Building a stomp rocket, constructing a kaleidoscope, and taking a Zoom-powered photo are among the activities created by Fort Hays State University’s Kansas Wetlands Education Center to entertain and educate budding young scientists over the summer.&nbsp; The KWEC will host Drop-In STEM and Raspberry Pi Jams for students who would like to get involved with the environment and technology. Admission is free, and equipment will be provided.&nbsp; The KWEC is located 10 miles northeast of Great Bend along Kansas Highway 156 at Cheyenne Bottoms. Most of the activities will be outdoors. CDC guidelines will be followed, and events are subject to change, depending on COVID-19 conditions.&nbsp; Drop-In STEM–&nbsp;Friday, July 24, noon to 4:30 p.m. Roller coasters, bubbles, water balloons, sunshine, and snakes – all vital components for having a great summer. Join KWEC staff and volunteers as we explore the science, math, engineering, and technology around some of the greatest summer pastimes.&nbsp;We'll also construct a nature kaleidoscope, build a stomp rocket, and meet some classroom critters.&nbsp; Drop-In&nbsp;STEMS are quarterly activities offered at KWEC. They are non-formal activities designed to immerse visitors in science, technology, engineering, and math with a nature twist. Families will travel to several stations completing hands-on activities. Come prepared to be outdoors. This is a free, come-and-go activity.&nbsp; Raspberry Pi Jams–&nbsp;Aug. 4-6 and Aug. 11-13, 1:30 to 3 p.m. Use the tiny Raspberry Pi computers and program them with an environmental science twist. Time-lapse seeds growing, make a trail cam to see who visits the KWEC at night, program lights to imitate a firefly, and construct PiNoculars that can take a zoom powered picture!&nbsp; Registration for the Raspberry Pi Jams is required before July 29. Sign up as soon as possible, as spots are limited.&nbsp; To register, call 1-877-243-9268 or email Mandy Kern, KWEC Program Specialist, at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:amkern2@fhsu.edu">amkern2@fhsu.edu</a>. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu/" target="_blank">http://wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu/</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594992090595.jpeg" alt="Visitors at a pollinator themed Drop-In STEM dissected flowers learning how a seed is formed.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Visitors at a pollinator themed Drop-In STEM dissected flowers learning how a seed is formed.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University RelationsBuilding a stomp rocket, constructing a kaleidoscope, and taking a Zoom-powered photo are among the activities created by Fort Hays State University’s Kansas Wetlands Education Center to entertain and educate budding young scientists over the summer.&nbsp; The KWEC will host Drop-In STEM and Raspberry Pi Jams for students who would like to get involved with the environment and technology. Admission is free, and equipment will be provided.&nbsp; The KWEC is located 10 miles northeast of Great Bend along Kansas Highway 156 at Cheyenne Bottoms. Most of the activities will be outdoors. CDC guidelines will be followed, and events are subject to change, depending on COVID-19 conditions.&nbsp; Drop-In STEM–&nbsp;Friday, July 24, noon to 4:30 p.m. Roller coasters, bubbles, water balloons, sunshine, and snakes – all vital components for having a great summer. Join KWEC staff and volunteers as we explore the science, math, engineering, and technology around some of the greatest summer pastimes.&nbsp;We'll also construct a nature kaleidoscope, build a stomp rocket, and meet some classroom critters.&nbsp; Drop-In&nbsp;STEMS are quarterly activities offered at KWEC. They are non-formal activities designed to immerse visitors in science, technology, engineering, and math with a nature twist. Families will travel to several stations completing hands-on activities. Come prepared to be outdoors. This is a free, come-and-go activity.&nbsp; Raspberry Pi Jams–&nbsp;Aug. 4-6 and Aug. 11-13, 1:30 to 3 p.m. Use the tiny Raspberry Pi computers and program them with an environmental science twist. Time-lapse seeds growing, make a trail cam to see who visits the KWEC at night, program lights to imitate a firefly, and construct PiNoculars that can take a zoom powered picture!&nbsp; Registration for the Raspberry Pi Jams is required before July 29. Sign up as soon as possible, as spots are limited.&nbsp; To register, call 1-877-243-9268 or email Mandy Kern, KWEC Program Specialist, at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:amkern2@fhsu.edu">amkern2@fhsu.edu</a>. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu/" target="_blank">http://wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu/</a>.&nbsp;

FHSU’s Kansas Wetlands Education Center makes plans for science over summer

BY JOHN P. TRETBAR A ruling last week by the United States Supreme Court held that about half of the state of Oklahoma is Native American reservation land, and that could raise serious issues in the oil patch.&nbsp; The ruling does not affect property ownership, but energy lawyers tell Reuters it could result in slight tax increases, and an increased regulatory role in pipeline and storage approvals. There may also be implications for wind energy and electric transmission as well as the sale of water. The Five Tribes and the State of Oklahoma issued a joint statement saying they were working together on a framework of shared jurisdiction to support public safety, the economy and private property rights. American oil giant Chevron has agreed to acquire Noble Energy, a Houston-based international oil and gas developer, for $5 billion. The New York Times reports Noble’s share price is down about 60 percent from the beginning of the year, allowing Chevron to buy the operator's oil and gas resources at a huge discount. Chevron said the deal would add around 18 percent to its oil and gas reserves at a cost of less than $5 a barrel. For the first time since the horizontal drilling boom, crude production in North Dakota dipped below one million barrels per day. The Department of Mineral Resources reports total May production dropped by more than ten million barrels in May, the latest figures available. That's a drop from one point two million barrels per day in April, to 858,000 barrels per day in May. The second-highest crude-producing state also repeated it's best-ever gas-capture rate, recovering 88% of the natural gas produced at oil wells. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reported a slight drop in its weekly rig counts. There are three active rigs west of Wichita, down four from a week before. The count in eastern Kansas was unchanged at one active rig. Drilling is underway on one well in Russell County, and an operator is about to spud a new well on a lease in Stafford County. Baker Hughes reports 253 active drilling rigs nationwide, down one oil and four gas rigs.&nbsp; Regulators last week approved 11 permits for drilling at new locations in Kansas, including one in the eastern half of the state, and ten in Western Kansas. There are 240 new drilling permits on file across the state so far this year. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports ten newly-completed wells across the state last week, all of them west of Wichita, including one new well in Stafford County. Operators have completed 556 wells so far this year, down more than 100 compared to last year at this time. The Energy Information Administration reported a sizable decline in U.S. crude-oil inventories last week, down seven and a half million barrels from the week before, at just over 531 million barrels. EIA says stockpiles remain about 17 percent above the five year average for this time of year. EIA reported U.S. crude imports averaged 5.6 million [["five point six million"]] barrels per day last week, down nearly million barrels per day from the previous week. Over the past four weeks, imports averaged 10.2% less than the same four-week period last year.&nbsp; U.S. crude-oil production dropped by nearly half a percent, down 42,000 barrels at over ten-point-nine million barrels per day. Output is down about a million barrels per day compared to last year according to the latest weekly report from the government. The Association of American Railroads says oil-by-rail deliveries were up slightly for the week ending July 11, but were down 23% compared to a year ago.&nbsp; The Energy Information Administration says Canada's oil patch has seen a 20% drop in production in the first half of the year. Low prices, low demand, and provincial-government limits on production combined to slash Canada's output. Last year, Canada was the world's fourth-largest producer. The government says 40 top U.S. producers collectively wrote down $48 billion worth of assets during the first quarter of 2020. EIA says these 40 firms produced about 30% of the U.S. total, roughly 6.1 million barrels of crude oil per day.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592847975802.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY JOHN P. TRETBAR A ruling last week by the United States Supreme Court held that about half of the state of Oklahoma is Native American reservation land, and that could raise serious issues in the oil patch.&nbsp; The ruling does not affect property ownership, but energy lawyers tell Reuters it could result in slight tax increases, and an increased regulatory role in pipeline and storage approvals. There may also be implications for wind energy and electric transmission as well as the sale of water. The Five Tribes and the State of Oklahoma issued a joint statement saying they were working together on a framework of shared jurisdiction to support public safety, the economy and private property rights. American oil giant Chevron has agreed to acquire Noble Energy, a Houston-based international oil and gas developer, for $5 billion. The New York Times reports Noble’s share price is down about 60 percent from the beginning of the year, allowing Chevron to buy the operator's oil and gas resources at a huge discount. Chevron said the deal would add around 18 percent to its oil and gas reserves at a cost of less than $5 a barrel. For the first time since the horizontal drilling boom, crude production in North Dakota dipped below one million barrels per day. The Department of Mineral Resources reports total May production dropped by more than ten million barrels in May, the latest figures available. That's a drop from one point two million barrels per day in April, to 858,000 barrels per day in May. The second-highest crude-producing state also repeated it's best-ever gas-capture rate, recovering 88% of the natural gas produced at oil wells. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reported a slight drop in its weekly rig counts. There are three active rigs west of Wichita, down four from a week before. The count in eastern Kansas was unchanged at one active rig. Drilling is underway on one well in Russell County, and an operator is about to spud a new well on a lease in Stafford County. Baker Hughes reports 253 active drilling rigs nationwide, down one oil and four gas rigs.&nbsp; Regulators last week approved 11 permits for drilling at new locations in Kansas, including one in the eastern half of the state, and ten in Western Kansas. There are 240 new drilling permits on file across the state so far this year. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports ten newly-completed wells across the state last week, all of them west of Wichita, including one new well in Stafford County. Operators have completed 556 wells so far this year, down more than 100 compared to last year at this time. The Energy Information Administration reported a sizable decline in U.S. crude-oil inventories last week, down seven and a half million barrels from the week before, at just over 531 million barrels. EIA says stockpiles remain about 17 percent above the five year average for this time of year. EIA reported U.S. crude imports averaged 5.6 million [["five point six million"]] barrels per day last week, down nearly million barrels per day from the previous week. Over the past four weeks, imports averaged 10.2% less than the same four-week period last year.&nbsp; U.S. crude-oil production dropped by nearly half a percent, down 42,000 barrels at over ten-point-nine million barrels per day. Output is down about a million barrels per day compared to last year according to the latest weekly report from the government. The Association of American Railroads says oil-by-rail deliveries were up slightly for the week ending July 11, but were down 23% compared to a year ago.&nbsp; The Energy Information Administration says Canada's oil patch has seen a 20% drop in production in the first half of the year. Low prices, low demand, and provincial-government limits on production combined to slash Canada's output. Last year, Canada was the world's fourth-largest producer. The government says 40 top U.S. producers collectively wrote down $48 billion worth of assets during the first quarter of 2020. EIA says these 40 firms produced about 30% of the U.S. total, roughly 6.1 million barrels of crude oil per day.

News From the Oil Patch: Tribal ruling in Okla. impacts oil patch

By JACKIE MUNDT Pratt County farmer and rancher

My 35th birthday is this week. Though some women beyond their 20s don’t like to share their age, I have no problem admitting it.

This birthday feels like the last of my “young person” milestones. I will legally be old enough to run for president of the United States of America.

The moment doesn’t have the same anticipation of independence that came with acquiring the ability to work, drive, vote or drink. It is an aged and mellow satisfaction, born of the knowledge that I have reached the point where the Founding Fathers believed an individual had enough life experience to be able to lead the country.

Like many children, I dreamed about what it would be like to hold the highest office in the land, but as an adult, the idea actually seems pretty undesirable.

The world of politics has become so divisive and cruel. It often feels like watching children in a schoolyard. There is name-calling, he-said she-said arguments, pouting when you don’t get your way, overreactions to perfectly normal disagreement, no filter of what is polite or helpful, and a strange occurrence where someone who isn’t like you becomes a monster.

During a campaign season, it seems to become even worse. Between vilifying TV commercials, stacks of hateful postcards and a barrage of social media ads about the alleged evils of candidates, you have to have strong armor to weather it all. And don’t think this is just at the federal level, I see it in local races too.

The craziest part of this is we do have people who answer the call to serve. In fact, I think most politicians are good people who feel compelled to serve and are trying to do what they think is best. These people endure harsh criticism and try their best to represent the interests of all their constituents, even the ones that just called them evil.

So, as the horrific election season rolls on, I want to say thank you to the individuals at all levels who have raised their hands and are vying to serve as elected officials. I appreciate your willingness to serve despite all the negatives, like experiencing criticism no matter how good you are at the job. My attitude of gratitude is a product of a deeply held belief that you are a person who wants to make the world better.

In addition to my heartfelt thanks, I offer a commitment to my fellow Americans who put themselves out there to serve: I will always do my best to be polite and treat you with respect, even if I disagree with you. I will listen openly to the information you share and be willing to provide my opinion and experiences with you in a civil manner. When you make a decision I don’t agree with, now or after being elected, I will do my best to temper my disappointment and seek to understand how you arrived at your conclusion. Most importantly, I will continue to look for the best in you not the worst.

"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/2020/6/1592834709793.jpeg" alt="Jackie Mundt" />
 <figcaption>Jackie Mundt</figcaption>
 </figure>By JACKIE MUNDT Pratt County farmer and rancher My 35th birthday is this week. Though some women beyond their 20s don’t like to share their age, I have no problem admitting it.This birthday feels like the last of my “young person” milestones. I will legally be old enough to run for president of the United States of America.The moment doesn’t have the same anticipation of independence that came with acquiring the ability to work, drive, vote or drink. It is an aged and mellow satisfaction, born of the knowledge that I have reached the point where the Founding Fathers believed an individual had enough life experience to be able to lead the country.Like many children, I dreamed about what it would be like to hold the highest office in the land, but as an adult, the idea actually seems pretty undesirable.The world of politics has become so divisive and cruel. It often feels like watching children in a schoolyard. There is name-calling, he-said she-said arguments, pouting when you don’t get your way, overreactions to perfectly normal disagreement, no filter of what is polite or helpful, and a strange occurrence where someone who isn’t like you becomes a monster.During a campaign season, it seems to become even worse. Between vilifying TV commercials, stacks of hateful postcards and a barrage of social media ads about the alleged evils of candidates, you have to have strong armor to weather it all. And don’t think this is just at the federal level, I see it in local races too.The craziest part of this is we do have people who answer the call to serve. In fact, I think most politicians are good people who feel compelled to serve and are trying to do what they think is best. These people endure harsh criticism and try their best to represent the interests of all their constituents, even the ones that just called them evil.So, as the horrific election season rolls on, I want to say thank you to the individuals at all levels who have raised their hands and are vying to serve as elected officials. I appreciate your willingness to serve despite all the negatives, like experiencing criticism no matter how good you are at the job. My attitude of gratitude is a product of a deeply held belief that you are a person who wants to make the world better.In addition to my heartfelt thanks, I offer a commitment to my fellow Americans who put themselves out there to serve: I will always do my best to be polite and treat you with respect, even if I disagree with you. I will listen openly to the information you share and be willing to provide my opinion and experiences with you in a civil manner. When you make a decision I don’t agree with, now or after being elected, I will do my best to temper my disappointment and seek to understand how you arrived at your conclusion. Most importantly, I will continue to look for the best in you not the worst."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: Keeping perspective in politics

Three-day weather outlook

One of my best friends is Lane.&nbsp; I met Lane the very first day of college in an elevator in our 12 story dorm.&nbsp; The elevator broke down (something we would come to expect over the next few years) and we began to visit over what now has been a 44 year conversation. &nbsp;

Lane lives in Dallas, and as a result, we see each other infrequently.&nbsp; However, at least once or maybe twice a year we get together.&nbsp; We also talk by phone.&nbsp; It seems like when we get together or talk, it is just a continuation of the 44 year old conversation:&nbsp; never boring; never the same.&nbsp;

A few years back Lane revealed to me he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s.&nbsp; Being guys, we were appropriately stoic about it, but I knew it was news that made a change. &nbsp;

Over time, it has just become part of our relationship—and in a good way.&nbsp; We do what we can do, which is a lot. &nbsp;

With COVID-19, I worry about anybody with a chronic illness.&nbsp; So one day when we were talking I asked Lane about his concern.&nbsp; He had a really interesting observation.&nbsp; “Randy, I’m glad that COVID-19 happened in my lifetime.&nbsp; I would hate to die during a boring time.” &nbsp;

People have “interesting” years.&nbsp; It can be some event that changes them forever, even changing the trajectory of the remainder of their life. &nbsp;

For some people, it stops them in their place.&nbsp; For others, they meet it head on.&nbsp; They rise to the challenge.&nbsp; They do the best they can with what they have. &nbsp;

This is what I think Lane meant.&nbsp; COVID-19 has created a challenge for him.&nbsp; He is willing to rise to the challenge.&nbsp; He is going to do what he can to protect himself yet still enjoy his family, his friends, and his work.&nbsp; COVID-19 certainly added complexity to his, and all our lives. &nbsp;

We can look on it in defeat; or we can look at it as a challenge that we are going to defeat in some way or another.&nbsp; I think Lane has decided the latter. &nbsp;

Randy Clinkscales of Clinkscales Elder Law Practice, PA, Hays, 
Kansas, is an elder care attorney, practicing in western Kansas. To 
contact him, please send an email to randy@clinkscaleslaw.com. 
Disclaimer: The information in the column is for general information 
purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Each case is different 
and outcomes depend on the fact of each case and the then applicable 
law. For specific questions, you should contact a qualified attorney.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578498921842.png" alt="Randy Clinkscales" />
 <figcaption>Randy Clinkscales</figcaption>
 </figure>One of my best friends is Lane.&nbsp; I met Lane the very first day of college in an elevator in our 12 story dorm.&nbsp; The elevator broke down (something we would come to expect over the next few years) and we began to visit over what now has been a 44 year conversation. &nbsp;Lane lives in Dallas, and as a result, we see each other infrequently.&nbsp; However, at least once or maybe twice a year we get together.&nbsp; We also talk by phone.&nbsp; It seems like when we get together or talk, it is just a continuation of the 44 year old conversation:&nbsp; never boring; never the same.&nbsp;A few years back Lane revealed to me he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s.&nbsp; Being guys, we were appropriately stoic about it, but I knew it was news that made a change. &nbsp;Over time, it has just become part of our relationship—and in a good way.&nbsp; We do what we can do, which is a lot. &nbsp;With COVID-19, I worry about anybody with a chronic illness.&nbsp; So one day when we were talking I asked Lane about his concern.&nbsp; He had a really interesting observation.&nbsp; “Randy, I’m glad that COVID-19 happened in my lifetime.&nbsp; I would hate to die during a boring time.” &nbsp;What did he mean by that? &nbsp;People have “interesting” years.&nbsp; It can be some event that changes them forever, even changing the trajectory of the remainder of their life. &nbsp;For some people, it stops them in their place.&nbsp; For others, they meet it head on.&nbsp; They rise to the challenge.&nbsp; They do the best they can with what they have. &nbsp;This is what I think Lane meant.&nbsp; COVID-19 has created a challenge for him.&nbsp; He is willing to rise to the challenge.&nbsp; He is going to do what he can to protect himself yet still enjoy his family, his friends, and his work.&nbsp; COVID-19 certainly added complexity to his, and all our lives. &nbsp;We can look on it in defeat; or we can look at it as a challenge that we are going to defeat in some way or another.&nbsp; I think Lane has decided the latter. &nbsp;Randy Clinkscales of Clinkscales Elder Law Practice, PA, Hays, 
Kansas, is an elder care attorney, practicing in western Kansas. To 
contact him, please send an email to randy@clinkscaleslaw.com. 
Disclaimer: The information in the column is for general information 
purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Each case is different 
and outcomes depend on the fact of each case and the then applicable 
law. For specific questions, you should contact a qualified attorney.

CLINKSCALES: The most interesting of years

ELLIS COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 4p.m. Tuesday in Ellis County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1993 Chevy Camaro driven by Lyndon Julius Huxman, 17, Hays was westbound on Emmeram Road. The driver failed to stop at the posted stop sign at U.S. 183

The Camaro crossed U.S. 183, entered the west ditch, struck an embankment, rolled and came to rest on its top in a carport.

EMS transported&nbsp;Huxman to Hays Medical Center. The KHP did not report seat belt usage.

ELLIS COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 4p.m. Tuesday in Ellis County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1993 Chevy Camaro driven by Lyndon Julius Huxman, 17, Hays was westbound on Emmeram Road. The driver failed to stop at the posted stop sign at U.S. 183The Camaro crossed U.S. 183, entered the west ditch, struck an embankment, rolled and came to rest on its top in a carport.EMS transported&nbsp;Huxman to Hays Medical Center. The KHP did not report seat belt usage.

Teen from Hays hospitalized after car strikes embankment, rolls

Beginning Wednesday, 20th Street between Canal and Walnut will be closed in Hays.  This includes the intersections of 20th and Canal and 20th and Walnut. 

 Construction is expected to last several weeks. 

 For more information, call City of Hays Project Management at 785 628-7350 or J Corp at 785 628-8101.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595355603724.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>City of HaysBeginning Wednesday, 20th Street between Canal and Walnut will be closed in Hays. This includes the intersections of 20th and Canal and 20th and Walnut. Construction is expected to last several weeks. For more information, call City of Hays Project Management at 785 628-7350 or J Corp at 785 628-8101.

Portion of 20th Street will be closed for several weeks

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Hays school district hopes to have a plan for reopening schools by the end of July, Superintendent Ron Wilson told the school board Monday night.

The plan will include options for in-person learning, a hybrid of in-person and online, and fully online learning.

"I think the part that I want to get across is all parts of our plan include how we can manage the health and safety of students and staff and always make them our top priority as we reopen schools," Wilson said.

Wilson is a part of a group of Ellis County educators that is trying coordination education services in the county. The group also includes representatives from Ellis, Victoria and the Catholic schools.

Wilson said the district is continuing to talk to local public officials as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Kansas Department of Health and Environment to develop ways to minimize risk as students return to school.

Wilson said school is going to look different this fall than what families are used to.

"We are preparing for all possibilities," Wilson said, "but we also understand that we are going to have some unexpected occurrences that we are going to have to deal with. The two words I ask is patience and flexibility."

Wilson acknowledged people want to know what the plan will be, but he said the district is taking its time to develop a plan that is right for its students and staff.

Some districts had already released their plans, <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4ff3ee32-1a44-4eb0-be11-dcbd8fef9126">and then the governor issued an order Monday pushing the start of in-person classes to no earlier than Sept. 9. </a>The state school board must approve the action. They are set to meet on Wednesday.

"For us this is not about being first, it's about getting it right," Wilson said.&nbsp;

The district the plan will still be subject to change based on community spread, Wilson said.&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/8f578b67-7058-445d-ae53-5ae9dd30ac7f">Ellis County reported 10 new&nbsp; COVID-19 cases on Monday for a total of 34 active cases.</a>

Board President Mike Walker said the board does not want to put children in unsafe situations.

"We are relying on experts, scientists, education experts, mental health experts, and even experts in domestic violence and nutrition and getting information from all types of people on opening the schools," Walker said.

"I have not heard any responsible person say let's open the schools as if it was last year."

Board Vice President Craig Pallister, who wore a mask during the meeting, said he is wearing a mask because he hopes it will contribute to schools being able to reopen sooner. However, he said he did not feel the same urgency from the Ellis County health officer.

Board member Tammy Wellbrock said she appreciated the district is receiving community feedback, but said the decision on reopening schools is bigger than just the local school board. More people are at stake, she said.

"It's not that the loudest people calling us will make that difference," she said.

Enrollment has already started for the school year. It is being done online with the exception of new families and families who do not have access to technology. You can find enrollment information on the <a href="https://www.usd489.com/.">USD 49 website</a>.

Wilson encouraged parents to enroll their students now. This will help the district in its planning process.

If a parent does not know if they want their children to attend in-person or online only, they can enroll now and change their choice later.

Wilson encouraged parents who wish their children to continue online learning in the fall to continue with the Hays school district rather than another online school in the state.&nbsp;

Hays USD 489 can provide local support, which the other schools can't, he said.

"We really need our families to remember that we can offer remote learning, and we can do it very well," Wilson said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595302914355.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays school district hopes to have a plan for reopening schools by the end of July, Superintendent Ron Wilson told the school board Monday night.The plan will include options for in-person learning, a hybrid of in-person and online, and fully online learning."I think the part that I want to get across is all parts of our plan include how we can manage the health and safety of students and staff and always make them our top priority as we reopen schools," Wilson said.Wilson is a part of a group of Ellis County educators that is trying coordination education services in the county. The group also includes representatives from Ellis, Victoria and the Catholic schools.Wilson said the district is continuing to talk to local public officials as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Kansas Department of Health and Environment to develop ways to minimize risk as students return to school.Wilson said school is going to look different this fall than what families are used to."We are preparing for all possibilities," Wilson said, "but we also understand that we are going to have some unexpected occurrences that we are going to have to deal with. The two words I ask is patience and flexibility."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595301751674.png" alt="Hays USD 489 timeline for developing back-to-school plan" />
 <figcaption>Hays USD 489 timeline for developing back-to-school plan</figcaption>
 </figure>Wilson acknowledged people want to know what the plan will be, but he said the district is taking its time to develop a plan that is right for its students and staff.Some districts had already released their plans, <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4ff3ee32-1a44-4eb0-be11-dcbd8fef9126">and then the governor issued an order Monday pushing the start of in-person classes to no earlier than Sept. 9. </a>The state school board must approve the action. They are set to meet on Wednesday."For us this is not about being first, it's about getting it right," Wilson said.&nbsp;The district the plan will still be subject to change based on community spread, Wilson said.&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/8f578b67-7058-445d-ae53-5ae9dd30ac7f">Ellis County reported 10 new&nbsp; COVID-19 cases on Monday for a total of 34 active cases.</a>Board President Mike Walker said the board does not want to put children in unsafe situations."We are relying on experts, scientists, education experts, mental health experts, and even experts in domestic violence and nutrition and getting information from all types of people on opening the schools," Walker said."I have not heard any responsible person say let's open the schools as if it was last year."Board Vice President Craig Pallister, who wore a mask during the meeting, said he is wearing a mask because he hopes it will contribute to schools being able to reopen sooner. However, he said he did not feel the same urgency from the Ellis County health officer.Board member Tammy Wellbrock said she appreciated the district is receiving community feedback, but said the decision on reopening schools is bigger than just the local school board. More people are at stake, she said."It's not that the loudest people calling us will make that difference," she said.Enrollment has already started for the school year. It is being done online with the exception of new families and families who do not have access to technology. You can find enrollment information on the <a href="https://www.usd489.com/.">USD 49 website</a>.Wilson encouraged parents to enroll their students now. This will help the district in its planning process.If a parent does not know if they want their children to attend in-person or online only, they can enroll now and change their choice later.Wilson encouraged parents who wish their children to continue online learning in the fall to continue with the Hays school district rather than another online school in the state.&nbsp;Hays USD 489 can provide local support, which the other schools can't, he said."We really need our families to remember that we can offer remote learning, and we can do it very well," Wilson said.

Hays USD 489 hopes to have fall plan by July 31

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

In an hour-long discussion Monday night, Ellis County commissioners reiterated their stance on <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/21423f8d-d261-4eb5-b117-ab3f25442f3f">not enforcing</a> the <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/fd80a903-c6c3-4b70-ae64-3ef420902ede">July 2 executive order</a> by Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly to wear face masks in public, at work and when unable to physically distance at least 6 feet.&nbsp;

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/770d7b0c-0f54-49ee-a0d9-71320b04121a">Counties are allowed to exempt themselves</a>&nbsp;from the mandate regarding the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"I think we've all been contacted and gotten emails about this," said Commissioner Dean Haselhorst. He noted he received a text earlier in the day from Hays Mayor Shaun Musil about the situation.&nbsp;

City commissioners will <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/ef2234fe-3996-4f64-8e69-983bbf1723a4">consider an ordinance</a> at their Thursday meeting requiring the wearing of masks.

Two people in the audience addressed the county commission asking it to reconsider its decision and enforce the statewide mask order.

"We have always bragged about the safety of our city," said Dr. Ed Hammond, president emeritus of Fort Hays State University and a teacher in the Department of Advanced Education Programs. "Now I'm getting calls from my graduate students saying they don't want to come to Hays. We don't want that to happen."

Hammond noted the $75 million impact the university has on the Ellis County economy each year, in part from the 4,000 on-campus students. Classes are scheduled to start Aug. 17.

Dr. Cheryl Hofstetter-Duffy, FHSU director of composition, was diagnosed with cancer five years ago. She asked commissioners to "think of those who are at high risk" of contracting COVID-19 and "listen to the medical community" about the effectiveness of face masks in stopping spread of the disease.

Commission Chairman Butch Schlyer, the former longtime Ellis County Health Department director, disagrees that face masks work.

During his administrative tenure, there were local cases of SARS and N1H1.

"We (KDHE) talked about social distancing but never about putting a mask on," Schlyer said, "and that's because a mask won't stop a damn virus. That's just a fact."

Schlyer said he spent the weekend researching the coronavirus and face mask efficacy.

"It'd be like I put chicken wire over my windows and thought it would keep out the flies and mosquitoes."

Schlyer also said he is not going to "infringe on the rights of people to take away what little liberties are left," noting that he deletes his emails that refer to the face mask order.

 All three commissioners are also concerned about "alarm fatigue," occurring when people have been scared for so long, they quit listening when officials issue a escalated warning.&nbsp;

The Ellis County Health Department on Monday announced <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/8f578b67-7058-445d-ae53-5ae9dd30ac7f">10 new positive cases of coronavirus in the county</a> since Friday.

There are now 34 active cases in Ellis County, with 87 total cases since reporting began,<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/313e8963-6312-45d5-960d-9605f464bab1">&nbsp;including one death of a man in his 90s.</a>

What does work to stop the spread of coronavirus, according to Jason Kennedy, county health director, is social isolation, but there are local struggles.

In explaining numerous statistics for Ellis County, for counties with mask mandates, and for the state as a whole, Kennedy noted a third of the active cases in Ellis County are contacts of another positive person who resides in the same home.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"If you are a positive, isolate yourself completely," Kennedy stressed. "That means one bedroom, one bathroom (for the positive patient). "Ride out your contagious period, whatever we determine that to be.

"If we cut those transmissions inside the home, that's a third more cases we can prevent."&nbsp;

Social distance and the more distance between people, the better, according to Kennedy. "Those work."

"Masks — there's data either way showing they work or don't. I'm not for masks. I'm not against masks.

"I want them if I need them. Now is not that time."

Kennedy said there is a difference in the data mandating a face covering for people on a New York City subway compared to Ellis County streets. 

"We're inherently socially distanced," he said. "Wash your hands. Be safe. Be smart. And stop being scared. Listen. Educate yourself, and we'll get through this.

"I don't mandate. I recommend. I educate," Kennedy concluded. He removed his face mask to address the commission.

To date, between 2,200 and 2,300 Ellis County residents have been tested for COVID-19.&nbsp;

The process of surveillance of positive patients has been accelerated to within 24 hours of diagnosis, according to Kennedy, with the hiring of off-duty Ellis County EMS employees.

Commissioners praised Kennedy for his work, while Kennedy praised the local health care system.

"We have sufficient capacity in Ellis County at this time," Kennedy told the commission. "When we meet the threshold, I will make sure the community knows."

"I'm sick and tired of the news media trying to turn this into something it is not," said Dustin Roths, commissioner.&nbsp; "I want to save our ability to govern the right way when there is an actual threat. And I don't know that will actually happen in COVID-19."

The three Ellis County commissioners were the only people in the commission chambers Monday night who were not wearing face masks.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595309201837.jpeg" alt="The Ellis County Commission stands by its decision not to enforce the governor's order for Kansans to wear face coverings in public. Commissioners Dean Haselhorst, Butch Schlyer and Dustin Roths were the only people attending Monday night's meeting without a face mask." />
 <figcaption>The Ellis County Commission stands by its decision not to enforce the governor's order for Kansans to wear face coverings in public. Commissioners Dean Haselhorst, Butch Schlyer and Dustin Roths were the only people attending Monday night's meeting without a face mask.</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostIn an hour-long discussion Monday night, Ellis County commissioners reiterated their stance on <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/21423f8d-d261-4eb5-b117-ab3f25442f3f">not enforcing</a> the <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/fd80a903-c6c3-4b70-ae64-3ef420902ede">July 2 executive order</a> by Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly to wear face masks in public, at work and when unable to physically distance at least 6 feet.&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/770d7b0c-0f54-49ee-a0d9-71320b04121a">Counties are allowed to exempt themselves</a>&nbsp;from the mandate regarding the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;&nbsp;"I think we've all been contacted and gotten emails about this," said Commissioner Dean Haselhorst. He noted he received a text earlier in the day from Hays Mayor Shaun Musil about the situation.&nbsp;City commissioners will <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/ef2234fe-3996-4f64-8e69-983bbf1723a4">consider an ordinance</a> at their Thursday meeting requiring the wearing of masks.Two people in the audience addressed the county commission asking it to reconsider its decision and enforce the statewide mask order.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595310095495.jpeg" alt="Dr. Ed Hammond,&nbsp;president emeritus of Fort Hays State University, removed his face mask when talking to Ellis County commissioners about FHSU students now worried about the safety of living in Hays." />
 <figcaption>Dr. Ed Hammond,&nbsp;president emeritus of Fort Hays State University, removed his face mask when talking to Ellis County commissioners about FHSU students now worried about the safety of living in Hays.</figcaption>
 </figure>"We have always bragged about the safety of our city," said Dr. Ed Hammond, president emeritus of Fort Hays State University and a teacher in the Department of Advanced Education Programs. "Now I'm getting calls from my graduate students saying they don't want to come to Hays. We don't want that to happen."Hammond noted the $75 million impact the university has on the Ellis County economy each year, in part from the 4,000 on-campus students. Classes are scheduled to start Aug. 17.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595309497982.jpeg" alt="Hays resident Cheryl Duffy, a five-year cancer survivor whose 94-year-old father has a heart condition, pleads with Ellis County commissioners Monday to enforce the Kansas face mask ordinance in consideration of those who are at a high health risk of contracting COVID-19." />
 <figcaption>Hays resident Cheryl Duffy, a five-year cancer survivor whose 94-year-old father has a heart condition, pleads with Ellis County commissioners Monday to enforce the Kansas face mask ordinance in consideration of those who are at a high health risk of contracting COVID-19.</figcaption>
 </figure>Dr. Cheryl Hofstetter-Duffy, FHSU director of composition, was diagnosed with cancer five years ago. She asked commissioners to "think of those who are at high risk" of contracting COVID-19 and "listen to the medical community" about the effectiveness of face masks in stopping spread of the disease.Commission Chairman Butch Schlyer, the former longtime Ellis County Health Department director, disagrees that face masks work.During his administrative tenure, there were local cases of SARS and N1H1."We (KDHE) talked about social distancing but never about putting a mask on," Schlyer said, "and that's because a mask won't stop a damn virus. That's just a fact."Schlyer said he spent the weekend researching the coronavirus and face mask efficacy."It'd be like I put chicken wire over my windows and thought it would keep out the flies and mosquitoes."Schlyer also said he is not going to "infringe on the rights of people to take away what little liberties are left," noting that he deletes his emails that refer to the face mask order. All three commissioners are also concerned about "alarm fatigue," occurring when people have been scared for so long, they quit listening when officials issue a escalated warning.&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/UReWtj-3rDw"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Ellis County Health Department on Monday announced <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/8f578b67-7058-445d-ae53-5ae9dd30ac7f">10 new positive cases of coronavirus in the county</a> since Friday.There are now 34 active cases in Ellis County, with 87 total cases since reporting began,<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/313e8963-6312-45d5-960d-9605f464bab1">&nbsp;including one death of a man in his 90s.</a>Two people remain hospitalized.What does work to stop the spread of coronavirus, according to Jason Kennedy, county health director, is social isolation, but there are local struggles.In explaining numerous statistics for Ellis County, for counties with mask mandates, and for the state as a whole, Kennedy noted a third of the active cases in Ellis County are contacts of another positive person who resides in the same home.&nbsp;&nbsp;"If you are a positive, isolate yourself completely," Kennedy stressed. "That means one bedroom, one bathroom (for the positive patient). "Ride out your contagious period, whatever we determine that to be."If we cut those transmissions inside the home, that's a third more cases we can prevent."&nbsp;Social distance and the more distance between people, the better, according to Kennedy. "Those work.""Masks — there's data either way showing they work or don't. I'm not for masks. I'm not against masks."I want them if I need them. Now is not that time."Kennedy said there is a difference in the data mandating a face covering for people on a New York City subway compared to Ellis County streets. "We're inherently socially distanced," he said. "Wash your hands. Be safe. Be smart. And stop being scared. Listen. Educate yourself, and we'll get through this. "I don't mandate. I recommend. I educate," Kennedy concluded. He removed his face mask to address the commission.To date, between 2,200 and 2,300 Ellis County residents have been tested for COVID-19.&nbsp;The process of surveillance of positive patients has been accelerated to within 24 hours of diagnosis, according to Kennedy, with the hiring of off-duty Ellis County EMS employees.Commissioners praised Kennedy for his work, while Kennedy praised the local health care system."We have sufficient capacity in Ellis County at this time," Kennedy told the commission. "When we meet the threshold, I will make sure the community knows.""I'm sick and tired of the news media trying to turn this into something it is not," said Dustin Roths, commissioner.&nbsp; "I want to save our ability to govern the right way when there is an actual threat. And I don't know that will actually happen in COVID-19."The three Ellis County commissioners were the only people in the commission chambers Monday night who were not wearing face masks.

🎥 Mandatory masks? 'Now is not that time,' Ellis Co. health director says

The Hays school board approved a contract with the Hays NEA at its meeting Monday night.&nbsp;

The agreement for the 2020-21 school year includes one vertical step and horizontal movement for all licensed staff. There will be $680 added onto the base pay for the 2020-21 school year.

The agreement also addresses the new student schedule at Hays Middle School and a revised clause on compensation for mentor teachers.

Board President Mike Walker, who was on the negotiating team for the board, said he thought everyone was working toward the same direction during negotiations.

Board member Tammy Wellbrock said she was proud of both sides.

"I think there was thorough, fair, comprehensive and timely discussion," she said.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e42c6caa471e75afc5230e0">Teachers and the board were unable to come to an agreement on their 2019-20 contract until February.</a> The two sides came to impasse and brought in federal mediation before finally coming to an agreement.

Stumbling blocks during the 2019-20 contract negotiations included pay and insurance.

The board also approved a 2.48 percent raise for classified employees and administrators. This is the same percentage increase that was recommended for certified teaching staff.

The pay increase will be retroactive to July 1.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays school board approved a contract with the Hays NEA at its meeting Monday night.&nbsp;The agreement for the 2020-21 school year includes one vertical step and horizontal movement for all licensed staff. There will be $680 added onto the base pay for the 2020-21 school year.The agreement also addresses the new student schedule at Hays Middle School and a revised clause on compensation for mentor teachers.Board President Mike Walker, who was on the negotiating team for the board, said he thought everyone was working toward the same direction during negotiations.Board member Tammy Wellbrock said she was proud of both sides."I think there was thorough, fair, comprehensive and timely discussion," she said.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e42c6caa471e75afc5230e0">Teachers and the board were unable to come to an agreement on their 2019-20 contract until February.</a> The two sides came to impasse and brought in federal mediation before finally coming to an agreement.Stumbling blocks during the 2019-20 contract negotiations included pay and insurance.<h2>Classified staff</h2>The board also approved a 2.48 percent raise for classified employees and administrators. This is the same percentage increase that was recommended for certified teaching staff.The pay increase will be retroactive to July 1.

Hays BOE approves teacher contract, staff raises


HUTCHINSON — 
David Tobias, director of operations for the Kansas State Fair, has been named the agency’s interim general manager.

The
 Kansas State Fair Board unanimously approved Tobias’ promotion at a 
special board meeting Tuesday. The decision comes following the July 14 
resignation of Robin Jennison. Jennison had held the job since September
 2018.

Tobias joined the Fair in 2011 and has held several 
positions during his tenure. As the operations director, he oversaw 
operations and human resources, plus spent time working with the 
maintenance team on long-term strategic initiatives.

The Fair 
Board chose Tobias to help guide the staff through a transitional time, 
which includes the cancelation of the September fair and the lack of 
anticipated revenue. 

“As this pandemic has been rough on all 
Kansans and fellow fairs, we are continuing with plans for a special 
livestock event in September as the youth of Kansas look forward to 
showcasing what they have been working hard on all year,” Tobias said. 
“The Kansas State Fair will continue to seek out revenue-generating 
options during the non-fair period to bring back the Kansas State Fair 
in 2021.”

Tobias grew up on a farm near Lyons. He has a bachelor 
of crop sciences degree from Fort Hays State University. He and his wife
 have two children.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595358852132.jpeg" alt="Tobias" />
 <figcaption>Tobias</figcaption>
 </figure>Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON — 
David Tobias, director of operations for the Kansas State Fair, has been named the agency’s interim general manager.The
 Kansas State Fair Board unanimously approved Tobias’ promotion at a 
special board meeting Tuesday. The decision comes following the July 14 
resignation of Robin Jennison. Jennison had held the job since September
 2018.Tobias joined the Fair in 2011 and has held several 
positions during his tenure. As the operations director, he oversaw 
operations and human resources, plus spent time working with the 
maintenance team on long-term strategic initiatives.The Fair 
Board chose Tobias to help guide the staff through a transitional time, 
which includes the cancelation of the September fair and the lack of 
anticipated revenue. “As this pandemic has been rough on all 
Kansans and fellow fairs, we are continuing with plans for a special 
livestock event in September as the youth of Kansas look forward to 
showcasing what they have been working hard on all year,” Tobias said. 
“The Kansas State Fair will continue to seek out revenue-generating 
options during the non-fair period to bring back the Kansas State Fair 
in 2021.”Tobias grew up on a farm near Lyons. He has a bachelor 
of crop sciences degree from Fort Hays State University. He and his wife
 have two children.

FHSU grad named interim director of Kansas State Fair

DALLAS — Starting this week, the U.S. Census Bureau will begin following up with households in Kansas that have not yet responded to the 2020 Census. The current self-response rate in the state is 65.8 percent. The Census Bureau will need to visit the remaining addresses to collect responses in person.

Non-response follow up operations begin in the Wichita Area Census Office this week. This office serves 91 counties in Kansas (see below), which includes southern, western and north-central Kansas.

The remaining counties in the state are served by the office in Overland Park, where non-response follow up operations will begin in August.

Census takers will be wearing masks and are trained in social distancing protocols and other health and safety guidance. The Census takers are hired from their local communities. All census takers speak English, and many are bilingual. If a Census taker does not speak the householder’s language, the household may request a return visit from a census taker who does.

Census takers will record the household’s responses on a Census Bureau-issued device. If no one is home, they will leave notice of their visit and instructions on how to self-respond. Census takers can be identified by a valid government ID badge. To confirm a census taker’s identity, the public can contact the Denver/Dallas Regional Census center at (800) 852-6159.

Even though Census takers will begin field work, its not too late to self-respond to the 2020 Census and limit the chances of a census taker visiting your home. You can respond online at <a href="https://www.2020census.gov/">2020census.gov</a>, by phone at 844-330-2020 (English) or by mailing back the paper form that was delivered to the household.

In order to assist people with self-responding, the Census Bureau is beginning a Mobile Questionnaire Assistance (MQA) program. This is separate from our non-response follow up operation. MQA representatives will encourage people to self-respond to the 2020 Census in places where people naturally visit.

 Locations will include grocery stores and markets, food banks,&nbsp;laundromats, restaurants and grab-and-go eateries, unemployment offices, back to school drives, places of worship and libraries.

The local census response representatives will help people complete the census on a 2020 Census tablet or on their own device, while practicing state and local social distancing protocols. 

The Census Bureau is selecting where to provide MQAs based on local response rates and public health conditions. The MQA program will run through mid-September.

An additional reminder postcard will be sent to households that haven’t yet responded to the Census. It is scheduled to arrive between July 22 and July 28. 

The start of census taker visits was delayed from mid-May to mid-August, giving the Census Bureau the opportunity to send one more reminder to households to encourage them to respond online, by phone or by mail. Responding now minimizes the need for census takers to visit homes to collect responses in person.

The Census Bureau is in the process of hiring thousands of census takers in Kansas. Applicants are continuing to be selected and trained on an ongoing basis. The Census Bureau will be calling applicants who are selected, which may be from a non-local area code. Everyone who has applied is encouraged to answer the phone and to attend scheduled training.

For more information, go to <a href="https://www.2020census.gov/">www.2020census.gov</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595352329791.png" alt="U.S. Census workers are following up with visits to households in western Kansas which have not yet responded to the 2020 census." />
 <figcaption>U.S. Census workers are following up with visits to households in western Kansas which have not yet responded to the 2020 census.</figcaption>
 </figure>U.S. CensusDALLAS — Starting this week, the U.S. Census Bureau will begin following up with households in Kansas that have not yet responded to the 2020 Census. The current self-response rate in the state is 65.8 percent. The Census Bureau will need to visit the remaining addresses to collect responses in person.Non-response follow up operations begin in the Wichita Area Census Office this week. This office serves 91 counties in Kansas (see below), which includes southern, western and north-central Kansas.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595354868572.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The remaining counties in the state are served by the office in Overland Park, where non-response follow up operations will begin in August.Census takers will be wearing masks and are trained in social distancing protocols and other health and safety guidance. The Census takers are hired from their local communities. All census takers speak English, and many are bilingual. If a Census taker does not speak the householder’s language, the household may request a return visit from a census taker who does.Census takers will record the household’s responses on a Census Bureau-issued device. If no one is home, they will leave notice of their visit and instructions on how to self-respond. Census takers can be identified by a valid government ID badge. To confirm a census taker’s identity, the public can contact the Denver/Dallas Regional Census center at (800) 852-6159.Even though Census takers will begin field work, its not too late to self-respond to the 2020 Census and limit the chances of a census taker visiting your home. You can respond online at <a href="https://www.2020census.gov/">2020census.gov</a>, by phone at 844-330-2020 (English) or by mailing back the paper form that was delivered to the household.HELPING HOUSEHOLDS TO SELF-RESPONDIn order to assist people with self-responding, the Census Bureau is beginning a Mobile Questionnaire Assistance (MQA) program. This is separate from our non-response follow up operation. MQA representatives will encourage people to self-respond to the 2020 Census in places where people naturally visit. Locations will include grocery stores and markets, food banks,&nbsp;laundromats, restaurants and grab-and-go eateries, unemployment offices, back to school drives, places of worship and libraries.The local census response representatives will help people complete the census on a 2020 Census tablet or on their own device, while practicing state and local social distancing protocols. The Census Bureau is selecting where to provide MQAs based on local response rates and public health conditions. The MQA program will run through mid-September.ADDITIONAL REMINDER COMING IN THE MAILAn additional reminder postcard will be sent to households that haven’t yet responded to the Census. It is scheduled to arrive between July 22 and July 28. The start of census taker visits was delayed from mid-May to mid-August, giving the Census Bureau the opportunity to send one more reminder to households to encourage them to respond online, by phone or by mail. Responding now minimizes the need for census takers to visit homes to collect responses in person.TRAINING STARTING FOR CENSUS JOBSThe Census Bureau is in the process of hiring thousands of census takers in Kansas. Applicants are continuing to be selected and trained on an ongoing basis. The Census Bureau will be calling applicants who are selected, which may be from a non-local area code. Everyone who has applied is encouraged to answer the phone and to attend scheduled training.For more information, go to <a href="https://www.2020census.gov/">www.2020census.gov</a>.

Census takers begin household visits in Ellis, western Kansas counties

By KIRBY ROSS Phillips County Review

PHILLIPS COUNTY —&nbsp;The tragedy unfolding at Logan Manor Nursing Home continues, as the incursion of COVID-19 into the facility has claimed two more lives, raising Phillips County fatalities to six.

With both deaths occurring at the nursing home, a 71-year-old female passed away on July 18, while a 90-year-old female passed away July 19.

In addition, in the past week three more cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed, raising the overall Phillips County infected count to 39 as of Monday.  

According to data released by the Phillips County Health Office, one of the newly diagnosed cases is related to the Logan Manor outbreak, while a second victim is connected to an unrelated case elsewhere in Phillips County.

A third new case which has been diagnosed in the past week involves a Logan Manor staffer.

Elsewhere in the region, three other counties are suffering from increasing outbreaks.  

The number of cases in Graham County has now risen to nine.  At the beginning of the month, Graham was one of the few sites in the entire state of Kansas remaining a COVID-free sanctuary.

The outbreak there has been tied to a multi-county superspreader event at a dance where safety protocols were ignored.

In Norton County, cases have risen from four, to 10, then to 21 in a 14-day period, with a number of them tied to the Graham County dance and a daycare outbreak.

And in Ellis County, cases went from 21 at the end of June; to 30 two weeks ago; to 57 last week; and then to 90 on Monday of this week.

Of these Ellis County outbreaks, most are associated with four clusters — one such Ellis County cluster involves the Graham County dance, two clusters involve Fourth of July parties, and one is tied to travelers stopping at an Interstate 70 travel plaza east of Topeka.

Public health officials blame the four Ellis County clusters on individuals not following proper safety protocols.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594071502884.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KIRBY ROSS Phillips County ReviewPHILLIPS COUNTY —&nbsp;The tragedy unfolding at Logan Manor Nursing Home continues, as the incursion of COVID-19 into the facility has claimed two more lives, raising Phillips County fatalities to six.With both deaths occurring at the nursing home, a 71-year-old female passed away on July 18, while a 90-year-old female passed away July 19.In addition, in the past week three more cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed, raising the overall Phillips County infected count to 39 as of Monday. According to data released by the Phillips County Health Office, one of the newly diagnosed cases is related to the Logan Manor outbreak, while a second victim is connected to an unrelated case elsewhere in Phillips County.A third new case which has been diagnosed in the past week involves a Logan Manor staffer.<h2>Regional spread</h2>Elsewhere in the region, three other counties are suffering from increasing outbreaks. The number of cases in Graham County has now risen to nine. At the beginning of the month, Graham was one of the few sites in the entire state of Kansas remaining a COVID-free sanctuary.The outbreak there has been tied to a multi-county superspreader event at a dance where safety protocols were ignored.In Norton County, cases have risen from four, to 10, then to 21 in a 14-day period, with a number of them tied to the Graham County dance and a daycare outbreak.And in Ellis County, cases went from 21 at the end of June; to 30 two weeks ago; to 57 last week; and then to 90 on Monday of this week.Of these Ellis County outbreaks, most are associated with four clusters — one such Ellis County cluster involves the Graham County dance, two clusters involve Fourth of July parties, and one is tied to travelers stopping at an Interstate 70 travel plaza east of Topeka.Public health officials blame the four Ellis County clusters on individuals not following proper safety protocols.

Logan Manor deaths rise to six as Phillips Co. cases rise

After a dry start to the year, Hays is now above average for moisture for both the month of July and the year.

Hays received .71 inches of rain overnight for a total for the month of July of 5.22 inches. The average rainfall for July in Hays is 3.33 inches.

Hays has now received 14.87 inches of moisture year to date, compared to a 14.68-inch average by the end of July.&nbsp;

The forecast for Tuesday is partly sunny with a high of 89.

Tonight there is a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m.

Highs are forecast to be in the 90s through Sunday, with the next chance of rain Sunday night or Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostAfter a dry start to the year, Hays is now above average for moisture for both the month of July and the year.Hays received .71 inches of rain overnight for a total for the month of July of 5.22 inches. The average rainfall for July in Hays is 3.33 inches.Hays has now received 14.87 inches of moisture year to date, compared to a 14.68-inch average by the end of July.&nbsp;The forecast for Tuesday is partly sunny with a high of 89.Tonight there is a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m.Highs are forecast to be in the 90s through Sunday, with the next chance of rain Sunday night or Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

Hays above average moisture for month, year

HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, on Tuesday announced that two new providers have joined the Family Medicine Clinic. Dr. Jeffrey D. Henry and Tam Chieu, DNP, have recently joined practice.

Henry received his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of medicine in Kansas City.&nbsp; He completed a residency in family practice at Wesley Family Practice in Wichita.&nbsp; He is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.

Chieu received her Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Kansas School of Nursing.&nbsp; She completed her adult gerontology primary care Doctor of Nursing practice at the University of Kansas School of Nursing.&nbsp; She is board certified in Adult Gerontology by the American Associate of Nurse Practitioners.&nbsp;

“We are fortunate to add new providers in family medicine.” said Jay Moore, Executive Director of Physician Practice. “Meeting the primary care needs of patients in our community is one of our top priorities.”

Both providers are seeing patients.&nbsp; To make an appointment, call 785-623-5095 or go to haysmed.com and click on Request an Appointment.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595343032470.jpeg" alt="Dr. Jeffrey D. Henry" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Jeffrey D. Henry</figcaption>
 </figure>HaysMedHaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, on Tuesday announced that two new providers have joined the Family Medicine Clinic. Dr. Jeffrey D. Henry and Tam Chieu, DNP, have recently joined practice.Henry received his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of medicine in Kansas City.&nbsp; He completed a residency in family practice at Wesley Family Practice in Wichita.&nbsp; He is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595343110277.jpeg" alt="Tam Chieu, DNP" />
 <figcaption>Tam Chieu, DNP</figcaption>
 </figure>Chieu received her Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Kansas School of Nursing.&nbsp; She completed her adult gerontology primary care Doctor of Nursing practice at the University of Kansas School of Nursing.&nbsp; She is board certified in Adult Gerontology by the American Associate of Nurse Practitioners.&nbsp;“We are fortunate to add new providers in family medicine.” said Jay Moore, Executive Director of Physician Practice. “Meeting the primary care needs of patients in our community is one of our top priorities.”Both providers are seeing patients.&nbsp; To make an appointment, call 785-623-5095 or go to haysmed.com and click on Request an Appointment.&nbsp;

New family medicine providers join staff of HaysMed

A project to update the Hays Public Library has received a $5,000 donation from the Heartland Community Foundation.

The project will remodel portions of the first and second floors. The gift from the Heartland Community Foundation will be used in the construction of small private rooms on both floors. 

During community meetings held last summer to determine the needs of library patrons and staff, space for small group meetings, tutoring, and studying was identified as a necessity. Currently, open seating areas and large rooms, including the Gallery and the Kansas Room, are being used for these small gatherings, some of which, require privacy. These rooms will provide that needed space.

Another vital need that will be filled by one of these private rooms is a dedicated quiet space for nursing. This room will be created on the second floor in the Children’s Department.

The Heartland Community Foundation was founded on September 6th, 2007, to serve as a vehicle for charitable giving benefiting Ellis, Rooks and Trego Counties. The Foundation is a permanent source of charitable assets to meet both emerging and existing needs of the local communities.

Hays Public LibraryA project to update the Hays Public Library has received a $5,000 donation from the Heartland Community Foundation.The project will remodel portions of the first and second floors. The gift from the Heartland Community Foundation will be used in the construction of small private rooms on both floors. During community meetings held last summer to determine the needs of library patrons and staff, space for small group meetings, tutoring, and studying was identified as a necessity. Currently, open seating areas and large rooms, including the Gallery and the Kansas Room, are being used for these small gatherings, some of which, require privacy. These rooms will provide that needed space.Another vital need that will be filled by one of these private rooms is a dedicated quiet space for nursing. This room will be created on the second floor in the Children’s Department.The Heartland Community Foundation was founded on September 6th, 2007, to serve as a vehicle for charitable giving benefiting Ellis, Rooks and Trego Counties. The Foundation is a permanent source of charitable assets to meet both emerging and existing needs of the local communities.

Heartland Community Foundation donates to Hays Public Library remodel

Well, it finally happened…or will shortly.

The State Board of Education will decide this week whether Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive order to delay until after Labor Day the reopening of Kansas K-12 public schools will stand. It can vote yes or no. It may be the most memorable decision that the board has taken in years.

Yes, there’s been an exhaustive study by about 1,000 school officials, employees, professional associations, unions and such about the best and safest way to open schools for hundreds of thousands of public school students and the administrators, teachers, para-professionals, maintenance staff, bus drivers and volunteers who make the state’s education industry work.

That new “Navigating Change 2020” plan for just how to reopen schools as safely and possible has been approved. It creates new cadres of students: full-time at school buildings, part-time at school buildings and purely off-site students who will learn through the Internet and dropped-off at home study materials.

COVID-19 has made everything complicated: spacing of desks, masks, hourly handwashing, and more temperature-taking than anyone ever expected. Oh, and making sure that those at-home students actually spend time studying. That’s 465 hours a year for kindergarten students and more than 1,000 hours of actual school work for older students.

But the issue that will put the State Board in the headlights is simply “when.”

The 10-member board, eight Republicans, two Democrats, will have five seats up for election this year. Three of those five seats up for election are uncontested. Two will have primary elections and then general elections in November.

The issue of allowing the Democrat governor to say when schools can reopen isn’t just political, though parts of it are. If the governor’s executive order is accepted, then she has either protected Kansans’ lives and futures or just meddled in decisions that should be made by locally elected school boards. If the governor’s executive order is rejected, then presumably every COVID-19 illness related to schools is the State Board’s responsibility.&nbsp;

No, of course not, it’s not nearly that simple, but it’s how the politics of the after-Labor Day reopening will be cast, probably not heavily in the low-budget State Board campaigns, but by legislators who are seeking re-election, or election for the first time.

Of course, nothing in the Statehouse is non-political, but up to now, it’s been pretty non-political on the State Board of Education (maybe that “creation” issue earlier this century, but not much since then). And, of course, those State Board candidates are down toward the bottom of the ballot, where many voters aren’t even going to recognize the candidate names.

What’s the board likely to do? Well, lawmakers have found that it is rarely politically damaging to point to the governor and her executive orders when things go wrong or grow inconvenient, like closing tattoo parlors and beauty shops. And, when those orders go right – like those drive-through drink pickups – well, it’s something that lawmakers will follow up on next session for the publicity it will create.

The talk: that members of the board are being inundated in constituent calls and appear to be breaking about even between affirming the governor’s order and rejecting it, largely over the conservatives’ favorite argument – local control.&nbsp;

But it’s different on the State Board, where you are talking about children and their health and the health of their families, not just property taxes or fence law.

Curious how this one’s going to come out, and who calls it a victory and who calls it a defeat whichever way the State Board goes…

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>Well, it finally happened…or will shortly.The State Board of Education will decide this week whether Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive order to delay until after Labor Day the reopening of Kansas K-12 public schools will stand. It can vote yes or no. It may be the most memorable decision that the board has taken in years.Yes, there’s been an exhaustive study by about 1,000 school officials, employees, professional associations, unions and such about the best and safest way to open schools for hundreds of thousands of public school students and the administrators, teachers, para-professionals, maintenance staff, bus drivers and volunteers who make the state’s education industry work.That new “Navigating Change 2020” plan for just how to reopen schools as safely and possible has been approved. It creates new cadres of students: full-time at school buildings, part-time at school buildings and purely off-site students who will learn through the Internet and dropped-off at home study materials.COVID-19 has made everything complicated: spacing of desks, masks, hourly handwashing, and more temperature-taking than anyone ever expected. Oh, and making sure that those at-home students actually spend time studying. That’s 465 hours a year for kindergarten students and more than 1,000 hours of actual school work for older students.But the issue that will put the State Board in the headlights is simply “when.”The 10-member board, eight Republicans, two Democrats, will have five seats up for election this year. Three of those five seats up for election are uncontested. Two will have primary elections and then general elections in November.The issue of allowing the Democrat governor to say when schools can reopen isn’t just political, though parts of it are. If the governor’s executive order is accepted, then she has either protected Kansans’ lives and futures or just meddled in decisions that should be made by locally elected school boards. If the governor’s executive order is rejected, then presumably every COVID-19 illness related to schools is the State Board’s responsibility.&nbsp;No, of course not, it’s not nearly that simple, but it’s how the politics of the after-Labor Day reopening will be cast, probably not heavily in the low-budget State Board campaigns, but by legislators who are seeking re-election, or election for the first time.Of course, nothing in the Statehouse is non-political, but up to now, it’s been pretty non-political on the State Board of Education (maybe that “creation” issue earlier this century, but not much since then). And, of course, those State Board candidates are down toward the bottom of the ballot, where many voters aren’t even going to recognize the candidate names.What’s the board likely to do? Well, lawmakers have found that it is rarely politically damaging to point to the governor and her executive orders when things go wrong or grow inconvenient, like closing tattoo parlors and beauty shops. And, when those orders go right – like those drive-through drink pickups – well, it’s something that lawmakers will follow up on next session for the publicity it will create.The talk: that members of the board are being inundated in constituent calls and appear to be breaking about even between affirming the governor’s order and rejecting it, largely over the conservatives’ favorite argument – local control.&nbsp;But it’s different on the State Board, where you are talking about children and their health and the health of their families, not just property taxes or fence law.Curious how this one’s going to come out, and who calls it a victory and who calls it a defeat whichever way the State Board goes…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: State school board grapples with politically charged reopening order

Amidst all the present craziness of our world, and because of the rampant civil unrest, gun and ammunition purchases have gone through the roof; some purchased by new gun owners and some by those who already own firearms, but all purchased with the thought that there may come a day when&nbsp; firearms may be needed to protect families and property. Several years ago, I wrote a piece about personal gun security, and this seems like a good time to offer some suggestions from that piece.

When I wrote the piece, my sister’s house had just been burglarized. The thief or thieves kicked in a door between the house and garage and stole a jewelry box containing mostly inexpensive pieces, and the remote (yes, only the remote) for her new TV (maybe they thought it opened the jewelry box, I don’t know!) But the stolen item that outraged her most was the deer gun the scoundrels found and took from under her bed. The Gilliland outdoors blood flows in her veins as well, and she was all but spitting nails as she told me the story.

With that in mind, I contacted the firearms instructor for the McPherson Co. Sheriff’s department and got some timely and practical tips on personal gun security. First and foremost, in the interest of personal safety more than gun security, he stressed storing guns UNLOADED either locked in a cabinet or stored with trigger or muzzle locks in place, and secondly, storing guns and ammo in completely separate locations WHEN POSSIBLE.

Immediately after purchasing a gun, the instructor recommended taking photos of the gun and recording make, model and serial number of the weapon as well as date and location of purchase. Keep all this info in a safe place, after all, how silly would you feel having this stolen along with the guns? As far as total security for your weapons from fire, flood and thieves, a home gun safe is the best way to go. The gun shops I talked to in my area all agreed that sales of gun safes have been brisk for years. As with any other purchase, you get what you pay for, but good gun safes can be had from $1000 to $4000. I was also reminded that a home gun safe is a great place to store important documents, photos and other keepsakes.

The firearms instructor I spoke with also had some important advice in the event guns are stolen from your possession. Most importantly, notify local law enforcement immediately, and be able to provide them with the serial numbers and description of the weapons (remember the admonition to store that info safely?) This information allows the stolen weapons to be entered into a data base maintained by the national crime information center, making it possible for law enforcement officials anywhere in the United States to identify those weapons as stolen, take them off the street and return them to the owner.&nbsp;

Fears that the government might someday place restrictions and controls on guns and ammunition have risen in intensity now for years, and gun dealers tell me gun and ammo sales have risen dramatically along with those fears.&nbsp; Rumors or not, let’s not allow our emotions to control this situation. Be vigilant and support groups like the NRA and our state firearms associations that keep up with and influence those sorts of things in the government. Also, I can’t stress enough the importance of voting in the upcoming elections, as the outcome of those elections could possibly dictate whether or not gun control becomes more than just a fear. Take good care of the guns and ammo you now possess and follow the above suggestions if you haven’t already done so. As for my sister’s deer gun, at the time, she was able to provide all the necessary information to the local sheriff’s department, but as far as I know, her gun was never recovered. The good news was that for a while, she got a lot more exercise with all those trips back and forth to the TV since her remote was gone… Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve Gilliland" />
 <figcaption>Steve Gilliland</figcaption>
 </figure>Amidst all the present craziness of our world, and because of the rampant civil unrest, gun and ammunition purchases have gone through the roof; some purchased by new gun owners and some by those who already own firearms, but all purchased with the thought that there may come a day when&nbsp; firearms may be needed to protect families and property. Several years ago, I wrote a piece about personal gun security, and this seems like a good time to offer some suggestions from that piece.When I wrote the piece, my sister’s house had just been burglarized. The thief or thieves kicked in a door between the house and garage and stole a jewelry box containing mostly inexpensive pieces, and the remote (yes, only the remote) for her new TV (maybe they thought it opened the jewelry box, I don’t know!) But the stolen item that outraged her most was the deer gun the scoundrels found and took from under her bed. The Gilliland outdoors blood flows in her veins as well, and she was all but spitting nails as she told me the story.With that in mind, I contacted the firearms instructor for the McPherson Co. Sheriff’s department and got some timely and practical tips on personal gun security. First and foremost, in the interest of personal safety more than gun security, he stressed storing guns UNLOADED either locked in a cabinet or stored with trigger or muzzle locks in place, and secondly, storing guns and ammo in completely separate locations WHEN POSSIBLE.Immediately after purchasing a gun, the instructor recommended taking photos of the gun and recording make, model and serial number of the weapon as well as date and location of purchase. Keep all this info in a safe place, after all, how silly would you feel having this stolen along with the guns? As far as total security for your weapons from fire, flood and thieves, a home gun safe is the best way to go. The gun shops I talked to in my area all agreed that sales of gun safes have been brisk for years. As with any other purchase, you get what you pay for, but good gun safes can be had from $1000 to $4000. I was also reminded that a home gun safe is a great place to store important documents, photos and other keepsakes.The firearms instructor I spoke with also had some important advice in the event guns are stolen from your possession. Most importantly, notify local law enforcement immediately, and be able to provide them with the serial numbers and description of the weapons (remember the admonition to store that info safely?) This information allows the stolen weapons to be entered into a data base maintained by the national crime information center, making it possible for law enforcement officials anywhere in the United States to identify those weapons as stolen, take them off the street and return them to the owner.&nbsp;Fears that the government might someday place restrictions and controls on guns and ammunition have risen in intensity now for years, and gun dealers tell me gun and ammo sales have risen dramatically along with those fears.&nbsp; Rumors or not, let’s not allow our emotions to control this situation. Be vigilant and support groups like the NRA and our state firearms associations that keep up with and influence those sorts of things in the government. Also, I can’t stress enough the importance of voting in the upcoming elections, as the outcome of those elections could possibly dictate whether or not gun control becomes more than just a fear. Take good care of the guns and ammo you now possess and follow the above suggestions if you haven’t already done so. As for my sister’s deer gun, at the time, she was able to provide all the necessary information to the local sheriff’s department, but as far as I know, her gun was never recovered. The good news was that for a while, she got a lot more exercise with all those trips back and forth to the TV since her remote was gone… Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

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