Sunday, November 10th, at 3:00 PM central time&nbsp;(2:00 PM MT) in the Goodland High School auditorium, Western Plains Arts Association presents Thomas Glynn performing “American Tune: Simon, Croce &amp; Taylor”. &nbsp;

A pianist and guitarist since the age of 10, Glynn started writing songs in his late teens and fronted a popular club band in Boston called 5-0 throughout his twenties. His heart, however, was always with great singer-songwriters like James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Shawn Colvin, and David Wilcox. "I began to focus on writing songs that were more introspective and personal to me as well as performing live as a solo acoustic artist."&nbsp;

Admission to this program is by WPAA season ticket or tickets can be purchased at the door. This program is made possible through the generosity of area businesses, individual donors and a grant from the Dane Hansen Foundation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581542018976.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedSunday, November 10th, at 3:00 PM central time&nbsp;(2:00 PM MT) in the Goodland High School auditorium, Western Plains Arts Association presents Thomas Glynn performing “American Tune: Simon, Croce &amp; Taylor”. &nbsp;A pianist and guitarist since the age of 10, Glynn started writing songs in his late teens and fronted a popular club band in Boston called 5-0 throughout his twenties. His heart, however, was always with great singer-songwriters like James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Shawn Colvin, and David Wilcox. "I began to focus on writing songs that were more introspective and personal to me as well as performing live as a solo acoustic artist."&nbsp;Admission to this program is by WPAA season ticket or tickets can be purchased at the door. This program is made possible through the generosity of area businesses, individual donors and a grant from the Dane Hansen Foundation.

Western Plains Arts Association presents Thomas Glynn performing 'American Tune: Simon, Croce & Taylor'  

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730383259923.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Three-day weather outlook

Let's have our typical good ol' party! Good food, awesome social, and some high-end merchandise. Preview a bit below. Cocktails, social, and raffles begin at 5:00. 

Purchase tickets online at&nbsp;<a href="https://ducksunlimited.myeventscenter.com/event/Hays-Banquet-99416?_gl=1*11omrf0*_ga*MTcxNjYwODU4NC4xNzMwMTMxNTkz*_ga_2X0ECQZQ09*MTczMDMxMDYwNy4zLjAuMTczMDMxMDYwNy42MC4wLjA">https://ducksunlimited.myeventscenter.com/event/Hays-Banquet-99416?_gl=1*11omrf0*_ga*MTcxNjYwODU4NC4xNzMwMTMxNTkz*_ga_2X0ECQZQ09*MTczMDMxMDYwNy4zLjAuMTczMDMxMDYwNy42MC4wLjA</a>&nbsp;

And enjoy the social hour, delicious dinner from Chubb’s Que, silent auction, live auction, games, raffle, and open bar!!

•November 2nd, 2024 •Ellis County Fairgrounds •Doors open at 5pm •Tickets price - $60 per couple, $50 single •Doors open at 5 pm with silent auction, games, and cocktails, dinner at 6:30, and live auction at 8pm •Tickets can purchased online at ducks.org or purchased in person at Miracle Ear in Hays. •Contact John Lang for more information at &nbsp;(785) 650-1543

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712691668203.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedLet's have our typical good ol' party! Good food, awesome social, and some high-end merchandise. Preview a bit below. Cocktails, social, and raffles begin at 5:00. Dinner at 7.Purchase tickets online at&nbsp;<a href="https://ducksunlimited.myeventscenter.com/event/Hays-Banquet-99416?_gl=1*11omrf0*_ga*MTcxNjYwODU4NC4xNzMwMTMxNTkz*_ga_2X0ECQZQ09*MTczMDMxMDYwNy4zLjAuMTczMDMxMDYwNy42MC4wLjA">https://ducksunlimited.myeventscenter.com/event/Hays-Banquet-99416?_gl=1*11omrf0*_ga*MTcxNjYwODU4NC4xNzMwMTMxNTkz*_ga_2X0ECQZQ09*MTczMDMxMDYwNy4zLjAuMTczMDMxMDYwNy42MC4wLjA</a>&nbsp;And enjoy the social hour, delicious dinner from Chubb’s Que, silent auction, live auction, games, raffle, and open bar!!Here’s a bit more info:2024 Hays Area Ducks Unlimited Banquet•November 2nd, 2024 •Ellis County Fairgrounds •Doors open at 5pm •Tickets price - $60 per couple, $50 single •Doors open at 5 pm with silent auction, games, and cocktails, dinner at 6:30, and live auction at 8pm •Tickets can purchased online at ducks.org or purchased in person at Miracle Ear in Hays. •Contact John Lang for more information at &nbsp;(785) 650-1543

SPONSORED: Celebrate fall at the Hays Ducks Unlimited Banquet

By CLAY WIRESTONE <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/10/31/a-stupefying-poll-shows-harris-breathing-down-trumps-neck-in-kansas-heres-what-that-means/">Kansas Reflector</a>

You want to talk about that new poll showing Kansas as a potential swing state? OK, let’s talk about that new poll showing Kansas as a potential swing state.

The annual&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/docking/Kansas-Speaks/2024-kansas-speaks-report-final.10.28.24.v3-corrected-final-bullet-in-exec-sum-to-now-compare-2024-and-2023-results2.pdf" target="_blank">Kansas Speaks survey</a>&nbsp;from the Docking Institute at Fort Hays State University showed Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris a mere&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/10/28/survey-reveals-potential-tapering-of-kansas-gap-between-gop-democratic-presidential-candidates/">five points behind</a>&nbsp;Republican candidate Donald Trump. Given that the survey covers traditionally conservative Kansas, political pundits pounced.

“BREAKING: Trump only winning by 5 In KANSAS,” wrote&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/TristanSnell/status/1851120567262298528" target="_blank">legal commentator Tristan Snell</a>.

“If Harris is only down 5 to Trump in&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;– election night is going to be very good for Democrats,” added Obama campaign and administration&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/TimFullerton/status/1850981599556616491" target="_blank">alumnus Tim Fullerton</a>.

“…holy sh*t?” exclaimed&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SethAbramson/status/1851092122004300089" target="_blank">journalist and lawyer Seth Abramson</a>.

Let’s step back from excited progressive reactions for a moment and actually talk about the poll, what it means and whether Harris has a shot in Kansas. (Spoiler alert, she&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/10/17/electoral-college-will-incinerate-a-half-million-kansas-votes-for-kamala-thats-a-problem/">almost certainly does not</a>). We found a great person to help us break things down:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/sociology/faculty/zollinger/" target="_blank">Brett Zollinger</a>, director of the Docking Institute itself. He sat down with Kansas Reflector staff on Tuesday afternoon to give background on those surprising results.

First off, we should understand that the data presented comes from a survey, not a poll. Kansas Speaks primarily tracks public opinion on issues rather than candidates. It gathers a representative panel of Kansans and collects information from them via a carefully designed survey online.

“The presidential election is a very minor focus for us in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/docking/Kansas-Speaks/" target="_blank">Kansas Speaks</a>,” he said. “We are far more focused on policies, issues that are going to be relevant to Kansans, likely to come up in the legislative session, that sort of thing. But every four years, we get this unique opportunity to see what our survey methodology bears out in terms of some actual voter decisions in the state in the presidential election. So in 2020, we were within 0.2% actually, in the spread between Trump and Biden with our survey panel methodology.”

<a href="https://sos.ks.gov/elections/20elec/2020_General_Official_Vote_Totals.pdf" target="_blank">For reference</a>, in 2020 Trump finished at 56.2% in Kansas, while President Joe Biden reached 41.6%, a 14.6 percentage point gap.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/docking/Kansas-Speaks/2020-kansas-speaks-report-v7.pdf" target="_blank">The 2020 Kansas Speaks survey</a>&nbsp;found 52% support for Trump and 37.6% for Biden, a 14.4 percentage point gap.

That earlier accuracy was much remarked upon by online commentors. But Zollinger wanted Kansas Reflector readers to understand that the modeling and weighting decisions made for the Kansas Speaks survey are not necessarily the same ones made by political polling firms. They’re playing different games.

“If we were actually trying to measure, with a lot of predictive ability, the presidential vote turnout, we would probably engage in a fuller methodology common to the survey industry, especially the presidential polling industry,” Zollinger said. “We don’t. But we do winnow it down to registered voters who say that they plan to vote, which is not a bad methodology necessarily for doing that. And the survey panel is what it is. These are folks who have opted in to be surveyed. It’s not uncommon to use these today. Pew Research has its own big one. Gallup has one.”

Researchers looked at various demographic factors, he said, “and we did pretty much a simple proportionate weighting.” (You can dig into the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/docking/Kansas-Speaks/2024-kansas-speaks-report-final.10.28.24.v3-corrected-final-bullet-in-exec-sum-to-now-compare-2024-and-2023-results2.pdf" target="_blank">crosstabs on page 96</a>.) They did the same with their 2020 results.

“We took the proportion in the sample who fit a certain age profile, and we adjusted it to the state’s age profile of adults, same with gender, same with education. … We believe it is the most reasonable approach to trying to make up for some underrepresentation by some age groups in the panel and some underrepresentation by certain education levels,” Zollinger said.

Which brings us all down to the basic question: Do we believe the survey results?

Kansas has changed. In the eight years&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/08/23/want-to-make-kansas-a-better-place-for-new-opinion-editor-that-means-raising-our-voices-for-change/">since I returned</a>&nbsp;to the state, I’ve watched as a motley mix of Republicans, Democrats and independents have rejected Trump and extreme ideologies. I’ve watched a constitutional amendment that would have allowed the Legislature to ban abortion fail by an&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/08/02/kansas-voters-defeat-abortion-amendment-in-unexpected-landslide-1/">18-point margin</a>. I’ve watched voters twice elect Democrat Laura Kelly as governor. I’ve also heard, over and and over, and read, in repeated email messages, that Kansans don’t like the current political atmosphere.

Now, that doesn’t turn us into an immediate swing state. It doesn’t guarantee a Democratic Legislature anytime soon. But it does, at least from my perspective, suggest that Republicans can’t count on a blank check from Kansas voters.

Trump will almost certainly win Kansas. But that margin will matter.

Alex Middlewood, a political scientist at Wichita State, weighed in on the survey results&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/alexmiddlewood/status/1851403069684072824" target="_blank">via a Tweet thread</a>. She said the results showed that Trump has been losing ground in Kansas over the past eight years.

“His vote share in 2020 was lower than it was in 2016, and 2024 is very likely going to be even lower. Make no mistake, Trump is going to win Kansas,” she wrote. “However, any shift in the margins, like we’re seeing from these results, will likely have major impact on the state legislature races. Ds are working hard (and spending lots of money) to break the R supermajority. These results should give them hope.”

I’ve been keeping track of interesting presidential endorsements in Kansas news outlets over the past couple of weeks. You might not be able to read an endorsement from the Washington Post, but these plucky Kansans have a lot to say.

“<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/eadd4e4e-bed9-4d2c-81d5-f67355e1840f" target="_blank">Rep. Steven Howe reflects on voting for Trump after earlier criticism</a>,” by Steven Howe, Salina Post, Oct. 26.

“<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/readers-opinion/guest-commentary/article294546054.html" target="_blank">My fellow conservatives, we have to split the ticket to save the US Constitution</a>,” by David Mastio, Kansas City Star, Oct. 29.

“<a href="https://kaninfo.com/opinion/oops-i-voted-for-hitler-again/" target="_blank">Oops, I voted for Hitler…again</a>,” by Dane Hicks, Kansas Informer, Oct. 30.

“<a href="https://www.iolaregister.com/opinion/columnists/being-a-republican-is-not-a-loyalty-test" target="_blank">Kamala Harris has what it takes</a>,” by Susan Lynn, The Iola Register, Oct. 25.

Clay Wirestone is Kansas Reflector opinion editor. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/submit-opinion/">here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582312931775.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By CLAY WIRESTONE <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/10/31/a-stupefying-poll-shows-harris-breathing-down-trumps-neck-in-kansas-heres-what-that-means/">Kansas Reflector</a>You want to talk about that new poll showing Kansas as a potential swing state? OK, let’s talk about that new poll showing Kansas as a potential swing state.The annual&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/docking/Kansas-Speaks/2024-kansas-speaks-report-final.10.28.24.v3-corrected-final-bullet-in-exec-sum-to-now-compare-2024-and-2023-results2.pdf" target="_blank">Kansas Speaks survey</a>&nbsp;from the Docking Institute at Fort Hays State University showed Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris a mere&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/10/28/survey-reveals-potential-tapering-of-kansas-gap-between-gop-democratic-presidential-candidates/">five points behind</a>&nbsp;Republican candidate Donald Trump. Given that the survey covers traditionally conservative Kansas, political pundits pounced.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730413570584.jpeg" alt=" Brett Zollinger, director of the Docking Institute, talks to reporters about the Kansas Speaks survey during an Oct. 29, 2024, interview at the Kansas Reflector office. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Brett Zollinger, director of the Docking Institute, talks to reporters about the Kansas Speaks survey during an Oct. 29, 2024, interview at the Kansas Reflector office. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>“BREAKING: Trump only winning by 5 In KANSAS,” wrote&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/TristanSnell/status/1851120567262298528" target="_blank">legal commentator Tristan Snell</a>.“If Harris is only down 5 to Trump in&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;– election night is going to be very good for Democrats,” added Obama campaign and administration&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/TimFullerton/status/1850981599556616491" target="_blank">alumnus Tim Fullerton</a>.“…holy sh*t?” exclaimed&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SethAbramson/status/1851092122004300089" target="_blank">journalist and lawyer Seth Abramson</a>.Let’s step back from excited progressive reactions for a moment and actually talk about the poll, what it means and whether Harris has a shot in Kansas. (Spoiler alert, she&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/10/17/electoral-college-will-incinerate-a-half-million-kansas-votes-for-kamala-thats-a-problem/">almost certainly does not</a>). We found a great person to help us break things down:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/sociology/faculty/zollinger/" target="_blank">Brett Zollinger</a>, director of the Docking Institute itself. He sat down with Kansas Reflector staff on Tuesday afternoon to give background on those surprising results.First off, we should understand that the data presented comes from a survey, not a poll. Kansas Speaks primarily tracks public opinion on issues rather than candidates. It gathers a representative panel of Kansans and collects information from them via a carefully designed survey online.“The presidential election is a very minor focus for us in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/docking/Kansas-Speaks/" target="_blank">Kansas Speaks</a>,” he said. “We are far more focused on policies, issues that are going to be relevant to Kansans, likely to come up in the legislative session, that sort of thing. But every four years, we get this unique opportunity to see what our survey methodology bears out in terms of some actual voter decisions in the state in the presidential election. So in 2020, we were within 0.2% actually, in the spread between Trump and Biden with our survey panel methodology.”<a href="https://sos.ks.gov/elections/20elec/2020_General_Official_Vote_Totals.pdf" target="_blank">For reference</a>, in 2020 Trump finished at 56.2% in Kansas, while President Joe Biden reached 41.6%, a 14.6 percentage point gap.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/docking/Kansas-Speaks/2020-kansas-speaks-report-v7.pdf" target="_blank">The 2020 Kansas Speaks survey</a>&nbsp;found 52% support for Trump and 37.6% for Biden, a 14.4 percentage point gap.That earlier accuracy was much remarked upon by online commentors. But Zollinger wanted Kansas Reflector readers to understand that the modeling and weighting decisions made for the Kansas Speaks survey are not necessarily the same ones made by political polling firms. They’re playing different games.“If we were actually trying to measure, with a lot of predictive ability, the presidential vote turnout, we would probably engage in a fuller methodology common to the survey industry, especially the presidential polling industry,” Zollinger said. “We don’t. But we do winnow it down to registered voters who say that they plan to vote, which is not a bad methodology necessarily for doing that. And the survey panel is what it is. These are folks who have opted in to be surveyed. It’s not uncommon to use these today. Pew Research has its own big one. Gallup has one.”Researchers looked at various demographic factors, he said, “and we did pretty much a simple proportionate weighting.” (You can dig into the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/docking/Kansas-Speaks/2024-kansas-speaks-report-final.10.28.24.v3-corrected-final-bullet-in-exec-sum-to-now-compare-2024-and-2023-results2.pdf" target="_blank">crosstabs on page 96</a>.) They did the same with their 2020 results.“We took the proportion in the sample who fit a certain age profile, and we adjusted it to the state’s age profile of adults, same with gender, same with education. … We believe it is the most reasonable approach to trying to make up for some underrepresentation by some age groups in the panel and some underrepresentation by certain education levels,” Zollinger said.Which brings us all down to the basic question: Do we believe the survey results?I do, with caveats.Kansas has changed. In the eight years&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/08/23/want-to-make-kansas-a-better-place-for-new-opinion-editor-that-means-raising-our-voices-for-change/">since I returned</a>&nbsp;to the state, I’ve watched as a motley mix of Republicans, Democrats and independents have rejected Trump and extreme ideologies. I’ve watched a constitutional amendment that would have allowed the Legislature to ban abortion fail by an&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/08/02/kansas-voters-defeat-abortion-amendment-in-unexpected-landslide-1/">18-point margin</a>. I’ve watched voters twice elect Democrat Laura Kelly as governor. I’ve also heard, over and and over, and read, in repeated email messages, that Kansans don’t like the current political atmosphere.Now, that doesn’t turn us into an immediate swing state. It doesn’t guarantee a Democratic Legislature anytime soon. But it does, at least from my perspective, suggest that Republicans can’t count on a blank check from Kansas voters.Trump will almost certainly win Kansas. But that margin will matter.Alex Middlewood, a political scientist at Wichita State, weighed in on the survey results&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/alexmiddlewood/status/1851403069684072824" target="_blank">via a Tweet thread</a>. She said the results showed that Trump has been losing ground in Kansas over the past eight years.“His vote share in 2020 was lower than it was in 2016, and 2024 is very likely going to be even lower. Make no mistake, Trump is going to win Kansas,” she wrote. “However, any shift in the margins, like we’re seeing from these results, will likely have major impact on the state legislature races. Ds are working hard (and spending lots of money) to break the R supermajority. These results should give them hope.”<h2>More Kansans speak</h2>I’ve been keeping track of interesting presidential endorsements in Kansas news outlets over the past couple of weeks. You might not be able to read an endorsement from the Washington Post, but these plucky Kansans have a lot to say.“<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/eadd4e4e-bed9-4d2c-81d5-f67355e1840f" target="_blank">Rep. Steven Howe reflects on voting for Trump after earlier criticism</a>,” by Steven Howe, Salina Post, Oct. 26.“<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/readers-opinion/guest-commentary/article294546054.html" target="_blank">My fellow conservatives, we have to split the ticket to save the US Constitution</a>,” by David Mastio, Kansas City Star, Oct. 29.“<a href="https://kaninfo.com/opinion/oops-i-voted-for-hitler-again/" target="_blank">Oops, I voted for Hitler…again</a>,” by Dane Hicks, Kansas Informer, Oct. 30.“<a href="https://www.iolaregister.com/opinion/columnists/being-a-republican-is-not-a-loyalty-test" target="_blank">Kamala Harris has what it takes</a>,” by Susan Lynn, The Iola Register, Oct. 25.Clay Wirestone is Kansas Reflector opinion editor. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/submit-opinion/">here</a>.

OPINION: A stupefying poll shows Harris breathing down Trump’s neck in Kansas. Here’s what that means.

CALIFORNIA DRIED FRUIT AND NUTS IS OWNED BY MIKE AND MARLA KNAUS FROM QUINTER, KANSAS! 

THEIR PRODUCT COMES FROM CALIFORNIA AND IS THIS YEAR'S CROP!  THEY HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR 8 YEARS AND STRIVE TO BRING YOU QUALITY DRIED FRUIT AND NUTS!

California Dried Fruit and Nuts WILL BE AT A NEW LOCATION  New Hays location: The Mall, Big Creek Crossing - Nov. 8 &amp; 9 (2918 Vine Street, inside Front Entrance) Selling Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m

COME AND GET YOUR GOODIES FOR THE THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS! 

SubmittedCALIFORNIA DRIED FRUIT AND NUTS IS OWNED BY MIKE AND MARLA KNAUS FROM QUINTER, KANSAS! THEIR PRODUCT COMES FROM CALIFORNIA AND IS THIS YEAR'S CROP! THEY HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR 8 YEARS AND STRIVE TO BRING YOU QUALITY DRIED FRUIT AND NUTS!California Dried Fruit and Nuts WILL BE AT A NEW LOCATION New Hays location: The Mall, Big Creek Crossing - Nov. 8 &amp; 9 (2918 Vine Street, inside Front Entrance) Selling Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.mCOME AND GET YOUR GOODIES FOR THE THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS! You won't want to miss it!<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730316791289.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

FHSU crime log Oct. 25-31, 2024

I attended the forum for the position of Ellis County Clerk with the two candidates, Bobbie Dreiling and Laura Allen and decided Bobbie is definitely the person we want in that position.

I found Bobbie to be an honest and sincere person and good steward of our taxpayer dollars!

Bobbie praised her staff , which were present to support her. Obviously they all have a good working relationship and friendship. To me that is a sign of a great &nbsp;leader and that is important when getting things done.

Bobbie comes with years of experience and she does her homework. She did check out a polling place on campus and discovered it wasn’t feasible. There are 1,650 students living on campus and only 69 registered to vote. The numbers just aren’t there. It’s common sense.

Ms. Allen seems to think college kids aren’t capable of knowing where and how to register to vote and to vote. These are young adults pursuing a higher education, I’m sure they can figure it out. Ms Allen seems to be focused on this one issue, voting poll on campus. I question if she truly understands what the position entails.

Bobbie doesn’t need several misleading flyers sent to our homes to get votes. Her record and job performance speaks for itself. In my opinion Bobbie deserves another 4 years, she’s proven it.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

— Ellis County Citizen, Ruth Legleiter

I attended the forum for the position of Ellis County Clerk with the two candidates, Bobbie Dreiling and Laura Allen and decided Bobbie is definitely the person we want in that position.I found Bobbie to be an honest and sincere person and good steward of our taxpayer dollars!Bobbie praised her staff , which were present to support her. Obviously they all have a good working relationship and friendship. To me that is a sign of a great &nbsp;leader and that is important when getting things done.Bobbie comes with years of experience and she does her homework. She did check out a polling place on campus and discovered it wasn’t feasible. There are 1,650 students living on campus and only 69 registered to vote. The numbers just aren’t there. It’s common sense.Ms. Allen seems to think college kids aren’t capable of knowing where and how to register to vote and to vote. These are young adults pursuing a higher education, I’m sure they can figure it out. Ms Allen seems to be focused on this one issue, voting poll on campus. I question if she truly understands what the position entails.Bobbie doesn’t need several misleading flyers sent to our homes to get votes. Her record and job performance speaks for itself. In my opinion Bobbie deserves another 4 years, she’s proven it.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; — Ellis County Citizen, Ruth Legleiter

Letter: Dreiling's record as Ellis County Clerk speaks for itself

The Chamber in Hays, Kansas, is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the 2025 Annual Chamber Awards Banquet, a significant milestone as the event celebrates its 40th year of honoring the achievements and contributions of local businesses, leaders, and community members.

The event will take place on&nbsp;Tuesday, January 28, 2025, from&nbsp;5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.&nbsp;at the&nbsp;FHSU Memorial Union, 600 Park Street.

The evening will kick off with a social hour in the Black &amp; Gold Room from&nbsp;5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner service at&nbsp;6:30 p.m.The awards program will begin promptly at&nbsp;7:00 p.m.&nbsp;in the Ballroom, where attendees will celebrate the accomplishments of the 2024 nominees and award recipients.

In celebration of this historic 40th anniversary, The Chamber encourages community members to participate by submitting award nominations.

“The Annual Chamber Awards Banquet is a long-standing tradition in our community, and we are excited to see who will be recognized in this milestone year,” said&nbsp;Sarah Wasinger, President/CEO of The Chamber in Hays.&nbsp;“We invite everyone to take this opportunity to highlight those who have made a lasting impact in our region.”

Community members are encouraged to submit their nominations using the online form at&nbsp;<a href="https://form.jotform.com/242746141210142">https://form.jotform.com/242746141210142</a>&nbsp;before the deadline on&nbsp;Nov. 4.

These awards aim to recognize individuals and businesses significantly contributing to the community through leadership, innovation, and service.

In addition to celebrating the 40th Annual Chamber Awards Banquet, the event offers attendees the chance to connect with local leaders, business owners, and fellow community members.

Tickets are available for&nbsp;$60 each&nbsp;and can be purchased by contacting The Chamber at (785) 628-8201. Reserved seating is available for tickets purchased&nbsp;January 13, 2025.

Wasinger said the Chamber extends special thanks to the FHSU Office of the President for serving as the Venue Sponsor, providing a welcoming space for this important community celebration.

The Chamber is looking forward to another memorable evening that reflects the dedication and achievements of those who contribute to the vitality and growth of Hays and Ellis County and celebrates the accomplishments of chamber membership.

“The success of our local businesses and community members makes Ellis County such a vibrant place to live and work,” Wasinger said. “We look forward to celebrating their stories and accomplishments during the 2025 Annual Chamber Awards Banquet.”For more information about the event, including sponsorship opportunities, contact&nbsp;The Chamber staff&nbsp;by calling (785) 628-8201.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634743366242.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedThe Chamber in Hays, Kansas, is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the 2025 Annual Chamber Awards Banquet, a significant milestone as the event celebrates its 40th year of honoring the achievements and contributions of local businesses, leaders, and community members.The event will take place on&nbsp;Tuesday, January 28, 2025, from&nbsp;5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.&nbsp;at the&nbsp;FHSU Memorial Union, 600 Park Street.The evening will kick off with a social hour in the Black &amp; Gold Room from&nbsp;5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner service at&nbsp;6:30 p.m.The awards program will begin promptly at&nbsp;7:00 p.m.&nbsp;in the Ballroom, where attendees will celebrate the accomplishments of the 2024 nominees and award recipients.In celebration of this historic 40th anniversary, The Chamber encourages community members to participate by submitting award nominations.“The Annual Chamber Awards Banquet is a long-standing tradition in our community, and we are excited to see who will be recognized in this milestone year,” said&nbsp;Sarah Wasinger, President/CEO of The Chamber in Hays.&nbsp;“We invite everyone to take this opportunity to highlight those who have made a lasting impact in our region.”This year’s awards include:<ul>
 <li>City of Hays Small Business Achievement Award</li><li>Commerce Bank Helping Hands Award</li><li>Golden Belt Bank Hall of Fame Award</li><li>Grow Hays Robert E. Schmidt Entrepreneur of the Year Award</li><li>Nex-Tech Citizen of the Year Award</li><li>Nex-Tech Wireless Businesswoman of the Year Award</li><li>Vyve Broadband Rising Star Award</li><li>Werth Wealth Management Member Investor of the Year Award</li>
 </ul>Community members are encouraged to submit their nominations using the online form at&nbsp;<a href="https://form.jotform.com/242746141210142">https://form.jotform.com/242746141210142</a>&nbsp;before the deadline on&nbsp;Nov. 4.These awards aim to recognize individuals and businesses significantly contributing to the community through leadership, innovation, and service.In addition to celebrating the 40th Annual Chamber Awards Banquet, the event offers attendees the chance to connect with local leaders, business owners, and fellow community members.Tickets are available for&nbsp;$60 each&nbsp;and can be purchased by contacting The Chamber at (785) 628-8201. Reserved seating is available for tickets purchased&nbsp;January 13, 2025.Wasinger said the Chamber extends special thanks to the FHSU Office of the President for serving as the Venue Sponsor, providing a welcoming space for this important community celebration.The Chamber is looking forward to another memorable evening that reflects the dedication and achievements of those who contribute to the vitality and growth of Hays and Ellis County and celebrates the accomplishments of chamber membership.“The success of our local businesses and community members makes Ellis County such a vibrant place to live and work,” Wasinger said. “We look forward to celebrating their stories and accomplishments during the 2025 Annual Chamber Awards Banquet.”For more information about the event, including sponsorship opportunities, contact&nbsp;The Chamber staff&nbsp;by calling (785) 628-8201.

Nominations open for 2025 Annual Chamber Awards Banquet

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Kansas Fire Marshal inspection reports released Wednesday indicate significant structural damage to the Rodeway Inn, 3404 Vine, Hays.

The reports, which were released after the Hays Post filed a Kansas Open Records Request, said inspectors found structural instability in the second-floor walkways of the motel.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a971b850-cbe9-40c3-8d20-21f4611006c1">SEE RELATED STORY: Kansas Fire Marshal orders Rodeway Inn in Hays closed</a>

The Hays Fire Department placed a wooden support structure under one of the walkways as a temporary measure. It issued a complaint to the state fire marshall's office on July 25.

That temporary support was still in place during the last inspection of the facility in October and a Hays Post visit to the building on Monday.

The fire marshal's office delivered a cease-and-desist order to the business on Aug. 12 after multiple safety issues were found in August.

The fire marshal's office said in an order that a structural engineer needed to access the structure and provide repair recommendations.

Other issues included problems with the electrical system, non-working smoke detectors, and a stairway that had at least one step completely broken through.

The state inspected the facility again on Oct. 4 and found 10 rooms were still occupied despite the cease and desist order. Some of those rooms were on the second floor. According to a lodging report, the owner told an inspector employees of the closed motel were still trying to find places to live.

The Hays Post was unable to confirm if anyone was still living at the motel as of this post.

The motel's lodging license was listed as expired in May, according to a lodging inspection.

HKHR Hospitality, the motel's owner, also owes $43,580 for unpaid 2023 property taxes, according to the Ellis County Treasurer's Office. Property owners have three years to pay delinquent taxes before the property is auctioned at a tax sale.

The motel, built in 1974, is actively listed on a real estate broker's website, Hotel Broker One, for sale for $1.2 million.

The Hays Post has not been able to identify or contact the owners of the motel. A clerk at the Ellis County Register of Deed's Office said the signature on the motel's deed was unreadable.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730230931407.jpeg" alt="Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostKansas Fire Marshal inspection reports released Wednesday indicate significant structural damage to the Rodeway Inn, 3404 Vine, Hays.The reports, which were released after the Hays Post filed a Kansas Open Records Request, said inspectors found structural instability in the second-floor walkways of the motel.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a971b850-cbe9-40c3-8d20-21f4611006c1">SEE RELATED STORY: Kansas Fire Marshal orders Rodeway Inn in Hays closed</a>The Hays Fire Department placed a wooden support structure under one of the walkways as a temporary measure. It issued a complaint to the state fire marshall's office on July 25.That temporary support was still in place during the last inspection of the facility in October and a Hays Post visit to the building on Monday.The fire marshal's office delivered a cease-and-desist order to the business on Aug. 12 after multiple safety issues were found in August.The fire marshal's office said in an order that a structural engineer needed to access the structure and provide repair recommendations.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730316575527.png" alt="Issues with smoke detectors and outlets that Hays Deputy Hays Fire Chief Shane Preston documented in May at the Rodeway Inn, 3404 Vine." />
 <figcaption>Issues with smoke detectors and outlets that Hays Deputy Hays Fire Chief Shane Preston documented in May at the Rodeway Inn, 3404 Vine.</figcaption>
 </figure>Other issues included problems with the electrical system, non-working smoke detectors, and a stairway that had at least one step completely broken through.The state inspected the facility again on Oct. 4 and found 10 rooms were still occupied despite the cease and desist order. Some of those rooms were on the second floor. According to a lodging report, the owner told an inspector employees of the closed motel were still trying to find places to live.The Hays Post was unable to confirm if anyone was still living at the motel as of this post.The motel's lodging license was listed as expired in May, according to a lodging inspection.HKHR Hospitality, the motel's owner, also owes $43,580 for unpaid 2023 property taxes, according to the Ellis County Treasurer's Office. Property owners have three years to pay delinquent taxes before the property is auctioned at a tax sale.The motel, built in 1974, is actively listed on a real estate broker's website, Hotel Broker One, for sale for $1.2 million.The Hays Post has not been able to identify or contact the owners of the motel. A clerk at the Ellis County Register of Deed's Office said the signature on the motel's deed was unreadable.

Reports show structural damage at Rodeway Inn; delinquent taxes owed

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

RUSSELL — Residents of Russell will vote during the Nov. 5 general election on whether to approve <a href="https://www.russellcity.org/319/Water-Sales-Tax">a 3/4 cent sales tax</a>.

The tax will be dedicated to building its water reserve fund and developing water sources and infrastructure at the R9 Ranch in Edwards County, which it co-owns with the city of Hays.&nbsp;

Russell has been operating under a water warning since April 2022.

Russell owns 18% of the R9 Ranch, which was first purchased by Hays in 1995 as a long-term water supply resource. Russell bought in a year later, in 1996.

The estimated total cost of the project is now $140 million.

A public forum about the proposed tax and the R9 was conducted Tuesday night at the Dream Theatre, with information provided by interim City Manager Kayla Schneider and Randy Baker, water utility director.&nbsp;

Also attending were Mayor Jim Cross, City Attorney Ken Cole, and several city council members and city staff who helped answer audience questions.

"Our Plant B failed about three years ago, and we had to spend $1.3 million of the water reserve fund to get it back up and running so we would have adequate water production capabilities," Cross said. "We really depleted that fund at that time. We started seeing the need [to build it back up]. Costs of the R9 project have just escalated."&nbsp;

Current water sources for Russell are Big Creek, eight miles south of town, and the Pfeifer Wellfield, 23 miles to the southwest.

 The Big Creek surface water is "susceptible to contamination and unreliable during drought," Schneider said.

Groundwater from the Smoky Hill River alluvium flows into the Pfeifer Wellfield.&nbsp;

"The Smoky Hill River has an intermittent flow and is greatly influenced by drought," she said. 

"Water conservation has become a way of life for us."

• No filling/refilling of residential swimming pools • Outdoor watering for residential customers is limited to one day a week between 7 p.m. and 10 a.m. • No outdoor watering for commercial or industrial customers • No washing of vehicles, boats or trailers • No washing of building/structure exteriors • Industrial customers must reduce consumption by 15-25% of the average previous five-year period

Russell also offers free low-flow shower heads to its residential customers and rebates for the installation of low-flow toilets.

In 2015, Hays and Russell applied to change the water rights at the ranch from irrigation to municipal use and submitted a water transfer application to the state in 2016.

In February 2024, the cities received a <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/8d8e87f6-e3c9-4950-bcea-9cac40e269bd">favorable ruling for the transfer</a>.

Along the way, the <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a356c3c3-47d3-49eb-98d5-fe030ffd2b8e">Water Protection Association of Central Kansas</a>&nbsp;(WaterPACK) has filed numerous objections to the project.&nbsp;

Regulatory delays have continued, and in early October, <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c7dd78a9-6785-4137-8502-4046eab09f91">Russell and Hays filed a lawsuit against the Edwards County Commission</a>, the Edwards County Planning Commission and several other parties, claiming illegal zoning practices designed to block the project southwest of Kinsley.

If the 3/4 cent sales tax is passed, it is estimated to generate at least $400,000 annually. It would go into effect on April 1, 2025, for 10 years.

Russell's total local sales tax is currently 8.5%.

If voters do not approve the tax, it's on to Plan B and Plan C,&nbsp; Cross said.&nbsp;

"We've talked about water rates having to go up 30 to 50%," Baker said. "There could also be a water surcharge. We don't want to have to do that."

Russell and Hays have jointly pursued state and federal grants and low-interest loans to fund the project. A meeting with FEMA concerning a grant opportunity is scheduled for today.

"Having a tax is never a good thing. ... The sales tax is the most fair tax," Cross said. "It would also be paid by visitors to Russell, and we get a lot coming off of I-70. .... If somebody buys off Amazon, Russell gets a share of that sales tax.

"Local property taxes are not in play in this proposal," he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730297026882.jpeg" alt="Russell city officials present information Tuesday night about the proposed 3/4 cent sales tax to build a water reserve fund. Russell and the city of Hays jointly own the R9 Ranch in Edwards County as a long-term water supply project. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Russell city officials present information Tuesday night about the proposed 3/4 cent sales tax to build a water reserve fund. Russell and the city of Hays jointly own the R9 Ranch in Edwards County as a long-term water supply project. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostRUSSELL — Residents of Russell will vote during the Nov. 5 general election on whether to approve <a href="https://www.russellcity.org/319/Water-Sales-Tax">a 3/4 cent sales tax</a>.The tax will be dedicated to building its water reserve fund and developing water sources and infrastructure at the R9 Ranch in Edwards County, which it co-owns with the city of Hays.&nbsp;Russell has been operating under a water warning since April 2022.Russell owns 18% of the R9 Ranch, which was first purchased by Hays in 1995 as a long-term water supply resource. Russell bought in a year later, in 1996.The estimated total cost of the project is now $140 million.A public forum about the proposed tax and the R9 was conducted Tuesday night at the Dream Theatre, with information provided by interim City Manager Kayla Schneider and Randy Baker, water utility director.&nbsp;Also attending were Mayor Jim Cross, City Attorney Ken Cole, and several city council members and city staff who helped answer audience questions."Our Plant B failed about three years ago, and we had to spend $1.3 million of the water reserve fund to get it back up and running so we would have adequate water production capabilities," Cross said. "We really depleted that fund at that time. We started seeing the need [to build it back up]. Costs of the R9 project have just escalated."&nbsp;<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FT4VicSdvTs" title="Jim Cross Russell water tax" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Current water sources for Russell are Big Creek, eight miles south of town, and the Pfeifer Wellfield, 23 miles to the southwest. The Big Creek surface water is "susceptible to contamination and unreliable during drought," Schneider said.Groundwater from the Smoky Hill River alluvium flows into the Pfeifer Wellfield.&nbsp;"The Smoky Hill River has an intermittent flow and is greatly influenced by drought," she said. "Water conservation has become a way of life for us."Mandatory restrictions are• No filling/refilling of residential swimming pools • Outdoor watering for residential customers is limited to one day a week between 7 p.m. and 10 a.m. • No outdoor watering for commercial or industrial customers • No washing of vehicles, boats or trailers • No washing of building/structure exteriors • Industrial customers must reduce consumption by 15-25% of the average previous five-year periodRussell also offers free low-flow shower heads to its residential customers and rebates for the installation of low-flow toilets.In 2015, Hays and Russell applied to change the water rights at the ranch from irrigation to municipal use and submitted a water transfer application to the state in 2016.In February 2024, the cities received a <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/8d8e87f6-e3c9-4950-bcea-9cac40e269bd">favorable ruling for the transfer</a>.Along the way, the <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a356c3c3-47d3-49eb-98d5-fe030ffd2b8e">Water Protection Association of Central Kansas</a>&nbsp;(WaterPACK) has filed numerous objections to the project.&nbsp;Regulatory delays have continued, and in early October, <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c7dd78a9-6785-4137-8502-4046eab09f91">Russell and Hays filed a lawsuit against the Edwards County Commission</a>, the Edwards County Planning Commission and several other parties, claiming illegal zoning practices designed to block the project southwest of Kinsley.If the 3/4 cent sales tax is passed, it is estimated to generate at least $400,000 annually. It would go into effect on April 1, 2025, for 10 years.Russell's total local sales tax is currently 8.5%.If voters do not approve the tax, it's on to Plan B and Plan C,&nbsp; Cross said.&nbsp;"We've talked about water rates having to go up 30 to 50%," Baker said. "There could also be a water surcharge. We don't want to have to do that."Russell and Hays have jointly pursued state and federal grants and low-interest loans to fund the project. A meeting with FEMA concerning a grant opportunity is scheduled for today."Having a tax is never a good thing. ... The sales tax is the most fair tax," Cross said. "It would also be paid by visitors to Russell, and we get a lot coming off of I-70. .... If somebody buys off Amazon, Russell gets a share of that sales tax."Local property taxes are not in play in this proposal," he said.

🎥 Russell sales tax for water reserve fund, R9 Ranch on Tuesday ballot  

&nbsp;FHSU University Communications

A “profound story worth telling,” The Amish Project will be presented by Fort Hays State University's Music and Theatre Department Nov. 15 through 17. Show times are Nov. 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 17 at 2:30 p.m.

The play centers on the radical acts of forgiveness of the Amish community following the Nickel Mines schoolhouse shooting in 2006. 

Written by Jessica Dickey, the play uses ten fictional characters to tell the story of the shooting, exploring the ripple effect of the Amish community’s compassion toward the family of the shooter.

Directed by Catherine Trieschmann Miller, FHSU Theatre Program Specialist, the play incorporates four chorale pieces and has flexible casting. Chorale selections will be directed by Allie Straub, Hays sophomore, with choreography by Brooke Raacke, Hays freshman.

 Cast members include:&nbsp;Grace Betts, Russell senior; Caleb Johnson, Hays sophomore; Allie Straub; Holly Trullinger, Jetmore freshman; Rebecca Cole, Hays MPS student; Hailey Maldonado, Hugoton sophomore; Lillyan Kimberlin, Holton junior; Kasheia Peterson, Salina freshman; Karter Smith, Great Bend junior; and Addyson Brown, Ottawa freshman. The stage manager is Jacob Wegner, Garden City senior; and the assistant director is Lauryn Gaddis, Smith Center senior.

Catherine said she is very excited about the talent level of the students she is working with for The Amish Project.

“Half the students have done plays at FHSU before and half have not, which is also very exciting,” she said. “It’s young and diverse and fresh – a good mix.”

Because of violence, the play is recommended for mature audiences, although Catherine said the violence is handled “very poetically and not explicitly.”

“It is really a beautiful play that is intended to provoke conversation and meditation when you leave the theatre. The play doesn’t politicize the issue at all. It is really a spiritual journey.

Although this is her first theatrical production at Fort Hays State, Catherine is no stranger to theatre or life in western Kansas. She and her husband, Carl Miller, FHSU associate professor of philosophy, have been Hays residents for almost twenty years. Catherine joined FHSU’s faculty in August when “the timing was just right.”

Catherine and Carl were living in Washington, D.C. in 2006, when Carl was offered a faculty position at FHSU. Catherine had just lined up her first theatre agent and was preparing for her first professional play in London. After careful consideration, though, she decided that western Kansas might be a quiet place for her to continue her writing career.

“I moved here and never looked back,” she said. The move proved to be a positive one. In her first decade here, she had three plays performed off-Broadway and wrote a movie script that premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Her belief that geography influences artistic production has proven true over the years.

“When I moved out here, I started writing plays about this landscape, which I found so poetic and beautiful and strange,” Catherine said. “It has really infused my writing. You can create art anywhere.”

During the COVID pandemic, when she was unable to travel outside Hays, Catherine began to look for projects she could do locally.

“I just started to see the possibilities of the great art I could do right here in my own backyard,” she said. “That was such a blessing and so eye-opening. I thought of this position at FHSU as a good mirror to where I am in life right now.”

Catherine looks forward to collaborations with other departments and FHSU organizations as she undertakes her new role on campus.

For tickets to The Amish Project, go to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.EWtdXdo3nx3t8ZlvSfKX0SSl-2Fsj6Q5LaLFRAJwBKaL1PFYTX-2BjkUz6WC8wJFLzJLf2Nv5SWLvPMSfquaY1oGQV0hfUNbjo4tC3aTgnymVp4-3Dxl59_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOEu2ukRWWgT6ExshnMC5YAfrkWjJiw7hLsndsVvAAzOVpks3JGYw-2B3KRPInvPW2a3CGTLhlr1RwL8bnu8wnGcOgO9Usw03cadKWxwaaT4UVzVDOCQYB1-2BOPwFXQlsV-2FKzvZ-2FwOPrUOcJmYHoWGp8eQgcJgg4DMJ585B-2BZSQRcSarjDulIqgSxMapT-2Fi7ti7mS2ymn0Z25w-2F80ySZgn5zS6Rd4dGiwM8HNGZM2vRM1zTIhxuAKamP-2BL1IrGTSkG6wL">https://www.ticketreturn.com/prod2new/team.asp?SponsorID=18717</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730296458487.png" alt="FHSU image" />
 <figcaption>FHSU image</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;FHSU University CommunicationsA “profound story worth telling,” The Amish Project will be presented by Fort Hays State University's Music and Theatre Department Nov. 15 through 17. Show times are Nov. 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 17 at 2:30 p.m.The play centers on the radical acts of forgiveness of the Amish community following the Nickel Mines schoolhouse shooting in 2006. Written by Jessica Dickey, the play uses ten fictional characters to tell the story of the shooting, exploring the ripple effect of the Amish community’s compassion toward the family of the shooter.Directed by Catherine Trieschmann Miller, FHSU Theatre Program Specialist, the play incorporates four chorale pieces and has flexible casting. Chorale selections will be directed by Allie Straub, Hays sophomore, with choreography by Brooke Raacke, Hays freshman. Cast members include:&nbsp;Grace Betts, Russell senior; Caleb Johnson, Hays sophomore; Allie Straub; Holly Trullinger, Jetmore freshman; Rebecca Cole, Hays MPS student; Hailey Maldonado, Hugoton sophomore; Lillyan Kimberlin, Holton junior; Kasheia Peterson, Salina freshman; Karter Smith, Great Bend junior; and Addyson Brown, Ottawa freshman. The stage manager is Jacob Wegner, Garden City senior; and the assistant director is Lauryn Gaddis, Smith Center senior.Catherine said she is very excited about the talent level of the students she is working with for The Amish Project.“Half the students have done plays at FHSU before and half have not, which is also very exciting,” she said. “It’s young and diverse and fresh – a good mix.”Because of violence, the play is recommended for mature audiences, although Catherine said the violence is handled “very poetically and not explicitly.”“It is really a beautiful play that is intended to provoke conversation and meditation when you leave the theatre. The play doesn’t politicize the issue at all. It is really a spiritual journey.Although this is her first theatrical production at Fort Hays State, Catherine is no stranger to theatre or life in western Kansas. She and her husband, Carl Miller, FHSU associate professor of philosophy, have been Hays residents for almost twenty years. Catherine joined FHSU’s faculty in August when “the timing was just right.”Catherine and Carl were living in Washington, D.C. in 2006, when Carl was offered a faculty position at FHSU. Catherine had just lined up her first theatre agent and was preparing for her first professional play in London. After careful consideration, though, she decided that western Kansas might be a quiet place for her to continue her writing career.“I moved here and never looked back,” she said. The move proved to be a positive one. In her first decade here, she had three plays performed off-Broadway and wrote a movie script that premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.Her belief that geography influences artistic production has proven true over the years.“When I moved out here, I started writing plays about this landscape, which I found so poetic and beautiful and strange,” Catherine said. “It has really infused my writing. You can create art anywhere.”During the COVID pandemic, when she was unable to travel outside Hays, Catherine began to look for projects she could do locally.“I just started to see the possibilities of the great art I could do right here in my own backyard,” she said. “That was such a blessing and so eye-opening. I thought of this position at FHSU as a good mirror to where I am in life right now.”Catherine looks forward to collaborations with other departments and FHSU organizations as she undertakes her new role on campus.For tickets to The Amish Project, go to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.EWtdXdo3nx3t8ZlvSfKX0SSl-2Fsj6Q5LaLFRAJwBKaL1PFYTX-2BjkUz6WC8wJFLzJLf2Nv5SWLvPMSfquaY1oGQV0hfUNbjo4tC3aTgnymVp4-3Dxl59_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOEu2ukRWWgT6ExshnMC5YAfrkWjJiw7hLsndsVvAAzOVpks3JGYw-2B3KRPInvPW2a3CGTLhlr1RwL8bnu8wnGcOgO9Usw03cadKWxwaaT4UVzVDOCQYB1-2BOPwFXQlsV-2FKzvZ-2FwOPrUOcJmYHoWGp8eQgcJgg4DMJ585B-2BZSQRcSarjDulIqgSxMapT-2Fi7ti7mS2ymn0Z25w-2F80ySZgn5zS6Rd4dGiwM8HNGZM2vRM1zTIhxuAKamP-2BL1IrGTSkG6wL">https://www.ticketreturn.com/prod2new/team.asp?SponsorID=18717</a>

The Amish Project at FHSU reflects on forgiveness amid tragedy

Normally, someone referring to hot fingers makes me think of thievery. After a recent jalapeño popper- making session, scorched fingers now come to mind.

I thought I’d learned this lesson years ago when I canned jalapeños. That time, I picked a two-gallon bucket full of the searing torches and did NOT wear gloves to deseed or defiber them. Holy cow, my hands sizzled for three solid days. I washed them repeatedly. I used high quality hand lotion. I soaked them in milk. I soaked them in baking soda. I soaked them in vinegar. Nothing alleviated that pain. The fiery sensation prevented sleep, leaving me contentious as a momma bear.

This time, I only cleaned 24 freshly-harvested peppers to make poppers, dices, and slices. Because of past experience, I wore gloves while removing seeds and internal fibers. Once I’d cut them in half, I parboiled them before filling with cream cheese and wrapping with par-cooked bacon to reduce baking time later.

I filled those little dugouts with the cream cheese, garlic, and cheddar mixture. Then I wrapped each one in a half slice of bacon, skewered with a toothpick. Again. no issues. Latex protected my fingers.

What triggered the melt-down involved 6 leftover deseeded peppers. For those who make their own poppers, you know we can’t waste a perfectly good, cleaned jalapeño. I decided to dice half and slice decorative rings from the rest.

Using gloves to finely dice something is difficult, so I tugged them off. After all, I’d removed scorching seeds and combustible guts. Surely, I was safe. Yeah, right….

Acting like the queen of cutting boards and sharp knives, I slivered those babies and diced them into tiny bits to toss into soups and casseroles this winter. So finely chopped, it took a while to collect the bits into a container, but my nerve cells remained calm for that moment.

Once I got the slivered bits in the bag, nerve receptors hit the alert button, which I ignored. What the heck? I’d washed ‘em and set out cleaned, whole peppers for decorative slicing. While I didn’t think I’d contacted innards, sensory detectors disagreed. Suddenly, a three-alarm fire nipped at every finger-tip on both hands. I had to finish the job, so I worked through the pain and stored those pretty little rings to garnish winter meals.

After tucking those fiery treasures into the freezer, I washed and washed and washed agonized flesh. I coated it with lanoline-based creams. That helped for a minute or two before jalapeño capsaicin re-activated. Clearly, pepper flesh contains chemical enough to trigger nerve endings even when seeds and stringy flesh are removed.

While six of those poppers roasted enticingly in the oven, I continued washing with soap and water over and over and over. Frankly, I didn’t expect relief after that three-day marathon of burning flesh a few decades ago. The good news is this time wearing gloves prevented that. I may have gotten a reminder of that experience, but soap and water finally did the trick, letting nerve endings calm.

Lesson learned. No matter how awkward it is to wear gloves while dicing jalapeños, do it anyway. The poppers tasted great, by the way. I think I’ll throw on a pair of gloves and make a second batch to carry us through coming cold days.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730127838287.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure>By KAREN MADORINNormally, someone referring to hot fingers makes me think of thievery. After a recent jalapeño popper- making session, scorched fingers now come to mind.I thought I’d learned this lesson years ago when I canned jalapeños. That time, I picked a two-gallon bucket full of the searing torches and did NOT wear gloves to deseed or defiber them. Holy cow, my hands sizzled for three solid days. I washed them repeatedly. I used high quality hand lotion. I soaked them in milk. I soaked them in baking soda. I soaked them in vinegar. Nothing alleviated that pain. The fiery sensation prevented sleep, leaving me contentious as a momma bear.This time, I only cleaned 24 freshly-harvested peppers to make poppers, dices, and slices. Because of past experience, I wore gloves while removing seeds and internal fibers. Once I’d cut them in half, I parboiled them before filling with cream cheese and wrapping with par-cooked bacon to reduce baking time later.I filled those little dugouts with the cream cheese, garlic, and cheddar mixture. Then I wrapped each one in a half slice of bacon, skewered with a toothpick. Again. no issues. Latex protected my fingers.What triggered the melt-down involved 6 leftover deseeded peppers. For those who make their own poppers, you know we can’t waste a perfectly good, cleaned jalapeño. I decided to dice half and slice decorative rings from the rest.Using gloves to finely dice something is difficult, so I tugged them off. After all, I’d removed scorching seeds and combustible guts. Surely, I was safe. Yeah, right….Acting like the queen of cutting boards and sharp knives, I slivered those babies and diced them into tiny bits to toss into soups and casseroles this winter. So finely chopped, it took a while to collect the bits into a container, but my nerve cells remained calm for that moment.Once I got the slivered bits in the bag, nerve receptors hit the alert button, which I ignored. What the heck? I’d washed ‘em and set out cleaned, whole peppers for decorative slicing. While I didn’t think I’d contacted innards, sensory detectors disagreed. Suddenly, a three-alarm fire nipped at every finger-tip on both hands. I had to finish the job, so I worked through the pain and stored those pretty little rings to garnish winter meals.After tucking those fiery treasures into the freezer, I washed and washed and washed agonized flesh. I coated it with lanoline-based creams. That helped for a minute or two before jalapeño capsaicin re-activated. Clearly, pepper flesh contains chemical enough to trigger nerve endings even when seeds and stringy flesh are removed.While six of those poppers roasted enticingly in the oven, I continued washing with soap and water over and over and over. Frankly, I didn’t expect relief after that three-day marathon of burning flesh a few decades ago. The good news is this time wearing gloves prevented that. I may have gotten a reminder of that experience, but soap and water finally did the trick, letting nerve endings calm.Lesson learned. No matter how awkward it is to wear gloves while dicing jalapeños, do it anyway. The poppers tasted great, by the way. I think I’ll throw on a pair of gloves and make a second batch to carry us through coming cold days.

MADORIN: Hot fingers

This general election, Rooks County residents will have a chance to weigh in on updating the county’s longstanding liquor by the drink regulation. Since 1987, Kansas counties have had the option to opt out of a rule, known as the “30% Food Rule,” which requires businesses to earn a minimum of 30% of their gross receipts from food sales in order to serve liquor by the drink. Forty-seven counties have already opted out by instituting a "0% Food Rule" as of January 2024.

As a semi-dry county, Rooks County currently mandates that any business selling liquor by the drink must derive at least 30% of its revenue from food. However, on Tuesday, November 5, voters will now decide: “Shall sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink in Rooks County be allowed in public places without a requirement that any portion of their gross receipts be from sales of food?”

I urge everyone to vote YES on the proposal to allow the sale of liquor by the drink without the burdensome food sales requirement.

For too long, Rooks County has limited the potential for new and diverse businesses to thrive. By eliminating the mandate that establishments serving liquor must derive at least 30% of their revenue from food, we can align ourselves with the Kansas counties that have already embraced this modernization,&nbsp;including three neighboring counties - Ellis, Phillips, and Graham. This change will provide local entrepreneurs the flexibility to explore a range of business models, from sports bars to breweries, cocktail lounges to distilleries, and more. Personally, as the owner of Letha's Events in Downtown Plainville, I would love to be able to provide bartending services at public events in our recently renovated space, without the need to offer a complete food menu as well.

Imagine the economic benefits as new establishments open their doors, filling vacant spaces and attracting visitors from neighboring communities. The potential for growth is significant, and by voting YES, we can remove the red tape that has held us back.

Let’s make Rooks County a vibrant place for both residents and visitors. Vote YES to modernize our liquor by the drink law and pave the way for economic development and greater choice in our community.

<figure>
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 </figure>This general election, Rooks County residents will have a chance to weigh in on updating the county’s longstanding liquor by the drink regulation. Since 1987, Kansas counties have had the option to opt out of a rule, known as the “30% Food Rule,” which requires businesses to earn a minimum of 30% of their gross receipts from food sales in order to serve liquor by the drink. Forty-seven counties have already opted out by instituting a "0% Food Rule" as of January 2024.As a semi-dry county, Rooks County currently mandates that any business selling liquor by the drink must derive at least 30% of its revenue from food. However, on Tuesday, November 5, voters will now decide: “Shall sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink in Rooks County be allowed in public places without a requirement that any portion of their gross receipts be from sales of food?”I urge everyone to vote YES on the proposal to allow the sale of liquor by the drink without the burdensome food sales requirement.For too long, Rooks County has limited the potential for new and diverse businesses to thrive. By eliminating the mandate that establishments serving liquor must derive at least 30% of their revenue from food, we can align ourselves with the Kansas counties that have already embraced this modernization,&nbsp;including three neighboring counties - Ellis, Phillips, and Graham. This change will provide local entrepreneurs the flexibility to explore a range of business models, from sports bars to breweries, cocktail lounges to distilleries, and more. Personally, as the owner of Letha's Events in Downtown Plainville, I would love to be able to provide bartending services at public events in our recently renovated space, without the need to offer a complete food menu as well.Imagine the economic benefits as new establishments open their doors, filling vacant spaces and attracting visitors from neighboring communities. The potential for growth is significant, and by voting YES, we can remove the red tape that has held us back.Let’s make Rooks County a vibrant place for both residents and visitors. Vote YES to modernize our liquor by the drink law and pave the way for economic development and greater choice in our community.Sincerely, &nbsp;Ashley ComeauRooks County Resident&nbsp;&nbsp;

Letter to the Editor: Vote yes for modernizing liquor sales in Rooks Co.

NORTON COUNTY—Three people were injured in an accident just before 5p.m. Wednesday in Norton County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Mercury Montego driven by Acelynn D.&nbsp;Loughry, 16, Norton was eastbound on Woods Drive at Valley Vista in Norton.

The car struck a southbound 1990 Chevy 1500 driven by&nbsp;Mary J.&nbsp;Johnston, 70, Norton. After impact the pickup came to rest on the southeast curb of the intersection. The car came to rest next to pickup on the southeast corner of the street.

EMS transported&nbsp;Loughry,&nbsp;Johnston and a passenger in the car&nbsp; Piper&nbsp;Benavides, 15, Norton, to the Norton County Hospital. All three were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

NORTON COUNTY—Three people were injured in an accident just before 5p.m. Wednesday in Norton County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Mercury Montego driven by Acelynn D.&nbsp;Loughry, 16, Norton was eastbound on Woods Drive at Valley Vista in Norton.The car struck a southbound 1990 Chevy 1500 driven by&nbsp;Mary J.&nbsp;Johnston, 70, Norton. After impact the pickup came to rest on the southeast curb of the intersection. The car came to rest next to pickup on the southeast corner of the street.EMS transported&nbsp;Loughry,&nbsp;Johnston and a passenger in the car&nbsp; Piper&nbsp;Benavides, 15, Norton, to the Norton County Hospital. All three were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

2 NW Kansas teens among 3 injured in 2-vehicle crash

The Hays Police Department responded to 69 incidents Oct. 20-26, 2024, according to the HPD activity log.

Hays Police DepartmentThe Hays Police Department responded to 69 incidents Oct. 20-26, 2024, according to the HPD activity log.<figure>
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Hays Police Department activity log, Oct. 20-26, 2024

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Hays Police Department arrest log, Oct. 20-26, 2024

I am writing to express my strong support for incumbent candidate Bobbi &nbsp;Dreiling for County Clerk. As a citizen of Ellis County, I believe we should elect leaders who are committed to improving our community, and Bobbi is one such leader. She has proven over the last 3.5 years how well she has conducted elections being the Election Official, as well as her other duties as County Clerk.

I strongly urge you to vote for Bobbi Dreiling in the upcoming election. I know she will continue to make a positive impact and strive for the betterment of our community. Join me in support of Bobbi Dreiling.

I am writing to express my strong support for incumbent candidate Bobbi &nbsp;Dreiling for County Clerk. As a citizen of Ellis County, I believe we should elect leaders who are committed to improving our community, and Bobbi is one such leader. She has proven over the last 3.5 years how well she has conducted elections being the Election Official, as well as her other duties as County Clerk.I strongly urge you to vote for Bobbi Dreiling in the upcoming election. I know she will continue to make a positive impact and strive for the betterment of our community. Join me in support of Bobbi Dreiling.<a></a>— Deanna J&nbsp;Staab

Letter: Dreiling committed to improving community

I am writing to endorse Bobbi Dreiling for Ellis County Clerk. I have known Bobbi for over 40 years, and I can&nbsp;say&nbsp;with confidence that she has the necessary qualities and skills to continue to excel as the County Clerk given her almost four years she has been in office.

As a citizen of Ellis County, I believe it is&nbsp;important&nbsp;to elect leaders who are willing to improve our community, and&nbsp;Bobbi with her proven track record as the current County Clerk,&nbsp;would&nbsp;obviously make&nbsp;her&nbsp;the better candidate.

I urge you to vote for Bobbi Dreiling as&nbsp;the&nbsp;<a></a>County Clerk in the upcoming election as I will be doing.

I am writing to endorse Bobbi Dreiling for Ellis County Clerk. I have known Bobbi for over 40 years, and I can&nbsp;say&nbsp;with confidence that she has the necessary qualities and skills to continue to excel as the County Clerk given her almost four years she has been in office.As a citizen of Ellis County, I believe it is&nbsp;important&nbsp;to elect leaders who are willing to improve our community, and&nbsp;Bobbi with her proven track record as the current County Clerk,&nbsp;would&nbsp;obviously make&nbsp;her&nbsp;the better candidate.I urge you to vote for Bobbi Dreiling as&nbsp;the&nbsp;<a></a>County Clerk in the upcoming election as I will be doing.— Gwen&nbsp;Klaus&nbsp;Summers

Letter: Writer endorses Dreiling for Ellis County Clerk

By JOHN P. TRETBAR Eagle Media

A big drop in&nbsp;oil&nbsp;prices is being called a collective sigh of relief after Israel refrained from attacking Iran's energy infrastructure. The benchmarks were all down six percent Monday.

Weekly crude production in the United States topped 13.5 million barrels per day for only the second time ever, but output declined from last week's all-time high. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports output of 13,526,000 barrels per day in the week through October 18, a decline of 5,000 daily barrels from a week earlier. 

Cumulative production so far this year is up six percent to top 13.2 million barrels a day for the first time ever.

EIA reports crude inventories increased by more than five million barrels to 426 million barrels. That's about four percent below the five-year average for this time of year.

The government took delivery on 800,000 barrels of crude&nbsp;oil&nbsp;for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) last week. The SPR now holds more than 384 million barrels, up nearly ten percent from a year ago, but just over half the total from three years ago.

The weekly Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes was 585 rigs, up two&nbsp;oil&nbsp;rigs but down two seeking natural gas. Louisiana was down two rigs; Pennsylvania was down one. New Mexico, Oklahoma and Ohio were each up one.

Independent&nbsp;Oil&nbsp;&amp; Gas Service this week reported 27 new drilling locations statewide last week. There are 15 in eastern Kansas and 12 west of Wichita, with one new permit in Barton County and one in Stafford County.

Crude prices at CHS in McPherson are nearly three dollars below the monthly average, but rose $1.50 on Friday to start the week at $62 per barrel. That's up $2.50 from a week ago and $2.00 higher than at the first of the month.

Two offshore drillers that were once the world's largest are considering a merger. According to World&nbsp;Oil&nbsp;and Bloomberg, stock prices for &nbsp;both Transocean and Seadrill are both down by more than 25%, but the two would create a combined market value of $6 billion at current prices. 

Transocean, which owned the Deepwater Horizon rig involved in the blowout in the Gulf of Mexico, was the only major offshore rig contractor to avoid bankruptcy during the 2020 downturn. The companies could yet opt to remain independent. Bloomberg reports the talks are ongoing and no deal has been reached as of yet.

The U.S. is a net crude-oil&nbsp;importer, bringing in about 2.3 million barrels a day more than we shipped out last week. Product exports outpace imports by nearly 5 million barrels a day. Weekly crude imports rose nearly a million barrels to 6.4 million barrels a day. The four-week average is up slightly from a year ago. 

Crude exports averaged just over 4million barrels a day, down 11,000 daily barrels. Four-week average crude exports are down nearly 100,000 barrels a day from a year ago.

North Dakota crude oil&nbsp;production increased by nearly 300,000 barrels from July to August. The Department of Mineral Resources reported an August production total of just over 36.5 million barrels, or 1.18 million barrels a day.

An&nbsp;oil&nbsp;terminal Iran built to bypass the vital Strait of Hormuz now appears partially filled with crude, offering Tehran a means to get a little of its&nbsp;oil&nbsp;into the world without using the waterway. 

Iran has threatened to close the strait many times, a hollow threat because it would lock in its own&nbsp;oil&nbsp;production. The so-called "Jask" terminal is located outside the Persian Gulf and would bypass the relatively narrow waterway. Jask can load one million barrels per day, with storage capacity of about 20 million barrels. Iran's main terminal at Kharg Island boasts capacity of roughly three times that.

After eight months, they have found the tug boat that was dragging the&nbsp;oil&nbsp;barge that was leaking&nbsp;oil&nbsp;and fouling the waters around the island of Tobago. They found the tug nearly 6,000 miles away, across the Atlantic Ocean in Angola. The&nbsp;oil&nbsp;spill was first noticed last February. It took until August to remove the&nbsp;oil&nbsp;barge. And now, in October, they have taken the tug into custody and filed a $270 million claim. But as of now they have no idea who owns the tug.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
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 </figure>By JOHN P. TRETBAR Eagle MediaA big drop in&nbsp;oil&nbsp;prices is being called a collective sigh of relief after Israel refrained from attacking Iran's energy infrastructure. The benchmarks were all down six percent Monday.Weekly crude production in the United States topped 13.5 million barrels per day for only the second time ever, but output declined from last week's all-time high. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports output of 13,526,000 barrels per day in the week through October 18, a decline of 5,000 daily barrels from a week earlier. Cumulative production so far this year is up six percent to top 13.2 million barrels a day for the first time ever.EIA reports crude inventories increased by more than five million barrels to 426 million barrels. That's about four percent below the five-year average for this time of year.The government took delivery on 800,000 barrels of crude&nbsp;oil&nbsp;for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) last week. The SPR now holds more than 384 million barrels, up nearly ten percent from a year ago, but just over half the total from three years ago.The weekly Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes was 585 rigs, up two&nbsp;oil&nbsp;rigs but down two seeking natural gas. Louisiana was down two rigs; Pennsylvania was down one. New Mexico, Oklahoma and Ohio were each up one.Independent&nbsp;Oil&nbsp;&amp; Gas Service this week reported 27 new drilling locations statewide last week. There are 15 in eastern Kansas and 12 west of Wichita, with one new permit in Barton County and one in Stafford County.Crude prices at CHS in McPherson are nearly three dollars below the monthly average, but rose $1.50 on Friday to start the week at $62 per barrel. That's up $2.50 from a week ago and $2.00 higher than at the first of the month.Two offshore drillers that were once the world's largest are considering a merger. According to World&nbsp;Oil&nbsp;and Bloomberg, stock prices for &nbsp;both Transocean and Seadrill are both down by more than 25%, but the two would create a combined market value of $6 billion at current prices. Transocean, which owned the Deepwater Horizon rig involved in the blowout in the Gulf of Mexico, was the only major offshore rig contractor to avoid bankruptcy during the 2020 downturn. The companies could yet opt to remain independent. Bloomberg reports the talks are ongoing and no deal has been reached as of yet.The U.S. is a net crude-oil&nbsp;importer, bringing in about 2.3 million barrels a day more than we shipped out last week. Product exports outpace imports by nearly 5 million barrels a day. Weekly crude imports rose nearly a million barrels to 6.4 million barrels a day. The four-week average is up slightly from a year ago. Crude exports averaged just over 4million barrels a day, down 11,000 daily barrels. Four-week average crude exports are down nearly 100,000 barrels a day from a year ago.North Dakota crude oil&nbsp;production increased by nearly 300,000 barrels from July to August. The Department of Mineral Resources reported an August production total of just over 36.5 million barrels, or 1.18 million barrels a day.An&nbsp;oil&nbsp;terminal Iran built to bypass the vital Strait of Hormuz now appears partially filled with crude, offering Tehran a means to get a little of its&nbsp;oil&nbsp;into the world without using the waterway. Iran has threatened to close the strait many times, a hollow threat because it would lock in its own&nbsp;oil&nbsp;production. The so-called "Jask" terminal is located outside the Persian Gulf and would bypass the relatively narrow waterway. Jask can load one million barrels per day, with storage capacity of about 20 million barrels. Iran's main terminal at Kharg Island boasts capacity of roughly three times that.After eight months, they have found the tug boat that was dragging the&nbsp;oil&nbsp;barge that was leaking&nbsp;oil&nbsp;and fouling the waters around the island of Tobago. They found the tug nearly 6,000 miles away, across the Atlantic Ocean in Angola. The&nbsp;oil&nbsp;spill was first noticed last February. It took until August to remove the&nbsp;oil&nbsp;barge. And now, in October, they have taken the tug into custody and filed a $270 million claim. But as of now they have no idea who owns the tug.&nbsp;&nbsp;

News from the Oil Patch: Crude production records tumble

Members of the VFW Post 9139 and its auxiliary joined members of Boy Scout Troop 101 and Girl Scout Troop 11262 for a flag-retirement ceremony to dispose of damaged American flags.

Submitted Members of the VFW Post 9139 and its auxiliary joined members of Boy Scout Troop 101 and Girl Scout Troop 11262 for a flag-retirement ceremony to dispose of damaged American flags.Photos courtesy of Guy Windholz<figure>
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