By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Collin Bielser, Hays assistant city manager, recently presented the August progress report on projects completed last month by city employees and various departments.&nbsp;

In addition to some street improvements, projects included stocking of the Vineyard Park pond with 100 pounds of catfish, in agreement with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.&nbsp;

Painting of Fort Hays State University and Sternberg Museum of Natural History logos is underway on the water tower near the museum.

Bielser also reported the north Vine roundabout project is a little more than 19 percent completed.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KcXcrvYCTOE"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostCollin Bielser, Hays assistant city manager, recently presented the August progress report on projects completed last month by city employees and various departments.&nbsp;In addition to some street improvements, projects included stocking of the Vineyard Park pond with 100 pounds of catfish, in agreement with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.&nbsp;Painting of Fort Hays State University and Sternberg Museum of Natural History logos is underway on the water tower near the museum.Bielser also reported the north Vine roundabout project is a little more than 19 percent completed.&nbsp;

🎥 Water tower logos, roundabout part of August progress report 

THOMAS COUNTY — The Thomas County Sheriff's Office reported Friday that a semi rollover in the westbound lane of Interstate 70 closed the highway to traffic for nearly two hours early Wednesday morning.

The sheriff's office said the incident happened just after 12:30 a.m. Wednesday near mile marker 61.5 in Thomas County. The westbound land was shut down for nearly two hours. 

The sheriff said the driver was wearing a seat belt and sustained only minor injuries that were treated on the scene.

Corrected, 11:30 a.m. Wednesday to reflect the correct day of the incident. Hays Post apologizes for the error.

THOMAS COUNTY — The Thomas County Sheriff's Office reported Friday that a semi rollover in the westbound lane of Interstate 70 closed the highway to traffic for nearly two hours early Wednesday morning.The sheriff's office said the incident happened just after 12:30 a.m. Wednesday near mile marker 61.5 in Thomas County. The westbound land was shut down for nearly two hours. The sheriff said the driver was wearing a seat belt and sustained only minor injuries that were treated on the scene.Corrected, 11:30 a.m. Wednesday to reflect the correct day of the incident. Hays Post apologizes for the error.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FThomasCountyKSSheriff%2Fposts%2F2663682583883941&show_text=true&width=552&height=418&appId" width="552" height="418" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div>

Semi rollover closes portion of I-70 early Wednesday morning

HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, announced Wednesday that Dr. Kalyan Wagle, cardiologist, has joined the medical staff. He will be seeing patients at the DeBakey Heart Clinic.

Wagle received his medical degree from the Universal College of Medical Sciences, Paklihawa Campus, Bhairahawa, Nepal. He completed a residency in internal medicine at Queens Hospital Center/Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Queens, New York. He also completed a fellowship in cardiovascular medicine at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York. He is board certified in echocardiography, cardiac nuclear medicine and&nbsp;board certified in internal medicine.

&nbsp;“As we continue to expand our cardiac program at HaysMed, Dr. Wagle will be an excellent addition to our medical staff,” said Dr. Jeffery Curtis, cardiologist and administrative director of cardiology. &nbsp;

To make an appointment, call 785-623-4699 or go to <a href="http://www.haysmed.com/debakey-heart-institute/">www.haysmed.com/debakey-heart-institute/</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601478206451.jpeg" alt="Wagle" />
 <figcaption>Wagle</figcaption>
 </figure>HaysMedHaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, announced Wednesday that Dr. Kalyan Wagle, cardiologist, has joined the medical staff. He will be seeing patients at the DeBakey Heart Clinic.Wagle received his medical degree from the Universal College of Medical Sciences, Paklihawa Campus, Bhairahawa, Nepal. He completed a residency in internal medicine at Queens Hospital Center/Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Queens, New York. He also completed a fellowship in cardiovascular medicine at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York. He is board certified in echocardiography, cardiac nuclear medicine and&nbsp;board certified in internal medicine.&nbsp;“As we continue to expand our cardiac program at HaysMed, Dr. Wagle will be an excellent addition to our medical staff,” said Dr. Jeffery Curtis, cardiologist and administrative director of cardiology. &nbsp;To make an appointment, call 785-623-4699 or go to <a href="http://www.haysmed.com/debakey-heart-institute/">www.haysmed.com/debakey-heart-institute/</a>

New cardiologist joins staff at DeBakey Heart Clinic

Government surplus commodities will be distributed in Hays at Unite Common Grounds Coffee House and Free Store (inside The Gamers Guild), 200 E. Eighth in Hays on Friday from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. if supplies allow.

Clients can only get commodities at one of these distribution times, and commodities will be distributed on a first-come-first-serve basis until we run out.

Doors will not open until 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., respectively.

To be eligible for commodities, your household's total monthly income must be below:$1,383 Household of one$1,868 Household of two$2,353 Household of three$2,839 Household of four$3,324 Household of five$3,809 Household of six$4,295 Household of seven$4,780 Household of eight

*Add $486 for each additional family member after eight

Commodities included in this distribution will be spaghetti sauce, sliced pears, sliced peaches, canned pork, fresh oranges, split peas, frozen pork loin, cheddar cheese, instant milk, whole frozen eggs, frozen chicken fajita meat, frozen potato wedges, and frozen pollock fillets.

Contact Brandon Nimz, Unite Ministry Leader with any questions at 785-259-2539.&nbsp;

Future commodity distribution times will be posted at:&nbsp;(<a href="http://unitehays.com/index.php/hays-commodity-distribution/">http://unitehays.com/index.php/hays-commodity-distribution/</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600784468466.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Government surplus commodities will be distributed in Hays at Unite Common Grounds Coffee House and Free Store (inside The Gamers Guild), 200 E. Eighth in Hays on Friday from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. if supplies allow.Clients can only get commodities at one of these distribution times, and commodities will be distributed on a first-come-first-serve basis until we run out.Doors will not open until 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., respectively.To be eligible for commodities, your household's total monthly income must be below:$1,383 Household of one$1,868 Household of two$2,353 Household of three$2,839 Household of four$3,324 Household of five$3,809 Household of six$4,295 Household of seven$4,780 Household of eight*Add $486 for each additional family member after eightCommodities included in this distribution will be spaghetti sauce, sliced pears, sliced peaches, canned pork, fresh oranges, split peas, frozen pork loin, cheddar cheese, instant milk, whole frozen eggs, frozen chicken fajita meat, frozen potato wedges, and frozen pollock fillets.Contact Brandon Nimz, Unite Ministry Leader with any questions at 785-259-2539.&nbsp;Future commodity distribution times will be posted at:&nbsp;(<a href="http://unitehays.com/index.php/hays-commodity-distribution/">http://unitehays.com/index.php/hays-commodity-distribution/</a>- Submitted&nbsp;

Government surplus food distribution Friday in Hays

ELLIS — For many youth in northwest Kansas, the allure of a metro
lifestyle is enough to pull them from the area. But for Sophia Henrickson, the
new executive director of the Ellis Alliance, the lifestyle afforded to those
living in smaller towns was something she was always drawn to.

In her new position, she said she has a perfect balance of
professional experience and small-town life.

“I want to be the
best I can in this position, I want to serve Ellis,” she said. “What I really
hope I am able to do for them is help them to move forward with the goals and
dreams the board has for the city.”

The Alliance is an umbrella organization for the Ellis
Community Foundation, the Ellis Chamber of Commerce and the Ellis Development
Corp. and helps to coordinate community improvement efforts.

Henrickson sees her role at the Alliance as a go-between for
those groups and others in the community.

“It’s not my dream, it’s not my vision, but when (the
Alliance board) has the passion to do something, you can help them realize their
dreams and be at the (disposal) of all the volunteers that make up Ellis.”

When taking the position, she took on a role as a facilitator
for existing organizations.

“That’s the mindset I took because I didn’t want to
override any of the board,” Henrickson said.

As she continues developing in the position, however, she
hopes to bring in her own ideas.

“I feel like I have a lot of great ideas that could really
help Ellis,” Henrickson said.

Among her goals is to develop a stronger community endowment
to help create funds for area organizations.

And by promoting the endowment, Henrickson hopes to capture
generational funds as younger people move away, often taking funds out of the community forever.

“If you are able to capture (funds) and invest it back into
the community through something like a community foundation, that is, I believe,
a good foundation for making our rural communities enticing for people to move
back to,” she said. 

While Henrickson admits she is not an economic expert, she
also hopes to see more buildings downtown used and to help create a stronger
economy for Ellis.

But that growth should be tempered to the community.

She believes in Ellis there is a healthy mix of people eager for change and those who want to see the town keep to its roots.

“I think the people that live here like the community size,
so I don’t think there is any true desire from any groups within Ellis to boom
the population,” she said. “I think a lot of the desire is to improve what
buildings stand here and improve what businesses can flourish here.”

She said she often sees the community excitement to improve Ellis
landmarks.

“The things that make living in Ellis already appealing, it
seems like they like to jump on board with those types of things,” Henrickson
said.

While the current director position is only a part-time
role, she said she has gotten feedback from others that they would like to see
the position grow in the future.

While Henrickson is a Kansas City metro transplant, she has
been in the area since attending Fort Hays State University.

She graduated from FHSU with a degree in communication studies
with an emphasis in public relations.

While there, she worked for over two years in university relations
and marketing and a served as an FHSU VIP ambassador.

“I just like to be in a role where I really am facilitating
and helping and getting to communicate with people,” Henrickson said.

After graduation, she joined the AmeriCorps Vista program, where she worked as a grant writer for DSNWK, and later served as their donor
communications manager.

“I helped them with their marketing, advertising and their
donor relations,” Henrickson said.

While in Hays she also served as a member of the USD 489
Board of Education – a position recently vacated after moving to Ellis with her
new husband.

“I really enjoyed Hays and had no intentions of moving away
as soon as I did,” Henrickson said.

But the move became serendipitous as the Alliance position
came open at just the right time.

She had sought the position before but was hampered by
other obligations and so, with the latest opening, she jumped at the chance.

“This position was right up my alley of things that I like
to do and things that I am good at,” Henrickson said. 

She also said the position also allows for a perfect balance of
family life and professional responsibilities.

And it fits perfectly with the small-town life she desires.

“I was always wanting something simpler,” Henrickson said. &nbsp;“When I moved out here and got a feel for
how tight the community can be and just being connected to people on a deeper
level than you are living in a city, it felt more comforting to me.”

She said once she moved to western Kansas, it was hard to
imagine ever moving back to a metro area.

&nbsp;“I definitely feel
like I am doing my service by living out here,” Henrickson said. “You hear that the
population is increasing, but out here it is decreasing and that boggles me a
little bit, how we can be so overpopulated as a nation, but yet these communities
are dying. It almost doesn’t make sense."

“If you can live in a
rural community, you should live in a rural community,” she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601068578788.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostELLIS — For many youth in northwest Kansas, the allure of a metro
lifestyle is enough to pull them from the area. But for Sophia Henrickson, the
new executive director of the Ellis Alliance, the lifestyle afforded to those
living in smaller towns was something she was always drawn to.In her new position, she said she has a perfect balance of
professional experience and small-town life.“I want to be the
best I can in this position, I want to serve Ellis,” she said. “What I really
hope I am able to do for them is help them to move forward with the goals and
dreams the board has for the city.”The Alliance is an umbrella organization for the Ellis
Community Foundation, the Ellis Chamber of Commerce and the Ellis Development
Corp. and helps to coordinate community improvement efforts.Henrickson sees her role at the Alliance as a go-between for
those groups and others in the community.“It’s not my dream, it’s not my vision, but when (the
Alliance board) has the passion to do something, you can help them realize their
dreams and be at the (disposal) of all the volunteers that make up Ellis.”When taking the position, she took on a role as a facilitator
for existing organizations.“That’s the mindset I took because I didn’t want to
override any of the board,” Henrickson said.As she continues developing in the position, however, she
hopes to bring in her own ideas.“I feel like I have a lot of great ideas that could really
help Ellis,” Henrickson said.Among her goals is to develop a stronger community endowment
to help create funds for area organizations.And by promoting the endowment, Henrickson hopes to capture
generational funds as younger people move away, often taking funds out of the community forever.“If you are able to capture (funds) and invest it back into
the community through something like a community foundation, that is, I believe,
a good foundation for making our rural communities enticing for people to move
back to,” she said. While Henrickson admits she is not an economic expert, she
also hopes to see more buildings downtown used and to help create a stronger
economy for Ellis.But that growth should be tempered to the community.She believes in Ellis there is a healthy mix of people eager for change and those who want to see the town keep to its roots.“I think the people that live here like the community size,
so I don’t think there is any true desire from any groups within Ellis to boom
the population,” she said. “I think a lot of the desire is to improve what
buildings stand here and improve what businesses can flourish here.”She said she often sees the community excitement to improve Ellis
landmarks.“The things that make living in Ellis already appealing, it
seems like they like to jump on board with those types of things,” Henrickson
said.While the current director position is only a part-time
role, she said she has gotten feedback from others that they would like to see
the position grow in the future.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601068562762.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Home away from home</h2>While Henrickson is a Kansas City metro transplant, she has
been in the area since attending Fort Hays State University.She graduated from FHSU with a degree in communication studies
with an emphasis in public relations.While there, she worked for over two years in university relations
and marketing and a served as an FHSU VIP ambassador.“I just like to be in a role where I really am facilitating
and helping and getting to communicate with people,” Henrickson said.After graduation, she joined the AmeriCorps Vista program, where she worked as a grant writer for DSNWK, and later served as their donor
communications manager.“I helped them with their marketing, advertising and their
donor relations,” Henrickson said.While in Hays she also served as a member of the USD 489
Board of Education – a position recently vacated after moving to Ellis with her
new husband.“I really enjoyed Hays and had no intentions of moving away
as soon as I did,” Henrickson said.But the move became serendipitous as the Alliance position
came open at just the right time.She had sought the position before but was hampered by
other obligations and so, with the latest opening, she jumped at the chance.“This position was right up my alley of things that I like
to do and things that I am good at,” Henrickson said. She also said the position also allows for a perfect balance of
family life and professional responsibilities.And it fits perfectly with the small-town life she desires.“I was always wanting something simpler,” Henrickson said. &nbsp;“When I moved out here and got a feel for
how tight the community can be and just being connected to people on a deeper
level than you are living in a city, it felt more comforting to me.”She said once she moved to western Kansas, it was hard to
imagine ever moving back to a metro area.&nbsp;“I definitely feel
like I am doing my service by living out here,” Henrickson said. “You hear that the
population is increasing, but out here it is decreasing and that boggles me a
little bit, how we can be so overpopulated as a nation, but yet these communities
are dying. It almost doesn’t make sense."“If you can live in a
rural community, you should live in a rural community,” she said.

New Ellis Alliance director brings enthusiasm for rural life to position

BUNKER HILL –&nbsp;The Smoky Hills PBS Production of&nbsp;The Kansas Candidates&nbsp;is back this week, LIVE from our studio in Bunker Hill.&nbsp; Local candidates will discuss topics that matter to Kansans.

The 2020&nbsp;Kansas Candidates&nbsp;schedule, along with the candidates:

THURS October 1 at 7pm –&nbsp;District #111 Hays Eber Phelps (D) Barb Wasinger (R)

WED October 14 at 7pm –&nbsp;District #119 Dodge City Jan Scoggins (D) Brad Ralph (R)

“Smoky Hills PBS has never been more important to our viewers,” said Les Kinderknecht, Smoky Hills PBS Senior Producer/Director. “In a time where we can’t hold events or debates in person, Smoky Hills PBS can bring them into your living room!”

The Kansas Candidates&nbsp;is a LIVE program produced by Smoky Hills PBS that gives each candidate the opportunity to discuss up-to-date issues.&nbsp; The 2020&nbsp;Kansas Candidates&nbsp;show is hosted by Jay Steinmetz, PhD, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Fort Hays State University.&nbsp; For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.smokyhillspbs.org/Shows/KansasCandidates/">SmokyHillsPBS.org/Shows/KansasCandidates</a>

Stream each episode LIVE on the Smoky Hills PBS YouTube channel:&nbsp;<a href="http://bit.ly/StreamSmokyHillsPBS">http://bit.ly/StreamSmokyHillsPBS</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;You can also stream the Smoky Hills PBS channel&nbsp;by clicking the LIVE TV link here:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://video.smokyhillstv.org/livestream">https://video.smokyhillstv.org/livestream</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578663876107.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SHPTVBUNKER HILL –&nbsp;The Smoky Hills PBS Production of&nbsp;The Kansas Candidates&nbsp;is back this week, LIVE from our studio in Bunker Hill.&nbsp; Local candidates will discuss topics that matter to Kansans.The 2020&nbsp;Kansas Candidates&nbsp;schedule, along with the candidates:THURS October 1 at 7pm –&nbsp;District #111 Hays Eber Phelps (D) Barb Wasinger (R)WED October 14 at 7pm –&nbsp;District #119 Dodge City Jan Scoggins (D) Brad Ralph (R)“Smoky Hills PBS has never been more important to our viewers,” said Les Kinderknecht, Smoky Hills PBS Senior Producer/Director. “In a time where we can’t hold events or debates in person, Smoky Hills PBS can bring them into your living room!”The Kansas Candidates&nbsp;is a LIVE program produced by Smoky Hills PBS that gives each candidate the opportunity to discuss up-to-date issues.&nbsp; The 2020&nbsp;Kansas Candidates&nbsp;show is hosted by Jay Steinmetz, PhD, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Fort Hays State University.&nbsp; For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.smokyhillspbs.org/Shows/KansasCandidates/">SmokyHillsPBS.org/Shows/KansasCandidates</a>Stream each episode LIVE on the Smoky Hills PBS YouTube channel:&nbsp;<a href="http://bit.ly/StreamSmokyHillsPBS">http://bit.ly/StreamSmokyHillsPBS</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;You can also stream the Smoky Hills PBS channel&nbsp;by clicking the LIVE TV link here:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://video.smokyhillstv.org/livestream">https://video.smokyhillstv.org/livestream</a>

Wasinger, Phelps will appear on Smoky Hills PBS candidate forum

During the summer of 2020, Ellis County received $5.7 million in federal funding from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. 

To help distribute the funds, Ellis County created a group called EllisCARES through which Downtown Hays Development Corp. was granted funding to provide 100 automatic, free-standing, hand sanitizing stations to Downtown Hays businesses at zero cost to them. Hand sanitizer gel and batteries will be included.

The company DHDC is utilizing to purchase such a large order is Stand Up Stations based out of Irving, Texas, according to a news release.

"We received quotes from several businesses as directed by the CARES requirements," Sara Bloom DHDC Director said. "We chose Alex and his team at Stand Up Stations because he was so impressed by our initiative, he offered not only to drive 8 hours to get the stations to us for free, but free assembly as well."

The stations will be available to Downtown businesses Friday.

DHDC is committed to helping businesses stay open during these unprecedented times. When a board member asked about hand sanitizers for their entrances, it was natural for this organization to take on such a project.

"We are honored to assist Downtown Hays businesses by facilitating this opportunity," Bloom said. "We look forward to working with each one."

If you are a Downtown business that would like to request a station for your business, email DHDC@downtownhays.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601398477315.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy Stand Up Stations" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Stand Up Stations</figcaption>
 </figure>DHDCDuring the summer of 2020, Ellis County received $5.7 million in federal funding from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. To help distribute the funds, Ellis County created a group called EllisCARES through which Downtown Hays Development Corp. was granted funding to provide 100 automatic, free-standing, hand sanitizing stations to Downtown Hays businesses at zero cost to them. Hand sanitizer gel and batteries will be included.The company DHDC is utilizing to purchase such a large order is Stand Up Stations based out of Irving, Texas, according to a news release."We received quotes from several businesses as directed by the CARES requirements," Sara Bloom DHDC Director said. "We chose Alex and his team at Stand Up Stations because he was so impressed by our initiative, he offered not only to drive 8 hours to get the stations to us for free, but free assembly as well."The stations will be available to Downtown businesses Friday.DHDC is committed to helping businesses stay open during these unprecedented times. When a board member asked about hand sanitizers for their entrances, it was natural for this organization to take on such a project."We are honored to assist Downtown Hays businesses by facilitating this opportunity," Bloom said. "We look forward to working with each one."If you are a Downtown business that would like to request a station for your business, email DHDC@downtownhays.com

DHDC: Free hand sanitizing stations available to downtown businesses

By JACKIE MUNDT Pratt County farmer and rancher

If I were putting together a Sunday Drive Edition of a scavenger hunt, it would most certainly include the “CO-OP” emblem. You probably know what one I mean: an outline of a red circle and blue circle overlapping and the letters C-O-O-P stamped in the middle.

No matter where you go in the Midwest, you can likely spot this classic symbol. It’s in obvious places like on the side of a grain elevator, gas tank or a business sign. And in more subtle places like old feed buckets, oil drums, clocks and utensils in a grandmother’s kitchen, or on hats and jackets kept by old farmers.

The logo, which was almost universally used by agricultural cooperatives in the 1980s and earlier, has slowly faded from use as modern cooperatives have opted to use their own brands to build recognition and loyalty, which is a smart move from a business perspective.

The nostalgic side of me is a little sad to see the once unified look of cooperatives drift into obsolescence. It makes me think about all the people who are rapidly moving further away from the complex story of how American agriculture came to grow of the safest, most abundant food supply in the world.

Cooperatives played a vital role in that story, and since October is National Co-ops month, I want to share briefly about how co-ops helped build American agriculture into what it is today and how they continue to keep our rural communities strong.

Cooperatives have their roots in agriculture. A group of farmers in England who were getting a raw deal from their suppliers formed the first cooperative several centuries ago. They were paying too much for a terrible product. Eventually the farmers got so frustrated that they decided they could do much better themselves. They pooled their resources to create a business but ended up creating an new framework and guiding principles for cooperatives, which are business collectively owned and operated by their members, who then share in the benefits and profits of the organization.

A century ago, that same model started to make a lot of sense in small remote communities across the Midwest. As farmers began to grow excess grain, they needed somewhere to take it. A group of neighbors could form a cooperative, which allowed them to team up and build an elevator for storage and have an organization that could take care of selling and shipping grain to larger markets. Cooperatives helped farmers make a better living for themselves and their neighbors.

Through the decades, these small community cooperatives have grown and merged with other cooperatives to create more efficiency and adapted to provide new services for their members. However, the guiding principles of serving members and their communities have stayed the same.

The people who started those cooperatives probably were not that different from you and me. They were trying to build a business, make a living and support their families. What made them special was the willingness to do something risky. They joined their neighbors, taking a chance together in hopes it would fix their problems.

In the spirit of cooperatives and the pioneers who built them, I challenge you to look around at your community. What problems need solving? No one is going to solve them for you. You do not necessarily have to start a cooperative to fix every problem but working together with your neighbors and investing in your community are great places to start.

And if you do have a local co-op, remember support them is just like supporting your neighbors and community.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575406519723.jpeg" alt="Jackie Mundt" />
 <figcaption>Jackie Mundt</figcaption>
 </figure>By JACKIE MUNDT Pratt County farmer and rancherIf I were putting together a Sunday Drive Edition of a scavenger hunt, it would most certainly include the “CO-OP” emblem. You probably know what one I mean: an outline of a red circle and blue circle overlapping and the letters C-O-O-P stamped in the middle.No matter where you go in the Midwest, you can likely spot this classic symbol. It’s in obvious places like on the side of a grain elevator, gas tank or a business sign. And in more subtle places like old feed buckets, oil drums, clocks and utensils in a grandmother’s kitchen, or on hats and jackets kept by old farmers.The logo, which was almost universally used by agricultural cooperatives in the 1980s and earlier, has slowly faded from use as modern cooperatives have opted to use their own brands to build recognition and loyalty, which is a smart move from a business perspective.The nostalgic side of me is a little sad to see the once unified look of cooperatives drift into obsolescence. It makes me think about all the people who are rapidly moving further away from the complex story of how American agriculture came to grow of the safest, most abundant food supply in the world.Cooperatives played a vital role in that story, and since October is National Co-ops month, I want to share briefly about how co-ops helped build American agriculture into what it is today and how they continue to keep our rural communities strong.Cooperatives have their roots in agriculture. A group of farmers in England who were getting a raw deal from their suppliers formed the first cooperative several centuries ago. They were paying too much for a terrible product. Eventually the farmers got so frustrated that they decided they could do much better themselves. They pooled their resources to create a business but ended up creating an new framework and guiding principles for cooperatives, which are business collectively owned and operated by their members, who then share in the benefits and profits of the organization.A century ago, that same model started to make a lot of sense in small remote communities across the Midwest. As farmers began to grow excess grain, they needed somewhere to take it. A group of neighbors could form a cooperative, which allowed them to team up and build an elevator for storage and have an organization that could take care of selling and shipping grain to larger markets. Cooperatives helped farmers make a better living for themselves and their neighbors.Through the decades, these small community cooperatives have grown and merged with other cooperatives to create more efficiency and adapted to provide new services for their members. However, the guiding principles of serving members and their communities have stayed the same.The people who started those cooperatives probably were not that different from you and me. They were trying to build a business, make a living and support their families. What made them special was the willingness to do something risky. They joined their neighbors, taking a chance together in hopes it would fix their problems.In the spirit of cooperatives and the pioneers who built them, I challenge you to look around at your community. What problems need solving? No one is going to solve them for you. You do not necessarily have to start a cooperative to fix every problem but working together with your neighbors and investing in your community are great places to start.And if you do have a local co-op, remember support them is just like supporting your neighbors and community."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: The benefits of cooperation

Three-day weather outlook

Cooler nights are increasing in frequency now that we are into October. If you have tomatoes, you may have some that are approaching maturity. Leave them on the vine until mature or until a frost is forecast. 

Tomatoes will ripen off the vine but must have reached a certain phase of maturity called the "mature green stage." Look for full-sized tomatoes with a white, star-shaped zone on the bottom end of the green fruit.&nbsp;​

When harvesting fruit before a frost, separate tomatoes into three groups for storage: those that are mostly red, those that are just starting to turn, and those that are still green. Discard tomatoes with defects such as rots or breaks in the skin. Place the tomatoes on cardboard trays or cartons but use layers of newspaper to separate fruit if stacked. Occasionally a tomato may start to rot and leak juice. The newspaper will keep the juice from contacting nearby or underlying fruit. Store groups of tomatoes at as close to 55 degrees as possible until needed.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. If you have questions, she can be contacted by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lfick@k-state.edu">lfick@k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 785-628-9430 or 620-793-1910. K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580750915301.jpeg" alt="Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District." />
 <figcaption>Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.</figcaption>
 </figure>Cooler nights are increasing in frequency now that we are into October. If you have tomatoes, you may have some that are approaching maturity. Leave them on the vine until mature or until a frost is forecast. Tomatoes will ripen off the vine but must have reached a certain phase of maturity called the "mature green stage." Look for full-sized tomatoes with a white, star-shaped zone on the bottom end of the green fruit.&nbsp;​When harvesting fruit before a frost, separate tomatoes into three groups for storage: those that are mostly red, those that are just starting to turn, and those that are still green. Discard tomatoes with defects such as rots or breaks in the skin. Place the tomatoes on cardboard trays or cartons but use layers of newspaper to separate fruit if stacked. Occasionally a tomato may start to rot and leak juice. The newspaper will keep the juice from contacting nearby or underlying fruit. Store groups of tomatoes at as close to 55 degrees as possible until needed.&nbsp;&nbsp;Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. If you have questions, she can be contacted by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lfick@k-state.edu">lfick@k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 785-628-9430 or 620-793-1910. K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.&nbsp;

FICK: Last tomatoes of the season 

In a message relayed late Tuesday afternoon, Hays High School announced it was unable to secure an opponent for Friday night's football game, also scheduled to be Homecoming 2020.

The scheduled opponent, Abilene, backed out of the game after coronavirus concerns in its district.

Check Hays Post for more as details become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598107003328.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>In a message relayed late Tuesday afternoon, Hays High School announced it was unable to secure an opponent for Friday night's football game, also scheduled to be Homecoming 2020.The scheduled opponent, Abilene, backed out of the game after coronavirus concerns in its district.Check Hays Post for more as details become available.

🏈 No opponent found for Hays High's Friday night Homecoming game

<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 readies for next business showcase" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/qfmy5-eda4f1?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 readies for next business showcase

The American Democracy Project will provide faculty, staff and students at Fort Hays State University the opportunity to join peers from the across the country in a national facilitated dialogue about Tuesday’s first Presidential Debate.

ADP, sponsored by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, is a network of nearly 300 state colleges and universities focused on public higher education’s role in preparing the next generation to be informed, engaged members of their communities.

The discussion, open to the public to participate as well, is set for 11 a.m. to noon Central time, Wednesday, Sept. 30. It will provide access to articles covering the previous night’s debate to use for guided questions and prompts for discussion.

To register, go to<a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZElce6trz0tG9cgzh3tcm05RWsbT6K2oSU_">https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZElce6trz0tG9cgzh3tcm05RWsbT6K2oSU_</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601402323663.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University RelationsThe American Democracy Project will provide faculty, staff and students at Fort Hays State University the opportunity to join peers from the across the country in a national facilitated dialogue about Tuesday’s first Presidential Debate.ADP, sponsored by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, is a network of nearly 300 state colleges and universities focused on public higher education’s role in preparing the next generation to be informed, engaged members of their communities.The discussion, open to the public to participate as well, is set for 11 a.m. to noon Central time, Wednesday, Sept. 30. It will provide access to articles covering the previous night’s debate to use for guided questions and prompts for discussion.To register, go to<a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZElce6trz0tG9cgzh3tcm05RWsbT6K2oSU_">https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZElce6trz0tG9cgzh3tcm05RWsbT6K2oSU_</a>.<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>Sponsored</figcaption>
 </figure>

American Democracy Project to host discussion on presidential debate

United Way of Ellis County will be holding their 3rd Annual Golf Tournament on Sunday, October 4 with registration starting at 9 a.m. and a tee off time of 10 a.m.

 Team spots are still available. To sign up contact the Fort Hays Municipal Golf Course at 785-625-9949.

The proceeds of the event will go towards their 2020 Campaign. 

The money raised during the campaign will help provide funding for 18 agencies. These agencies where able to provide over 15,000 services to individuals of Ellis County in 2019.

If you would like to donate visit <a href="https://www.liveunited.us/golf-tournament">www.liveunited.us</a>.

UWECUnited Way of Ellis County will be holding their 3rd Annual Golf Tournament on Sunday, October 4 with registration starting at 9 a.m. and a tee off time of 10 a.m. Team spots are still available. To sign up contact the Fort Hays Municipal Golf Course at 785-625-9949.The proceeds of the event will go towards their 2020 Campaign. The money raised during the campaign will help provide funding for 18 agencies. These agencies where able to provide over 15,000 services to individuals of Ellis County in 2019.If you would like to donate visit <a href="https://www.liveunited.us/golf-tournament">www.liveunited.us</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601398847729.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

United Way still accepting teams for annual golf tournament

Outdoor watering restrictions for the city of Hays end Thursday.

The restriction prohibiting outdoor water use between noon and 7 p.m. - including private wells - began June 1 and continues through Sept. 30.

Of course, the weather can still get hot in October, says Holly Dickman, Hays water conservation specialist.

"If it's warm and windy, you should water your landscape plants, including turfgrass if necessary, early in the morning or at night to make most efficient use of the water," she said.&nbsp;

Other water restrictions are prohibited year round:

* Washing down of hardscapes such as sidewalks, parking lots and driveways * Known loss of water through breaks or leaks in plumbing systems * Escape of water from private property onto pubic property such as sidewalks or into the street guttering from landscape irrigation

Dickman added that fall is an "excellent time to plant deciduous trees and shrubs, as well as many drought tolerant perennials.

"The cooler air temperatures make the environment less stressful, while the warm soil temperatures encourage good root growth."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589921529658.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostOutdoor watering restrictions for the city of Hays end Thursday.The restriction prohibiting outdoor water use between noon and 7 p.m. - including private wells - began June 1 and continues through Sept. 30.Of course, the weather can still get hot in October, says Holly Dickman, Hays water conservation specialist.<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kUP_cZC71Pg"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"If it's warm and windy, you should water your landscape plants, including turfgrass if necessary, early in the morning or at night to make most efficient use of the water," she said.&nbsp;Other water restrictions are prohibited year round:* Washing down of hardscapes such as sidewalks, parking lots and driveways * Known loss of water through breaks or leaks in plumbing systems * Escape of water from private property onto pubic property such as sidewalks or into the street guttering from landscape irrigationDickman added that fall is an "excellent time to plant deciduous trees and shrubs, as well as many drought tolerant perennials."The cooler air temperatures make the environment less stressful, while the warm soil temperatures encourage good root growth."<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>Sponsored</figcaption>
 </figure>

 🎥 Outdoor watering restrictions in Hays end Thursday

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Hays school board selected&nbsp;Nuchelle Chance to fill a vacant position on the board during its meeting Monday night.&nbsp;

Chance, Fort Hays State University psychology instructor, will serve out the term of Sophia Rose Young who resigned in July because she moved out of the district.&nbsp;

Chance will assume her position once she has been sworn in by the Ellis County Clerk.

Curt Vajnar, retired Hays High School teacher, also applied for the position.

The board approved the appointment on a vote of 4-2, with board members Allen Park and Craig Pallister voting against.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601349036680.jpeg" alt="Nuchelle Chance" />
 <figcaption>Nuchelle Chance</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays school board selected&nbsp;Nuchelle Chance to fill a vacant position on the board during its meeting Monday night.&nbsp;Chance, Fort Hays State University psychology instructor, will serve out the term of Sophia Rose Young who resigned in July because she moved out of the district.&nbsp;Young's term will end Dec. 31, 2021.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601319565281.jpeg" alt="Nuchelle Chance" />
 <figcaption>Nuchelle Chance</figcaption>
 </figure>Chance will assume her position once she has been sworn in by the Ellis County Clerk.Curt Vajnar, retired Hays High School teacher, also applied for the position.The board approved the appointment on a vote of 4-2, with board members Allen Park and Craig Pallister voting against.

FHSU instructor selected as new Hays USD 489 board member

Kansas crude prices are once again above $30, but remain more than $16 a barrel below the prices posted last year at this time. CHS in McPherson on Friday raised prices by a quarter to $30.50 per barrel.&nbsp;

AAA reports just 10 states had average gasoline prices below two dollars a gallon last week, and Kansas was one of them. The statewide average for a gallon of regular was just over $1.97 Thursday. We spotted $1.99 across Great Bend and $1.89 at several stations in Hays. The national average was a fraction over $2.19 a gallon, which is up a cent and a half from a week ago, down a penny from a month ago, and down 47 cents from a year ago.

Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports five active drilling rigs in eastern Kansas, which is up one, and five in the western half of the state, which is down one. Operators are about to spud one new well in Russell County. Baker Hughes reported 261 active drilling rigs across the U.S. on Friday, four oil rigs and two rigs drilling for natural gas. The rig count in Texas was up seven, while New Mexico was down two rigs.

Regulators in Kansas approved 11 new drilling permits last week, six in eastern Kansas and five west of Wichita, including one location in Barton County. That's 315 permits statewide so far this year, compared to 741 by this point last year.

Operators completed eleven new wells last week across Kansas. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports five of those were east of Wichita and six were in Western Kansas, including one in Ellis County. The year-to-date total is 655 completions. At this time last year, the state saw over one thousand newly completed wells.

The government reported a big drawdown in U.S. crude oil supplies. The Energy Information Administration reported total inventories of just under 495 million barrels for the week ending September 18. That marks a decline of more than one and a half million barrels. EIA says inventories remain about 13% above the five-year average for this time of year.

U.S. crude-oil production was just over 10.7 million barrels per day, down 154,000 barrels per day from the week before, and down more than two million barrels per day from a year ago.

U.S. crude oil exports reached a record high in February and have since fallen each month, based on data through June. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says U.S. crude oil exports in the first half of the year are still higher than they were in the first half of last year.

Monthly crude oil imports declined sharply in April before increasing in May and June. EIA says imports were still lower than the same period last year. During that time, global demand fell by more than ten percent. Last week refineries increased imports by 160,000 barrels per day, but the four-week average is 24% below the same period a year ago.

The governor of California on Wednesday announced a timeline under which the state would ban the sale of new passenger vehicles powered by gasoline. The plan won’t stop people from owning or selling used gas-powered cars. But in 2035 it would end the sale of all new gas guzzlers in the state that accounts for more than one out of every 10 new cars sold in the U.S.

The state oil company in Libya reopened three ports for oil exports last week, as a political truce took hold. Reuters reports Shell provisionally chartered an oil tanker to load crude from one of the open ports at the end of this week. The ports have been shut down since January as part of a wider blockade. Bloomberg reports Libyan output has tripled in the week since the deal was reached.

Two huge Oklahoma-based Permian Basin producers have announced their merger. WPX Energy of Tulsa will merge with Oklahoma City-based Devon Energy in an all-stock transaction. The combined company will keep the name Devon Energy with its headquarters in Oklahoma City.

Just a week after revealing its plan to turn itself into a clean-energy giant, BP watched its share price drop to a 25-year low. Bloomberg reports top brass spent last week making presentations to show the world they could adapt to a low-carbon future without sacrificing returns. Investors were skeptical, and on Thursday BP stock closed at its lowest level since October 1995.

The Russian budget took a $164 billion hit last year because of a two-percent drop in crude prices. The Ministry of Natural Resources announced the value of Russia's crude reserves dropped by 17% in 2019. Russia's oil reserves make up more than 70% of that country's Gross Domestic Product. Analysts expect a much larger hit this year because of the pandemic price crash.

Based solely on the number of wells drilled, 2020 is shaping up to be the worst year since the 1930s, and perhaps earlier. World Oil offers a new drilling forecast suggesting we could drill fewer than 11,000 wells this year. That's half of last year's total and one fourth the total six years ago. The last time the total was below 12,000 wells was 1933.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592847975802.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN P. TRETBARKansas crude prices are once again above $30, but remain more than $16 a barrel below the prices posted last year at this time. CHS in McPherson on Friday raised prices by a quarter to $30.50 per barrel.&nbsp;AAA reports just 10 states had average gasoline prices below two dollars a gallon last week, and Kansas was one of them. The statewide average for a gallon of regular was just over $1.97 Thursday. We spotted $1.99 across Great Bend and $1.89 at several stations in Hays. The national average was a fraction over $2.19 a gallon, which is up a cent and a half from a week ago, down a penny from a month ago, and down 47 cents from a year ago.Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports five active drilling rigs in eastern Kansas, which is up one, and five in the western half of the state, which is down one. Operators are about to spud one new well in Russell County. Baker Hughes reported 261 active drilling rigs across the U.S. on Friday, four oil rigs and two rigs drilling for natural gas. The rig count in Texas was up seven, while New Mexico was down two rigs.Regulators in Kansas approved 11 new drilling permits last week, six in eastern Kansas and five west of Wichita, including one location in Barton County. That's 315 permits statewide so far this year, compared to 741 by this point last year.Operators completed eleven new wells last week across Kansas. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports five of those were east of Wichita and six were in Western Kansas, including one in Ellis County. The year-to-date total is 655 completions. At this time last year, the state saw over one thousand newly completed wells.The government reported a big drawdown in U.S. crude oil supplies. The Energy Information Administration reported total inventories of just under 495 million barrels for the week ending September 18. That marks a decline of more than one and a half million barrels. EIA says inventories remain about 13% above the five-year average for this time of year.U.S. crude-oil production was just over 10.7 million barrels per day, down 154,000 barrels per day from the week before, and down more than two million barrels per day from a year ago.U.S. crude oil exports reached a record high in February and have since fallen each month, based on data through June. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says U.S. crude oil exports in the first half of the year are still higher than they were in the first half of last year.Monthly crude oil imports declined sharply in April before increasing in May and June. EIA says imports were still lower than the same period last year. During that time, global demand fell by more than ten percent. Last week refineries increased imports by 160,000 barrels per day, but the four-week average is 24% below the same period a year ago.The governor of California on Wednesday announced a timeline under which the state would ban the sale of new passenger vehicles powered by gasoline. The plan won’t stop people from owning or selling used gas-powered cars. But in 2035 it would end the sale of all new gas guzzlers in the state that accounts for more than one out of every 10 new cars sold in the U.S.The state oil company in Libya reopened three ports for oil exports last week, as a political truce took hold. Reuters reports Shell provisionally chartered an oil tanker to load crude from one of the open ports at the end of this week. The ports have been shut down since January as part of a wider blockade. Bloomberg reports Libyan output has tripled in the week since the deal was reached.Two huge Oklahoma-based Permian Basin producers have announced their merger. WPX Energy of Tulsa will merge with Oklahoma City-based Devon Energy in an all-stock transaction. The combined company will keep the name Devon Energy with its headquarters in Oklahoma City.Just a week after revealing its plan to turn itself into a clean-energy giant, BP watched its share price drop to a 25-year low. Bloomberg reports top brass spent last week making presentations to show the world they could adapt to a low-carbon future without sacrificing returns. Investors were skeptical, and on Thursday BP stock closed at its lowest level since October 1995.The Russian budget took a $164 billion hit last year because of a two-percent drop in crude prices. The Ministry of Natural Resources announced the value of Russia's crude reserves dropped by 17% in 2019. Russia's oil reserves make up more than 70% of that country's Gross Domestic Product. Analysts expect a much larger hit this year because of the pandemic price crash.Based solely on the number of wells drilled, 2020 is shaping up to be the worst year since the 1930s, and perhaps earlier. World Oil offers a new drilling forecast suggesting we could drill fewer than 11,000 wells this year. That's half of last year's total and one fourth the total six years ago. The last time the total was below 12,000 wells was 1933.

News From the Oil Patch: Kan. crude above $30 mark

It always comes down to the lawyers, the insurance companies and the unexpected consequences, doesn’t it?

After six days of hearings, the Legislature’s Special Committee on the Kansas Emergency Management Act –which may recommend the 2021 session of the Legislature rewrite large sections of the act under which the governor has wide-ranging power to combat a pandemic such as the COVID-19 outbreak—it became clear that it’s going to be the lawyers and the insurance companies that will be in the middle of the discussion.

Oh, sure, there’s going to be talk about whether the governor can by Executive Order demand that Kansans wear masks when they are awake, or out in public, and whether she can in the future order businesses closed to avoid spread of disease. Lots of “do we really want the governor to be able to do that to our lives” stuff.

But besides the issue of public health and life and death of Kansans there’s another issue brewing – legal liability for the spread of the pandemic. That’s where the big trials, the big judgments and the big legal fees are going to mesmerize lawmakers.

If you are exposed to the pandemic in, say, the neighborhood paint store, come down with COVID-19, and are hospitalized or die, who is responsible? If the paint store has been determined to be an “essential” business, well, then it’s up to the store to make sure that its customers and employees are safe, and don’t expose you to the disease. If they aren’t safe…well…then it’s up to the lawyers to make the case that the business is liable for damages, if there are any, that can be traced believably to a jury that the paint store owner, or his/her insurer, can be liable for damages.

A key provision in the law passed this spring is that if the business was in substantial compliance with public health directives, there’s no liability. They did what they were told with the presumption that they had made their businesses safe. But it will get more complicated when counties don’t apply all the statewide directives – such as masks or crowding – that the governor’s executive orders demand? Then is it state government or local government rules that determine whether the store has met public health requirements? Or, if the county has opted out of some state health requirements, and the store meets local requirements, is there a legal problem that can be prosecuted?

And look for businesses to have their own issues from the close-down order that has now been largely lifted but caused thousands of layoffs and firings when businesses were declared “non-essential” for months earlier this year and are having trouble getting re-opened.

Is shutting down a business to deter spread of the pandemic essentially taking control of the business?&nbsp; Is that a “seizure” of the business? The taking of property? If government orders your business closed for a couple months, should you have to pay rent? Pay property taxes?&nbsp; If local rules let you have just half the customers at a club, and no sitting at the bar, has the state taken your property or made it useless? Can you make a claim on your business insurance for the damage to your wallet as you would if the restaurant caught fire?

These are the sorts of issues that lawmakers are going to deal with next session, inundated with testimony and information about the pandemic and the state’s efforts to quell it in a tight-budget year.

The pandemic actually is a pandemic, having an effect on all Kansans, whether you are sick or not.

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/2020/6/1592848178110.png" alt="Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report." />
 <figcaption>Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report.</figcaption>
 </figure>It always comes down to the lawyers, the insurance companies and the unexpected consequences, doesn’t it?After six days of hearings, the Legislature’s Special Committee on the Kansas Emergency Management Act –which may recommend the 2021 session of the Legislature rewrite large sections of the act under which the governor has wide-ranging power to combat a pandemic such as the COVID-19 outbreak—it became clear that it’s going to be the lawyers and the insurance companies that will be in the middle of the discussion.Oh, sure, there’s going to be talk about whether the governor can by Executive Order demand that Kansans wear masks when they are awake, or out in public, and whether she can in the future order businesses closed to avoid spread of disease. Lots of “do we really want the governor to be able to do that to our lives” stuff.But besides the issue of public health and life and death of Kansans there’s another issue brewing – legal liability for the spread of the pandemic. That’s where the big trials, the big judgments and the big legal fees are going to mesmerize lawmakers.If you are exposed to the pandemic in, say, the neighborhood paint store, come down with COVID-19, and are hospitalized or die, who is responsible? If the paint store has been determined to be an “essential” business, well, then it’s up to the store to make sure that its customers and employees are safe, and don’t expose you to the disease. If they aren’t safe…well…then it’s up to the lawyers to make the case that the business is liable for damages, if there are any, that can be traced believably to a jury that the paint store owner, or his/her insurer, can be liable for damages.A key provision in the law passed this spring is that if the business was in substantial compliance with public health directives, there’s no liability. They did what they were told with the presumption that they had made their businesses safe. But it will get more complicated when counties don’t apply all the statewide directives – such as masks or crowding – that the governor’s executive orders demand? Then is it state government or local government rules that determine whether the store has met public health requirements? Or, if the county has opted out of some state health requirements, and the store meets local requirements, is there a legal problem that can be prosecuted?***And look for businesses to have their own issues from the close-down order that has now been largely lifted but caused thousands of layoffs and firings when businesses were declared “non-essential” for months earlier this year and are having trouble getting re-opened.Is shutting down a business to deter spread of the pandemic essentially taking control of the business?&nbsp; Is that a “seizure” of the business? The taking of property? If government orders your business closed for a couple months, should you have to pay rent? Pay property taxes?&nbsp; If local rules let you have just half the customers at a club, and no sitting at the bar, has the state taken your property or made it useless? Can you make a claim on your business insurance for the damage to your wallet as you would if the restaurant caught fire?***These are the sorts of issues that lawmakers are going to deal with next session, inundated with testimony and information about the pandemic and the state’s efforts to quell it in a tight-budget year.The pandemic actually is a pandemic, having an effect on all Kansans, whether you are sick or not.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: Lawyers, liability and Kelly's executive order

TOPEKA – The Kansas Republican Party last week announced&nbsp;its 2020 Keep Kansas Great bus tour.&nbsp;

The bus tour will feature 2020 GOP candidates Dr. Roger Marshall, Tracey Mann, Jake LaTurner, Amanda Adkins, and Ron Estes, as well as other current and former Kansas GOP elected officials and special guests.&nbsp;

The tour includes northwest Kansas stops in Colby, Quinter, Hays and Russell.

Tour dates, times, and stops are below. Specific information regarding locations and surrogates will be announced at a later date.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573683238540.png" alt="republican elephant.png" />
 <figcaption>republican elephant.png</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA – The Kansas Republican Party last week announced&nbsp;its 2020 Keep Kansas Great bus tour.&nbsp;The bus tour will feature 2020 GOP candidates Dr. Roger Marshall, Tracey Mann, Jake LaTurner, Amanda Adkins, and Ron Estes, as well as other current and former Kansas GOP elected officials and special guests.&nbsp;The tour includes northwest Kansas stops in Colby, Quinter, Hays and Russell.Tour dates, times, and stops are below. Specific information regarding locations and surrogates will be announced at a later date.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601306375524.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Submitted

Kan. GOP bus tour will include NW Kansas stops

I moved to Kansas in the late 1980s during the fall of the year and one of the first things I noticed was the extraordinary number of hawks. They especially liked perching on power poles along the railroad; back then (and still today) it was quite common to drive the 12 miles from Hutchinson to Inman and count more than one hawk per mile. That began my love for birds of prey.

Soon we will again be seeing an extraordinary number of hawks of all varieties as they migrate south toward warmer climates. The extent of our Kansas winter will largely determine whether they stay here for a spell or move on south, and our milder-than-normal winters of late have been a huge draw to migrating hawks. The vast acreages of new wheat fields will be a huge draw too, as mice, voles and insects become vulnerable to the hawk’s keen eyes in the short new wheat. A few years ago, I happened by a nearby field of soybeans being cut. What caught my eye was the enormous number of hawks all around the field; I counted to thirty-some before losing count. I rolled into the field and talked with one of the combine drivers about the hawks. He said they had suddenly appeared as if from nowhere when they started cutting and had been there since. The soybean plants were extra tall and thick that year, and as they ripened and dropped their foliage, it left several inches of duff covering the ground between the rows; perfect cover for field mice and rats looking for warm concealment. As the combines lumbered through the field, they forced all those rodents from their cozy quarters and the hawks were feasting. This week I mowed a few acres around our raised deer blind and each pass sent field mice and voles so fat they practically waddled running in every direction. “Man could the hawks be feasting,” I thought. Another plus for hawks wintering in KS is the type of air currents and thermals that blow through the plain’s states. North winds coming down from Canada are utilized by all types of hawks, saving them precious energy by being able to soar. So, in summary, the mild winters, ample prey, open fields and the beneficial wind currents all make Kansas a popular place to see hawks of many varieties this time of year.&nbsp;

One common hawk we see here every winter are Northern Harriers, known by some as marsh hawks. They are large hawks marked with a white stripe across their broad, square tail and are often seen gliding effortlessly mere feet above CRP fields and pastures. We have the privilege of watching a couple each year as they cruise the grass waterway in front of our deer blind for meals. We also get an influx of Red Tail hawks from northern states as they come here for our milder winters. Swainson hawks on their way to Argentina stop in Kansas by the thousands. Rough-Legged Hawks migrate from Canada to the western US, including Kansas. Ferruginous Hawks may be seen here as they travel from Western Kansas to parts of the South Eastern US and to Florida. All these truly make for a kaleidoscope of raptors in our fall Kansas sky. Yet another reason to continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.

Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve&nbsp;Gilliland" />
 <figcaption>Steve&nbsp;Gilliland</figcaption>
 </figure>I moved to Kansas in the late 1980s during the fall of the year and one of the first things I noticed was the extraordinary number of hawks. They especially liked perching on power poles along the railroad; back then (and still today) it was quite common to drive the 12 miles from Hutchinson to Inman and count more than one hawk per mile. That began my love for birds of prey.Soon we will again be seeing an extraordinary number of hawks of all varieties as they migrate south toward warmer climates. The extent of our Kansas winter will largely determine whether they stay here for a spell or move on south, and our milder-than-normal winters of late have been a huge draw to migrating hawks. The vast acreages of new wheat fields will be a huge draw too, as mice, voles and insects become vulnerable to the hawk’s keen eyes in the short new wheat. A few years ago, I happened by a nearby field of soybeans being cut. What caught my eye was the enormous number of hawks all around the field; I counted to thirty-some before losing count. I rolled into the field and talked with one of the combine drivers about the hawks. He said they had suddenly appeared as if from nowhere when they started cutting and had been there since. The soybean plants were extra tall and thick that year, and as they ripened and dropped their foliage, it left several inches of duff covering the ground between the rows; perfect cover for field mice and rats looking for warm concealment. As the combines lumbered through the field, they forced all those rodents from their cozy quarters and the hawks were feasting. This week I mowed a few acres around our raised deer blind and each pass sent field mice and voles so fat they practically waddled running in every direction. “Man could the hawks be feasting,” I thought. Another plus for hawks wintering in KS is the type of air currents and thermals that blow through the plain’s states. North winds coming down from Canada are utilized by all types of hawks, saving them precious energy by being able to soar. So, in summary, the mild winters, ample prey, open fields and the beneficial wind currents all make Kansas a popular place to see hawks of many varieties this time of year.&nbsp;One common hawk we see here every winter are Northern Harriers, known by some as marsh hawks. They are large hawks marked with a white stripe across their broad, square tail and are often seen gliding effortlessly mere feet above CRP fields and pastures. We have the privilege of watching a couple each year as they cruise the grass waterway in front of our deer blind for meals. We also get an influx of Red Tail hawks from northern states as they come here for our milder winters. Swainson hawks on their way to Argentina stop in Kansas by the thousands. Rough-Legged Hawks migrate from Canada to the western US, including Kansas. Ferruginous Hawks may be seen here as they travel from Western Kansas to parts of the South Eastern US and to Florida. All these truly make for a kaleidoscope of raptors in our fall Kansas sky. Yet another reason to continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: The coming kaleidoscope of raptors

The Hays school board is set to interview candidates for a vacant school board seat at its meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Rockwell Administration Building.&nbsp;

The school board had received two applications.

Curt Vajnar, former Hays High School agriculture teacher, and Fort Hays State University psychology instructor Nuchelle Chance have applied for the position vacated by Sophia Rose Young.

Young resigned in July after moving outside of the school district.

The person appointed to position would serve the remainder of Young's term, which runs through 2021.

The school board will set a date for a public hearing concerning the closing of Washington School.

Th school board has entered into a contract with Overland Property Group to purchase the school. The developer plans to remodel the school into apartments.

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

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

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5ec54601eb7f17053605645f">REALTED STORY: Developer receives tax credits for Washington school apartments</a>

• Consider a resolution to purchase property adjacent to the school district's transportation department building in order to provide additional parking.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays school board is set to interview candidates for a vacant school board seat at its meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Rockwell Administration Building.&nbsp;The school board had received two applications.Curt Vajnar, former Hays High School agriculture teacher, and Fort Hays State University psychology instructor Nuchelle Chance have applied for the position vacated by Sophia Rose Young.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585943154638.jpeg" alt="Curt Vajnar, right." />
 <figcaption>Curt Vajnar, right.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601319565281.jpeg" alt="Nuchelle Chance" />
 <figcaption>Nuchelle Chance</figcaption>
 </figure>Young resigned in July after moving outside of the school district.The person appointed to position would serve the remainder of Young's term, which runs through 2021.<h2>Washington School</h2>The school board will set a date for a public hearing concerning the closing of Washington School.Th school board has entered into a contract with Overland Property Group to purchase the school. The developer plans to remodel the school into apartments.Early Childhood Connections had been located in the school, but the program was moved to its new location on 13th Street last fall. The Learning Center has been temporarily located in that building. It will move to a temporary location next semester.The district hopes to move the Learning Center into a remodeled space at Rockwell within the next year.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5ec54601eb7f17053605645f">REALTED STORY: Developer receives tax credits for Washington school apartments</a>In other business the board will:• Consider a resolution to purchase property adjacent to the school district's transportation department building in order to provide additional parking.• Consider approval of a district data center update from Eagle Technologies.