A website that shares popular tourist attractions and locations recently compiled their list of "Amazing Airbnbs in Western Kansas" including three Hays locations.

The list also includes a Victoria location.

<a href="https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/kansas/airbnbs-in-western-ks/">To see the full list visit onlyinyourstate.com.</a>

A website that shares popular tourist attractions and locations recently compiled their list of "Amazing Airbnbs in Western Kansas" including three Hays locations.The list also includes a Victoria location.<a href="https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/kansas/airbnbs-in-western-ks/">To see the full list visit onlyinyourstate.com.</a>

Area Airbnbs featured on travel website

Three-day weather outlook

BUNKER HILL –&nbsp;Back for its 16th&nbsp;Season, Doctors on Call will begin airing on Smoky Hills PBS on Tuesday, Jan. 5, at 7 p.m.

“We are excited to once again bring Doctors on Call back for a new season,” said Les Kinderknecht, senior producer/director of Smoky Hills PBS.&nbsp; “It’s been a favorite for our viewers, and a great way to promote all the skilled medical professionals that we have in central and western Kansas.”

Doctors on Call is a local production by Smoky Hills PBS that provides medical information on a variety of different topics. Smoky Hills PBS brings in medical professionals from throughout the state to provide information on their field of expertise.&nbsp; Viewers also have the opportunity to call in with questions live during the show.&nbsp; The doctors selected each week have expertise in the topic chosen for that program.&nbsp; A schedule of programs and past episodes are available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.smokyhillspbs.org/">www.SmokyHillsPBS.org</a>.&nbsp;

Coming up in January: • January 5 – COVID - Dr. Somers - Russell Regional Hospital • January 12 – TBA • January 19 – Chiropractic Care – Shelbe Darnell DC - Restoration Health &amp; Chiropractic, Plainville • January 26 – Pain Management – Dr. Bell Razafindrabe - Pain, Spine, Rehab, Great Bend

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>.&nbsp;Questions submitted through email must be received by noon on the day of the show.&nbsp; During the program, viewers can call in questions at I-800-337-4788.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578663876107.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BUNKER HILL –&nbsp;Back for its 16th&nbsp;Season, Doctors on Call will begin airing on Smoky Hills PBS on Tuesday, Jan. 5, at 7 p.m.“We are excited to once again bring Doctors on Call back for a new season,” said Les Kinderknecht, senior producer/director of Smoky Hills PBS.&nbsp; “It’s been a favorite for our viewers, and a great way to promote all the skilled medical professionals that we have in central and western Kansas.”Doctors on Call is a local production by Smoky Hills PBS that provides medical information on a variety of different topics. Smoky Hills PBS brings in medical professionals from throughout the state to provide information on their field of expertise.&nbsp; Viewers also have the opportunity to call in with questions live during the show.&nbsp; The doctors selected each week have expertise in the topic chosen for that program.&nbsp; A schedule of programs and past episodes are available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.smokyhillspbs.org/">www.SmokyHillsPBS.org</a>.&nbsp;Coming up in January: • January 5 – COVID - Dr. Somers - Russell Regional Hospital • January 12 – TBA • January 19 – Chiropractic Care – Shelbe Darnell DC - Restoration Health &amp; Chiropractic, Plainville • January 26 – Pain Management – Dr. Bell Razafindrabe - Pain, Spine, Rehab, Great BendTo submit questions electronically on a specific topic, viewers can send an email to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:doctors@shptv.org">doctors@shptv.org</a>.&nbsp;Questions submitted through email must be received by noon on the day of the show.&nbsp; During the program, viewers can call in questions at I-800-337-4788.— SHPTV

New season of Doctors on Call starts this month

*This podcast originally aired on Dec. 13, 2020.

Following years of new construction on the Fort Hays State University campus, the newest building constructed to enhance the student experience at FHSU is quickly taking shape.

The&nbsp;Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success will be located just south of the Memorial Union and will bring together many key components of student life outside of the classroom.

“This was a dream of ours at
the university for quite some time,” said Joey Linn, vice president of student affairs. “We had a dream, we had an
idea and thanks to the foundation and all the great work they do trying to find
donors it became a reality."

&nbsp;Once completed, the building will serve as a jumping-off point for new students, and help guide more senior students through their time at FHSU and beyond.

“Some may ask, ‘Why this
building?’ ” Linn said. “There are more first-generation college students now
than ever before in the history of Fort Hays.”

With this center, the
university can better ensure students who come to FHSU succeed, he said.

“We have to make sure if a
student comes here that we do everything we can to make sure they walk across
that stage as graduates of Fort Hays State University," Linn said. "And the beautiful thing
about this building as well is, it is not only going to be available for on-campus
students, but we are going to make sure we do things online to reach out to all
of our online students across the county to make sure they understand what
services are available to them as well.”

The three-story building is currently being constructed just to the north of Memorial Union and will connect to that facility with a second-story walkway.

“So you don’t have to go
outside. You can go straight from the main Union right in the second floor over
and into the success center,” Linn said. 

The building was designed with a sandstone and metal exterior aesthetic, matching the nearby union.

“It’s going to match in perfectly
with the university,” Linn said. 

A key feature of the new
building, Linn said, is the first-floor welcome center.

“It’s going to be the first
impression, when we bring in students that are prospects or parents of students
looking to visit Fort Hays on their official campus visit. They will come into
this brand-new welcome center on the first floor and it is going to be 100
percent totally ‘Tigerized,' ” Linn said. 

The space will also feature
a “monstrous” big screen that will be used for those visits to showcase Tiger life.

Much of the tour activity
will now run out of this welcome center, Linn said, giving an exciting entry to the campus.

“We all know that impact
that a first impression makes to families coming to visit,” he said. 

Another key feature of the
facility will be a tutoring center, on the first floor.

“We have tutoring built
right in there, where students can walk in,” Linn said.

The academic advising and
career exploration center will also be located on the first floor.

The second floor
will house space for the FHSU Student Government and space for other student
organizations.

“That’s the student
life/student engagement floor,” Linn said. “Anything that students do
outside of the classroom that student engagement/student life part, is going to
be on that second floor. There is going to be ample space for them
to do really unique and creative activities.”

But what is on the third
floor is what will make the center stand out among similar centers at other
colleges, he said.

“The third floor is all
about physical and mental wellness,” Linn said. “It’s going to house our
student health center and our Kelly Center. They are going to be intermingled, and they are going to work together on the entire third floor because we all
know that in order for a student to be successful, they have to be healthy — both physically and mentally.”

With the additional room on campus, many departments and services not directly moving to the building will also benefit.

“The university across the
entire campus has gotten really tight on space,” Linn said. “It’s been hard to
find an office, a faculty office when we hire somebody, so this new center is
going to have a variety of impacts at the university.”

“The building itself is
going to be great for our students, but us vacating some of the offices like
career services moving out of Sheridan Hall, that’s prime real estate for an
office to come in that might be cramped somewhere else. It will give us a
little breathing room on this campus,” he said.

Construction on campus is thanks is large part to donor support through the FHSU Foundation — and the&nbsp;Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success is no different.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/97cd8970-e058-45c3-83a7-abadfb060142">The center is named after&nbsp;Richard Fischli and Dolores Wills-Fischli, who attended FHSU in the 1950s.</a>

“Beyond the classroom, the Fischlis were known
for giving what they could and truly understood the impact that every dollar
had on student success,” said Hayley Bieker, director of communications and marketing at the Fort Hays State University Foundation.

"(Donations are) life
changing,” she said. “Dolores and Richard will impact more lives throughout
this building and the students that walk inside this facility then they will probably
ever know and that’s truly the case with every donor that we have at Fort Hays
State.”

All gifts to the university strengthen to college, Bieker said.

“They are making an impact. Yhey are changing students’ lives. They allow faculty to better do their jobs
in the classroom,” she said.

While construction is underway, opportunities to support the center, and other projects across the campus remain.

“I think what we want people
to know is this stunning new Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success is coming
to life on our campus and that people can be a part of it,” Bieker said. 

Various naming opportunities
are available in the building at a wide range of donation levels.

“That’s forever, that’s
going to be there forever and ever after we are all gone. It’s amazing the impact that all of our friends at the university and alums of the university
make," Bieker said.

But at the heart of it all is taking care of the young, impressionable minds who grace FHSU.

“The bottom line is … what it is going to do for our
students?” Linn said. “We can talk about how beautiful the building is and how
it fits into the campus and how excited we are. But the bottom line, the
Fischlis’ wanted to know how their money can make a difference for all future
students, and I can’t imagine anything better than this.” 

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/97cd8970-e058-45c3-83a7-abadfb060142">To read more about the FHSU Foundation and opportunities for sponsorships click here.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607717842805.jpeg" alt="The Fort Hays State University Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success is currently under construction just north of the Memorial Union." />
 <figcaption>The Fort Hays State University Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success is currently under construction just north of the Memorial Union.</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="Newest FHSU building taking shape" height="122" width="100%" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/ws8z7-f4c84a?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth=&btn-skin=101"></iframe></div>*This podcast originally aired on Dec. 13, 2020.By JAMES BELL Hays PostFollowing years of new construction on the Fort Hays State University campus, the newest building constructed to enhance the student experience at FHSU is quickly taking shape.The&nbsp;Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success will be located just south of the Memorial Union and will bring together many key components of student life outside of the classroom.“This was a dream of ours at
the university for quite some time,” said Joey Linn, vice president of student affairs. “We had a dream, we had an
idea and thanks to the foundation and all the great work they do trying to find
donors it became a reality."&nbsp;Once completed, the building will serve as a jumping-off point for new students, and help guide more senior students through their time at FHSU and beyond.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607725871314.jpeg" alt="A rendering shows what a completed Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success will look like." />
 <figcaption>A rendering shows what a completed Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success will look like.</figcaption>
 </figure>“Some may ask, ‘Why this
building?’ ” Linn said. “There are more first-generation college students now
than ever before in the history of Fort Hays.”With this center, the
university can better ensure students who come to FHSU succeed, he said.“We have to make sure if a
student comes here that we do everything we can to make sure they walk across
that stage as graduates of Fort Hays State University," Linn said. "And the beautiful thing
about this building as well is, it is not only going to be available for on-campus
students, but we are going to make sure we do things online to reach out to all
of our online students across the county to make sure they understand what
services are available to them as well.”The three-story building is currently being constructed just to the north of Memorial Union and will connect to that facility with a second-story walkway.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607717979681.jpeg" alt="The second story walkway between the Memorial Union and the Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success is seen taking shape during construction in December." />
 <figcaption>The second story walkway between the Memorial Union and the Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success is seen taking shape during construction in December.</figcaption>
 </figure>“So you don’t have to go
outside. You can go straight from the main Union right in the second floor over
and into the success center,” Linn said. The building was designed with a sandstone and metal exterior aesthetic, matching the nearby union.“It’s going to match in perfectly
with the university,” Linn said. A key feature of the new
building, Linn said, is the first-floor welcome center.“It’s going to be the first
impression, when we bring in students that are prospects or parents of students
looking to visit Fort Hays on their official campus visit. They will come into
this brand-new welcome center on the first floor and it is going to be 100
percent totally ‘Tigerized,' ” Linn said. The space will also feature
a “monstrous” big screen that will be used for those visits to showcase Tiger life.Much of the tour activity
will now run out of this welcome center, Linn said, giving an exciting entry to the campus.“We all know that impact
that a first impression makes to families coming to visit,” he said. Another key feature of the
facility will be a tutoring center, on the first floor.“We have tutoring built
right in there, where students can walk in,” Linn said.The academic advising and
career exploration center will also be located on the first floor.The second floor
will house space for the FHSU Student Government and space for other student
organizations.“That’s the student
life/student engagement floor,” Linn said. “Anything that students do
outside of the classroom that student engagement/student life part, is going to
be on that second floor. There is going to be ample space for them
to do really unique and creative activities.”But what is on the third
floor is what will make the center stand out among similar centers at other
colleges, he said.“The third floor is all
about physical and mental wellness,” Linn said. “It’s going to house our
student health center and our Kelly Center. They are going to be intermingled, and they are going to work together on the entire third floor because we all
know that in order for a student to be successful, they have to be healthy — both physically and mentally.”With the additional room on campus, many departments and services not directly moving to the building will also benefit.“The university across the
entire campus has gotten really tight on space,” Linn said. “It’s been hard to
find an office, a faculty office when we hire somebody, so this new center is
going to have a variety of impacts at the university.”“The building itself is
going to be great for our students, but us vacating some of the offices like
career services moving out of Sheridan Hall, that’s prime real estate for an
office to come in that might be cramped somewhere else. It will give us a
little breathing room on this campus,” he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601516925379.jpeg" alt="Since the groundbreaking celebration during the 2020 FHSU Homecoming progress has steadily continued on the&nbsp;Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success." />
 <figcaption>Since the groundbreaking celebration during the 2020 FHSU Homecoming progress has steadily continued on the&nbsp;Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success.</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Making it happen</h2>Construction on campus is thanks is large part to donor support through the FHSU Foundation — and the&nbsp;Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success is no different.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/97cd8970-e058-45c3-83a7-abadfb060142">The center is named after&nbsp;Richard Fischli and Dolores Wills-Fischli, who attended FHSU in the 1950s.</a>“Beyond the classroom, the Fischlis were known
for giving what they could and truly understood the impact that every dollar
had on student success,” said Hayley Bieker, director of communications and marketing at the Fort Hays State University Foundation."(Donations are) life
changing,” she said. “Dolores and Richard will impact more lives throughout
this building and the students that walk inside this facility then they will probably
ever know and that’s truly the case with every donor that we have at Fort Hays
State.”All gifts to the university strengthen to college, Bieker said.“They are making an impact. Yhey are changing students’ lives. They allow faculty to better do their jobs
in the classroom,” she said.While construction is underway, opportunities to support the center, and other projects across the campus remain.“I think what we want people
to know is this stunning new Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success is coming
to life on our campus and that people can be a part of it,” Bieker said. Various naming opportunities
are available in the building at a wide range of donation levels.“That’s forever, that’s
going to be there forever and ever after we are all gone. It’s amazing the impact that all of our friends at the university and alums of the university
make," Bieker said.But at the heart of it all is taking care of the young, impressionable minds who grace FHSU.“The bottom line is … what it is going to do for our
students?” Linn said. “We can talk about how beautiful the building is and how
it fits into the campus and how excited we are. But the bottom line, the
Fischlis’ wanted to know how their money can make a difference for all future
students, and I can’t imagine anything better than this.” <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607717928821.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/97cd8970-e058-45c3-83a7-abadfb060142">To read more about the FHSU Foundation and opportunities for sponsorships click here.</a>

🎙Post Podcast: Newest Fort Hays State building taking shape

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Jessica Roe is known as the COVID Commander in the USD 489 school district.

Roe, who is the lead nurse for the school district, was tasked with coordinating contact tracing for the schools as well as being the go-to person when it came to questions about COVID-19.

Although she is not a teacher, she is being honored this month as the Hays Post Education Professional of Month for her efforts to keep children and their families, as well as teachers and staff safe.

Superintendent Ron Wilson said last week when Roe was honored with the district's Making a Difference Award, her work has been essential to keeping schools open and children learning on site.

Roe was nominated for Hays Post award three times since the beginning of the semester.

Jaymi Gabel, a fellow school nurse working at Roosevelt Elementary School, said in her nomination for the Hay Post award, Roe has been working long hours to fulfill her duties.

"Jessica continues to work day and night, outside of her contracted time, to ensure that the schools are the safest place they can be," Gabel said. "Jessica has two small children of her own and a husband that have been placed on the back burner during this pandemic as a result of Jessica working so hard for the staff, students and community."

Roe answers emails, texts and phone calls from parents, staff, students and community members related to COVID policy and procedures in the school all hours of the day, Gabel said in her nomination.

"Jessica treats every student the way she would want her own children to be treated," Gabel said. "USD 489 and the Hays community are so fortunate to have a nurse on their side such as Jessica."

Renee Hoffman, health office aide at Lincoln Elementary School, said of Roe in her nomination, "She has given 100 percent of herself to this new task and always with a positive attitude. 

"As a nurse, she is there to educate the students, staff and parents on COVID precautions and symptoms. Her dedication and support to the school district and community is unmeasurable."

Bethany Pfannenstiel, Hays Middle School nurse, noted Roe continues to be responsible for her other school nurse duties, some of which include health screenings, administering students medication, and assessing sick or injured students and staff.

Roe, BSN, said working as a school nurse during COVID has not only meant longer work days, but it has challenged her as nurse.

"In any other instance when a kid would come in and tell you they're sick, you can assess them on what we've been trained to know," Roe said, "but during COVID, it is hard to say if it's any other kind of illness or is this a COVID-related illness.

"You want to make the best decision and keep the school safe, but we also still want kids to be in school."

At the beginning of the school year, the district was requiring anyone with a close contact to a COVID positive person to quarantine for 14 days.

"That was really hard, especially some of the kids who had to quarantine three or four times," she said. "They would come back for a little bit and they would have to quarantine again."

The Hays school board on Oct. 19 voted to change the quarantine to seven days because it was not seeing a lot spread within the school with students wearing masks, Roe said.

Parents want to have their kids in school, and Roe said the change has made it easier to make those quarantine phone calls.

Roes said she thinks keeping students in classes on site is important as the students receive more focused attention.

Roe said she thinks the district has done a good job of following COVID prevention protocols, including mask wearing and constantly cleaning and sanitizing.

Roe — the only health care worker in her family — said she always wanted to work in health care.

However, Roe, 29, said she never imagined when she went into nursing she would be on the front lines of a global pandemic.&nbsp;

She said answering questions and being a health educator has always been one of the appealing aspects of her job as a school nurse.

"When they get to go to their doctor, they get to hear things that way, but unless you're sick you usually don't go to your doctor," she said. "When they come in and ask questions, you can help educate them or point them in the right direction."

She said she was hopeful last week as Americans began to receive the first doses of COVID-19 vaccine.&nbsp;

"I look at other counties that have shut schools down. I know we have had a few school closures here and there for short periods, but I look at how far our district's come," Roe said. "We made it a whole semester with very few closures. I think that's amazing."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603901709009.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608567858280.jpeg" alt="USD 489 lead nurse Jessica Roe has served as the district's point person on COVID-19, answering questions for staff and parents as well as conducting contact tracing. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>USD 489 lead nurse Jessica Roe has served as the district's point person on COVID-19, answering questions for staff and parents as well as conducting contact tracing. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostJessica Roe is known as the COVID Commander in the USD 489 school district.Roe, who is the lead nurse for the school district, was tasked with coordinating contact tracing for the schools as well as being the go-to person when it came to questions about COVID-19.Although she is not a teacher, she is being honored this month as the Hays Post Education Professional of Month for her efforts to keep children and their families, as well as teachers and staff safe.Superintendent Ron Wilson said last week when Roe was honored with the district's Making a Difference Award, her work has been essential to keeping schools open and children learning on site.Roe was nominated for Hays Post award three times since the beginning of the semester.Jaymi Gabel, a fellow school nurse working at Roosevelt Elementary School, said in her nomination for the Hay Post award, Roe has been working long hours to fulfill her duties."Jessica continues to work day and night, outside of her contracted time, to ensure that the schools are the safest place they can be," Gabel said. "Jessica has two small children of her own and a husband that have been placed on the back burner during this pandemic as a result of Jessica working so hard for the staff, students and community."Roe answers emails, texts and phone calls from parents, staff, students and community members related to COVID policy and procedures in the school all hours of the day, Gabel said in her nomination."Jessica treats every student the way she would want her own children to be treated," Gabel said. "USD 489 and the Hays community are so fortunate to have a nurse on their side such as Jessica."Renee Hoffman, health office aide at Lincoln Elementary School, said of Roe in her nomination, "She has given 100 percent of herself to this new task and always with a positive attitude. "As a nurse, she is there to educate the students, staff and parents on COVID precautions and symptoms. Her dedication and support to the school district and community is unmeasurable."Bethany Pfannenstiel, Hays Middle School nurse, noted Roe continues to be responsible for her other school nurse duties, some of which include health screenings, administering students medication, and assessing sick or injured students and staff.Roe, BSN, said working as a school nurse during COVID has not only meant longer work days, but it has challenged her as nurse."In any other instance when a kid would come in and tell you they're sick, you can assess them on what we've been trained to know," Roe said, "but during COVID, it is hard to say if it's any other kind of illness or is this a COVID-related illness."You want to make the best decision and keep the school safe, but we also still want kids to be in school."At the beginning of the school year, the district was requiring anyone with a close contact to a COVID positive person to quarantine for 14 days."That was really hard, especially some of the kids who had to quarantine three or four times," she said. "They would come back for a little bit and they would have to quarantine again."The Hays school board on Oct. 19 voted to change the quarantine to seven days because it was not seeing a lot spread within the school with students wearing masks, Roe said.Parents want to have their kids in school, and Roe said the change has made it easier to make those quarantine phone calls.Roes said she thinks keeping students in classes on site is important as the students receive more focused attention.Roe said she thinks the district has done a good job of following COVID prevention protocols, including mask wearing and constantly cleaning and sanitizing.Roe — the only health care worker in her family — said she always wanted to work in health care.However, Roe, 29, said she never imagined when she went into nursing she would be on the front lines of a global pandemic.&nbsp;She said answering questions and being a health educator has always been one of the appealing aspects of her job as a school nurse."When they get to go to their doctor, they get to hear things that way, but unless you're sick you usually don't go to your doctor," she said. "When they come in and ask questions, you can help educate them or point them in the right direction."She said she was hopeful last week as Americans began to receive the first doses of COVID-19 vaccine.&nbsp;"I look at other counties that have shut schools down. I know we have had a few school closures here and there for short periods, but I look at how far our district's come," Roe said. "We made it a whole semester with very few closures. I think that's amazing."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603901709009.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Educator of the Month: Roe serves as USD 489 COVID Commander

A $16,000 grant from the Beach Family Foundation will help Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas support their efforts to “energize the brand of DSNWK."

DSNWK will be using the grant to update building signage across northwest Kansas to reflect the new logo and clearer messaging of DSNWK.&nbsp;

“The goal is for the new, stronger messages and images to create better recognition across the 18 county area, attract more job applicants, foster inclusion and grow the donor base, primarily within the counties we operate but also beyond our borders,” said Jerry Michaud, DSNWK president.&nbsp;

DSNWK would like to thank the Beach Family Foundation for their continued support of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in northwest Kansas.

DSNWK is a 501(c)3 nonprofit serving 18 counties in northwest Kansas with a mission to advocate for persons with disabilities and those who care about them by planning and supporting a life of dignity, interdependence, and personal satisfaction in the community.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602261742827.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>DSNWKA $16,000 grant from the Beach Family Foundation will help Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas support their efforts to “energize the brand of DSNWK."DSNWK will be using the grant to update building signage across northwest Kansas to reflect the new logo and clearer messaging of DSNWK.&nbsp;“The goal is for the new, stronger messages and images to create better recognition across the 18 county area, attract more job applicants, foster inclusion and grow the donor base, primarily within the counties we operate but also beyond our borders,” said Jerry Michaud, DSNWK president.&nbsp;DSNWK would like to thank the Beach Family Foundation for their continued support of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in northwest Kansas.DSNWK is a 501(c)3 nonprofit serving 18 counties in northwest Kansas with a mission to advocate for persons with disabilities and those who care about them by planning and supporting a life of dignity, interdependence, and personal satisfaction in the community.&nbsp;

Beach foundation grant will benefit DSNWK

Office of Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan.

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.,
 — chairman and member of the Commerce Subcommittee on Manufacturing, 
Trade and Consumer Protection — called on the Federal Trade Commission to protect seniors from holiday shopping scams. 

In response to 
recent reports of an increase in holiday scams targeting seniors – 
including scams soliciting donations to fake charities and scams falsely
 offering immediate coronavirus vaccination to seniors eager to spend 
the holidays with family – the letter urges the FTC to commit to taking 
action to better educate and assist seniors in recognizing holiday 
scams. The letter also urges the FTC to assist seniors in understanding 
their recourse options should they fall victim to these scams.&nbsp;

“Recent
 reports have highlighted a 14 percent increase in holiday shopping 
scams, including holiday scams targeting seniors—arguably the population
 most vulnerable to both the coronavirus and bad actors,”&nbsp;the senators wrote.&nbsp;“These
 scams range from charity scams soliciting holiday donations for fake 
charities to phone calls falsely offering immediate vaccinations to 
protect against COVID-19 infection.”

“Other reports have 
highlighted a 440 percent increase from October to November in the 
volume of shipping-related scam messages—fake emails and texts about 
delivery and tracking information sent by scammers to consumers in order
 to retrieve their financial account information,”&nbsp;the senators continued.&nbsp;

“Given
 the seriousness of this issue, we urge the FTC to take action to better
 protect seniors and ensure they understand their recourse options 
should they fall victim to these scams.”&nbsp;

In July, Sens. Moran and Klobuchar<a href="https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=74E49070-AC8A-436B-BE49-34676945CC15" target="_blank">&nbsp;led a letter</a>&nbsp;urging
 the FTC to protect seniors from contact tracing scams following reports
 that scammers were posing as contact tracers in an attempt to 
financially exploit consumers and steal their personal identifying 
information, such as Social Security numbers and credit card numbers. 
The letter also urged the FTC to commit to taking action to better 
educate and assist seniors in recognizing legitimate contact tracing and
 understanding their recourse options should they fall victim to these 
scams.

In May, Sens. Moran and Klobuchar introduced legislation to
 protect seniors from scams during the coronavirus pandemic,&nbsp;which 
passed the Senate Commerce Committee this week. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/5/sens-moran-klobuchar-introduce-legislation-to-protect-seniors-from-scams-during-covid-19" target="_blank">Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act</a>&nbsp;directs
 the Federal Trade Commission to report to Congress on scams targeting 
seniors during the coronavirus pandemic and make recommendations on how 
to prevent future scams during emergencies.

The full letter is below and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/0/a/0a6a1828-fa91-4560-8759-353b9a835173/CDC08593706E80039B11B5DA499D624D.1222ftcletter.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.

We
 write to express our concerns regarding recent reports of an increase 
in holiday scams targeting seniors and to ask what actions the Federal 
Trade Commission (FTC) is taking to better protect and educate seniors.

More
 than 17 million confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases have now been 
identified in the United States, and many of the most serious cases have
 affected seniors. At the same time, recent reports have highlighted a 
14 percent increase in holiday shopping scams, including holiday scams 
targeting seniors—arguably the population most vulnerable to both the 
coronavirus and bad actors. These scams range from charity scams 
soliciting holiday donations for fake charities to phone calls falsely 
offering immediate vaccinations to protect against COVID-19 infection. 
Other reports have highlighted a 440 percent increase from October to 
November in the volume of shipping-related scam messages—fake emails and
 texts about delivery and tracking information sent by scammers to 
consumers in order to retrieve their financial account information.

Given
 the seriousness of this issue, we urge the FTC to take action to better
 protect seniors and ensure they understand their recourse options 
should they fall victim to these scams. While the FTC has taken 
steps—including publishing consumer protection blogs —to protect seniors
 from holiday scams, additional actions must be taken. We respectfully 
request that you respond to the following questions:&nbsp;

1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;What 
additional measures is the FTC planning to better protect seniors and 
assist them as they become victims of holiday scams?

2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;How is the FTC working with other federal agencies to combat holiday scams?&nbsp;

3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;What efforts is the FTC currently undertaking to educate seniors about holiday scams and how to protect themselves?&nbsp;&nbsp;

4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;What
 additional resources does the FTC need in order to better protect 
seniors from holiday scams and educate them on how to prevent it?

&nbsp;Thank you for your prompt attention to this serious matter. We look forward to your response.

Office of Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan.U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.,
 — chairman and member of the Commerce Subcommittee on Manufacturing, 
Trade and Consumer Protection — called on the Federal Trade Commission to protect seniors from holiday shopping scams. In response to 
recent reports of an increase in holiday scams targeting seniors – 
including scams soliciting donations to fake charities and scams falsely
 offering immediate coronavirus vaccination to seniors eager to spend 
the holidays with family – the letter urges the FTC to commit to taking 
action to better educate and assist seniors in recognizing holiday 
scams. The letter also urges the FTC to assist seniors in understanding 
their recourse options should they fall victim to these scams.&nbsp;“Recent
 reports have highlighted a 14 percent increase in holiday shopping 
scams, including holiday scams targeting seniors—arguably the population
 most vulnerable to both the coronavirus and bad actors,”&nbsp;the senators wrote.&nbsp;“These
 scams range from charity scams soliciting holiday donations for fake 
charities to phone calls falsely offering immediate vaccinations to 
protect against COVID-19 infection.”“Other reports have 
highlighted a 440 percent increase from October to November in the 
volume of shipping-related scam messages—fake emails and texts about 
delivery and tracking information sent by scammers to consumers in order
 to retrieve their financial account information,”&nbsp;the senators continued.&nbsp;“Given
 the seriousness of this issue, we urge the FTC to take action to better
 protect seniors and ensure they understand their recourse options 
should they fall victim to these scams.”&nbsp;In July, Sens. Moran and Klobuchar<a href="https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=74E49070-AC8A-436B-BE49-34676945CC15" target="_blank">&nbsp;led a letter</a>&nbsp;urging
 the FTC to protect seniors from contact tracing scams following reports
 that scammers were posing as contact tracers in an attempt to 
financially exploit consumers and steal their personal identifying 
information, such as Social Security numbers and credit card numbers. 
The letter also urged the FTC to commit to taking action to better 
educate and assist seniors in recognizing legitimate contact tracing and
 understanding their recourse options should they fall victim to these 
scams.In May, Sens. Moran and Klobuchar introduced legislation to
 protect seniors from scams during the coronavirus pandemic,&nbsp;which 
passed the Senate Commerce Committee this week. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/5/sens-moran-klobuchar-introduce-legislation-to-protect-seniors-from-scams-during-covid-19" target="_blank">Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act</a>&nbsp;directs
 the Federal Trade Commission to report to Congress on scams targeting 
seniors during the coronavirus pandemic and make recommendations on how 
to prevent future scams during emergencies.The full letter is below and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/0/a/0a6a1828-fa91-4560-8759-353b9a835173/CDC08593706E80039B11B5DA499D624D.1222ftcletter.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.Dear Chairman Simons:We
 write to express our concerns regarding recent reports of an increase 
in holiday scams targeting seniors and to ask what actions the Federal 
Trade Commission (FTC) is taking to better protect and educate seniors.More
 than 17 million confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases have now been 
identified in the United States, and many of the most serious cases have
 affected seniors. At the same time, recent reports have highlighted a 
14 percent increase in holiday shopping scams, including holiday scams 
targeting seniors—arguably the population most vulnerable to both the 
coronavirus and bad actors. These scams range from charity scams 
soliciting holiday donations for fake charities to phone calls falsely 
offering immediate vaccinations to protect against COVID-19 infection. 
Other reports have highlighted a 440 percent increase from October to 
November in the volume of shipping-related scam messages—fake emails and
 texts about delivery and tracking information sent by scammers to 
consumers in order to retrieve their financial account information.Given
 the seriousness of this issue, we urge the FTC to take action to better
 protect seniors and ensure they understand their recourse options 
should they fall victim to these scams. While the FTC has taken 
steps—including publishing consumer protection blogs —to protect seniors
 from holiday scams, additional actions must be taken. We respectfully 
request that you respond to the following questions:&nbsp;1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;What 
additional measures is the FTC planning to better protect seniors and 
assist them as they become victims of holiday scams?2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;How is the FTC working with other federal agencies to combat holiday scams?&nbsp;3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;What efforts is the FTC currently undertaking to educate seniors about holiday scams and how to protect themselves?&nbsp;&nbsp;4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;What
 additional resources does the FTC need in order to better protect 
seniors from holiday scams and educate them on how to prevent it?&nbsp;Thank you for your prompt attention to this serious matter. We look forward to your response.

Moran urges FTC to protect seniors from scams

The Hays Police Department responded to 4 animal calls and conducted 5 traffic stops Mon., Dec. 21, 2020, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Lost Animals ONLY—3400 block Vine St, Hays; 10:14 AM 
Burglary/vehicle—600 block Vine St, Hays; 12:27 PM 
Animal At Large—1200 block Donald Dr, Hays; 12:32 PM 
Drug Offenses—400 block W 15th St, Hays; 12:33 PM 
Disturbance – General—3900 block E 8th St, Hays; 11:54 AM 
Theft (general)--200 block E 8th St, Hays; 12/1 12 PM; 12/21 3 PM 
Disturbance – General—600 block E 5th St, Hays; 3:16 PM 
Identity Theft—200 block E 17th St, Hays; 3:43 PM 
Harassment (All Other)—200 block E 17th St, Hays; 3:44 PM 
Domestic Disturbance—400 block W 15th St, Hays; 12/14 4:33 PM; 12/19 5 PM 
Phone/Mail Scam—500 block W 32nd St, Hays; 4:49 PM 
Search Warrant—1700 block Sunset Trl, Hays; 5:12 PM 
Violation of City Ordinance--100 block E 10th St, Hays; 4:49 PM 
Suspicious Activity—4300 block Vine St, Hays; 4 PM; 5 PM 
Welfare Check--1700 block Dechant Rd, Hays; 9:37 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 3 animal calls and conducted 5 traffic stops Tue., Dec. 22, 2020, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Dead Animal Call—1900 block Vine St, Hays; 10:38 AM 
Civil Dispute--1200 block E 8th St, Hays; 11:24 AM 
Violation of Restraining Order/PFA—300 block W 9th St, Hays; 12:24 PM 
Theft (general)--200 block E 8th St, Hays; 1:21 PM 
Theft (general)--200 block E 8th St, Hays; 1:22:03 PM 
Theft (general)--200 block E 8th St, Hays; 1:22:08 PM 
Suspicious Activity—600 block E 6th St, Hays; 2:59 PM 
Burglary/residence—1300 block Anthony Dr, Hays; 12/21 10:30 PM; 12/22 3:45 AM 
Lost Animals ONLY--700 block E 6th St, Hays; 3:52 PM 
Welfare Check—1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 4:34 PM 
Animal Call—1300 block 40 Hwy, Hays; 4:55 PM 
Violation of City Ordinance—100 block E 7th St, Hays; 7:46 PM 
Assist - Other (not MV)—2700 block Cottonwood Ln, Hays; 9:58 PM 
Found/Lost Property—1100 block E 27th St, Hays; 11:46 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 8 animal calls and conducted 7 traffic stops Wed., Dec. 23, 2020, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Driving Under the Influence--200 block E 8th St, Hays; 1 AM 
Assist - Other (not MV)—2700 block Colonial St, Hays; 2:51 AM 
Violation of City Ordinance—100 block E 8th St, Hays; 7:25 AM 
Sex Offense—200 block E 7th St, Hays; 8:20 AM 
Animal At Large--18th and Walnut St, Hays; 9:35 AM 
Aggravated Assault—1000 block Fort St, Hays; 10:22 AM 
Abandoned Vehicle—400 block W 11th St, Hays; 10:31 AM 
Animal At Large--2100 block Elm St, Hays; 11:59 AM 
Theft (general)—1000 block E 41st St, Hays; 12:49 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--27th St and Indian Trl; 1:45 PM 
Counterfeit currency/documents—2900 block Vine St, Hays; 12/22 5:52 PM; 5:53 PM 
Harassment, Telephone/FAX—300 block W 18th St, Hays; 2:03 PM 
Wildlife Incident—1500 block 40 Bypass Hwy, Hays; 2:36 PM 
Criminal Trespass—1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 4:45 PM 
Civil Transport—1300 block Kansas Highway 264, Larned; 5:08 PM 
MV Accident-Personal Injury—2500 block Sherman Ave, Hays; 5:18 PM 
Lost Animals ONL--200 block E 17th St, Hays; 6:31 PM 
Found/Lost Property—3400 block Vine St, Hays; 7:54PM 
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 9:17 PM 
Lost Animals ONLY—1300 block E 18th St, Hays; 10:48 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 2 animal calls and conducted 6 traffic stops Thu., Dec. 24, 2020, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Abandoned Vehicle—500 block W 32nd St, Hays; 3:13 AM 
Suicidal Subject—1300 block E 17th St, Hays; 11:58 AM 
Shoplifting—4300 block Vine St, Hays; 12:47 PM; 12:54 PM 
Criminal Damage to Property--2300 block E 13th St, Hays; 3:36 PM 
Criminal Damage to Property—200 block E 11th St, Hays; 12/23 5:15 PM; 5:30 PM 
&nbsp;Assist - Other (not MV)—2200 block Centennial
Blvd, Hays; 9:29 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 1 animal call and conducted 0 traffic stops Fri., Dec. 25, 2020, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Welfare Check—300 block E 6th St, Hays; 10:03 AM 
Suspicious Activity—400 block E 15th St, Hays; 2:18 PM 
Welfare Check—200 block E 7th St, Hays; 2:19 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--300 block W 9th St, Hays; 11:45 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 1 animal call and conducted 9 traffic stops Sat., Dec. 26, 2020, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Mental Health Call—200 block E 5th St, Hays; 2:30 AM 
Assist - Other (not MV)—200 block E 17th St, Hays; 4:06 AM 
MV Accident-Hit and Run--1300 block MacArthur Rd, Hays; 8:17 AM 
Theft (general)--17th and Walnut, Hays; 10:30 AM 
Theft (general)—200 block W 16th St, Hays; 2:41 PM 
Burglary/residence—200 block W 11th St, Hays; 12/16 12 PM; 12/26 3:01 PM 
Found/Lost Property—1200 block E 27th St, Hays; 5:30 PM 
MV Accident-Hit and Run--13th and Vine Street, Hays; 6:15 PM 
Battery – Domestic—500 block E 6th St, Hays; 7:16 PM 
Criminal Trespass—1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 10:44 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 5 animal calls and conducted 11 traffic stops Sun., Dec. 27, 2020, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Driving Under the Influence--8th and Park, Hays; 1:55 AM 
Battery – Domestic--200 block E 17th St, Hays; 7:04 AM 
Animal At Large--700 block E 6th St, Hays; 8:11 AM 
Civil Dispute—400 block W 14th St, Hays; 8:49 AM 
Criminal Damage to Property--2000 block Fort St, Hays; 7 AM; 12 PM 
Theft (general)—300 block W 19th St, Hays; 12/20 7 AM; 12/26 6 PM 
Criminal Damage to Property—100 block E 15th St, Hays; 12/26 7:30 PM; 12/27 8:45
AM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--2700 block Vine St, Hays; 1:24 PM 
Theft (general)—200 block W 16th St, Hays; 12/26 3 PM; 12/27 1:06 PM 
Runaway Juvenile—200 block E 7th St, Hays; 3:04 PM 
Burglary/residence –400 block Ash St, Hays; 12/18 8:30 PM; 12/27 3 PM 
Found/Lost Property—2700 block Vine St, Hays; 6:38 PM 
Sex Offense—2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 4 PM 
Sex Offense—2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 6:30 PM; 7 PM 
Lost Animals ONLY—500 block W 32nd St, Hays; 9:31 PM 
Dead Animal Call--2000 block E 17th St, Hays; 11:43 PM

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592410704431.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Hays Police Department responded to 4 animal calls and conducted 5 traffic stops Mon., Dec. 21, 2020, according to the HPD Activity Log.Lost Animals ONLY—3400 block Vine St, Hays; 10:14 AM 
Burglary/vehicle—600 block Vine St, Hays; 12:27 PM 
Animal At Large—1200 block Donald Dr, Hays; 12:32 PM 
Drug Offenses—400 block W 15th St, Hays; 12:33 PM 
Disturbance – General—3900 block E 8th St, Hays; 11:54 AM 
Theft (general)--200 block E 8th St, Hays; 12/1 12 PM; 12/21 3 PM 
Disturbance – General—600 block E 5th St, Hays; 3:16 PM 
Identity Theft—200 block E 17th St, Hays; 3:43 PM 
Harassment (All Other)—200 block E 17th St, Hays; 3:44 PM 
Domestic Disturbance—400 block W 15th St, Hays; 12/14 4:33 PM; 12/19 5 PM 
Phone/Mail Scam—500 block W 32nd St, Hays; 4:49 PM 
Search Warrant—1700 block Sunset Trl, Hays; 5:12 PM 
Violation of City Ordinance--100 block E 10th St, Hays; 4:49 PM 
Suspicious Activity—4300 block Vine St, Hays; 4 PM; 5 PM 
Welfare Check--1700 block Dechant Rd, Hays; 9:37 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 3 animal calls and conducted 5 traffic stops Tue., Dec. 22, 2020, according to the HPD Activity Log.Dead Animal Call—1900 block Vine St, Hays; 10:38 AM 
Civil Dispute--1200 block E 8th St, Hays; 11:24 AM 
Violation of Restraining Order/PFA—300 block W 9th St, Hays; 12:24 PM 
Theft (general)--200 block E 8th St, Hays; 1:21 PM 
Theft (general)--200 block E 8th St, Hays; 1:22:03 PM 
Theft (general)--200 block E 8th St, Hays; 1:22:08 PM 
Suspicious Activity—600 block E 6th St, Hays; 2:59 PM 
Burglary/residence—1300 block Anthony Dr, Hays; 12/21 10:30 PM; 12/22 3:45 AM 
Lost Animals ONLY--700 block E 6th St, Hays; 3:52 PM 
Welfare Check—1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 4:34 PM 
Animal Call—1300 block 40 Hwy, Hays; 4:55 PM 
Violation of City Ordinance—100 block E 7th St, Hays; 7:46 PM 
Assist - Other (not MV)—2700 block Cottonwood Ln, Hays; 9:58 PM 
Found/Lost Property—1100 block E 27th St, Hays; 11:46 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 8 animal calls and conducted 7 traffic stops Wed., Dec. 23, 2020, according to the HPD Activity Log.Driving Under the Influence--200 block E 8th St, Hays; 1 AM 
Assist - Other (not MV)—2700 block Colonial St, Hays; 2:51 AM 
Violation of City Ordinance—100 block E 8th St, Hays; 7:25 AM 
Sex Offense—200 block E 7th St, Hays; 8:20 AM 
Animal At Large--18th and Walnut St, Hays; 9:35 AM 
Aggravated Assault—1000 block Fort St, Hays; 10:22 AM 
Abandoned Vehicle—400 block W 11th St, Hays; 10:31 AM 
Animal At Large--2100 block Elm St, Hays; 11:59 AM 
Theft (general)—1000 block E 41st St, Hays; 12:49 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--27th St and Indian Trl; 1:45 PM 
Counterfeit currency/documents—2900 block Vine St, Hays; 12/22 5:52 PM; 5:53 PM 
Harassment, Telephone/FAX—300 block W 18th St, Hays; 2:03 PM 
Wildlife Incident—1500 block 40 Bypass Hwy, Hays; 2:36 PM 
Criminal Trespass—1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 4:45 PM 
Civil Transport—1300 block Kansas Highway 264, Larned; 5:08 PM 
MV Accident-Personal Injury—2500 block Sherman Ave, Hays; 5:18 PM 
Lost Animals ONL--200 block E 17th St, Hays; 6:31 PM 
Found/Lost Property—3400 block Vine St, Hays; 7:54PM 
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 9:17 PM 
Lost Animals ONLY—1300 block E 18th St, Hays; 10:48 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 2 animal calls and conducted 6 traffic stops Thu., Dec. 24, 2020, according to the HPD Activity Log.Abandoned Vehicle—500 block W 32nd St, Hays; 3:13 AM 
Suicidal Subject—1300 block E 17th St, Hays; 11:58 AM 
Shoplifting—4300 block Vine St, Hays; 12:47 PM; 12:54 PM 
Criminal Damage to Property--2300 block E 13th St, Hays; 3:36 PM 
Criminal Damage to Property—200 block E 11th St, Hays; 12/23 5:15 PM; 5:30 PM 
&nbsp;Assist - Other (not MV)—2200 block Centennial
Blvd, Hays; 9:29 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 1 animal call and conducted 0 traffic stops Fri., Dec. 25, 2020, according to the HPD Activity Log.Welfare Check—300 block E 6th St, Hays; 10:03 AM 
Suspicious Activity—400 block E 15th St, Hays; 2:18 PM 
Welfare Check—200 block E 7th St, Hays; 2:19 PM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--300 block W 9th St, Hays; 11:45 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 1 animal call and conducted 9 traffic stops Sat., Dec. 26, 2020, according to the HPD Activity Log.Mental Health Call—200 block E 5th St, Hays; 2:30 AM 
Assist - Other (not MV)—200 block E 17th St, Hays; 4:06 AM 
MV Accident-Hit and Run--1300 block MacArthur Rd, Hays; 8:17 AM 
Theft (general)--17th and Walnut, Hays; 10:30 AM 
Theft (general)—200 block W 16th St, Hays; 2:41 PM 
Burglary/residence—200 block W 11th St, Hays; 12/16 12 PM; 12/26 3:01 PM 
Found/Lost Property—1200 block E 27th St, Hays; 5:30 PM 
MV Accident-Hit and Run--13th and Vine Street, Hays; 6:15 PM 
Battery – Domestic—500 block E 6th St, Hays; 7:16 PM 
Criminal Trespass—1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 10:44 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 5 animal calls and conducted 11 traffic stops Sun., Dec. 27, 2020, according to the HPD Activity Log.Driving Under the Influence--8th and Park, Hays; 1:55 AM 
Battery – Domestic--200 block E 17th St, Hays; 7:04 AM 
Animal At Large--700 block E 6th St, Hays; 8:11 AM 
Civil Dispute—400 block W 14th St, Hays; 8:49 AM 
Criminal Damage to Property--2000 block Fort St, Hays; 7 AM; 12 PM 
Theft (general)—300 block W 19th St, Hays; 12/20 7 AM; 12/26 6 PM 
Criminal Damage to Property—100 block E 15th St, Hays; 12/26 7:30 PM; 12/27 8:45
AM 
MV Accident-City Street/Alley--2700 block Vine St, Hays; 1:24 PM 
Theft (general)—200 block W 16th St, Hays; 12/26 3 PM; 12/27 1:06 PM 
Runaway Juvenile—200 block E 7th St, Hays; 3:04 PM 
Burglary/residence –400 block Ash St, Hays; 12/18 8:30 PM; 12/27 3 PM 
Found/Lost Property—2700 block Vine St, Hays; 6:38 PM 
Sex Offense—2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 4 PM 
Sex Offense—2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 6:30 PM; 7 PM 
Lost Animals ONLY—500 block W 32nd St, Hays; 9:31 PM 
Dead Animal Call--2000 block E 17th St, Hays; 11:43 PM<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592410704431.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

HPD Activity Log, Dec. 21-27

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Grow Hays executive director, Doug Williams.

This interview originally aired on July 27, 2020.

<div><iframe title="Forward Ever: Doug Williams" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/2487t-e490d2?from=pb6admin&amp;download=1&amp;version=1&amp;vjs=1&amp;auto=1&amp;share=1&amp;download=1&amp;rtl=0&amp;fonts=Helvetica&amp;skin=3&amp;pfauth="></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Grow Hays executive director, Doug Williams.This interview originally aired on July 27, 2020.

🎤Forward Ever: Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams

TOPEKA&nbsp;–Governor Laura Kelly has announced that the Kansas Department of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the 2021 Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award.

The Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award is the highest honor the Governor of Kansas awards to businesses. Exporters of the Year are considered best in class in conducting overseas business from Kansas and are honored as examples of our state’s excellence in exporting to countries around the world.

“The Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award is our state’s way of honoring its greatest ambassadors—Kansas businesses,” Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“Kansas businesses create outstanding products sought around the globe, and we’re proud to share those creations with people worldwide. This award is dedicated to one company each year that demonstrates unique creativity, innovation, and strength of character as an exporter.”

<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.c-jNA_HBVnznUuLB1ldoxyiZzFh43AEz4I4AzIluLWQ/s/1303135927/br/92337841171-l" target="_blank">To nominate a business, including your own, click here.</a>

The International Division at the Kansas Department of Commerce oversees the process of selecting Exporter of the Year. In 2019, Governor Kelly reestablished the International Division, and since then the division has helped exporters and foreign investors achieve success in our state, with more than $650 million in capital investment coming from international businesses in 2020.

“Our state excels at exporting, and it’s because of the dedication, creativity, and commitment of extraordinary companies like the ones honored through this award,”&nbsp;Secretary of Commerce David Toland said.&nbsp;“If you know of a business deserving of the highest award our state offers to exporters, this is a terrific opportunity to make sure they’re recognized.”

To be eligible to receive the award, companies must be in good standing with the state and currently operating in and exporting from Kansas. Nominations must be received by Jan. 31, 2021. There are no restrictions on who may nominate a company for the award.

For more information on the Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award, including past winners,&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.tQiy4z80RXm5GfgujuIW3YMZ7KuDoQyv6trB-JYbFnY/s/1303135927/br/92337841171-l" target="_blank">click here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609154704584.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Office of GovernorTOPEKA&nbsp;–Governor Laura Kelly has announced that the Kansas Department of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the 2021 Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award.The Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award is the highest honor the Governor of Kansas awards to businesses. Exporters of the Year are considered best in class in conducting overseas business from Kansas and are honored as examples of our state’s excellence in exporting to countries around the world.“The Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award is our state’s way of honoring its greatest ambassadors—Kansas businesses,” Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“Kansas businesses create outstanding products sought around the globe, and we’re proud to share those creations with people worldwide. This award is dedicated to one company each year that demonstrates unique creativity, innovation, and strength of character as an exporter.”<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.c-jNA_HBVnznUuLB1ldoxyiZzFh43AEz4I4AzIluLWQ/s/1303135927/br/92337841171-l" target="_blank">To nominate a business, including your own, click here.</a>The International Division at the Kansas Department of Commerce oversees the process of selecting Exporter of the Year. In 2019, Governor Kelly reestablished the International Division, and since then the division has helped exporters and foreign investors achieve success in our state, with more than $650 million in capital investment coming from international businesses in 2020.“Our state excels at exporting, and it’s because of the dedication, creativity, and commitment of extraordinary companies like the ones honored through this award,”&nbsp;Secretary of Commerce David Toland said.&nbsp;“If you know of a business deserving of the highest award our state offers to exporters, this is a terrific opportunity to make sure they’re recognized.”To be eligible to receive the award, companies must be in good standing with the state and currently operating in and exporting from Kansas. Nominations must be received by Jan. 31, 2021. There are no restrictions on who may nominate a company for the award.For more information on the Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award, including past winners,&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.tQiy4z80RXm5GfgujuIW3YMZ7KuDoQyv6trB-JYbFnY/s/1303135927/br/92337841171-l" target="_blank">click here</a>.

Nominations open for Governor's Exporter of the Year award

Alfred Lord Tennyson — 1809-1892

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky, &nbsp; &nbsp;The flying cloud, the frosty light: &nbsp; &nbsp;The year is dying in the night; Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new, &nbsp; &nbsp;Ring, happy bells, across the snow: &nbsp; &nbsp;The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind &nbsp; &nbsp;For those that here we see no more; &nbsp; &nbsp;Ring out the feud of rich and poor, Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause, &nbsp; &nbsp;And ancient forms of party strife; &nbsp; &nbsp;Ring in the nobler modes of life, With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care, the sin, &nbsp; &nbsp;The faithless coldness of the times; &nbsp; &nbsp;Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood, &nbsp; &nbsp;The civic slander and the spite; &nbsp; &nbsp;Ring in the love of truth and right, Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease; &nbsp; &nbsp;Ring out the narrowing lust of gold; &nbsp; &nbsp;Ring out the thousand wars of old, Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free, &nbsp; &nbsp;The larger heart, the kindlier hand; &nbsp; &nbsp;Ring out the darkness of the land, Ring in the Christ that is to be.

Public domain poem / Cover image by Angela C from Pixabay

<h2>In Memoriam, (Ring out, wild bells)</h2>Alfred Lord Tennyson — 1809-1892<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609185175932.png" alt="Alfred Lord Tennyson / portrait by P. Krämer" />
 <figcaption>Alfred Lord Tennyson / portrait by P. Krämer</figcaption>
 </figure>Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky, &nbsp; &nbsp;The flying cloud, the frosty light: &nbsp; &nbsp;The year is dying in the night; Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.Ring out the old, ring in the new, &nbsp; &nbsp;Ring, happy bells, across the snow: &nbsp; &nbsp;The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true.Ring out the grief that saps the mind &nbsp; &nbsp;For those that here we see no more; &nbsp; &nbsp;Ring out the feud of rich and poor, Ring in redress to all mankind.Ring out a slowly dying cause, &nbsp; &nbsp;And ancient forms of party strife; &nbsp; &nbsp;Ring in the nobler modes of life, With sweeter manners, purer laws.Ring out the want, the care, the sin, &nbsp; &nbsp;The faithless coldness of the times; &nbsp; &nbsp;Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes But ring the fuller minstrel in.Ring out false pride in place and blood, &nbsp; &nbsp;The civic slander and the spite; &nbsp; &nbsp;Ring in the love of truth and right, Ring in the common love of good.Ring out old shapes of foul disease; &nbsp; &nbsp;Ring out the narrowing lust of gold; &nbsp; &nbsp;Ring out the thousand wars of old, Ring in the thousand years of peace.Ring in the valiant man and free, &nbsp; &nbsp;The larger heart, the kindlier hand; &nbsp; &nbsp;Ring out the darkness of the land, Ring in the Christ that is to be.Public domain poem / Cover image by Angela C from Pixabay

Happy New Year from Hays Post and Eagle Radio

The start of the new year may be the best time to find your favorite system for clearing out the clutter in your home. Everyone has their own way of doing things, so I will share my plan and you can adapt it to fit your style.

The strategy I use is to start with a small space such as a closet or a drawer instead of cleaning and organizing the entire room. If it is a drawer, I dump the entire contents out into a box or on to the bed. If I am cleaning a closet, I take all the contents out and they may cover the entire floor. Then I start sorting the contents into three categories: Toss, Keep and Decide.

The “Toss Box” can be a trash bag or box for any item that is going to be thrown away. There might be obvious things that you nor any other person will ever use. Any item that is broken, worn out, ripped or stained needs to be disposed of. Be kind to your local thrift store and do not take them stained, torn or non-working items.

Once you have gotten rid of a few items, then more difficult decisions have to be made. Most of the items in the “Keep Box” will go back into the drawer or closet you are cleaning out. However, if that closet is overflowing, is it possible that some of the out-of-season items can be stored in a vacuum seal bag or a storage container until the next season rolls around? Believe it or not, I have notecards in my dresser drawer with a list of what is up in the very top cupboard in each room!

I only put back into the drawer or the closet the items that I will be using on a regular basis. There may be items in the “Keep Box” that may have strayed from their original designated spot in your home and they need to be returned to a more appropriate location. If it is easier for you to add an extra box in your sorting system, feel free to do so.

The “Decide Box” can also be called the “maybe box” and to me it is the most difficult part of my system. If I have not used an item for four or five years, what are the chances that I will ever use it? One year I got rid of a large piece of striped fabric that had been stored for ten years and the next year we needed some striped fabric for a big circus tent! Oh well!

Some of the items from the “Decide Box” may be donated to a local thrift store or given to a family in need. Some items might be placed in a container for the next garage sale. A very few of those items might be placed in the out-of-season storage box, but then you will have to make the same decision again next summer.

It is beneficial if you can involve family members in your cleaning and de-cluttering project, so they have some ownership in what is thrown away and given away. With younger members of the family, plan the project so it only lasts for a short time. After an hour, the sorting project becomes less fun.

It is every family member’s job to keep items picked up and put away. If a little bit of cleaning is done every day it does not become such an overwhelming task. More information can be found in the K-State Research and Extension publication “Cut the Clutter and Get Organized” <a href="http://bookstore.ksre.k-state.edu/pubs/mf2879.pdf">http://bookstore.ksre.k-state.edu/pubs/mf2879.pdf</a>.

Berny Unruh is the Family and Community Wellness Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. She can be reached at 785-628-9430 or at bunruh@ksu.edu

<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>The start of the new year may be the best time to find your favorite system for clearing out the clutter in your home. Everyone has their own way of doing things, so I will share my plan and you can adapt it to fit your style.The strategy I use is to start with a small space such as a closet or a drawer instead of cleaning and organizing the entire room. If it is a drawer, I dump the entire contents out into a box or on to the bed. If I am cleaning a closet, I take all the contents out and they may cover the entire floor. Then I start sorting the contents into three categories: Toss, Keep and Decide.The “Toss Box” can be a trash bag or box for any item that is going to be thrown away. There might be obvious things that you nor any other person will ever use. Any item that is broken, worn out, ripped or stained needs to be disposed of. Be kind to your local thrift store and do not take them stained, torn or non-working items.Once you have gotten rid of a few items, then more difficult decisions have to be made. Most of the items in the “Keep Box” will go back into the drawer or closet you are cleaning out. However, if that closet is overflowing, is it possible that some of the out-of-season items can be stored in a vacuum seal bag or a storage container until the next season rolls around? Believe it or not, I have notecards in my dresser drawer with a list of what is up in the very top cupboard in each room!I only put back into the drawer or the closet the items that I will be using on a regular basis. There may be items in the “Keep Box” that may have strayed from their original designated spot in your home and they need to be returned to a more appropriate location. If it is easier for you to add an extra box in your sorting system, feel free to do so.The “Decide Box” can also be called the “maybe box” and to me it is the most difficult part of my system. If I have not used an item for four or five years, what are the chances that I will ever use it? One year I got rid of a large piece of striped fabric that had been stored for ten years and the next year we needed some striped fabric for a big circus tent! Oh well!Some of the items from the “Decide Box” may be donated to a local thrift store or given to a family in need. Some items might be placed in a container for the next garage sale. A very few of those items might be placed in the out-of-season storage box, but then you will have to make the same decision again next summer.It is beneficial if you can involve family members in your cleaning and de-cluttering project, so they have some ownership in what is thrown away and given away. With younger members of the family, plan the project so it only lasts for a short time. After an hour, the sorting project becomes less fun.It is every family member’s job to keep items picked up and put away. If a little bit of cleaning is done every day it does not become such an overwhelming task. More information can be found in the K-State Research and Extension publication “Cut the Clutter and Get Organized” <a href="http://bookstore.ksre.k-state.edu/pubs/mf2879.pdf">http://bookstore.ksre.k-state.edu/pubs/mf2879.pdf</a>.Berny Unruh is the Family and Community Wellness Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. She can be reached at 785-628-9430 or at bunruh@ksu.edu

UNRUH: Clear the Clutter

One of the most rewarding aspects of giving to the HaysMed Foundation is knowing your gift helps care for your family, friends, and community. 100% of every gift is used to enhance healthcare services available in western Kansas. Unrestricted gifts allow HaysMed to address the needs and priorities identified by our caregivers. Your restricted gifts touch those challenged by everything from cancer to diabetes, infants to adults, or facilities and the skills of our staff. Gifts come in all sizes, and every gift is valued and put to work. Highlights of the impact of your gifts include:

There is no doubt the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our world. In a response to people seeking a way to give locally during this time, the HaysMed Foundation created the COVID-19 Fund to assist with much needed supplies and encouragement for our front-line healthcare team.

Thanks to generous donations from the community and many volunteers 
from HaysMed, Fort Hays State University, and North Central Kansas 
Technical College, a free drivethru flu vaccination event celebrated its
 21st year. The event provided more than 3,646 flu vaccines to anyone 
six months old or older. The event was open for 5 hours and averaged one
 vaccination every 4.9 seconds!

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), an annual flu 
shot is the best way to reduce the chances that you will get seasonal 
flu and spread it to others. This year, the vaccine is more important 
than ever. A flu vaccine this season can also help reduce the burden on 
our healthcare systems responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and save 
medical resources for care of COVID-19 patients.

Newly diagnosed cancer patients can be overwhelmed with details of 
their diagnosis and treatment plans. HaysMed’s Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer 
Institute DSCI) believes more quality information that is easily 
accessible empowers patients to confidently address the details of their
 treatment and their outcomes. Patients now receive a series of 
personalized Patient Resource Guides to help them navigate their 
journey. The guides are specially customized for each patient and 
include information about their individual diagnosis and treatment plan 
and ways to manage their overall health, nutrition, and side effects. 
The guides also include photos of their medical team, driving 
directions, campus maps, and other details about our facilities and 
programs. This series empowers each patient with messages of hope, as 
well information for advocacy and support groups during treatment and 
survivorship.

“Fast Facts for Critical Care” has become an essential clinical 
reference for healthcare workers who care for critically ill or injured 
patients. HaysMed’s critical care staff encounters a wide variety of 
complicated issues. They appreciate the compact, concise and updatable 
reference for the latest treatment guideline, advanced procedures, 
critical medicines, emergency interventions and more.

Donations from the region funded a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner 
(SANE) clinical training to help western Kansas communities develop SANE
 services and improve victim access to services closer to home. Without 
this training, it is not uncommon for victims to travel long distances 
for SANE services.

Neurocognitive Testing For Concussion Injuries

Concussions are a major health concern for student athletes. Through the generosity of donors to the Foundation, trauma manager Cammie Townley and HaysMed’s athletic trainers continued the free baseline screenings in Ellis and Rush Counties. The program was spearheaded by HaysMed Surgeon Dr. Jerod Grove to give area healthcare providers a better benchmark for evaluating athletes in the event of a head injury.

The Center for Health Improvement, a nationally certiﬁed medical ﬁtness center, works closely with health professionals to provide equipment and services that meet the needs of patients. A Cardio Strider was purchased to serve patients in Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy, and LiveWell programs.

Continuing Education and Scholarships

The value of continuing education cannot be overstated and is 
essential to improve caregiver skills and our processes for patient 
care. Generous donations support education through a wide variety of 
sources, including university classes, conferences, seminars, and online
 study.

First-time parents receive an infant CPR kit during a prenatal visit.
 This DVD based program teaches basic CPR skills and includes a personal
 manikin that allows practice for parents or other caregivers.

Charging Cords and Outlet Upgrades

HaysMed waiting areas have upgraded power outlets that now include 
USB ports. The USB ports allow for charging of electronic devices. The 
upgraded power outlets, in addition to 3-in-1 charging cords, help 
patients and families stay connected.

Kids Quest 2020 had 345 kids participate despite COVID-19, and they have a special t-shirt to commemorate the challenge. In its eighth year, this free summer program added weekly exercise videos on a Facebook group as an additional way to encourage children to stay active in the summer. The 14-week program is oﬀered by the Center for Health Improvement and supported by donations to the HaysMed Foundation, along with prizes from area businesses.

In early 2019, The Wonder Women League, aﬃliated with the United Way of Ellis County, partnered with HaysMed and area businesses and organizations to help families who are unexpectedly transferred to a larger medical center because of medical emergencies. Matthew’s Gift, established in memory of Matthew Wellbrock, consists of a canvas bag ﬁlled with essentials like a battery charger, water, snacks, toiletries, and games. Ongoing support is essential so that this program continues to provide comfort to families who loved one is being ﬂown out of HaysMed with a medical emergency.

HaysMed FoundationOne of the most rewarding aspects of giving to the HaysMed Foundation is knowing your gift helps care for your family, friends, and community. 100% of every gift is used to enhance healthcare services available in western Kansas. Unrestricted gifts allow HaysMed to address the needs and priorities identified by our caregivers. Your restricted gifts touch those challenged by everything from cancer to diabetes, infants to adults, or facilities and the skills of our staff. Gifts come in all sizes, and every gift is valued and put to work. Highlights of the impact of your gifts include:<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608755471228.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Stay Home, Go GiveThere is no doubt the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our world. In a response to people seeking a way to give locally during this time, the HaysMed Foundation created the COVID-19 Fund to assist with much needed supplies and encouragement for our front-line healthcare team.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608755509333.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Free Drive-thru Flu VaccinationsThanks to generous donations from the community and many volunteers 
from HaysMed, Fort Hays State University, and North Central Kansas 
Technical College, a free drivethru flu vaccination event celebrated its
 21st year. The event provided more than 3,646 flu vaccines to anyone 
six months old or older. The event was open for 5 hours and averaged one
 vaccination every 4.9 seconds!According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), an annual flu 
shot is the best way to reduce the chances that you will get seasonal 
flu and spread it to others. This year, the vaccine is more important 
than ever. A flu vaccine this season can also help reduce the burden on 
our healthcare systems responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and save 
medical resources for care of COVID-19 patients.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608755549417.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Patient Resource GuidesNewly diagnosed cancer patients can be overwhelmed with details of 
their diagnosis and treatment plans. HaysMed’s Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer 
Institute DSCI) believes more quality information that is easily 
accessible empowers patients to confidently address the details of their
 treatment and their outcomes. Patients now receive a series of 
personalized Patient Resource Guides to help them navigate their 
journey. The guides are specially customized for each patient and 
include information about their individual diagnosis and treatment plan 
and ways to manage their overall health, nutrition, and side effects. 
The guides also include photos of their medical team, driving 
directions, campus maps, and other details about our facilities and 
programs. This series empowers each patient with messages of hope, as 
well information for advocacy and support groups during treatment and 
survivorship.Critical Care Reference Materials“Fast Facts for Critical Care” has become an essential clinical 
reference for healthcare workers who care for critically ill or injured 
patients. HaysMed’s critical care staff encounters a wide variety of 
complicated issues. They appreciate the compact, concise and updatable 
reference for the latest treatment guideline, advanced procedures, 
critical medicines, emergency interventions and more.Sane Clinical TrainingDonations from the region funded a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner 
(SANE) clinical training to help western Kansas communities develop SANE
 services and improve victim access to services closer to home. Without 
this training, it is not uncommon for victims to travel long distances 
for SANE services.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608755595218.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Neurocognitive Testing For Concussion InjuriesConcussions are a major health concern for student athletes. Through the generosity of donors to the Foundation, trauma manager Cammie Townley and HaysMed’s athletic trainers continued the free baseline screenings in Ellis and Rush Counties. The program was spearheaded by HaysMed Surgeon Dr. Jerod Grove to give area healthcare providers a better benchmark for evaluating athletes in the event of a head injury.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608755662426.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Cardio StriderThe Center for Health Improvement, a nationally certiﬁed medical ﬁtness center, works closely with health professionals to provide equipment and services that meet the needs of patients. A Cardio Strider was purchased to serve patients in Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy, and LiveWell programs.Continuing Education and ScholarshipsThe value of continuing education cannot be overstated and is 
essential to improve caregiver skills and our processes for patient 
care. Generous donations support education through a wide variety of 
sources, including university classes, conferences, seminars, and online
 study.Infant CPRFirst-time parents receive an infant CPR kit during a prenatal visit.
 This DVD based program teaches basic CPR skills and includes a personal
 manikin that allows practice for parents or other caregivers.Charging Cords and Outlet UpgradesHaysMed waiting areas have upgraded power outlets that now include 
USB ports. The USB ports allow for charging of electronic devices. The 
upgraded power outlets, in addition to 3-in-1 charging cords, help 
patients and families stay connected.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608755736226.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Kids Quest 2020Kids Quest 2020 had 345 kids participate despite COVID-19, and they have a special t-shirt to commemorate the challenge. In its eighth year, this free summer program added weekly exercise videos on a Facebook group as an additional way to encourage children to stay active in the summer. The 14-week program is oﬀered by the Center for Health Improvement and supported by donations to the HaysMed Foundation, along with prizes from area businesses.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608755771158.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Matthew’s GiftIn early 2019, The Wonder Women League, aﬃliated with the United Way of Ellis County, partnered with HaysMed and area businesses and organizations to help families who are unexpectedly transferred to a larger medical center because of medical emergencies. Matthew’s Gift, established in memory of Matthew Wellbrock, consists of a canvas bag ﬁlled with essentials like a battery charger, water, snacks, toiletries, and games. Ongoing support is essential so that this program continues to provide comfort to families who loved one is being ﬂown out of HaysMed with a medical emergency.

HaysMed Foundation: Your gifts in action

To avoid energy costs, some homeowners are turning to wood for heat. &nbsp;Plant species is an important consideration as not all trees have the same density and therefore, heat value. The greater the dry weight, the better. The highest value for trees commonly found in Kansas is Osage orange (hedgeball tree) at 4,800 pounds per cord. Osage orange has a gnarly growth habit and a nasty set of thorns. This species also sparks which isn’t a problem in a wood-fired boiler but certainly would be in an open fireplace.Black locust is next with 4,200 pounds per cord. Black locust is a fast grower and has excellent burning qualities and makes a nice bed of coals. However, it is hard to split, suckers, and has some small thorns, especially on young trees. Bur oak and red oak come in at 3,800 and 3,500 pounds per cord respectively but are not fast growers. Mulberry, however, has the same weight as red oak but grows more quickly. Silver maple has less heat value (3,000 pounds per cord) but is a very fast-growing tree. Black locust is a tempting choice for this purpose due to its heat value and fast growth. &nbsp; However, black locust suckers and is invasive and can spread to areas you don’t want and so be careful if you choose this species. &nbsp;Another species, such as mulberry may work better for you. Or consider planting several different species in rows. So, how do you set out your plantation? Dr. Wayne Geyer, our late forestry professor, did many woody biomass studies over a period of 35 years. Following are some recommendations that have come out of his studies.&nbsp; &nbsp; - Plant on a close spacing, 4 to 6 feet apart. This maximizes yield and reduces side branching.&nbsp; &nbsp; - Control weeds for the first two years.&nbsp; &nbsp; - Harvest every 5 years though slower growing trees will take longer. &nbsp;Most trees will resprout and can be re-harvested.&nbsp; &nbsp; - Plant about 1 acre per year for 5 years if you wish to supply most of the firewood needed to heat your home.​

The trees mentioned above and available from the Kansas Forest Service include mulberry, Osage orange, bur oak, red oak, and silver maple. Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. If you have questions, she can be contacted by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lfick@k-state.edu">lfick@k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 785-628-9430 or 620-793-1910.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580750915301.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>To avoid energy costs, some homeowners are turning to wood for heat. &nbsp;Plant species is an important consideration as not all trees have the same density and therefore, heat value. The greater the dry weight, the better. The highest value for trees commonly found in Kansas is Osage orange (hedgeball tree) at 4,800 pounds per cord. Osage orange has a gnarly growth habit and a nasty set of thorns. This species also sparks which isn’t a problem in a wood-fired boiler but certainly would be in an open fireplace.Black locust is next with 4,200 pounds per cord. Black locust is a fast grower and has excellent burning qualities and makes a nice bed of coals. However, it is hard to split, suckers, and has some small thorns, especially on young trees. Bur oak and red oak come in at 3,800 and 3,500 pounds per cord respectively but are not fast growers. Mulberry, however, has the same weight as red oak but grows more quickly. Silver maple has less heat value (3,000 pounds per cord) but is a very fast-growing tree. Black locust is a tempting choice for this purpose due to its heat value and fast growth. &nbsp; However, black locust suckers and is invasive and can spread to areas you don’t want and so be careful if you choose this species. &nbsp;Another species, such as mulberry may work better for you. Or consider planting several different species in rows. So, how do you set out your plantation? Dr. Wayne Geyer, our late forestry professor, did many woody biomass studies over a period of 35 years. Following are some recommendations that have come out of his studies.&nbsp; &nbsp; - Plant on a close spacing, 4 to 6 feet apart. This maximizes yield and reduces side branching.&nbsp; &nbsp; - Control weeds for the first two years.&nbsp; &nbsp; - Harvest every 5 years though slower growing trees will take longer. &nbsp;Most trees will resprout and can be re-harvested.&nbsp; &nbsp; - Plant about 1 acre per year for 5 years if you wish to supply most of the firewood needed to heat your home.​The trees mentioned above and available from the Kansas Forest Service include mulberry, Osage orange, bur oak, red oak, and silver maple. Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. If you have questions, she can be contacted by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lfick@k-state.edu">lfick@k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 785-628-9430 or 620-793-1910.&nbsp;

FICK: Growing your own firewood 

OTTAWA COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 10:30a.m. Thursday in Ottawa County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Freightliner truck driven by Shane C. Fry, 45, Plainville, was northbound on U.S. 81 just north of Nugget Road.

The truck rear-ended a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer driven by&nbsp; John W. Wilson, 75, Minneapolis. The impact caused the Chevy to roll.&nbsp;

EMS&nbsp; transported Wilson to the hospital in Salina. Fry was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

OTTAWA COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 10:30a.m. Thursday in Ottawa County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Freightliner truck driven by Shane C. Fry, 45, Plainville, was northbound on U.S. 81 just north of Nugget Road.The truck rear-ended a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer driven by&nbsp; John W. Wilson, 75, Minneapolis. The impact caused the Chevy to roll.&nbsp;EMS&nbsp; transported Wilson to the hospital in Salina. Fry was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Kan. man hospitalized after rear-end crash

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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