Lifetime Dental Care is now taking appointments for their Seeking to Serve free dental day on Friday, Oct. 16. In celebration of Oral-Systemic Health Week which runs Oct. 18 to 24, this free dental day will be primarily focused on preventive dental care for new patients without dental insurance, ages 18 and older. Free dental care will be provided by appointment only on the Oct. 16 and interested individuals can call Lifetime Dental Care at 785-625-7969 to schedule.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Oral disease affects 3.9 billion people worldwide, with untreated tooth decay affecting almost half of the world’s population.&nbsp; Oral-Systemic Health Week aims to educate individuals about gum and periodontal disease and how it can have a significant impact on the rest of their bodies.&nbsp; Dentists and Hygienists are often the first to see signs of systemic diseases because the mouth is a good indicator of your overall health.&nbsp; Taking good care of your oral health at home is one way to help prevent heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and other diseases.&nbsp; Flossing every day, eating a healthy diet, limiting sugar and soda, scheduling regular exams and oral cancer screenings are also ways to keep a healthy mouth.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600781184254.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedLifetime Dental Care is now taking appointments for their Seeking to Serve free dental day on Friday, Oct. 16. In celebration of Oral-Systemic Health Week which runs Oct. 18 to 24, this free dental day will be primarily focused on preventive dental care for new patients without dental insurance, ages 18 and older. Free dental care will be provided by appointment only on the Oct. 16 and interested individuals can call Lifetime Dental Care at 785-625-7969 to schedule.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Oral disease affects 3.9 billion people worldwide, with untreated tooth decay affecting almost half of the world’s population.&nbsp; Oral-Systemic Health Week aims to educate individuals about gum and periodontal disease and how it can have a significant impact on the rest of their bodies.&nbsp; Dentists and Hygienists are often the first to see signs of systemic diseases because the mouth is a good indicator of your overall health.&nbsp; Taking good care of your oral health at home is one way to help prevent heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and other diseases.&nbsp; Flossing every day, eating a healthy diet, limiting sugar and soda, scheduling regular exams and oral cancer screenings are also ways to keep a healthy mouth.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Lifetime Dental to offer free care day in Hays

The Hays Police Department responded to 8 animal calls and conducted 18 traffic stops Thu., Sept. 10, 2020, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Found/Lost Property—300 block W 8th St, Hays; 8:17 AM Found/Lost Property—2700 block Hall St, Hays; 9/4; 7 AM; 9/7/ 11 PM
Wildlife Incident—2700 block Sternberg Dr, Hays; 10:18 AM Search Warrant--I 70 mp 206; 10:52 AM Shoplifting—4300 block Vine St, Hays; 5/14 6:24 PM Dead Animal Call—3100 block Tam O’Shanter Dr, Hays; 10:56 AM NCIC Hit—3500 block Vine St, Hays; 11:02 AM Animal At Large--1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 11:34 AM Burglary/vehicle—400 block W 7th St, Hays; 11:59 AM MV Accident-City Street/Alley—2700 block Vine St, Hays; 12:07 PM
Disturbance – Fight—100 block W 5th St, Hays; 12:16 PM Identity Theft--2200 block Vine St, Hays; 12:19 PM Lost Animals ONLY--200 block E 17th St, Hays; 12:22 PM Miscellaneous Investigation—400 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:58 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 9 animal calls and conducted 13 traffic stops Fri., Sept. 11, 2020, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Drug Offenses--3700 block Vine St, Hays; 9/11 12:50 AM Driving Under The Influence--200 block E 13th St, Hays; 2:20 AM Water Use Violation—500 block W 30th St, Hays; 4:09 AM Dead Animal Call--4300 block General Hays Rd, Hays; 8:19 AM Animal At Large—100 block E 15th St, Hays; 9:40 AM Violation of City Ordinance—500 block &nbsp;W
27th St, Hays; 10:33 AM
Abandoned Vehicle--1900 block Whittier Rd, Hays; 11:45 AM Animal Call—600 block Oak St, Hays; 12:18 PM Welfare Check—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 12:05 PM Violation of City Ordinance—300 block W 8th St, Hays; 9/9; 9/11 MV Accident-City Street/Alley--2900 block Vine St, Hays; 2:45 PM
Animal Cruelty/Neglect—300 block E 25th St, Hays; 3:20 PM MV Accident-City Street/Alley--300 block E 17th St, Hays; 4:42 PM MV Accident-City Street/Alley—Hays; 5:34 AM Phone/Mail Scam—1700 block Oak St, Hays; 11:48 AM; 5:40 PM Violation of City Ordinance--2900 block Broadway Ave, Hays; 6:50 PM
Violation of City Ordinance—1300 block E 41st St, Hays; 7:10 PM Assist - Other (not MV)—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 8:50 PM Suspicious Person—1700 block Vine St, Hays; 3:30 PM; 3:45 PM
Harassment (All Other)—500 block E 8th St, Hays; 9:31 PM MV Accident-Private Property-Hit and Run—3300 block Vine St, Hays; 10:06 PM Disturbance – Noise—300 block W 7th St, Hays; 11:03 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and conducted 11 traffic stops Sat., Sept. 12, 2020, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Abandoned Vehicle--200 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:37 AM Drug Offenses--1300 block Vine St, Hays; 12:43 AM Auspicious Activity—500 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:30 AM; 1:48 AM
Disturbance – Fight—400 block W 5th St, Hays; 1:40 AM; 1:55 AM Liquor Offense, sell, furnish, transport--100 block E 8th St, Hays; 2:30 AM; 2:40
AM Welfare Check—400 block E 23rd St, Hays; 9:42 AM Civil Dispute--900 block Walnut St, Hays; 10:05 AM Mental Health Call—Hays; 10:09 AM Animal At Large--1800 block Pine St,
Hays; 10:27 AM Unattended Death—2900 block Ash St, Hays; 11:52 AM Found/Lost Property—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 12:09 PM Animal At Large--700 block Vine St, Hays; 12:27 PM Harassment, Telephone/FAX—200 block E 5th St, Hays; 1:36 PM
Abandoned Vehicle—800 block Fort St, Hays; 3:01 PM Criminal Damage to Property—1000 block Cedar St, Hays; 9:30 AM; 3:40 PM Stalking—3500 block Vine St, Hays; 3:46 PM; 4:18 PM Harassment, Telephone/FAX—300 block W 9th St, Hays; 5:40 PM
Found/Lost Property--300 block W 17th St, Hays; 6:48 PM Harassment, Telephone/FAX--900 block Walnut St, Hays; 7:12 PM
Animal Bite Investigation—1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 7:50 PM
Welfare Check—100 block W 19th St, Hays; 8:27 PM Lost Animals ONLY--1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 11:06 PM Theft (general)--3700 block Hillcrest Dr, Hays; 9/12 10 PM; 9/13 8 AM

The Hays Police Department responded to 4 animal calls and conducted 7 traffic stops Sun., Sept. 13, 2020, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Theft (general)—2700 block Ash St, Hays; 9/5 10 PM; 10:15 PM Sex Offense--400 block Main St, Hays; 1:19 AM Driving Under the Influence—200 block W 10th St, Hays; 1:55 AM; 2:04 AM Lost Animals ONLY—1700 block Sunset Trl, Hays; 2:13 AM Suicidal Subject—1200 block Vine St, Hays; 4:19 AM Drug Offenses--500 block E 8th St, Hays; 5:40 AM Assist - Other (not MV)—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 8:45 AM Aggravated Assault--200 block E 17th St, Hays; 8/25 10 PM; 11 PM
Animal At Large—1100 block E 27th St, Hays; 11:55 AM Welfare Check—2700 block Augusta Ln, Hays; 12:25 PM Harassment (All Other)—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 715 12 AM; 9/13 12:33 PM Animal At Large—2200 block Drum Ave, Hays; 2:39 PM Theft of Vehicle—200 block W 17th St, Hays; 4 AM; 3:27 PM Mental Health Call—1300 block Oak St, Hays; 3:32 PM Welfare Check—1800 block Pine St, Hays; 4:08 PM Animal At Large—1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 4:15 PM Intoxicated Subject—1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 6 PM Domestic Disturbance--700 block Vine St, Hay; 6:45 PM; 6:50 PM Child in Need of Care—1300 block Schwaller Ave, Hays; 12 PM; 7:20 PM
Attempt to Locate—600 block E 7th St, Hays; 7:46 PM Theft (general)--3700 block Hillcrest Dr, Hays; 9/9 1 PM; 5 PM Suicidal Subject—1500 block E 183 Alternate, Hays; 8:45 PM Civil Dispute—200 block W 36th St, Hays; 10:13 PM Mental Health Call Hays—Hays; 10:48 PM

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592410704431.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Hays Police Department responded to 8 animal calls and conducted 18 traffic stops Thu., Sept. 10, 2020, according to the HPD Activity Log.Found/Lost Property—300 block W 8th St, Hays; 8:17 AM Found/Lost Property—2700 block Hall St, Hays; 9/4; 7 AM; 9/7/ 11 PM
Wildlife Incident—2700 block Sternberg Dr, Hays; 10:18 AM Search Warrant--I 70 mp 206; 10:52 AM Shoplifting—4300 block Vine St, Hays; 5/14 6:24 PM Dead Animal Call—3100 block Tam O’Shanter Dr, Hays; 10:56 AM NCIC Hit—3500 block Vine St, Hays; 11:02 AM Animal At Large--1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 11:34 AM Burglary/vehicle—400 block W 7th St, Hays; 11:59 AM MV Accident-City Street/Alley—2700 block Vine St, Hays; 12:07 PM
Disturbance – Fight—100 block W 5th St, Hays; 12:16 PM Identity Theft--2200 block Vine St, Hays; 12:19 PM Lost Animals ONLY--200 block E 17th St, Hays; 12:22 PM Miscellaneous Investigation—400 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:58 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 9 animal calls and conducted 13 traffic stops Fri., Sept. 11, 2020, according to the HPD Activity Log.Drug Offenses--3700 block Vine St, Hays; 9/11 12:50 AM Driving Under The Influence--200 block E 13th St, Hays; 2:20 AM Water Use Violation—500 block W 30th St, Hays; 4:09 AM Dead Animal Call--4300 block General Hays Rd, Hays; 8:19 AM Animal At Large—100 block E 15th St, Hays; 9:40 AM Violation of City Ordinance—500 block &nbsp;W
27th St, Hays; 10:33 AM
Abandoned Vehicle--1900 block Whittier Rd, Hays; 11:45 AM Animal Call—600 block Oak St, Hays; 12:18 PM Welfare Check—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 12:05 PM Violation of City Ordinance—300 block W 8th St, Hays; 9/9; 9/11 MV Accident-City Street/Alley--2900 block Vine St, Hays; 2:45 PM
Animal Cruelty/Neglect—300 block E 25th St, Hays; 3:20 PM MV Accident-City Street/Alley--300 block E 17th St, Hays; 4:42 PM MV Accident-City Street/Alley—Hays; 5:34 AM Phone/Mail Scam—1700 block Oak St, Hays; 11:48 AM; 5:40 PM Violation of City Ordinance--2900 block Broadway Ave, Hays; 6:50 PM
Violation of City Ordinance—1300 block E 41st St, Hays; 7:10 PM Assist - Other (not MV)—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 8:50 PM Suspicious Person—1700 block Vine St, Hays; 3:30 PM; 3:45 PM
Harassment (All Other)—500 block E 8th St, Hays; 9:31 PM MV Accident-Private Property-Hit and Run—3300 block Vine St, Hays; 10:06 PM Disturbance – Noise—300 block W 7th St, Hays; 11:03 PMThe Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and conducted 11 traffic stops Sat., Sept. 12, 2020, according to the HPD Activity Log.Abandoned Vehicle--200 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:37 AM Drug Offenses--1300 block Vine St, Hays; 12:43 AM Auspicious Activity—500 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:30 AM; 1:48 AM
Disturbance – Fight—400 block W 5th St, Hays; 1:40 AM; 1:55 AM Liquor Offense, sell, furnish, transport--100 block E 8th St, Hays; 2:30 AM; 2:40
AM Welfare Check—400 block E 23rd St, Hays; 9:42 AM Civil Dispute--900 block Walnut St, Hays; 10:05 AM Mental Health Call—Hays; 10:09 AM Animal At Large--1800 block Pine St,
Hays; 10:27 AM Unattended Death—2900 block Ash St, Hays; 11:52 AM Found/Lost Property—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 12:09 PM Animal At Large--700 block Vine St, Hays; 12:27 PM Harassment, Telephone/FAX—200 block E 5th St, Hays; 1:36 PM
Abandoned Vehicle—800 block Fort St, Hays; 3:01 PM Criminal Damage to Property—1000 block Cedar St, Hays; 9:30 AM; 3:40 PM Stalking—3500 block Vine St, Hays; 3:46 PM; 4:18 PM Harassment, Telephone/FAX—300 block W 9th St, Hays; 5:40 PM
Found/Lost Property--300 block W 17th St, Hays; 6:48 PM Harassment, Telephone/FAX--900 block Walnut St, Hays; 7:12 PM
Animal Bite Investigation—1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 7:50 PM
Welfare Check—100 block W 19th St, Hays; 8:27 PM Lost Animals ONLY--1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 11:06 PM Theft (general)--3700 block Hillcrest Dr, Hays; 9/12 10 PM; 9/13 8 AMThe Hays Police Department responded to 4 animal calls and conducted 7 traffic stops Sun., Sept. 13, 2020, according to the HPD Activity Log.Theft (general)—2700 block Ash St, Hays; 9/5 10 PM; 10:15 PM Sex Offense--400 block Main St, Hays; 1:19 AM Driving Under the Influence—200 block W 10th St, Hays; 1:55 AM; 2:04 AM Lost Animals ONLY—1700 block Sunset Trl, Hays; 2:13 AM Suicidal Subject—1200 block Vine St, Hays; 4:19 AM Drug Offenses--500 block E 8th St, Hays; 5:40 AM Assist - Other (not MV)—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 8:45 AM Aggravated Assault--200 block E 17th St, Hays; 8/25 10 PM; 11 PM
Animal At Large—1100 block E 27th St, Hays; 11:55 AM Welfare Check—2700 block Augusta Ln, Hays; 12:25 PM Harassment (All Other)—100 block W 12th St, Hays; 715 12 AM; 9/13 12:33 PM Animal At Large—2200 block Drum Ave, Hays; 2:39 PM Theft of Vehicle—200 block W 17th St, Hays; 4 AM; 3:27 PM Mental Health Call—1300 block Oak St, Hays; 3:32 PM Welfare Check—1800 block Pine St, Hays; 4:08 PM Animal At Large—1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 4:15 PM Intoxicated Subject—1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 6 PM Domestic Disturbance--700 block Vine St, Hay; 6:45 PM; 6:50 PM Child in Need of Care—1300 block Schwaller Ave, Hays; 12 PM; 7:20 PM
Attempt to Locate—600 block E 7th St, Hays; 7:46 PM Theft (general)--3700 block Hillcrest Dr, Hays; 9/9 1 PM; 5 PM Suicidal Subject—1500 block E 183 Alternate, Hays; 8:45 PM Civil Dispute—200 block W 36th St, Hays; 10:13 PM Mental Health Call Hays—Hays; 10:48 PM<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592410704431.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

HPD Activity Log, Sept. 10-13

By GLENN BRUNKOW Pottawatomie County farmer and rancher

We are clearly in the middle of fall and that means harvest. Harvest is one of the most thrilling, rewarding, happiest time of the year. Of course, that is when things go right. It can also be the most maddening, frustrating, disappointing times of the year when they do not. If you are in agriculture and you do not look forward to this time of the year you might be in the wrong business. Fall is our Super Bowl.

Good or bad, harvest is all about the rush, time crunch and stress. We are always in a hurry, and it must be done yesterday. I know we do not have any free time during this time of the year, but I want you to take just a moment. Think about what you are a part of. In just a few short weeks we will harvest enough food to feed most of the world. You are part of a well-oiled machine that feeds more people, with fewer resources and less of an impact to our environment than any where else in this world.

As a Kansas Farmer you utilize the best technology along with the latest research and techniques to produce more grain from a single acre than our grandfathers could have ever imagined 50 years ago. I am pretty sure we are all on the run so much that we don’t ever take a minute to just sit back and think about what we are doing, much less do we share what amazing work we are doing.

Look out across those acres of the best hybrid technology in your fields be it corn or soybeans. How many bushels would those same acres have produced 20 years ago or even 10. What farming methods are you using? It is stunning to think about how far our business has come in just a few short years, and I guarantee you that we will be stunned again 10 years from now. We are part of one of the most innovative, progressive industries, and we have to be.

In the next 50 years we must find a way to produce more food than we have ever produced. You know what — I have no doubt we will do it. Those of us in agriculture have always risen to the challenge and we always will. No one is more productive than the American farmer, we are without a doubt the best in the business. We do not often acknowledge it because that is the kind of people we are. We have our nose the grindstone, do our job and wake up the next day and do it all over again.

I challenge you to take a moment and think about the work we all do, go ahead, and stick your chest out, you deserve it. While you are at it, tell others about it. Take pride in it. The last few months have proven just how important agriculture is. After the moment is over, get back to work, you have a lot to get done.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576508626397.png" alt="Glenn Brunkow" />
 <figcaption>Glenn Brunkow</figcaption>
 </figure>By GLENN BRUNKOW Pottawatomie County farmer and rancher We are clearly in the middle of fall and that means harvest. Harvest is one of the most thrilling, rewarding, happiest time of the year. Of course, that is when things go right. It can also be the most maddening, frustrating, disappointing times of the year when they do not. If you are in agriculture and you do not look forward to this time of the year you might be in the wrong business. Fall is our Super Bowl.Good or bad, harvest is all about the rush, time crunch and stress. We are always in a hurry, and it must be done yesterday. I know we do not have any free time during this time of the year, but I want you to take just a moment. Think about what you are a part of. In just a few short weeks we will harvest enough food to feed most of the world. You are part of a well-oiled machine that feeds more people, with fewer resources and less of an impact to our environment than any where else in this world.As a Kansas Farmer you utilize the best technology along with the latest research and techniques to produce more grain from a single acre than our grandfathers could have ever imagined 50 years ago. I am pretty sure we are all on the run so much that we don’t ever take a minute to just sit back and think about what we are doing, much less do we share what amazing work we are doing.Look out across those acres of the best hybrid technology in your fields be it corn or soybeans. How many bushels would those same acres have produced 20 years ago or even 10. What farming methods are you using? It is stunning to think about how far our business has come in just a few short years, and I guarantee you that we will be stunned again 10 years from now. We are part of one of the most innovative, progressive industries, and we have to be.In the next 50 years we must find a way to produce more food than we have ever produced. You know what — I have no doubt we will do it. Those of us in agriculture have always risen to the challenge and we always will. No one is more productive than the American farmer, we are without a doubt the best in the business. We do not often acknowledge it because that is the kind of people we are. We have our nose the grindstone, do our job and wake up the next day and do it all over again.I challenge you to take a moment and think about the work we all do, go ahead, and stick your chest out, you deserve it. While you are at it, tell others about it. Take pride in it. The last few months have proven just how important agriculture is. After the moment is over, get back to work, you have a lot to get done."Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.

Kansas Farm Bureau Insight: Taking pride in agriculture

Three-day weather outlook

PRATT – It could be time to reduce the daily creel limit for striped bass at Wilson Reservoir, but for anglers who are familiar with the recent history of the 9,040-acre impoundment – this proposed reduction could be considered good news; it signifies the lake’s gizzard shad and striped bass populations are once again healthy.

In 2017, Wilson’s population of gizzard shad ­– a critical food source for many of Kansas’ sportfish – crashed as a result of drought conditions in previous years. Subsequently, the health and growth rates of the lake’s prized striped bass population tanked from lack of available forage.

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Fisheries biologists raised the striped bass daily creel limit from two, as it had been for decades, to five to allow the gizzard shad population to recover more quickly. That would eventually mean more food, and better health, for the lake’s remaining stripers, too.

Thanks to the compliance of Kansas anglers, the strategy worked so well that Wilson’s shad population has fully recovered. The lake’s stripers have regained their health, but the population has dropped low enough to warrant protection.

The proposed daily creel limit change from five to two would begin Jan. 1, 2021, if passed by the KDWPT Commission. 

Commissioners will vote on the matter during their next public hearing via Zoom on Thursday, Sept. 24. Public comment regarding the proposed regulation change is encouraged, and can be shared with:

Bryan Sowards KDWPT Fisheries Biologist (785) 658-2465 bryan.sowards@ks.gov

When healthy, Wilson Reservoir’s striped bass population provides a trophy fishery for anglers, to include the current state record striped bass that weighed in at 44 pounds.

Striped bass also help control invasive species such as white perch, which if left unchecked, can overpopulate and decimate a sport fishery.

Wilson’s striped bass are raised at KDWPT’s Milford Hatchery and usually thrive in the impounded waters of the Saline River, growing upwards of 21 inches within just three years.

Located in Russell County – amid the Smoky Hills of northcentral Kansas – Wilson Reservoir is also home to excellent largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing, as well as walleye and white bass.

For more on Wilson Reservoir, and other fishing opportunities in Kansas, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://ksoutdoors.com/Fishing/Where-to-Fish-in-Kansas" target="_blank">ksoutdoors.com/Fishing/Where-to-Fish-in-Kansas</a>.

For additional details on the upcoming Sept. 24 KDWPT Commission meeting, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/Commission" target="_blank">ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/Commission</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600697343714.jpeg" alt="Fishing at Wilson Lake" />
 <figcaption>Fishing at Wilson Lake</figcaption>
 </figure>KDWPT PRATT – It could be time to reduce the daily creel limit for striped bass at Wilson Reservoir, but for anglers who are familiar with the recent history of the 9,040-acre impoundment – this proposed reduction could be considered good news; it signifies the lake’s gizzard shad and striped bass populations are once again healthy.In 2017, Wilson’s population of gizzard shad ­– a critical food source for many of Kansas’ sportfish – crashed as a result of drought conditions in previous years. Subsequently, the health and growth rates of the lake’s prized striped bass population tanked from lack of available forage.Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Fisheries biologists raised the striped bass daily creel limit from two, as it had been for decades, to five to allow the gizzard shad population to recover more quickly. That would eventually mean more food, and better health, for the lake’s remaining stripers, too.Thanks to the compliance of Kansas anglers, the strategy worked so well that Wilson’s shad population has fully recovered. The lake’s stripers have regained their health, but the population has dropped low enough to warrant protection.The proposed daily creel limit change from five to two would begin Jan. 1, 2021, if passed by the KDWPT Commission. Commissioners will vote on the matter during their next public hearing via Zoom on Thursday, Sept. 24. Public comment regarding the proposed regulation change is encouraged, and can be shared with:Bryan Sowards KDWPT Fisheries Biologist (785) 658-2465 bryan.sowards@ks.govWhen healthy, Wilson Reservoir’s striped bass population provides a trophy fishery for anglers, to include the current state record striped bass that weighed in at 44 pounds.Striped bass also help control invasive species such as white perch, which if left unchecked, can overpopulate and decimate a sport fishery.Wilson’s striped bass are raised at KDWPT’s Milford Hatchery and usually thrive in the impounded waters of the Saline River, growing upwards of 21 inches within just three years.Located in Russell County – amid the Smoky Hills of northcentral Kansas – Wilson Reservoir is also home to excellent largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing, as well as walleye and white bass.For more on Wilson Reservoir, and other fishing opportunities in Kansas, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://ksoutdoors.com/Fishing/Where-to-Fish-in-Kansas" target="_blank">ksoutdoors.com/Fishing/Where-to-Fish-in-Kansas</a>.For additional details on the upcoming Sept. 24 KDWPT Commission meeting, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/Commission" target="_blank">ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/Commission</a>.

KDWPT seeks input on Wilson's daily creel limit for striped bass

Thomas More Prep-Marian Homecoming events begin Thursday and run through Saturday.

Click <a href="https://www.tmp-m.org/homecoming-2020/">HERE</a> for a complete schedule.

Please note the parade will be at 4 p.m. It will be on the TMP campus instead of Main Street this year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600801876795.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TMP-MThomas More Prep-Marian Homecoming events begin Thursday and run through Saturday.Click <a href="https://www.tmp-m.org/homecoming-2020/">HERE</a> for a complete schedule.Please note the parade will be at 4 p.m. It will be on the TMP campus instead of Main Street this year.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600801904313.jpeg" alt="Jackson Schulte, son of Troy ’89 &amp; Sharon ’89 Schulte &amp; Allison Applequist, daughter of Myron &amp; Joannah ’85 Applequist" />
 <figcaption>Jackson Schulte, son of Troy ’89 &amp; Sharon ’89 Schulte &amp; Allison Applequist, daughter of Myron &amp; Joannah ’85 Applequist</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600801926486.jpeg" alt="Kooper Hudsonpillar, son of Jason &amp; Corrina Hudsonpillar &amp; Hannah Flynn, daughter of John &amp; Lisa ’88 Flynn" />
 <figcaption>Kooper Hudsonpillar, son of Jason &amp; Corrina Hudsonpillar &amp; Hannah Flynn, daughter of John &amp; Lisa ’88 Flynn</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600801948536.jpeg" alt="Hunter Flax, son of Michael ’89 &amp; Gay Flax &amp; Emilee Augustine, daughter of Craig &amp; Bonnie Augustine" />
 <figcaption>Hunter Flax, son of Michael ’89 &amp; Gay Flax &amp; Emilee Augustine, daughter of Craig &amp; Bonnie Augustine</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600801976583.jpeg" alt="Lucas Lang, son of John ’90 &amp; Stacey Lang &amp; Abby Rueschhoff, daughter of Darren &amp; Angel Rueschhoff" />
 <figcaption>Lucas Lang, son of John ’90 &amp; Stacey Lang &amp; Abby Rueschhoff, daughter of Darren &amp; Angel Rueschhoff</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600801998848.jpeg" alt="Ian Chiu, son of Jett &amp; Judy Chiu &amp; Trey &amp; Rachel ’95 Wentling (host family) &amp; Emma Schmidt, daughter of Terry ’94 &amp; Kelly Schmidt" />
 <figcaption>Ian Chiu, son of Jett &amp; Judy Chiu &amp; Trey &amp; Rachel ’95 Wentling (host family) &amp; Emma Schmidt, daughter of Terry ’94 &amp; Kelly Schmidt</figcaption>
 </figure>

TMP-M announces Homecoming 2020 royalty, schedule

CORRECTED, 4 p.m. Tuesday: Due to a change in Ellis County reporting methods, the numbers reported Monday were incorrect. The corrected story is below.

Ellis County averaged 18 new cases of COVID-19 per day in the last seven days, the health department reported Monday. The metric is a new reporting method also announced by the county Monday, and new cases between reporting periods is currently no longer available for the public.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/f74ff266-1cc8-498d-b148-a17ed68eaa42">RELATED: Ellis County announced Monday a change in its case reporting.</a>

Hays Post has filed a Kansas Open Records Act request with county officials to return the new cases to the regular reporting days of Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

There are now 193 active cases of coronavirus in Ellis County, including six active hospitalizations, and 689 recovered cases.&nbsp;

The seven-day percent of positive tests rose to nearly 30 percent. Of the 7,580 total tests conducted on county residents, 11.3 percent have returned positive for coronavirus.

Since reporting began, there have been 885 total cases of COVID-19 in Ellis County, including three deaths. The number of total cases jumped from 738 since Friday as the county health department and Kansas Department of Health and Environment continues to work to make case reporting consistent. <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a05345cc-9d08-4622-b2e7-b9bc0c5f439e">The state reported 870 cases in Ellis County on Monday.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600711322886.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CORRECTED, 4 p.m. Tuesday: Due to a change in Ellis County reporting methods, the numbers reported Monday were incorrect. The corrected story is below.Ellis County averaged 18 new cases of COVID-19 per day in the last seven days, the health department reported Monday. The metric is a new reporting method also announced by the county Monday, and new cases between reporting periods is currently no longer available for the public.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/f74ff266-1cc8-498d-b148-a17ed68eaa42">RELATED: Ellis County announced Monday a change in its case reporting.</a>Hays Post has filed a Kansas Open Records Act request with county officials to return the new cases to the regular reporting days of Monday, Wednesday and Friday.There are now 193 active cases of coronavirus in Ellis County, including six active hospitalizations, and 689 recovered cases.&nbsp;The seven-day percent of positive tests rose to nearly 30 percent. Of the 7,580 total tests conducted on county residents, 11.3 percent have returned positive for coronavirus.Since reporting began, there have been 885 total cases of COVID-19 in Ellis County, including three deaths. The number of total cases jumped from 738 since Friday as the county health department and Kansas Department of Health and Environment continues to work to make case reporting consistent. <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a05345cc-9d08-4622-b2e7-b9bc0c5f439e">The state reported 870 cases in Ellis County on Monday.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600808158884.png" alt="The Ellis County COVID-19 dashboard as of Tuesday afternoon, using the new seven-day average metric." />
 <figcaption>The Ellis County COVID-19 dashboard as of Tuesday afternoon, using the new seven-day average metric.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600716289684.png" alt="The Ellis County COVID-19 dashboard as of Monday afternoon, when the original story was published." />
 <figcaption>The Ellis County COVID-19 dashboard as of Monday afternoon, when the original story was published.</figcaption>
 </figure>

UPDATE: 18 new cases per day of COVID-19 in Ellis Co. reported in last week

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

Ellis County officials are preparing for changes
within the county attorney’s office following the August primary election.

After more than 20 years in office, current County Attorney
Tom Drees decided not to seek re-election and ran for and was elected district
judge in the 23rd Judicial District.

In the race to replace Drees, Hays attorney Robert Anderson
handily defeated former Assistant County Attorney Chris Lyon. 

There was no Democratic candidate to file for county
attorney and no write-in challenger has emerged, so a transition from Drees to
Anderson is underway.

Drees recently presented the transition plan to the county
commission. Drees told the commission they would hire Anderson as a special,
independent contractor starting Oct. 1. They have also hired on a legal
assistant.

“Robert’s going coming in and start learning the office,”
Drees said. “That way we can hopefully have a very smooth transition for law
enforcement and for everyone in the court system.

“He’ll do a great job with that,” Drees added.

Anderson said he is in the process of finishing up
his work as a defense attorney.

“I probably have well over half of my cases closed out
already,” Anderson said.

He said he stopped taking new cases several months ago.

Anderson has served as a contract defense attorney with
Ellis County and said he has been transferring his cases to Cassy Zeigler, an
Ellis attorney. She is expected to take Anderson’s spot working as a defense
attorney through the county.

Anderson will take over as Ellis County Attorney on Jan. 11.

Drees, after 24 years as county attorney and 31 total years
in the working for the Ellis County attorney’s office defeated Judge Blake
Bittel in the race for District Judge in the 23rd Judicial District
and will begin serving on the court Jan. 11.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1580312446043.jpeg" alt="Anderson" />
 <figcaption>Anderson</figcaption>
 </figure>By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostEllis County officials are preparing for changes
within the county attorney’s office following the August primary election.After more than 20 years in office, current County Attorney
Tom Drees decided not to seek re-election and ran for and was elected district
judge in the 23rd Judicial District.In the race to replace Drees, Hays attorney Robert Anderson
handily defeated former Assistant County Attorney Chris Lyon. There was no Democratic candidate to file for county
attorney and no write-in challenger has emerged, so a transition from Drees to
Anderson is underway.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600696342204.jpeg" alt="Drees" />
 <figcaption>Drees</figcaption>
 </figure>Drees recently presented the transition plan to the county
commission. Drees told the commission they would hire Anderson as a special,
independent contractor starting Oct. 1. They have also hired on a legal
assistant.“Robert’s going coming in and start learning the office,”
Drees said. “That way we can hopefully have a very smooth transition for law
enforcement and for everyone in the court system.“He’ll do a great job with that,” Drees added.Anderson said he is in the process of finishing up
his work as a defense attorney.“I probably have well over half of my cases closed out
already,” Anderson said.He said he stopped taking new cases several months ago.Anderson has served as a contract defense attorney with
Ellis County and said he has been transferring his cases to Cassy Zeigler, an
Ellis attorney. She is expected to take Anderson’s spot working as a defense
attorney through the county.Anderson will take over as Ellis County Attorney on Jan. 11.Drees, after 24 years as county attorney and 31 total years
in the working for the Ellis County attorney’s office defeated Judge Blake
Bittel in the race for District Judge in the 23rd Judicial District
and will begin serving on the court Jan. 11.

Ellis County attorney's office implementing transition plan

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

<div><iframe title="Hays Chamber insurance questionnaire due today" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/kuz6k-ecb0ec?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a>

🎙 Post Podcast: Hays Chamber insurance questionnaire due Tuesday

As of now, Hays&nbsp; High has no opponent for their homecoming game on Oct. 2.

The Indians were to host Abilene but their district has moved to remote learning due to an increase in COVID-19 cases and has suspended all extracurricular activities until at least Oct 5.

In a notice to parents/guardians, USD 435 Superintendent Greg Brown wrote, "Please understand this is absolutely the last thing we want to do. We understand how important it is to have our students in school, receiving a first-rate educational experience, but COVID-19 has struck our teachers and support staff significantly. We have four (4) adults who have already tested positive and (4) more not feeling well, who are being tested as I speak. The combination of adults who have tested positive and the related quarantine orders have made it necessary to take this measure. We hope to be back in school on Monday, October 5th. During the next two weeks, we will be looking at other measures to provide the face to face instruction we know our community desires in spite of the increased COVID-19 testing results."

Additionally, all extracurricular activities, including practices and competitions, have been suspended until at least Oct. 5, according to a notice to parents/guardians from Abilene High School Athletic Director Will Burton and Abilene Middle School Athletic Director Derek Berns.

As of now, Hays&nbsp; High has no opponent for their homecoming game on Oct. 2.The Indians were to host Abilene but their district has moved to remote learning due to an increase in COVID-19 cases and has suspended all extracurricular activities until at least Oct 5.In a notice to parents/guardians, USD 435 Superintendent Greg Brown wrote, "Please understand this is absolutely the last thing we want to do. We understand how important it is to have our students in school, receiving a first-rate educational experience, but COVID-19 has struck our teachers and support staff significantly. We have four (4) adults who have already tested positive and (4) more not feeling well, who are being tested as I speak. The combination of adults who have tested positive and the related quarantine orders have made it necessary to take this measure. We hope to be back in school on Monday, October 5th. During the next two weeks, we will be looking at other measures to provide the face to face instruction we know our community desires in spite of the increased COVID-19 testing results."Additionally, all extracurricular activities, including practices and competitions, have been suspended until at least Oct. 5, according to a notice to parents/guardians from Abilene High School Athletic Director Will Burton and Abilene Middle School Athletic Director Derek Berns.<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AClvlGge52U"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

🏈 Hays High looking for new homecoming opponent

This is a modified version of a letter I sent to a school board member expressing concerns about how an outbreak of coronavirus has been handled at our son’s elementary school. There were two confirmed cases in his class. Sunday morning, we found out he was the third positive case in the class. Incidentally as of this writing, we have yet to be informed from the school or teacher that there is a third confirmed case. I suspect now that the class has gone to online learning, parents will not know about this third case, or the others that I am afraid are inevitable. It is this concern that forces me to write.

Wednesday night, we received a call from a health official with the school district informing us of the first positive case. Expecting to hear that the class would be canceled immediately, we were surprised to learn that, upon consultation with the Ellis County Health department, the determination was made that there were not close enough contacts to justify closing the classroom. We went back and looked at the protocols the school had distributed before school started and concluded this action was not consistent with those protocols. We decided to hold our son out of school on Thursday, even though we called the school principal, nurse and teacher and received mostly nervous assurance and were told that if our son was not symptomatic he should return to school. On Thursday, our son developed a cough, head congestion, a slight fever and a sore throat. He went to the doctor Friday morning and he was tested for COVID. We found out Sunday morning the test was positive. 

Saturday afternoon, we were told the decision had been made to send the class to remote learning for two weeks, which we were happy about, but wished that decision had been made two days earlier. Let me be clear, we do not blame the school for our son getting COVID. We knew this was a possibility when we sent him back to school in August. We thought the school had a good plan and were reassured by the mask wearing and some of the other protocols that were put in place. Unfortunately, they were not all followed.

Our concerns are the decision to continue class, and most specifically the decision to rely on the Ellis County Health Department in making this decision, and the communication and transparency, or lack thereof from the school and district. The reason I am concerned with the school’s reliance on the county is that instead of giving health advice, the Ellis County Public Health director has appeared at public meetings of both the county and city commissions and said that while masks help, a mandate would not work and should not be implemented because people do not follow direction when they are dictated to. This is not medical advice. 

Given how flippant and dismissive Ellis County commissioners have been about mask mandates, shutdown orders, testing and all other related issues, it is not surprising county staff would likewise downplay the virus and the response thereto. To be clear, I know USD 489 cannot control who the county commissioners or the county health officer is or how they perform their duties. I do think the district can be more proactive and listen to others when it has become clear Ellis County has no desire to act transparently or with a clear intent to protect the public. 

For instance, I have tracked testing and results numbers through the state’s website that publishes information counties report. Here are the statistics dating back to August:

Week of 8/9: 13 positive tests; 3.16% positive rate; 412 total tests

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 8/16: 86 positive tests; 13.83% positive rate; 622 total tests

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 8/23: 196 positive tests; 28.12% positive rate; 697 total tests

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 8/30: 195 positive tests; 17.15% positive rate; 1,137 total tests

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 9/6:&nbsp;&nbsp; 72 positive tests, 12.44% positive rate; 579 total tests

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 9/13: 55 positive tests, 22.18%; 248 total tests.

When you read the county’s much-touted pandemic plan you learn that transitioning to Phase 1 requires an upward trajectory of documented cases over a 14-day period. That certainly occurred between Aug. 9 and Aug. 23. The threshold for entering Phase 2, where a mask mandate would be recommended, is an upward trajectory of documented cases for at least 14 days after entering Phase 1. Ellis County was two cases away from having an upward trajectory on August 30, and then there was a drastic decrease in the number of positives and tests for the week of 9/6 and then another approximately 50 percent reduction in tests last week. 

Is the number of tests that are conducted based on the percentage rate of positive tests, understanding that more testing does indeed reveal more positive cases? Was testing stopped after the 1,137th test in the week of 8/30 so that there would not be a third straight week of upward trajectory of positive results or were positives for that week reported in the following week? Is there any public health explanation for having 1,100 tests, 550 tests, and then 250 tests in consecutive weeks? These are questions that I think should be answered.

Again, I realize the school district is a separate entity from the county and its health department. But given how the county has consistently downplayed the virus, it concerned us the district and its schools are relying on the county. Out of parents of schoolchildren alone I’m sure a panel of knowledgeable and well-intentioned health professionals can be assembled across the district to study this matter and make recommendations. If by law the district must consult with the county, then at least I would suggest that consultation be taken “with a grain of salt."

My other concern is communication and transparency. I understand HIPAA, but that shouldn’t be used to allow people to get hurt, and it has exceptions for public health emergencies. We were “told," after the consultation between the school and the county that our child did not have sufficient contacts with the first positive case to require him to quarantine. After speaking with our son, we concluded that information was incorrect and we decided to keep him home from school, against the advice of the “experts."

I fear the response to the virus is not being managed in order to keep people safe; it is being managed to protect elected officials and to keep people from complaining. That is not the job of the Ellis County Health Department or USD 489. Parents and community members should be given information necessary to protect themselves and their families. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>This is a modified version of a letter I sent to a school board member expressing concerns about how an outbreak of coronavirus has been handled at our son’s elementary school. There were two confirmed cases in his class. Sunday morning, we found out he was the third positive case in the class. Incidentally as of this writing, we have yet to be informed from the school or teacher that there is a third confirmed case. I suspect now that the class has gone to online learning, parents will not know about this third case, or the others that I am afraid are inevitable. It is this concern that forces me to write.Wednesday night, we received a call from a health official with the school district informing us of the first positive case. Expecting to hear that the class would be canceled immediately, we were surprised to learn that, upon consultation with the Ellis County Health department, the determination was made that there were not close enough contacts to justify closing the classroom. We went back and looked at the protocols the school had distributed before school started and concluded this action was not consistent with those protocols. We decided to hold our son out of school on Thursday, even though we called the school principal, nurse and teacher and received mostly nervous assurance and were told that if our son was not symptomatic he should return to school. On Thursday, our son developed a cough, head congestion, a slight fever and a sore throat. He went to the doctor Friday morning and he was tested for COVID. We found out Sunday morning the test was positive. Saturday afternoon, we were told the decision had been made to send the class to remote learning for two weeks, which we were happy about, but wished that decision had been made two days earlier. Let me be clear, we do not blame the school for our son getting COVID. We knew this was a possibility when we sent him back to school in August. We thought the school had a good plan and were reassured by the mask wearing and some of the other protocols that were put in place. Unfortunately, they were not all followed.Our concerns are the decision to continue class, and most specifically the decision to rely on the Ellis County Health Department in making this decision, and the communication and transparency, or lack thereof from the school and district. The reason I am concerned with the school’s reliance on the county is that instead of giving health advice, the Ellis County Public Health director has appeared at public meetings of both the county and city commissions and said that while masks help, a mandate would not work and should not be implemented because people do not follow direction when they are dictated to. This is not medical advice. Given how flippant and dismissive Ellis County commissioners have been about mask mandates, shutdown orders, testing and all other related issues, it is not surprising county staff would likewise downplay the virus and the response thereto. To be clear, I know USD 489 cannot control who the county commissioners or the county health officer is or how they perform their duties. I do think the district can be more proactive and listen to others when it has become clear Ellis County has no desire to act transparently or with a clear intent to protect the public. For instance, I have tracked testing and results numbers through the state’s website that publishes information counties report. Here are the statistics dating back to August:Week of 8/9: 13 positive tests; 3.16% positive rate; 412 total tests&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 8/16: 86 positive tests; 13.83% positive rate; 622 total tests&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 8/23: 196 positive tests; 28.12% positive rate; 697 total tests&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 8/30: 195 positive tests; 17.15% positive rate; 1,137 total tests&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 9/6:&nbsp;&nbsp; 72 positive tests, 12.44% positive rate; 579 total tests&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 9/13: 55 positive tests, 22.18%; 248 total tests.When you read the county’s much-touted pandemic plan you learn that transitioning to Phase 1 requires an upward trajectory of documented cases over a 14-day period. That certainly occurred between Aug. 9 and Aug. 23. The threshold for entering Phase 2, where a mask mandate would be recommended, is an upward trajectory of documented cases for at least 14 days after entering Phase 1. Ellis County was two cases away from having an upward trajectory on August 30, and then there was a drastic decrease in the number of positives and tests for the week of 9/6 and then another approximately 50 percent reduction in tests last week. Is the number of tests that are conducted based on the percentage rate of positive tests, understanding that more testing does indeed reveal more positive cases? Was testing stopped after the 1,137th test in the week of 8/30 so that there would not be a third straight week of upward trajectory of positive results or were positives for that week reported in the following week? Is there any public health explanation for having 1,100 tests, 550 tests, and then 250 tests in consecutive weeks? These are questions that I think should be answered.Again, I realize the school district is a separate entity from the county and its health department. But given how the county has consistently downplayed the virus, it concerned us the district and its schools are relying on the county. Out of parents of schoolchildren alone I’m sure a panel of knowledgeable and well-intentioned health professionals can be assembled across the district to study this matter and make recommendations. If by law the district must consult with the county, then at least I would suggest that consultation be taken “with a grain of salt."My other concern is communication and transparency. I understand HIPAA, but that shouldn’t be used to allow people to get hurt, and it has exceptions for public health emergencies. We were “told," after the consultation between the school and the county that our child did not have sufficient contacts with the first positive case to require him to quarantine. After speaking with our son, we concluded that information was incorrect and we decided to keep him home from school, against the advice of the “experts."I fear the response to the virus is not being managed in order to keep people safe; it is being managed to protect elected officials and to keep people from complaining. That is not the job of the Ellis County Health Department or USD 489. Parents and community members should be given information necessary to protect themselves and their families. Todd Powell, Hays

LETTER: Virus must be managed to protect health, not officials

Hays Post and the <a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/post-news-network">Post News Network</a>, which covers portions of the Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri, are among the newest members of <a href="https://www.lionpublishers.com">LION Publishers</a>.

Local Independent Online News Publishers is an industry organization of more than 300 online news outlets across the country helping to bring vital news to their communities.

Hays Post is one of a handful of digital-only members of the Kansas Press Association, and Eagle Radio is a longtime member of the Kansas Association of Broadcasters.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600799320114.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hays Post and the <a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/post-news-network">Post News Network</a>, which covers portions of the Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri, are among the newest members of <a href="https://www.lionpublishers.com">LION Publishers</a>.Local Independent Online News Publishers is an industry organization of more than 300 online news outlets across the country helping to bring vital news to their communities.Hays Post is one of a handful of digital-only members of the Kansas Press Association, and Eagle Radio is a longtime member of the Kansas Association of Broadcasters.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580744561112.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583945824619.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Hays Post a new member of LION Publishers

GOVE COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just before 9 a.m. Monday in Gove County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer driven by Saige Leann&nbsp;Meier, 18, Grinnell,&nbsp;was westbound on county road CC a mile and a half west of Grainfield.

The vehicle traveled off the roadway. The driver over corrected, traveled back across the roadway into the south ditch, entered the roadway a second time and rolled an unknown numbers of times.&nbsp;

EMS transported Meier to Gove County Medical Center. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

GOVE COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just before 9 a.m. Monday in Gove County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer driven by Saige Leann&nbsp;Meier, 18, Grinnell,&nbsp;was westbound on county road CC a mile and a half west of Grainfield.The vehicle traveled off the roadway. The driver over corrected, traveled back across the roadway into the south ditch, entered the roadway a second time and rolled an unknown numbers of times.&nbsp;EMS transported Meier to Gove County Medical Center. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

NW Kansas teen hospitalized after SUV rolls

In the next few weeks, we’re going to see the start of dramatic expansion of access to the Internet from border to border in Kansas.

And surprisingly -- or disappointingly -- it is largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic and about $1 billion in federal funds from which more than $100 million will be spent by Dec. 30 on connectivity, getting fast and reliable Internet access to everyone in Kansas that should have taken place years ago.

Now, that’s probably not what most of us were thinking about when the pandemic struck the nation this spring. We were drawn first to the hundreds of Kansans who are dying of COVID-19, and the thousands who lost their jobs and their access to food and shelter, and the concern about how children would spend their time away from school and how parents would care for them from home while trying to maintain their&nbsp; paychecks remotely.

The first instinct was to help those Kansans. To make sure that our first-responders would be safely masked- and gloved-up to find those ill citizens, get them to health-care facilities, and to boost the supplies at those hospitals so that care-givers could save more lives.

But we also started to take a unified, statewide look at just what communications, and we’re talking Internet, services would be available to allow parents to work from home, for businesses to expand their reach, for the economy to grow so that we have the facilities to care for ill Kansans.

It quickly became apparent that increased Internet access and speed and volume were going to be keys to not only dealing with the current health problems but the economic crises that they spawned.

With issues ranging from how to educate children at schools where conventional teacher-student contact suddenly became dangerous to providing tele-health services so that rural Kansans don’t have to drive for hours to get simple check-ups or have illnesses defined and treatment started, Internet connectivity quickly became essential to every town and every suburb and even every city where crowded living conditions and tall office buildings stymie the new age of communication.

Look for millions of dollars of contracts to be made in the upcoming weeks, largely through the governor’s Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) task force which is dispersing that $1 billion-plus in federal pandemic assistance.&nbsp;

The connectivity assistance will range from subsidized Internet connections for the poor and their children to high-speed and high-volume connections that will allow rural Kansas to become part of the international economy and the intellectual marketplace to tap Kansans with technical skills that will provide high-paying and sought-after industries and jobs.

Nope, that’s not what most of us were thinking about back in the spring, when the pandemic opened. But that’s the way for Kansans to not only get health care to those who need it, to track where COVID-19 cases are being detected, but to allow Kansans to keep their jobs when crowding tech-savvy workers in offices isn’t safe anymore.

Expect, of course, that the Legislature is going to be reading those contracts, considering whether the expenditures are actually going to increase Kansas’ ability to respond to catastrophes and make the state less likely to see the spread of health dangers and prepare for whatever arises next.

Strange that a pandemic that has cost hundreds of lives and thousands of illnesses will likely see an expansion of Internet services that for many is just a frill. But it clearly isn’t a frill in this economy, and the health aspects of that communication ability is likely to be also an economic boost for the state.

Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hawvernews.com/">www.hawvernews.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141234707.png" alt="Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report." />
 <figcaption>Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report.</figcaption>
 </figure>In the next few weeks, we’re going to see the start of dramatic expansion of access to the Internet from border to border in Kansas.And surprisingly -- or disappointingly -- it is largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic and about $1 billion in federal funds from which more than $100 million will be spent by Dec. 30 on connectivity, getting fast and reliable Internet access to everyone in Kansas that should have taken place years ago.Now, that’s probably not what most of us were thinking about when the pandemic struck the nation this spring. We were drawn first to the hundreds of Kansans who are dying of COVID-19, and the thousands who lost their jobs and their access to food and shelter, and the concern about how children would spend their time away from school and how parents would care for them from home while trying to maintain their&nbsp; paychecks remotely.The first instinct was to help those Kansans. To make sure that our first-responders would be safely masked- and gloved-up to find those ill citizens, get them to health-care facilities, and to boost the supplies at those hospitals so that care-givers could save more lives.But we also started to take a unified, statewide look at just what communications, and we’re talking Internet, services would be available to allow parents to work from home, for businesses to expand their reach, for the economy to grow so that we have the facilities to care for ill Kansans.It quickly became apparent that increased Internet access and speed and volume were going to be keys to not only dealing with the current health problems but the economic crises that they spawned.With issues ranging from how to educate children at schools where conventional teacher-student contact suddenly became dangerous to providing tele-health services so that rural Kansans don’t have to drive for hours to get simple check-ups or have illnesses defined and treatment started, Internet connectivity quickly became essential to every town and every suburb and even every city where crowded living conditions and tall office buildings stymie the new age of communication.Look for millions of dollars of contracts to be made in the upcoming weeks, largely through the governor’s Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) task force which is dispersing that $1 billion-plus in federal pandemic assistance.&nbsp;The connectivity assistance will range from subsidized Internet connections for the poor and their children to high-speed and high-volume connections that will allow rural Kansas to become part of the international economy and the intellectual marketplace to tap Kansans with technical skills that will provide high-paying and sought-after industries and jobs.Nope, that’s not what most of us were thinking about back in the spring, when the pandemic opened. But that’s the way for Kansans to not only get health care to those who need it, to track where COVID-19 cases are being detected, but to allow Kansans to keep their jobs when crowding tech-savvy workers in offices isn’t safe anymore.Expect, of course, that the Legislature is going to be reading those contracts, considering whether the expenditures are actually going to increase Kansas’ ability to respond to catastrophes and make the state less likely to see the spread of health dangers and prepare for whatever arises next.Strange that a pandemic that has cost hundreds of lives and thousands of illnesses will likely see an expansion of Internet services that for many is just a frill. But it clearly isn’t a frill in this economy, and the health aspects of that communication ability is likely to be also an economic boost for the state.Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hawvernews.com/">www.hawvernews.com</a>

HAWVER: Virus-sparked broadband expansion set to begin

WICHITA — This year, Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland recognized the decades of service to the Girl Scout movement by Edie McQuade, Russell,&nbsp; with the Juliette Gordon Low Lifetime Achievement Award. Her dedication to living the Girl Scout Promise and Law contributed to her receiving this prestigious award.

Over the years, McQuade has served in a number of roles including Product Program Manager for several troops, planned numerous activities for Girl Scouts in Russell, led five counties as a Service Unit Manager for multiple years, contributed to her service unit’s finance committee, and acted as community coordinator. 

She is a charter member of the Juliette’s Pearls Leadership Society in 2014. Her past contributions have also earned McQuade several other Girl Scout recognitions.

“The more I worked with the girls, the more fun it was to see the look on their faces as they master a skill, or "get" what it is we are trying to learn. 

"I first started out as a leader so that my daughter, Beth, would have a great experience in Girl Scouts. The effort one puts in as a leader is so worth it. You get back as much, or more than you give. It has always been a team effort, and it was the great support on many other leaders that kept me coming back year after year. Then in turn, I tried to mentor new leaders. Girl Scouts is a great organization for girls to explore their world,” said McQuade.

As the highest volunteer award available at Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland, the Juliette Gordon Low Lifetime Achievement Award honors women who live the Girl Scout mission and embody the principles of the organization’s founder, Juliette Gordon Low. Recipients have contributed in a significant and unique way to Girl Scouting within the council, leaving a continued impact on girls and adults, and exemplifying the Girl Scout Promise and Law.

To learn more about Girl Scout volunteers and the Juliette Gordon Low Lifetime Achievement Award, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://click.email.girlscouts.org/?qs=669b2188a7bface10efd03117ba1084a053003099e0fbbdfca6198a8729d66d6b83184d79db6c224ea1f27a5a942234a" target="_blank">www.kansasgirlscouts.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600696368063.jpeg" alt="McQuade" />
 <figcaption>McQuade</figcaption>
 </figure>GSKH WICHITA — This year, Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland recognized the decades of service to the Girl Scout movement by Edie McQuade, Russell,&nbsp; with the Juliette Gordon Low Lifetime Achievement Award. Her dedication to living the Girl Scout Promise and Law contributed to her receiving this prestigious award.Over the years, McQuade has served in a number of roles including Product Program Manager for several troops, planned numerous activities for Girl Scouts in Russell, led five counties as a Service Unit Manager for multiple years, contributed to her service unit’s finance committee, and acted as community coordinator. She is a charter member of the Juliette’s Pearls Leadership Society in 2014. Her past contributions have also earned McQuade several other Girl Scout recognitions.“The more I worked with the girls, the more fun it was to see the look on their faces as they master a skill, or "get" what it is we are trying to learn. "I first started out as a leader so that my daughter, Beth, would have a great experience in Girl Scouts. The effort one puts in as a leader is so worth it. You get back as much, or more than you give. It has always been a team effort, and it was the great support on many other leaders that kept me coming back year after year. Then in turn, I tried to mentor new leaders. Girl Scouts is a great organization for girls to explore their world,” said McQuade.As the highest volunteer award available at Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland, the Juliette Gordon Low Lifetime Achievement Award honors women who live the Girl Scout mission and embody the principles of the organization’s founder, Juliette Gordon Low. Recipients have contributed in a significant and unique way to Girl Scouting within the council, leaving a continued impact on girls and adults, and exemplifying the Girl Scout Promise and Law.To learn more about Girl Scout volunteers and the Juliette Gordon Low Lifetime Achievement Award, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://click.email.girlscouts.org/?qs=669b2188a7bface10efd03117ba1084a053003099e0fbbdfca6198a8729d66d6b83184d79db6c224ea1f27a5a942234a" target="_blank">www.kansasgirlscouts.org</a>.

Russell woman earns Girl Scouts Lifetime Achievement Award

Thomas More Prep-Marian Homecoming 2020 schedule of events:

All events are subject to social distancing guidelines and masks are 
required according to the City of Hays mandate. Please abide by COVID-19
 precautions when attending any Homecoming events.

As a reminder, Alumni homecoming events – open house, class parties, 
dutch lunch and banquet are not being sponsored by the Alumni 
Association this year due to available space for social distancing and 
forecasted low participation. 

TMP-MThomas More Prep-Marian Homecoming 2020 schedule of events:<h2>Thursday September 24th</h2><ol>
 <li>Bonfire – 7:30 PM – TMP-M Campus</li>
 </ol><h2>Friday, September 25th</h2><ol>
 <li>Parade – 4:30 PM – TMP-M Campus</li><li>Homecoming Football Game, Monarchs vs. Syracuse – 7:00 PM – Lewis Field</li><li>Homecoming Crowning, Point of Light Presentation, Jack Schramm Spirit Award&nbsp; – Halftime – Lewis Field</li>
 </ol><h2>Saturday, September 26th</h2><ol>
 <li>Deceased Alumni Mass – 11:00 AM – Streaming Online, Link will be available here on Saturday morning.</li><li>Student Homecoming Dance – 8:00 PM – TMP-M South Parking Lot</li>
 </ol>All events are subject to social distancing guidelines and masks are 
required according to the City of Hays mandate. Please abide by COVID-19
 precautions when attending any Homecoming events.As a reminder, Alumni homecoming events – open house, class parties, 
dutch lunch and banquet are not being sponsored by the Alumni 
Association this year due to available space for social distancing and 
forecasted low participation.

TMP-M announces Homecoming 2020 activity schedule

Annual Turkey Bash softball tourney set for November

Seven&nbsp;alumni and friends of Fort Hays State University will be honored at the Alumni Awards and Recognition&nbsp;Celebration&nbsp;on&nbsp;Oct. 1&nbsp;during&nbsp;the&nbsp;week of&nbsp;Homecoming 2020.&nbsp;For details on how you can celebrate&nbsp;these award winners during FHSU Homecoming@Home week, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.goforthaysstate.com/homecoming2020%20">www.goforthaysstate.com/homecoming2020</a>.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;Alumni Achievement Award, the association's highest honor, was established in 1959 to recognize graduates who have made outstanding contributions in service to their community, state,&nbsp;or nation as public citizens, professionals,&nbsp;or through philanthropic work.&nbsp;

This year's&nbsp;five&nbsp;Alumni Achievement Award recipients are&nbsp;Lynda “Lyn” (Beck) Fenwick '66, Macksville;&nbsp;Dr. R Douglas Hurt '69, '71, West Lafayette, Ind.;&nbsp;Charlie Riedel&nbsp;'83, Overland Park;&nbsp;Marla (Schmidt)&nbsp;Staab&nbsp;'73, Hays; and&nbsp;Dan&nbsp;Weller ’93, Lenexa.

The&nbsp;Young Alumni Award&nbsp;is presented to graduates in 10-&nbsp;to 15-year reunion classes. The award recognizes&nbsp;alumni,&nbsp;early in their careers after college,&nbsp;who&nbsp;have made an impact&nbsp;in their professions and in their&nbsp;communities&nbsp;through&nbsp;outstanding professional and educational achievements, community&nbsp;service,&nbsp;and by earning significant&nbsp;honors and awards.&nbsp;Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree from FHSU&nbsp;and be under age 40 as of Jan. 1 of the year the awards are presented.

The&nbsp;Young Alumni Award&nbsp;recipient&nbsp;for 2020 is&nbsp;Aaron&nbsp;Bernasconi&nbsp;‘10, Washington, D.C.

The&nbsp;Nita M. Landrum Award&nbsp;recognizes a graduate or friend of the university who has demonstrated a continuing&nbsp;commitment to advancing&nbsp;humanity on a universal, national, state,&nbsp;or community level. Honorees also&nbsp;support spiritual, cultural,&nbsp;and educational&nbsp;initiatives&nbsp;and exemplify&nbsp;the highest standards of character and personal&nbsp;excellence.&nbsp;This&nbsp;award&nbsp;is reserved for alumni or friends of the university.

This year's&nbsp;Nita M. Landrum&nbsp;Award goes&nbsp;to&nbsp;Ashley&nbsp;Adorante&nbsp;'01, Overland Park.

You can join a question-and-answer session&nbsp;for each award winner by registering&nbsp;on the&nbsp;Homecoming@Home&nbsp;link listed above. Registration deadline is listed below each recipient’s profile.&nbsp;Or, to view the session without registration, visit the FHSU Alumni Association Facebook page for a live broadcast of the session at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/FHSUAlumni%20">https://www.facebook.com/FHSUAlumni</a>.&nbsp;The online celebration for the recipients&nbsp;is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 1 on the FHSU Alumni&nbsp;Association Facebook page.

Profiles of the 2020&nbsp;Honorees:

Since graduating in 1966 with her&nbsp;B.S.&nbsp;in&nbsp;education, Lyn Fenwick’s career has been diverse.&nbsp;She first taught sixth-grade, and while her husband served as an Air Force officer, she taught high school English in New York and Massachusetts. They regard their opportunities to live and travel throughout America, meeting people from across our nation, as a continuation of their FHSU educations. When they moved to Texas, Lyn received her law degree from Baylor University. She was a partner in law firms in Waco and Dallas, an adjunct professor at Baylor, and she appeared before the United States Supreme Court. Like many professional couples, they adapted their careers for one another. When Larry’s career took them to Georgia and North Carolina, Lyn was licensed but chose to begin writing and pursuing her art, starting with art classes at FHSU.

Baylor University Press published “Should the Children Pray?” for which she was selected as Georgia Nonfiction Author of the Year, and Dutton published “Private Choices, Public Consequences.” In Atlanta, she served on the boards of the Pastel Society and the Portrait Society.&nbsp; Wherever they have lived, Lyn has served her community by volunteering in various ways.

She and her husband, Larry, have chosen to retire in Kansas, living in her fourth-generation family home. Her most recent book, published by the University Press of Kansas, is “Prairie Bachelor,” about a Kansas homesteader and the Populist Movement. Returning to Kansas has given them the opportunity to reconnect with FHSU.

Larry and Lyn believe in the importance of giving back to their community. Because of Lyn’s love of books, they contributed to the planned renovation of Forsyth Library, gifted their Oz Collection to FHSU, and supported the biennial College of Education’s Fall Young Readers’ Conference by sponsoring a respected children’s book illustrator.

They also established the community supported Lori Lamb Legacy Grant scholarship program at Macksville High School. When Lyn was asked to deliver the graduation address there, she began by reminding students to thank those who help them throughout their lives. You can read her blog sharing that graduation address at&nbsp;<a href="https://lynfenwick.blogspot.com/2014/05/school-community-then-now.html">https://lynfenwick.blogspot.com/2014/05/school-community-then-now.html</a>.

Register for Zoom call&nbsp;by&nbsp;Wednesday, Sept.&nbsp;30.&nbsp;Lyn’s&nbsp;session is scheduled for noon Thursday, Oct. 1.

The author of 22 books and 21 book chapters,&nbsp;three&nbsp;digital publications, and more than 100 articles related to U.S. History, American Agriculture, Rural, West, Midwest,&nbsp;and South, Dr. R. Douglas Hart drew on&nbsp;his B.A. and M.A. in&nbsp;history&nbsp;from Fort Hays State&nbsp;and&nbsp;his Ph.D. in American&nbsp;history&nbsp;at Kansas State University to&nbsp;record a lifetime of&nbsp;achievements.&nbsp;

Dr. Hurt began his career as a Post-doctoral Fellow in the History of Science and Technology at the National Museum of Science and Technology at the Smithsonian Institution, now known as the Museum of American History. His career then&nbsp;took him to several destinations including Texas Tech University,&nbsp;the&nbsp;Ohio Historical Society, the State Historical Society of Missouri, Iowa State University, and currently the Department of History at Purdue University.

Dr. Hurt served as the head of the Department of History at Purdue University for 15 years. During that time, he worked to increase the department from 27 to 37 faculty. Proudly, he has increased the number of women faculty to more than 50 percent and increased the number of minority faculty&nbsp;in the department.

Besides his career as a professor and writer, Dr. Hurt has&nbsp;served in&nbsp;several&nbsp;other roles, including member of&nbsp;several&nbsp;advisory boards, consultant&nbsp;and&nbsp;advisor,&nbsp;and&nbsp;as&nbsp;the United Way campaign&nbsp;chair in 2005, 2006, and 2012.&nbsp;

In 1979, Dr. Hurt received the Young Alumni Award from Fort Hays State University and has continued to show his support to the University by presenting lectures to the agricultural history class taught by Professor Brittany Howell and public presentations sponsored by the Department of Agriculture and Department of History.&nbsp;

Register for Zoom call&nbsp;by&nbsp;Tuesday, Sept. 29.&nbsp;Dr. Hurt’s&nbsp;session is scheduled for 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept.&nbsp;30.

Charlie&nbsp;Riedel celebrates&nbsp;his 20th anniversary as a staff photographer for The Associated Press in Kansas City&nbsp;this&nbsp;October. While in this&nbsp;position,&nbsp;he has covered primarily&nbsp;news and sporting events in&nbsp;Kansas and Missouri,&nbsp;but&nbsp;he&nbsp;has also been involved in numerous national stories including Hurricane Katrina recovery&nbsp;efforts, the 2004 Presidential election, wildfires in the western United States, and post 9/11 activities at the World Trade Center in New York.&nbsp;In addition to notable news events, Riedel has also frequently covered major sporting events including: The Super Bowl, Kentucky Derby, golf tournaments, MLB playoffs, World Series and six Olympics.

Prior to his current career, Riedel used his B.S. in Communications (journalism) as a photo editor for&nbsp;The Hays Daily News,&nbsp;where he documented life in small-town Kansas&nbsp;for 17 years. While at&nbsp;the&nbsp;Hays Daily,&nbsp;he was named&nbsp;the&nbsp;National Press Photographers Association Region 7 Photographer of the year three times&nbsp;and won&nbsp;numerous state and regional photojournalism awards.&nbsp;

Riedel’s photos have&nbsp;appeared in prominent news media across the nation,&nbsp;including&nbsp;Time Magazine for his photo coverage of the Deepwater Horizon spill. His photos have also appeared in&nbsp;multiple “Top Photos of the Year” compilations.

He&nbsp;gives&nbsp;back to the community&nbsp;through speaking engagements&nbsp;on several&nbsp;university campuses and high schools&nbsp;and by serving as a judge at&nbsp;the Five State Photo Competition,&nbsp;numerous&nbsp;regional photo competitions, and&nbsp;a&nbsp;national Photo of the Year Competition. Riedel also&nbsp;donated his collection of the Fort Hays State University photographs to the university archive.

Register for Zoom call&nbsp;by Sunday, Sept. 27.&nbsp;Charlie’s session is scheduled for noon Monday, Sept. 28.

Marla (Schmidt)&nbsp;Staab

A lifelong&nbsp;faculty member and friend&nbsp;of&nbsp;FHSU, Marla&nbsp;Staab&nbsp;earned her B.A. in 1973 and her M.S. in 1974 in&nbsp;speech-language pathology. She&nbsp;began her professional career in 1977 as a part-time&nbsp;clinical&nbsp;instructor in the FHSU Speech-Language Pathology program.&nbsp;Staab’s&nbsp;goal as an instructor was to help students develop their clinical skills as they worked with children with speech and other language difficulties. This&nbsp;led her to spend hours in Forsyth Library using the research tools available&nbsp;at the time&nbsp;to study&nbsp;a wide variety&nbsp;of syndromes&nbsp;and&nbsp;developmental disorders.

In 1994, Staab was chosen as the first full-time&nbsp;clinical&nbsp;coordinator for the Herndon Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic on campus. She was responsible for administration, clinical teaching, and supporting the clinical instructors in developing&nbsp;supervisory&nbsp;skills. Along with these duties,&nbsp;and in conjunction&nbsp;with other clinical instructors, she designed and&nbsp;compiled&nbsp;supervisor and student clinic handbooks that&nbsp;included resources for clinic instructions, expectations/guidelines for students, as well as performance standards and competencies for both instructors and students. The resources she created are&nbsp;still used today in an online format.&nbsp;

Staab and her peers developed a plan to increase public awareness of communication disorders as well as the services provided at the Herndon Clinic through brochures, presentations to medical communities, and contributions to building a website. In addition,&nbsp;she worked closely with&nbsp;a colleague&nbsp;to complete&nbsp;a literature review and design the Clinical Competency Rating Scale (CCRS), which was presented as a poster session at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) National Conference in 2006. This&nbsp;presentation helped bring attention to the need for stating student learning outcomes for both academic and clinical skills to a national audience&nbsp;and&nbsp;are now part of the national accreditation standards.

Her&nbsp;professional and personal&nbsp;contributions did not stop at the university level. Staab collaborated with various agencies to support and improve services available to children and families in Ellis and Rush Counties. A few of her community contributions include&nbsp;service as a&nbsp;charter&nbsp;member of the Hays Area Interagency Coordinating Council representing the Herndon Clinic, the State of Kansas Early Intervention Task Force on Newborn Hearing Screening,&nbsp;and the Kansas Early Head Start Outcomes Committee.&nbsp;Staab has&nbsp;earned&nbsp;many achievements throughout her years of service to Fort Hays State and the community, but the highlight of her career came in 2006 when she was designated as a Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, which is one of the highest honors the Association bestows.&nbsp;

Register for Zoom call&nbsp;by Sunday, Sept. 27.&nbsp;Marla’s&nbsp;session is scheduled for&nbsp;3 p.m.&nbsp;Monday, Sept. 28.

A multi-instrumentalist,&nbsp;Dan Weller&nbsp;earned his B.A. in&nbsp;music&nbsp;at Fort Hays State&nbsp;and&nbsp;went&nbsp;on to work as&nbsp;a&nbsp;professional studio and touring&nbsp;musician. Weller lives&nbsp;in Kansas City and Nashville&nbsp;and has&nbsp;shared the stage&nbsp;with&nbsp;some of the top touring artists in America, including&nbsp;Florida Georgia Line, Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Kid Rock, ZZ Top, Back Street Boys, Nelly,&nbsp;and many more.&nbsp;

Weller&nbsp;has&nbsp;toured extensively in&nbsp;North America,&nbsp;Europe,&nbsp;and Australia,&nbsp;appearing in venues that range from small&nbsp;local&nbsp;clubs to sold-out&nbsp;shows in&nbsp;Madison Square Garden,&nbsp;Major League Baseball parks,&nbsp;and NFL stadiums. One Fourth of July show on the National Mall in D.C. was performed in front of an audience&nbsp;of nearly&nbsp;500,000,&nbsp;the largest&nbsp;he has appeared before to date.&nbsp;

He&nbsp;has also been featured on talk shows, television shows, news channels,&nbsp;and special TV events&nbsp;including&nbsp;Ellen, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Voice,&nbsp;and Good Morning America.&nbsp;

Weller continues to mentor musicians and artists in both Kansas City and Nashville.  He also works to pair producers, musicians, and artists to help bright upcoming talent connect with professional opportunities. His betterment extends beyond the music world, as he has partnered with TOMS Shoes and ‘Save The Children.’ He is an active volunteer leader with Troop 181 of the Boy Scouts of America.&nbsp;

Register for Zoom call&nbsp;by&nbsp;Monday, Sept. 28.&nbsp;Dan’s&nbsp;session is scheduled for noon&nbsp;Tuesday, Sept. 29.

Aaron&nbsp;Bernasconi

Bernasconi’s&nbsp;service as the&nbsp;Senior Advisor to Deputy United States Trade Representative, Ambassador C.J. Mahoney, for the past two years is&nbsp;but&nbsp;one of the many accomplishments that have&nbsp;made&nbsp;this young alum deserving of this honor. The pinnacle achievement of his career is the successful renegotiation and modernization of the North American Free Trade Agreement, now known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). On Jan. 29 of this year, Bernasconi had the&nbsp;honor&nbsp;of joining the President as he signed the USMCA into law, securing economic benefits and solidifying the future of America’s farmers, ranchers, workers, and entrepreneurs.

In addition to his career endeavors, Bernasconi – who earned his B.A. in political science – has volunteered as a&nbsp;youth leader&nbsp;at Sync Student Ministries and served as a leader, mentor, and counselor to a group of students, helping them&nbsp;navigate the ups and downs of teenage life in a safe and shame-free environment. Bernasconi&nbsp;takes&nbsp;pride&nbsp;in his efforts to&nbsp;help hundreds of students find their passions, realize their&nbsp;potential, repair damaged relationships, overcome immense hardships, and unlock their potential.&nbsp;

Also, serving as a Youth Education Volunteer at Nashville International Center for Empowerment (NICE), Bernasconi had the opportunity to empower high school refugees&nbsp;and immigrant students,&nbsp;connecting them to&nbsp;services&nbsp;that help&nbsp;mitigate the effects of interrupted education, and overcoming cultural and language barriers to learning. Bernasconi assisted in academic tutoring on all subjects, worked to strengthen students’ literacy proficiency, and aided students&nbsp;in&nbsp;the transition&nbsp;to a&nbsp;new life in America.&nbsp;

One of&nbsp;the other notable honors he has received came from the senior leadership at&nbsp;<a></a>RAM Tool Inc., where he was recognized&nbsp;as one of the company’s top personal trainers. He also rose to become&nbsp;one of the top sales representatives&nbsp;when he worked for&nbsp;Techtronic Industries North America Inc. He was&nbsp;even recognized by&nbsp;U.S. Senator&nbsp;Jerry Moran at a national level for outstanding service as a Doorkeeper&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;U.S.&nbsp;Senate’s&nbsp;Sergeant at Arms, accompanying&nbsp;the senator&nbsp;as his personal guest to a Joint Session of&nbsp;Congress attended by&nbsp;French President, Emmanuel Macron.&nbsp;

Register for Zoom call&nbsp;by&nbsp;Monday, Sept. 28.&nbsp;Aaron’s&nbsp;session is scheduled for&nbsp;3 p.m.&nbsp;Tuesday, Sept. 29.

NITA M. LANDRUM&nbsp;AWARD

Ashley&nbsp;Adorante

This&nbsp;Sigma&nbsp;Sigma&nbsp;Sigma&nbsp;(Alpha Gamma) alumna&nbsp;is an active volunteer&nbsp;with FHSU,&nbsp;the Rotary Club of Kansas City, Kan.,&nbsp;the&nbsp;Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, and several other community groups and organizations. Her extensive record of&nbsp;leadership and service in so many areas&nbsp;make&nbsp;Ashley Adorante&nbsp;an obvious choice as this year’s&nbsp;Nita M. Landrum Award winner.&nbsp;

Adorante serves&nbsp;on&nbsp;leadership&nbsp;boards, steering committees, and planning committees all around the Kansas City area. She stands out in so many settings because she is routinely the first to identify ways to pursue better, faster, more economical ways of conducting business. She&nbsp;has amassed a tremendous record of achievement as a planner, a leader,&nbsp;and an organizer of diverse events, large and small.&nbsp;She&nbsp;works tirelessly as&nbsp;an advocate&nbsp;with&nbsp;volunteer groups, inspiring&nbsp;others to attend and participate as well.

Adorante&nbsp;received a B.S.&nbsp;in 2001 in physical education (health and wellness) and often returns to FHSU&nbsp;to&nbsp;volunteer&nbsp;at alumni events and Tri Sigma activities. She eagerly supports and attends FHSU sporting events and other alumni events around the Kansas City&nbsp;area wearing her Tiger&nbsp;Gold&nbsp;and, at times, suiting&nbsp;up&nbsp;as&nbsp;Victor&nbsp;E. Tiger at local&nbsp;events in Kansas City.&nbsp;

When she is not volunteering, she is working as the Outreach Coordinator for the Masonic Cancer Alliance at&nbsp;The University of Kansas Cancer Center, an organization that brings together patient care, research, and support professionals throughout Kansas and western Missouri. Adorante is specifically responsible for helping to develop and implement&nbsp;statewide cancer outreach and education programs with a focus on promoting community awareness of cancer prevention and early detection, sun safety,&nbsp;and she does it all with a focus on&nbsp;assuring the inclusion of&nbsp;people in&nbsp;underserved communities.&nbsp;

Register for Zoom call&nbsp;by&nbsp;Tuesday, Sept. 29.&nbsp;Ashley’s&nbsp;session is scheduled for noon Wednesday, Sept.&nbsp;30.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600717129991.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University RelationsSeven&nbsp;alumni and friends of Fort Hays State University will be honored at the Alumni Awards and Recognition&nbsp;Celebration&nbsp;on&nbsp;Oct. 1&nbsp;during&nbsp;the&nbsp;week of&nbsp;Homecoming 2020.&nbsp;For details on how you can celebrate&nbsp;these award winners during FHSU Homecoming@Home week, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.goforthaysstate.com/homecoming2020%20">www.goforthaysstate.com/homecoming2020</a>.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Alumni Achievement Award, the association's highest honor, was established in 1959 to recognize graduates who have made outstanding contributions in service to their community, state,&nbsp;or nation as public citizens, professionals,&nbsp;or through philanthropic work.&nbsp;This year's&nbsp;five&nbsp;Alumni Achievement Award recipients are&nbsp;Lynda “Lyn” (Beck) Fenwick '66, Macksville;&nbsp;Dr. R Douglas Hurt '69, '71, West Lafayette, Ind.;&nbsp;Charlie Riedel&nbsp;'83, Overland Park;&nbsp;Marla (Schmidt)&nbsp;Staab&nbsp;'73, Hays; and&nbsp;Dan&nbsp;Weller ’93, Lenexa.The&nbsp;Young Alumni Award&nbsp;is presented to graduates in 10-&nbsp;to 15-year reunion classes. The award recognizes&nbsp;alumni,&nbsp;early in their careers after college,&nbsp;who&nbsp;have made an impact&nbsp;in their professions and in their&nbsp;communities&nbsp;through&nbsp;outstanding professional and educational achievements, community&nbsp;service,&nbsp;and by earning significant&nbsp;honors and awards.&nbsp;Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree from FHSU&nbsp;and be under age 40 as of Jan. 1 of the year the awards are presented.The&nbsp;Young Alumni Award&nbsp;recipient&nbsp;for 2020 is&nbsp;Aaron&nbsp;Bernasconi&nbsp;‘10, Washington, D.C.The&nbsp;Nita M. Landrum Award&nbsp;recognizes a graduate or friend of the university who has demonstrated a continuing&nbsp;commitment to advancing&nbsp;humanity on a universal, national, state,&nbsp;or community level. Honorees also&nbsp;support spiritual, cultural,&nbsp;and educational&nbsp;initiatives&nbsp;and exemplify&nbsp;the highest standards of character and personal&nbsp;excellence.&nbsp;This&nbsp;award&nbsp;is reserved for alumni or friends of the university.This year's&nbsp;Nita M. Landrum&nbsp;Award goes&nbsp;to&nbsp;Ashley&nbsp;Adorante&nbsp;'01, Overland Park.You can join a question-and-answer session&nbsp;for each award winner by registering&nbsp;on the&nbsp;Homecoming@Home&nbsp;link listed above. Registration deadline is listed below each recipient’s profile.&nbsp;Or, to view the session without registration, visit the FHSU Alumni Association Facebook page for a live broadcast of the session at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/FHSUAlumni%20">https://www.facebook.com/FHSUAlumni</a>.&nbsp;The online celebration for the recipients&nbsp;is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 1 on the FHSU Alumni&nbsp;Association Facebook page.Profiles of the 2020&nbsp;Honorees:ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARDSLynda “Lyn” (Beck) FenwickSince graduating in 1966 with her&nbsp;B.S.&nbsp;in&nbsp;education, Lyn Fenwick’s career has been diverse.&nbsp;She first taught sixth-grade, and while her husband served as an Air Force officer, she taught high school English in New York and Massachusetts. They regard their opportunities to live and travel throughout America, meeting people from across our nation, as a continuation of their FHSU educations. When they moved to Texas, Lyn received her law degree from Baylor University. She was a partner in law firms in Waco and Dallas, an adjunct professor at Baylor, and she appeared before the United States Supreme Court. Like many professional couples, they adapted their careers for one another. When Larry’s career took them to Georgia and North Carolina, Lyn was licensed but chose to begin writing and pursuing her art, starting with art classes at FHSU.Baylor University Press published “Should the Children Pray?” for which she was selected as Georgia Nonfiction Author of the Year, and Dutton published “Private Choices, Public Consequences.” In Atlanta, she served on the boards of the Pastel Society and the Portrait Society.&nbsp; Wherever they have lived, Lyn has served her community by volunteering in various ways.She and her husband, Larry, have chosen to retire in Kansas, living in her fourth-generation family home. Her most recent book, published by the University Press of Kansas, is “Prairie Bachelor,” about a Kansas homesteader and the Populist Movement. Returning to Kansas has given them the opportunity to reconnect with FHSU.Larry and Lyn believe in the importance of giving back to their community. Because of Lyn’s love of books, they contributed to the planned renovation of Forsyth Library, gifted their Oz Collection to FHSU, and supported the biennial College of Education’s Fall Young Readers’ Conference by sponsoring a respected children’s book illustrator.They also established the community supported Lori Lamb Legacy Grant scholarship program at Macksville High School. When Lyn was asked to deliver the graduation address there, she began by reminding students to thank those who help them throughout their lives. You can read her blog sharing that graduation address at&nbsp;<a href="https://lynfenwick.blogspot.com/2014/05/school-community-then-now.html">https://lynfenwick.blogspot.com/2014/05/school-community-then-now.html</a>.Register for Zoom call&nbsp;by&nbsp;Wednesday, Sept.&nbsp;30.&nbsp;Lyn’s&nbsp;session is scheduled for noon Thursday, Oct. 1.Dr. R Douglas HurtThe author of 22 books and 21 book chapters,&nbsp;three&nbsp;digital publications, and more than 100 articles related to U.S. History, American Agriculture, Rural, West, Midwest,&nbsp;and South, Dr. R. Douglas Hart drew on&nbsp;his B.A. and M.A. in&nbsp;history&nbsp;from Fort Hays State&nbsp;and&nbsp;his Ph.D. in American&nbsp;history&nbsp;at Kansas State University to&nbsp;record a lifetime of&nbsp;achievements.&nbsp;Dr. Hurt began his career as a Post-doctoral Fellow in the History of Science and Technology at the National Museum of Science and Technology at the Smithsonian Institution, now known as the Museum of American History. His career then&nbsp;took him to several destinations including Texas Tech University,&nbsp;the&nbsp;Ohio Historical Society, the State Historical Society of Missouri, Iowa State University, and currently the Department of History at Purdue University.Dr. Hurt served as the head of the Department of History at Purdue University for 15 years. During that time, he worked to increase the department from 27 to 37 faculty. Proudly, he has increased the number of women faculty to more than 50 percent and increased the number of minority faculty&nbsp;in the department.Besides his career as a professor and writer, Dr. Hurt has&nbsp;served in&nbsp;several&nbsp;other roles, including member of&nbsp;several&nbsp;advisory boards, consultant&nbsp;and&nbsp;advisor,&nbsp;and&nbsp;as&nbsp;the United Way campaign&nbsp;chair in 2005, 2006, and 2012.&nbsp;In 1979, Dr. Hurt received the Young Alumni Award from Fort Hays State University and has continued to show his support to the University by presenting lectures to the agricultural history class taught by Professor Brittany Howell and public presentations sponsored by the Department of Agriculture and Department of History.&nbsp;Register for Zoom call&nbsp;by&nbsp;Tuesday, Sept. 29.&nbsp;Dr. Hurt’s&nbsp;session is scheduled for 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept.&nbsp;30.Charlie RiedelCharlie&nbsp;Riedel celebrates&nbsp;his 20th anniversary as a staff photographer for The Associated Press in Kansas City&nbsp;this&nbsp;October. While in this&nbsp;position,&nbsp;he has covered primarily&nbsp;news and sporting events in&nbsp;Kansas and Missouri,&nbsp;but&nbsp;he&nbsp;has also been involved in numerous national stories including Hurricane Katrina recovery&nbsp;efforts, the 2004 Presidential election, wildfires in the western United States, and post 9/11 activities at the World Trade Center in New York.&nbsp;In addition to notable news events, Riedel has also frequently covered major sporting events including: The Super Bowl, Kentucky Derby, golf tournaments, MLB playoffs, World Series and six Olympics.Prior to his current career, Riedel used his B.S. in Communications (journalism) as a photo editor for&nbsp;The Hays Daily News,&nbsp;where he documented life in small-town Kansas&nbsp;for 17 years. While at&nbsp;the&nbsp;Hays Daily,&nbsp;he was named&nbsp;the&nbsp;National Press Photographers Association Region 7 Photographer of the year three times&nbsp;and won&nbsp;numerous state and regional photojournalism awards.&nbsp;Riedel’s photos have&nbsp;appeared in prominent news media across the nation,&nbsp;including&nbsp;Time Magazine for his photo coverage of the Deepwater Horizon spill. His photos have also appeared in&nbsp;multiple “Top Photos of the Year” compilations.He&nbsp;gives&nbsp;back to the community&nbsp;through speaking engagements&nbsp;on several&nbsp;university campuses and high schools&nbsp;and by serving as a judge at&nbsp;the Five State Photo Competition,&nbsp;numerous&nbsp;regional photo competitions, and&nbsp;a&nbsp;national Photo of the Year Competition. Riedel also&nbsp;donated his collection of the Fort Hays State University photographs to the university archive.Register for Zoom call&nbsp;by Sunday, Sept. 27.&nbsp;Charlie’s session is scheduled for noon Monday, Sept. 28.Marla (Schmidt)&nbsp;StaabA lifelong&nbsp;faculty member and friend&nbsp;of&nbsp;FHSU, Marla&nbsp;Staab&nbsp;earned her B.A. in 1973 and her M.S. in 1974 in&nbsp;speech-language pathology. She&nbsp;began her professional career in 1977 as a part-time&nbsp;clinical&nbsp;instructor in the FHSU Speech-Language Pathology program.&nbsp;Staab’s&nbsp;goal as an instructor was to help students develop their clinical skills as they worked with children with speech and other language difficulties. This&nbsp;led her to spend hours in Forsyth Library using the research tools available&nbsp;at the time&nbsp;to study&nbsp;a wide variety&nbsp;of syndromes&nbsp;and&nbsp;developmental disorders.In 1994, Staab was chosen as the first full-time&nbsp;clinical&nbsp;coordinator for the Herndon Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic on campus. She was responsible for administration, clinical teaching, and supporting the clinical instructors in developing&nbsp;supervisory&nbsp;skills. Along with these duties,&nbsp;and in conjunction&nbsp;with other clinical instructors, she designed and&nbsp;compiled&nbsp;supervisor and student clinic handbooks that&nbsp;included resources for clinic instructions, expectations/guidelines for students, as well as performance standards and competencies for both instructors and students. The resources she created are&nbsp;still used today in an online format.&nbsp;Staab and her peers developed a plan to increase public awareness of communication disorders as well as the services provided at the Herndon Clinic through brochures, presentations to medical communities, and contributions to building a website. In addition,&nbsp;she worked closely with&nbsp;a colleague&nbsp;to complete&nbsp;a literature review and design the Clinical Competency Rating Scale (CCRS), which was presented as a poster session at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) National Conference in 2006. This&nbsp;presentation helped bring attention to the need for stating student learning outcomes for both academic and clinical skills to a national audience&nbsp;and&nbsp;are now part of the national accreditation standards.Her&nbsp;professional and personal&nbsp;contributions did not stop at the university level. Staab collaborated with various agencies to support and improve services available to children and families in Ellis and Rush Counties. A few of her community contributions include&nbsp;service as a&nbsp;charter&nbsp;member of the Hays Area Interagency Coordinating Council representing the Herndon Clinic, the State of Kansas Early Intervention Task Force on Newborn Hearing Screening,&nbsp;and the Kansas Early Head Start Outcomes Committee.&nbsp;Staab has&nbsp;earned&nbsp;many achievements throughout her years of service to Fort Hays State and the community, but the highlight of her career came in 2006 when she was designated as a Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, which is one of the highest honors the Association bestows.&nbsp;Register for Zoom call&nbsp;by Sunday, Sept. 27.&nbsp;Marla’s&nbsp;session is scheduled for&nbsp;3 p.m.&nbsp;Monday, Sept. 28.Dan&nbsp;WellerA multi-instrumentalist,&nbsp;Dan Weller&nbsp;earned his B.A. in&nbsp;music&nbsp;at Fort Hays State&nbsp;and&nbsp;went&nbsp;on to work as&nbsp;a&nbsp;professional studio and touring&nbsp;musician. Weller lives&nbsp;in Kansas City and Nashville&nbsp;and has&nbsp;shared the stage&nbsp;with&nbsp;some of the top touring artists in America, including&nbsp;Florida Georgia Line, Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Kid Rock, ZZ Top, Back Street Boys, Nelly,&nbsp;and many more.&nbsp;Weller&nbsp;has&nbsp;toured extensively in&nbsp;North America,&nbsp;Europe,&nbsp;and Australia,&nbsp;appearing in venues that range from small&nbsp;local&nbsp;clubs to sold-out&nbsp;shows in&nbsp;Madison Square Garden,&nbsp;Major League Baseball parks,&nbsp;and NFL stadiums. One Fourth of July show on the National Mall in D.C. was performed in front of an audience&nbsp;of nearly&nbsp;500,000,&nbsp;the largest&nbsp;he has appeared before to date.&nbsp;He&nbsp;has also been featured on talk shows, television shows, news channels,&nbsp;and special TV events&nbsp;including&nbsp;Ellen, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Voice,&nbsp;and Good Morning America.&nbsp;Weller continues to mentor musicians and artists in both Kansas City and Nashville. He also works to pair producers, musicians, and artists to help bright upcoming talent connect with professional opportunities. His betterment extends beyond the music world, as he has partnered with TOMS Shoes and ‘Save The Children.’ He is an active volunteer leader with Troop 181 of the Boy Scouts of America.&nbsp;Register for Zoom call&nbsp;by&nbsp;Monday, Sept. 28.&nbsp;Dan’s&nbsp;session is scheduled for noon&nbsp;Tuesday, Sept. 29.YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD &nbsp;Aaron&nbsp;BernasconiBernasconi’s&nbsp;service as the&nbsp;Senior Advisor to Deputy United States Trade Representative, Ambassador C.J. Mahoney, for the past two years is&nbsp;but&nbsp;one of the many accomplishments that have&nbsp;made&nbsp;this young alum deserving of this honor. The pinnacle achievement of his career is the successful renegotiation and modernization of the North American Free Trade Agreement, now known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). On Jan. 29 of this year, Bernasconi had the&nbsp;honor&nbsp;of joining the President as he signed the USMCA into law, securing economic benefits and solidifying the future of America’s farmers, ranchers, workers, and entrepreneurs.In addition to his career endeavors, Bernasconi – who earned his B.A. in political science – has volunteered as a&nbsp;youth leader&nbsp;at Sync Student Ministries and served as a leader, mentor, and counselor to a group of students, helping them&nbsp;navigate the ups and downs of teenage life in a safe and shame-free environment. Bernasconi&nbsp;takes&nbsp;pride&nbsp;in his efforts to&nbsp;help hundreds of students find their passions, realize their&nbsp;potential, repair damaged relationships, overcome immense hardships, and unlock their potential.&nbsp;Also, serving as a Youth Education Volunteer at Nashville International Center for Empowerment (NICE), Bernasconi had the opportunity to empower high school refugees&nbsp;and immigrant students,&nbsp;connecting them to&nbsp;services&nbsp;that help&nbsp;mitigate the effects of interrupted education, and overcoming cultural and language barriers to learning. Bernasconi assisted in academic tutoring on all subjects, worked to strengthen students’ literacy proficiency, and aided students&nbsp;in&nbsp;the transition&nbsp;to a&nbsp;new life in America.&nbsp;One of&nbsp;the other notable honors he has received came from the senior leadership at&nbsp;<a></a>RAM Tool Inc., where he was recognized&nbsp;as one of the company’s top personal trainers. He also rose to become&nbsp;one of the top sales representatives&nbsp;when he worked for&nbsp;Techtronic Industries North America Inc. He was&nbsp;even recognized by&nbsp;U.S. Senator&nbsp;Jerry Moran at a national level for outstanding service as a Doorkeeper&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;U.S.&nbsp;Senate’s&nbsp;Sergeant at Arms, accompanying&nbsp;the senator&nbsp;as his personal guest to a Joint Session of&nbsp;Congress attended by&nbsp;French President, Emmanuel Macron.&nbsp;Register for Zoom call&nbsp;by&nbsp;Monday, Sept. 28.&nbsp;Aaron’s&nbsp;session is scheduled for&nbsp;3 p.m.&nbsp;Tuesday, Sept. 29.NITA M. LANDRUM&nbsp;AWARDAshley&nbsp;AdoranteThis&nbsp;Sigma&nbsp;Sigma&nbsp;Sigma&nbsp;(Alpha Gamma) alumna&nbsp;is an active volunteer&nbsp;with FHSU,&nbsp;the Rotary Club of Kansas City, Kan.,&nbsp;the&nbsp;Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, and several other community groups and organizations. Her extensive record of&nbsp;leadership and service in so many areas&nbsp;make&nbsp;Ashley Adorante&nbsp;an obvious choice as this year’s&nbsp;Nita M. Landrum Award winner.&nbsp;Adorante serves&nbsp;on&nbsp;leadership&nbsp;boards, steering committees, and planning committees all around the Kansas City area. She stands out in so many settings because she is routinely the first to identify ways to pursue better, faster, more economical ways of conducting business. She&nbsp;has amassed a tremendous record of achievement as a planner, a leader,&nbsp;and an organizer of diverse events, large and small.&nbsp;She&nbsp;works tirelessly as&nbsp;an advocate&nbsp;with&nbsp;volunteer groups, inspiring&nbsp;others to attend and participate as well.Adorante&nbsp;received a B.S.&nbsp;in 2001 in physical education (health and wellness) and often returns to FHSU&nbsp;to&nbsp;volunteer&nbsp;at alumni events and Tri Sigma activities. She eagerly supports and attends FHSU sporting events and other alumni events around the Kansas City&nbsp;area wearing her Tiger&nbsp;Gold&nbsp;and, at times, suiting&nbsp;up&nbsp;as&nbsp;Victor&nbsp;E. Tiger at local&nbsp;events in Kansas City.&nbsp;When she is not volunteering, she is working as the Outreach Coordinator for the Masonic Cancer Alliance at&nbsp;The University of Kansas Cancer Center, an organization that brings together patient care, research, and support professionals throughout Kansas and western Missouri. Adorante is specifically responsible for helping to develop and implement&nbsp;statewide cancer outreach and education programs with a focus on promoting community awareness of cancer prevention and early detection, sun safety,&nbsp;and she does it all with a focus on&nbsp;assuring the inclusion of&nbsp;people in&nbsp;underserved communities.&nbsp;Register for Zoom call&nbsp;by&nbsp;Tuesday, Sept. 29.&nbsp;Ashley’s&nbsp;session is scheduled for noon Wednesday, Sept.&nbsp;30.

FHSU Alumni Association announces Homecoming honorees

The United Way of Ellis County (UWEC) announces the opening of the 2021 CARE Council application process. Any 501(c)(3) that provides services in Ellis County is eligible to apply. The services must meet one of the three criteria of education, health, and financial stability.

The CARE Council is made up of 12 community volunteers who review the applications to determine funding for the United Way of Ellis County, City of Hays Social Service Funds and Alcohol Tax Funds, and Ellis County Alcohol Tax Funds.

There will be a Zoom meeting for those interested in applying for funding on Wednesday, September 23 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. to learn about the online application process. 

If you would like to attend the Zoom meeting please email the United Way at uweced@ruraltel.net to receive an invitation link to the meeting. 

Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on November 23, 2020.

For questions, please contact Erica Berges, executive director, at 785-628-8281.

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 </figure>UWECThe United Way of Ellis County (UWEC) announces the opening of the 2021 CARE Council application process. Any 501(c)(3) that provides services in Ellis County is eligible to apply. The services must meet one of the three criteria of education, health, and financial stability.The CARE Council is made up of 12 community volunteers who review the applications to determine funding for the United Way of Ellis County, City of Hays Social Service Funds and Alcohol Tax Funds, and Ellis County Alcohol Tax Funds.There will be a Zoom meeting for those interested in applying for funding on Wednesday, September 23 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. to learn about the online application process. If you would like to attend the Zoom meeting please email the United Way at uweced@ruraltel.net to receive an invitation link to the meeting. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on November 23, 2020.For questions, please contact Erica Berges, executive director, at 785-628-8281.

United Way of Ellis County opens funding application process; Zoom meeting Wed.

Beginning Wednesday, General Custer will be closed from Downing to Centennial Blvd. in Hays.

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 </figure>City of HaysBeginning Wednesday, General Custer will be closed from Downing to Centennial Blvd. in Hays. This is the second phase of a project to reconstruct General Custer from 22nd Street to Centennial. Construction is expected to last several weeks. &nbsp;The section of General Custer from 22nd Street to Downing should be opened to traffic by Oct. 1.&nbsp; For more information, call (785) 628-7350 or J Corp at (785) 628-8101.