of the Year, delivered remarks to the graduates.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The nearly 70 graduates, who began their coursework in January 2020, represent local, county, state and federal agencies from across Kansas. Their classes took place online after the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020.

Of these participants, 20 are graduates of the Law Enforcement Leadership Academy (LELA) Command School who completed their CPM certification through classroom instruction and online work. They were recognized in mid-November by the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center and were also included in the virtual CPM graduation ceremony.

“The Kansas CPM program is a dynamic and engaging certification program of 300 contact hours that uses a capstone project as the final exam and course materials that inspire new ways of thinking and innovative approaches to solving problems,” said Terri Callahan, program manager.

“I am always very impressed with the caliber and dedication of the CPM graduates. Their love for public service and leadership is evident by their commitment and dedication to their organizations, communities and the citizens they serve. This year, this class faced and rebounded from adversity that no one expected. I will always remember the class of 2020.”&nbsp;

Callahan will also remember the class for being her last. After 17 years as program director, she retired at the end of the year. Tarik Khatib, former Lawrence police chief and current program manager for the Law Enforcement Leadership Academy at the PMC, will take over as CPM program manager.&nbsp;

The Kansas CPM program is a professional education opportunity for managers working in government agencies, nonprofits and organizations that contract to provide public services and meet community needs. CPM is a nationally accredited management program and certification in which participants develop and strengthen their management skills through a competency-based curriculum. Close to 1,800 CPM graduates have earned the nationally recognized emblem of management excellence through the Kansas program.

The CPM program can fill a training gap for staff with significant technical expertise who seek to further their knowledge of current management practices. The Kansas program offers a blended learning approach of classroom hours, online learning and outside assignments to meet 300 hours of structured learning. The curriculum addresses personal and organizational integrity, managing work, leading people, developing self, public service and leadership during times of change. Along the way, participants complete a capstone project focused on an opportunity for cost savings, revenue generation, process improvement or innovation in their workplace.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611940823655.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KU NewsLAWRENCE — The University of Kansas Public Management Center has announced the graduates of the Kansas Certified Public Manager (CPM) program. The graduation ceremony was held virtually in December 2020 for COVID-19 safety reasons. Dale Dennis, retired deputy education commissioner and the 2020 Native Sons and Daughters Kansan of the Year, delivered remarks to the graduates.&nbsp; &nbsp;The nearly 70 graduates, who began their coursework in January 2020, represent local, county, state and federal agencies from across Kansas. Their classes took place online after the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020.Of these participants, 20 are graduates of the Law Enforcement Leadership Academy (LELA) Command School who completed their CPM certification through classroom instruction and online work. They were recognized in mid-November by the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center and were also included in the virtual CPM graduation ceremony.“The Kansas CPM program is a dynamic and engaging certification program of 300 contact hours that uses a capstone project as the final exam and course materials that inspire new ways of thinking and innovative approaches to solving problems,” said Terri Callahan, program manager.“I am always very impressed with the caliber and dedication of the CPM graduates. Their love for public service and leadership is evident by their commitment and dedication to their organizations, communities and the citizens they serve. This year, this class faced and rebounded from adversity that no one expected. I will always remember the class of 2020.”&nbsp;Callahan will also remember the class for being her last. After 17 years as program director, she retired at the end of the year. Tarik Khatib, former Lawrence police chief and current program manager for the Law Enforcement Leadership Academy at the PMC, will take over as CPM program manager.&nbsp;The Kansas CPM program is a professional education opportunity for managers working in government agencies, nonprofits and organizations that contract to provide public services and meet community needs. CPM is a nationally accredited management program and certification in which participants develop and strengthen their management skills through a competency-based curriculum. Close to 1,800 CPM graduates have earned the nationally recognized emblem of management excellence through the Kansas program.The CPM program can fill a training gap for staff with significant technical expertise who seek to further their knowledge of current management practices. The Kansas program offers a blended learning approach of classroom hours, online learning and outside assignments to meet 300 hours of structured learning. The curriculum addresses personal and organizational integrity, managing work, leading people, developing self, public service and leadership during times of change. Along the way, participants complete a capstone project focused on an opportunity for cost savings, revenue generation, process improvement or innovation in their workplace.Below is a list of graduates:KANSASBarton County<ul>
 <li>Austin LaViolette, City of Great Bend</li>
 </ul>Dickinson County<ul>
 <li>John Hultgren, Dickinson County</li>
 </ul>Douglas County<ul>
 <li>Kerri (Chrisy) Khatib, Kansas Department for Children and Families</li><li>Andrew Lyon (Baldwin City), Kansas Department of Agriculture</li><li>Mark Meher, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office</li><li>Jacob Smith, Douglas County Criminal Justice Services</li><li>Lisa Wiederholt (Baldwin City), City of Olathe Public Works Solid Waste</li><li>Shannon Young, Douglas County Criminal Justice Services</li><li>Natalie Yoza, Kansas Board of Regents</li>
 </ul>Ellis County<ul>
 <li>Armando Orozco, Kansas Department for Children and Families</li><li>Jason Riegel, City of Hays Water Resources Department</li>
 </ul>Finney County<ul>
 <li>Trista Joyce, Finney County</li>
 </ul>Franklin County<ul>
 <li>David Lee, Franklin County Public Works</li>
 </ul>Harper County<ul>
 <li>Ami DeLacerda, Harper County</li><li>Tiffany Hartson, City of Harper</li><li>Melinda McCurley, Harper County Community Development</li>
 </ul>Harvey County<ul>
 <li>Shawn Chapman, Harvey County Sheriff’s Office</li><li>Jason Thrasher, City of Hesston</li>
 </ul>Johnson County<ul>
 <li>Tessa Adcock, Kansas Schools for the Deaf</li><li>Tim Byrnes, Overland Park Fire Department</li><li>Bradley Davis, Johnson County Fire District 2</li><li>Kelly Hasz, Overland Park Police Department</li><li>Becky Jones, Johnson County Government</li><li>Penny Jones, KU Edwards Campus</li><li>Gary Mason, Overland Park Police Department</li><li>Jesse Mofle, Johnson County Housing Services</li><li>Troy Osborn, Leawood Police Department</li><li>Melissa Reeves, Johnson County Developmental Supports</li><li>Robert Sanderson, Lenexa Police Department</li><li>Joe Sudduth, City of Olathe</li><li>Magi Tilton, City of Lenexa Community Development Office</li><li>Steve Walsh, Shawnee Police Department</li>
 </ul>Lyon County<ul>
 <li>Krystle Fessler, Lyon County Highway Department</li><li>Seth Snyder, Lyon County Highway Department</li>
 </ul>McPherson County<ul>
 <li>Mikel Golden, McPherson Police Department</li>
 </ul>Montgomery County<ul>
 <li>Cody Shamblin, City of Independence Airport</li>
 </ul>Reno County<ul>
 <li>Martin Robertson, Hutchinson Police Department</li>
 </ul>Riley County<ul>
 <li>Erin Freidline, Riley County Police Department</li>
 </ul>Russell County<ul>
 <li>Jordan Harrison, Russell Police Department</li>
 </ul>Sedgwick County<ul>
 <li>Rachel Bell, Kansas Turnpike Authority</li><li>Courtney Carpenter, City of Wichita Municipal Court</li><li>Matthew Jensby, City of Maize</li><li>Nicholas Parrott, Kansas Turnpike Authority</li><li>Laura Rainwater, Regional Economic Area Partnership</li><li>Kim Warehime, Wichita Police Department</li>
 </ul>Shawnee County<ul>
 <li>Rebecca Cyr, Kansas Highway Patrol</li><li>Doug Eamigh, Kansas Highway Patrol</li><li>Tamara Denise Emery, Kansas Department of Administration</li><li>Dawn Grams, Kansas Department of Health and Environment</li><li>Brooklyn Graves, Kansas Bureau of Investigation</li><li>Amber Harrington, Kansas Highway Patrol</li><li>Nicholas Hill, Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office</li><li>Cory Latham, Kansas Bureau of Investigation</li><li>Chelsey Miranda, Kansas Turnpike Authority</li><li>Michelle Montgomery, Kansas Department of Corrections</li><li>Brandi White, Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission</li><li>Travis White, Kansas Board of Regents</li><li>Kaitlyn Willis, Kansas League of Municipalities</li>
 </ul>Stafford County<ul>
 <li>David Adam, St. John Police Department</li>
 </ul>Wabaunsee County<ul>
 <li>Nichelle Adams, Kansas Department for Children and Families</li>
 </ul>Wyandotte County<ul>
 <li>Joshua Brooks, Edwardsville Police Department</li><li>Dwight Buxton, Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office</li><li>William Naff, Bonner Springs Police Department</li><li>Heron Santana, Kansas City Police Department.</li>
 </ul>

Employees in Hays, Russell are Kansas Certified Public Manager Program grads

Three-day weather outlook

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Paisley Pear presents the 'Perfect Pair' photo contest

By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension District

NC and NW Extension Districts and counties of K-State Research and Extension are hosting an ONLINE agronomy series, “Crop Talk”, slated to begin Tuesday, February 2 through Tuesday, March 9, which will highlight several topics important to crop producers.&nbsp; These will be on Tuesdays with some Wednesdays as well, and each session will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. CST.

Planned topics of discussion include soil fertility for the 2021 growing season, weed management, corn and sorghum insects along with dryland corn dynamics and alfalfa management. There will also be time for questions between Kansas crop producers and extension specialists.

Register ONLINE at <a href="http://www.cottonwood.ksu.edu">www.cottonwood.ksu.edu</a> or call the Cottonwood Extension District at 785-628-9430. Once you register, a link to the ONLINE sessions will be emailed to you.

The ONLINE or virtual meetings include the following schedule:

For more information about the ONLINE KSU Extension NW and NC Agronomy Series, contact your local Extension Office or Cottonwood District 785-628-9430.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574181994278.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension DistrictNC and NW Extension Districts and counties of K-State Research and Extension are hosting an ONLINE agronomy series, “Crop Talk”, slated to begin Tuesday, February 2 through Tuesday, March 9, which will highlight several topics important to crop producers.&nbsp; These will be on Tuesdays with some Wednesdays as well, and each session will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. CST.Planned topics of discussion include soil fertility for the 2021 growing season, weed management, corn and sorghum insects along with dryland corn dynamics and alfalfa management. There will also be time for questions between Kansas crop producers and extension specialists.Register ONLINE at <a href="http://www.cottonwood.ksu.edu">www.cottonwood.ksu.edu</a> or call the Cottonwood Extension District at 785-628-9430. Once you register, a link to the ONLINE sessions will be emailed to you.Optional to use:The ONLINE or virtual meetings include the following schedule:<ol>
 <li>Soil Fertility question from Growers for the 2021 season</li>
 </ol>-February 2: NW focus-February 3: NC focus<ol>
 <li>Weed Management and that pesky Palmer Amaranth (pigweed)</li>
 </ol>-February 9: NW focus-February 10: NC focus<ol>
 <li>Corn Insect Resistance: Rootworm and Western Bean Cutworm</li>
 </ol>-February 16<ol>
 <li>Grain Sorghum Weed Control: Start clean…..Stay clean!</li>
 </ol>-February 23<ol>
 <li>Sorghum Insects: Aphids, Headworms and Chinch bugs…..Oh my!</li>
 </ol>-February 24<ol>
 <li>Alfalfa Management for Insects and Adverse weather</li>
 </ol>-March 2<ol>
 <li>Dryland Corn Dynamics</li>
 </ol>-March 9For more information about the ONLINE KSU Extension NW and NC Agronomy Series, contact your local Extension Office or Cottonwood District 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: New Extension series 'Crop Talk' begins in February

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

<div><iframe title="Grow Hays to present economic impact of FHSU" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/qxjyn-f90629?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: Grow Hays to present economic impact of FHSU

A local family hopes to open a new event center near the intersection of U.S. Highway 183 and Buckeye Road in Ellis County.

Leanne and Jayme Zimmerman have a applied for a conditional-use permit for a wedding event venue that would be built on land that is currently used for agriculture.

The public hearing on the permit was Wednesday night at the Ellis County Joint Planning Commission meeting.

The site is 6 miles north of Hays and 0.2 miles east of U.S. 183 on Buckeye Road.

The Buckeye Barn would have a capacity of up to 350 people, have a kitchen, restrooms, beverage area, dining area, private bridal suite parking and a covered area to stage outdoor weddings or events.

"We are basically putting up something similar to the Schenk Building," Leanne Zimmerman, who will manage the facility, said. "We want something affordable for the citizens of Hays."

The gathering space will be 60 by 120 feet.The building will be wheelchair accessible.

The structure would be a 110-by-120-foot metal building that sits on about four acres of land. Three acres would be dedicated for onsite parking.

Water will be provided by the rural water district. Zimmerman said she did not plan to install a sprinkler system in the building, as she was informed by her insurance agent that she was not required to do so.

Zimmerman said the site was chosen so the entrance/exit for the facility could be on Buckeye Road. The number of entrances/exits will be determined by the county road department and the Kansas Department of Transportation because of the center's proximity to U.S. 183.

The landscaping will be cultivated with&nbsp; the natural grass that is already present in the area.

Several local residents spoke in opposition to the proposed event center on Thursday night.

Dustin Shubert, who lives at 1660 Buckeye Road near the proposed center, said the residents of Buckeye Township do not want an event center at that location.

"We do not want the extra traffic. We do not want the extra people in the area," he said. "We feel a little bit out of sight, out of mind out there. We built out there because we wanted to be away from things like this."

He continued, "You bring a lot of extra people into the area that we're not familiar with and then we feel our security is at risk."

Shubert said if the center is built, he would be concerned about leaving property, such as campers or trailers, outside because of the increase in traffic in the area.

"I don't like the location they chose," he said. "I think that there are better locations they could chose from, and I don't think it's right for the Buckeye Township area."

Jason Williams, 1682 Buckeye Road, also was opposed to the event center.

"The whole reason we moved out there — it's a quiet place. We got good neighbors. We wanted to be in our own nice little community. We all have young kids out there, and you have to worry about increased traffic with young kids."

Allen Schmidt, Buckeye Township treasurer, expressed several concerns about the proposed event center.

The former Buckeye school (Buckeye Hall) has been used as a gathering place since it closed as a school. The location still has swings and a merry-go-round.

Schmidt said he was concerned about liability issues if children attending a wedding at the event center would play on the Buckeye Hall equipment and be hurt.

Zimmerman said children attending events at the Buckeye Barn using the play equipment at the hall is unlikely considering the event center will be about 2,000 feet from Buckeye Hall and the children would have to cross cultivated ground to get there.

Schmidt also expressed concern about potential vandalism at Buckeye Hall because of the increased traffic. He asked the Zimmermans provide internet service and security cameras for the Buckeye Hall.

Zimmerman said she did not believe there would be any problems with vandalism at the hall. She said the event center will have internet access, but the township would be responsible for paying for internet and security cameras if they wanted them installed at Buckeye Hall.

A representative of the Hilton Garden Inn in Hays, which also has an event center, asked the commission if any public funding is going to be used for the Buckeye Barn. Zimmerman said the project will be completely privately funded.&nbsp;

The planning commission unanimously recommended approval of the conditional-use permit to the Ellis County Commission. The county commission will consider the permit in February after a protest period.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611860135945.jpeg" alt="The approximate location of the proposed Buckeye Barn Event Center at U.S. 183 and Buckeye Road in Ellis County. The red line to the left is U.S. 183." />
 <figcaption>The approximate location of the proposed Buckeye Barn Event Center at U.S. 183 and Buckeye Road in Ellis County. The red line to the left is U.S. 183.</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostA local family hopes to open a new event center near the intersection of U.S. Highway 183 and Buckeye Road in Ellis County.Leanne and Jayme Zimmerman have a applied for a conditional-use permit for a wedding event venue that would be built on land that is currently used for agriculture.The public hearing on the permit was Wednesday night at the Ellis County Joint Planning Commission meeting.The site is 6 miles north of Hays and 0.2 miles east of U.S. 183 on Buckeye Road.The Buckeye Barn would have a capacity of up to 350 people, have a kitchen, restrooms, beverage area, dining area, private bridal suite parking and a covered area to stage outdoor weddings or events."We are basically putting up something similar to the Schenk Building," Leanne Zimmerman, who will manage the facility, said. "We want something affordable for the citizens of Hays."The gathering space will be 60 by 120 feet.The building will be wheelchair accessible.The structure would be a 110-by-120-foot metal building that sits on about four acres of land. Three acres would be dedicated for onsite parking.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611860575454.jpeg" alt="A rendering of what the Buckeye Barn Event Center will look like. Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>A rendering of what the Buckeye Barn Event Center will look like. Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>Water will be provided by the rural water district. Zimmerman said she did not plan to install a sprinkler system in the building, as she was informed by her insurance agent that she was not required to do so.Zimmerman said the site was chosen so the entrance/exit for the facility could be on Buckeye Road. The number of entrances/exits will be determined by the county road department and the Kansas Department of Transportation because of the center's proximity to U.S. 183.The landscaping will be cultivated with&nbsp; the natural grass that is already present in the area.Several local residents spoke in opposition to the proposed event center on Thursday night.Dustin Shubert, who lives at 1660 Buckeye Road near the proposed center, said the residents of Buckeye Township do not want an event center at that location."We do not want the extra traffic. We do not want the extra people in the area," he said. "We feel a little bit out of sight, out of mind out there. We built out there because we wanted to be away from things like this."He continued, "You bring a lot of extra people into the area that we're not familiar with and then we feel our security is at risk."Shubert said if the center is built, he would be concerned about leaving property, such as campers or trailers, outside because of the increase in traffic in the area."I don't like the location they chose," he said. "I think that there are better locations they could chose from, and I don't think it's right for the Buckeye Township area."Jason Williams, 1682 Buckeye Road, also was opposed to the event center."The whole reason we moved out there — it's a quiet place. We got good neighbors. We wanted to be in our own nice little community. We all have young kids out there, and you have to worry about increased traffic with young kids."Allen Schmidt, Buckeye Township treasurer, expressed several concerns about the proposed event center.The former Buckeye school (Buckeye Hall) has been used as a gathering place since it closed as a school. The location still has swings and a merry-go-round.Schmidt said he was concerned about liability issues if children attending a wedding at the event center would play on the Buckeye Hall equipment and be hurt.Zimmerman said children attending events at the Buckeye Barn using the play equipment at the hall is unlikely considering the event center will be about 2,000 feet from Buckeye Hall and the children would have to cross cultivated ground to get there.Schmidt also expressed concern about potential vandalism at Buckeye Hall because of the increased traffic. He asked the Zimmermans provide internet service and security cameras for the Buckeye Hall.Zimmerman said she did not believe there would be any problems with vandalism at the hall. She said the event center will have internet access, but the township would be responsible for paying for internet and security cameras if they wanted them installed at Buckeye Hall.A representative of the Hilton Garden Inn in Hays, which also has an event center, asked the commission if any public funding is going to be used for the Buckeye Barn. Zimmerman said the project will be completely privately funded.&nbsp;The planning commission unanimously recommended approval of the conditional-use permit to the Ellis County Commission. The county commission will consider the permit in February after a protest period.

Buckeye Barn Event Center gets thumbs up from Ellis County Planning Commission

A Hays native will join the staff of Second District U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, he announced in a news release Friday.

“Braden Dreiling will serve as my chief of staff. I’ve worked closely with Braden for years going back to my time in the Kansas State Senate,” LaTurner said. “Braden is a brilliant political mind who will help me deliver immediate results for the great men and women of the Second District.”

Dreiling served as the caucus liaison for the Senate Majority Leader in the Kansas Senate, and then worked as the director of public relations for the Kansas State Treasurer’s Office. Most recently, Braden served as the campaign manager for LaTurner’s congressional campaign. 

He received a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in business administration from Fort Hays State University. Dreiling is a Hays native and is a graduate of Thomas More Prep-Marian.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611948297103.jpeg" alt="Dreiling" />
 <figcaption>Dreiling</figcaption>
 </figure>A Hays native will join the staff of Second District U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, he announced in a news release Friday.“Braden Dreiling will serve as my chief of staff. I’ve worked closely with Braden for years going back to my time in the Kansas State Senate,” LaTurner said. “Braden is a brilliant political mind who will help me deliver immediate results for the great men and women of the Second District.”Dreiling served as the caucus liaison for the Senate Majority Leader in the Kansas Senate, and then worked as the director of public relations for the Kansas State Treasurer’s Office. Most recently, Braden served as the campaign manager for LaTurner’s congressional campaign. He received a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in business administration from Fort Hays State University. Dreiling is a Hays native and is a graduate of Thomas More Prep-Marian.&nbsp;

Hays native named LaTurner's chief of staff

BUNKER HILL –&nbsp;Doctors on Call, a local production of Smoky Hills PBS, will feature Dr. Steve Mosier with Hays Veterinary Hospital in Hays.&nbsp; This episode will air&nbsp;Tuesday, Feb. 2 at 7 PM&nbsp;and will focus on pet health.

Doctors on Call is a program that provides medical information on a variety of different topics. Medical professionals from throughout the state travel to Bunker Hill to provide information and answer questions from the viewing audience. The doctors selected each week have expertise in the topic chosen for that program.&nbsp; Questions can be called in during the show or emailed prior to the broadcast.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The program airs LIVE on Smoky Hills PBS at 7PM on Tuesdays.&nbsp; You can also stream each episode LIVE on the Smoky Hills PBS YouTube channel:&nbsp;<a href="http://bit.ly/StreamSmokyHillsPBS">http://bit.ly/StreamSmokyHillsPBS</a>

A schedule of programs and past episodes are available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.smokyhillspbs.org/">www.SmokyHillsPBS.org</a>.&nbsp;

To submit questions electronically on a specific topic, viewers can send an email to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:doctors@shptv.org">doctors@shptv.org</a>. Questions submitted through email must be received by noon on the day of the show. During the program, viewers can call I-800-337-4788.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578663876107.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BUNKER HILL –&nbsp;Doctors on Call, a local production of Smoky Hills PBS, will feature Dr. Steve Mosier with Hays Veterinary Hospital in Hays.&nbsp; This episode will air&nbsp;Tuesday, Feb. 2 at 7 PM&nbsp;and will focus on pet health.Doctors on Call is a program that provides medical information on a variety of different topics. Medical professionals from throughout the state travel to Bunker Hill to provide information and answer questions from the viewing audience. The doctors selected each week have expertise in the topic chosen for that program.&nbsp; Questions can be called in during the show or emailed prior to the broadcast.&nbsp;&nbsp;The program airs LIVE on Smoky Hills PBS at 7PM on Tuesdays.&nbsp; You can also stream each episode LIVE on the Smoky Hills PBS YouTube channel:&nbsp;<a href="http://bit.ly/StreamSmokyHillsPBS">http://bit.ly/StreamSmokyHillsPBS</a>A schedule of programs and past episodes are available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.smokyhillspbs.org/">www.SmokyHillsPBS.org</a>.&nbsp;To submit questions electronically on a specific topic, viewers can send an email to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:doctors@shptv.org">doctors@shptv.org</a>. Questions submitted through email must be received by noon on the day of the show. During the program, viewers can call I-800-337-4788.

Next 'Doctors on Call' features Hays vet

The events of 2020 make it clear that violence, racism, vocal extremism and political polarization have risen to a breaking point.&nbsp; There are multiple currents of people moving within the American public who simply don’t understand the basics of civil society and democratic government.

Decades-long de-emphasis of civics instruction in schools across the nation and in Kansas isn’t by any stretch of the imagination a major cause of the summer riots or Capitol insurrection.&nbsp; But the current situation is a wake-up call bringing us back to the fundamental reason for public education.

The founding fathers supported public schools to develop an informed electorate whose votes would guarantee stability for the nation.&nbsp; Across many years, the centerpiece of teaching was preparation for citizenship.&nbsp; As public education evolved, civics classes, usually taught in middle school, were standard across the nation well past mid-20th&nbsp;Century.&nbsp;&nbsp;

These classes concentrated on three areas:&nbsp; 1) Fact-based knowledge of national and state history and government, 2) civic values such as voicing opinion while respecting different perspectives and 3) civic participation skills like voting, jury duty or peaceful demonstration for a cause.&nbsp;&nbsp;

What happened?&nbsp; Civics classes began to disappear, gradually pushed out by decisions to emphasize U. S. history and government in high school--courses that centered on facts and processes rather than citizenship as practice.&nbsp; Civics instruction was repurposed as part of social studies and taught across-the-curriculum.&nbsp; All teachers in all areas have guidelines from the Kansas State Department of Education for incorporating civics in their classes and many do so, for example the Wichita high school special education teacher who combines math with civics.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

In Kansas, two recently introduced across-the-curriculum emphases--social-emotional learning (getting along with others) and service learning (participation in community organizations) contain elements of, but do not focus on, citizenship skills.

In 2018 according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 22 percent of American eighth grade students had a teacher whose primary responsibility was teaching civics and only about 25 percent of students scored at the “proficient” level for civics.&nbsp; Kansas scores basically followed the national norm.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Among those calling for more emphasis on civics is chairman of the Kansas House Education Committee Steve Huebert who wants to require high school students to pass a citizenship test to graduate.&nbsp; The test would be similar to that given to immigrants applying for U. S. citizenship.&nbsp; It’s easy to understand Huebert’s motivation, but such a test can only measure content knowledge not important civic values and participation skills.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Why instruction in citizenship does not always find a place in our schools could be due to another challenge—public resistance to teaching anything connected to partisan politics.&nbsp; Researchers at Tufts University surveyed 700 teachers and found that more than 25 percent would expect criticism from parents or other adults if they taught about the election that took place that fall.&nbsp; This was in 2012.&nbsp; The partisan divide has widened since.

Are Kansans so fractured by politics that public schools can’t teach citizenship?&nbsp;&nbsp;

What’s important may not be a new test or course but simply giving wide public support to teachers for teaching citizenship.

The words of President Kennedy implored, “Ask not what your country can do for you.&nbsp; Ask what you can do for your country.”&nbsp; Kansas students need to learn more about what they can do for their country.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1593719779701.jpeg" alt="Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education." />
 <figcaption>Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.</figcaption>
 </figure>The events of 2020 make it clear that violence, racism, vocal extremism and political polarization have risen to a breaking point.&nbsp; There are multiple currents of people moving within the American public who simply don’t understand the basics of civil society and democratic government.Decades-long de-emphasis of civics instruction in schools across the nation and in Kansas isn’t by any stretch of the imagination a major cause of the summer riots or Capitol insurrection.&nbsp; But the current situation is a wake-up call bringing us back to the fundamental reason for public education.The founding fathers supported public schools to develop an informed electorate whose votes would guarantee stability for the nation.&nbsp; Across many years, the centerpiece of teaching was preparation for citizenship.&nbsp; As public education evolved, civics classes, usually taught in middle school, were standard across the nation well past mid-20th&nbsp;Century.&nbsp;&nbsp;These classes concentrated on three areas:&nbsp; 1) Fact-based knowledge of national and state history and government, 2) civic values such as voicing opinion while respecting different perspectives and 3) civic participation skills like voting, jury duty or peaceful demonstration for a cause.&nbsp;&nbsp;What happened?&nbsp; Civics classes began to disappear, gradually pushed out by decisions to emphasize U. S. history and government in high school--courses that centered on facts and processes rather than citizenship as practice.&nbsp; Civics instruction was repurposed as part of social studies and taught across-the-curriculum.&nbsp; All teachers in all areas have guidelines from the Kansas State Department of Education for incorporating civics in their classes and many do so, for example the Wichita high school special education teacher who combines math with civics.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In Kansas, two recently introduced across-the-curriculum emphases--social-emotional learning (getting along with others) and service learning (participation in community organizations) contain elements of, but do not focus on, citizenship skills.In 2018 according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 22 percent of American eighth grade students had a teacher whose primary responsibility was teaching civics and only about 25 percent of students scored at the “proficient” level for civics.&nbsp; Kansas scores basically followed the national norm.&nbsp;&nbsp;Among those calling for more emphasis on civics is chairman of the Kansas House Education Committee Steve Huebert who wants to require high school students to pass a citizenship test to graduate.&nbsp; The test would be similar to that given to immigrants applying for U. S. citizenship.&nbsp; It’s easy to understand Huebert’s motivation, but such a test can only measure content knowledge not important civic values and participation skills.&nbsp;&nbsp;Why instruction in citizenship does not always find a place in our schools could be due to another challenge—public resistance to teaching anything connected to partisan politics.&nbsp; Researchers at Tufts University surveyed 700 teachers and found that more than 25 percent would expect criticism from parents or other adults if they taught about the election that took place that fall.&nbsp; This was in 2012.&nbsp; The partisan divide has widened since.Are Kansans so fractured by politics that public schools can’t teach citizenship?&nbsp;&nbsp;What’s important may not be a new test or course but simply giving wide public support to teachers for teaching citizenship.The words of President Kennedy implored, “Ask not what your country can do for you.&nbsp; Ask what you can do for your country.”&nbsp; Kansas students need to learn more about what they can do for their country.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Can civics education be revived?

By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development&nbsp;

What was in your school classroom? I remember desks in straight rows, colorful posters on the wall, and a big blackboard up front. Today we’ll meet a school that has such classrooms, but also non-traditional places of learning such as a working barn and a downtown business. These innovative projects are being implemented by a school district in rural Kansas.&nbsp;

Joel Lovesee is superintendent of USD 205, which includes the Bluestem schools in Leon, Kansas. Joel grew up in Kinsley and went to Fort Hays State University where he met his wife Sonya. He became a teacher and later a school administrator. In 2008, he and his family moved to Leon where he became school principal. He was promoted to superintendent in 2013.&nbsp;

He takes an innovative approach to school leadership.&nbsp;

“My dad owned some pizza restaurants in Kinsley and nearby towns,” Joel said. “I saw how small business worked and thought our school should have an entrepreneurship program.”&nbsp;

One year he got the school to give a grant to the business class for a project. The students bought a couple of candy machines and, in four months, repaid their loan and made a profit.&nbsp;

A couple of elementary school teachers in the district took an interest in the Ag in the Classroom program, which helps teachers integrate information about agriculture into their educational programming. Fourth grade teachers Barb McCaffree and Angie Greene took this on as a project at Bluestem Elementary School and got a positive response to their efforts to improve ag literacy.&nbsp;

“My philosophy is, ‘surround yourself with good people and get out of the way,’” Joel said. When these teachers came to him and reported their success with the ag literacy program, they asked for a barn as a facility to do more hands-on experiential education.&nbsp;

“We brought in a 3D model to show the school board and explained the need,” Joel said.&nbsp;

The board and the community voted to pay for the building, which is a 30 x 40 foot climate-controlled structure with working space, livestock stalls and a fully equipped classroom. Today, every elementary school student in the school district goes through an agricultural education unit. “This has grown like gangbusters,” said school board member Becky Wolfe.&nbsp;

At Bluestem High School, an agricultural education class was started four years ago and has grown quickly. “FFA is now our largest club,” Joel said.&nbsp;

Joel continued to pursue an entrepreneurship-oriented initiative as well. After the town’s only grocery store closed, food access was identified as a critical need. Joel proposed the innovative idea of a school-operated retail store that could provide groceries and other products for the community. The district was able to acquire a storefront building downtown in 2019. K-State’s Rural Grocery Initiative helped support the effort.&nbsp;

In early 2020, the Bluestem Mercantile store opened in downtown Leon. “We want to provide a service and achieve the educational needs of our students,” Joel said. The shop class built tables for the store. Art club members made items to sell. The store is operated by the high school business class under adult supervision. Student workers must apply and go through a job interview process. “We’re teaching financial literacy,” Joel said. Business quadrupled shortly after the store first opened. “It’s not costing the school district anything,” Joel said.&nbsp;

Bluestem Mercantile offers school gear, items handmade by students, and grocery products. “The store is downtown across from the senior center and the café,” Joel said. “We have all these people from the community involved with us. It’s been the greatest deal.”&nbsp;

Are these innovations more practical to implement in a small school? “I don’t like the bureaucracy in the large schools,” Joel said. “I love small-town America.” Leon itself is a rural community of 704 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;

Bluestem schools have plenty of classrooms, but they are also educating their students in innovative places such as an ag barn and a business downtown. We salute Joel Lovesee and the people of Bluestem School for making a difference with these new ways of education. They are doing so in innovative rooms and with a lot of class.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611757569088.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development&nbsp;What was in your school classroom? I remember desks in straight rows, colorful posters on the wall, and a big blackboard up front. Today we’ll meet a school that has such classrooms, but also non-traditional places of learning such as a working barn and a downtown business. These innovative projects are being implemented by a school district in rural Kansas.&nbsp;Joel Lovesee is superintendent of USD 205, which includes the Bluestem schools in Leon, Kansas. Joel grew up in Kinsley and went to Fort Hays State University where he met his wife Sonya. He became a teacher and later a school administrator. In 2008, he and his family moved to Leon where he became school principal. He was promoted to superintendent in 2013.&nbsp;He takes an innovative approach to school leadership.&nbsp;“My dad owned some pizza restaurants in Kinsley and nearby towns,” Joel said. “I saw how small business worked and thought our school should have an entrepreneurship program.”&nbsp;One year he got the school to give a grant to the business class for a project. The students bought a couple of candy machines and, in four months, repaid their loan and made a profit.&nbsp;A couple of elementary school teachers in the district took an interest in the Ag in the Classroom program, which helps teachers integrate information about agriculture into their educational programming. Fourth grade teachers Barb McCaffree and Angie Greene took this on as a project at Bluestem Elementary School and got a positive response to their efforts to improve ag literacy.&nbsp;“My philosophy is, ‘surround yourself with good people and get out of the way,’” Joel said. When these teachers came to him and reported their success with the ag literacy program, they asked for a barn as a facility to do more hands-on experiential education.&nbsp;“We brought in a 3D model to show the school board and explained the need,” Joel said.&nbsp;The board and the community voted to pay for the building, which is a 30 x 40 foot climate-controlled structure with working space, livestock stalls and a fully equipped classroom. Today, every elementary school student in the school district goes through an agricultural education unit. “This has grown like gangbusters,” said school board member Becky Wolfe.&nbsp;At Bluestem High School, an agricultural education class was started four years ago and has grown quickly. “FFA is now our largest club,” Joel said.&nbsp;Joel continued to pursue an entrepreneurship-oriented initiative as well. After the town’s only grocery store closed, food access was identified as a critical need. Joel proposed the innovative idea of a school-operated retail store that could provide groceries and other products for the community. The district was able to acquire a storefront building downtown in 2019. K-State’s Rural Grocery Initiative helped support the effort.&nbsp;In early 2020, the Bluestem Mercantile store opened in downtown Leon. “We want to provide a service and achieve the educational needs of our students,” Joel said. The shop class built tables for the store. Art club members made items to sell. The store is operated by the high school business class under adult supervision. Student workers must apply and go through a job interview process. “We’re teaching financial literacy,” Joel said. Business quadrupled shortly after the store first opened. “It’s not costing the school district anything,” Joel said.&nbsp;Bluestem Mercantile offers school gear, items handmade by students, and grocery products. “The store is downtown across from the senior center and the café,” Joel said. “We have all these people from the community involved with us. It’s been the greatest deal.”&nbsp;Are these innovations more practical to implement in a small school? “I don’t like the bureaucracy in the large schools,” Joel said. “I love small-town America.” Leon itself is a rural community of 704 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;Bluestem schools have plenty of classrooms, but they are also educating their students in innovative places such as an ag barn and a business downtown. We salute Joel Lovesee and the people of Bluestem School for making a difference with these new ways of education. They are doing so in innovative rooms and with a lot of class.&nbsp;

Now That’s Rural: Joel Lovesee, Bluestem school 

NORTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 5p.m. Saturday in Norton County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1988 Chevy Blazer driven by Mary Lou Herring, 47, Norton, was&nbsp;was eastbound on U.S. 36 two miles east of Kansas 60.&nbsp;

The driver lost control on snow. The SUV entered the south ditch into the ditch. EMS transported Herring to the hospital in Norton. She was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

NORTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 5p.m. Saturday in Norton County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1988 Chevy Blazer driven by Mary Lou Herring, 47, Norton, was&nbsp;was eastbound on U.S. 36 two miles east of Kansas 60.&nbsp;The driver lost control on snow. The SUV entered the south ditch into the ditch. EMS transported Herring to the hospital in Norton. She was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

NW Kansas woman hospitalized after SUV rolls into ditch

GOVE COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 1:30p.m. Saturday in Gove County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Subaru passenger vehicle driven by Amie R. Colclazier, 55, Seminole, OK., was eastbound on Interstate 70 in the passing lane just west of the Park exit.

The driver lost control of the vehicle due to slick road conditions. The vehicle exited the roadway to the right, entered the south ditch, crossed the KDOT fence and overturned onto the roof in a field.

EMS transported&nbsp;Colclazier and a passenger Jerry L. Colclazier, 64, Seminole, OK., to the Gove County Medical Center.&nbsp; Both were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

GOVE COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 1:30p.m. Saturday in Gove County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Subaru passenger vehicle driven by Amie R. Colclazier, 55, Seminole, OK., was eastbound on Interstate 70 in the passing lane just west of the Park exit.The driver lost control of the vehicle due to slick road conditions. The vehicle exited the roadway to the right, entered the south ditch, crossed the KDOT fence and overturned onto the roof in a field.EMS transported&nbsp;Colclazier and a passenger Jerry L. Colclazier, 64, Seminole, OK., to the Gove County Medical Center.&nbsp; Both were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Two hospitalized after vehicle overturns on I-70 

KANSAS CITY&nbsp; – &nbsp;When most people get summoned to the&nbsp;boss’s office, they tend to think the worst. But for 18 very special employees at The University of Kansas Health System, it was anything but that. Each was told they’d been selected to be a guest of The Kansas City Chiefs at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida as they go for their second straight Super Bowl win on February 7.

These workers were chosen to recognize their unwavering commitment to their community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. They are among thousands of frontline healthcare professionals attending this year’s game as part of the NFL’s efforts to recognize healthcare workers and promote vaccination.

Every healthcare professional in attendance will have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, the NFL has created special guidelines and processes to ensure the pillars of infection control will be followed.

These are the 18 health system workers attending the game and a little about each one.

Click on the video for interviews with several of the 18 who are going. Also included are a variety of spirit videos of coworkers cheering the Chiefs, b-roll inside the ICU where COVID-19 patients are treated and video of NICU babies wearing Chiefs gear.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611946646524.jpeg" alt="Eighteen frontline healthcare employees of The University of&nbsp; Kansas Health System are Super Bowl-bound. Kelsey Belzer, RN, HaysMed COVID-19 Care Unit will be flying on an airplane for the first time.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Eighteen frontline healthcare employees of The University of&nbsp; Kansas Health System are Super Bowl-bound. Kelsey Belzer, RN, HaysMed COVID-19 Care Unit will be flying on an airplane for the first time.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>KU Health SystemKANSAS CITY&nbsp; – &nbsp;When most people get summoned to the&nbsp;boss’s office, they tend to think the worst. But for 18 very special employees at The University of Kansas Health System, it was anything but that. Each was told they’d been selected to be a guest of The Kansas City Chiefs at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida as they go for their second straight Super Bowl win on February 7.These workers were chosen to recognize their unwavering commitment to their community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. They are among thousands of frontline healthcare professionals attending this year’s game as part of the NFL’s efforts to recognize healthcare workers and promote vaccination.Every healthcare professional in attendance will have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, the NFL has created special guidelines and processes to ensure the pillars of infection control will be followed.These are the 18 health system workers attending the game and a little about each one.<ul>
 <li>Kelsey Belzer,&nbsp;RN, HaysMed COVID-19 Care Unit, Kelsey has&nbsp;worked at&nbsp; The University of Kansas Health System HaysMed Campus, for almost 7 years. Kelsey currently works in the Medical Care Unit (MCU-COVID unit) where she has been since June 2020, taking care of COVID-19 patients who require intensive care. Flying to the Super Bowl will be her first time on an airplane.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Rachael Liesman, PhD&nbsp;-&nbsp;Clinical Laboratory. In March, she led a small but spirited group of laboratory professionals to bring COVID-19 testing to the KU Health System, the first hospital in Kansas City to do so. “I’m really excited and I’m humbled, there are just so many people in this institution, the health system that have really given it their all throughout the pandemic.”</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>John Sorrick, RRT&nbsp;- Respiratory Therapy.&nbsp;He was a scuba instructor before he got into respiratory therapy. His parents encouraged him to do something meaningful and working with COVID-19 patients has been the most rewarding work he’s done.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Sara Ladner, RN&nbsp;-&nbsp;Emergency Department. Sara&nbsp;has been a nurse for five years. She&nbsp;is a born and raised Kansas City girl and a lifelong Chiefs fan and takes pride in being a part of Chiefs Kingdom.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Dominic Johnson, RN- Unit 61 ICU.&nbsp;While he was originally hired as a new graduate Med/Surg nurse, he was transitioned to working solely with COVID-positive patients within his first year of being a nurse due to the ferocity of the pandemic. Not only has Dominic seen the toll of this disease with his patients firsthand but their families and his coworkers as well. Throughout this difficult time, he says “Unit 61, a Covid ICU, has been a shining example of strength; each individual knows we can count on each other and understands we are in this together.”</li><li>Shannon Schroeder,&nbsp;Clinic Manager,&nbsp;South Kansas City Medical Pavilion. Shannon Schroeder is the Infusion Center Nurse Manager. She has been a nurse at TUKHS since 2007, where she came to as her first and only nursing job because her dad told her she "couldn't work anywhere else." She is proud to provide care to patients at TUKHS. She has been instrumental in setting up the process for monoclonal antibody infusions for patients with Covid and providing care to these patients with skill and compassion.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Rick Blevins,&nbsp;RN, Community Revenue Supervisor,&nbsp;&nbsp;He’s worked for The University of Kansas Health System since 1997. “Most of my nursing career at the health system has been spent working in the Emergency Department. For the past five years, I've had the pleasure of having a primary role which involves overseeing the first aid stations and providing care for the fans attending sporting events and concerts at locations such as Arrowhead Stadium and the other venues supported by the health system.”&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Dru Coleman,&nbsp;RN, Medical Telemetry&nbsp;Dru Coleman is a nurse on Unit 62, a Medical Telemetry patient care unit, at TUKHS. She has worked at the health system since 2018.&nbsp; She has taken care of Covid patients during the pandemic and is noted for always connecting with patients as people, looking beyond the illness that brings the patient in to her care.&nbsp; Dru is also attending graduate school to become a nurse practitioner.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Lauren Timmons,&nbsp;RN, Labor and Delivery.&nbsp;She lost her grandma, who was a major Chiefs fan, last year before the Chiefs went to the Super Bowl. Her grandmother’s initials were LV. So, when she found out the numbers of this year’s Super Bowl, she felt it was meant to be.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Marissa Larson,&nbsp;medical lab scientist, Laboratory. She’s&nbsp;responsible for COVID-19 Molecular testing. She was honored to be surprised for former Chiefs player Dante Hall. She says, “It’s an honor to be going to the Super Bowl and it’s an honor to care for Covid-19 patients.”</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Kevin Ohlandt,&nbsp;radiologic technologist, Radiology. Kevin&nbsp;provides patient care in multiple areas of the hospital that Radiology serves such as the OR, ED, ICU’s.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Michelle Rotrock (Fessler), RRT -&nbsp;Respiratory Therapy,&nbsp;&nbsp;Michelle approaches care of patients during the pandemic with empathy, bravery, and humor. You can count on Michelle to take great care of COVID patients while adding in some light-hearted fun. Not only is Michelle a fantastic RT, but she is also a die hard Chiefs fan who will undoubtedly cheer loud enough that you might think the whole RT department is at the game!</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Kellie Hardy,&nbsp;RN, GI Endoscopy.&nbsp;Kellie is a valued member of our interventional endoscopy team and has been an integral preceptor for the team over the last 10 years.&nbsp;“I’m so ecstatic, it doesn’t seem real! I was born and raised here. My Dad was there for the first Super Bowl way back in the day”.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Richard Frazier,&nbsp;Environmental Services. Richard has been keeping the health system clean for two years.&nbsp;“They paged me first and I kind thought I did something wrong. I’m a very diehard Chiefs fan. I’m very excited to see them go back to back and I have faith in them to win this Super Bowl.”</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Cheyenne Maxwell, patient care assistant, Med Transplant ICU.&nbsp;“I assist the nurses with patient turns, transportation and answer call lights. I carry the Rapid Response pager, so I also respond to Rapids, Code Blues, and perform EKGs as needed.”</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Lewis Satterwhite, MD,&nbsp;Pulmonology.&nbsp;He WAS scheduled to work on Super Bowl Sunday caring for COVID-19 patients in the ICU. “I haven’t been to a live event in a long time, so it is still all sinking in a little bit and I’m really looking forward to it.”</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Chris Brown, MD,&nbsp;Hospitalist.&nbsp;“When they pulled me to the side I just kind of wanted to scream in the halls. But I kept it calm. To have the responsibility and then the health care system, I guess, trust that I could represent them in the best possible way…it’s humbling.”</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Ryan Jacobsen,&nbsp;MD, Emergency Department.&nbsp;Dr. Jacobsen has provided patient care in the Emergency Department throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and provides medical oversight to approximately 900 firefighters, EMTs, and Paramedics.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Click on the video for interviews with several of the 18 who are going. Also included are a variety of spirit videos of coworkers cheering the Chiefs, b-roll inside the ICU where COVID-19 patients are treated and video of NICU babies wearing Chiefs gear.

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