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

On Oct. 2, the Hays City Commission voted to extend the ordinance requiring face coverings until the seven-day new case average was five or fewer for 14 straight days.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/095697ac-eb4b-4005-867a-bb049ec8c10f">RELATED:&nbsp;Hays commissioners vote to extend mask ordinance</a>

There were 44 new cases of COVID-19 identified in the county since Monday. There are currently 98 active cases of coronavirus, including five active hospitalizations, and 1,300 recovered cases.

The seven-day average of percent of positive tests jumped from 15.2 percent on Monday to 20.4 percent on Friday.

Since reporting began, there have been 1,416 total cases of COVID-19 reported in Ellis County, including 18 deaths.

Of the 10,334 total tests administered, 12.8 percent have returned positive for coronavirus.

In Norton County, where there have been clusters reported at the Norton Correctional Facility and Andbe Home long-term care facility, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported cases rose from 475 on Monday to 571 on Wednesday.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603905133977.png" alt="KDHE" />
 <figcaption>KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>The Ellis County Health Department on Wednesday reported the average number of new coronavirus cases per day in the last seven days rose slightly from eight on Monday to nine on Wednesday.On Oct. 2, the Hays City Commission voted to extend the ordinance requiring face coverings until the seven-day new case average was five or fewer for 14 straight days.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/095697ac-eb4b-4005-867a-bb049ec8c10f">RELATED:&nbsp;Hays commissioners vote to extend mask ordinance</a>There were 44 new cases of COVID-19 identified in the county since Monday. There are currently 98 active cases of coronavirus, including five active hospitalizations, and 1,300 recovered cases.The seven-day average of percent of positive tests jumped from 15.2 percent on Monday to 20.4 percent on Friday.Since reporting began, there have been 1,416 total cases of COVID-19 reported in Ellis County, including 18 deaths.Of the 10,334 total tests administered, 12.8 percent have returned positive for coronavirus.In Norton County, where there have been clusters reported at the Norton Correctional Facility and Andbe Home long-term care facility, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported cases rose from 475 on Monday to 571 on Wednesday.NOTE:&nbsp;"New cases" reflects cases reported by the Ellis County Health Department between regular reporting periods of Monday, Wednesday and Friday. "Total cases" reflects all cases reported by the department. Because of delayed test results, total cases might include cases prior to the previous reporting period, so the figures might not necessarily correspond.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603911276876.png" alt="" />
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 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AClvlGge52U"></iframe>
 <figcaption>Sponsored</figcaption>
 </figure>

Ellis Co. COVID-19 per-day rate rises; 44 new cases reported

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Compiled by Cristina Janney/Hays Post

Experience?&nbsp; I have worked as the Ellis County Deputy Clerk since January of 2013. I have worked right underneath the Clerk as her deputy for eight years in January.

Why are you running for the Clerk’s Office? Because I know the office. You definitely need experience in the office. I enjoy serving the public. I enjoy working with people. Ellis County in general is a great employer to work for. I really like the job — being deputy right now.

What do you think the Clerk can do to promote higher voter turnout? We can promote it by doing public announcements. Letting [voters] know when advance voting is taking place. Letting them know where it is at and the hours and know where their poll sites are. Unfortunately, the budget does not allow for a lot of advertising.&nbsp;

Going to certain groups like the Hays Chamber and seeing if they can help promote it. I would also promote elections and voter registration by continuing to go to the high school and talking with juniors and seniors on voting and getting them registered to vote.&nbsp;

I am going to work closely with the nursing/assisted living homes on permanent advanced voting. I would work with the administrators of those places so residents have the proper forms filled out for permanent advanced voting.

What do you think the Clerk can do to secure election results? I am member of Election Infrastructure Information Sharing, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security. We get security alerts from the Department of Homeland Security.&nbsp;

When that big story broke about Iran and Russia, we were notified of that to be on a telephone conference call about that, along with our IT department. I know just being a member of that organization helps keep us abreast of what is going on out there as far as any security breaches.&nbsp;

We also work closely with our IT department. We work hand and hand with them to make sure we have all our firewalls and security that we need to keep the voter registration safe. That comes along with direction from the Secretary of State's Office. They let us know when there are security breaches, what is going on about the county or any security breaches other counties might have.

What can be done to ensure the accuracy of election results and their reporting? With our new election equipment, it is really easy to ensure accurate results, because No. 1 it is totally paper based. With what we get through advance voting and people putting their ballots in that gives us a total number. Those two need to match up. If they don't, we start going through the ballots one by one.&nbsp;

When the polling sites bring in their ballots along with the results, those need to match up with the ballots that are voted. They need to match up with what is on the USB for the results. It also needs to match up with the poll books on which people were checked in. It is three tiers at the poll sites. You have your poll pads, which need to match up with what your ballots are, and your ballots need to match up with your report that comes off the USB as it was fed in.

We are now required by the Secretary of State to have an audit after the election. With this General Election, they let us know what we need to audit. What that means is that we have to pick 1 percent of our precincts, which is one. We have to literally go through every ballot and make sure it matches with what was brought in to us.&nbsp;

We literally hand by hand go through. Say it is Ward 1 Precinct 1, we have to get every ballot and make sure the totals that were taken off Election Day at the poll site matches exactly what we ran off.&nbsp;

We then report those results to the state. We have gone through two audits, and we have been fine on each one of them. We had no issues with matching up with what the poll sites said we should have.

In what other ways do you think the Clerk’s Office functions and service to the community can be improved? Just letting the community know we are the passport agent. I am not saying there is no room for improvement, but right now we do a really good job at that.

Our office is also responsible for setting the levies every year to make sure the taxpayers pay the correct amount of taxes. That is a function of our office that is very crucial. I am not saying there haven't been mistakes in the past, but in the last five or six years, we have really refined our process in getting that done and getting that done as quickly as we can, bar other circumstances that are beyond our control.&nbsp;

When people call about specials on their real estate, we give them that information. Our office is one that gets almost every phone call that we either help or we direct to the Appraiser or Register of Deeds.

Why do you think you are more qualified than your opponent? &nbsp;No. 1, I have almost eight years of experience. Coming into this office almost eight years ago, I had no idea what that office was responsible for. I had no idea it entailed as much of the election. I had no idea what goes on behind the scenes to run an election. Paying my taxes every year, I had no idea how those numbers came about. Working through it the last eight years, it is a difficult process — one that takes expertise.

If I had walked into that office with no one in front of me showing me, I am not saying the county would have stopped, it is a process you have to have someone leading in front of you. It would take a process to learn it by yourself.

I definitely have that over my opponent — the eight years of how that process runs.

Editor's note: Mail-in ballots went out in Ellis County for the 2020 General Election that listed the Kansas Senate race as the U.S. Senate race. Dreiling is referencing that error in the answer to the next question.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/0966a88e-644e-41e4-9191-6bbb0f57ac0e">See Related Story: Ellis Co. ballot misprint could be issue if Bollier, Marshall race is close</a>

Write-in candidate Laura Allen has been critical of the current clerk's administration of this election. Would you like to address that? I would rather not because that is the County Clerk's position. We literally do the best that we can. Mistakes do happen. This mistake that happened was one that was correctable and one that we are continuing working through.&nbsp;

Unfortunately our office is not perfect. We are working through this process of correcting it, and we have already done that.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603747534924.jpeg" alt="Bobbi Dreiling" />
 <figcaption>Bobbi Dreiling</figcaption>
 </figure>Compiled by Cristina Janney/Hays PostAge: 57Party: Republican Experience?&nbsp; I have worked as the Ellis County Deputy Clerk since January of 2013. I have worked right underneath the Clerk as her deputy for eight years in January.Why are you running for the Clerk’s Office? Because I know the office. You definitely need experience in the office. I enjoy serving the public. I enjoy working with people. Ellis County in general is a great employer to work for. I really like the job — being deputy right now.What do you think the Clerk can do to promote higher voter turnout? We can promote it by doing public announcements. Letting [voters] know when advance voting is taking place. Letting them know where it is at and the hours and know where their poll sites are. Unfortunately, the budget does not allow for a lot of advertising.&nbsp;Going to certain groups like the Hays Chamber and seeing if they can help promote it. I would also promote elections and voter registration by continuing to go to the high school and talking with juniors and seniors on voting and getting them registered to vote.&nbsp;I am going to work closely with the nursing/assisted living homes on permanent advanced voting. I would work with the administrators of those places so residents have the proper forms filled out for permanent advanced voting.What do you think the Clerk can do to secure election results? I am member of Election Infrastructure Information Sharing, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security. We get security alerts from the Department of Homeland Security.&nbsp;When that big story broke about Iran and Russia, we were notified of that to be on a telephone conference call about that, along with our IT department. I know just being a member of that organization helps keep us abreast of what is going on out there as far as any security breaches.&nbsp;We also work closely with our IT department. We work hand and hand with them to make sure we have all our firewalls and security that we need to keep the voter registration safe. That comes along with direction from the Secretary of State's Office. They let us know when there are security breaches, what is going on about the county or any security breaches other counties might have.What can be done to ensure the accuracy of election results and their reporting? With our new election equipment, it is really easy to ensure accurate results, because No. 1 it is totally paper based. With what we get through advance voting and people putting their ballots in that gives us a total number. Those two need to match up. If they don't, we start going through the ballots one by one.&nbsp;When the polling sites bring in their ballots along with the results, those need to match up with the ballots that are voted. They need to match up with what is on the USB for the results. It also needs to match up with the poll books on which people were checked in. It is three tiers at the poll sites. You have your poll pads, which need to match up with what your ballots are, and your ballots need to match up with your report that comes off the USB as it was fed in.We are now required by the Secretary of State to have an audit after the election. With this General Election, they let us know what we need to audit. What that means is that we have to pick 1 percent of our precincts, which is one. We have to literally go through every ballot and make sure it matches with what was brought in to us.&nbsp;We literally hand by hand go through. Say it is Ward 1 Precinct 1, we have to get every ballot and make sure the totals that were taken off Election Day at the poll site matches exactly what we ran off.&nbsp;We then report those results to the state. We have gone through two audits, and we have been fine on each one of them. We had no issues with matching up with what the poll sites said we should have.In what other ways do you think the Clerk’s Office functions and service to the community can be improved? Just letting the community know we are the passport agent. I am not saying there is no room for improvement, but right now we do a really good job at that.Our office is also responsible for setting the levies every year to make sure the taxpayers pay the correct amount of taxes. That is a function of our office that is very crucial. I am not saying there haven't been mistakes in the past, but in the last five or six years, we have really refined our process in getting that done and getting that done as quickly as we can, bar other circumstances that are beyond our control.&nbsp;When people call about specials on their real estate, we give them that information. Our office is one that gets almost every phone call that we either help or we direct to the Appraiser or Register of Deeds.Why do you think you are more qualified than your opponent? &nbsp;No. 1, I have almost eight years of experience. Coming into this office almost eight years ago, I had no idea what that office was responsible for. I had no idea it entailed as much of the election. I had no idea what goes on behind the scenes to run an election. Paying my taxes every year, I had no idea how those numbers came about. Working through it the last eight years, it is a difficult process — one that takes expertise.If I had walked into that office with no one in front of me showing me, I am not saying the county would have stopped, it is a process you have to have someone leading in front of you. It would take a process to learn it by yourself.I definitely have that over my opponent — the eight years of how that process runs.Editor's note: Mail-in ballots went out in Ellis County for the 2020 General Election that listed the Kansas Senate race as the U.S. Senate race. Dreiling is referencing that error in the answer to the next question.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/0966a88e-644e-41e4-9191-6bbb0f57ac0e">See Related Story: Ellis Co. ballot misprint could be issue if Bollier, Marshall race is close</a>Write-in candidate Laura Allen has been critical of the current clerk's administration of this election. Would you like to address that? I would rather not because that is the County Clerk's position. We literally do the best that we can. Mistakes do happen. This mistake that happened was one that was correctable and one that we are continuing working through.&nbsp;Unfortunately our office is not perfect. We are working through this process of correcting it, and we have already done that.&nbsp;

Ellis County Clerk Candidate: Bobbi Dreiling

Party: Democrat — write-in candidate

Experience? First, I have a bachelor's degree in business administration from Fort Hays, which encompasses a lot of what the Clerk's Office does. I have through different job experiences managed up to 20 to 25 people on a team at a time. I have managed a couple of retail stories, so I have worked with budgets and payroll and HR functions.&nbsp;

Why are you running for the Clerk’s Office? When I first decided to run, it was because I felt if we are having an election, people should have a choice in who they are voting for. After the voting machine snafu in 2018, I looked a little more into offices. I thought this fit with my qualifications. I really liked the idea of the voting portion of it — the Election Officer.&nbsp;

I think our Clerk's Office has made a lot of mistakes that don't need to be made. When we don't have a choice in who is there, I don't think that is fair to the people in Ellis County.&nbsp;

Editor's note: Mail-in ballots went out in Ellis County for the 2020 General Election that listed the Kansas Senate race as the U.S. Senate race. Allen is referencing that ballot error in the answer to the next question.

What mistakes specifically do you feel have been made? The ballots are wrong to begin with. That is a huge thing. I don't know why our Clerk's Office decided to initial ballots separately. There is supposed to be an identifying mark that is consistent to each ballot, according to the Secretary of State, to verify its authenticity to as coming from the Clerk's Office.&nbsp;

Many other counties have used stamps. We can't because the voting equipment that we spent a lot of money on doesn't allow for stamp ink to be read. The next option would be for one person to initial all of the ballots so those initials were the same as opposed to different initials for the people who work in the Clerk's Office. That was a mistake that was made.&nbsp;

A couple of weeks ago the Deputy Clerk told people if they had an unexpunged felony on their record, they couldn't vote. And that is not true. That is incorrect information. She posted an apology for misinformation on her Facebook. That concerns me, I don't know how many people over the last eight years were told they couldn't vote when they are certainly eligible to vote.

Editor's note: In Kansas, a federal or state felony conviction results in the loss of voting rights until the terms of the felony sentence is complete. A sentence is not considered complete until probation or parole is finished. Individuals who lose their voting rights due to a felony conviction may re-register to vote upon completion of their sentence. Information from&nbsp;sos.ks.gov.

Bobbi Dreiling did on her&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Bobbi-Dreiling-for-Ellis-County-Clerk-112968323760392/">Bobbi Dreiling for Ellis County Clerk</a>&nbsp;Facebook page make a reference to felons being unable to vote. The post was made on Sept. 29. Dreiling posted a correction on Oct. 6 on that same Facebook page.

Do you differentiate at all between the current Clerk, Donna Maskus, and Deputy Clerk Bobbi Dreiling, who is running in this election? I think as the Deputy Clerk they should take responsibility for each other. I don't think it should be differentiated. That office is one and the same. I would hope if the office is being run in the manner that it should be that the Deputy Clerk has some type of say in those decisions.&nbsp;

I hate to think the ballot snafu was Donna Maskus looking at the ballot and no one else proofreading it. There is also another statute that says that ballot is supposed to be sent to the candidates and the respective political parties in the county. Donna said she believed those went out. I double checked, and none of the other candidates got those ballots in the mail. There were opportunities for that mistake to have been caught.&nbsp;

Yes, while the Deputy Clerk is not who is currently in charge, based on her telling us she has eight years of experience in that office, I would hope she has experience with things like proofreading a ballot.&nbsp;

What do you think the Clerk can do to promote higher voter turnout? I feel there is a lot to be said for engagement. I don't feel like I am completely removed from the things that go on in Ellis County. I don't see much, except around the time there is an election.&nbsp;

I think we should have voter registrations at different events. I don't see those sorts of things happening.&nbsp;

My daughter is in high school and until my son asked her to join the Young Democrats, I don't think she has been talked to at school about voting. The election process and the Clerk's Office, even though I have to run under a political party and everybody has to run under a political party, I don't believe that should be in any way partisan.

Everybody should vote. I want everybody to vote. If we go to the high school and talk to the classes about voting, we want Republicans to vote. We want Democrats to vote — everybody to have their voice heard.

My daughter had never been talked to at school. My son graduated just last year. I don't believe anyone had talked to him at school. There is a community outreach, but I think there should be community involvement in getting people to vote — working with the college and getting those kids to vote. Making sure we are going out of our way to help the people who want to vote, give them the right information. Get it out there. Have events.&nbsp;

What do you think the Clerk can do to secure election results? I think it is important that it be non-partisan teamwork. I know there are a lot of groups. I hate there seems to be so much animosity between said groups.&nbsp;

I know [County Clerk Donna Maskus] actually has reached out to the Democratic Party and kept us informed now of how those votes will be counted and opened and that sort of thing, and that's great. I think allowing people the access and seeing how that is handled, I think that goes a long way to at least calming people's fears a little bit about the security of the election. There is a transparency there that I think would really make a difference.

What can be done to ensure the accuracy of election results and their reporting? I think working together with other groups. Not to say there should be huge numbers of people in any voting scenario, but I think there is something to be said for letting the local Democratic Party, the local Republican Party and candidates be a part of that process. Their checks and balances make a huge difference.&nbsp;

The Clerk's Office does not have to be an entity in and of its self. There is a network of county offices and people. I think if you utilize that, there is a huge resource there to help ensure the integrity and the accuracy of the counting and reporting.&nbsp;

In what other ways do you think the Clerk’s Office functions and service to the community can be improved? To be fair, I don't have a lot of experience with the Clerk's functions. I would assume that accounting functions and statute functions don't have a whole lot of leeway. I am going to guess some of those Clerk functions like the tax liens and the alcoholic beverage forms and that sort of thing — you don't have a lot of leeway there. It has to be done correctly.&nbsp;As far as the Clerk functions go, there is not a lot that can be changed there.

I am sure there are also some functions on the election side of things, that we could think outside of the box a little bit and be open and willing to accept the idea that there may be a better way to do things rather than the way that it has always been done. I think that is a step in the right direction.

Why do you think you are more qualified than your opponent? I believe No. 1 my resume qualifications are a better. I do believe probably 90 percent of the Clerk functions are something that we have covered or that I learned in order to get my business degree. I also think that the budgeting, payroll and the HR functions I have already dealt with have a lot to do with what happens in the Clerk's Office.&nbsp;

At the same time, I also think I have an openness and willingness to see there might be better ways to do things. And to say I don't know how this works so I want to find the right answer as opposed to thinking this is the way it's always been done so this is the right answer.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603823723316.png" alt="Laura Allen" />
 <figcaption>Laura Allen</figcaption>
 </figure>Age: 47Party: Democrat — write-in candidateExperience? First, I have a bachelor's degree in business administration from Fort Hays, which encompasses a lot of what the Clerk's Office does. I have through different job experiences managed up to 20 to 25 people on a team at a time. I have managed a couple of retail stories, so I have worked with budgets and payroll and HR functions.&nbsp;Why are you running for the Clerk’s Office? When I first decided to run, it was because I felt if we are having an election, people should have a choice in who they are voting for. After the voting machine snafu in 2018, I looked a little more into offices. I thought this fit with my qualifications. I really liked the idea of the voting portion of it — the Election Officer.&nbsp;I think our Clerk's Office has made a lot of mistakes that don't need to be made. When we don't have a choice in who is there, I don't think that is fair to the people in Ellis County.&nbsp;Editor's note: Mail-in ballots went out in Ellis County for the 2020 General Election that listed the Kansas Senate race as the U.S. Senate race. Allen is referencing that ballot error in the answer to the next question.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/0966a88e-644e-41e4-9191-6bbb0f57ac0e">See Related Story: Ellis Co. ballot misprint could be issue if Bollier, Marshall race is close</a>What mistakes specifically do you feel have been made? The ballots are wrong to begin with. That is a huge thing. I don't know why our Clerk's Office decided to initial ballots separately. There is supposed to be an identifying mark that is consistent to each ballot, according to the Secretary of State, to verify its authenticity to as coming from the Clerk's Office.&nbsp;Many other counties have used stamps. We can't because the voting equipment that we spent a lot of money on doesn't allow for stamp ink to be read. The next option would be for one person to initial all of the ballots so those initials were the same as opposed to different initials for the people who work in the Clerk's Office. That was a mistake that was made.&nbsp;A couple of weeks ago the Deputy Clerk told people if they had an unexpunged felony on their record, they couldn't vote. And that is not true. That is incorrect information. She posted an apology for misinformation on her Facebook. That concerns me, I don't know how many people over the last eight years were told they couldn't vote when they are certainly eligible to vote.Editor's note: In Kansas, a federal or state felony conviction results in the loss of voting rights until the terms of the felony sentence is complete. A sentence is not considered complete until probation or parole is finished. Individuals who lose their voting rights due to a felony conviction may re-register to vote upon completion of their sentence. Information from&nbsp;sos.ks.gov.Bobbi Dreiling did on her&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Bobbi-Dreiling-for-Ellis-County-Clerk-112968323760392/">Bobbi Dreiling for Ellis County Clerk</a>&nbsp;Facebook page make a reference to felons being unable to vote. The post was made on Sept. 29. Dreiling posted a correction on Oct. 6 on that same Facebook page.Do you differentiate at all between the current Clerk, Donna Maskus, and Deputy Clerk Bobbi Dreiling, who is running in this election? I think as the Deputy Clerk they should take responsibility for each other. I don't think it should be differentiated. That office is one and the same. I would hope if the office is being run in the manner that it should be that the Deputy Clerk has some type of say in those decisions.&nbsp;I hate to think the ballot snafu was Donna Maskus looking at the ballot and no one else proofreading it. There is also another statute that says that ballot is supposed to be sent to the candidates and the respective political parties in the county. Donna said she believed those went out. I double checked, and none of the other candidates got those ballots in the mail. There were opportunities for that mistake to have been caught.&nbsp;Yes, while the Deputy Clerk is not who is currently in charge, based on her telling us she has eight years of experience in that office, I would hope she has experience with things like proofreading a ballot.&nbsp;What do you think the Clerk can do to promote higher voter turnout? I feel there is a lot to be said for engagement. I don't feel like I am completely removed from the things that go on in Ellis County. I don't see much, except around the time there is an election.&nbsp;I think we should have voter registrations at different events. I don't see those sorts of things happening.&nbsp;My daughter is in high school and until my son asked her to join the Young Democrats, I don't think she has been talked to at school about voting. The election process and the Clerk's Office, even though I have to run under a political party and everybody has to run under a political party, I don't believe that should be in any way partisan.Everybody should vote. I want everybody to vote. If we go to the high school and talk to the classes about voting, we want Republicans to vote. We want Democrats to vote — everybody to have their voice heard.My daughter had never been talked to at school. My son graduated just last year. I don't believe anyone had talked to him at school. There is a community outreach, but I think there should be community involvement in getting people to vote — working with the college and getting those kids to vote. Making sure we are going out of our way to help the people who want to vote, give them the right information. Get it out there. Have events.&nbsp;What do you think the Clerk can do to secure election results? I think it is important that it be non-partisan teamwork. I know there are a lot of groups. I hate there seems to be so much animosity between said groups.&nbsp;I know [County Clerk Donna Maskus] actually has reached out to the Democratic Party and kept us informed now of how those votes will be counted and opened and that sort of thing, and that's great. I think allowing people the access and seeing how that is handled, I think that goes a long way to at least calming people's fears a little bit about the security of the election. There is a transparency there that I think would really make a difference.What can be done to ensure the accuracy of election results and their reporting? I think working together with other groups. Not to say there should be huge numbers of people in any voting scenario, but I think there is something to be said for letting the local Democratic Party, the local Republican Party and candidates be a part of that process. Their checks and balances make a huge difference.&nbsp;The Clerk's Office does not have to be an entity in and of its self. There is a network of county offices and people. I think if you utilize that, there is a huge resource there to help ensure the integrity and the accuracy of the counting and reporting.&nbsp;In what other ways do you think the Clerk’s Office functions and service to the community can be improved? To be fair, I don't have a lot of experience with the Clerk's functions. I would assume that accounting functions and statute functions don't have a whole lot of leeway. I am going to guess some of those Clerk functions like the tax liens and the alcoholic beverage forms and that sort of thing — you don't have a lot of leeway there. It has to be done correctly.&nbsp;As far as the Clerk functions go, there is not a lot that can be changed there. I am sure there are also some functions on the election side of things, that we could think outside of the box a little bit and be open and willing to accept the idea that there may be a better way to do things rather than the way that it has always been done. I think that is a step in the right direction.Why do you think you are more qualified than your opponent? I believe No. 1 my resume qualifications are a better. I do believe probably 90 percent of the Clerk functions are something that we have covered or that I learned in order to get my business degree. I also think that the budgeting, payroll and the HR functions I have already dealt with have a lot to do with what happens in the Clerk's Office.&nbsp;At the same time, I also think I have an openness and willingness to see there might be better ways to do things. And to say I don't know how this works so I want to find the right answer as opposed to thinking this is the way it's always been done so this is the right answer.

Ellis County Clerk Candidate: Laura Allen

After offering mobile physical therapy services in the area last
year, Aimee Riegel recently expanded Fit PT and Wellness into a new location at
2013 Vine, with a full slate of new services.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/6ad0b333-6f66-47fe-b19e-8fa17cd396a4">“Last year, when I opened my practice, I was strictly mobile — seeing clients in their homes,” Riegel said. </a>

Through the business, she was able to provide her physical therapy
services to clients — but she had an eye on being able to help even more.

“I have been very passionate about, not just the illness side
of things, treating clients that have injured themselves and require the rehabilitation
aspect of what I do as a physical therapist, but I’ve also been very interested
in the wellness side of things,” Riegel said.

Over the last year, she had provided some of those services,
but wanted to have the space to offer group classes after finding a core group
of clients that participated in online workouts through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I kind of knew when I found a spot I would want to open my
own group fitness studio,” Riegel said.

After looking around for a location in Hays, she found the
building space on Vine at the end of September and moved quickly with group fitness
classes starting within a couple of weeks.

“This space is so perfect, I am so blessed to have found it,”
Riegel said. “Not only do I have the group fitness studio, I have my own
office, with my own entry from the back.”

She said that enables, her clients to come in without having
to interrupt a class going on in the front.

“So I can have a couple of different things going on at
once,” Riegel said, “which is really nice.”

This week, yoga classes also began in the location, something
Riegel said is harder to find in Hays now than just a few years ago.

Generally, she said the group fitness classes run 50 minutes long with a variety
of class, offerings taught with four instructors and herself.

“I get really, really bored when I work out. I hate doing
the same thing over and over,” she said, noting she schedules the classes to ensure
a rotation of workouts.

She also likes to have the classes target all of the different
muscle groups over the course of a week.

Some of the classes offered include free weights, step
classes, cardio burst, barre classes, hit classes and three different styles of
yoga.

And, most Fridays, she will offer mobility classes.

“It’s a lot of body awareness, a lot of core, a lot of deep breathing
and a lot of activation work,” she said. “It’s something that you don’t typically
see in your standard group fitness class.”

While she does not teach yoga herself, she said she had
trained with many qualified individuals and found three instructors that will
teach at the location.

“I wanted to offer that to the community as well as some
other specialty classes for people that have chronic diseases and classes for
those that don’t really know where to start with group fitness or those that
are coming from the physical therapy side and are not ready to go on their own
who need a little extra guidance and maybe want to do that in a group setting,”
Riegel said.

Moving forward she hopes to expand those services, toward
groups with specific maladies.

“Some of the programs that have yet to develop are going to
be more toward arthritis, osteoporosis and general diseases like fibromyalgia,
chronic pain, joint issues and aches and pains and can’t go to a regular
fitness class,” Riegel said. “I really want to offer things for a multitude of clientele
to where we can really promote physical activity for anyone at any level or any
age.”

And for those uncomfortable during COVID-19, online sessions will continue.

“I’m still doing virtual as well because not everyone is
comfortable coming into the gym setting,” Riegel said. “For the time being and
for the future, I feel like virtual is not going away, so most of the classes
are live-streamed as well.”

For the in-person sessions, she said they are currently
keeping classes small, to ensure a 6-foot distance can be maintained between participants.

Generally, she sees the connection between fitness and physical
therapy as going hand in hand with overall wellness.

“You are getting the best of both worlds, with the medical
driven model of exercise and fitness programs and you are still getting the
direct model of physical therapy care in that individualized treatment that I
have always been providing,” Riegel said. “It’s kind of a nice blend.”

That blended model of care is something Riegel emphasizes,
and can come without the difficulties of working through insurance companies.

“I really like to give my clients a real patient-driven model
of care,” she said. “Which sometimes, unfortunately, we cannot provide under an
insurance model of care.”

There is a good model of care that can be provided by
combining the wellness classes and the physical therapy, she said.

Most health savings and flex saving accounts, however, can be
used, she said.

Riegel also offers package deals for both the group fitness
classes and physical therapy.

“The other nice thing is if someone happens to be having
some problems and coming into the fitness side of things, they can schedule a
free consultation and we can chat about it and I can take care of them right
after they have their workout,” Riegel said.

She also offers add-on services to the workouts that combine
both services.

“If somebody wanted to do a workout, it gives you the option
online to schedule an add-on,” Riegel said. “Like if you wanted to have a
person 15-minute stretch session after your workout, you could arrange that. If
you wanted to have dry needling after or before a workout, you could schedule
that with me.”

Overall, she said the individualized model provided at Fit
PT and Wellness can work for anyone, no matter their fitness level.

“I want people to come in and feel comfortable, and I want
everyone to succeed,” Riegel said.

<a href="https://www.fitptandwellness.com/.">For more about Fit PT and Wellness visit their website at fitptandwellness.com.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603830648364.jpeg" alt="Aimee Riegel recently opened in a new location in Hays at 2013 Vine, with new services after running Fit PT and Wellness as a mobile business for the past year.&nbsp;EDITORS NOTE: As the client in the photos was already a close contact of Riegel, face coverings were not worn during the session, but are worn during a regular visit." />
 <figcaption>Aimee Riegel recently opened in a new location in Hays at 2013 Vine, with new services after running Fit PT and Wellness as a mobile business for the past year.&nbsp;EDITORS NOTE: As the client in the photos was already a close contact of Riegel, face coverings were not worn during the session, but are worn during a regular visit.</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="October a perfect time to explore health benefits provided by physical therapy" height="122" width="100%" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/taiks-f0898b?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth=&btn-skin=101"></iframe></div>By JAMES BELL Hays PostAfter offering mobile physical therapy services in the area last
year, Aimee Riegel recently expanded Fit PT and Wellness into a new location at
2013 Vine, with a full slate of new services.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/6ad0b333-6f66-47fe-b19e-8fa17cd396a4">“Last year, when I opened my practice, I was strictly mobile — seeing clients in their homes,” Riegel said. </a>Through the business, she was able to provide her physical therapy
services to clients — but she had an eye on being able to help even more.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603830639508.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“I have been very passionate about, not just the illness side
of things, treating clients that have injured themselves and require the rehabilitation
aspect of what I do as a physical therapist, but I’ve also been very interested
in the wellness side of things,” Riegel said.Over the last year, she had provided some of those services,
but wanted to have the space to offer group classes after finding a core group
of clients that participated in online workouts through the COVID-19 pandemic.“I kind of knew when I found a spot I would want to open my
own group fitness studio,” Riegel said.After looking around for a location in Hays, she found the
building space on Vine at the end of September and moved quickly with group fitness
classes starting within a couple of weeks.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603830692429.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“This space is so perfect, I am so blessed to have found it,”
Riegel said. “Not only do I have the group fitness studio, I have my own
office, with my own entry from the back.”She said that enables, her clients to come in without having
to interrupt a class going on in the front.“So I can have a couple of different things going on at
once,” Riegel said, “which is really nice.”This week, yoga classes also began in the location, something
Riegel said is harder to find in Hays now than just a few years ago.Generally, she said the group fitness classes run 50 minutes long with a variety
of class, offerings taught with four instructors and herself.“I get really, really bored when I work out. I hate doing
the same thing over and over,” she said, noting she schedules the classes to ensure
a rotation of workouts.She also likes to have the classes target all of the different
muscle groups over the course of a week.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603830681205.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Some of the classes offered include free weights, step
classes, cardio burst, barre classes, hit classes and three different styles of
yoga.And, most Fridays, she will offer mobility classes.“It’s a lot of body awareness, a lot of core, a lot of deep breathing
and a lot of activation work,” she said. “It’s something that you don’t typically
see in your standard group fitness class.”While she does not teach yoga herself, she said she had
trained with many qualified individuals and found three instructors that will
teach at the location.“I wanted to offer that to the community as well as some
other specialty classes for people that have chronic diseases and classes for
those that don’t really know where to start with group fitness or those that
are coming from the physical therapy side and are not ready to go on their own
who need a little extra guidance and maybe want to do that in a group setting,”
Riegel said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603830675284.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Moving forward she hopes to expand those services, toward
groups with specific maladies.“Some of the programs that have yet to develop are going to
be more toward arthritis, osteoporosis and general diseases like fibromyalgia,
chronic pain, joint issues and aches and pains and can’t go to a regular
fitness class,” Riegel said. “I really want to offer things for a multitude of clientele
to where we can really promote physical activity for anyone at any level or any
age.”And for those uncomfortable during COVID-19, online sessions will continue.“I’m still doing virtual as well because not everyone is
comfortable coming into the gym setting,” Riegel said. “For the time being and
for the future, I feel like virtual is not going away, so most of the classes
are live-streamed as well.”For the in-person sessions, she said they are currently
keeping classes small, to ensure a 6-foot distance can be maintained between participants.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603830686661.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Generally, she sees the connection between fitness and physical
therapy as going hand in hand with overall wellness.“You are getting the best of both worlds, with the medical
driven model of exercise and fitness programs and you are still getting the
direct model of physical therapy care in that individualized treatment that I
have always been providing,” Riegel said. “It’s kind of a nice blend.”That blended model of care is something Riegel emphasizes,
and can come without the difficulties of working through insurance companies.“I really like to give my clients a real patient-driven model
of care,” she said. “Which sometimes, unfortunately, we cannot provide under an
insurance model of care.”There is a good model of care that can be provided by
combining the wellness classes and the physical therapy, she said.Most health savings and flex saving accounts, however, can be
used, she said.Riegel also offers package deals for both the group fitness
classes and physical therapy.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603830655860.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“The other nice thing is if someone happens to be having
some problems and coming into the fitness side of things, they can schedule a
free consultation and we can chat about it and I can take care of them right
after they have their workout,” Riegel said.She also offers add-on services to the workouts that combine
both services.“If somebody wanted to do a workout, it gives you the option
online to schedule an add-on,” Riegel said. “Like if you wanted to have a
person 15-minute stretch session after your workout, you could arrange that. If
you wanted to have dry needling after or before a workout, you could schedule
that with me.”Overall, she said the individualized model provided at Fit
PT and Wellness can work for anyone, no matter their fitness level.“I want people to come in and feel comfortable, and I want
everyone to succeed,” Riegel said.<a href="https://www.fitptandwellness.com/.">For more about Fit PT and Wellness visit their website at fitptandwellness.com.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603830668268.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

🎤New location, new services offered at Fit PT and Wellness 

HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, recently welcomed three new physician assistants to the medical staff.

Meg Huey, PA-C graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and neuroscience from Grinnell College, in Grinnell Iowa.&nbsp; She completed her Master of Science in Physician Assistant at Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas.&nbsp; She is NCCPA certified physician assistant (PA-C) and KSBHA certified physician assistant.&nbsp; Huey will be practicing in the urology clinic.

Joshua A. Lahr, PA-C graduated with a Bachelor of Science in exercise science from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas.&nbsp; He also completed a Master of Science in physician assistant at Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas.&nbsp; Lahr joins the staff of the orthopedic clinic.

Amanda R. Volchoko, PA-C graduated with a Bachelor of Science in health services and a Master of Science in physician assistant studies with a minor in genetics from Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.&nbsp; She is as an NCCPA certified physician assistant (PA-C), KSBHA certified physician assistant and NYSED certified physician assistant.&nbsp; Volchoko is seeing patients in the cancer center.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603810651243.jpeg" alt="Huey" />
 <figcaption>Huey</figcaption>
 </figure>HaysMedHaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, recently welcomed three new physician assistants to the medical staff.Meg Huey, PA-C graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and neuroscience from Grinnell College, in Grinnell Iowa.&nbsp; She completed her Master of Science in Physician Assistant at Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas.&nbsp; She is NCCPA certified physician assistant (PA-C) and KSBHA certified physician assistant.&nbsp; Huey will be practicing in the urology clinic.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603810680435.jpeg" alt="Lahr" />
 <figcaption>Lahr</figcaption>
 </figure>Joshua A. Lahr, PA-C graduated with a Bachelor of Science in exercise science from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas.&nbsp; He also completed a Master of Science in physician assistant at Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas.&nbsp; Lahr joins the staff of the orthopedic clinic.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603810702159.jpeg" alt="Volchko" />
 <figcaption>Volchko</figcaption>
 </figure>Amanda R. Volchoko, PA-C graduated with a Bachelor of Science in health services and a Master of Science in physician assistant studies with a minor in genetics from Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.&nbsp; She is as an NCCPA certified physician assistant (PA-C), KSBHA certified physician assistant and NYSED certified physician assistant.&nbsp; Volchoko is seeing patients in the cancer center.

New physician assistants join staff at HaysMed

By JACKIE MUNDT Pratt County farmer and rancher

Fall is winding down on our farm. Brown grass is hidden beneath piles of colorful leaves that have fallen. Wheat drilled last month has popped up providing a spiky looking cover to fields for the winter. Corn and soybeans have been harvested and shipped off to the elevator. By the time you read this, we may even have had a dusting of snow.

But — a single field of double-crop milo remains uncut. It could take weeks before it is dry enough to harvest. This one field has caused a disproportionate amount of anxiety. Even though all the other work is done, harvest season cannot be complete without it. Equipment can’t be winterized, paperwork can’t be finalized, and the weight of unfinished work sits heavy in our house.

It seems like so much of this year has been spent in a similar state. Waiting anxiously to see what will happen with COVID-19 when we just want to get back to “normal” life. Counting down the days until the election and the merciful end of campaign ads. Watching our fellow humans so frustrated by inequality that violence erupts in the streets and wondering helplessly how to make it stop.

All this seems to have led to many of us feeling “over it”, where anxiety and frustration create a mental fatigue and you just don’t care anymore how it turn out as long as it is over. 

The problem with this apathy is that it can cause you to forget to stop and appreciate the value of an ending.

Endings can be satisfying. Like the feeling that comes from indulging in large gulps for air after you sprinted across the finish line, the satisfying swish and thud of the hard cover closing when you have finished a good book, or making a joyful “Victory March” across the stage to receive your diploma.

Endings can also be disappointing. The feeling of defeat that comes from losing a playoff game to end your high school athletic career. The regret of a missed opportunity. Getting the devastating news of a friend or loved one’s life being unexpectedly cut short.

To truly value endings, you must recognize that our final ending is that of life. All the other endings are leading to that one and it will probably come sooner than most of us would like.

So, when I find myself feeling apathetic or anxiously waiting for an ending, I try to stop and appreciate the moment: imagining an end and pondering how it can bring me joy or teach me an important lesson. I reflect on how past satisfactions or disappointments made me who I am and motivate me through the promise or threat of how things will end.

Each ending fills our life with experience and opens a space for another beginning.

Next week the 2020 campaign season will come to an end. There will be winners and losers.  In the future, COVID outbreaks will be controlled and the world should go back to some kind of normal. Racial inequalities can even be overcome. And harvest on our farm will eventually be finished.

For now, I am going to appreciate the lessons of this crazy year and dream of all the wonderful endings in my future.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575406519723.jpeg" alt="Jackie Mundt" />
 <figcaption>Jackie Mundt</figcaption>
 </figure>By JACKIE MUNDT Pratt County farmer and rancher Fall is winding down on our farm. Brown grass is hidden beneath piles of colorful leaves that have fallen. Wheat drilled last month has popped up providing a spiky looking cover to fields for the winter. Corn and soybeans have been harvested and shipped off to the elevator. By the time you read this, we may even have had a dusting of snow.But — a single field of double-crop milo remains uncut. It could take weeks before it is dry enough to harvest. This one field has caused a disproportionate amount of anxiety. Even though all the other work is done, harvest season cannot be complete without it. Equipment can’t be winterized, paperwork can’t be finalized, and the weight of unfinished work sits heavy in our house.It seems like so much of this year has been spent in a similar state. Waiting anxiously to see what will happen with COVID-19 when we just want to get back to “normal” life. Counting down the days until the election and the merciful end of campaign ads. Watching our fellow humans so frustrated by inequality that violence erupts in the streets and wondering helplessly how to make it stop.All this seems to have led to many of us feeling “over it”, where anxiety and frustration create a mental fatigue and you just don’t care anymore how it turn out as long as it is over. The problem with this apathy is that it can cause you to forget to stop and appreciate the value of an ending.Endings can be satisfying. Like the feeling that comes from indulging in large gulps for air after you sprinted across the finish line, the satisfying swish and thud of the hard cover closing when you have finished a good book, or making a joyful “Victory March” across the stage to receive your diploma.Endings can also be disappointing. The feeling of defeat that comes from losing a playoff game to end your high school athletic career. The regret of a missed opportunity. Getting the devastating news of a friend or loved one’s life being unexpectedly cut short.To truly value endings, you must recognize that our final ending is that of life. All the other endings are leading to that one and it will probably come sooner than most of us would like.So, when I find myself feeling apathetic or anxiously waiting for an ending, I try to stop and appreciate the moment: imagining an end and pondering how it can bring me joy or teach me an important lesson. I reflect on how past satisfactions or disappointments made me who I am and motivate me through the promise or threat of how things will end.Each ending fills our life with experience and opens a space for another beginning.Next week the 2020 campaign season will come to an end. There will be winners and losers. In the future, COVID outbreaks will be controlled and the world should go back to some kind of normal. Racial inequalities can even be overcome. And harvest on our farm will eventually be finished.For now, I am going to appreciate the lessons of this crazy year and dream of all the wonderful endings in my future."Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.

Kansas Farm Bureau Insight: Pondering endings

Three-day weather outlook

Without a doubt, Halloween will be different this year. Families may have the opportunity to participate in drive-by events and some families may choose to stick close to home. Either way it is possible to have a healthy Halloween and it could include making some fun, healthy snacks at home.

My kids loved to make apple smiles and banana ghosts. The apple slices can be dipped in lemon juice so they do not turn brown as quickly, then peanut butter or your child’s favorite nut butter is added between two apple slices and the teeth can be yogurt covered berries or nuts. Peeled clementine oranges with a sprig of celery for the stem also make a fun healthy snack.

&nbsp;Last year for a program I made a skeleton out of my favorite vegetables and it really looked just like the picture I fashioned it from! Fresh Veggie Pizza can be decorated to look like candy corn with chopped carrots, yellow peppers and cauliflower.&nbsp; If children are going out for the evening fill them up with a healthy meal before the fun begins. And on the return home, make a plan for how the stash will be divided up so only a small portion will be available each day.&nbsp;

If you are handing out treats to children, consider some alternative Halloween treats. We had one creative neighbor who always had a surprise for us and it was never candy. My kids could not wait to see what the surprise was each year. Small toys, bouncy balls, glider airplanes to put together and many other items can be just as exciting for kids as a candy bar.

Never fear, there will be Halloween in some shape or form. Parents may have to work extra hard this year to create a fun atmosphere with fun food and games. Make it a year to remember and have a spooky good time!&nbsp;

Berny Unruh is Family and Community Wellness agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603372235600.png" alt="image001.png" />
 <figcaption>image001.png</figcaption>
 </figure>Without a doubt, Halloween will be different this year. Families may have the opportunity to participate in drive-by events and some families may choose to stick close to home. Either way it is possible to have a healthy Halloween and it could include making some fun, healthy snacks at home.My kids loved to make apple smiles and banana ghosts. The apple slices can be dipped in lemon juice so they do not turn brown as quickly, then peanut butter or your child’s favorite nut butter is added between two apple slices and the teeth can be yogurt covered berries or nuts. Peeled clementine oranges with a sprig of celery for the stem also make a fun healthy snack.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588274071306.jpeg" alt="Berny Unruh is Family and Community Wellness agent for the Cottonwood Extension District." />
 <figcaption>Berny Unruh is Family and Community Wellness agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Last year for a program I made a skeleton out of my favorite vegetables and it really looked just like the picture I fashioned it from! Fresh Veggie Pizza can be decorated to look like candy corn with chopped carrots, yellow peppers and cauliflower.&nbsp; If children are going out for the evening fill them up with a healthy meal before the fun begins. And on the return home, make a plan for how the stash will be divided up so only a small portion will be available each day.&nbsp;If you are handing out treats to children, consider some alternative Halloween treats. We had one creative neighbor who always had a surprise for us and it was never candy. My kids could not wait to see what the surprise was each year. Small toys, bouncy balls, glider airplanes to put together and many other items can be just as exciting for kids as a candy bar.Never fear, there will be Halloween in some shape or form. Parents may have to work extra hard this year to create a fun atmosphere with fun food and games. Make it a year to remember and have a spooky good time!&nbsp;Berny Unruh is Family and Community Wellness agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.

UNRUH: A Healthy Halloween

SHERMAN COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 8p.m. Tuesday in Sherman County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Ford F350 driven by Ronald Kevin Gallegegos, 41, Peyton, Colorado, was eastbound on Interstate 70 sixteen miles east of Goodland. 

The pickup rear-ended a 2008 Hyundai Sonata driven by Bradley Marshal&nbsp;Handelsman, 42, Seattle, Washington.

The Hyundai entered the median, the westbound lanes and came to rest on the north shoulder. The Ford spun around facing westbound and came to rest on the south shoulder.

EMS transported Handelsman to the hospital in Goodland.

Gallegegos and a passenger were not injured. The KHP did not have complete seat belt information.

SHERMAN COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 8p.m. Tuesday in Sherman County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Ford F350 driven by Ronald Kevin Gallegegos, 41, Peyton, Colorado, was eastbound on Interstate 70 sixteen miles east of Goodland. The pickup rear-ended a 2008 Hyundai Sonata driven by Bradley Marshal&nbsp;Handelsman, 42, Seattle, Washington.The Hyundai entered the median, the westbound lanes and came to rest on the north shoulder. The Ford spun around facing westbound and came to rest on the south shoulder.EMS transported Handelsman to the hospital in Goodland.Gallegegos and a passenger were not injured. The KHP did not have complete seat belt information.

Driver hospitalized after I-70 rear-end crash

The annual alley cleanup resumed Tuesday, following Monday's postponement due to inclimate weather.

The above map shows progress as of Oct. 27.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603839896398.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>City of HaysThe annual alley cleanup resumed Tuesday, following Monday's postponement due to inclimate weather.The above map shows progress as of Oct. 27.

Annual alley cleanup nearing completion

NORTON — The Norton Police Department is advising residents to be wary of a COVID-related scam involving purported churches and ministers.

"These scams involve being contacted by individuals claiming to be ministers that want to help provide relief from the effects of COVID-19. They have been asking our citizens to purchase gift cards for these ministers and in-turn, they will provide financial relief," the department said via social media. "BE AWARE of this!  As always, we remind you to never provide anyone your personal information!  If you have been contacted by these scammers, contact the Norton Police Department at 785-877-5010."

NORTON — The Norton Police Department is advising residents to be wary of a COVID-related scam involving purported churches and ministers."These scams involve being contacted by individuals claiming to be ministers that want to help provide relief from the effects of COVID-19. They have been asking our citizens to purchase gift cards for these ministers and in-turn, they will provide financial relief," the department said via social media. "BE AWARE of this! As always, we remind you to never provide anyone your personal information! If you have been contacted by these scammers, contact the Norton Police Department at 785-877-5010."<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FNPD67654%2Fposts%2F1955761824600301&show_text=true&width=552&height=503&appId" width="552" height="503" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div>

Norton PD warns of coronavirus-related scams

"Recent theft of Biden/Harris political sign from front yard.  We are getting lots of reports of these signs being stolen overnight.  If you have any information about this or any other such thefts, please contact the Hays Police Department at (785) 625-1030."

From the Hays Police Department Facebook page

HPD"Recent theft of Biden/Harris political sign from front yard. We are getting lots of reports of these signs being stolen overnight. If you have any information about this or any other such thefts, please contact the Hays Police Department at (785) 625-1030."From the Hays Police Department Facebook page<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FHaysPD%2Fvideos%2F477356009892041%2F&show_text=false&width=560" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>

Security cam captures theft of political sign in Hays

Come visit the Sternberg Museum on Halloween to pick up your goody bags! *Limited supply*

Location: Sternberg Museum's lobby, 3000 Sternberg Drive, Hays Time: 2-4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 31. Come in costume if you'd like!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603834187709.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Come visit the Sternberg Museum on Halloween to pick up your goody bags! *Limited supply* Location: Sternberg Museum's lobby, 3000 Sternberg Drive, Hays Time: 2-4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 31. Come in costume if you'd like!— Submitted

Sternberg Museum Trick or Treat features goody bags

The National Weather Service is calling for a slight chance of freezing rain overnight Tuesday — with more winter weather on the way Wednesday and Thursday.&nbsp;

Precipitation will move northward overnight, beginning as snow, then changing to rain or sleet by sunrise Wednesday morning. The NWS is calling for a 50 percent chance of rain or freezing rain Wednesday morning, increasing to 80 percent in the afternoon. As temperatures fall after sunrise, precipitation is expected to change to snow – with a half-inch of new snow possible.

On Thursday, there is a 60 percent chance of rain or snow before noon, tapering off to 30 percent as the day progresses. Skies are expected to clear Thursday evening.

Icy conditions are expected to to be primary hazard from the front.

A high temperature of 48 on Thursday and a low of 26 on Tuesday night is projected.

Check Hays Post and tune into your Eagle Radio of Hays stations for&nbsp; the latest on cancellations and delays.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603824770702.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The National Weather Service is calling for a slight chance of freezing rain overnight Tuesday — with more winter weather on the way Wednesday and Thursday.&nbsp;Precipitation will move northward overnight, beginning as snow, then changing to rain or sleet by sunrise Wednesday morning. The NWS is calling for a 50 percent chance of rain or freezing rain Wednesday morning, increasing to 80 percent in the afternoon. As temperatures fall after sunrise, precipitation is expected to change to snow – with a half-inch of new snow possible.On Thursday, there is a 60 percent chance of rain or snow before noon, tapering off to 30 percent as the day progresses. Skies are expected to clear Thursday evening.Icy conditions are expected to to be primary hazard from the front.A high temperature of 48 on Thursday and a low of 26 on Tuesday night is projected.Check Hays Post and tune into your Eagle Radio of Hays stations for&nbsp; the latest on cancellations and delays.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Cold and cloudy overnight as freezing rain pushes out of Oklahoma into far southern counties into the morning hours, mainly impacting areas south of the Hwy 400/54 corridors. <a href="https://t.co/LyXgBpSeq9">pic.twitter.com/LyXgBpSeq9</a>&mdash; NWS Dodge City (@NWSDodgeCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSDodgeCity/status/1321152454466117634?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div>

NWS: More wintry weather moving into the area

Shop our one-of-a-kind Christmas trees and holiday décor -- just what you need to cultivate that holiday spirit AND support the Hays ARC Park! We have unique, beautiful themed Christmas trees, fall décor, centerpieces, porch pots, home décor, and so much more! 

As a bonus, several items come with awesome mystery gift cards to area businesses!

Each tree is beautifully decorated with donated ornaments handpicked exclusively from The Arc Thrift Store. 

Themes include: Chiefs, KU, KSU, Nativity, Wizard of Oz, patriotic, rustic, farmhouse, mermaids, nutcrackers, John Deere, pheasants, dogs, homespun, southwest, and so much more! 

Gorgeous centerpieces, shelf displays, porch pots, and other décor for Thanksgiving and Christmas round out the auction.

The online auction opens NOVEMBER 6 at 9 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. NOVEMBER 10. It will be open for bidding ANYTIME between those dates.

Come see the trees in person at The Arc activity room, 600 Main St. The Arc will be open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Nov. 6-7, 9-10). Buy it now is available! Or, just stop by to see the beautiful items and get inspired

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603811278530.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Shop our one-of-a-kind Christmas trees and holiday décor -- just what you need to cultivate that holiday spirit AND support the Hays ARC Park! We have unique, beautiful themed Christmas trees, fall décor, centerpieces, porch pots, home décor, and so much more! As a bonus, several items come with awesome mystery gift cards to area businesses!Each tree is beautifully decorated with donated ornaments handpicked exclusively from The Arc Thrift Store. Themes include: Chiefs, KU, KSU, Nativity, Wizard of Oz, patriotic, rustic, farmhouse, mermaids, nutcrackers, John Deere, pheasants, dogs, homespun, southwest, and so much more! Gorgeous centerpieces, shelf displays, porch pots, and other décor for Thanksgiving and Christmas round out the auction.The online auction opens NOVEMBER 6 at 9 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. NOVEMBER 10. It will be open for bidding ANYTIME between those dates.Come see the trees in person at The Arc activity room, 600 Main St. The Arc will be open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Nov. 6-7, 9-10). Buy it now is available! Or, just stop by to see the beautiful items and get inspired

Festival of Trees fundraiser for Hays ARC Park

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🎙 Post Podcast: Hays Chamber wraps up Q3 business showcase challenge; plans for Q4

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Hays school board voted to close Washington School at its meeting Monday night.

The school board has entered into a contract with Overland Property Group to purchase the school for $500,000. The developer plans to use tax credits to remodel the school into apartments.

The school was shuttered as a grade school and repurposed in 2015. The school is more than 90 years old, is not ADA compliant and younger students could not be housed on the second floor because of government rules.

Early Childhood Connections had been located in the school, but the program was moved to its new location on 13th Street in fall 2019. The Learning Center has been temporarily housed in that building. It will move to Hadley Center temporarily.

The district hopes to move the Learning Center into a remodeled space at Rockwell Administration Center within the next year.

When the board originally entered into the contract with OPG, members discussed using the $500,000 purchase price to pay down the lease purchase agreement for the ECC remodel project.&nbsp;

Superintendent Ron Wilson said if the $500,000 was used to pay down the lease agreement, $229,000 could be saved in interest.

Board member Craig Pallister said he had received feedback from the community members who were concerned the district needs a strategic plan to address the facility needs of the K-5 students.&nbsp;

"We don’t need to just jump with that $500,000; we need to make a plan," he said.

Board member Allen Park and former principal of Washington Grade School raised several concerns about the closure of the school. He voted against the closure.

He said he was concerned an appraisal was not obtained on the property before the school district entered into the contract with OPG.

He too was concerned about the future of K-5 education in the district.

"K-5 is the most neglected group in the district and that is a concern," he said.

Wilson said by closing Washington, the district will also save about $40,000 per year in insurance and utility costs.

Park said in the 10 months he had been on the board, it had not had any serious discussions about facilities.

Board President Mike Walker said the board had decided during the COVID pandemic was not the right time to take a bond issue to the community.

"I don't think we are going to unsell the building and put the kids back in," Walker said of Washington.

No one from the public spoke during a public hearing Monday on the school closure.

The motion to close the building passed on a vote of 6-1.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602274168961.jpeg" alt="Washington school" />
 <figcaption>Washington school</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays school board voted to close Washington School at its meeting Monday night.The school board has entered into a contract with Overland Property Group to purchase the school for $500,000. The developer plans to use tax credits to remodel the school into apartments.The school was shuttered as a grade school and repurposed in 2015. The school is more than 90 years old, is not ADA compliant and younger students could not be housed on the second floor because of government rules. Early Childhood Connections had been located in the school, but the program was moved to its new location on 13th Street in fall 2019. The Learning Center has been temporarily housed in that building. It will move to Hadley Center temporarily.The district hopes to move the Learning Center into a remodeled space at Rockwell Administration Center within the next year.When the board originally entered into the contract with OPG, members discussed using the $500,000 purchase price to pay down the lease purchase agreement for the ECC remodel project.&nbsp;Superintendent Ron Wilson said if the $500,000 was used to pay down the lease agreement, $229,000 could be saved in interest.Board member Craig Pallister said he had received feedback from the community members who were concerned the district needs a strategic plan to address the facility needs of the K-5 students.&nbsp;"We don’t need to just jump with that $500,000; we need to make a plan," he said.Board member Allen Park and former principal of Washington Grade School raised several concerns about the closure of the school. He voted against the closure.He said he was concerned an appraisal was not obtained on the property before the school district entered into the contract with OPG.He too was concerned about the future of K-5 education in the district."K-5 is the most neglected group in the district and that is a concern," he said.Wilson said by closing Washington, the district will also save about $40,000 per year in insurance and utility costs.Park said in the 10 months he had been on the board, it had not had any serious discussions about facilities.Board President Mike Walker said the board had decided during the COVID pandemic was not the right time to take a bond issue to the community."I don't think we are going to unsell the building and put the kids back in," Walker said of Washington.No one from the public spoke during a public hearing Monday on the school closure.The motion to close the building passed on a vote of 6-1.

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