The Ellis County Health Department on Monday announced three new cases of coronavirus in the county.&nbsp;

The department said all positive cases have mild symptoms and are in home isolation. Two of the cases were contacts of a known positive, with one recently traveling. The third case has no known travel history.

Contacts will be notified, the department said.

The Ellis County Health Department on Monday announced three new cases of coronavirus in the county.&nbsp;The department said all positive cases have mild symptoms and are in home isolation. Two of the cases were contacts of a known positive, with one recently traveling. The third case has no known travel history.Contacts will be notified, the department said.Read the complete news release below:<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593451211899.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Three new cases of COVID-19 reported in Ellis County

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The rebound for local retailers after the COVID-19 shutdown has been mixed, said the Hays Chamber director.

"We have heard mixed reviews of comments from our Chamber members," said Sarah Wasinger, chamber director. "Some of them are experiencing escalated sales right now because people are excited to patronize their businesses again. But we have also heard the other side of the story — that things are a little bit slower because finances of families in general can be tighter right now based on the unemployment levels.

"Some are saying business is as usual at this point and numbers are running flat with what they experienced in 2019."

Wasinger said businesses that opened later are seeing a greater surge in buying.

"We are actually hearing more from them that their doors opening again was so great that they have actually experienced sales numbers that model what we have in the fourth quarter for Christmas time," she said.&nbsp;

Businesses that carried food or pharmaceutical products were thriving throughout the shutdown as they were deemed essential and allowed to maintain sales through the stay-at-home order, Wasinger said.&nbsp;

Wasinger said the local clothing retailers were reporting better than normal sales. However, some jewelry and accessory sales were down.

Businesses at Big Creek Crossing shopping center in Hays have reopened at varying paces. Gordman's is in a close-out sale.

Glik's manager Molly Skeen said, "We haven't seen a lot of hesitancy in people to come back out. We have seen our traffic resume as normal."

Glik's started with reduced hours but is now back to regular mall hours.&nbsp;

Dustin Roths, owner of Diamond R. Jewelry, reported his store has been busy since reopening.

"We've been incredibly blessed," he said. "I just can't believe how well our May went. It was very stressful while we were at home. We sold a few things online, but when we got back, what normally would have been our spring bridal season got pushed a little bit later into the summer.&nbsp;

"Where the summer is usually kind of slow for us," he said, "it's been incredibly busy for us."

He said he hoped consumer spending has been pent up, and the store will be able to do enough business to make up for what they lost during the shutdown.&nbsp;

The business was able to use the federal Payroll Protection Program to keep all of its workers employed during the shutdown.

Roths said he took time during the shutdown to increase the store's presence on its eBay store.&nbsp;

"We tried to do our best to let people know we were still trying to take care of them," he said.

One of Diamond R's most significant challenges has been been trying to get special orders from manufacturers in larger cities that have had to remain in lockdown longer.

Roths said employees have been doing more sanitizing since the store reopened. The store is allowing customers to handle the merchandise, but employees are cleaning and sanitizing the jewelry after it has been handled.

The store is also offering a jewelry sanitizing service using steam and ultrasonic cleaners.&nbsp;

"It is something that you have on all of the time, but you don't really think about it getting dirty and maybe carrying things around with it," Roths said.

Wasinger said local businesses are taking sanitation to the next level and providing other services to make customers feel more comfortable as they resume shopping.

Businesses, including&nbsp; Refine and Simply Charmed are offering services such as preorder and personal shopping to make sure customers feel comfortable with their shopping experience.

As businesses move forward, Wasinger said owners are concerned about future shutdowns.&nbsp;

"At this time we are aware of many Chamber businesses who are going out of their way to anticipate if they have a second round of closures," she said, "trying to figure out how they can do more online store options and we know there are a lot of folks that have not done that before."

The Chamber is working with retailers to keep their information in the business directory updated, as many businesses have changed their hours in light of COVID.

With the FHSU not holding in-person classes, business, especially restaurants, have been struggling to find enough employees to fill their shifts, Wasigner said.

The Chamber has reached out to parents of students at Hays High School and Thomas More Prep-Marian to let them know these businesses have&nbsp; work available for students. It has also urged businesses to post jobs on&nbsp;Grow Hays' <a href="http://WorkHays.com.">WorkHays.com.</a>

"I still think it is essential even though the state is open and travel is available at this time, it is still very critical to think local first and know that there are a plethora of options here in the Hays community and surrounding areas," Wasinger said.&nbsp;

"The more people can continue to patronize our local businesses, the greater likelihood we will see local businesses thriving again in the future."

Roths said he was cautiously optimistic about the economy. However, he is still moving forward with the building-out of the former Strand Theater as an events venue.

"It's kind of full speed ahead for us," he said. "We are ready to see the economy rebound. We think the green go button has been pushed. We have no intention of cowering in fear to this thing. We really just want to get back to our livelihood and taking care of people and hope they have the finances to buy the things that we sell."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593201485103.jpeg" alt="Local retailers are reporting mixed results after reopening after the COVID-19 shutdown. Glik's at Big Creek Crossing said customers have not been hesitant to come back to the store." />
 <figcaption>Local retailers are reporting mixed results after reopening after the COVID-19 shutdown. Glik's at Big Creek Crossing said customers have not been hesitant to come back to the store.</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe rebound for local retailers after the COVID-19 shutdown has been mixed, said the Hays Chamber director."We have heard mixed reviews of comments from our Chamber members," said Sarah Wasinger, chamber director. "Some of them are experiencing escalated sales right now because people are excited to patronize their businesses again. But we have also heard the other side of the story — that things are a little bit slower because finances of families in general can be tighter right now based on the unemployment levels."Some are saying business is as usual at this point and numbers are running flat with what they experienced in 2019."Wasinger said businesses that opened later are seeing a greater surge in buying."We are actually hearing more from them that their doors opening again was so great that they have actually experienced sales numbers that model what we have in the fourth quarter for Christmas time," she said.&nbsp;Businesses that carried food or pharmaceutical products were thriving throughout the shutdown as they were deemed essential and allowed to maintain sales through the stay-at-home order, Wasinger said.&nbsp;Wasinger said the local clothing retailers were reporting better than normal sales. However, some jewelry and accessory sales were down.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593201739314.jpeg" alt="An employees inside Glik's at Big Creek Crossing. Sarah Wasinger, Hays Chamber director, said retailers are reporting clothing sales have been better than normal since businesses have reopened." />
 <figcaption>An employees inside Glik's at Big Creek Crossing. Sarah Wasinger, Hays Chamber director, said retailers are reporting clothing sales have been better than normal since businesses have reopened.</figcaption>
 </figure>Businesses at Big Creek Crossing shopping center in Hays have reopened at varying paces. Gordman's is in a close-out sale.Glik's manager Molly Skeen said, "We haven't seen a lot of hesitancy in people to come back out. We have seen our traffic resume as normal."Glik's started with reduced hours but is now back to regular mall hours.&nbsp;Dustin Roths, owner of Diamond R. Jewelry, reported his store has been busy since reopening."We've been incredibly blessed," he said. "I just can't believe how well our May went. It was very stressful while we were at home. We sold a few things online, but when we got back, what normally would have been our spring bridal season got pushed a little bit later into the summer.&nbsp;"Where the summer is usually kind of slow for us," he said, "it's been incredibly busy for us."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593202162328.jpeg" alt="Lauren Moeder, employee at Diamond R. Jewelry, displays merchandise at the store. Owner Dustin Roths said sales have been strong after the business reopened." />
 <figcaption>Lauren Moeder, employee at Diamond R. Jewelry, displays merchandise at the store. Owner Dustin Roths said sales have been strong after the business reopened.</figcaption>
 </figure>He said he hoped consumer spending has been pent up, and the store will be able to do enough business to make up for what they lost during the shutdown.&nbsp;The business was able to use the federal Payroll Protection Program to keep all of its workers employed during the shutdown.Roths said he took time during the shutdown to increase the store's presence on its eBay store.&nbsp;"We tried to do our best to let people know we were still trying to take care of them," he said.One of Diamond R's most significant challenges has been been trying to get special orders from manufacturers in larger cities that have had to remain in lockdown longer.Roths said employees have been doing more sanitizing since the store reopened. The store is allowing customers to handle the merchandise, but employees are cleaning and sanitizing the jewelry after it has been handled.The store is also offering a jewelry sanitizing service using steam and ultrasonic cleaners.&nbsp;"It is something that you have on all of the time, but you don't really think about it getting dirty and maybe carrying things around with it," Roths said.Wasinger said local businesses are taking sanitation to the next level and providing other services to make customers feel more comfortable as they resume shopping.Businesses, including&nbsp; Refine and Simply Charmed are offering services such as preorder and personal shopping to make sure customers feel comfortable with their shopping experience.As businesses move forward, Wasinger said owners are concerned about future shutdowns.&nbsp;"At this time we are aware of many Chamber businesses who are going out of their way to anticipate if they have a second round of closures," she said, "trying to figure out how they can do more online store options and we know there are a lot of folks that have not done that before."The Chamber is working with retailers to keep their information in the business directory updated, as many businesses have changed their hours in light of COVID.With the FHSU not holding in-person classes, business, especially restaurants, have been struggling to find enough employees to fill their shifts, Wasigner said.The Chamber has reached out to parents of students at Hays High School and Thomas More Prep-Marian to let them know these businesses have&nbsp; work available for students. It has also urged businesses to post jobs on&nbsp;Grow Hays' <a href="http://WorkHays.com.">WorkHays.com.</a>"I still think it is essential even though the state is open and travel is available at this time, it is still very critical to think local first and know that there are a plethora of options here in the Hays community and surrounding areas," Wasinger said.&nbsp;"The more people can continue to patronize our local businesses, the greater likelihood we will see local businesses thriving again in the future."Roths said he was cautiously optimistic about the economy. However, he is still moving forward with the building-out of the former Strand Theater as an events venue."It's kind of full speed ahead for us," he said. "We are ready to see the economy rebound. We think the green go button has been pushed. We have no intention of cowering in fear to this thing. We really just want to get back to our livelihood and taking care of people and hope they have the finances to buy the things that we sell."

Strength of local retail rebound mixed after COVID-19 shutdown

Beginning Tuesday, June 30, various city streets will receive a seal coat. See the map above for locations.

Seal coat is a spray applied in two coats with a dry time of 2 to 3 hours per pass, so the streets being sealed will be temporarily closed during this time. 

 On the date scheduled for treatment, all cars need to be moved from the street by 8:00 a.m.  Streets being sealed will be closed from approximately 8:00 am until 5:00 pm.  Access can be achieved in cases of emergency.  Parking on adjacent streets is recommended during the daytime.  Parking in driveways is okay if you DO NOT plan on moving the vehicle between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. 

 The seal coat treatment should not be driven on until it has set up (dried).  It will stain surfaces such as concrete, carpet, or flooring if tracked from construction areas. 

 Please have all lawn watering devices turned off the evening before the scheduled date.&nbsp;

 Traffic control will be set in areas of work being completed and picked up by the end of the work day. 

This project is scheduled to be completed within two weeks (pending weather conditions).&nbsp;

The city of Hays regrets any inconvenience this may cause to the public. 

If there are any questions, please call the Office of Project Management at 628-7350 or the contractor, Circle C Paving at (316) 570-4652.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593194362696.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>City of HaysBeginning Tuesday, June 30, various city streets will receive a seal coat. See the map above for locations.Seal coat is a spray applied in two coats with a dry time of 2 to 3 hours per pass, so the streets being sealed will be temporarily closed during this time. On the date scheduled for treatment, all cars need to be moved from the street by 8:00 a.m. Streets being sealed will be closed from approximately 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. Access can be achieved in cases of emergency. Parking on adjacent streets is recommended during the daytime. Parking in driveways is okay if you DO NOT plan on moving the vehicle between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The seal coat treatment should not be driven on until it has set up (dried). It will stain surfaces such as concrete, carpet, or flooring if tracked from construction areas. Please have all lawn watering devices turned off the evening before the scheduled date.&nbsp; Traffic control will be set in areas of work being completed and picked up by the end of the work day. This project is scheduled to be completed within two weeks (pending weather conditions).&nbsp;The city of Hays regrets any inconvenience this may cause to the public. If there are any questions, please call the Office of Project Management at 628-7350 or the contractor, Circle C Paving at (316) 570-4652.

Street seal coating starts Tuesday in Hays

As the community gathers together to celebrate the Fourth of July next week, something a little different will pepper the neighborhoods, as children around the community set up a lemonade stand all over town.

The many stands are a part of a larger effort to raise funds for the ARC Park Project and will allow the children to win prizes for their efforts, but more importantly, allow the children to have a stake in the new park.

"We thought that lemonade stands would be a fun way to get kids involved and to feel ownership over the park because that gets them excited and it helps them to want to take care of it in the years to come," said Sarah Meitner, board president of the Arc of Central Plains.

The idea stemmed from a group that raised money last year.

Last year, there were three young ladies
that did a lemonade stand,” said Kathy McAdoo, executive director of the
Arc of Central Plains. “It was called Looms and Lemonade because they made
bracelets on a loom and they sold the bracelets along with the lemonade.”

During their efforts around July 4 last year, that group raised over
$1,500 for the park.

“We were just blown away,” McAdoo said.

This year, as the group was looking for ways to continue fundraising efforts, the idea of a lemonade stand challenge surfaced.

“We are so very close to having enough
money to order the playground equipment that we are just trying to build a
little excitement again,” McAdoo said.

So they contacted the group from last year
and found they were going to do it again.

&nbsp;“They were so excited to go
ahead and issue the challenge to all of the other kids,” McAdoo said.

As of Thursday, seven groups had signed up, including kids from the Bright Minds Learning Academy, 2106 Wheatland.

“We want to get involved because we think
the project is awesome and we are excited for Hays to bring something like that
to the area,” said Andrea Felder, owner of Bright Minds Academy. “I could even see us doing field trips over
there once they put the splash pad in.”

The stand will be on the north side of
the building with&nbsp;preschoolers&nbsp; running
the stand in shifts.

Along with the lemonade, they will also be
selling cookies for a freewill donation.

“Our lemonade stand is called Squeeze the
Day and we will be set up on July 1 from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.,” Felder said. “It will be very original and super cute."

The families of the daycare are donating
the supplies for the stand, while the stand will be built and provided by
Bright Minds Academy.

“My dad is actually the one that is going
to be building it,” Felder said.

"We are excited and I know the kids are super excited to do this," Felder said. "It's always fun for the kids to have the opportunity to do something different outside of their normal daily routine."

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HAYSARCPARK/">The deadline for signups is Monday, and
after all the entries are collected, McAdoo said a map would be available on
the ARC Park facebook page showing all of the participant locations.</a>

The lemonade stands will be judged on three
categories, and a prize will be given for each.

The categories are, total money raised, creative design and best name.

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HAYSARCPARK/">Entries will be posted on the ARC Park facebook page for the community to judge the decorations and names.</a>

“It’s really not about the money that is
going to be raised,” McAdoo said. “It’s about the kids that want to do
something to help, and they are excited about the park.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593202665413.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostAs the community gathers together to celebrate the Fourth of July next week, something a little different will pepper the neighborhoods, as children around the community set up a lemonade stand all over town.The many stands are a part of a larger effort to raise funds for the ARC Park Project and will allow the children to win prizes for their efforts, but more importantly, allow the children to have a stake in the new park."We thought that lemonade stands would be a fun way to get kids involved and to feel ownership over the park because that gets them excited and it helps them to want to take care of it in the years to come," said Sarah Meitner, board president of the Arc of Central Plains.The idea stemmed from a group that raised money last year.Last year, there were three young ladies
that did a lemonade stand,” said Kathy McAdoo, executive director of the
Arc of Central Plains. “It was called Looms and Lemonade because they made
bracelets on a loom and they sold the bracelets along with the lemonade.”During their efforts around July 4 last year, that group raised over
$1,500 for the park.“We were just blown away,” McAdoo said.This year, as the group was looking for ways to continue fundraising efforts, the idea of a lemonade stand challenge surfaced.“We are so very close to having enough
money to order the playground equipment that we are just trying to build a
little excitement again,” McAdoo said.So they contacted the group from last year
and found they were going to do it again.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FHAYSARCPARK%2Fvideos%2F582443589306687%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>&nbsp;“They were so excited to go
ahead and issue the challenge to all of the other kids,” McAdoo said.As of Thursday, seven groups had signed up, including kids from the Bright Minds Learning Academy, 2106 Wheatland.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578454390165.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“We want to get involved because we think
the project is awesome and we are excited for Hays to bring something like that
to the area,” said Andrea Felder, owner of Bright Minds Academy. “I could even see us doing field trips over
there once they put the splash pad in.”The stand will be on the north side of
the building with&nbsp;preschoolers&nbsp; running
the stand in shifts.Along with the lemonade, they will also be
selling cookies for a freewill donation.“Our lemonade stand is called Squeeze the
Day and we will be set up on July 1 from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.,” Felder said. “It will be very original and super cute."The families of the daycare are donating
the supplies for the stand, while the stand will be built and provided by
Bright Minds Academy.“My dad is actually the one that is going
to be building it,” Felder said."We are excited and I know the kids are super excited to do this," Felder said. "It's always fun for the kids to have the opportunity to do something different outside of their normal daily routine."<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HAYSARCPARK/">The deadline for signups is Monday, and
after all the entries are collected, McAdoo said a map would be available on
the ARC Park facebook page showing all of the participant locations.</a>The lemonade stands will be judged on three
categories, and a prize will be given for each.The categories are, total money raised, creative design and best name.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FHAYSARCPARK%2Fposts%2F753590108783037&width=500" width="500" height="694" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/HAYSARCPARK/">Entries will be posted on the ARC Park facebook page for the community to judge the decorations and names.</a>“It’s really not about the money that is
going to be raised,” McAdoo said. “It’s about the kids that want to do
something to help, and they are excited about the park.”

Area youth support ARC Park project with lemonade stand challenge

NORTON — Norton County Community Foundation has announced its 2020 Scholarship Recipients. A total of $16,200 was awarded to Norton Community High School seniors from five different funds. The funds, their cumulative award totals, and their 2020 recipients are listed below:

“Scholarship season is such a fun time of year at NCCF,” said Tara Vance, NCCF Executive Director. “Students are preparing for the next big chapter in their lives, and we hope that these scholarships are a reminder of the loving and supportive community they came from. And, of course, we hope they return home to Norton County to live and work someday!”

For more information, please contact Tara Vance at 785.874.5106,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:tara@nortonccf.org">tara@nortonccf.org</a>,&nbsp;or visit the NCCF office at the Heaton Building in Downtown Norton, located at 112 S. Kansas in Norton, Kansas.&nbsp;

About Norton County Community Foundation The Norton County Community Foundation was established in 1994 for the purpose of supporting local charitable activities in Norton County through endowments made to the foundation.&nbsp;Dedicated to serving today for tomorrow, to make our community a better place in which to live.&nbsp;Connect with the Norton County Community Foundation at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nortonccf.org/">www.nortonccf.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589134981343.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedNORTON — Norton County Community Foundation has announced its 2020 Scholarship Recipients. A total of $16,200 was awarded to Norton Community High School seniors from five different funds. The funds, their cumulative award totals, and their 2020 recipients are listed below:<ol>
 <li>Glenn &amp; Wilda Bowman Family Scholarship Fund: $1,000&nbsp;This fund was established in 2016 to assist Norton High School seniors who plan to attend Kansas State University and/or any Kansas Vocational Technical College.</li><li>Brandon Vacura</li><li>Candace Gay Memorial Scholarship Fund: $500&nbsp;This fund is open to any graduating senior in good standing from NCHS who has participated in one or more of the following activities during their time at NCHS: Drama, Forensics, Art, Music, or Scholars Bowl.&nbsp;</li><li>Corgan Nickelson</li><li>Della Connell Scholarship Fund: $13,000&nbsp;This fund was established to assist&nbsp;Norton High School&nbsp;graduating seniors with continuing their higher education.</li><li>Carter Jones</li><li>Connor Haresnape</li><li>Mason Schulze</li><li>Cole Amlong</li><li>Tucker Pfannenstiel</li><li>Brandon Vacura</li><li>Judson Wiltfong</li><li>Connor Hall</li><li>Lexi Kats</li><li>Weston Hayes</li><li>Leah David</li><li>Hadley Hauser</li><li>Norton Rotary Scholarship Fund: $1,200&nbsp;This fund was established in 2019 to benefit graduates of&nbsp;Norton High School&nbsp;who have been actively engaged in community service activities during their high school career.</li><li>Cole Amlong</li><li>Tucker Pfannenstiel</li><li>Jaida McEwen</li><li>NCHS Alumni Endowment Fund: $500&nbsp;This fund has awarded scholarships since 2018.</li><li>Carlie Voss</li>
 </ol>“Scholarship season is such a fun time of year at NCCF,” said Tara Vance, NCCF Executive Director. “Students are preparing for the next big chapter in their lives, and we hope that these scholarships are a reminder of the loving and supportive community they came from. And, of course, we hope they return home to Norton County to live and work someday!”For more information, please contact Tara Vance at 785.874.5106,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:tara@nortonccf.org">tara@nortonccf.org</a>,&nbsp;or visit the NCCF office at the Heaton Building in Downtown Norton, located at 112 S. Kansas in Norton, Kansas.&nbsp;About Norton County Community Foundation The Norton County Community Foundation was established in 1994 for the purpose of supporting local charitable activities in Norton County through endowments made to the foundation.&nbsp;Dedicated to serving today for tomorrow, to make our community a better place in which to live.&nbsp;Connect with the Norton County Community Foundation at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nortonccf.org/">www.nortonccf.org</a>.

Norton County Community Foundation awards $16,200 in scholarships

Due to the observance of the Independence Day on July 3, 
refuse/recycling route collection schedules will be altered as follows:

There is no anticipated change to Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday’s collection schedules.

Thursday, July 2, and Friday, July 3, will be picked up on Thursday, July 2.

Although
 collections many not occur on your normal day, collections will be 
completed during the week. It is anticipated that heavy volumes of 
refuse/recycling will be encountered around the holidays. Please make 
sure your refuse and recycling are out by 7 a.m., and keep in mind that
 the trucks have no set time schedule.

City of Hays customers who have any questions regarding this notice should contact the Solid 
Waste Division of the Public Works Department at 628-7350.

City of HaysDue to the observance of the Independence Day on July 3, 
refuse/recycling route collection schedules will be altered as follows:There is no anticipated change to Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday’s collection schedules.Thursday, July 2, and Friday, July 3, will be picked up on Thursday, July 2.Although
 collections many not occur on your normal day, collections will be 
completed during the week. It is anticipated that heavy volumes of 
refuse/recycling will be encountered around the holidays. Please make 
sure your refuse and recycling are out by 7 a.m., and keep in mind that
 the trucks have no set time schedule.City of Hays customers who have any questions regarding this notice should contact the Solid 
Waste Division of the Public Works Department at 628-7350.

Fourth of July holiday will alter Hays trash, recycling routes

TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court appointed three people to the Language Access Committee and reappointed a current member.

The committee makes recommendations to the Supreme Court to ensure that people with limited English skills can access services of Kansas district courts.

Their terms begin July 1 and end June 30, 2023.

The court also appointed District Judge Teresa Watson as chair. She serves in the 3rd Judicial District, which is Shawnee County.

The committee is made up of judges, court administrators, lawyers, and interpreters.

Office of Judicial AdministrationTOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court appointed three people to the Language Access Committee and reappointed a current member.The committee makes recommendations to the Supreme Court to ensure that people with limited English skills can access services of Kansas district courts.Appointed to the committee:<ul>
 <li>District Magistrate Judge Erich Campbell, who serves in Pottawatomie County in the 2nd Judicial District; </li><li>Tabitha Owen, county attorney for Smith County; and </li><li>Ellen House, court administrator for the 18th Judicial District, which is Sedgwick County.</li>
 </ul>Reappointed to the committee:<ul>
 <li>Thomas Fields, a lawyer from Kansas City, Kansas.</li>
 </ul>Their terms begin July 1 and end June 30, 2023.The court also appointed District Judge Teresa Watson as chair. She serves in the 3rd Judicial District, which is Shawnee County.The committee is made up of judges, court administrators, lawyers, and interpreters.Also serving on the committee are:<ul>
 <li>Chief Judge Karen Arnold-Burger of the Kansas Court of Appeals; </li><li>Chief Judge Bradley Ambrosier of the 26th Judicial District, composed of Grant, Haskell, Morton, Seward, Stanton, and Stevens counties; </li><li>Chief Judge Laura Lewis of the 16th Judicial District, composed of Clark, Comanche, Ford, Gray, Kiowa, and Meade counties; </li><li>Kurtis Jacobs, court administrator for the 25th Judicial District, composed of Finney, Greeley, Hamilton, Kearny, Scott, and Wichita counties; </li><li>Oscar Marino, a court interpreter from Lawrence; and </li><li>Maura Miller, a court interpreter from Overland Park.</li>
 </ul>

Smith Co. attorney appointed to Kan. Supreme Court committee

Three-day weather outlook

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A commercial real estate broker from Salina who ran for Congress 10 years ago and an eye surgeon from Finney County are trying to draw attention to themselves and distinctions from one another ahead of an August Republican primary that’s likely to decide who will win Kansas’ 1st District seat.

The two candidates with the most active campaigns, Tracey Mann, a real estate broker who was briefly lieutenant governor, and Bill Clifford, a doctor, U.S. Air Force veteran and Finney County commissioner, are both anti-abortion, pro-gun and say they plan to support President Donald Trump’s policies. So voters will be looking at other issues to differentiate the candidates who seek to replace Rep. Roger Marshall, who’s running for the U.S. Senate.

The candidate with the most votes will face the winner of the Democratic primary in November. The seat seat hasn’t been won by a Democrat since 1952. It’s one of the nation’s most Republican congressional districts and has elected three congressmen who went on to become U.S. senators over the past 50 years.

The Aug. 4 primary is “Mann’s to lose,” said Patrick Miller, a University of Kansas political scientist, but he added that Clifford could make the race competitive if he “puts himself on people’s radar.”

The 1st District’s congressperson is expected to represent Kansas on the House Agriculture Committee, a post former Rep. Tim Huelskamp lost after clashes with former House Speaker John Boehner and other GOP leaders. The removal caused local farm groups to turn against Huelskamp before he was ousted in 2016 by Marshall, who gained a seat on the committee.

The state’s main farm lobby, the Kansas Farm Bureau,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kfb.org/Article/Kansas-Farm-Bureau-endorses-Mann-LaTurner-Estes-for-US-House" target="_blank">endorsed</a>&nbsp;Mann last month. That endorsement is “probably the most important endorsement any (1st Congressional District) candidate can get,” said Bob Beatty, a Washburn University political scientist.

Other candidates on the primary ballot are Jerry Molstad, a physician’s assistant, and Michael Soetaert, who listed himself as a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.salina.com/news/20191023/council-grove-man-running-for-city-offices-congress" target="_blank">reverend</a>. The Democratic candidates are Kali Barnett, an author and music teacher, and Christy Davis, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hutchnews.com/news/20191015/congressional-race-attracts-democrat/1" target="_blank">former nonprofit executive director</a>.

Mann has been increasing his profile in the area since his failed effort in the GOP primary for the seat in 2010, former Kansas GOP Chairman Kelly Arnold said.

“He did extremely well in that primary. He raised a lot of money, made a lot of inroads with people across the district, but ultimately, with a five-way primary, with basically five heavy-hitters, the vote split on that,” Arnold said.

Mann’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H0KS01123/" target="_blank">April campaign finance reports</a>&nbsp;showed he received $548,667 in total contributions. Clifford’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H0KS01198/?tab=raising" target="_blank">reports</a>&nbsp;showed total contributions of $703,678, including $435,000 he loaned the campaign

“A lot of people would say that Tracey Mann is in a good position, but if Clifford is able to put a lot of resources in, he can make it competitive,” Beatty said. “If Clifford doesn’t do anything, I would guess Tracey Mann wins because of such high name recognition, but Clifford is already doing what he needs to be doing at this point.”

Some Republican voters have already made up their minds. Celia Beymer, a GOP activist from Kearny County, is supporting Mann, who was born and raised on a family farm. Clifford may be “talented with the knife on the eye,” Beymer said, referring to Clifford’s background as an ophthalmologist, but she doesn’t like his lack of an agricultural background.

“He’s not a farmer for crying out loud,” she said.

State Rep. Don Hineman, a Dighton Republican, and former Kansas Senate President Steve Morris, a Hugoton Republican, are supporting Clifford, who removed both their cataracts.

“I just know him better and I just know his background and I’m retired Air Force also,” Morris said.

Hineman is backing Clifford partly due to his “age and experience and maturity,” but he said he still thinks Mann, if elected, would “do a great job for the Big First.”

“I don’t think you can go wrong either way. I have confidence in both candidates,” Hineman said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593309075675.png" alt="Dr. Bill Clifford- photo courtesy Bill Clifford for Congress" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Bill Clifford- photo courtesy Bill Clifford for Congress</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A commercial real estate broker from Salina who ran for Congress 10 years ago and an eye surgeon from Finney County are trying to draw attention to themselves and distinctions from one another ahead of an August Republican primary that’s likely to decide who will win Kansas’ 1st District seat.The two candidates with the most active campaigns, Tracey Mann, a real estate broker who was briefly lieutenant governor, and Bill Clifford, a doctor, U.S. Air Force veteran and Finney County commissioner, are both anti-abortion, pro-gun and say they plan to support President Donald Trump’s policies. So voters will be looking at other issues to differentiate the candidates who seek to replace Rep. Roger Marshall, who’s running for the U.S. Senate.The candidate with the most votes will face the winner of the Democratic primary in November. The seat seat hasn’t been won by a Democrat since 1952. It’s one of the nation’s most Republican congressional districts and has elected three congressmen who went on to become U.S. senators over the past 50 years.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593308868850.png" alt="The Kansas Farm Bureau and Kansas Bankers endorsed Tracey Mann. He served as Lt. Governor in 2018-19 for Jeff Colyer when Sam Brownback resigned to join the Trump administration." />
 <figcaption>The Kansas Farm Bureau and Kansas Bankers endorsed Tracey Mann. He served as Lt. Governor in 2018-19 for Jeff Colyer when Sam Brownback resigned to join the Trump administration.</figcaption>
 </figure>The Aug. 4 primary is “Mann’s to lose,” said Patrick Miller, a University of Kansas political scientist, but he added that Clifford could make the race competitive if he “puts himself on people’s radar.”The 1st District’s congressperson is expected to represent Kansas on the House Agriculture Committee, a post former Rep. Tim Huelskamp lost after clashes with former House Speaker John Boehner and other GOP leaders. The removal caused local farm groups to turn against Huelskamp before he was ousted in 2016 by Marshall, who gained a seat on the committee.The state’s main farm lobby, the Kansas Farm Bureau,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kfb.org/Article/Kansas-Farm-Bureau-endorses-Mann-LaTurner-Estes-for-US-House" target="_blank">endorsed</a>&nbsp;Mann last month. That endorsement is “probably the most important endorsement any (1st Congressional District) candidate can get,” said Bob Beatty, a Washburn University political scientist.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593309221867.png" alt="Democrat Kali Barnett photo courtesy Barnett for Kansas" />
 <figcaption>Democrat Kali Barnett photo courtesy Barnett for Kansas</figcaption>
 </figure>Other candidates on the primary ballot are Jerry Molstad, a physician’s assistant, and Michael Soetaert, who listed himself as a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.salina.com/news/20191023/council-grove-man-running-for-city-offices-congress" target="_blank">reverend</a>. The Democratic candidates are Kali Barnett, an author and music teacher, and Christy Davis, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hutchnews.com/news/20191015/congressional-race-attracts-democrat/1" target="_blank">former nonprofit executive director</a>.Mann has been increasing his profile in the area since his failed effort in the GOP primary for the seat in 2010, former Kansas GOP Chairman Kelly Arnold said.“He did extremely well in that primary. He raised a lot of money, made a lot of inroads with people across the district, but ultimately, with a five-way primary, with basically five heavy-hitters, the vote split on that,” Arnold said.Mann’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H0KS01123/" target="_blank">April campaign finance reports</a>&nbsp;showed he received $548,667 in total contributions. Clifford’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H0KS01198/?tab=raising" target="_blank">reports</a>&nbsp;showed total contributions of $703,678, including $435,000 he loaned the campaign“A lot of people would say that Tracey Mann is in a good position, but if Clifford is able to put a lot of resources in, he can make it competitive,” Beatty said. “If Clifford doesn’t do anything, I would guess Tracey Mann wins because of such high name recognition, but Clifford is already doing what he needs to be doing at this point.”Some Republican voters have already made up their minds. Celia Beymer, a GOP activist from Kearny County, is supporting Mann, who was born and raised on a family farm. Clifford may be “talented with the knife on the eye,” Beymer said, referring to Clifford’s background as an ophthalmologist, but she doesn’t like his lack of an agricultural background.“He’s not a farmer for crying out loud,” she said.State Rep. Don Hineman, a Dighton Republican, and former Kansas Senate President Steve Morris, a Hugoton Republican, are supporting Clifford, who removed both their cataracts.“I just know him better and I just know his background and I’m retired Air Force also,” Morris said.Hineman is backing Clifford partly due to his “age and experience and maturity,” but he said he still thinks Mann, if elected, would “do a great job for the Big First.”“I don’t think you can go wrong either way. I have confidence in both candidates,” Hineman said.___

Farm issues key in Kansas Republican congressional race

There is a special irony in unveiling a new state tourism tagline amidst a global pandemic that’s grounded flights, canceled trips, and shuttered travelers in their homes.&nbsp;

But in a providential twist, the new tagline happens to be exactly what we need — a celebration of perseverance in the face of adversity.&nbsp;

I’m pleased to share the new tourism marketing tagline for Kansas is “To The Stars.” This tagline honors and builds upon the state’s motto, Ad Astra Per Aspera, translated “to the stars through difficulty.”&nbsp;

To The Stars reminds us who we are and shows us where to go. It is a salute to the free-spirited. To the rowdy. To the wide-eyed wanderers. To the dreamers. To the stars.

In the upcoming year, we plan to continue the To The Stars campaign with stories and features that capture imaginations and inspire travel. For Kansans and travelers eager to show their state pride in a new way, there is stylish new gear emblazoned with To The Stars designs available now at <a href="https://kansastourism.merchtable.com/">TravelKS.com</a>. &nbsp;

A lot of us are not going far these days, but we still have the chance to embrace the horizon-expanding benefits of travel by exploring fantastic experiences just down the road.&nbsp;

Kansas is home to many revered destinations such as the Brown v Board of Education Historic Site in Topeka, and the newly renovated Eisenhower Presidential Library &amp; Museum in Abilene. We can put those spots on our bucket list as they slowly phase in reopening protocols, as well as finding other ways to explore the To The Stars ideal while maintaining physical distancing. &nbsp;

Take a hike in the Flint Hills and experience the untouched landscape the same way early settlers did. Travel the Santa Fe Trail and imagine coming through in a wagon in search of a better life. Visit Little Jerusalem, the newest jewel in the Kansas state park system, and learn about the dedicated efforts to make it a public land accessible to all.&nbsp;

These are just a sampling of what Kansas has to offer travelers searching for new inspiration and fortitude. Kansas history is rich with people who stopped at nothing to chase their dreams and stake out freedom for themselves and others. There’s plenty of room to roam under the stars and learn how historical figures lived out our state motto. Just be sure to practice safe travels, bring a mask, and check in advance for the most up to date operating information from each stop on your bucket list.&nbsp;

Even though we’re experiencing unprecedented challenges, the answer has been inscribed on the heart of Kansas all along. We will make it through by not giving up. We will keep our eyes toward the sky even when trouble surrounds us. We will push forward To The Stars.&nbsp;

Bridgette Jobe is Director of Tourism with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism. Discover more at <a href="https://www.travelks.com/">TravelKS.com</a>.&nbsp; Connect with Travel Kansas at facebook.com/TravelKS or on Instagram @kansastourism.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593101317773.jpeg" alt="Bridgette Jobe" />
 <figcaption>Bridgette Jobe</figcaption>
 </figure>There is a special irony in unveiling a new state tourism tagline amidst a global pandemic that’s grounded flights, canceled trips, and shuttered travelers in their homes.&nbsp;But in a providential twist, the new tagline happens to be exactly what we need — a celebration of perseverance in the face of adversity.&nbsp;I’m pleased to share the new tourism marketing tagline for Kansas is “To The Stars.” This tagline honors and builds upon the state’s motto, Ad Astra Per Aspera, translated “to the stars through difficulty.”&nbsp;To The Stars reminds us who we are and shows us where to go. It is a salute to the free-spirited. To the rowdy. To the wide-eyed wanderers. To the dreamers. To the stars.In the upcoming year, we plan to continue the To The Stars campaign with stories and features that capture imaginations and inspire travel. For Kansans and travelers eager to show their state pride in a new way, there is stylish new gear emblazoned with To The Stars designs available now at <a href="https://kansastourism.merchtable.com/">TravelKS.com</a>. &nbsp;A lot of us are not going far these days, but we still have the chance to embrace the horizon-expanding benefits of travel by exploring fantastic experiences just down the road.&nbsp;Kansas is home to many revered destinations such as the Brown v Board of Education Historic Site in Topeka, and the newly renovated Eisenhower Presidential Library &amp; Museum in Abilene. We can put those spots on our bucket list as they slowly phase in reopening protocols, as well as finding other ways to explore the To The Stars ideal while maintaining physical distancing. &nbsp;Take a hike in the Flint Hills and experience the untouched landscape the same way early settlers did. Travel the Santa Fe Trail and imagine coming through in a wagon in search of a better life. Visit Little Jerusalem, the newest jewel in the Kansas state park system, and learn about the dedicated efforts to make it a public land accessible to all.&nbsp;These are just a sampling of what Kansas has to offer travelers searching for new inspiration and fortitude. Kansas history is rich with people who stopped at nothing to chase their dreams and stake out freedom for themselves and others. There’s plenty of room to roam under the stars and learn how historical figures lived out our state motto. Just be sure to practice safe travels, bring a mask, and check in advance for the most up to date operating information from each stop on your bucket list.&nbsp;Even though we’re experiencing unprecedented challenges, the answer has been inscribed on the heart of Kansas all along. We will make it through by not giving up. We will keep our eyes toward the sky even when trouble surrounds us. We will push forward To The Stars.&nbsp;Bridgette Jobe is Director of Tourism with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism. Discover more at <a href="https://www.travelks.com/">TravelKS.com</a>.&nbsp; Connect with Travel Kansas at facebook.com/TravelKS or on Instagram @kansastourism.

COLUMN: Kansas’ new tourism tagline as relevant as ever

By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development

Let’s sit down at a piano keyboard. As fingers start to move across the keys, a beautiful sound is generated from the heart of the piano. Where does this piano come from? Today we’ll learn about a remarkable Kansas business which is selling pianos across the nation and beyond.

Dan Murphy is the founder and owner of Mid-America Piano in Manhattan, Kansas. He grew up near the rural community of Keats, in Wildcat Township which has a population of 834 people. Now, that’s rural. Dan’s grandparents were dairy farmers and apparently that work ethic stayed with him.

Dan grew up in a musical home. “I played piano since I was a little kid,” Dan said. “My grandmothers and my mom played piano, my dad played guitar, and my sister played the saxophone. Sometimes we’d go play music at the nursing homes in the area.”

After graduating from Riley County High School, he attended Cloud County Community College where he played trumpet in the jazz band. His plan was to attend Kansas State University, but he also wanted a part-time job.

“There was a ‘help wanted’ ad in the Manhattan Mercury,” Dan said. “A piano company was looking for a salesman. I applied and started work the same day.”

Dan found he enjoyed the piano business. The company he worked for primarily sold new pianos, and Dan thought there was a niche selling pianos in the used piano market. In 1986, he went out on his own. He called the business Mid-America Piano.

“I rented a little hole-in-the-wall place on the west side of Manhattan,” Dan said. He began with three used pianos, a worn-out church van he had bought at an auction, and a 900-square-foot facility. “I figured I’d be in there five years,” Dan said. “We outgrew that space in six months.”

The business continued to expand through the years. In 1987, Dan moved his business to Poyntz Avenue in downtown Manhattan. In 2002, Mid-America Piano moved into its current location in an 11,000 square foot building on the K-177 highway south of town. This provided more room, higher visibility, and handy access to the interstate.

Today, Mid-America Piano is one of the leading suppliers of pianos across the nation.&nbsp;&nbsp;The company specializes in high quality, previously owned pianos that can be resold or restored as needed. The goal is to provide a quality piano at an affordable price.

The company literally sells pianos coast to coast, border to border and beyond. “I’ve been to every one of the 48 (continental) states multiple times,” Dan said. The company has even shipped pianos to Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, and countries in Africa.

Mid-America Piano offers everything from starter pianos to concert grands, and from new pianos to vintage instruments. There are grand pianos, uprights, digital pianos, organs, automated player systems and more. Product names include Steinway &amp; Sons, Baldwin, Yamaha and others. The company provides national pickup and delivery.

Along the way, Dan also picked up some extra special pianos – even one-of-a-kind treasures. Called art case pianos, these include an ornate 1900 Steinway, a 1913 swan grand Steinway, a 1905 Louis XV Steinway and more. These are on display at the company’s showroom. The finest collection of art case pianos in the world just might be in Manhattan, Kansas.

The company also offers organs for sale. Mid-America Piano is said to have the largest pre-owned Lowrey organ gallery in the U.S.

Dan’s travels have taken him from Seattle in the Pacific Northwest to Key West in Florida. “I love meeting people, and music is the universal language,” Dan said. For more information, go to<a href="http://www.piano4u.com/">www.piano4u.com</a>.

The fingers flow across the keyboard as the piano produces beautiful notes. It’s an example of the fine products at Mid-America Piano. We salute Dan Murphy and the staff of Mid-America Piano for making a difference with entrepreneurship in the piano business. Their niche in the market strikes just the right note. For customers who are seeking a good value in a piano, they can work with Dan Murphy and make beautiful music together.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593004699986.png" alt="Dan Murphy is the founder and owner of Mid-America Piano in Manhattan, Kansas." />
 <figcaption>Dan Murphy is the founder and owner of Mid-America Piano in Manhattan, Kansas.</figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural DevelopmentLet’s sit down at a piano keyboard. As fingers start to move across the keys, a beautiful sound is generated from the heart of the piano. Where does this piano come from? Today we’ll learn about a remarkable Kansas business which is selling pianos across the nation and beyond. Dan Murphy is the founder and owner of Mid-America Piano in Manhattan, Kansas. He grew up near the rural community of Keats, in Wildcat Township which has a population of 834 people. Now, that’s rural. Dan’s grandparents were dairy farmers and apparently that work ethic stayed with him.Dan grew up in a musical home. “I played piano since I was a little kid,” Dan said. “My grandmothers and my mom played piano, my dad played guitar, and my sister played the saxophone. Sometimes we’d go play music at the nursing homes in the area.”After graduating from Riley County High School, he attended Cloud County Community College where he played trumpet in the jazz band. His plan was to attend Kansas State University, but he also wanted a part-time job.“There was a ‘help wanted’ ad in the Manhattan Mercury,” Dan said. “A piano company was looking for a salesman. I applied and started work the same day.”Dan found he enjoyed the piano business. The company he worked for primarily sold new pianos, and Dan thought there was a niche selling pianos in the used piano market. In 1986, he went out on his own. He called the business Mid-America Piano.“I rented a little hole-in-the-wall place on the west side of Manhattan,” Dan said. He began with three used pianos, a worn-out church van he had bought at an auction, and a 900-square-foot facility. “I figured I’d be in there five years,” Dan said. “We outgrew that space in six months.”The business continued to expand through the years. In 1987, Dan moved his business to Poyntz Avenue in downtown Manhattan. In 2002, Mid-America Piano moved into its current location in an 11,000 square foot building on the K-177 highway south of town. This provided more room, higher visibility, and handy access to the interstate.Today, Mid-America Piano is one of the leading suppliers of pianos across the nation.&nbsp;&nbsp;The company specializes in high quality, previously owned pianos that can be resold or restored as needed. The goal is to provide a quality piano at an affordable price.The company literally sells pianos coast to coast, border to border and beyond. “I’ve been to every one of the 48 (continental) states multiple times,” Dan said. The company has even shipped pianos to Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, and countries in Africa.Mid-America Piano offers everything from starter pianos to concert grands, and from new pianos to vintage instruments. There are grand pianos, uprights, digital pianos, organs, automated player systems and more. Product names include Steinway &amp; Sons, Baldwin, Yamaha and others. The company provides national pickup and delivery.Along the way, Dan also picked up some extra special pianos – even one-of-a-kind treasures. Called art case pianos, these include an ornate 1900 Steinway, a 1913 swan grand Steinway, a 1905 Louis XV Steinway and more. These are on display at the company’s showroom. The finest collection of art case pianos in the world just might be in Manhattan, Kansas.The company also offers organs for sale. Mid-America Piano is said to have the largest pre-owned Lowrey organ gallery in the U.S.Dan’s travels have taken him from Seattle in the Pacific Northwest to Key West in Florida. “I love meeting people, and music is the universal language,” Dan said. For more information, go to<a href="http://www.piano4u.com/">www.piano4u.com</a>.The fingers flow across the keyboard as the piano produces beautiful notes. It’s an example of the fine products at Mid-America Piano. We salute Dan Murphy and the staff of Mid-America Piano for making a difference with entrepreneurship in the piano business. Their niche in the market strikes just the right note. For customers who are seeking a good value in a piano, they can work with Dan Murphy and make beautiful music together.

Now That’s Rural: Dan Murphy, Mid-America Piano

How do you protest safely during a pandemic? While there’s no way to 
eliminate the danger, one of the obvious and universally recommended 
measures to mitigate the risk is to wear a mask.

In the past weeks we’ve seen law enforcement pose its own dangers to 
protesters, employing weapons like tear gas and rubber bullets, as well 
as increasing their possibility of contracting COVID-19 by <a href="https://slate.com/technology/2020/06/police-detention-coronavirus-protests.html" target="_blank">arresting them and packing them into confined spaces</a>. But the most ironic of these actions would have to be the police in Washington, D.C., <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/dc-police-charged-demonstrators-with-wearing-masks-even-though-coronavirus-guidelines-require-them" target="_blank">arresting protesters for wearing masks</a>.

In addition to Washington D.C., 18 states and numerous municipalities
 have anti-mask laws. Many of these laws were passed in the 1940s and 
’50s to target the Ku Klux Klan’s use of masks and hoods. The <a href="https://www.mtsu.edu/first-amendment/article/1169/anti-mask-laws" target="_blank">rationale behind these laws</a>
 — that masks “embolden people to commit crimes and make those crimes 
more frightening” — isn’t necessarily outdated. But what is outdated is 
the fact that while <a href="https://www.icnl.org/post/analysis/anti-mask-laws-covid-19-and-the-first-amendment" target="_blank">most of these laws make exceptions</a>
 for things like Halloween costumes and sporting events, and some have 
exceptions for face coverings worn for religious reasons, none has 
exceptions for masks worn for public health reasons or during protests. 
This ignores the fact that our society has undergone two major shifts 
since these laws were passed that should change our entire analysis of 
them. First, we’re in the midst of a pandemic spread by an airborne 
virus. And second, advances in surveillance technology mean that the 
right to speak anonymously and associate freely is compromised in a way 
that it’s never been before.

The First Amendment protects the right to speak and assemble 
anonymously, with the understanding that those who engage in political 
activism often need anonymity in order to avoid prosecution and 
harassment from those in power. &nbsp;This concept has a long history in the 
United States — Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay
 wrote the Federalist Papers under pseudonyms. During the civil rights 
movement, the Supreme Court found that protecting the anonymity of 
members of controversial groups was necessary to preserve their freedom 
of assembly. The landmark 1958 case <a href="https://www.thefire.org/first-amendment-library/decision/national-association-for-the-advancement-of-colored-people-v-alabama-ex-rel-patterson-attorney-general/" target="_blank">National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) v. Alabama</a>
 arose out of the NAACP’s refusal to turn over lists of its 
rank-and-file members to Alabama authorities. The civil rights 
organization successfully argued that publicizing these lists would lead
 to reprisals against its members, which would dissuade them and any 
potential recruits from associating with the NAACP in the future. The 
court recognized that there is a “vital relationship between freedom to 
associate and privacy in one’s associations.” The Supreme Court has 
upheld this concept repeatedly. As the court wrote in its 1995 decision <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/93-986.ZO.html" target="_blank">McIntyre v. Ohio Elections Commission</a>,
 “Anonymity is a shield from the tyranny of the majority. … It thus 
exemplifies the purpose behind the Bill of Rights and of the First 
Amendment in particular: to protect unpopular individuals from 
retaliation … at the hand of an intolerant society.”

Like tear gas and rubber bullets, invasion of privacy is a weapon 
that authorities can use against advocates for change. Just as there’s a
 long history of anonymous speech in this country, there is perhaps an 
equally long history of government agencies surveilling and targeting 
activists and organizers. It’s happened before. Just think of the <a href="https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/federal-bureau-investigation-fbi" target="_blank">years that the FBI spent monitoring Martin Luther King Jr.</a>, a campaign that included wiretapping, bugging, spying and collecting information about his sex life.

We also know that it’s happening right now. According to a memo 
obtained by BuzzFeed News, the Department of Justice recently expanded 
the Drug Enforcement Administration’s power to<a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/jasonleopold/lawmakers-call-for-halt-to-covert-surveillance-of?mc_cid=904022fcb0&amp;mc_eid=aaeec2ec0" target="_blank"> “conduct covert surveillance”</a> on protesters demonstrating against the police killing of George Floyd.
 The rise of facial recognition technology allows law enforcement 
agencies to do this on a larger scale than during the civil rights era. 
Government initiatives like the <a href="https://www.iarpa.gov/index.php/research-programs/janus#:%7E:text=Program%20Information&amp;text=IARPA's%20Janus%20program%20aims%20to,%E2%80%9Cmedia%20in%20the%20wild%E2%80%9D." target="_blank">Janus program</a> enable them to draw on a database of faces compiled from social media. As Clare Garvie
 of the Center on Privacy and Technology writes, “It enables anyone 
whose face shows up in a photo or video to be identified — or 
misidentified — by the police. Put another way, face recognition is a 
tool that can remove the shield of anonymity from the tens of thousands 
of Americans out in the streets today, protesting the intolerances of 
systemic racism and anti-blackness.”

At this juncture, engaging in political protest without being able to wear a mask is dangerous in multiple ways. As <a href="https://www.aclu.org/news/free-speech/americas-mask-bans-in-the-age-of-face-recognition-surveillance/" target="_blank">American Civil Liberties Union senior policy analyst Jay Stanley</a>
 says, “[I]t’s the spread of facial recognition that is likely to raise 
the stakes around anti-mask laws the most. The more accurate and 
widespread the technology becomes, the more situations will arise where 
people won’t want to show their faces. The cameras that increasingly 
surround us will allow the police to cheaply and easily identify us — 
and who we’re with, even if part of a giant crowd.”

It’s yet another risk that protesters have to contend with — and where a mask could offer some protection.

Lata Nott is a Freedom Forum Fellow. Contact her via email at <a href="mailto:lnott@freedomforum.org" target="_blank">lnott@freedomforum.org</a>, or follow her on Twitter at&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/latanott" target="_blank">@LataNott</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579206978168.png" alt="Lata Nott is a Freedom Forum Fellow.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Lata Nott is a Freedom Forum Fellow.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>How do you protest safely during a pandemic? While there’s no way to 
eliminate the danger, one of the obvious and universally recommended 
measures to mitigate the risk is to wear a mask.In the past weeks we’ve seen law enforcement pose its own dangers to 
protesters, employing weapons like tear gas and rubber bullets, as well 
as increasing their possibility of contracting COVID-19 by <a href="https://slate.com/technology/2020/06/police-detention-coronavirus-protests.html" target="_blank">arresting them and packing them into confined spaces</a>. But the most ironic of these actions would have to be the police in Washington, D.C., <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/dc-police-charged-demonstrators-with-wearing-masks-even-though-coronavirus-guidelines-require-them" target="_blank">arresting protesters for wearing masks</a>.In addition to Washington D.C., 18 states and numerous municipalities
 have anti-mask laws. Many of these laws were passed in the 1940s and 
’50s to target the Ku Klux Klan’s use of masks and hoods. The <a href="https://www.mtsu.edu/first-amendment/article/1169/anti-mask-laws" target="_blank">rationale behind these laws</a>
 — that masks “embolden people to commit crimes and make those crimes 
more frightening” — isn’t necessarily outdated. But what is outdated is 
the fact that while <a href="https://www.icnl.org/post/analysis/anti-mask-laws-covid-19-and-the-first-amendment" target="_blank">most of these laws make exceptions</a>
 for things like Halloween costumes and sporting events, and some have 
exceptions for face coverings worn for religious reasons, none has 
exceptions for masks worn for public health reasons or during protests. 
This ignores the fact that our society has undergone two major shifts 
since these laws were passed that should change our entire analysis of 
them. First, we’re in the midst of a pandemic spread by an airborne 
virus. And second, advances in surveillance technology mean that the 
right to speak anonymously and associate freely is compromised in a way 
that it’s never been before.The First Amendment protects the right to speak and assemble 
anonymously, with the understanding that those who engage in political 
activism often need anonymity in order to avoid prosecution and 
harassment from those in power. &nbsp;This concept has a long history in the 
United States — Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay
 wrote the Federalist Papers under pseudonyms. During the civil rights 
movement, the Supreme Court found that protecting the anonymity of 
members of controversial groups was necessary to preserve their freedom 
of assembly. The landmark 1958 case <a href="https://www.thefire.org/first-amendment-library/decision/national-association-for-the-advancement-of-colored-people-v-alabama-ex-rel-patterson-attorney-general/" target="_blank">National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) v. Alabama</a>
 arose out of the NAACP’s refusal to turn over lists of its 
rank-and-file members to Alabama authorities. The civil rights 
organization successfully argued that publicizing these lists would lead
 to reprisals against its members, which would dissuade them and any 
potential recruits from associating with the NAACP in the future. The 
court recognized that there is a “vital relationship between freedom to 
associate and privacy in one’s associations.” The Supreme Court has 
upheld this concept repeatedly. As the court wrote in its 1995 decision <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/93-986.ZO.html" target="_blank">McIntyre v. Ohio Elections Commission</a>,
 “Anonymity is a shield from the tyranny of the majority. … It thus 
exemplifies the purpose behind the Bill of Rights and of the First 
Amendment in particular: to protect unpopular individuals from 
retaliation … at the hand of an intolerant society.”Like tear gas and rubber bullets, invasion of privacy is a weapon 
that authorities can use against advocates for change. Just as there’s a
 long history of anonymous speech in this country, there is perhaps an 
equally long history of government agencies surveilling and targeting 
activists and organizers. It’s happened before. Just think of the <a href="https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/federal-bureau-investigation-fbi" target="_blank">years that the FBI spent monitoring Martin Luther King Jr.</a>, a campaign that included wiretapping, bugging, spying and collecting information about his sex life.We also know that it’s happening right now. According to a memo 
obtained by BuzzFeed News, the Department of Justice recently expanded 
the Drug Enforcement Administration’s power to<a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/jasonleopold/lawmakers-call-for-halt-to-covert-surveillance-of?mc_cid=904022fcb0&amp;mc_eid=aaeec2ec0" target="_blank"> “conduct covert surveillance”</a> on protesters demonstrating against the police killing of George Floyd.
 The rise of facial recognition technology allows law enforcement 
agencies to do this on a larger scale than during the civil rights era. 
Government initiatives like the <a href="https://www.iarpa.gov/index.php/research-programs/janus#:%7E:text=Program%20Information&amp;text=IARPA's%20Janus%20program%20aims%20to,%E2%80%9Cmedia%20in%20the%20wild%E2%80%9D." target="_blank">Janus program</a> enable them to draw on a database of faces compiled from social media. As Clare Garvie
 of the Center on Privacy and Technology writes, “It enables anyone 
whose face shows up in a photo or video to be identified — or 
misidentified — by the police. Put another way, face recognition is a 
tool that can remove the shield of anonymity from the tens of thousands 
of Americans out in the streets today, protesting the intolerances of 
systemic racism and anti-blackness.”At this juncture, engaging in political protest without being able to wear a mask is dangerous in multiple ways. As <a href="https://www.aclu.org/news/free-speech/americas-mask-bans-in-the-age-of-face-recognition-surveillance/" target="_blank">American Civil Liberties Union senior policy analyst Jay Stanley</a>
 says, “[I]t’s the spread of facial recognition that is likely to raise 
the stakes around anti-mask laws the most. The more accurate and 
widespread the technology becomes, the more situations will arise where 
people won’t want to show their faces. The cameras that increasingly 
surround us will allow the police to cheaply and easily identify us — 
and who we’re with, even if part of a giant crowd.”It’s yet another risk that protesters have to contend with — and where a mask could offer some protection.Lata Nott is a Freedom Forum Fellow. Contact her via email at <a href="mailto:lnott@freedomforum.org" target="_blank">lnott@freedomforum.org</a>, or follow her on Twitter at&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/latanott" target="_blank">@LataNott</a>.

FIRST FIVE: Masks protect protesters in more ways than you think

The Walgreens location in Hays is temporarily closed, but expects to reopen Saturday afternoon.

A note on the door said the location expects to be open around 3 p.m.

A cleaning truck was outside of the location Saturday, but inquiries to the media line for the reason for the shut down have not been returned at the time of publication.

The Walgreens location in Hays is temporarily closed, but expects to reopen Saturday afternoon.A note on the door said the location expects to be open around 3 p.m.A cleaning truck was outside of the location Saturday, but inquiries to the media line for the reason for the shut down have not been returned at the time of publication.

Hays Walgreens temporarily closed

The Hays Community Theatre will be reopening its doors to the public with performances of the Steve Martin comedy "Picasso at the Lapin Agile."&nbsp;

The show will be July 10, 11 12, 17, 18 and 19. The doors open at 7 p.m. and shows start at 7:30 p.m. for the Friday and Saturday performances and doors open at 2 p.m. with shows starting at 2:30 p.m. for the Sunday matinees.

Tickets are $10. They can be purchased online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hctks.com/">https://www.hctks.com/</a>&nbsp;or at the door.

Chelsie Nelson said the premise of the play is basically the first line of&nbsp; a joke, "Picasso and Einstein walk into a bar."

"They both figure out that they are both artists," Nelson said. "Even though their art forms are completely opposite from each other, they're both artists in one way or another.

"They disagree a lot and then kind of figure out they're kind of the same."

"There are a lot of little jokes that if you are not paying attention, you miss them," she said.

The play takes place in a Parisian bar just prior to Einstein and Picasso emerging as notable figures in their respective fields.

Nelson said the play is full of laughs, but is recommended for mature audiences, as there are multiple instances of sexual innuendo and adult topics.

"These characters are really insane," she said. "The characters are larger than life."

HCT was supposed to stage "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" in April, but all performances were put on hold becuase of the COVID-19 outbreak.

"Some of these people have been invested in this since February," Nelson said. "It is frustrating when you are ready to do something and you have to sit in limbo."

During the shutdown, members of the cast continued to run lines via Zoom meetings. The cast started practicing in person again at the beginning of June.

Nelson was originally the assistant director on this production, but was pressed into service to take over leadership after the director moved out of the community.

Although Nelson has been an assistant director on multiple productions, this will be her directorial debut with HCT.

The shutdown also meant a crucial loss of revenue for HCT. The theater had to cancel its big summer show as a result of the pandemic.

"We have bills to pay," Nelson said. "We need people in here to make money to keep the doors open."

She said HCT was fortunate to receive some donations during the shutdown, put HCT is ready to retake the stage.

The theater added a second weekend for the show so it could reduce seating and increase social distancing. The theater will be at about 55 percent of capacity each night. However, the size of the theater will not allow 6 feet between seats, so those who want to wear masks are encouraged to do so.

With limited seating for each show available, Nelson encouraged patrons to buy tickets in advance online.

HCT will also be sanitizing more often. The bar will only be serving prepackaged beverages.

Cast&nbsp; Freddy — William R. Brown Gaston — Andy Stanton Germain — Krysten Linenberger Einstein — Jerrett Leiker Suzanne — Kelli Wagner Sagot — Bryan Snyder-Brown Picasso — Adam Conkey Schmendiman — Ben Pfanenstiel Countess and Female Admirer — Hannah Stecklein Visitor — Gene Stramel

Hays Community Theatre held a casting call for its upcoming production, "Bringing On Broadway" Friday and Saturday.

The show will be exciting review, an eclectic mix of song and dance from Broadway shows, said&nbsp;Cheryl Glassman, HCT director.

It will feature solos, duets and some small groups. Glassman said the show lineup will be set after auditions based on the talents of the cast.

"We did one of these 14 or 15 years ago when I first started the community theater and it was a really huge hit," she said.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593192583727.jpeg" alt="Jerrett Leiker as Einstein examines a drawing of&nbsp;Suzanne, who is played by&nbsp; Kelli Wagner, during a rehearsal of Hays Community Theatre's&nbsp;"Picasso at the Lapin Agile." " />
 <figcaption>Jerrett Leiker as Einstein examines a drawing of&nbsp;Suzanne, who is played by&nbsp; Kelli Wagner, during a rehearsal of Hays Community Theatre's&nbsp;"Picasso at the Lapin Agile." </figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays Community Theatre will be reopening its doors to the public with performances of the Steve Martin comedy "Picasso at the Lapin Agile."&nbsp;The show will be July 10, 11 12, 17, 18 and 19. The doors open at 7 p.m. and shows start at 7:30 p.m. for the Friday and Saturday performances and doors open at 2 p.m. with shows starting at 2:30 p.m. for the Sunday matinees.Tickets are $10. They can be purchased online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hctks.com/">https://www.hctks.com/</a>&nbsp;or at the door.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593192687706.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Jerrett Leiker as Einstein and Krysten Linenberger as Germain perform in HCT's "Picasso at the Lapin Agile."" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Jerrett Leiker as Einstein and Krysten Linenberger as Germain perform in HCT's "Picasso at the Lapin Agile."</figcaption>
 </figure>Chelsie Nelson said the premise of the play is basically the first line of&nbsp; a joke, "Picasso and Einstein walk into a bar.""They both figure out that they are both artists," Nelson said. "Even though their art forms are completely opposite from each other, they're both artists in one way or another."They disagree a lot and then kind of figure out they're kind of the same."Nelson said the play is hilarious."There are a lot of little jokes that if you are not paying attention, you miss them," she said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593192742329.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Jerrett Leiker as Einstein analyses a painting during HCT's&nbsp;"Picasso at the Lapin Agile."" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Jerrett Leiker as Einstein analyses a painting during HCT's&nbsp;"Picasso at the Lapin Agile."</figcaption>
 </figure>The play takes place in a Parisian bar just prior to Einstein and Picasso emerging as notable figures in their respective fields.Nelson said the play is full of laughs, but is recommended for mature audiences, as there are multiple instances of sexual innuendo and adult topics."These characters are really insane," she said. "The characters are larger than life."HCT was supposed to stage "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" in April, but all performances were put on hold becuase of the COVID-19 outbreak."Some of these people have been invested in this since February," Nelson said. "It is frustrating when you are ready to do something and you have to sit in limbo."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593192795973.jpeg" alt="Jerrett Leiker as Einstein talks to bartender William R. Brown as Freddy in "Picasso at the Lapin Agile."" />
 <figcaption>Jerrett Leiker as Einstein talks to bartender William R. Brown as Freddy in "Picasso at the Lapin Agile."</figcaption>
 </figure>During the shutdown, members of the cast continued to run lines via Zoom meetings. The cast started practicing in person again at the beginning of June.Nelson was originally the assistant director on this production, but was pressed into service to take over leadership after the director moved out of the community.Although Nelson has been an assistant director on multiple productions, this will be her directorial debut with HCT.The shutdown also meant a crucial loss of revenue for HCT. The theater had to cancel its big summer show as a result of the pandemic."We have bills to pay," Nelson said. "We need people in here to make money to keep the doors open."She said HCT was fortunate to receive some donations during the shutdown, put HCT is ready to retake the stage.The theater added a second weekend for the show so it could reduce seating and increase social distancing. The theater will be at about 55 percent of capacity each night. However, the size of the theater will not allow 6 feet between seats, so those who want to wear masks are encouraged to do so.With limited seating for each show available, Nelson encouraged patrons to buy tickets in advance online.HCT will also be sanitizing more often. The bar will only be serving prepackaged beverages.Cast&nbsp; Freddy — William R. Brown Gaston — Andy Stanton Germain — Krysten Linenberger Einstein — Jerrett Leiker Suzanne — Kelli Wagner Sagot — Bryan Snyder-Brown Picasso — Adam Conkey Schmendiman — Ben Pfanenstiel Countess and Female Admirer — Hannah Stecklein Visitor — Gene Stramel Director — Chelsie Nelson<h2>"Bringing On Broadway"</h2>Hays Community Theatre held a casting call for its upcoming production, "Bringing On Broadway" Friday and Saturday.The show will be exciting review, an eclectic mix of song and dance from Broadway shows, said&nbsp;Cheryl Glassman, HCT director.It will feature solos, duets and some small groups. Glassman said the show lineup will be set after auditions based on the talents of the cast."We did one of these 14 or 15 years ago when I first started the community theater and it was a really huge hit," she said.&nbsp;The show will be Aug. 14 and 15.

Hays Community Theatre to perform Steve Martin comedy

By BERNY UNRUH K-State Research &amp; Extension

Calling all Ellis County bakers! Join us at the Ellis County Fair for the King Arthur Flour contest. It has some great prizes in both the youth and the adult division.&nbsp; The rules and guidelines for this contest and all the other opportunities can be found at <a href="http://www.ellisco.net">www.ellisco.net</a>&nbsp; Look under Government and then under Ellis County Fair and “4-H Events” to find the Open Class portion of the fair book.&nbsp;

All fair entries must be pre-entered in advance at <a href="http://www.fairentry.com">www.fairentry.com</a> by Monday, July 6. This will allow entry cards to be printed and ready for you when you arrive to enter your exhibits.&nbsp; At the FairEntry website, search for Ellis County Fair in Kansas then set up your account using your email address and a password. You will receive email confirmation that your entry has been received.&nbsp;

For the King Arthur Flour baking competition, the exhibitor must bring the opened bag of King Arthur Flour OR submit a UPC label from the bag when the entry is made at the fair. The contestants will bake bar cookies from a recipe of their choosing. Bar cookies are baked in a shallow pan and they should be cut into 2”x 2” bars when cool.&nbsp; Place 3 bar cookies on a disposable plate or covered cardboard, then cover it with a plastic bag and secure it closed and bring it to the fair. Don’t forget to bring the recipe on entry day. Open class foods entries must be brought to the Fairgrounds exhibit hall between 8 and 9 am on Tuesday, July 14th.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Another opportunity to share your baking skills is the Special Class challenge that is open to anyone who wants to get in on the fun.&nbsp; The theme for this year is “A dozen of your favorite cookies”. The prizes awarded in this class include, “bragging rights”, your name added to the traveling trophy and a chance to taste the competitor’s entries. The judging for this class takes place at the conclusion of the open class foods judging.&nbsp;

So now is the time to plan your fair exhibits and get them entered online by July 6th to make the most of the Ellis County Fair experience. There really is something for everyone at the Ellis County Fair!&nbsp;

Berny Unruh is the Family and Community Wellness Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp; She can be reached at 785-628-9430 or at <a href="mailto:bunruh@ksu.edu">bunruh@ksu.edu</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593190326422.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BERNY UNRUH K-State Research &amp; ExtensionCalling all Ellis County bakers! Join us at the Ellis County Fair for the King Arthur Flour contest. It has some great prizes in both the youth and the adult division.&nbsp; The rules and guidelines for this contest and all the other opportunities can be found at <a href="http://www.ellisco.net">www.ellisco.net</a>&nbsp; Look under Government and then under Ellis County Fair and “4-H Events” to find the Open Class portion of the fair book.&nbsp;All fair entries must be pre-entered in advance at <a href="http://www.fairentry.com">www.fairentry.com</a> by Monday, July 6. This will allow entry cards to be printed and ready for you when you arrive to enter your exhibits.&nbsp; At the FairEntry website, search for Ellis County Fair in Kansas then set up your account using your email address and a password. You will receive email confirmation that your entry has been received.&nbsp;For the King Arthur Flour baking competition, the exhibitor must bring the opened bag of King Arthur Flour OR submit a UPC label from the bag when the entry is made at the fair. The contestants will bake bar cookies from a recipe of their choosing. Bar cookies are baked in a shallow pan and they should be cut into 2”x 2” bars when cool.&nbsp; Place 3 bar cookies on a disposable plate or covered cardboard, then cover it with a plastic bag and secure it closed and bring it to the fair. Don’t forget to bring the recipe on entry day. Open class foods entries must be brought to the Fairgrounds exhibit hall between 8 and 9 am on Tuesday, July 14th.&nbsp; &nbsp;Another opportunity to share your baking skills is the Special Class challenge that is open to anyone who wants to get in on the fun.&nbsp; The theme for this year is “A dozen of your favorite cookies”. The prizes awarded in this class include, “bragging rights”, your name added to the traveling trophy and a chance to taste the competitor’s entries. The judging for this class takes place at the conclusion of the open class foods judging.&nbsp;So now is the time to plan your fair exhibits and get them entered online by July 6th to make the most of the Ellis County Fair experience. There really is something for everyone at the Ellis County Fair!&nbsp;	Berny Unruh is the Family and Community Wellness Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp; She can be reached at 785-628-9430 or at <a href="mailto:bunruh@ksu.edu">bunruh@ksu.edu</a>