Compiled by CRISTINA JANNEY/Hays Post

Amended 2:11 p.m. Thursday, July 30 to reflect change in school policy. CLARIFICATION: Superintendent Ron Wilson initially said in this interview students who would only be attending online would not be able to participate in&nbsp;extracurricular activities because that had been the Kansas State High School Activities Association policy in the past. KSHSAA recently announced a revised policy that would allow students who take all of their classes online to participate in&nbsp;KSHSAA-sanctioned activities. The USD 489 has revised its policy to match KSHSAA. Students who participate in online learning will be able to participate in extracurricular activities.

The Hays BOE has the ultimate say in the calendar, but is there a date the administration is recommending for reopening? We have put together four different options the board is considering in terms of when we will reopen schools. We have a time starting Aug. 19, starting on Sept. 1 and starting on Sept. 8. When I say four options, the Aug. 19 option had two options on that date. One would be starting remotely versus starting on-site.

The Hays school board will meet for a special meeting at 11:30 a.m. Thursday in the Rockwell Administration Center to approve the draft plan and choose a date to start school. The board has already received the draft plan, but the meeting will allow them to bounce ideas off each other.&nbsp;

Sept. 8 is weeks away, is there a chance that even if the board voted to open in person on Sept. 8, that case numbers and hospitalizations could result in opening in a phase II or phase III? Absolutely, that is very possible. It is difficult to make real decisions when you are still maybe a month and a half away in terms of what phase you would actually start in. I think you are always two weeks away from being able to make a definite decision about&nbsp; what phase you should be in based upon what the community restrictions are at that time.&nbsp;

Right now, we are hopeful that we can start with students back in school, but, at the same time, we have to understand there is always the possibility things might change and force us to rethink what phase we are in and how we would offer education to our kids?

Can you explain a little about what an average day will be like for a student in each of these phase? I think parents are particularly interested in what hybrid learning will look like. Remote&nbsp;learning will look similar to what we did last spring. I think the biggest difference is that there would be a little more rigor in terms of what we expect kids to accomplish. Last spring was just so up in the air. People were dealing with a lot of the emotional issues, trying to understand what this virus was and how it was going to affect our lives.&nbsp; I think now that we have been through this for five months, we have figured out a little bit about the virus and what it does and doesn't do.

Last spring, the motto we shared with teachers was grace because there was a lot parents and kids were going through. I think as we move forward into remote learning if that is where we have to be, we are going to try to do it a little better than we did last spring. We will probably expect kids to do a little more and probably be a little more rigorous than it was last spring.

When talking about the&nbsp;hybrid model, you would have a combination of remote learning and on-site learning. I think it can look various ways. We are still in the process of figuring out what our true hybrid model could look like. There are just so many variables that could play into this. The district has not yet determined how it would split the days students would be in school buildings, how many students could be in a building to minimize risk and how it would separate students into stable groups to attend on-site. On the days students are not in the classroom on-site, they would be doing remote activities overseen by teachers.&nbsp;

So could some children go Monday, Wednesday, Friday or some students attend in the morning and the other students attend in the afternoon? Yes. We have considered that model in terms of set scheduled days. We are still trying to figure out the logistics of this for families that require child care on those non-on-site days and how that coordinates with their schedules. Can we get logical-sized groups based on everyone's needs?Some are going to need certain days. Some are even going to use some high school kids for child care. Can we coordinate that with the high school schedules? It is a very complex and confusing logistical situation. We are trying to be accommodating.&nbsp;

So parents may not know what hybrid learning will look like until the district has to go to that phase? We are consistently planning. Just because you have seen a plan of our opening out there doesn't mean that is exactly how it's going to look. It is consistent in that we are going to offer on-site, hybrid and remote learning, but we are continuing to plan every day. We are continuing to get information that helps us come up with the best situation for our kids and their learning.

During hybrid learning, we would provide transportation just like we would on a normal day and we would take them home in the same manner. It is kind of like we are building the airplane in the sky as we are flying it.

&nbsp;Who decides when the school district moves from one phase to the next? What we are trying to do is develop a matrix of numbers that we can rely on in terms of what is in the community. It could be the number of positive cases we've had in the last two weeks. It could be what is our hospital capacity. We are working with our health professionals in the community to design this matrix, so we have somewhat of a solid basis to help people and ourselves understand it is time to move to a different phase.

Once you have that matrix, will it be a group of people deciding, will it be the board of education, will it be the administration, will it be the county public health officer? Who has the final say? I don't have a definite answer on that. We would need approval from our county health official to make those determinations. Because it is not necessarily an educational decision, it is a decision made on the health and safety of our community.&nbsp; If one student or teacher tests positive at a school, will that trigger the whole school being shut down? It very well could. The likelihood of having a positive case is fairly high. If that should happen, we will make everyone aware that we have had a positive case. There will probably be a shutdown of that building or an area. It depends on who the positive case was and where they have been.&nbsp;

We will do cleaning and disinfecting. County officials are going to want to do some contact tracing, and we will have to alert people they may have to quarantine as well. It could be as short as 24 hours. It could be as long as 48 hours.&nbsp;

That is why we are going to require some flexibility and patience from everyone involved. We would then probably flip quickly into what I would call a hybrid model where they would be doing a couple days of instruction remotely.&nbsp;

Is there a concern throughout this plan with consistency in learning if you have a move between phases and school that have to be closed down periodically for cleaning?&nbsp; This pandemic has taken a toll on everyone. Specifically it has taken a huge toll on our kids and their learning opportunities. I think we just have to understand this is a unique year. It is going to be called the COVID year of learning. Things are not going to be the same way and occur in that normal, linear, sequential pattern that we are so used to. It is going to require some flexibility and creativity on the teachers' part to make sure certain competencies are being covered for kids.

How do you plan to social distance in classrooms? Space is a premium in many of the district’s schools and some classrooms are small with large class sizes. It is going to be very difficult. I think what we have heard is there is a desire to get kids back on site as safely as possible. That is one of the reasons why we will require masks in the school. Although we will make every attempt to spread kids out, there will be times when it will be impossible to maintain a six-foot distance. That is why it is so important that we practice good hygiene. We will be washing hands or sanitizing hands once an hour and try to be as healthy as possible to minimize the risk.

How do you plan to social distance in cafeterias. I am thinking specifically about the HMS cafeteria. I think all of our sites are making plans to add seating. We are aware that all of our cafeterias are probably the worst areas in terms of the ability to social distance and spread out. Hays Middle School is planning to use the upper section of one side of their gym. We will be pushing the bleachers in and putting additional tables on the top. How much of a challenge is this going to be to not share supplies? We want kids to be able to share, and we are going to be going against what we have been practicing for so many years.&nbsp; We will be recommending or requiring kids to not share supplies. Those supplies that can be handled by multiple students, we will be doing more disinfecting.

Will after school care by an option this year? Yes. The plan is to still offer after school care. We understand that is an important part of what students need. It's also great for families.

What happens if a child comes to school without a mask? We will try to help them locate their mask. Maybe they misplaced it. If they don't have one, we will have a mask available. It will be a throw away mask. It is just like if a kid doesn't have a pencil. We're not going to tell them they can't have a pencil. We need people to understand masks are going to be a way of our lives. It is going to pretty important to make sure the kids have their masks as they leave their homes every morning.

What will parent choice online learning look like? We will be offering a curriculum platform called Edgenuity. It is what we have used at the high school level for credit recovery. It is a curriculum that is very rigorous. It allows kids to get in all of their core subjects plus a few electives.

You might receive a five to 15 minute instructional video on a lesson that can be rewound or fast forwarded and played over and over. The student then goes in and does assignments. Once they achieve mastery in that lesson, they move on to the next lesson.&nbsp;

We will be offering this K-12. A USD 489 teacher will be overseeing this program to see if kids are logging on and helping them answer some questions if they can't be answered through the curriculum platform.&nbsp;

I think it is a great learning opportunity for kids. To be honest, I don't think it is the best learning opportunity, but considering what we are in and what certain families feel about sending their kids to school, I think it is a great option.

Can families start their child or children online and then move back to in-person learning? It is definitely our goal to be as flexible as possible. We understand circumstances may change as we go through this school year. Some of that may mean I want to bring my kid back to on-site learning becuase community risk may be fairly low. We will definitely take them with open arms and bring them on-site.&nbsp;

The thing we ask is that there is not a lot of flipping back and forth. I think that will dramatically affect the kids learning if they are jumping from on-site learning and then jumping back to online.&nbsp;

What local support is offered for online learning options? You would be able to get school lunch. You would be able to get tech support. The teacher is there to support the learner. It could be social emotional needs. We would require that the teacher make contact at least one time per day.&nbsp;

If you are an online student, can you participate in extracurricular activities? CLARIFICATION: Superintendent Ron Wilson initially said in this interview students who would only be attending online would not be able to participate in&nbsp;extracurricular activities because that had been the Kansas State High School Activities Association policy in the past. KSHSAA recently announced a revised policy that would allow students who take all of their classes online to participate in&nbsp;KSHSAA-sanctioned activities. The USD 489 has revised its policy to match KSHSAA. Students who participate in online learning will be able to participate in extracurricular activities.

Time commitment for online learning? The expectation is that they would put in roughly six hours per day. We would require students to log those times with a parent sign off. It could happen in two-hour segments or in one-hour segments. That is the flexibility with the online learning piece.

Because temperatures are going to be taken, will there be staggered drop off times to allow for this all to be done? We are still trying to work out the logistics of how we are going to take temperatures in the morning to not have kids all congregate in one area as they wait for their temperatures to be taken. I think we will have a good plan in place to avoid those situations.&nbsp;

How will you achieve social distancing on buses for athletic or activity travel? Not very easily. There is just no easy way to social distance on a bus. We will require all students and bus drivers to wear masks. We are going to try to implement assigned seating so if we have any type of positive case, we know exactly where kids have been and who they've been by.&nbsp;

What feedback have you had from teachers on the draft plan? The No. 1 thing I hear from teachers is that they want to have their kids back in the classroom. However, they also understand there are things that might prevent that from happening. We value our teacher and their input. They are the cornerstone of everything we do. We want teachers to feel comfortable and safe.&nbsp;

Will any teachers be allowed to work remotely, especially those with risk factors? We have sent out questionnaires to teachers about their comfort level and factors they have personally. We are working through all those issues as they come to us. We want to accommodate as much as possible. Logistically it is difficult. We want that teacher teaching, and we will do everything in power to make that happen.

Will masks PPE be provided to teachers and staff? Yes. Masks will be provided to all staff in USD 489.

What about school nurses? At the end of the last school year some schools were sharing nurses. We took a recommendation to the board a couple of months ago knowing going forward that COVID was probably going to still be here in the fall. We were approved to hire another school nurse assistant. We will be adding another health professional to our staff, so we should have all schools covered full time.

Why is important to enroll now? We do need that information for planning. One of the questions we are asking is where do you prefer your child start at. If you are choosing parent off-site learning, that is going to help us plan and adequately staff that.

At the same time, if you are opting for the on-site learning option, we will know how many kids we are going to have. We need people to enroll online.

We do have enrollment scheduled on-site at the high school Wednesday and Thursday. That enrollment is for families who are new to the district or do not have adequate resources to do online enrollment. As of Monday morning, 1,200 of about 3,000 students had enrolled.&nbsp;

More on how to complete online enrollment for USD 489 can be found by <a href="https://www.usd489.com/o/usd-489/page/2020-2021-enrollment-information--2">clicking here</a>.

If parents have a specific questions about their children or school, how can they get that question answered? I encourage them to call our office — 623-2400. Don't hesitate, or an email.&nbsp;

The district also will be adding to its frequently asked question list on its <a href="https://www.usd489.com/">website</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589386872769.png" alt="Kansas News Service file photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas News Service file photo</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="USD 489 developing reopening plan" height="122" width="100%" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/rhcz2-e4b3a8?from=pb6admin&amp;download=1&amp;version=1&amp;auto=1&amp;share=1&amp;download=1&amp;rtl=0&amp;fonts=Helvetica&amp;skin=3&amp;pfauth=&amp;btn-skin=101"></iframe></div>Compiled by CRISTINA JANNEY/Hays PostAmended 2:11 p.m. Thursday, July 30 to reflect change in school policy. CLARIFICATION: Superintendent Ron Wilson initially said in this interview students who would only be attending online would not be able to participate in&nbsp;extracurricular activities because that had been the Kansas State High School Activities Association policy in the past. KSHSAA recently announced a revised policy that would allow students who take all of their classes online to participate in&nbsp;KSHSAA-sanctioned activities. The USD 489 has revised its policy to match KSHSAA. Students who participate in online learning will be able to participate in extracurricular activities.<h2>Reopening dates</h2>The Hays BOE has the ultimate say in the calendar, but is there a date the administration is recommending for reopening? We have put together four different options the board is considering in terms of when we will reopen schools. We have a time starting Aug. 19, starting on Sept. 1 and starting on Sept. 8. When I say four options, the Aug. 19 option had two options on that date. One would be starting remotely versus starting on-site.The Hays school board will meet for a special meeting at 11:30 a.m. Thursday in the Rockwell Administration Center to approve the draft plan and choose a date to start school. The board has already received the draft plan, but the meeting will allow them to bounce ideas off each other.&nbsp;Sept. 8 is weeks away, is there a chance that even if the board voted to open in person on Sept. 8, that case numbers and hospitalizations could result in opening in a phase II or phase III? Absolutely, that is very possible. It is difficult to make real decisions when you are still maybe a month and a half away in terms of what phase you would actually start in. I think you are always two weeks away from being able to make a definite decision about&nbsp; what phase you should be in based upon what the community restrictions are at that time.&nbsp;Right now, we are hopeful that we can start with students back in school, but, at the same time, we have to understand there is always the possibility things might change and force us to rethink what phase we are in and how we would offer education to our kids?<h2>Phases</h2>Can you explain a little about what an average day will be like for a student in each of these phase? I think parents are particularly interested in what hybrid learning will look like. Remote&nbsp;learning will look similar to what we did last spring. I think the biggest difference is that there would be a little more rigor in terms of what we expect kids to accomplish. Last spring was just so up in the air. People were dealing with a lot of the emotional issues, trying to understand what this virus was and how it was going to affect our lives.&nbsp; I think now that we have been through this for five months, we have figured out a little bit about the virus and what it does and doesn't do.Last spring, the motto we shared with teachers was grace because there was a lot parents and kids were going through. I think as we move forward into remote learning if that is where we have to be, we are going to try to do it a little better than we did last spring. We will probably expect kids to do a little more and probably be a little more rigorous than it was last spring.When talking about the&nbsp;hybrid model, you would have a combination of remote learning and on-site learning. I think it can look various ways. We are still in the process of figuring out what our true hybrid model could look like. There are just so many variables that could play into this. The district has not yet determined how it would split the days students would be in school buildings, how many students could be in a building to minimize risk and how it would separate students into stable groups to attend on-site. On the days students are not in the classroom on-site, they would be doing remote activities overseen by teachers.&nbsp;So could some children go Monday, Wednesday, Friday or some students attend in the morning and the other students attend in the afternoon? Yes. We have considered that model in terms of set scheduled days. We are still trying to figure out the logistics of this for families that require child care on those non-on-site days and how that coordinates with their schedules. Can we get logical-sized groups based on everyone's needs?Some are going to need certain days. Some are even going to use some high school kids for child care. Can we coordinate that with the high school schedules? It is a very complex and confusing logistical situation. We are trying to be accommodating.&nbsp;So parents may not know what hybrid learning will look like until the district has to go to that phase? We are consistently planning. Just because you have seen a plan of our opening out there doesn't mean that is exactly how it's going to look. It is consistent in that we are going to offer on-site, hybrid and remote learning, but we are continuing to plan every day. We are continuing to get information that helps us come up with the best situation for our kids and their learning.During hybrid learning, we would provide transportation just like we would on a normal day and we would take them home in the same manner. It is kind of like we are building the airplane in the sky as we are flying it.&nbsp;Who decides when the school district moves from one phase to the next? What we are trying to do is develop a matrix of numbers that we can rely on in terms of what is in the community. It could be the number of positive cases we've had in the last two weeks. It could be what is our hospital capacity. We are working with our health professionals in the community to design this matrix, so we have somewhat of a solid basis to help people and ourselves understand it is time to move to a different phase.Once you have that matrix, will it be a group of people deciding, will it be the board of education, will it be the administration, will it be the county public health officer? Who has the final say? I don't have a definite answer on that. We would need approval from our county health official to make those determinations. Because it is not necessarily an educational decision, it is a decision made on the health and safety of our community.&nbsp; If one student or teacher tests positive at a school, will that trigger the whole school being shut down? It very well could. The likelihood of having a positive case is fairly high. If that should happen, we will make everyone aware that we have had a positive case. There will probably be a shutdown of that building or an area. It depends on who the positive case was and where they have been.&nbsp;We will do cleaning and disinfecting. County officials are going to want to do some contact tracing, and we will have to alert people they may have to quarantine as well. It could be as short as 24 hours. It could be as long as 48 hours.&nbsp;That is why we are going to require some flexibility and patience from everyone involved. We would then probably flip quickly into what I would call a hybrid model where they would be doing a couple days of instruction remotely.&nbsp;Is there a concern throughout this plan with consistency in learning if you have a move between phases and school that have to be closed down periodically for cleaning?&nbsp; This pandemic has taken a toll on everyone. Specifically it has taken a huge toll on our kids and their learning opportunities. I think we just have to understand this is a unique year. It is going to be called the COVID year of learning. Things are not going to be the same way and occur in that normal, linear, sequential pattern that we are so used to. It is going to require some flexibility and creativity on the teachers' part to make sure certain competencies are being covered for kids.<h2>Procedures in classrooms</h2>How do you plan to social distance in classrooms? Space is a premium in many of the district’s schools and some classrooms are small with large class sizes. It is going to be very difficult. I think what we have heard is there is a desire to get kids back on site as safely as possible. That is one of the reasons why we will require masks in the school. Although we will make every attempt to spread kids out, there will be times when it will be impossible to maintain a six-foot distance. That is why it is so important that we practice good hygiene. We will be washing hands or sanitizing hands once an hour and try to be as healthy as possible to minimize the risk.How do you plan to social distance in cafeterias. I am thinking specifically about the HMS cafeteria. I think all of our sites are making plans to add seating. We are aware that all of our cafeterias are probably the worst areas in terms of the ability to social distance and spread out. Hays Middle School is planning to use the upper section of one side of their gym. We will be pushing the bleachers in and putting additional tables on the top. How much of a challenge is this going to be to not share supplies? We want kids to be able to share, and we are going to be going against what we have been practicing for so many years.&nbsp; We will be recommending or requiring kids to not share supplies. Those supplies that can be handled by multiple students, we will be doing more disinfecting.Will after school care by an option this year? Yes. The plan is to still offer after school care. We understand that is an important part of what students need. It's also great for families.What happens if a child comes to school without a mask? We will try to help them locate their mask. Maybe they misplaced it. If they don't have one, we will have a mask available. It will be a throw away mask. It is just like if a kid doesn't have a pencil. We're not going to tell them they can't have a pencil. We need people to understand masks are going to be a way of our lives. It is going to pretty important to make sure the kids have their masks as they leave their homes every morning.<h2>Online learning</h2>What will parent choice online learning look like? We will be offering a curriculum platform called Edgenuity. It is what we have used at the high school level for credit recovery. It is a curriculum that is very rigorous. It allows kids to get in all of their core subjects plus a few electives.You might receive a five to 15 minute instructional video on a lesson that can be rewound or fast forwarded and played over and over. The student then goes in and does assignments. Once they achieve mastery in that lesson, they move on to the next lesson.&nbsp;We will be offering this K-12. A USD 489 teacher will be overseeing this program to see if kids are logging on and helping them answer some questions if they can't be answered through the curriculum platform.&nbsp;I think it is a great learning opportunity for kids. To be honest, I don't think it is the best learning opportunity, but considering what we are in and what certain families feel about sending their kids to school, I think it is a great option.Can families start their child or children online and then move back to in-person learning? It is definitely our goal to be as flexible as possible. We understand circumstances may change as we go through this school year. Some of that may mean I want to bring my kid back to on-site learning becuase community risk may be fairly low. We will definitely take them with open arms and bring them on-site.&nbsp;The thing we ask is that there is not a lot of flipping back and forth. I think that will dramatically affect the kids learning if they are jumping from on-site learning and then jumping back to online.&nbsp;What local support is offered for online learning options? You would be able to get school lunch. You would be able to get tech support. The teacher is there to support the learner. It could be social emotional needs. We would require that the teacher make contact at least one time per day.&nbsp;If you are an online student, can you participate in extracurricular activities? CLARIFICATION: Superintendent Ron Wilson initially said in this interview students who would only be attending online would not be able to participate in&nbsp;extracurricular activities because that had been the Kansas State High School Activities Association policy in the past. KSHSAA recently announced a revised policy that would allow students who take all of their classes online to participate in&nbsp;KSHSAA-sanctioned activities. The USD 489 has revised its policy to match KSHSAA. Students who participate in online learning will be able to participate in extracurricular activities.Time commitment for online learning? The expectation is that they would put in roughly six hours per day. We would require students to log those times with a parent sign off. It could happen in two-hour segments or in one-hour segments. That is the flexibility with the online learning piece.<h2>Transportation</h2>Because temperatures are going to be taken, will there be staggered drop off times to allow for this all to be done? We are still trying to work out the logistics of how we are going to take temperatures in the morning to not have kids all congregate in one area as they wait for their temperatures to be taken. I think we will have a good plan in place to avoid those situations.&nbsp;How will you achieve social distancing on buses for athletic or activity travel? Not very easily. There is just no easy way to social distance on a bus. We will require all students and bus drivers to wear masks. We are going to try to implement assigned seating so if we have any type of positive case, we know exactly where kids have been and who they've been by.&nbsp;<h2>Teachers</h2>What feedback have you had from teachers on the draft plan? The No. 1 thing I hear from teachers is that they want to have their kids back in the classroom. However, they also understand there are things that might prevent that from happening. We value our teacher and their input. They are the cornerstone of everything we do. We want teachers to feel comfortable and safe.&nbsp;Will any teachers be allowed to work remotely, especially those with risk factors? We have sent out questionnaires to teachers about their comfort level and factors they have personally. We are working through all those issues as they come to us. We want to accommodate as much as possible. Logistically it is difficult. We want that teacher teaching, and we will do everything in power to make that happen.Will masks PPE be provided to teachers and staff? Yes. Masks will be provided to all staff in USD 489.What about school nurses? At the end of the last school year some schools were sharing nurses. We took a recommendation to the board a couple of months ago knowing going forward that COVID was probably going to still be here in the fall. We were approved to hire another school nurse assistant. We will be adding another health professional to our staff, so we should have all schools covered full time.<h2>Enrollment</h2>Why is important to enroll now? We do need that information for planning. One of the questions we are asking is where do you prefer your child start at. If you are choosing parent off-site learning, that is going to help us plan and adequately staff that.At the same time, if you are opting for the on-site learning option, we will know how many kids we are going to have. We need people to enroll online.We do have enrollment scheduled on-site at the high school Wednesday and Thursday. That enrollment is for families who are new to the district or do not have adequate resources to do online enrollment. As of Monday morning, 1,200 of about 3,000 students had enrolled.&nbsp;More on how to complete online enrollment for USD 489 can be found by <a href="https://www.usd489.com/o/usd-489/page/2020-2021-enrollment-information--2">clicking here</a>.If parents have a specific questions about their children or school, how can they get that question answered? I encourage them to call our office — 623-2400. Don't hesitate, or an email.&nbsp;The district also will be adding to its frequently asked question list on its <a href="https://www.usd489.com/">website</a>.&nbsp;

Hays superintendent answers questions about school reopening plan

<a href="https://californiaagtoday.com">CaliforniaAgToday</a>

CaliforniaAgToday.com announced Tuesday that Markie Hageman, a 
Tulare, California, native with a passion for agriculture, is now a 
co-owner of the award-winning website and will collaborate with Patrick 
Cavanaugh.

Cavanaugh, along with his wife Laurie Greene, launched the website in
 2013. Greene served as the website's founding editor and has won 
multiple awards for her coverage of the industry.

The communications coordinator for the Sacramento-based <a href="https://rangelandtrust.org/" target="_blank">California Rangeland Trust</a>,
 Hageman has prior experience as a Crop Insurance Adjuster. Hageman has 
authored articles for AGDAILY, and My Job Depends on Ag Magazine, with 
features in BEEF Magazine and The Almond Board of California- How We 
Grow publication.

Hageman had ties to agriculture starting from a young age. She lived 
on the Vanderwal dairy in Tulare County for a short time, and on a small
 citrus grove her grandparents owned.

Most of her agricultural experiences came from the horse ranch her 
mother owned in Fresno County. She showed lambs and hogs and rode horses
 throughout middle school and into college and was the Miss Woodlake 
Lions Rodeo Queen in 2014. She earned a Bachelor of Science in 
Agricultural Business at Fort Hays State University in Hays.

Hageman spent a couple years on her family's small commercial 
cow-calf operation in Auburn, Alabama, where she fell in love with the 
beef industry. Since her time in the South, Hageman has been active in 
the agricultural industry through her work with the National Cattlemen's
 Beef Association, Alabama’s Farmer Federation, and multiple Cattlemen 
organizations. She also recently started her own cow-calf herd with 
three Hereford heifers.

Outside of agriculture, Markie loves crafts, cooking, kayaking, 
making wine, hiking, and spending time with her family and two dogs.

“We are thrilled to have Markie on our team—covering California’s $50
 Billion production agriculture business,” said Cavanaugh. “She’s 
passionate about the farm and ranching industries in the state, and we 
welcome her into the fold of the thriving website."

“I am excited to continue to make CaliforniaAgToday.com successful on
 a daily basis,” said Hageman. “I love to write and have always admired 
the website as being the first site to cover California production 
agriculture with original reporting.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595975991273.jpeg" alt="Hageman" />
 <figcaption>Hageman</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://californiaagtoday.com">CaliforniaAgToday</a>CaliforniaAgToday.com announced Tuesday that Markie Hageman, a 
Tulare, California, native with a passion for agriculture, is now a 
co-owner of the award-winning website and will collaborate with Patrick 
Cavanaugh.Cavanaugh, along with his wife Laurie Greene, launched the website in
 2013. Greene served as the website's founding editor and has won 
multiple awards for her coverage of the industry.The communications coordinator for the Sacramento-based <a href="https://rangelandtrust.org/" target="_blank">California Rangeland Trust</a>,
 Hageman has prior experience as a Crop Insurance Adjuster. Hageman has 
authored articles for AGDAILY, and My Job Depends on Ag Magazine, with 
features in BEEF Magazine and The Almond Board of California- How We 
Grow publication.Hageman had ties to agriculture starting from a young age. She lived 
on the Vanderwal dairy in Tulare County for a short time, and on a small
 citrus grove her grandparents owned.Most of her agricultural experiences came from the horse ranch her 
mother owned in Fresno County. She showed lambs and hogs and rode horses
 throughout middle school and into college and was the Miss Woodlake 
Lions Rodeo Queen in 2014. She earned a Bachelor of Science in 
Agricultural Business at Fort Hays State University in Hays.Hageman spent a couple years on her family's small commercial 
cow-calf operation in Auburn, Alabama, where she fell in love with the 
beef industry. Since her time in the South, Hageman has been active in 
the agricultural industry through her work with the National Cattlemen's
 Beef Association, Alabama’s Farmer Federation, and multiple Cattlemen 
organizations. She also recently started her own cow-calf herd with 
three Hereford heifers.Outside of agriculture, Markie loves crafts, cooking, kayaking, 
making wine, hiking, and spending time with her family and two dogs.“We are thrilled to have Markie on our team—covering California’s $50
 Billion production agriculture business,” said Cavanaugh. “She’s 
passionate about the farm and ranching industries in the state, and we 
welcome her into the fold of the thriving website."“I am excited to continue to make CaliforniaAgToday.com successful on
 a daily basis,” said Hageman. “I love to write and have always admired 
the website as being the first site to cover California production 
agriculture with original reporting.”Republished with permission

Fort Hays State grad new co-owner of CaliforniaAgToday.com

An important piece of the project to remodel the Hays Public Library is development of a business center. Nex-Tech has pledged $10,000 to this project.

The purpose of the Nex-Tech Business Center is to locate most of the computers, printers, scanners and other devices in one area on the first floor. Having those resources, along with the assistance of a staff member, in one place instead of scattered around the library will create a more comprehensive workspace for patrons who otherwise don’t have access to this type of technology.&nbsp;

Nex-Tech provided a similar gift for the renovation that was completed in 2004. Since that time, the technology needs of the public have changed, and with Nex-Tech’s donation to this project, the library will endeavor to meet those changing needs.&nbsp;

Construction is scheduled to begin in August. More information about the remodel project is available at&nbsp;<a href="http://hayslibrary.org/remodel">hayslibrary.org/remodel</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578606002336.jpeg" alt="Hays Public Library HPL January 2020-2.jpg" />
 <figcaption>Hays Public Library HPL January 2020-2.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure>HPLAn important piece of the project to remodel the Hays Public Library is development of a business center. Nex-Tech has pledged $10,000 to this project.The purpose of the Nex-Tech Business Center is to locate most of the computers, printers, scanners and other devices in one area on the first floor. Having those resources, along with the assistance of a staff member, in one place instead of scattered around the library will create a more comprehensive workspace for patrons who otherwise don’t have access to this type of technology.&nbsp;Nex-Tech provided a similar gift for the renovation that was completed in 2004. Since that time, the technology needs of the public have changed, and with Nex-Tech’s donation to this project, the library will endeavor to meet those changing needs.&nbsp;Construction is scheduled to begin in August. More information about the remodel project is available at&nbsp;<a href="http://hayslibrary.org/remodel">hayslibrary.org/remodel</a>.

Nex-Tech donates to Hays Public Library remodel

By KIM BALDWIN McPherson County farmer and rancher Spending time at a pool has always been an integral part of summer for my little family. My kids have participated in swim lessons every summer since they were born. From participating in the “mommy and me” lessons offered by a local YMCA, to group lessons at a nearby community pool, my two children have spent many of their summer days looking forward to a refreshing break from the Kansas heat by jumping into a pool. &nbsp; Over the years my kids have become accustomed to the luxury of pool time to include a herd of kids lined up patiently waiting to jump off a diving board, summer jams blaring over loud speakers and a concession stand readily available to sell them a nice sugary treat. This year, however, has offered a new pool experience. &nbsp; While my family has remained on the farm this summer, we have introduced the kids to the joys of our own “private” pool. Our pool is a bit smaller than the average community pool.&nbsp; &nbsp; It doesn’t offer a diving board. There is no deep end to toss diving toys into. You definitely can’t practice handstands or dolphin kicks or even swim laps at our pool. A ladder is not available to climb out of it when the lifeguard blows the whistle for a break. In fact, our pool’s lifeguard lacks a whistle. The lifeguard tower isn’t as high as you would see at other pools, and our lifeguard’s seat lacks any flotation devices — but does offer two mesh drink holders.&nbsp; &nbsp; While we still have many days of excellent pool time temperatures, when it is time to close the pool because of changing of seasons, we won’t have to winterize our pool. Instead, we’ll just need to move it to the other side of the fence so the cattle will have another place to drink. &nbsp; Yes, we have introduced our kids to the stock tank pool this summer. And they are truly loving it! &nbsp; Our pool is convenient and refreshing and has become a place for my family of four to enjoy summer mornings, afternoons and evenings taking a dip. &nbsp; Our pool has allowed the kids to go for their “morning swims” before breakfast. In fact, many mornings while getting breakfast together, I watch my two race each other down the hill to see who can jump into the water first.&nbsp; &nbsp; In the evenings, I’ll sit in my comfortable camp chair, put a drink in a cup holder, place my feet up on the edge of the pool and read the newspaper while simultaneously trying to avoid getting splashed by the young swimmers occupying the space. &nbsp; While the space is best for two small children, there are even times you’ll see my husband or myself sitting in the pool helping the kids create a giant whirlpool. Even Rosie the farm dog has jumped in at times to demonstrate proper doggy paddle technique to her two small humans. &nbsp; While our pool may lack crowds and chlorine, it has allowed us to continue to enjoy breaks from the heat and has given the kids something extra to look forward to — and will perhaps become another happy memory of what the summer of 2020 was like home on the farm.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575904358712.png" alt="Kim Baldwin" />
 <figcaption>Kim Baldwin</figcaption>
 </figure>By KIM BALDWIN McPherson County farmer and rancher Spending time at a pool has always been an integral part of summer for my little family. My kids have participated in swim lessons every summer since they were born. From participating in the “mommy and me” lessons offered by a local YMCA, to group lessons at a nearby community pool, my two children have spent many of their summer days looking forward to a refreshing break from the Kansas heat by jumping into a pool. &nbsp; Over the years my kids have become accustomed to the luxury of pool time to include a herd of kids lined up patiently waiting to jump off a diving board, summer jams blaring over loud speakers and a concession stand readily available to sell them a nice sugary treat. This year, however, has offered a new pool experience. &nbsp; While my family has remained on the farm this summer, we have introduced the kids to the joys of our own “private” pool. Our pool is a bit smaller than the average community pool.&nbsp; &nbsp; It doesn’t offer a diving board. There is no deep end to toss diving toys into. You definitely can’t practice handstands or dolphin kicks or even swim laps at our pool. A ladder is not available to climb out of it when the lifeguard blows the whistle for a break. In fact, our pool’s lifeguard lacks a whistle. The lifeguard tower isn’t as high as you would see at other pools, and our lifeguard’s seat lacks any flotation devices — but does offer two mesh drink holders.&nbsp; &nbsp; While we still have many days of excellent pool time temperatures, when it is time to close the pool because of changing of seasons, we won’t have to winterize our pool. Instead, we’ll just need to move it to the other side of the fence so the cattle will have another place to drink. &nbsp; Yes, we have introduced our kids to the stock tank pool this summer. And they are truly loving it! &nbsp; Our pool is convenient and refreshing and has become a place for my family of four to enjoy summer mornings, afternoons and evenings taking a dip. &nbsp; Our pool has allowed the kids to go for their “morning swims” before breakfast. In fact, many mornings while getting breakfast together, I watch my two race each other down the hill to see who can jump into the water first.&nbsp; &nbsp; In the evenings, I’ll sit in my comfortable camp chair, put a drink in a cup holder, place my feet up on the edge of the pool and read the newspaper while simultaneously trying to avoid getting splashed by the young swimmers occupying the space. &nbsp; While the space is best for two small children, there are even times you’ll see my husband or myself sitting in the pool helping the kids create a giant whirlpool. Even Rosie the farm dog has jumped in at times to demonstrate proper doggy paddle technique to her two small humans. &nbsp; While our pool may lack crowds and chlorine, it has allowed us to continue to enjoy breaks from the heat and has given the kids something extra to look forward to — and will perhaps become another happy memory of what the summer of 2020 was like home on the farm."Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.&nbsp;

Kansas Farm Bureau Insight: Swimming through summer

Three-day weather outlook

If you are an online student, can you participate in extracurricular activities? No. We will not be allowing those families who chose off-site learning to also have their kids stay in extracurricular activities. At this point we have decided if a parent has decided to not send their student to on-site learning because of fears or risk of the virus. We don't think that same risk should carry over to the extracurricular activities, which usually take place after school.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589386872769.png" alt=" File photo courtesy Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> File photo courtesy Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="USD 489 developing reopening plan" height="122" width="100%" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/rhcz2-e4b3a8?from=pb6admin&amp;download=1&amp;version=1&amp;auto=1&amp;share=1&amp;download=1&amp;rtl=0&amp;fonts=Helvetica&amp;skin=3&amp;pfauth=&amp;btn-skin=101"></iframe></div>Compiled by CRISTINA JANNEY/Hays Post<h2>Reopening dates</h2>The Hays BOE has the ultimate say in the calendar, but is there a date the administration is recommending for reopening? We have put together four different options the board is considering in terms of when we will reopen schools. We have a time starting Aug. 19, starting on Sept. 1 and starting on Sept. 8. When I say four options, the Aug. 19 option had two options on that date. One would be starting remotely versus starting on-site.The Hays school board will meet for a special meeting at 11:30 a.m. Thursday in the Rockwell Administration Center to approve the draft plan and choose a date to start school. The board has already received the draft plan, but the meeting will allow them to bounce ideas off each other.&nbsp;Sept. 8 is weeks away, is there a chance that even if the board voted to open in person on Sept. 8, that case numbers and hospitalizations could result in opening in a phase II or phase III? Absolutely, that is very possible. It is difficult to make real decisions when you are still maybe a month and a half away in terms of what phase you would actually start in. I think you are always two weeks away from being able to make a definite decision about&nbsp; what phase you should be in based upon what the community restrictions are at that time.&nbsp;Right now, we are hopeful that we can start with students back in school, but, at the same time, we have to understand there is always the possibility things might change and force us to rethink what phase we are in and how we would offer education to our kids?<h2>Phases</h2>Can you explain a little about what an average day will be like for a student in each of these phase? I think parents are particularly interested in what hybrid learning will look like. Remote&nbsp;learning will look similar to what we did last spring. I think the biggest difference is that there would be a little more rigor in terms of what we expect kids to accomplish. Last spring was just so up in the air. People were dealing with a lot of the emotional issues, trying to understand what this virus was and how it was going to affect our lives.&nbsp; I think now that we have been through this for five months, we have figured out a little bit about the virus and what it does and doesn't do.Last spring, the motto we shared with teachers was grace because there was a lot parents and kids were going through. I think as we move forward into remote learning if that is where we have to be, we are going to try to do it a little better than we did last spring. We will probably expect kids to do a little more and probably be a little more rigorous than it was last spring.When talking about the&nbsp;hybrid model, you would have a combination of remote learning and on-site learning. I think it can look various ways. We are still in the process of figuring out what our true hybrid model could look like. There are just so many variables that could play into this. The district has not yet determined how it would split the days students would be in school buildings, how many students could be in a building to minimize risk and how it would separate students into stable groups to attend on-site. On the days students are not in the classroom on-site, they would be doing remote activities overseen by teachers.&nbsp;So could some children go Monday, Wednesday, Friday or some students attend in the morning and the other students attend in the afternoon? Yes. We have considered that model in terms of set scheduled days. We are still trying to figure out the logistics of this for families that require child care on those non-on-site days and how that coordinates with their schedules. Can we get logical-sized groups based on everyone's needs?Some are going to need certain days. Some are even going to use some high school kids for child care. Can we coordinate that with the high school schedules? It is a very complex and confusing logistical situation. We are trying to be accommodating.&nbsp;So parents may not know what hybrid learning will look like until the district has to go to that phase? We are consistently planning. Just because you have seen a plan of our opening out there doesn't mean that is exactly how it's going to look. It is consistent in that we are going to offer on-site, hybrid and remote learning, but we are continuing to plan every day. We are continuing to get information that helps us come up with the best situation for our kids and their learning.During hybrid learning, we would provide transportation just like we would on a normal day and we would take them home in the same manner. It is kind of like we are building the airplane in the sky as we are flying it.&nbsp;Who decides when the school district moves from one phase to the next? What we are trying to do is develop a matrix of numbers that we can rely on in terms of what is in the community. It could be the number of positive cases we've had in the last two weeks. It could be what is our hospital capacity. We are working with our health professionals in the community to design this matrix, so we have somewhat of a solid basis to help people and ourselves understand it is time to move to a different phase.Once you have that matrix, will it be a group of people deciding, will it be the board of education, will it be the administration, will it be the county public health officer? Who has the final say? I don't have a definite answer on that. We would need approval from our county health official to make those determinations. Because it is not necessarily an educational decision, it is a decision made on the health and safety of our community.&nbsp; If one student or teacher tests positive at a school, will that trigger the whole school being shut down? It very well could. The likelihood of having a positive case is fairly high. If that should happen, we will make everyone aware that we have had a positive case. There will probably be a shutdown of that building or an area. It depends on who the positive case was and where they have been.&nbsp;We will do cleaning and disinfecting. County officials are going to want to do some contact tracing, and we will have to alert people they may have to quarantine as well. It could be as short as 24 hours. It could be as long as 48 hours.&nbsp;That is why we are going to require some flexibility and patience from everyone involved. We would then probably flip quickly into what I would call a hybrid model where they would be doing a couple days of instruction remotely.&nbsp;Is there a concern throughout this plan with consistency in learning if you have a move between phases and school that have to be closed down periodically for cleaning?&nbsp; This pandemic has taken a toll on everyone. Specifically it has taken a huge toll on our kids and their learning opportunities. I think we just have to understand this is a unique year. It is going to be called the COVID year of learning. Things are not going to be the same way and occur in that normal, linear, sequential pattern that we are so used to. It is going to require some flexibility and creativity on the teachers' part to make sure certain competencies are being covered for kids.<h2>Procedures in classrooms</h2>How do you plan to social distance in classrooms? Space is a premium in many of the district’s schools and some classrooms are small with large class sizes. It is going to be very difficult. I think what we have heard is there is a desire to get kids back on site as safely as possible. That is one of the reasons why we will require masks in the school. Although we will make every attempt to spread kids out, there will be times when it will be impossible to maintain a six-foot distance. That is why it is so important that we practice good hygiene. We will be washing hands or sanitizing hands once an hour and try to be as healthy as possible to minimize the risk.How do you plan to social distance in cafeterias. I am thinking specifically about the HMS cafeteria. I think all of our sites are making plans to add seating. We are aware that all of our cafeterias are probably the worst areas in terms of the ability to social distance and spread out. Hays Middle School is planning to use the upper section of one side of their gym. We will be pushing the bleachers in and putting additional tables on the top. How much of a challenge is this going to be to not share supplies? We want kids to be able to share, and we are going to be going against what we have been practicing for so many years.&nbsp; We will be recommending or requiring kids to not share supplies. Those supplies that can be handled by multiple students, we will be doing more disinfecting.Will after school care by an option this year? Yes. The plan is to still offer after school care. We understand that is an important part of what students need. It's also great for families.What happens if a child comes to school without a mask? We will try to help them locate their mask. Maybe they misplaced it. If they don't have one, we will have a mask available. It will be a throw away mask. It is just like if a kid doesn't have a pencil. We're not going to tell them they can't have a pencil. We need people to understand masks are going to be a way of our lives. It is going to pretty important to make sure the kids have their masks as they leave their homes every morning.<h2>Online learning</h2>What will parent choice online learning look like? We will be offering a curriculum platform called Edgenuity. It is what we have used at the high school level for credit recovery. It is a curriculum that is very rigorous. It allows kids to get in all of their core subjects plus a few electives.You might receive a five to 15 minute instructional video on a lesson that can be rewound or fast forwarded and played over and over. The student then goes in and does assignments. Once they achieve mastery in that lesson, they move on to the next lesson.&nbsp;We will be offering this K-12. A USD 489 teacher will be overseeing this program to see if kids are logging on and helping them answer some questions if they can't be answered through the curriculum platform.&nbsp;I think it is a great learning opportunity for kids. To be honest, I don't think it is the best learning opportunity, but considering what we are in and what certain families feel about sending their kids to school, I think it is a great option.Can families start their child or children online and then move back to in-person learning? It is definitely our goal to be as flexible as possible. We understand circumstances may change as we go through this school year. Some of that may mean I want to bring my kid back to on-site learning becuase community risk may be fairly low. We will definitely take them with open arms and bring them on-site.&nbsp;The thing we ask is that there is not a lot of flipping back and forth. I think that will dramatically affect the kids learning if they are jumping from on-site learning and then jumping back to online.&nbsp;What local support is offered for online learning options? You would be able to get school lunch. You would be able to get tech support. The teacher is there to support the learner. It could be social emotional needs. We would require that the teacher make contact at least one time per day.&nbsp;If you are an online student, can you participate in extracurricular activities? No. We will not be allowing those families who chose off-site learning to also have their kids stay in extracurricular activities. At this point we have decided if a parent has decided to not send their student to on-site learning because of fears or risk of the virus. We don't think that same risk should carry over to the extracurricular activities, which usually take place after school.Time commitment for online learning? The expectation is that they would put in roughly six hours per day. We would require students to log those times with a parent sign off. It could happen in two-hour segments or in one-hour segments. That is the flexibility with the online learning piece.<h2>Transportation</h2>Because temperatures are going to be taken, will there be staggered drop off times to allow for this all to be done? We are still trying to work out the logistics of how we are going to take temperatures in the morning to not have kids all congregate in one area as they wait for their temperatures to be taken. I think we will have a good plan in place to avoid those situations.&nbsp;How will you achieve social distancing on buses for athletic or activity travel? Not very easily. There is just no easy way to social distance on a bus. We will require all students and bus drivers to wear masks. We are going to try to implement assigned seating so if we have any type of positive case, we know exactly where kids have been and who they've been by.&nbsp;<h2>Teachers</h2>What feedback have you had from teachers on the draft plan? The No. 1 thing I hear from teachers is that they want to have their kids back in the classroom. However, they also understand there are things that might prevent that from happening. We value our teacher and their input. They are the cornerstone of everything we do. We want teachers to feel comfortable and safe.&nbsp;Will any teachers be allowed to work remotely, especially those with risk factors? We have sent out questionnaires to teachers about their comfort level and factors they have personally. We are working through all those issues as they come to us. We want to accommodate as much as possible. Logistically it is difficult. We want that teacher teaching, and we will do everything in power to make that happen.Will masks PPE be provided to teachers and staff? Yes. Masks will be provided to all staff in USD 489.What about school nurses? At the end of the last school year some schools were sharing nurses. We took a recommendation to the board a couple of months ago knowing going forward that COVID was probably going to still be here in the fall. We were approved to hire another school nurse assistant. We will be adding another health professional to our staff, so we should have all schools covered full time.<h2>Enrollment</h2>Why is important to enroll now? We do need that information for planning. One of the questions we are asking is where do you prefer your child start at. If you are choosing parent off-site learning, that is going to help us plan and adequately staff that.At the same time, if you are opting for the on-site learning option, we will know how many kids we are going to have. We need people to enroll online.We do have enrollment scheduled on-site at the high school Wednesday and Thursday. That enrollment is for families who are new to the district or do not have adequate resources to do online enrollment. As of Monday morning, 1,200 of about 3,000 students had enrolled.&nbsp;More on how to complete online enrollment for USD 489 can be found by <a href="https://www.usd489.com/o/usd-489/page/2020-2021-enrollment-information--2">clicking here</a>.If parents have a specific questions about their children or school, how can they get that question answered? I encourage them to call our office — 623-2400. Don't hesitate, or an email.&nbsp;The district also will be adding to its frequently asked question list on its <a href="https://www.usd489.com/">website</a>.&nbsp;

Young people now getting the disease in Phillips County

By KIRBY ROSS Phillips County Review

PHILLIPSBURG — Despite being a small population county, Phillips County continues to be particularly hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Since the Review's most recent report utilizing July 20 Phillips County Health Department statistics, another death has occurred related to the Logan Manor cluster outbreak.  On Tuesday, July 21, a 75-year-old woman passed away at the facility.  This death brings the COVID toll in Phillips County to seven.

     In addition, in the past week another eight new cases have been confirmed county-wide, bringing the total diagnosed number up to 44.  With those new cases, for the first time the virus has reached down into the youngest age groups — those infected now include a 9-year-old boy, a 32-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman.  Up until now, the youngest victims were in their 40s.

    With the death toll at seven and a total diagnosed count at 44, the mortality rate in Phillips County is hitting a devastating 15.9 percent.  That compares to a COVID-19 mortality of 1.3 percent in Kansas as a whole; 3.4 percent in the United States; and 3.9 percent worldwide.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594071502884.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Young people now getting the disease in Phillips County</h2>By KIRBY ROSS Phillips County ReviewPHILLIPSBURG — Despite being a small population county, Phillips County continues to be particularly hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the Review's most recent report utilizing July 20 Phillips County Health Department statistics, another death has occurred related to the Logan Manor cluster outbreak. On Tuesday, July 21, a 75-year-old woman passed away at the facility. This death brings the COVID toll in Phillips County to seven. In addition, in the past week another eight new cases have been confirmed county-wide, bringing the total diagnosed number up to 44. With those new cases, for the first time the virus has reached down into the youngest age groups — those infected now include a 9-year-old boy, a 32-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman. Up until now, the youngest victims were in their 40s. With the death toll at seven and a total diagnosed count at 44, the mortality rate in Phillips County is hitting a devastating 15.9 percent. That compares to a COVID-19 mortality of 1.3 percent in Kansas as a whole; 3.4 percent in the United States; and 3.9 percent worldwide.

Another Phillips County COVID-19 death reported

When did you pass the Kansas bar? I passed the Oklahoma Bar in 1997. I was admitted to the Kansas Bar in 2007 based on my qualifications and number of years of experience.

Current job title and relevant prior job titles: I am currently the District Judge for the 23rd Judicial District; a position I have held since August 2016. Before serving as District Judge, I was a Partner for the Law Firm of Kennedy, Berkley, Yarnevich &amp; Williamspm Chtd., Hays Branch; A Partner at Oller, Johnson, &amp; Bittel, P.C., Hays; and an Attorney for Abowitz, Timberlake and Dahnke, P.C., Oklahoma City.

Community Involvement: My most recent participation of which I am proud to be a part of is “Our Town Our Kids." This was a pilot project through the Kansas Department of Corrections and other organizations that includes Kansas State University and Fort Hays State University. The project aims to provide communities with the tools to help reduce the number of at-risk youth and their chances of ending up in the juvenile justice system. It was a great project to get people thinking; especially with the issue of having to send troubled youth far away from our community because of the lack of services. More importantly, it is a community plan to provide help to parents and families to prevent the risk of our kids ending up in the juvenile justice system. We were a pilot for other communities across the nation.

What experience and skills would you bring to the position?&nbsp;Along with my BS received in 1994 and Juris Doctorate received in 1997, I was the 1995-97 staff editor for the Oklahoma City University Law Review and recipient of the CALI Award for Pretrial Litigation. For the first 14 years after law school, I represented business and individual clients in complex litigation in state and federal courts. Returning to Kansas in 2007, I continued with civil litigation and expanded into family and criminal law.

In 2016, I received a great opportunity to apply my substantial experience as your District Judge. Since then, I have handled a multitude of cases and trials including: complex medical and personal injury actions; issues regarding farm, land and property rights; contract disputes; domestic custody and child support; disputed probate and trust issues; insurance disputes; general issues regarding citizen complaints and high-level criminal cases.

I also have extensive training with the National Judicial College and the National Forensics Institute.

What are the specific aspects of this judicial position that moved you to run? I have enjoyed the challenge of being the District Judge since August 2016. I have received great feedback from litigants, attorneys, jurors and staff regarding my service in the position and want to continue. When I filed for my first term, before being appointed to the position by the governor, I had been approached by several people about running for judge. After 21 years in private practice, I was ready for a new challenge, and felt comfortable that I was very qualified to handle the position because of my broad experience as an attorney.

Describe the ideal judge. The ideal judge is well versed in the law, has the right experience and background, and makes informed, fair and lawful decisions. I worked hard to gain that necessary experience before filing for the position over four years ago and have used that experience to successfully perform the duties of your judge in an unbiased, intelligent and lawful manner.

The ideal judge provides an environment in the courtroom that feels accessible to litigants. They should feel comfortable knowing they have a voice and will receive due process without bias. This is a policy I have maintained as your judge in the past and will continue.

Describe the most challenging ethical dilemma you have encountered. How did you handle it?&nbsp; The most challenging dilemma involves dealing with pro se litigants. The number of litigants that cannot afford legal representation is increasing! As a judge, I am not allowed to give legal advice. While I cannot give advice, I have made sure my staff directs them to resources available that guide them through the court system.

What do you perceive as the greatest obstacles to justice, if any? Currently the greatest obstacle to justice was created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Supreme Court has issued orders that initially closed the court houses and currently allowed them to operate under restrictions of social distancing. Currently we are not allowed to schedule jury trials. This especially affects criminal defendants who are incarcerated waiting for a trial, but it also affects civil litigants seeking monetary relief for alleged injury or loss. We are working on a plan to start scheduling these trials in accordance with our court mandated policies. Most hearings are now functioning well via Zoom and can be viewed livestream on YouTube. This is working and has allowed cases to proceed.

What do you believe are the causes of the high rates of minority incarceration? Locally, this problem does not present itself on a regular basis because of the low rate of minorities in the 23rd Judicial District communities. However, national data does suggest a high rate of minority incarceration. While the reasoning is vast, a central point usually raised is disparity at the point of arrest; which then of course leads to incarceration. As a sitting judge, I am not allowed to share an opinion which would support or not support organizations that have opinions regarding disparity. As we all know at this time there is a substantial amount of information, good and/or bad, on a national level. I would just encourage all to be informed before drawing any conclusions.

What do you think about the growing prison population? What response should society have to prison overcrowding? Clearly the growing prison population is result of persons in prison because they initially received a prison sentence or violated the terms of probation. If we can prevent the crime, we can prevent the prison consequence. There are two significant problems that often are linked to crime and incarceration: (1) drug use and (2) mental illness. There are already some measures in place that are addressing drug use. These include Drug Court and Oxford houses that are working in addition to traditional groups such as NA, AA and church groups. Regarding mental illness, there is a need to offer more beds for treatment closer to our community and more support for those who are currently working in this field.

As a prospective judge, what do you consider your greatest strengths/ weaknesses? My greatest strength as the current District Judge is the good relationships I have with attorneys, law enforcement, and staff in the court system.

Being accessible and having good communication with all those who are an essential part of the court system not only makes things operate more efficiently but creates an environment where everyone works together in a positive manner. This environment then positively impacts all litigants who need to utilize the court system. My current weakness is my ability to do my job efficiently given the restrictions put in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are required to follow the orders from the Supreme Court regarding our ability to conduct jury trials and other restrictions regarding in-person hearings. As I stated above, our district has worked hard, and will continue to find alternatives. Our work is paying off and hopefully soon we will be back to normal, or the new normal, whatever that may be.

Have you ever been disciplined by the bar association or the state commission on judicial conduct? No

Have you ever been a principal, named litigant in a civil matter? &nbsp;No

Have you ever been the victim of a crime?&nbsp;No

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588351681233.jpeg" alt="Bittel" />
 <figcaption>Bittel</figcaption>
 </figure>Age: 48When did you pass the Kansas bar? I passed the Oklahoma Bar in 1997. I was admitted to the Kansas Bar in 2007 based on my qualifications and number of years of experience.Current job title and relevant prior job titles: I am currently the District Judge for the 23rd Judicial District; a position I have held since August 2016. Before serving as District Judge, I was a Partner for the Law Firm of Kennedy, Berkley, Yarnevich &amp; Williamspm Chtd., Hays Branch; A Partner at Oller, Johnson, &amp; Bittel, P.C., Hays; and an Attorney for Abowitz, Timberlake and Dahnke, P.C., Oklahoma City.Community Involvement: My most recent participation of which I am proud to be a part of is “Our Town Our Kids." This was a pilot project through the Kansas Department of Corrections and other organizations that includes Kansas State University and Fort Hays State University. The project aims to provide communities with the tools to help reduce the number of at-risk youth and their chances of ending up in the juvenile justice system. It was a great project to get people thinking; especially with the issue of having to send troubled youth far away from our community because of the lack of services. More importantly, it is a community plan to provide help to parents and families to prevent the risk of our kids ending up in the juvenile justice system. We were a pilot for other communities across the nation.What experience and skills would you bring to the position?&nbsp;Along with my BS received in 1994 and Juris Doctorate received in 1997, I was the 1995-97 staff editor for the Oklahoma City University Law Review and recipient of the CALI Award for Pretrial Litigation. For the first 14 years after law school, I represented business and individual clients in complex litigation in state and federal courts. Returning to Kansas in 2007, I continued with civil litigation and expanded into family and criminal law.In 2016, I received a great opportunity to apply my substantial experience as your District Judge. Since then, I have handled a multitude of cases and trials including: complex medical and personal injury actions; issues regarding farm, land and property rights; contract disputes; domestic custody and child support; disputed probate and trust issues; insurance disputes; general issues regarding citizen complaints and high-level criminal cases.I also have extensive training with the National Judicial College and the National Forensics Institute.What are the specific aspects of this judicial position that moved you to run? I have enjoyed the challenge of being the District Judge since August 2016. I have received great feedback from litigants, attorneys, jurors and staff regarding my service in the position and want to continue. When I filed for my first term, before being appointed to the position by the governor, I had been approached by several people about running for judge. After 21 years in private practice, I was ready for a new challenge, and felt comfortable that I was very qualified to handle the position because of my broad experience as an attorney.Describe the ideal judge. The ideal judge is well versed in the law, has the right experience and background, and makes informed, fair and lawful decisions. I worked hard to gain that necessary experience before filing for the position over four years ago and have used that experience to successfully perform the duties of your judge in an unbiased, intelligent and lawful manner.The ideal judge provides an environment in the courtroom that feels accessible to litigants. They should feel comfortable knowing they have a voice and will receive due process without bias. This is a policy I have maintained as your judge in the past and will continue.Describe the most challenging ethical dilemma you have encountered. How did you handle it?&nbsp; The most challenging dilemma involves dealing with pro se litigants. The number of litigants that cannot afford legal representation is increasing! As a judge, I am not allowed to give legal advice. While I cannot give advice, I have made sure my staff directs them to resources available that guide them through the court system.What do you perceive as the greatest obstacles to justice, if any? Currently the greatest obstacle to justice was created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Supreme Court has issued orders that initially closed the court houses and currently allowed them to operate under restrictions of social distancing. Currently we are not allowed to schedule jury trials. This especially affects criminal defendants who are incarcerated waiting for a trial, but it also affects civil litigants seeking monetary relief for alleged injury or loss. We are working on a plan to start scheduling these trials in accordance with our court mandated policies. Most hearings are now functioning well via Zoom and can be viewed livestream on YouTube. This is working and has allowed cases to proceed.What do you believe are the causes of the high rates of minority incarceration? Locally, this problem does not present itself on a regular basis because of the low rate of minorities in the 23rd Judicial District communities. However, national data does suggest a high rate of minority incarceration. While the reasoning is vast, a central point usually raised is disparity at the point of arrest; which then of course leads to incarceration. As a sitting judge, I am not allowed to share an opinion which would support or not support organizations that have opinions regarding disparity. As we all know at this time there is a substantial amount of information, good and/or bad, on a national level. I would just encourage all to be informed before drawing any conclusions.What do you think about the growing prison population? What response should society have to prison overcrowding? Clearly the growing prison population is result of persons in prison because they initially received a prison sentence or violated the terms of probation. If we can prevent the crime, we can prevent the prison consequence. There are two significant problems that often are linked to crime and incarceration: (1) drug use and (2) mental illness. There are already some measures in place that are addressing drug use. These include Drug Court and Oxford houses that are working in addition to traditional groups such as NA, AA and church groups. Regarding mental illness, there is a need to offer more beds for treatment closer to our community and more support for those who are currently working in this field.As a prospective judge, what do you consider your greatest strengths/ weaknesses? My greatest strength as the current District Judge is the good relationships I have with attorneys, law enforcement, and staff in the court system.Being accessible and having good communication with all those who are an essential part of the court system not only makes things operate more efficiently but creates an environment where everyone works together in a positive manner. This environment then positively impacts all litigants who need to utilize the court system. My current weakness is my ability to do my job efficiently given the restrictions put in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are required to follow the orders from the Supreme Court regarding our ability to conduct jury trials and other restrictions regarding in-person hearings. As I stated above, our district has worked hard, and will continue to find alternatives. Our work is paying off and hopefully soon we will be back to normal, or the new normal, whatever that may be.Have you ever been disciplined by the bar association or the state commission on judicial conduct? NoHave you ever been arrested? NoHave you ever been a principal, named litigant in a civil matter? &nbsp;NoHave you ever been the victim of a crime?&nbsp;No

CANDIDATE PROFILE Judge 23rd District: Blake Bittel

When did you pass the Kansas bar?&nbsp;1989

Current job title and relevant prior job titles: Ellis County Attorney (1997-present) Trego County Attorney (1997-2000) Assistant Ellis County Attorney (1989-1996) Associate in private law firm (Glassman Bird &amp; Braun) (1989-1996)

Community involvement Governor's Appointed Prosecutor to the Kansas Sentencing Commission (2007-2012); Attorney General's Appointed Prosecutor to the Kansas Sexual Violent Predator Commitment Review Committee (2011 - present); Appointed Prosecutor to the Kansas Recodification Commission (2009-2010); Kansas Supreme Court Appointed Prosecutor to the Pre-Trial Justice Committee (2018 - present); Kansas County and District Attorney's Association (1989 - present), Board of Directors (2000- 2006), President (2005); Ellis County and Kansas Bar Association (1989 - present); NW Kansas Community Corrections and Juvenile Justice Board of Directors (1996 - present); High Plains Mental Health Center Board of Directors (2006 - present); Court Appointed Special Advocates of the High Plains Board of Directors (1989 - 1993); Ellis County Historical Society Board of Directors (2004 - present); BSA Troop 101 Assistant Scout Master (2009 - present); Hays Recreation Commission Volunteer Youth Coach (2001 - 2011); Immaculate Heart of Mary Confirmation Catechist (2005 - present); Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Council (1992 - 1998, 2001 - 2007, 2008 - 2013).

What experience and skills would you bring to the position? I have practiced law and prosecuted for nearly 31 years. I have tried scores of jury trials. My appointment to numerous state committees/commissions have given me a more global perspective of the justice system in Kansas. I will use my legal and life experience to assist litigants, witnesses and others who appear in my courtroom as we strive to obtain justice.

What are the specific aspects of this judicial position that moved you to run? Having litigated before numerous judges for nearly 31 years, I have come to the realization that I possess the experience, knowledge and skill set to be a fair, just and dedicated judge.

Describe the ideal judge. The role of the courts in our society is to provide a fair public forum in which the applicable laws pertaining to that particular controversy are used to resolve the issue. The ultimate goal of the litigants and the court is to achieve justice in each case. The judge must be knowledgeable about the law and courtroom procedures. The judge must extend courtesy to all litigants and participants before the court. The judge must apply the appropriate law to the particular facts at issue and make a fair and just decision.

An ideal judge would lead by example. An ideal judge should be thoroughly prepared on each case and each issue brought before the court. I believe I have the necessary education, experience, character and dedication to be a good judge. I will use my 31 years of legal experience and life experience to assist the litigants, witnesses and others who appear in my courtroom, always striving to obtain justice.

Describe the most challenging ethical dilemma you have encountered. How did you handle it? I was the prosecutor at a detention hearing for a young man and came to realize the defense attorney was not advocating for the best interest of the young man. I believed the attorney had a conflict of interest due to his personal relationship with a person other than the young man. I asked for a recess, conferred with the Kansas Disciplinary Administrator, then confronted the attorney. The information given to me by the attorney confirmed a conflict of interest. We continued the hearing; a new attorney was appointed for the young man, and the attorney reported himself to the disciplinary office.

What do you perceive as the greatest obstacles to justice, if any? On the substantive side, the greatest obstacle to justice is the lack of willingness by litigants and witnesses to come forward and speak the truth about the issues being litigated. On the procedural side, the greatest obstacle is the lack of personnel, resources, and funding to efficiently move cases through the judicial system. The state-wide judiciary does not have an adequate number of judges, court clerks, and staff to keep cases moving through the court at a reasonable pace.

If I am elected Judge, I will faithfully and diligently perform my duties. I will explore innovative ways to help move litigants' cases forward expeditiously, without jeopardizing their right to a fair trial and a timely decision. I will dedicate my full time and attention to seeking justice.

What do you believe are the causes of the high rates of minority incarceration? I cannot speak to national numbers, but I am not aware that our local incarceration rates are disproportionate. As a prosecutor, I do not and have never considered race in charging decisions or case resolution. As a judge, I would treat everyone fairly, regardless of their race.

What do you think about the growing prison population? What response should society have to prison overcrowding? Again, I cannot speak to national numbers, but I am familiar with Kansas and Ellis County numbers. The state of Kansas has the capacity to house approximately 10,000 prisoners. For the last several years, Kansas has been at and slightly above capacity. Ellis County can house approximately 75 inmates. Since the jail reopened following the remodel (January 2016), Ellis County has averaged around 65 inmates. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kansas prison population has decreased to under 9,200, and Ellis County has decreased to around 45 inmates.

It is important to make sure that the people we have in prison/jail should be there, and that we do not unnecessarily incarcerate anyone. As a prosecutor, I have seen the problem with resorting to housing people in county jail who are mentally ill or addicted to various substances. From my experience as an appointed prosecutor to the Kansas Sentencing Commission (2007-2012), and the Kansas Supreme Court Pre-Trial Justice Committee (2018-present), I am knowledgeable about the challenges regarding inmate population. We need to work toward community programs that address these issues, instead of relying on the jail to fill the void. As a prosecutor, I have worked closely with community corrections, court services and High Plains Mental Health to ensure the people in jail need to be in jail. As a judge, I will work hard to help move cases quickly through the system that do not require a lot of judicial intervention, so that I can spend the necessary time on cases that are more time intensive. This requires an educated, reasoned and seasoned approach to who should be in jail and who should not. I believe my unique skillset, education, and experience will allow me to make such decisions.

As a prospective judge, what do you consider your greatest strengths? Weaknesses? For nearly 31 years, I have had the honor and privilege of serving the public as a lawyer and prosecuting attorney. I want to use my 31 years of legal experience — and life experience — to assist litigants, witnesses, and others who appear in my courtroom to obtain justice. I want to ensure that all who appear before me have a judge with the highest integrity, who is independent, impartial, neutral at all times, and who is able to fairly assess the merits of the case without prejudice or bias, with the ultimate goal of achieving justice. With my nearly 31 years of courtroom experience and dedication to the practice of law, I am prepared to make the tough and fair-minded decisions required of a district judge.

Although I am exceedingly knowledgeable regarding criminal law and procedure, as criminal law has been my primary focus for the past 24 years, I did practice civil law for seven years. Therefore, I have the benefit of a well-rounded background. Also, as a prosecutor I’ve handled numerous child in need of care and care and treatment cases, which are civil cases. In addition, I’ve handled several civil cases as appointed county counselor through the years, including tax, zoning, and appeals that are civil in nature. Because it is not new to me, I am confident in my ability to reacquaint myself with the nuances of civil procedure quickly.

Have you ever been disciplined by the bar association or the state commission on judicial conduct? No, I have never been disciplined by the Kansas Office of the Disciplinary Administrator.

Have you ever been arrested? When and on what charges? What was the outcome? No, I have never been arrested.

Have you ever been a principal, named litigant in a civil matter? How did it affect you? Yes, I have been sued on a few occasions in my capacity as the Ellis County Attorney, in state court and in federal court, during my nearly 24 years of service as the Ellis County Attorney. All of the actions filed against me were dismissed by the courts prior to trial (on summary judgment).

Being sued helped give me perspective on how important each and every lawsuit (criminal or civil) is to the people involved. It further helped to remind me of the importance of a fair, just and speedy resolution to each and every case.

Have you ever been the victim of a crime? How did it impact you (if at all) as an attorney or judge? Yes, through the years I have had numerous minor incidents of property damage to my vehicles and my house, and more serious threats against myself and my family. This goes with the territory of nearly 31 years of prosecution. However, it pales in comparison to what victims of person crimes and law enforcement officers suffer and endure. This has helped me to be empathetic to those who have suffered a civil or criminal wrong against them, and who are seeking justice through the court system.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595882650841.jpeg" alt="Drees" />
 <figcaption>Drees</figcaption>
 </figure>Age: 56When did you pass the Kansas bar?&nbsp;1989Current job title and relevant prior job titles: Ellis County Attorney (1997-present) Trego County Attorney (1997-2000) Assistant Ellis County Attorney (1989-1996) Associate in private law firm (Glassman Bird &amp; Braun) (1989-1996)Community involvement Governor's Appointed Prosecutor to the Kansas Sentencing Commission (2007-2012); Attorney General's Appointed Prosecutor to the Kansas Sexual Violent Predator Commitment Review Committee (2011 - present); Appointed Prosecutor to the Kansas Recodification Commission (2009-2010); Kansas Supreme Court Appointed Prosecutor to the Pre-Trial Justice Committee (2018 - present); Kansas County and District Attorney's Association (1989 - present), Board of Directors (2000- 2006), President (2005); Ellis County and Kansas Bar Association (1989 - present); NW Kansas Community Corrections and Juvenile Justice Board of Directors (1996 - present); High Plains Mental Health Center Board of Directors (2006 - present); Court Appointed Special Advocates of the High Plains Board of Directors (1989 - 1993); Ellis County Historical Society Board of Directors (2004 - present); BSA Troop 101 Assistant Scout Master (2009 - present); Hays Recreation Commission Volunteer Youth Coach (2001 - 2011); Immaculate Heart of Mary Confirmation Catechist (2005 - present); Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Council (1992 - 1998, 2001 - 2007, 2008 - 2013).What experience and skills would you bring to the position? I have practiced law and prosecuted for nearly 31 years. I have tried scores of jury trials. My appointment to numerous state committees/commissions have given me a more global perspective of the justice system in Kansas. I will use my legal and life experience to assist litigants, witnesses and others who appear in my courtroom as we strive to obtain justice.What are the specific aspects of this judicial position that moved you to run? Having litigated before numerous judges for nearly 31 years, I have come to the realization that I possess the experience, knowledge and skill set to be a fair, just and dedicated judge.Describe the ideal judge. The role of the courts in our society is to provide a fair public forum in which the applicable laws pertaining to that particular controversy are used to resolve the issue. The ultimate goal of the litigants and the court is to achieve justice in each case. The judge must be knowledgeable about the law and courtroom procedures. The judge must extend courtesy to all litigants and participants before the court. The judge must apply the appropriate law to the particular facts at issue and make a fair and just decision.An ideal judge would lead by example. An ideal judge should be thoroughly prepared on each case and each issue brought before the court. I believe I have the necessary education, experience, character and dedication to be a good judge. I will use my 31 years of legal experience and life experience to assist the litigants, witnesses and others who appear in my courtroom, always striving to obtain justice.Describe the most challenging ethical dilemma you have encountered. How did you handle it? I was the prosecutor at a detention hearing for a young man and came to realize the defense attorney was not advocating for the best interest of the young man. I believed the attorney had a conflict of interest due to his personal relationship with a person other than the young man. I asked for a recess, conferred with the Kansas Disciplinary Administrator, then confronted the attorney. The information given to me by the attorney confirmed a conflict of interest. We continued the hearing; a new attorney was appointed for the young man, and the attorney reported himself to the disciplinary office.What do you perceive as the greatest obstacles to justice, if any? On the substantive side, the greatest obstacle to justice is the lack of willingness by litigants and witnesses to come forward and speak the truth about the issues being litigated. On the procedural side, the greatest obstacle is the lack of personnel, resources, and funding to efficiently move cases through the judicial system. The state-wide judiciary does not have an adequate number of judges, court clerks, and staff to keep cases moving through the court at a reasonable pace.If I am elected Judge, I will faithfully and diligently perform my duties. I will explore innovative ways to help move litigants' cases forward expeditiously, without jeopardizing their right to a fair trial and a timely decision. I will dedicate my full time and attention to seeking justice.What do you believe are the causes of the high rates of minority incarceration? I cannot speak to national numbers, but I am not aware that our local incarceration rates are disproportionate. As a prosecutor, I do not and have never considered race in charging decisions or case resolution. As a judge, I would treat everyone fairly, regardless of their race.What do you think about the growing prison population? What response should society have to prison overcrowding? Again, I cannot speak to national numbers, but I am familiar with Kansas and Ellis County numbers. The state of Kansas has the capacity to house approximately 10,000 prisoners. For the last several years, Kansas has been at and slightly above capacity. Ellis County can house approximately 75 inmates. Since the jail reopened following the remodel (January 2016), Ellis County has averaged around 65 inmates. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kansas prison population has decreased to under 9,200, and Ellis County has decreased to around 45 inmates.It is important to make sure that the people we have in prison/jail should be there, and that we do not unnecessarily incarcerate anyone. As a prosecutor, I have seen the problem with resorting to housing people in county jail who are mentally ill or addicted to various substances. From my experience as an appointed prosecutor to the Kansas Sentencing Commission (2007-2012), and the Kansas Supreme Court Pre-Trial Justice Committee (2018-present), I am knowledgeable about the challenges regarding inmate population. We need to work toward community programs that address these issues, instead of relying on the jail to fill the void. As a prosecutor, I have worked closely with community corrections, court services and High Plains Mental Health to ensure the people in jail need to be in jail. As a judge, I will work hard to help move cases quickly through the system that do not require a lot of judicial intervention, so that I can spend the necessary time on cases that are more time intensive. This requires an educated, reasoned and seasoned approach to who should be in jail and who should not. I believe my unique skillset, education, and experience will allow me to make such decisions.As a prospective judge, what do you consider your greatest strengths? Weaknesses? For nearly 31 years, I have had the honor and privilege of serving the public as a lawyer and prosecuting attorney. I want to use my 31 years of legal experience — and life experience — to assist litigants, witnesses, and others who appear in my courtroom to obtain justice. I want to ensure that all who appear before me have a judge with the highest integrity, who is independent, impartial, neutral at all times, and who is able to fairly assess the merits of the case without prejudice or bias, with the ultimate goal of achieving justice. With my nearly 31 years of courtroom experience and dedication to the practice of law, I am prepared to make the tough and fair-minded decisions required of a district judge.Although I am exceedingly knowledgeable regarding criminal law and procedure, as criminal law has been my primary focus for the past 24 years, I did practice civil law for seven years. Therefore, I have the benefit of a well-rounded background. Also, as a prosecutor I’ve handled numerous child in need of care and care and treatment cases, which are civil cases. In addition, I’ve handled several civil cases as appointed county counselor through the years, including tax, zoning, and appeals that are civil in nature. Because it is not new to me, I am confident in my ability to reacquaint myself with the nuances of civil procedure quickly.Have you ever been disciplined by the bar association or the state commission on judicial conduct? No, I have never been disciplined by the Kansas Office of the Disciplinary Administrator.Have you ever been arrested? When and on what charges? What was the outcome? No, I have never been arrested.Have you ever been a principal, named litigant in a civil matter? How did it affect you? Yes, I have been sued on a few occasions in my capacity as the Ellis County Attorney, in state court and in federal court, during my nearly 24 years of service as the Ellis County Attorney. All of the actions filed against me were dismissed by the courts prior to trial (on summary judgment).Being sued helped give me perspective on how important each and every lawsuit (criminal or civil) is to the people involved. It further helped to remind me of the importance of a fair, just and speedy resolution to each and every case.Have you ever been the victim of a crime? How did it impact you (if at all) as an attorney or judge? Yes, through the years I have had numerous minor incidents of property damage to my vehicles and my house, and more serious threats against myself and my family. This goes with the territory of nearly 31 years of prosecution. However, it pales in comparison to what victims of person crimes and law enforcement officers suffer and endure. This has helped me to be empathetic to those who have suffered a civil or criminal wrong against them, and who are seeking justice through the court system.

CANDIDATE PROFILE Judge 23rd District: Thomas J. Drees

When did you pass the Kansas bar? 1999

Current job title and relevant prior job titles: Current job title - Regional Attorney, Department for Children and Families Prior relevant job titles: General Counsel, FHSU Private Practice Attorney Attorney with Child Support Enforcement and Court Trustee Office Managing Attorney and Attorney at Kansas Legal Services

Community involvement Community involvement is important to me. I have volunteered in the community over the years from school organizations, church groups and organizations such as United Way of Ellis County, Wonder Women League and Soroptimist, among others.

What experience and skills would you bring to the position? Twenty years of legal experience practicing in criminal, domestic, civil and administrative law; strong ties to Ellis County and the surrounding area; a well-rounded understanding of all aspects of the law based on the wide variety of areas of the law I have practiced in throughout my career.

What are the specific aspects of this judicial position that moved you to run? The opportunity to serve my community in a useful way that best incorporates my talents and experience.

Describe the ideal judge. An ideal judge is one who has broad knowledge of the law; one who isn’t afraid to do what is right regardless of what public opinion is; someone who holds the position with the utmost respect. As judge one needs to have judicial temperament, which is being courteous, respectful, levelheaded and impartial to all cases and parties. District Judge for the 23rd Judicial District is unique as they hear a wide range of cases including domestic, criminal, child in need of care, probate, oil and gas, civil litigation (including medical, injury, banking, etc.), and guardianship/conservatorships just to name a few. District judges must possess a broad knowledge of the law and have the necessary training and willingness to educate themselves in all aspects of the law as it changes with society.

Describe the most challenging ethical dilemma you have encountered. How did you handle it? As an attorney, I have had individuals representing themselves on cases on the other side over the years or had hired an attorney who they were struggling communicating with regarding their case. Often, these individuals would approach me with questions needing help with their case. As adverse counsel, I was unable to advise them as requested; however, I could refer them to the Kansas Bar Association attorney referral service to seek legal advice or if needed the Office of Disciplinary Administrator to work through a complaint with an existing attorney.

What do you perceive as the greatest obstacles to justice, if any? One of the greatest obstacles to justice is the lack of awareness of legal rights, services and procedures by the general public. Most people are aware if an action is wrong, but they may not be aware how that action affects their legal rights and what can be done about it. Is the action something that needs to be reported to law enforcement and worked through the criminal justice system or is it something civil that they need to seek an attorney for and work through that system? Many questions can arise as to what does this action mean for them? Does going through the criminal justice system restore them monetarily or does it serve to keep the action for occurring again? Transparency of the legal system along with education is the key to overcoming this obstacle.

What do you believe are the causes of the high rates of minority incarceration? While I am not an expert in the field, minority rates of incarceration are statistically greater than incarceration rates in America. I have read the national reports regarding incarceration rates that list a wide variety of reasons for the disparaging rates of incarceration such as poverty, education, unemployment history, criminal history and biased decision making in the criminal justice system. While some of these studied factors are outside the authority of a judge when reviewing a case and ordering a sentence, I can confidently state that if elected judge, I pledge to treat everyone fairly, regardless of their race.

What do you think about the growing prison population? What response should society have to prison overcrowding? As a judge, it will be my job to apply the law at sentencing in determining whether or not someone will go to prison or get probation. The status of prison overcrowding or growth is not my focus as a judge but applying the sentencing guidelines as needed and ensuring that they are applied consistently and fairly. While there are certainly options, better than prison for some people and those opportunities are oftentimes required to be explored under the law, prison does serve a purpose as well. The federal and state legislature has a duty to monitor prison populations and make public policy decisions related to that matter.

As a prospective judge, what do you consider your greatest strengths? Weaknesses? I think my greatest strength is my expansive knowledge of the legal field and the ability to apply that knowledge while making decisions. My greatest weakness will be my desire to help everyone who appears in front of me and to make sure that they do better moving forward. My decisions can aid in this, but I cannot move outside applying the law to ensure that they make better choices in the future. This is the same feeling all parents have when we are preparing our children to leave home and hope we have given them all the necessary tools to move forward on their own. We can’t move with them and look over their shoulder every day, but need to trust we were clear in our teachings and move forward.

Have you ever been disciplined by the bar association or the state commission on judicial conduct? I have not been disciplined by the Office of Disciplinary Administrator or the Board of Attorney Discipline.

Have you ever been arrested? When and on what charges? What was the outcome? I have never been arrested.

Have you ever been a principal, named litigant in a civil matter? How did it affect you? I have never been a principal, named litigant in a civil matter.

Have you ever been the victim of a crime? How did it impact you (if at all) as an attorney or judge? Not that I recall. In my line of work, you learn that often times people are the victims of a relatively minor crime (e.g. having their change stolen out of their car when they left the door unlocked) and forget about it due to the relatively minimal impact the particular crime they were the victim of had on their life. For this reason, I don’t want to say absolutely not, but I don’t believe I have been a victim of a crime.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595883715278.jpeg" alt="Wasinger" />
 <figcaption>Wasinger</figcaption>
 </figure>Age: 45When did you pass the Kansas bar? 1999Current job title and relevant prior job titles: Current job title - Regional Attorney, Department for Children and Families Prior relevant job titles: General Counsel, FHSU Private Practice Attorney Attorney with Child Support Enforcement and Court Trustee Office Managing Attorney and Attorney at Kansas Legal ServicesCommunity involvement Community involvement is important to me. I have volunteered in the community over the years from school organizations, church groups and organizations such as United Way of Ellis County, Wonder Women League and Soroptimist, among others.What experience and skills would you bring to the position? Twenty years of legal experience practicing in criminal, domestic, civil and administrative law; strong ties to Ellis County and the surrounding area; a well-rounded understanding of all aspects of the law based on the wide variety of areas of the law I have practiced in throughout my career.What are the specific aspects of this judicial position that moved you to run? The opportunity to serve my community in a useful way that best incorporates my talents and experience.Describe the ideal judge. An ideal judge is one who has broad knowledge of the law; one who isn’t afraid to do what is right regardless of what public opinion is; someone who holds the position with the utmost respect. As judge one needs to have judicial temperament, which is being courteous, respectful, levelheaded and impartial to all cases and parties. District Judge for the 23rd Judicial District is unique as they hear a wide range of cases including domestic, criminal, child in need of care, probate, oil and gas, civil litigation (including medical, injury, banking, etc.), and guardianship/conservatorships just to name a few. District judges must possess a broad knowledge of the law and have the necessary training and willingness to educate themselves in all aspects of the law as it changes with society.Describe the most challenging ethical dilemma you have encountered. How did you handle it? As an attorney, I have had individuals representing themselves on cases on the other side over the years or had hired an attorney who they were struggling communicating with regarding their case. Often, these individuals would approach me with questions needing help with their case. As adverse counsel, I was unable to advise them as requested; however, I could refer them to the Kansas Bar Association attorney referral service to seek legal advice or if needed the Office of Disciplinary Administrator to work through a complaint with an existing attorney.What do you perceive as the greatest obstacles to justice, if any? One of the greatest obstacles to justice is the lack of awareness of legal rights, services and procedures by the general public. Most people are aware if an action is wrong, but they may not be aware how that action affects their legal rights and what can be done about it. Is the action something that needs to be reported to law enforcement and worked through the criminal justice system or is it something civil that they need to seek an attorney for and work through that system? Many questions can arise as to what does this action mean for them? Does going through the criminal justice system restore them monetarily or does it serve to keep the action for occurring again? Transparency of the legal system along with education is the key to overcoming this obstacle.What do you believe are the causes of the high rates of minority incarceration? While I am not an expert in the field, minority rates of incarceration are statistically greater than incarceration rates in America. I have read the national reports regarding incarceration rates that list a wide variety of reasons for the disparaging rates of incarceration such as poverty, education, unemployment history, criminal history and biased decision making in the criminal justice system. While some of these studied factors are outside the authority of a judge when reviewing a case and ordering a sentence, I can confidently state that if elected judge, I pledge to treat everyone fairly, regardless of their race.What do you think about the growing prison population? What response should society have to prison overcrowding? As a judge, it will be my job to apply the law at sentencing in determining whether or not someone will go to prison or get probation. The status of prison overcrowding or growth is not my focus as a judge but applying the sentencing guidelines as needed and ensuring that they are applied consistently and fairly. While there are certainly options, better than prison for some people and those opportunities are oftentimes required to be explored under the law, prison does serve a purpose as well. The federal and state legislature has a duty to monitor prison populations and make public policy decisions related to that matter.As a prospective judge, what do you consider your greatest strengths? Weaknesses? I think my greatest strength is my expansive knowledge of the legal field and the ability to apply that knowledge while making decisions. My greatest weakness will be my desire to help everyone who appears in front of me and to make sure that they do better moving forward. My decisions can aid in this, but I cannot move outside applying the law to ensure that they make better choices in the future. This is the same feeling all parents have when we are preparing our children to leave home and hope we have given them all the necessary tools to move forward on their own. We can’t move with them and look over their shoulder every day, but need to trust we were clear in our teachings and move forward.Have you ever been disciplined by the bar association or the state commission on judicial conduct? I have not been disciplined by the Office of Disciplinary Administrator or the Board of Attorney Discipline.Have you ever been arrested? When and on what charges? What was the outcome? I have never been arrested.Have you ever been a principal, named litigant in a civil matter? How did it affect you? I have never been a principal, named litigant in a civil matter.Have you ever been the victim of a crime? How did it impact you (if at all) as an attorney or judge? Not that I recall. In my line of work, you learn that often times people are the victims of a relatively minor crime (e.g. having their change stolen out of their car when they left the door unlocked) and forget about it due to the relatively minimal impact the particular crime they were the victim of had on their life. For this reason, I don’t want to say absolutely not, but I don’t believe I have been a victim of a crime.

CANDIDATE PROFILE Judge 23rd District: Kerry Wasinger

When University
of Kansas distinguished professor of ecology and evolutionary biology A. Townsend Peterson recently traveled to Hays to take a picture
of a residential neighborhood with a drone, it would have been hard to imagine
the scope of the project.

It
was after all just a picture of an unassuming intersection.

But taking the picture was just a small
piece of an ongoing project that looks at the ways landscapes have changed in
recent history and includes hundreds of locations carefully planned after hours of meticulous research.

The work began years ago after Peterson started accumulating
old photographs and images of landscapes from locations outside of the United
States.

“I’ve done that with a couple of
historical collections in Mexico and was planning this summer to start doing
the same in Brazil,” he said.

But with international travel hampered
due to COVID-19, Peterson looked a little closer to home and he started asking
the same questions about landscapes in Kansas.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1e010215-2bd1-41d4-a3b4-b3b9d719a95f">During an early search, he found a
lithograph of “Contest Grove,” the farmstead home built by Martin Allen that is
now surrounded by other homes and businesses solidly within the town of Hays</a>&nbsp;at 2704 Woodrow Court.

“It was really fascinating because the
detail was so great and this birds-eye-view perspective, I was intrigued by it
and put it on my to-do list,” Peterson said.

Turning to the Kansas Historical Society’s
collection of plat books Peterson found a prolific source of images of old
farmsteads in Kansas just like the one from Hays.

“It turns out that some of those plat
books, but not all, just some of them include these lithograph depictions of
Kansas farms,” he said.

So, as any good scientist would, he
went through every plat book in the library and found approximately 400 of the lithographs.

He then added another 100 from another
source.

Using the plat books lithographs were a
“fad,” he said, that ended around 1890 so there is a high density from the
eastern part of Kansas, Peterson said.

“Then just very scattered images in
western Kansas,” he said.

After finding images that fit his study, Peterson has to find the exact location pictured and when the image was
made.

“I think the Contest Grove one says
‘Hays,’ " he said. "I looked for Contest Grove and there is nothing on Google except a link
to the image,” Peterson said.

So Peterson turned to the local
historical society, which then shared the location of the home — now in
Hays and, luckily enough, still standing even as the area developed as Hays grew
north.

In general, he said only about 10 percent
of the images he finds has the original building on it and 50 percent have a new
building in the same place. 

“Each one of them is quite a bit of
work,” he said.

About an hour of work is required to find the historical location of the farm and to find the present day
location&nbsp;for each image, Peterson said.

After verifying the information, he travels to the exact spot from the original and uses a drone to capture an image that can be compared to the original image.

With the timeframe of the lithographs
and their proliferation in the late 1800s, he believes the project could be
easily be expanded to the eastern part of the U.S.

“But it would be a pretty nightmarish thing
to do,” Peterson said, noting the potential of thousands of pictures and sites
to be photographed and compared.

Just doing the 300 left in Kansas, he
said,will take several years.

Despite the work required, the image comparisons
offer a window into ecology that is difficult to source any other way.

By looking at the way the land has
changed between the image creation and now fills a gap in the study between the
quick timeframes of recent biology and much older ones thousands — or tens of thousands — of
years ago.

&nbsp;“In
biology, we work on different time scales,” Peterson said.

The ecologist time scale is short, usually
in the 10- to 20-year range, so very few data sets are available and the more
ancient data creates a gap in the record between decades to millennia.

That is where Peterson’s interest with
the project lies.

“So I started playing with deeper time
processes affecting the distribution of species,” he said. “I’m very interested in
how land-use changes over time.

“Think about the landscape around Lawrence,”
Peterson said. “It's farmland with wood lots here and there.”

He said the landscape is very similar to
his home state of Ohio.

“The landscapes and the vegetation are
awfully similar, so the interesting thing is eastern Kansas was originally prairie
and then has forested with fire control, but southwestern Ohio was originally
forested and was deforested by settlers,” Peterson said. “So the two landscapes
have converged on the same outward appearance from very different beginning
points. That’s really fascinating and I would love to know more about the
landscape dynamics that are behind that.”

By JAMES BELL Hays PostWhen University
of Kansas distinguished professor of ecology and evolutionary biology A. Townsend Peterson recently traveled to Hays to take a picture
of a residential neighborhood with a drone, it would have been hard to imagine
the scope of the project.It
was after all just a picture of an unassuming intersection.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595628005600.jpeg" alt="Courtesy A. Townsend Peterson" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy A. Townsend Peterson</figcaption>
 </figure>But taking the picture was just a small
piece of an ongoing project that looks at the ways landscapes have changed in
recent history and includes hundreds of locations carefully planned after hours of meticulous research.The work began years ago after Peterson started accumulating
old photographs and images of landscapes from locations outside of the United
States.“I’ve done that with a couple of
historical collections in Mexico and was planning this summer to start doing
the same in Brazil,” he said.But with international travel hampered
due to COVID-19, Peterson looked a little closer to home and he started asking
the same questions about landscapes in Kansas.So the hunt for more images began.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1e010215-2bd1-41d4-a3b4-b3b9d719a95f">During an early search, he found a
lithograph of “Contest Grove,” the farmstead home built by Martin Allen that is
now surrounded by other homes and businesses solidly within the town of Hays</a>&nbsp;at 2704 Woodrow Court.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595627950441.jpeg" alt="Courtesy Ellis County Historical Society" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Ellis County Historical Society</figcaption>
 </figure>“It was really fascinating because the
detail was so great and this birds-eye-view perspective, I was intrigued by it
and put it on my to-do list,” Peterson said.Turning to the Kansas Historical Society’s
collection of plat books Peterson found a prolific source of images of old
farmsteads in Kansas just like the one from Hays.“It turns out that some of those plat
books, but not all, just some of them include these lithograph depictions of
Kansas farms,” he said.So, as any good scientist would, he
went through every plat book in the library and found approximately 400 of the lithographs.He then added another 100 from another
source.Using the plat books lithographs were a
“fad,” he said, that ended around 1890 so there is a high density from the
eastern part of Kansas, Peterson said.“Then just very scattered images in
western Kansas,” he said.After finding images that fit his study, Peterson has to find the exact location pictured and when the image was
made.“I think the Contest Grove one says
‘Hays,’ " he said. "I looked for Contest Grove and there is nothing on Google except a link
to the image,” Peterson said.So Peterson turned to the local
historical society, which then shared the location of the home — now in
Hays and, luckily enough, still standing even as the area developed as Hays grew
north.In general, he said only about 10 percent
of the images he finds has the original building on it and 50 percent have a new
building in the same place. The rest are now empty.“Each one of them is quite a bit of
work,” he said.About an hour of work is required to find the historical location of the farm and to find the present day
location&nbsp;for each image, Peterson said.After verifying the information, he travels to the exact spot from the original and uses a drone to capture an image that can be compared to the original image.With the timeframe of the lithographs
and their proliferation in the late 1800s, he believes the project could be
easily be expanded to the eastern part of the U.S.“But it would be a pretty nightmarish thing
to do,” Peterson said, noting the potential of thousands of pictures and sites
to be photographed and compared.Just doing the 300 left in Kansas, he
said,will take several years.Despite the work required, the image comparisons
offer a window into ecology that is difficult to source any other way.By looking at the way the land has
changed between the image creation and now fills a gap in the study between the
quick timeframes of recent biology and much older ones thousands — or tens of thousands — of
years ago.&nbsp;“In
biology, we work on different time scales,” Peterson said.The ecologist time scale is short, usually
in the 10- to 20-year range, so very few data sets are available and the more
ancient data creates a gap in the record between decades to millennia.That is where Peterson’s interest with
the project lies.“So I started playing with deeper time
processes affecting the distribution of species,” he said. “I’m very interested in
how land-use changes over time.“Think about the landscape around Lawrence,”
Peterson said. “It's farmland with wood lots here and there.”He said the landscape is very similar to
his home state of Ohio.“The landscapes and the vegetation are
awfully similar, so the interesting thing is eastern Kansas was originally prairie
and then has forested with fire control, but southwestern Ohio was originally
forested and was deforested by settlers,” Peterson said. “So the two landscapes
have converged on the same outward appearance from very different beginning
points. That’s really fascinating and I would love to know more about the
landscape dynamics that are behind that.”

Historic Hays home included in ecology study

The Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association (KIOGA) has canceled its annual convention in response to uncertainty about the response to the coronavirus pandemic. The group is reviewing other plans including a series of internet seminars to replace the events originally scheduled for the August gathering. An online conversation with the Kansas Congressional delegation is planned next month. The popular golf and sporting clays tourneys could be rescheduled as early as October.

Friday's prices at CHS in McPherson were up a quarter. Kansas Common crude starts the week at $31.50 a barrel. That's 75 cents higher than a week ago, a dollar-fifty higher than at the first of the month but nearly $15 cheaper than last year at this time.

Kansas gasoline prices held steady. The Sunflower State remained one of just 12 states with average gas prices below two dollars a gallon. The average Thursday across Kansas last week was $1.979. That's a nickel more than last month at this time, and about 55 cents less than a year ago. AAA said the average across the U.S. was about $2.19 a gallon. 

Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports the Kansas rig count rose last week, but so did the number of inactive drilling rigs.  There are two active oil and gas drilling rigs in eastern Kansas, up one from last week, and five west of Wichita, which is up two. There are 26 idle rigs statewide, compared to just 20 last week. There's not a lot of drilling activity in our area. Operators reached total depth at leases in Russell and Stafford counties.

Baker Hughes reports the national rig count was 251 on Friday, an increase of one oil rig but a drop of three rigs looking for natural gas. The count in Texas was down one, while New Mexico was up one. 

Kansas regulators approved five permits for drilling at new locations for the week ending July 23, all of them in Western Kansas. That's 245 new permits so far this year compared to 550 by this point last year.

There were just eight wells completed last week across the state, four of them were east of Wichita and four in western Kansas, including one completion in Russell County. Operators across the state report 564 completed wells so far this year, well behind the 823 wells completed by late July of 2019.

The government reports a slight uptick in U.S. crude-oil production last week, to 11.06 million barrels per day. The Energy Information Administration says U.S. crude-oil stockpiles increased by nearly five million barrels last week. Inventories are about 19% higher than the five-year average for this time of year. U.S. crude oil imports averaged 5.9 million barrels per day, an increase of 373,000 barrels per day from the previous week. Over the past four weeks, crude oil imports averaged 13.5%  less than the same four-week period last year. 

The Governor of Colorado says he has negotiated a truce in that state's oil and gas "ballot wars." Governor Jared Polis is hoping to let Colorado's new oil and gas law work its way through the regulatory process. In an opinion article published Monday, Governor Polis said an industry-backed group called Protect Colorado will end its efforts to put two pro-industry measures on the ballot this year. Three other measures, relating to new setback rules, local moratoriums and state oversight, won't make this year's ballot either, but supporters say that's more about the difficulty gathering signatures than any deal with the Governor. And some prominent environmental groups in the state still plan to consider a new batch of ballot measures in 2022.

Texas regulators say the Saudi-Russia oil price war spilled over into the U.S. economy in the form of what they call excessive dumping of crude oil into U.S. markets. The Railroad Commission of Texas, the state's top oil regulator, says after the pandemic hit Saudi shipments to the U.S. reached roughly four times February's volume, the highest total since 2014. The Commission and other groups are urging a federal investigation.

U.S. Oil-by-rail is up for the week but down nearly 15% compared to a year ago. The year-to-date total is down about 12% compared to the same figure a year ago. The Association of American Railroads says total rail traffic is also improving week-to-week, up about seven percent, but still lags behind last year by eight-and-a-half percent.

China’s crude oil imports from Saudi Arabia rose 15% in June compared to a year ago. Chinese refiners ordered record volumes in March and April when oil prices tumbled. China's crude imports from all its main suppliers set new records in June, boosting the country's total crude imports to a new record high, nearly 13 million barrels per day.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592847975802.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN P. TRETBARThe Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association (KIOGA) has canceled its annual convention in response to uncertainty about the response to the coronavirus pandemic. The group is reviewing other plans including a series of internet seminars to replace the events originally scheduled for the August gathering. An online conversation with the Kansas Congressional delegation is planned next month. The popular golf and sporting clays tourneys could be rescheduled as early as October.Friday's prices at CHS in McPherson were up a quarter. Kansas Common crude starts the week at $31.50 a barrel. That's 75 cents higher than a week ago, a dollar-fifty higher than at the first of the month but nearly $15 cheaper than last year at this time.Kansas gasoline prices held steady. The Sunflower State remained one of just 12 states with average gas prices below two dollars a gallon. The average Thursday across Kansas last week was $1.979. That's a nickel more than last month at this time, and about 55 cents less than a year ago. AAA said the average across the U.S. was about $2.19 a gallon. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports the Kansas rig count rose last week, but so did the number of inactive drilling rigs. There are two active oil and gas drilling rigs in eastern Kansas, up one from last week, and five west of Wichita, which is up two. There are 26 idle rigs statewide, compared to just 20 last week. There's not a lot of drilling activity in our area. Operators reached total depth at leases in Russell and Stafford counties.Baker Hughes reports the national rig count was 251 on Friday, an increase of one oil rig but a drop of three rigs looking for natural gas. The count in Texas was down one, while New Mexico was up one. Kansas regulators approved five permits for drilling at new locations for the week ending July 23, all of them in Western Kansas. That's 245 new permits so far this year compared to 550 by this point last year.There were just eight wells completed last week across the state, four of them were east of Wichita and four in western Kansas, including one completion in Russell County. Operators across the state report 564 completed wells so far this year, well behind the 823 wells completed by late July of 2019.The government reports a slight uptick in U.S. crude-oil production last week, to 11.06 million barrels per day. The Energy Information Administration says U.S. crude-oil stockpiles increased by nearly five million barrels last week. Inventories are about 19% higher than the five-year average for this time of year. U.S. crude oil imports averaged 5.9 million barrels per day, an increase of 373,000 barrels per day from the previous week. Over the past four weeks, crude oil imports averaged 13.5% less than the same four-week period last year. The Governor of Colorado says he has negotiated a truce in that state's oil and gas "ballot wars." Governor Jared Polis is hoping to let Colorado's new oil and gas law work its way through the regulatory process. In an opinion article published Monday, Governor Polis said an industry-backed group called Protect Colorado will end its efforts to put two pro-industry measures on the ballot this year. Three other measures, relating to new setback rules, local moratoriums and state oversight, won't make this year's ballot either, but supporters say that's more about the difficulty gathering signatures than any deal with the Governor. And some prominent environmental groups in the state still plan to consider a new batch of ballot measures in 2022.Texas regulators say the Saudi-Russia oil price war spilled over into the U.S. economy in the form of what they call excessive dumping of crude oil into U.S. markets. The Railroad Commission of Texas, the state's top oil regulator, says after the pandemic hit Saudi shipments to the U.S. reached roughly four times February's volume, the highest total since 2014. The Commission and other groups are urging a federal investigation.U.S. Oil-by-rail is up for the week but down nearly 15% compared to a year ago. The year-to-date total is down about 12% compared to the same figure a year ago. The Association of American Railroads says total rail traffic is also improving week-to-week, up about seven percent, but still lags behind last year by eight-and-a-half percent.China’s crude oil imports from Saudi Arabia rose 15% in June compared to a year ago. Chinese refiners ordered record volumes in March and April when oil prices tumbled. China's crude imports from all its main suppliers set new records in June, boosting the country's total crude imports to a new record high, nearly 13 million barrels per day.

News From the Oil Patch: Drilling activity slow in western Kan.

The Kansas Department of Transportation will begin resurfacing work on 6 miles of U.S. 283 in Norton County the week of July 27.

The project will consist of a 2-inch mill and inlay beginning at the Graham County line and ending at the west K-9 junction. Traffic will be directed through the work zone by flaggers and a pilot car during daylight hours, and minor delays should be expected.

KDOT anticipates work to be completed by the end of August, weather permitting.

Venture Corporation of Great Bend is the primary contractor for the $1.3 million project. For more information, contact KDOT area construction engineer Jim Riener at 785-543-2163 or<a href="mailto:jim.riener@ks.gov">jim.riener@ks.gov</a>.

KDOTThe Kansas Department of Transportation will begin resurfacing work on 6 miles of U.S. 283 in Norton County the week of July 27.The project will consist of a 2-inch mill and inlay beginning at the Graham County line and ending at the west K-9 junction. Traffic will be directed through the work zone by flaggers and a pilot car during daylight hours, and minor delays should be expected.KDOT anticipates work to be completed by the end of August, weather permitting.Venture Corporation of Great Bend is the primary contractor for the $1.3 million project. For more information, contact KDOT area construction engineer Jim Riener at 785-543-2163 or<a href="mailto:jim.riener@ks.gov">jim.riener@ks.gov</a>.

Resurfacing project set for U.S. 283 in Norton County

Next week, we’ll know more of the folks who are going to the Statehouse Prom.

Republican voters in five Senate districts will have made a primary election choice next Tuesday, putting those five winners on the November ballot without major party opposition. In the House, voters in 13 districts will have selected 10 Republicans and 3 Democrats for the general election ballot, and those 13 who won’t have a major party opponent.

Oh, and in the Senate, there are five Republicans and one Democrat who won re-election when their filing check cleared the Secretary of State’s office on June 1, and in the&nbsp; House, there are 24 Republicans and 9 Democrats who have no major party opposition in the primary or general.

So, this primary election? It was for just a handful of potential legislators—though us Statehouse habitués understand that there were some federal candidates at the top of the ballot whose campaigns have so flooded television news programs that we’re not sure what the new Fords are going to look like.

Where will we be next week with the primary over? Well, there will be 10 Republicans and one Democrat elected for the 40-member Senate, and 34 Republicans and 12 Democrats, a total of 46 members of the 125-member House ready for the Statehouse prom.

What’s coming up as a result of filling the rest of those legislative seats three months from now? Well, it depends on just how much time voters want to spend figuring out how they want Kansas to emerge from not only the COVID-19 pandemic, but how much government they want in a year that is going to see a sharp reduction in state revenues caused by the pandemic…and who is going to pick up the tab for that shortfall.

No. 1, of course, will be a decision that was stymied in the Senate last session about expanding Medicaid in Kansas to more than 100,000 Kansans who don’t have health insurance, and thousands more who lost their health insurance when they lost their jobs due to the pandemic. The old GOP standard “get a job, get insured” has faded considerably because those jobs are now fading.

And the congenital debate over abortion remains a scrap over whether Kansans will put a leash on the Kansas Supreme Court, preventing it from having the final check-off on legislative attempts to restrict abortions in Kansas. Practically, that comes down to two battles: first, whether the Legislature on your behalf believes that abortion should be restricted, and second, whether a constitutional amendment to give lawmakers a free hand to limit the procedure will be offered in 2022, and on the same ballot as the governor -- or some special election before that where the decision will be made by a much smaller crowd of voters.

Oh, and then there’s that budget shortfall. Barring a $1 billion-or-so federal program that would allow the state to bolster its pandemic-shrunk budget, it’s likely to come down to what not to vote to spend money on, or who pays for maintaining current programs.

Let’s see, there’s always the State Highway Fund, or the “Bank of KDOT” that has been used in the past that essentially sees our highway system fade, or pulling money out of social programs, schools (if the Supreme Court allows it, and chances are slim there) or just simply raising taxes. That could range from a new income tax bracket atop the state’s three, to raising smaller taxes, like liquor, cigarettes, and some others that many don’t notice.

So, we’re hoping you had a good time at the primary election. The real decisions on what Kansas is going to look like are still to come, a result of the ongoing building this year of the 2021 Legislature.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592848178110.png" alt="Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report." />
 <figcaption>Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report.</figcaption>
 </figure>Next week, we’ll know more of the folks who are going to the Statehouse Prom.Republican voters in five Senate districts will have made a primary election choice next Tuesday, putting those five winners on the November ballot without major party opposition. In the House, voters in 13 districts will have selected 10 Republicans and 3 Democrats for the general election ballot, and those 13 who won’t have a major party opponent.Oh, and in the Senate, there are five Republicans and one Democrat who won re-election when their filing check cleared the Secretary of State’s office on June 1, and in the&nbsp; House, there are 24 Republicans and 9 Democrats who have no major party opposition in the primary or general.So, this primary election? It was for just a handful of potential legislators—though us Statehouse habitués understand that there were some federal candidates at the top of the ballot whose campaigns have so flooded television news programs that we’re not sure what the new Fords are going to look like.Where will we be next week with the primary over? Well, there will be 10 Republicans and one Democrat elected for the 40-member Senate, and 34 Republicans and 12 Democrats, a total of 46 members of the 125-member House ready for the Statehouse prom.***What’s coming up as a result of filling the rest of those legislative seats three months from now? Well, it depends on just how much time voters want to spend figuring out how they want Kansas to emerge from not only the COVID-19 pandemic, but how much government they want in a year that is going to see a sharp reduction in state revenues caused by the pandemic…and who is going to pick up the tab for that shortfall.No. 1, of course, will be a decision that was stymied in the Senate last session about expanding Medicaid in Kansas to more than 100,000 Kansans who don’t have health insurance, and thousands more who lost their health insurance when they lost their jobs due to the pandemic. The old GOP standard “get a job, get insured” has faded considerably because those jobs are now fading.And the congenital debate over abortion remains a scrap over whether Kansans will put a leash on the Kansas Supreme Court, preventing it from having the final check-off on legislative attempts to restrict abortions in Kansas. Practically, that comes down to two battles: first, whether the Legislature on your behalf believes that abortion should be restricted, and second, whether a constitutional amendment to give lawmakers a free hand to limit the procedure will be offered in 2022, and on the same ballot as the governor -- or some special election before that where the decision will be made by a much smaller crowd of voters.Oh, and then there’s that budget shortfall. Barring a $1 billion-or-so federal program that would allow the state to bolster its pandemic-shrunk budget, it’s likely to come down to what not to vote to spend money on, or who pays for maintaining current programs.Let’s see, there’s always the State Highway Fund, or the “Bank of KDOT” that has been used in the past that essentially sees our highway system fade, or pulling money out of social programs, schools (if the Supreme Court allows it, and chances are slim there) or just simply raising taxes. That could range from a new income tax bracket atop the state’s three, to raising smaller taxes, like liquor, cigarettes, and some others that many don’t notice.So, we’re hoping you had a good time at the primary election. The real decisions on what Kansas is going to look like are still to come, a result of the ongoing building this year of the 2021 Legislature.&nbsp;Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hawvernews.com/">www.hawvernews.com</a>