Ellis County Health Department

Effective May 27 at 12:01 a.m. the Governor’s previously issued executive orders regarding limitations and restrictions for businesses and individuals have been lifted. Specifically, the Ad Astra Plan to Reopen Kansas.

Ellis County Health Department, in consultation with the County Board of Health, will not impose any restrictions on businesses or residents of Ellis County. We encourage all businesses to continue following industry standards and best practices. Governor Kelly retained 10 executive orders that ECHD encourages citizens to review. They can be found at the following link: <a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/newsroom/executive-orders/.">https://governor.kansas.gov/newsroom/executive-orders/.</a>

Ellis County Health Department will continue to monitor health metrics provided by KDHE and provide updates to the public. Ellis County Health Department retains the statutory duty of isolation and quarantine for individuals who test positive for COVID-19 as well as close contacts.

Residents and visitors of Ellis County need to remain diligent in social distancing as well as basic precautions like washing your hands, covering your cough and staying home when you are ill.

Continue to follow and understand guidance provided by KDHE and ECHD. Make the individual choice to protect yourself and others around you.

Stay informed as information changes frequently. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/COVID19">www.cdc.gov/COVID19</a> or <a href="http://www.kdheks.gov">www.kdheks.gov</a>/. Call the KDHE phone bank at 1-866-534-3463 (1-866-KDHEINF) or ECHD at 628-9440.

Ellis County Health DepartmentEffective May 27 at 12:01 a.m. the Governor’s previously issued executive orders regarding limitations and restrictions for businesses and individuals have been lifted. Specifically, the Ad Astra Plan to Reopen Kansas.Ellis County Health Department, in consultation with the County Board of Health, will not impose any restrictions on businesses or residents of Ellis County. We encourage all businesses to continue following industry standards and best practices. Governor Kelly retained 10 executive orders that ECHD encourages citizens to review. They can be found at the following link: <a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/newsroom/executive-orders/.">https://governor.kansas.gov/newsroom/executive-orders/.</a>Ellis County Health Department will continue to monitor health metrics provided by KDHE and provide updates to the public. Ellis County Health Department retains the statutory duty of isolation and quarantine for individuals who test positive for COVID-19 as well as close contacts.Residents and visitors of Ellis County need to remain diligent in social distancing as well as basic precautions like washing your hands, covering your cough and staying home when you are ill.Continue to follow and understand guidance provided by KDHE and ECHD. Make the individual choice to protect yourself and others around you.Reopening Metrics for Ellis County:<ol>
 <li>New cases in the last 14 days: 0</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Days Since Onset of Last Case: 38 Days</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Hospitalizations: 0</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Deaths: 0</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Contact Tracers per 100,000 population: 60</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Testing rate per 1000 population 23.21</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Percent of positive rate 1.2 percent</li>
 </ol>Stay informed as information changes frequently. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/COVID19">www.cdc.gov/COVID19</a> or <a href="http://www.kdheks.gov">www.kdheks.gov</a>/. Call the KDHE phone bank at 1-866-534-3463 (1-866-KDHEINF) or ECHD at 628-9440.

Ellis County removes all COVID-19 restrictions

The Hays school board has several capital projects on tap.

These include the purchase of a new phone system for the high school, new devices for the high school staff and new door locks for the elementary schools.

The board heard reports on the projects at its meeting last week and is set to vote on the projects at its next meeting in June.

Last summer, the district completed a wiring project at Hays High School.

As a part of that project, the district pulled lines for a new phone system. However, the district didn't have the funds to install the new phone system at that time.

HHS has had problems with its phone system for several years, said Scott Summers, district technology director.

The work completed last summer would allow the district to install phones in all of its classrooms. Each of the phones will have its own designated number.

When the old intercom system was pulled, the office could call classrooms, but classrooms could not call the office in case of emergency, Summers said.

The district is considering a hosted phone system, which would include service on the hardware.

Summers recommended going with Nex-Tech, which offered a call forwarding app, which would allow calls o be forwarded without staff having to give out cell phone numbers.

Summers said he wanted to keep the contract local if possible.

He said if the district is happy with the HHS system, it could expand the new system to other schools.

He said he hoped the district could install the system over the summer.

The school also needs to come into compliance with a new law that requires phones in schools to be able to dial 911 directly. Summers said the Nex-Tech system would allow that.

The new system would not only connect an individual classroom to 911, it would alert dispatch from what area in the high school the call is coming, Summers said.

The ongoing service contract for the phone system would be paid for out of the general fund.

The district is looking at devices from Dell to replace staff devices at HHS.

The staff has been using Surface Pro 3s. There has had been some problems with backorders because of the COVID-19 shutdowns. The district might roll out new devices after the beginning of the school year.

Summers said a few of the current devices have had keyboards that have quit working.

The devices are budgeted for replacement this year in the capital improvement fund. Cost would be $51,000. The devices will cost about $727 each. That also covers service for five years.

The district will finish installing interior door locks on district buildings.&nbsp;

The district started changing door locks three years ago for security reasons. Exterior door locks were completed first. Interior door locks were completed at HHS, HMS and the Roosevelt Elementary School last year.

The rest of the elementary schools, Rockwell Administration Center and the transportation center will be completed this year.

The district received a $57,000 matching grant for the project.

Rusty Lindsay, director of buildings and grounds, suggested the district move forward with the low bid from Inter Mountain Lock of Denver for&nbsp;$80,070.

The new locks will allow the classrooms door to be locked from the inside without a key.

Board member Allen Park expressed concern the locks that were being taken out were being scrapped. Lindsay said most of the locks were 50 years old and not able to be reused.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590540146628.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEYHays PostThe Hays school board has several capital projects on tap.These include the purchase of a new phone system for the high school, new devices for the high school staff and new door locks for the elementary schools.The board heard reports on the projects at its meeting last week and is set to vote on the projects at its next meeting in June.<h2>HHS phone system</h2>Last summer, the district completed a wiring project at Hays High School.As a part of that project, the district pulled lines for a new phone system. However, the district didn't have the funds to install the new phone system at that time.HHS has had problems with its phone system for several years, said Scott Summers, district technology director.The work completed last summer would allow the district to install phones in all of its classrooms. Each of the phones will have its own designated number.When the old intercom system was pulled, the office could call classrooms, but classrooms could not call the office in case of emergency, Summers said.The district is considering a hosted phone system, which would include service on the hardware.Summers recommended going with Nex-Tech, which offered a call forwarding app, which would allow calls o be forwarded without staff having to give out cell phone numbers.Summers said he wanted to keep the contract local if possible.He said if the district is happy with the HHS system, it could expand the new system to other schools.He said he hoped the district could install the system over the summer.The school also needs to come into compliance with a new law that requires phones in schools to be able to dial 911 directly. Summers said the Nex-Tech system would allow that.The new system would not only connect an individual classroom to 911, it would alert dispatch from what area in the high school the call is coming, Summers said.The ongoing service contract for the phone system would be paid for out of the general fund.<h2>HHS staff devices</h2>The district is looking at devices from Dell to replace staff devices at HHS.The staff has been using Surface Pro 3s. There has had been some problems with backorders because of the COVID-19 shutdowns. The district might roll out new devices after the beginning of the school year.Summers said a few of the current devices have had keyboards that have quit working.The devices are budgeted for replacement this year in the capital improvement fund. Cost would be $51,000. The devices will cost about $727 each. That also covers service for five years.<h2>Door locks</h2>The district will finish installing interior door locks on district buildings.&nbsp;The district started changing door locks three years ago for security reasons. Exterior door locks were completed first. Interior door locks were completed at HHS, HMS and the Roosevelt Elementary School last year.The rest of the elementary schools, Rockwell Administration Center and the transportation center will be completed this year.The district received a $57,000 matching grant for the project.Rusty Lindsay, director of buildings and grounds, suggested the district move forward with the low bid from Inter Mountain Lock of Denver for&nbsp;$80,070.The new locks will allow the classrooms door to be locked from the inside without a key.Board member Allen Park expressed concern the locks that were being taken out were being scrapped. Lindsay said most of the locks were 50 years old and not able to be reused.

Hays school board considers upgrade of phones, computers, locks

The Ellis County Ministerial Alliance has partnered with Hays Post to bring you Encouraging Words, a series of messages from Ellis County faith leaders.

Check Hays Post on Wednesdays and Sundays for the latest Encouraging Words.

<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CH6uHAxjWt8"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Ellis County Ministerial Alliance has partnered with Hays Post to bring you Encouraging Words, a series of messages from Ellis County faith leaders.Check Hays Post on Wednesdays and Sundays for the latest Encouraging Words.

🎥 Encouraging Words: Brant Rice, Celebration Community Church

PHILLIPSBURG – For the first time, tickets for Kansas Biggest Rodeo will be sold online.

They will go on sale online on June 1 at 8 am on the rodeo’s website at&nbsp;<a href="http://kansasbiggestrodeo.com/">KansasBiggestRodeo.com</a>.

Rodeo tickets will also go on sale in person on July 1 at Heritage Insurance Group, 685 Third St., Phillipsburg. They will continue to be sold online, even as they are sold in person.

The addition of online ticket sales is for the convenience of the fans, said J.D. Shelton, president of the rodeo association. 

“You can do it from the ease of your home,” he said. “It’s handier for people, and there won’t be a need to wait in line.”

Online ticket purchasers will have the option to print their tickets at home. They also can be scanned on the purchaser’s phone, at the gate the night of the rodeo.

A convenience fee of $1.25 and a credit card charge is applied to all tickets purchased by credit and debit card, whether they are purchased online or in person at Heritage Insurance Group in Phillipsburg.

This year’s rodeo will be held July 30 to Aug. 1 in Phillipsburg and begins at 8 pm each night. Ticket prices for reserved seating are $19 for adults and $15 for children. General admission tickets for Thursday, July 30, are $16 for adults and $12 for children. General admission tickets for Friday, July 31, and Saturday, Aug. 1. are $17 for adults and $13 for children. Children ages 3-12 can receive the discount children price.

Thursday, July 30, is Family Night at the rodeo, with all kids ages 10 and under receiving a free ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket.

For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://kansasbiggestrodeo.com/">KansasBiggestRodeo.com</a>&nbsp;or call (785) 543-2448.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590500367366.jpeg" alt="A cowboy competes in the bull riding at the 2019 Kansas Biggest Rodeo in Phillipsburg. Tickets go on sale online on June 1 at KansasBiggestRodeo.com. Photo by Terri Abrahamson." />
 <figcaption>A cowboy competes in the bull riding at the 2019 Kansas Biggest Rodeo in Phillipsburg. Tickets go on sale online on June 1 at KansasBiggestRodeo.com. Photo by Terri Abrahamson.</figcaption>
 </figure>PHILLIPSBURG – For the first time, tickets for Kansas Biggest Rodeo will be sold online.They will go on sale online on June 1 at 8 am on the rodeo’s website at&nbsp;<a href="http://kansasbiggestrodeo.com/">KansasBiggestRodeo.com</a>.Rodeo tickets will also go on sale in person on July 1 at Heritage Insurance Group, 685 Third St., Phillipsburg. They will continue to be sold online, even as they are sold in person.The addition of online ticket sales is for the convenience of the fans, said J.D. Shelton, president of the rodeo association. “You can do it from the ease of your home,” he said. “It’s handier for people, and there won’t be a need to wait in line.”Online ticket purchasers will have the option to print their tickets at home. They also can be scanned on the purchaser’s phone, at the gate the night of the rodeo.A convenience fee of $1.25 and a credit card charge is applied to all tickets purchased by credit and debit card, whether they are purchased online or in person at Heritage Insurance Group in Phillipsburg.This year’s rodeo will be held July 30 to Aug. 1 in Phillipsburg and begins at 8 pm each night. Ticket prices for reserved seating are $19 for adults and $15 for children. General admission tickets for Thursday, July 30, are $16 for adults and $12 for children. General admission tickets for Friday, July 31, and Saturday, Aug. 1. are $17 for adults and $13 for children. Children ages 3-12 can receive the discount children price.Thursday, July 30, is Family Night at the rodeo, with all kids ages 10 and under receiving a free ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket.For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://kansasbiggestrodeo.com/">KansasBiggestRodeo.com</a>&nbsp;or call (785) 543-2448.

Phillisburg rodeo tickets to be sold online beginning June 1

Thomas More Prep-Marian freshman Andy (Jialiang) Han has been accepted into the prestigious Academy of Math and Science on the campus of Fort Hays State University. He is the fourth TMP-Marian student in the past three years that has been accepted into the accelerated high school program where students earn up to 60 hours of college credit while obtaining their high school diploma.

“TMP-Marian helped me a lot on knowing the American education system. My English improved a lot through learning here. We can choose courses which meet our personal needs. Teachers and classmates were kind to me, too. They actively helped me to solve my academic problems. I really enjoyed the time I studied at TMP-Marian,” Han said.

Han hails from Guangzhou, China, a sprawling port city northwest of Hong Kong. He hopes to study engineering in a computer or mechanical field.

“We are so proud of Andy for achieving his goal,” Principal Chad Meitner said. “TMP-Marian has a proven track record of helping students prepare for the Academy and Math and Science. Congratulations and thanks also go to Andy’s teachers and host family for helping him accomplish this.”

Andy is the son of Han Tao and Jia Jinqiu. He has one younger sister. He is the host son of Don and Donna Lubbers of Hays.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590506867352.jpeg" alt="Andy (Jialiang) Han" />
 <figcaption>Andy (Jialiang) Han</figcaption>
 </figure>TMP-MThomas More Prep-Marian freshman Andy (Jialiang) Han has been accepted into the prestigious Academy of Math and Science on the campus of Fort Hays State University. He is the fourth TMP-Marian student in the past three years that has been accepted into the accelerated high school program where students earn up to 60 hours of college credit while obtaining their high school diploma.“TMP-Marian helped me a lot on knowing the American education system. My English improved a lot through learning here. We can choose courses which meet our personal needs. Teachers and classmates were kind to me, too. They actively helped me to solve my academic problems. I really enjoyed the time I studied at TMP-Marian,” Han said.Han hails from Guangzhou, China, a sprawling port city northwest of Hong Kong. He hopes to study engineering in a computer or mechanical field.“We are so proud of Andy for achieving his goal,” Principal Chad Meitner said. “TMP-Marian has a proven track record of helping students prepare for the Academy and Math and Science. Congratulations and thanks also go to Andy’s teachers and host family for helping him accomplish this.”Andy is the son of Han Tao and Jia Jinqiu. He has one younger sister. He is the host son of Don and Donna Lubbers of Hays.&nbsp;

TMP-M freshman accepted into FHSU's Academy of Math and Science

Three-day weather outlook

Spring branding and processing day is often a time when community members and families join together to administer vaccinations, castrate, implant calves and apply hide identification before summer pasture turnout.

But this spring’s COVID-19 pandemic may require some changes, said experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute. “It is critical to have the right labor on hand to help on processing day,” said K-State veterinarian Bob Larson, adding that families may need to manage that differently this year because of the COVID-19 human health challenge.

“This COVID-19 spring means that we may need to organize our labor into family groups to promote social distance between folks who don’t live together,” Larson said.

He also said that it is important for cow-calf producers to involve help that know how to best move around the animals.

“A few people that handle cattle well are way more helpful than a bunch of folks who don’t know what they are doing,” Larson said.

One way that cattle producers can inform themselves on good animal handling protocols is to complete the National Cattlemen’s Association’s Beef Quality Assurance trainings, said Brad White, K-State veterinarian and BCI director.

Bob Weaber, a beef cattle specialist with K-State Research and Extension, added that the training helps producers understand biological products and protocols,

“For example, modified live vaccines need to be protected from sunlight, so you’ll want to have a cooler for storage when you are working the calves,” Weaber said. “Also syringe maintenance is important. If you are using an automated syringe, make sure the tubes and gaskets are clean and in good shape.”

He also said this is the time to implant the calves.

“We know that through implanting there is an improved efficiency of gain and performance of calves and that is really valuable going into this fall with so much uncertainty in the markets,” Weaber said.

White added that while the calves are gathered up, go ahead and castrate the bulls to make them steers.

White added a note of caution:&nbsp;“As always, it is important to work with your veterinarian to come up with the right plan to fit the needs of your operation.”

Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141354634.png" alt="Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District." />
 <figcaption>Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District.</figcaption>
 </figure>Spring branding and processing day is often a time when community members and families join together to administer vaccinations, castrate, implant calves and apply hide identification before summer pasture turnout.But this spring’s COVID-19 pandemic may require some changes, said experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute. “It is critical to have the right labor on hand to help on processing day,” said K-State veterinarian Bob Larson, adding that families may need to manage that differently this year because of the COVID-19 human health challenge.“This COVID-19 spring means that we may need to organize our labor into family groups to promote social distance between folks who don’t live together,” Larson said.He also said that it is important for cow-calf producers to involve help that know how to best move around the animals.“A few people that handle cattle well are way more helpful than a bunch of folks who don’t know what they are doing,” Larson said.One way that cattle producers can inform themselves on good animal handling protocols is to complete the National Cattlemen’s Association’s Beef Quality Assurance trainings, said Brad White, K-State veterinarian and BCI director.Bob Weaber, a beef cattle specialist with K-State Research and Extension, added that the training helps producers understand biological products and protocols,“For example, modified live vaccines need to be protected from sunlight, so you’ll want to have a cooler for storage when you are working the calves,” Weaber said. “Also syringe maintenance is important. If you are using an automated syringe, make sure the tubes and gaskets are clean and in good shape.”He also said this is the time to implant the calves.“We know that through implanting there is an improved efficiency of gain and performance of calves and that is really valuable going into this fall with so much uncertainty in the markets,” Weaber said.White added that while the calves are gathered up, go ahead and castrate the bulls to make them steers.White added a note of caution:&nbsp;“As always, it is important to work with your veterinarian to come up with the right plan to fit the needs of your operation.”Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

BOOR: Working the cattle amid COVID-19

On Monday, June 8, the community will once again be able to access the building and the many services offered by the Hays Public Library. Beginning this day, open hours will be 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

The first hour, 10 a.m.-11 a.m., will be reserved for at-risk patrons including seniors, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems. Library staff will be stationed at the door throughout the day to greet patrons and keep an occupancy count.&nbsp;

Limited access to computers will be available, as well as, printing and faxing services.&nbsp;

Patrons are encouraged to wear masks, and library staff will wear masks in public areas. Several areas of the building will be restricted, and library users are asked to honor social distancing expectations by staying 6 feet from others. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult or caregiver.&nbsp;

While group activities and normal library programs have been canceled for the summer, the Summer Reading Challenge is underway. Patrons can sign up and complete the challenge online.&nbsp;

The Friends of the Library Bookstore will remain closed, and item donations will not be accepted.&nbsp;

On May 4, the library initiated the first phase of its reopening plan by offering lobby pick-up and home delivery of books and other library materials. Both lobby pick-up and home delivery service will continue after the limited reopening on June 8.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578606002336.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HPLOn Monday, June 8, the community will once again be able to access the building and the many services offered by the Hays Public Library. Beginning this day, open hours will be 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The first hour, 10 a.m.-11 a.m., will be reserved for at-risk patrons including seniors, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems. Library staff will be stationed at the door throughout the day to greet patrons and keep an occupancy count.&nbsp;Limited access to computers will be available, as well as, printing and faxing services.&nbsp;Patrons are encouraged to wear masks, and library staff will wear masks in public areas. Several areas of the building will be restricted, and library users are asked to honor social distancing expectations by staying 6 feet from others. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult or caregiver.&nbsp;While group activities and normal library programs have been canceled for the summer, the Summer Reading Challenge is underway. Patrons can sign up and complete the challenge online.&nbsp;The Friends of the Library Bookstore will remain closed, and item donations will not be accepted.&nbsp;On May 4, the library initiated the first phase of its reopening plan by offering lobby pick-up and home delivery of books and other library materials. Both lobby pick-up and home delivery service will continue after the limited reopening on June 8.

Hays library to welcome patrons back into building

More and more people are going to places that have been off limits since the coronavirus pandemic arrived.

<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-05-20/from-gyms-to-tattoo-parlors-kansans-emerge-from-covid-19-hibernation-to-shared-spaces">Kansas News Service</a>

While most people across Kansas still slumber, trash truck crews start filing into work — and get their temperatures taken.

The
 people who haul debris to landfills shifted to working in a mask and 
doing their best to keep COVID-19 at bay a while ago. While the rest of 
the Kansas economy awakens from the coronavirus lockdown, trash crews 
already know the drill.

“When we first started wearing 
(masks, you’re not used to something on your face,” said Ryan McPhail, a
 solid waste loader in Lawrence who’s become accustomed to working 
eight-plus hours a day with his face covered.

“It might empower some others,” he said, “to go ahead and say, ‘Hey, I can do my part, too, and wear a mask.’”

McPhail
 and countless other essential workers across Kansas stayed in the world
 while so many others were ordered by Gov. Laura Kelly to stay at home.

But this week marked yet another stage in the <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-05-14/kansas-scales-back-next-phase-of-reopening-but-will-allow-haircuts-and-workouts" target="_blank">slow-walk reopening</a>
 of daily life. Suddenly, Kansans could sweat it out at the gym, stop 
into a cafe, shop for a sofa, pay somebody to trim their hair, or — why 
not? — get a tattoo. (Come Friday, movie theaters, bowling alleys, art 
museums <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-05-19/kansas-rolls-back-more-restrictions-but-the-pool-wont-be-open-for-memorial-day" target="_blank">open up</a>. Boozy nightlife will remains on hold.)

The hard-body crowd loyal to CrossFit Wichita 
had been apart from the gym’s kettlebells and coaching for weeks. When 
its doors opened, the floors were marked with six-foot boxes designed to
 enforce social distancing rules.

Die-hards greeted each 
other with grins, eager for company and to compare notes on the 
difficulty of keeping fit at home, alone. Apart, but more together than 
they had been in a while, customers skipped rope and ran in the parking 
lot.

“Hurts,” said Ty McNeely, an Army soldier who works at
 a reserve center. “Hurts so bad. Or hurts so good, depending on how you
 look at it. … The only time I really hang out and talk with people, 
besides my wife at home, is here at the gym.”

Yet he 
returned to a place less crowded. Classes are staggered and smaller. And
 fewer people are ready to brave a gym. Customers chalked their hands 
from a shared bucket.

Presley Busenbarrick started his day at 5th 
Street Mercantile in downtown Atchison shortly before it opened before 
10 a.m. Tuesday — a welcome return to routine. (During shutdown times, 
the store showed off its wares on Facebook Live for online sales.) He 
turned on the lights and cued Sinatra and classic oldies.

“It’s
 upbeat just to kind of escape what's going on outside,” said 
Busenbarrick, a designer and salesman at the furniture and interior 
design store that reopened last week.

He worked his way 
through the store with Clorox wipes and a keen eye. A decorative box, 
plate or candle that’s slightly out of place clues him in that it’s been
 touched. Alarms on his phone remind him throughout the day to keep 
scrubbing: Check out a customer, wipe down the cashier area. Repeat.

A
 giant wall clock sold swiftly to a customer who wandered in Tuesday 
morning after weeks without access to the shops she prizes most.

“I’ve
 needed to purchase things,” said Denise Wood, owner of a countryside 
retreat outside Atchison. She books her getaway treehouses on Airbnb. 
“I’ve held off (shopping) because I wanted to go to my favorite stores …
 to support their businesses and to help them get back up and going.”

On the corner of 3rd Avenue and Gunsmoke 
Street in Dodge City, red and white letters at Red Beard Coffee deliver a
 message that wouldn’t ordinarily require an exclamation mark:

There’s
 also a more recently familiar sign taped to the front door. Only 10 
people allowed in at a time. Remember, Kansas is phasing out its 
shutdown.

Amid the rustic decor and the smell of coffee 
beans and syrup mid-morning Tuesday, two people sipped coffee and ate 
muffins. Later, a man read the Dodge Daily Globe while drinking a 
cinnamon bun-flavored coffee.

Clinton Conant, who owns and 
runs the cafe, talked with gratitude — for the reopening and the 
patronage he got during recent curbside-only days.

“We had 
so many people giving us just, you know, just encouraging words and, and
 just buying things for other people,” he said. “It made a huge 
difference. … It was very humbling.”

Profiles Beauty &amp; Barber Salon in Wichita
 was quieter than normal this week, at least the old normal. The sound 
of conversation was mostly gone, leaving just the solitary snip-snip of 
scissors. A row of hairdryers sat empty. Magazines, a place for germs to
 linger, were gone.

For the last two months, Montella 
Wimbley spent her days pursuing a small business loan (didn’t happen, 
an unemployment claim (nothing has showed up yet) and her federal 
government stimulus check. Now, she was back to styling hair.

“I’m the owner of the salon, so I have my bills here,” she said. “(They) don’t stop just because I'm not working.”

Likewise,
 hair doesn’t stop growing. That makes for antsy customers whom she’s 
been telling, “I really do love you, but I don't know if I love you 
enough to die for you.” This week, that began to change, by appointment 
only.

Wimbley keeps the door locked during appointments now because normally people “want to stop, sit down and talk.”

“We’re
 not doing that anymore. Call me, text me,” she said. “You're not even 
getting in the door if you don't have an appointment.”

Everybody knows Gary Barber as “The Professor.” 
He works with his daughter at Inkslinger’s Tattoos in Overland Park and 
he’s been a pro for 40 years.

He felt the governor’s stay-at-home order put too much of a strain on small businesses like his.

Barber
 thinks of tattoo services as essential (“There’s a lot of clients that 
need that tattoo, it just makes them feel relaxed.”)

And while he says a few other tattoo shops remained open during the shutdown, he followed the law reluctantly.

“The economic impact that the shutdown has,” he said, “had a far more reaching negative impact on all of us.”

Now,
 Barber is back at it, albeit without a mask. He’s claustrophobic and 
says he panics if his face is covered. “I just choose not to wear one. …
 If my clients want to wear one, they’re free to do so.”

Before
 the pandemic, he’d been contemplating retirement. The reopening 
reminded him of the stress that had him thinking that way. But now his 
daughter, Beka Kramer, owns the shop and handles most of the work. 
Still, he feels the stress.

“The phone has been ringing off the hook,” Barber said. “Everybody wants a tattoo. Right now.”

This
 story was reported by Stephan Bisaha, Stephen Koranda, Corinne Boyer, 
Brian Grimmett, Celia Llopis-Jepsen and Nomin Ujiyediin.&nbsp;The
 Kansas News Service is a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, 
KMUW and High Plains Public Radio focused on health, the social 
determinants of health and their connection to public policy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590070198885.png" alt="Presley Busenbarrick fills a bag for pick-up at 5th Street Mercantile in downtown Atchison. Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Presley Busenbarrick fills a bag for pick-up at 5th Street Mercantile in downtown Atchison. Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>More and more people are going to places that have been off limits since the coronavirus pandemic arrived.</h2><a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-05-20/from-gyms-to-tattoo-parlors-kansans-emerge-from-covid-19-hibernation-to-shared-spaces">Kansas News Service</a>While most people across Kansas still slumber, trash truck crews start filing into work — and get their temperatures taken.The
 people who haul debris to landfills shifted to working in a mask and 
doing their best to keep COVID-19 at bay a while ago. While the rest of 
the Kansas economy awakens from the coronavirus lockdown, trash crews 
already know the drill.“When we first started wearing 
(masks, you’re not used to something on your face,” said Ryan McPhail, a
 solid waste loader in Lawrence who’s become accustomed to working 
eight-plus hours a day with his face covered.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590070307606.png" alt="Temperature checks have become routine for the crews who man garbage trucks in Lawrence. Stephen Koranda photo" />
 <figcaption>Temperature checks have become routine for the crews who man garbage trucks in Lawrence. Stephen Koranda photo</figcaption>
 </figure>He hopes his mask sets an example.“It might empower some others,” he said, “to go ahead and say, ‘Hey, I can do my part, too, and wear a mask.’”McPhail
 and countless other essential workers across Kansas stayed in the world
 while so many others were ordered by Gov. Laura Kelly to stay at home.But this week marked yet another stage in the <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-05-14/kansas-scales-back-next-phase-of-reopening-but-will-allow-haircuts-and-workouts" target="_blank">slow-walk reopening</a>
 of daily life. Suddenly, Kansans could sweat it out at the gym, stop 
into a cafe, shop for a sofa, pay somebody to trim their hair, or — why 
not? — get a tattoo. (Come Friday, movie theaters, bowling alleys, art 
museums <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-05-19/kansas-rolls-back-more-restrictions-but-the-pool-wont-be-open-for-memorial-day" target="_blank">open up</a>. Boozy nightlife will remains on hold.)<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590070360661.png" alt="Tyler Swysgood performs kettlebell swings at Crossfit Wichita. Stephan Bisaha photo" />
 <figcaption>Tyler Swysgood performs kettlebell swings at Crossfit Wichita. Stephan Bisaha photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Get swole</h2>The hard-body crowd loyal to CrossFit Wichita 
had been apart from the gym’s kettlebells and coaching for weeks. When 
its doors opened, the floors were marked with six-foot boxes designed to
 enforce social distancing rules.Die-hards greeted each 
other with grins, eager for company and to compare notes on the 
difficulty of keeping fit at home, alone. Apart, but more together than 
they had been in a while, customers skipped rope and ran in the parking 
lot.“Hurts,” said Ty McNeely, an Army soldier who works at
 a reserve center. “Hurts so bad. Or hurts so good, depending on how you
 look at it. … The only time I really hang out and talk with people, 
besides my wife at home, is here at the gym.”Yet he 
returned to a place less crowded. Classes are staggered and smaller. And
 fewer people are ready to brave a gym. Customers chalked their hands 
from a shared bucket.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590070410925.png" alt="Swatches at 5th Street Mercantile in Atchison. Celia Llopis-Jepsen photo" />
 <figcaption>Swatches at 5th Street Mercantile in Atchison. Celia Llopis-Jepsen photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Shop around</h2>Presley Busenbarrick started his day at 5th 
Street Mercantile in downtown Atchison shortly before it opened before 
10 a.m. Tuesday — a welcome return to routine. (During shutdown times, 
the store showed off its wares on Facebook Live for online sales.) He 
turned on the lights and cued Sinatra and classic oldies.“It’s
 upbeat just to kind of escape what's going on outside,” said 
Busenbarrick, a designer and salesman at the furniture and interior 
design store that reopened last week.He worked his way 
through the store with Clorox wipes and a keen eye. A decorative box, 
plate or candle that’s slightly out of place clues him in that it’s been
 touched. Alarms on his phone remind him throughout the day to keep 
scrubbing: Check out a customer, wipe down the cashier area. Repeat.A
 giant wall clock sold swiftly to a customer who wandered in Tuesday 
morning after weeks without access to the shops she prizes most.“I’ve
 needed to purchase things,” said Denise Wood, owner of a countryside 
retreat outside Atchison. She books her getaway treehouses on Airbnb. 
“I’ve held off (shopping) because I wanted to go to my favorite stores …
 to support their businesses and to help them get back up and going.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590070458629.png" alt="Clinton Conant, the owner of Dodge City's Red Beard Coffee, is back serving sit-down customers. Corinne Boyer photo" />
 <figcaption>Clinton Conant, the owner of Dodge City's Red Beard Coffee, is back serving sit-down customers. Corinne Boyer photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Caffeinate</h2>On the corner of 3rd Avenue and Gunsmoke 
Street in Dodge City, red and white letters at Red Beard Coffee deliver a
 message that wouldn’t ordinarily require an exclamation mark:“Yes! We’re open!”There’s
 also a more recently familiar sign taped to the front door. Only 10 
people allowed in at a time. Remember, Kansas is phasing out its 
shutdown.Amid the rustic decor and the smell of coffee 
beans and syrup mid-morning Tuesday, two people sipped coffee and ate 
muffins. Later, a man read the Dodge Daily Globe while drinking a 
cinnamon bun-flavored coffee.Clinton Conant, who owns and 
runs the cafe, talked with gratitude — for the reopening and the 
patronage he got during recent curbside-only days.“We had 
so many people giving us just, you know, just encouraging words and, and
 just buying things for other people,” he said. “It made a huge 
difference. … It was very humbling.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590070505014.png" alt="Montella Wimbley, owner of Profiles Beauty Salon in Wichita, gives Robin Loggins her first cut and color in eight weeks. Brian Grimmett photo" />
 <figcaption>Montella Wimbley, owner of Profiles Beauty Salon in Wichita, gives Robin Loggins her first cut and color in eight weeks. Brian Grimmett photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Freshen up</h2>Profiles Beauty &amp; Barber Salon in Wichita
 was quieter than normal this week, at least the old normal. The sound 
of conversation was mostly gone, leaving just the solitary snip-snip of 
scissors. A row of hairdryers sat empty. Magazines, a place for germs to
 linger, were gone.For the last two months, Montella 
Wimbley spent her days pursuing a small business loan (didn’t happen, 
an unemployment claim (nothing has showed up yet) and her federal 
government stimulus check. Now, she was back to styling hair.“I’m the owner of the salon, so I have my bills here,” she said. “(They) don’t stop just because I'm not working.”Likewise,
 hair doesn’t stop growing. That makes for antsy customers whom she’s 
been telling, “I really do love you, but I don't know if I love you 
enough to die for you.” This week, that began to change, by appointment 
only.Wimbley keeps the door locked during appointments now because normally people “want to stop, sit down and talk.”“We’re
 not doing that anymore. Call me, text me,” she said. “You're not even 
getting in the door if you don't have an appointment.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590070551316.png" alt="Beka Kramer, who works with her father at Inkslinger's Tattoos in Overland Park, finally returned to work this week. Nomin Ujiyediin photo" />
 <figcaption>Beka Kramer, who works with her father at Inkslinger's Tattoos in Overland Park, finally returned to work this week. Nomin Ujiyediin photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Ink it</h2>Everybody knows Gary Barber as “The Professor.” 
He works with his daughter at Inkslinger’s Tattoos in Overland Park and 
he’s been a pro for 40 years.Lately, he’s become impatient.He felt the governor’s stay-at-home order put too much of a strain on small businesses like his.Barber
 thinks of tattoo services as essential (“There’s a lot of clients that 
need that tattoo, it just makes them feel relaxed.”)And while he says a few other tattoo shops remained open during the shutdown, he followed the law reluctantly.“The economic impact that the shutdown has,” he said, “had a far more reaching negative impact on all of us.”Now,
 Barber is back at it, albeit without a mask. He’s claustrophobic and 
says he panics if his face is covered. “I just choose not to wear one. …
 If my clients want to wear one, they’re free to do so.”Before
 the pandemic, he’d been contemplating retirement. The reopening 
reminded him of the stress that had him thinking that way. But now his 
daughter, Beka Kramer, owns the shop and handles most of the work. 
Still, he feels the stress.“The phone has been ringing off the hook,” Barber said. “Everybody wants a tattoo. Right now.”This
 story was reported by Stephan Bisaha, Stephen Koranda, Corinne Boyer, 
Brian Grimmett, Celia Llopis-Jepsen and Nomin Ujiyediin.&nbsp;The
 Kansas News Service is a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, 
KMUW and High Plains Public Radio focused on health, the social 
determinants of health and their connection to public policy.

From gyms to tattoo parlors, Kansans emerge from COVID-19 hibernation

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile notifications click here.</a>

<div><iframe title="Hays Chamber sets new Dale Carnegie dates; plans for upcoming events" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/fpftd-ddc824?from=yiiadmin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&skin=3&auto=1&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&download=1&rtl=0&pbad=1"></iframe></div><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile notifications click here.</a>

🎙 Post Podcast: Hays Chamber sets new Dale Carnegie dates; plans for upcoming events

Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson starts the week at $23.50 a barrel after topping $20 for the first time in two months last week. Kansas prices are up from just $10 a barrel at the beginning of the month, but are down by more than half from the beginning of the year.

Efforts to ease the worldwide crude-oil glut appear to be working. EIA points out Baker Hughes reported the lowest weekly rig count in the history of the company, down 56% since March. U.S. shale operators are shutting down wells at an unprecedented clip. By next month, the OPEC-Plus agreement will remove from the market as much as 17 million barrels of crude oil per day, which Bloomberg says mark the deepest and fastest cuts on record. As a result, prices are up more than 70% in New York since the start of May.

Baker Hughes reported another big drop in its weekly Rotary Rig Count Friday, down 21 oil rigs nationwide to 318 active rigs.  Texas was down 12, New Mexico was down three and North Dakota was down by two rigs.

Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports the Kansas rig count was unchanged last week, with seven rigs west of Wichita and none in the eastern half of the state. Operators are preparing to spud a new well on a lease in Ellis County.

There are five new drilling permits in Kansas this week, 187 year-to-date, compared to 358 at this time last year. 

Independent Oil &amp; Gas reports 16 new well-completions across the state, two east of Wichita, and 14 in Western Kansas, including one in Barton County and one in Stafford County. Kansas operators have completed 376 wells so far this year.

Declines in oil-by-rail traffic in the U.S. outpaced the downturn across the entire rail/freight industry. Operators originated 9,787 rail tanker cars hauling petroleum and petroleum products during the week ending May 16. The Association of American Railroads says that's down 25.7% from the same week a year ago. AAR says total rail traffic declined 22%.

U.S. crude inventories dropped last week, but remain about ten percent above the five year seasonal average. EIA reports domestic stockpiles dropped five million barrels, to nearly 527 million barrels. The government reports a drop in production as well. Operators pumped more than eleven and a half million barrels of crude oil per day last week, down more than 100,000 barrels per day. Imports dropped nearly 200,000 barrels per day. The four-week average is down 25% from a year ago.

Despite sitting atop the largest oil reserves in the world, gasoline is a precious commodity in Venezuela because of U.S. and international sanctions. This week the first of five tankers arrived in Venezuela from Iran, another oil nation targeted by sanctions. The U.S. State Department told the New York Times that Venezuela's government is a criminal organization that used illegally obtained gold to buy fuel from Tehran. There's no word if the U.S. would try to block future shipments.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574099516454.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN P. TRETBARKansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson starts the week at $23.50 a barrel after topping $20 for the first time in two months last week. Kansas prices are up from just $10 a barrel at the beginning of the month, but are down by more than half from the beginning of the year.Efforts to ease the worldwide crude-oil glut appear to be working. EIA points out Baker Hughes reported the lowest weekly rig count in the history of the company, down 56% since March. U.S. shale operators are shutting down wells at an unprecedented clip. By next month, the OPEC-Plus agreement will remove from the market as much as 17 million barrels of crude oil per day, which Bloomberg says mark the deepest and fastest cuts on record. As a result, prices are up more than 70% in New York since the start of May.Baker Hughes reported another big drop in its weekly Rotary Rig Count Friday, down 21 oil rigs nationwide to 318 active rigs. Texas was down 12, New Mexico was down three and North Dakota was down by two rigs.Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports the Kansas rig count was unchanged last week, with seven rigs west of Wichita and none in the eastern half of the state. Operators are preparing to spud a new well on a lease in Ellis County.There are five new drilling permits in Kansas this week, 187 year-to-date, compared to 358 at this time last year. Independent Oil &amp; Gas reports 16 new well-completions across the state, two east of Wichita, and 14 in Western Kansas, including one in Barton County and one in Stafford County. Kansas operators have completed 376 wells so far this year.Declines in oil-by-rail traffic in the U.S. outpaced the downturn across the entire rail/freight industry. Operators originated 9,787 rail tanker cars hauling petroleum and petroleum products during the week ending May 16. The Association of American Railroads says that's down 25.7% from the same week a year ago. AAR says total rail traffic declined 22%.U.S. crude inventories dropped last week, but remain about ten percent above the five year seasonal average. EIA reports domestic stockpiles dropped five million barrels, to nearly 527 million barrels. The government reports a drop in production as well. Operators pumped more than eleven and a half million barrels of crude oil per day last week, down more than 100,000 barrels per day. Imports dropped nearly 200,000 barrels per day. The four-week average is down 25% from a year ago.Despite sitting atop the largest oil reserves in the world, gasoline is a precious commodity in Venezuela because of U.S. and international sanctions. This week the first of five tankers arrived in Venezuela from Iran, another oil nation targeted by sanctions. The U.S. State Department told the New York Times that Venezuela's government is a criminal organization that used illegally obtained gold to buy fuel from Tehran. There's no word if the U.S. would try to block future shipments.

News From the Oil Patch: OPEC supply cuts looming

The Department of Applied Business Studies, a division of the Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship at Fort Hays State University recently announced six graduating seniors as outstanding program students. 

The department houses three different programs with various concentrations. The inaugural Outstanding Student Award recognizes a graduating senior who has demonstrated exceptional performance in academics, leadership, and overall excellence in the respective program at FHSU. The student is a role model who positively characterizes the core values of the awarding program.

Business Education Outstanding Student Award Winners: &nbsp;

The Business Education program offers concentration areas in Corporate Communication, Talent Development, and Teacher Licensure.&nbsp;

Marketing Outstanding Student Award Winners: &nbsp;

Daniela Buttini, Dominican Republic

The Marketing program offers concentrations in Business Sales and Development, Digital Marketing, or General Marketing.&nbsp;

Tourism and Hospitality Management Outstanding Student Award

The Tourism and Hospitality Management program offers courses including, but not limited to, hotel management, event planning, casino management, food and beverage, health and wellness, and sustainable tourism.&nbsp;

The Department of Applied Business Studies, a division of the Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship at Fort Hays State University recently announced six graduating seniors as outstanding program students. The department houses three different programs with various concentrations. The inaugural Outstanding Student Award recognizes a graduating senior who has demonstrated exceptional performance in academics, leadership, and overall excellence in the respective program at FHSU. The student is a role model who positively characterizes the core values of the awarding program.Business Education Outstanding Student Award Winners: &nbsp;Ashten Slater, Richmond, MOPaige Tobias, Larkspur, COThe Business Education program offers concentration areas in Corporate Communication, Talent Development, and Teacher Licensure.&nbsp;Marketing Outstanding Student Award Winners: &nbsp;Brooks Barber, Hays, KSDaniela Buttini, Dominican RepublicThe Marketing program offers concentrations in Business Sales and Development, Digital Marketing, or General Marketing.&nbsp;Tourism and Hospitality Management Outstanding Student Award Taryn Rupp, Hays, KSHeather Steckel, Russell, KSThe Tourism and Hospitality Management program offers courses including, but not limited to, hotel management, event planning, casino management, food and beverage, health and wellness, and sustainable tourism.&nbsp;

FHSU's Department of Applied Business Studies names outstanding seniors

Well, they’re back among us now, members of the Kansas Legislature who finally managed to gavel to a close the election-year 2020 session with angst, argument, and sometimes not particularly good manners.

It was nearly a round-the-clock (twice) prize fight, and it was unlike any closing-day session we’ve seen in the past 40-plus years, and one that clearly pitted a Republican-dominated Legislature against a Democrat governor in the Statehouse, a building that was closed to the public in the midst of a pandemic.

Oh, and don’t forget, it was held just days before the filing deadline for members of the Legislature who want to return to life under the Dome. And those lawmakers -- some social-distancing, some wearing masks, but none shaking hands – are going to have an interesting number of choices ahead as they campaign on their experience and power in shaping the state for their constituents.

While the session stuttered from conference committees to the floor for debates, back to conference committees, and again to the floor, most Kansans are going to be confused and bewildered by the session and its effects on their lives.

What was interesting? Well, it could have been that instead of a three-day session which Senate leaders sought with time for committees to consider bills and make sure they knew what they did, instead it was a one-day session. The House’s insistence on a one-day session meant cramming a handful of bills that at least one chamber might – or might not – have considered good public policy and passed into one bill for consideration by both chambers.

Oh, and that means that once a conference committee report is assembled by a panel of three House and three Senate members (by the way, the GOP tilt in the Legislature means each of those legislative assembly lines has four Republicans and two Democrats, the full Legislature then votes yes or no, no amendments possible.

That’s why there were just a dozen of those bulk measures considered, and practically if four bills were assembled into one package, and one of them contains provisions that aren’t what your constituents want, well, legislators gulp and vote for the measure with issues they favor while trying not to dwell on those they don’t.

Makes passing bills simple. Put provisions that Democrats oppose into a conference committee report that contains some important provisions, and, well, it passes to the governor.

Best example, of course, is the COVID-19 response bill, which restricts the governor’s authority to take the extreme step of closing down businesses and bars and swimming pools and cancelling sporting events and gatherings of more than 15 people…with social-distancing, of course, to deter the spread of the fatal disease through the state.

Now, there are counties with no reported cases of coronavirus, and they don’t want the governor stepping into their way of life, closing their restaurants and swimming pools. And, they don’t want the same restrictions that heavily populated counties, with many coronavirus cases – and deaths – have under the same rules.

It was the conference committee system that made it possible for lawmakers to send the governor a bill that produces more local control and reduces her authority for restrictions…spiced with provisions that everyone likes, such as support for tele-medicine, increased testing, maintaining expanded unemployment compensation provisions, and allowing you to get important documents notarized over the Internet so you can actually sell that car or finance that house. Nice mix? Hmmm…

But that was the procedure, and we’re going to see the other side…will the governor sign into law a bill with provisions she doesn’t like in order to get provisions she wants or needs?

Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hawvernews.com/">www.hawvernews.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141234707.png" alt="Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report." />
 <figcaption>Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report.</figcaption>
 </figure>Well, they’re back among us now, members of the Kansas Legislature who finally managed to gavel to a close the election-year 2020 session with angst, argument, and sometimes not particularly good manners.It was nearly a round-the-clock (twice) prize fight, and it was unlike any closing-day session we’ve seen in the past 40-plus years, and one that clearly pitted a Republican-dominated Legislature against a Democrat governor in the Statehouse, a building that was closed to the public in the midst of a pandemic.Oh, and don’t forget, it was held just days before the filing deadline for members of the Legislature who want to return to life under the Dome. And those lawmakers -- some social-distancing, some wearing masks, but none shaking hands – are going to have an interesting number of choices ahead as they campaign on their experience and power in shaping the state for their constituents.While the session stuttered from conference committees to the floor for debates, back to conference committees, and again to the floor, most Kansans are going to be confused and bewildered by the session and its effects on their lives.What was interesting? Well, it could have been that instead of a three-day session which Senate leaders sought with time for committees to consider bills and make sure they knew what they did, instead it was a one-day session. The House’s insistence on a one-day session meant cramming a handful of bills that at least one chamber might – or might not – have considered good public policy and passed into one bill for consideration by both chambers.Oh, and that means that once a conference committee report is assembled by a panel of three House and three Senate members (by the way, the GOP tilt in the Legislature means each of those legislative assembly lines has four Republicans and two Democrats, the full Legislature then votes yes or no, no amendments possible.That’s why there were just a dozen of those bulk measures considered, and practically if four bills were assembled into one package, and one of them contains provisions that aren’t what your constituents want, well, legislators gulp and vote for the measure with issues they favor while trying not to dwell on those they don’t.Makes passing bills simple. Put provisions that Democrats oppose into a conference committee report that contains some important provisions, and, well, it passes to the governor.Best example, of course, is the COVID-19 response bill, which restricts the governor’s authority to take the extreme step of closing down businesses and bars and swimming pools and cancelling sporting events and gatherings of more than 15 people…with social-distancing, of course, to deter the spread of the fatal disease through the state.Now, there are counties with no reported cases of coronavirus, and they don’t want the governor stepping into their way of life, closing their restaurants and swimming pools. And, they don’t want the same restrictions that heavily populated counties, with many coronavirus cases – and deaths – have under the same rules.It was the conference committee system that made it possible for lawmakers to send the governor a bill that produces more local control and reduces her authority for restrictions…spiced with provisions that everyone likes, such as support for tele-medicine, increased testing, maintaining expanded unemployment compensation provisions, and allowing you to get important documents notarized over the Internet so you can actually sell that car or finance that house. Nice mix? Hmmm…But that was the procedure, and we’re going to see the other side…will the governor sign into law a bill with provisions she doesn’t like in order to get provisions she wants or needs?Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hawvernews.com/">www.hawvernews.com</a>

HAWVER: Legislature's final day evolves into campaign season

BUNKER HILL – The D<a href="https://danehansenfoundation.org/">ane G. Hansen Foundation</a> has awarded Smoky Hills PBS with a grant for $115,000 to support the station’s educational mission, children’s programming, local productions of Smoky Hills
 PBS, as well as station operations.


“The financial support that we receive from Dane G. Hansen is pertinent to Smoky Hills PBS,” said Kelli King, director of finance and administration for Smoky Hills PBS.&nbsp; “Not only does this allow us to fund our
 regular operations and local productions at the station, but it also provides free educational events and programs to the youth of central and western Kansas.”


·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Children’s programming on Smoky Hills PBS.


·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Books distributed to head start programs within the Smoky Hills PBS viewing area.


·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Local productions on Smoky Hills PBS


·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Station operations such as transmitter updates and engineering costs.


Larry Calvery, general manager of Smoky Hills PBS stated, “Receiving this grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation will allow us to both enhance our current educational services and programming and allow us to
 create and implement new ones, all of which have the ability to significantly impact thousands of Kansas families within our viewing area.”


The Dane G. Hansen Foundation is committed to providing opportunities for the people of northwest Kansas to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.&nbsp; The foundation advances its mission by investing in the
 areas of education, health care, economic development, community social services and security, conservation and environment, arts and culture and community beautification.&nbsp;


Smoky Hills PBS serves 71 counties in central and western Kansas. More information on Smoky Hills PBS and its programs and projects are available
 at <a href="http://www.smokyhillspbs.org/" target="_blank">www.SmokyHillsPBS.org</a>
 or by calling 1-800-337-4788.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578663876107.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SHPBS
BUNKER HILL – The D<a href="https://danehansenfoundation.org/">ane G. Hansen Foundation</a> has awarded Smoky Hills PBS with a grant for $115,000 to support the station’s educational mission, children’s programming, local productions of Smoky Hills
 PBS, as well as station operations. 
“The financial support that we receive from Dane G. Hansen is pertinent to Smoky Hills PBS,” said Kelli King, director of finance and administration for Smoky Hills PBS.&nbsp; “Not only does this allow us to fund our
 regular operations and local productions at the station, but it also provides free educational events and programs to the youth of central and western Kansas.”
The purpose of the grant is to support:
·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Children’s programming on Smoky Hills PBS.
·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Books distributed to head start programs within the Smoky Hills PBS viewing area.
·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Local productions on Smoky Hills PBS
·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Station operations such as transmitter updates and engineering costs.
Larry Calvery, general manager of Smoky Hills PBS stated, “Receiving this grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation will allow us to both enhance our current educational services and programming and allow us to
 create and implement new ones, all of which have the ability to significantly impact thousands of Kansas families within our viewing area.”
The Dane G. Hansen Foundation is committed to providing opportunities for the people of northwest Kansas to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.&nbsp; The foundation advances its mission by investing in the
 areas of education, health care, economic development, community social services and security, conservation and environment, arts and culture and community beautification.&nbsp;

Smoky Hills PBS serves 71 counties in central and western Kansas. More information on Smoky Hills PBS and its programs and projects are available
 at <a href="http://www.smokyhillspbs.org/" target="_blank">www.SmokyHillsPBS.org</a>
 or by calling 1-800-337-4788.

Dane G. Hansen Foundation provides grant to Smoky Hills PBS

When Isaac Bloom, 11, Hays, was presented with the idea of creating a submission for the elementary division of the statewide Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, he turned to something he knows and loves — skateboarding.

"My idea was Boom Boards," Bloom said. "Ever since I got my first skateboard, I've loved riding skateboards. So every day, I ride my skateboard and I ask if I can go to the skate park."

His youthful passion, along with an interest in environmental causes and entrepreneurship would pay off, winning him the top spot.

"I did Boom Boards, not only to give back but to help the environment," Bloom said. "We would take all of the wood from people that didn't need it — like old dressers and headboards — to make skateboards."

Bloom had just completed his video submission for the<a href="https://haysartscouncil.org/famous-figures"> Ellis County Famous Figures Contest</a>, so when his mother, Sara, presented the idea to him and his brother Judah, 8, of submitting a video for the contest they jumped on it.

Sara saw the contest on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GrowHays/">Grow Hays Facebook page</a> only days before the submission deadline, so the brothers began working on their ideas and filmed the next day.

"They both came up with their ideas," Sara said. "The competition said they wanted to see the youth of Kansas, get creative, have fun and dream big. So that's what these two did."

Judah also submitted a business idea with the environment in mind. His idea would send trees to forests impacted by wildfires.

"They are very environmentally minded," Sara said. "I think a lot of that is due to the schools these days."

While the brothers submitted separate ideas, they worked on their submission ideas together.

"I basically got my idea from him helping me and I helped him," Isaac said.

Judah's submission would not place in the top three, but he was still excited for his brother.

"For (Judah) it was his first time participating in anything like that," Sara said. "But he was happy his brother won, despite him not placing."

"After he lost, he congratulated Isaac and was really happy for him and handled it like a champ," she said. "I was really proud of both of them."

Isaac even went above and beyond to show recognition to his brother for his help.

"I gave him $50 of my $300 (prize," Isaac said.

He plans on using the remaining prize money to buy a new skateboard with the winnings, some baseball cards, and ebooks.

But staying true to the entrepreneur spirit he also will use some to help a friend start a second business and put some into his next venture.

"This is not his first time thinking entrepreneurially," Sara said.

At the farmers market last year the Isaac and Judah sold breakfast burritos, but with COVID-19 concerns that is not possible, so they are shifting to selling products from the <a href="https://almacheese.com/">Alma Creamery</a> this year.

"They are called the brother Bloom," Sara said.

For the challenge the contestants were judged on 3-5 minute videos that showcased their business concepts.

"I did it over and over again until I got it right," Isaac said.

The repeated attempts led to a "blooper reel," which was submitted with the business idea.

The judges commented they enjoying seeing the fun aspect of the video. Sara and Isaac could not be sure that helped Isaac win, but made for a stand out submission.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590266245284.jpeg" alt="Isaac Blooom, 11, Hays, was recently announced as the winner of the statewide Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge in the Elementary Division for his business idea that would turn discarded wood into skateboards." />
 <figcaption>Isaac Blooom, 11, Hays, was recently announced as the winner of the statewide Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge in the Elementary Division for his business idea that would turn discarded wood into skateboards.</figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostWhen Isaac Bloom, 11, Hays, was presented with the idea of creating a submission for the elementary division of the statewide Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, he turned to something he knows and loves — skateboarding."My idea was Boom Boards," Bloom said. "Ever since I got my first skateboard, I've loved riding skateboards. So every day, I ride my skateboard and I ask if I can go to the skate park."His youthful passion, along with an interest in environmental causes and entrepreneurship would pay off, winning him the top spot."I did Boom Boards, not only to give back but to help the environment," Bloom said. "We would take all of the wood from people that didn't need it — like old dressers and headboards — to make skateboards."Bloom had just completed his video submission for the<a href="https://haysartscouncil.org/famous-figures"> Ellis County Famous Figures Contest</a>, so when his mother, Sara, presented the idea to him and his brother Judah, 8, of submitting a video for the contest they jumped on it.Sara saw the contest on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GrowHays/">Grow Hays Facebook page</a> only days before the submission deadline, so the brothers began working on their ideas and filmed the next day."They both came up with their ideas," Sara said. "The competition said they wanted to see the youth of Kansas, get creative, have fun and dream big. So that's what these two did."Judah also submitted a business idea with the environment in mind. His idea would send trees to forests impacted by wildfires."They are very environmentally minded," Sara said. "I think a lot of that is due to the schools these days."While the brothers submitted separate ideas, they worked on their submission ideas together."I basically got my idea from him helping me and I helped him," Isaac said.Judah's submission would not place in the top three, but he was still excited for his brother."For (Judah) it was his first time participating in anything like that," Sara said. "But he was happy his brother won, despite him not placing."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590266288138.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"After he lost, he congratulated Isaac and was really happy for him and handled it like a champ," she said. "I was really proud of both of them."Isaac even went above and beyond to show recognition to his brother for his help."I gave him $50 of my $300 (prize," Isaac said.He plans on using the remaining prize money to buy a new skateboard with the winnings, some baseball cards, and ebooks.But staying true to the entrepreneur spirit he also will use some to help a friend start a second business and put some into his next venture."This is not his first time thinking entrepreneurially," Sara said.At the farmers market last year the Isaac and Judah sold breakfast burritos, but with COVID-19 concerns that is not possible, so they are shifting to selling products from the <a href="https://almacheese.com/">Alma Creamery</a> this year."They are called the brother Bloom," Sara said.<h2>The submission</h2><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JLRym7mIvSs" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>For the challenge the contestants were judged on 3-5 minute videos that showcased their business concepts."I did it over and over again until I got it right," Isaac said.The repeated attempts led to a "blooper reel," which was submitted with the business idea.The judges commented they enjoying seeing the fun aspect of the video. Sara and Isaac could not be sure that helped Isaac win, but made for a stand out submission.And with the contest being statewide, Sara said she was glad contestants from western Kansas made it to the top."Being a statewide competition, there was a lot of big-city winners and it was great to see Hays, Kansas, natives and Plainville, Kansas, kids on there," she said.With such large competition it was also somewhat of a shock to Isaac that he came out on top."When my dad told me I did not believe him," Isaac said. "I was really excited."