By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Although <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5eb16e50eb7f1705360432c2">Ellis County offices reopened</a> to the public Tuesday morning, the city of Hays will keep its facilities closed for now.

"During Phase 1 of the governor's plan to reopen Kansas, we plan on having the city facilities closed," said Collin Bielser, assistant city manager. "Staff is teleworking when we can."

Only the Hays Regional Airport has remained open during the statewide stay-at-home order.

The decree was was <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5eaffb43eb7f170536041503">lifted Monday</a> by Gov. Laura Kelly. Hays&nbsp;has reopened all city playgrounds, shelters and the dog park.

During Phase 1, groups must still be smaller than 10 people with persons remaining at least 6 feet apart. Working from home, or telework, is strongly recommended by the state.&nbsp;

City department heads will meet Thursday to talk about facility opening plans for Phase 2, which is expected to begin May 18.

"Obviously with Phase 2, the mass gathering restrictions will increase.&nbsp; Those type of protocols will be discussed and how we can accommodate them with our facilities," Bielser said.

Some prep work has already begun in City Hall, 1507 main. 

Plexiglass guards now hang from the ceiling at the front desk in the city clerk/finance office, shielding employees from residents who pay utility bills in person.&nbsp;

Early in the shutdown, the city notified customers they must pay their bill for water, sewer and trash online, by mail, or use the two drop&nbsp; off boxes on the south and east sides of city hall.

Many customers made the switch to <a href="https://haysusa.munisselfservice.com/citizens/default.aspx">online payments</a> through the city's website, a service that has been available for several years.

According to Kim Rupp, finance director,&nbsp;the number of March online bill pay transactions was up 145 from a year ago and April was up 201.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588723042149.png" alt="Hays city facilities, including city hall, will remain closed to the public during the Phase 1 reopening of Kansas. Hays Regional Airport has stayed open during the stay-at-home order as an essential business.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Hays city facilities, including city hall, will remain closed to the public during the Phase 1 reopening of Kansas. Hays Regional Airport has stayed open during the stay-at-home order as an essential business.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostAlthough <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5eb16e50eb7f1705360432c2">Ellis County offices reopened</a> to the public Tuesday morning, the city of Hays will keep its facilities closed for now."During Phase 1 of the governor's plan to reopen Kansas, we plan on having the city facilities closed," said Collin Bielser, assistant city manager. "Staff is teleworking when we can."Only the Hays Regional Airport has remained open during the statewide stay-at-home order.The decree was was <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5eaffb43eb7f170536041503">lifted Monday</a> by Gov. Laura Kelly. Hays&nbsp;has reopened all city playgrounds, shelters and the dog park.During Phase 1, groups must still be smaller than 10 people with persons remaining at least 6 feet apart. Working from home, or telework, is strongly recommended by the state.&nbsp;<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1sREj8ykiEM"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>City department heads will meet Thursday to talk about facility opening plans for Phase 2, which is expected to begin May 18."Obviously with Phase 2, the mass gathering restrictions will increase.&nbsp; Those type of protocols will be discussed and how we can accommodate them with our facilities," Bielser said.Some prep work has already begun in City Hall, 1507 main. Plexiglass guards now hang from the ceiling at the front desk in the city clerk/finance office, shielding employees from residents who pay utility bills in person.&nbsp;Early in the shutdown, the city notified customers they must pay their bill for water, sewer and trash online, by mail, or use the two drop&nbsp; off boxes on the south and east sides of city hall.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588723182349.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Many customers made the switch to <a href="https://haysusa.munisselfservice.com/citizens/default.aspx">online payments</a> through the city's website, a service that has been available for several years.According to Kim Rupp, finance director,&nbsp;the number of March online bill pay transactions was up 145 from a year ago and April was up 201.

🎥 City of Hays offices still closed to public

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Rene Burns, a second-grade teacher at O'Loughlin Elementary School, knows what it's like to have difficulty learning.

She struggled in school as a child and now searches for inventive strategies for her students to learn in their own ways.

"I struggled in school. I was not a good student," she said. "I was very active. School was hard. Even through high school, test taking was difficult. I just got really nervous.

"I wanted to make it easier for kids. I feel like I am a good teacher because I went through that,"she said. "I experienced what it is like to be nervous and also be wiggly and want to move.

"It is my mission. I want learning to be fun and engaging and let students know that even though it's hard it's something they can work through and be successful."

Burns, who is in her 13th year as a teacher at O'Loughlin, was nominated for the Hays Post Teacher of the Month by parent Emily Breit.

Breit said in her nomination, "My son likes going to school, and when I pick him up from school and ask about his day, he will say, 'I had fun!&nbsp; We learned a lot about …'

"As a parent you want nothing more than your child to 'want' to learn. "

Breit said in her nomination Burns achieves this by providing numerous engaging learning activities for the students, and she provides videos or photos of these activities to keep parents engaged and aware of what their kids are doing at school.&nbsp;

Breit gave the example of a book the students made prior to Thanksgiving. They wrote paragraphs on 10 things they were thankful for and then drew pictures to go with those paragraphs.&nbsp;

"The love that she has for each of the kids in her classroom is so evident with the extreme amount of time she devotes to them," Breit said.

Burns said she was disappointed her students did not have the opportunity to participate in their spring economics lesson. The children make hand-crafted items or offer services and then sell them in a market to fellow classmates, who buy them with play money.

Burns drew much of her inspiration as teacher from her mother, Brenda Easter, who still teaches fourth grade in Rene's hometown of Harper. She also engages the children with many hands-on activities, such as hatching chickens.&nbsp;

However, Burns got her start in teaching by teaching dancing. She said dancing helped her build confidence.

Burns resurrected O'Loughlin's&nbsp;“Morning News” video program. The videos have included social emotional learning lessons on topics such as integrity.

 As students have transitioned to virtual learning, Burns has continued to offer the Morning News. She has collected photos of students studying at home and added them to the videos.

She said she loves being around people, which has made the COVID-19 quarantine difficult.

"I love the people. I love the people I work with," she said. "I feel O'Loughlin has my heart."

Burns acknowledges virtual teaching has been difficult. She has her own children at home she is teaching and she said she misses seeing her students in person.

"The COVID-19 saying is that we are all in the same storm, but we are using a different boat," she said. "I feel like mine has a hole in it and there is a shark waiting to get me."

She further used the boat analogy to describe learning.

"We are all trying to learn the same concepts, but the way we learn it is a little bit different. Our boat to success looks a little differently," she said.

Burns said she really enjoys working with students.

"They are all brilliant in their own ways and the way they think," she said. "I love that every learner thinks differently. ... I am fascinated about how the mind works."

She gave examples of how some children can do math in their head. Others children need to draw a picture. Other students need to learn through movement.

"I like the challenge of presenting the information in different ways," she said.&nbsp;

Burns is working on master's degree at Fort Hays State University and was asked to develop a philosophy of leadership. She said building relationships is key.

O'Loughlin has a looping model. Teachers have a class of students for two years instead of one. Burns will have the students she has this year for second grade again next year for third grade.

"With the looping, they become like my babies," she said. "I feel very much like they are a part of my family. I worry about them, and I celebrate when they do wonderful things."

Burns said she likes taking on children who are struggling with behaviors.&nbsp;

"I think my students get that I am a genuine person and I share a lot of my vulnerabilities," she said.&nbsp;

Another huge part of her classroom is knowing it is OK to fail and that growth comes from failure, Burns said.&nbsp;

"If we had easy things to do all day long, we wouldn't learn and we wouldn't grow," Burns said. "Failing is just part of it. Either laugh as a strategy to move on from it or sit back and reflect and think what went wrong. How can we fix this?"

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588702401762.jpeg" alt="O'Loughlin second-grade teacher Rene Burns and her students have a visit from puppies earlier this year. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>O'Loughlin second-grade teacher Rene Burns and her students have a visit from puppies earlier this year. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573140720976.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostRene Burns, a second-grade teacher at O'Loughlin Elementary School, knows what it's like to have difficulty learning.She struggled in school as a child and now searches for inventive strategies for her students to learn in their own ways."I struggled in school. I was not a good student," she said. "I was very active. School was hard. Even through high school, test taking was difficult. I just got really nervous."I wanted to make it easier for kids. I feel like I am a good teacher because I went through that,"she said. "I experienced what it is like to be nervous and also be wiggly and want to move."It is my mission. I want learning to be fun and engaging and let students know that even though it's hard it's something they can work through and be successful."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588702841931.jpeg" alt="O'Loughlin second-grader Madelynne Corsair and teacher Rene Burns&nbsp; celebrate her growth in reading.&nbsp;Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>O'Loughlin second-grader Madelynne Corsair and teacher Rene Burns&nbsp; celebrate her growth in reading.&nbsp;Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Burns, who is in her 13th year as a teacher at O'Loughlin, was nominated for the Hays Post Teacher of the Month by parent Emily Breit.Breit said in her nomination, "My son likes going to school, and when I pick him up from school and ask about his day, he will say, 'I had fun!&nbsp; We learned a lot about …'"As a parent you want nothing more than your child to 'want' to learn. "Breit said in her nomination Burns achieves this by providing numerous engaging learning activities for the students, and she provides videos or photos of these activities to keep parents engaged and aware of what their kids are doing at school.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588703111537.jpeg" alt="Rene Burns' second-grade class at Thanksgiving.&nbsp;Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Rene Burns' second-grade class at Thanksgiving.&nbsp;Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Breit gave the example of a book the students made prior to Thanksgiving. They wrote paragraphs on 10 things they were thankful for and then drew pictures to go with those paragraphs.&nbsp;"The love that she has for each of the kids in her classroom is so evident with the extreme amount of time she devotes to them," Breit said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588703188361.jpeg" alt="Rene Burns and student Maxwell Breit on the night of the school Christmas pageant.&nbsp;Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Rene Burns and student Maxwell Breit on the night of the school Christmas pageant.&nbsp;Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Burns said she was disappointed her students did not have the opportunity to participate in their spring economics lesson. The children make hand-crafted items or offer services and then sell them in a market to fellow classmates, who buy them with play money.Burns drew much of her inspiration as teacher from her mother, Brenda Easter, who still teaches fourth grade in Rene's hometown of Harper. She also engages the children with many hands-on activities, such as hatching chickens.&nbsp;However, Burns got her start in teaching by teaching dancing. She said dancing helped her build confidence.Burns resurrected O'Loughlin's&nbsp;“Morning News” video program. The videos have included social emotional learning lessons on topics such as integrity. As students have transitioned to virtual learning, Burns has continued to offer the Morning News. She has collected photos of students studying at home and added them to the videos.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588703343634.jpeg" alt="Teacher Rene Burns helps her students choose books to read. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Teacher Rene Burns helps her students choose books to read. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>She said she loves being around people, which has made the COVID-19 quarantine difficult."I love the people. I love the people I work with," she said. "I feel O'Loughlin has my heart."Burns acknowledges virtual teaching has been difficult. She has her own children at home she is teaching and she said she misses seeing her students in person."The COVID-19 saying is that we are all in the same storm, but we are using a different boat," she said. "I feel like mine has a hole in it and there is a shark waiting to get me."She further used the boat analogy to describe learning."We are all trying to learn the same concepts, but the way we learn it is a little bit different. Our boat to success looks a little differently," she said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588703515401.jpeg" alt="Rene Burns' students watch dancing raisins, a science experiment on liquids, solids and gases. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Rene Burns' students watch dancing raisins, a science experiment on liquids, solids and gases. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Burns said she really enjoys working with students."They are all brilliant in their own ways and the way they think," she said. "I love that every learner thinks differently. ... I am fascinated about how the mind works."She gave examples of how some children can do math in their head. Others children need to draw a picture. Other students need to learn through movement."I like the challenge of presenting the information in different ways," she said.&nbsp;Burns is working on master's degree at Fort Hays State University and was asked to develop a philosophy of leadership. She said building relationships is key.O'Loughlin has a looping model. Teachers have a class of students for two years instead of one. Burns will have the students she has this year for second grade again next year for third grade."With the looping, they become like my babies," she said. "I feel very much like they are a part of my family. I worry about them, and I celebrate when they do wonderful things."Burns said she likes taking on children who are struggling with behaviors.&nbsp;"I think my students get that I am a genuine person and I share a lot of my vulnerabilities," she said.&nbsp;Another huge part of her classroom is knowing it is OK to fail and that growth comes from failure, Burns said.&nbsp;"If we had easy things to do all day long, we wouldn't learn and we wouldn't grow," Burns said. "Failing is just part of it. Either laugh as a strategy to move on from it or sit back and reflect and think what went wrong. How can we fix this?"<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573140720976.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Teacher of the Month: Students' boats to success look different

The Music Theatre of Wichita named honorees in the Jester Awards Sunday in a virtual ceremony.

Local students and casts were honored in the ceremony.&nbsp;

Leading actor:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/gabriel.mcguire.1?__tn__=K-R&amp;eid=ARDuSycE-se3tRwvSg1jNgLywQrC6puSIwGWcHY3DxZgdEbJLeksR8pqYwEEjw1OLEk8z53nAeu5ohVN&amp;fref=mentions&amp;__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARB0Msjmq6uERUDvO7sEM_k_pAoT9WUFrrBEaulQH8ydwyykOKElXKf9SbvCZmgRKyyH7-xaze0xtjXLlprRkpRKZ5T9eHWb045REhL2oSQSGwSHkMIrgY1OH1RnmkskD2UF-DG-TGCLfSAcbVl-RU4H2EohOifoCOEJHYTdsREHJUb63AffhiFB3Fttl4mwG319X2bcrAaAuULKQDTNhDR_t8OVd6MwBBGDsZsQPrO8wHafbQYLqeALVGTy1QWUKv9KqLnbJKZbAhn6ii_8wcpFwUIM7on5IK_cUTlsrxHW4x2ir0DyqGjJ9BlG241Rk8dpFTKySEGu0ygyJzJpT0OM">Gabriel McGuire</a>&nbsp;as Billy Crocker in Hays High School's "Anything Goes"&nbsp;

Supporting actress:&nbsp;Maggie Baalmann as Mrs. Potts in "Disney's Beauty and the Beast" Thomas More Prep-Marian

Supporting actor:&nbsp;Tom Drabkin&nbsp;as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh in HHS'&nbsp;"Anything Goes"

Supporting actor:&nbsp;Lane Werth as Lumiere in "Disney's Beauty and the Beast" Thomas More Prep-Marian

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586211790931.jpeg" alt="Far right:&nbsp;Tom Drabkin as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh in HHS' "Anything Goes"" />
 <figcaption>Far right:&nbsp;Tom Drabkin as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh in HHS' "Anything Goes"</figcaption>
 </figure>The Music Theatre of Wichita named honorees in the Jester Awards Sunday in a virtual ceremony.Local students and casts were honored in the ceremony.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586211705691.jpeg" alt="<a href="https://www.facebook.com/gabriel.mcguire.1?__tn__=K-R&amp;eid=ARDuSycE-se3tRwvSg1jNgLywQrC6puSIwGWcHY3DxZgdEbJLeksR8pqYwEEjw1OLEk8z53nAeu5ohVN&amp;fref=mentions&amp;__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARB0Msjmq6uERUDvO7sEM_k_pAoT9WUFrrBEaulQH8ydwyykOKElXKf9SbvCZmgRKyyH7-xaze0xtjXLlprRkpRKZ5T9eHWb045REhL2oSQSGwSHkMIrgY1OH1RnmkskD2UF-DG-TGCLfSAcbVl-RU4H2EohOifoCOEJHYTdsREHJUb63AffhiFB3Fttl4mwG319X2bcrAaAuULKQDTNhDR_t8OVd6MwBBGDsZsQPrO8wHafbQYLqeALVGTy1QWUKv9KqLnbJKZbAhn6ii_8wcpFwUIM7on5IK_cUTlsrxHW4x2ir0DyqGjJ9BlG241Rk8dpFTKySEGu0ygyJzJpT0OM">Gabriel McGuire</a>&nbsp;as Billy Crocker in Hays High School's "Anything Goes"&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.facebook.com/gabriel.mcguire.1?__tn__=K-R&amp;eid=ARDuSycE-se3tRwvSg1jNgLywQrC6puSIwGWcHY3DxZgdEbJLeksR8pqYwEEjw1OLEk8z53nAeu5ohVN&amp;fref=mentions&amp;__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARB0Msjmq6uERUDvO7sEM_k_pAoT9WUFrrBEaulQH8ydwyykOKElXKf9SbvCZmgRKyyH7-xaze0xtjXLlprRkpRKZ5T9eHWb045REhL2oSQSGwSHkMIrgY1OH1RnmkskD2UF-DG-TGCLfSAcbVl-RU4H2EohOifoCOEJHYTdsREHJUb63AffhiFB3Fttl4mwG319X2bcrAaAuULKQDTNhDR_t8OVd6MwBBGDsZsQPrO8wHafbQYLqeALVGTy1QWUKv9KqLnbJKZbAhn6ii_8wcpFwUIM7on5IK_cUTlsrxHW4x2ir0DyqGjJ9BlG241Rk8dpFTKySEGu0ygyJzJpT0OM">Gabriel McGuire</a>&nbsp;as Billy Crocker in Hays High School's "Anything Goes"&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Those included:Leading actor:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/gabriel.mcguire.1?__tn__=K-R&amp;eid=ARDuSycE-se3tRwvSg1jNgLywQrC6puSIwGWcHY3DxZgdEbJLeksR8pqYwEEjw1OLEk8z53nAeu5ohVN&amp;fref=mentions&amp;__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARB0Msjmq6uERUDvO7sEM_k_pAoT9WUFrrBEaulQH8ydwyykOKElXKf9SbvCZmgRKyyH7-xaze0xtjXLlprRkpRKZ5T9eHWb045REhL2oSQSGwSHkMIrgY1OH1RnmkskD2UF-DG-TGCLfSAcbVl-RU4H2EohOifoCOEJHYTdsREHJUb63AffhiFB3Fttl4mwG319X2bcrAaAuULKQDTNhDR_t8OVd6MwBBGDsZsQPrO8wHafbQYLqeALVGTy1QWUKv9KqLnbJKZbAhn6ii_8wcpFwUIM7on5IK_cUTlsrxHW4x2ir0DyqGjJ9BlG241Rk8dpFTKySEGu0ygyJzJpT0OM">Gabriel McGuire</a>&nbsp;as Billy Crocker in Hays High School's "Anything Goes"&nbsp;Supporting actress:&nbsp;Maggie Baalmann as Mrs. Potts in "Disney's Beauty and the Beast" Thomas More Prep-MarianSupporting actor:&nbsp;Tom Drabkin&nbsp;as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh in HHS'&nbsp;"Anything Goes"Supporting actor:&nbsp;Lane Werth as Lumiere in "Disney's Beauty and the Beast" Thomas More Prep-Marian<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588707249906.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Local students honored with Jester Awards

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/GFSAAz9m9N8"></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: Pastor Micah Sanderson

By KIM BALDWIN, McPherson County farmer and rancher

I’ve received a number of calls lately to reschedule appointments because of COVID-19. Aside from the monthly hair appointments, my kids and I will not be visiting our dentist or eye doctor at our originally scheduled times this spring.

In the past, I have generally made these appointments around the end of school when the kids have a more flexible schedule. As I was on one particular call looking at calendar options for later this summer, I began to notice all of the events and functions that didn’t happen.

After penciling in a new appointment, I continued to look at all of the things I had not deleted on my calendar. Things like the pre-K Mom’s Day Tea Party, a music program, our elementary school’s field day and our county’s All Schools Day parade.

These were all days I had planned to take off to spend some special time with my kiddos. This realization brought some tears to my eyes as I realized my kids and I wouldn’t be able to experience some established traditions this year. 

As I was wiping my eyes, my son and daughter came tromping into the farm office with Rosie our farm dog not far behind. The office has not only served as my remote workspace for nearly two months but has also served as the kids’ remote schoolhouse. Evidence of learning and life is scattered throughout the room.

My two young children, covered in a thick layer of dust, were looking for a snack break. They made a beeline to my desk drawer where I keep some goodies in the event of an all-to-often emergency snack. 

I handed them each a packet of peanut butter crackers and asked what they were up to. They began naming off all of the shenanigans they and Rosie were doing that afternoon. From riding their bikes around the farmyard, gathering materials for a tree fort, setting up the water slide and gathering sticks for the fire pit. They had a busy afternoon planned. After gobbling down their snacks, they took off for another round of fun outside.

As I hollered at them to “be careful” and “shut the office door,” it was then that I realized I have been witness to all of the scheduled traditional spring events I was so sad to miss — only in a modified form.

I have been able to eat lunch with both kiddos nearly every day. And while I haven’t donned any special hats, we do eat finger foods on occasion and have even enjoyed some cream puffs I had originally purchased for the actual Mom’s Day Tea Party school event. While it might not be as fancy, and we generally have an unrefined hairy, stinky farm dog plotting to steal our food, we are still able to enjoy lovely conversations while also sipping on peach tea or lemonade. Modified Tea Party — check.

My daughter Isannah wakes up every morning singing a song and proceeds to go about her day singing while making multiple wardrobe changes and adding to the laundry pile. Modified school music program — check.

My son Banks has been throwing balls, lifting bags of seed, climbing everything and racing Rosie all around the farm. Modified school field day — check.

Both kids ride their bikes all over the farm. Banks generally puts cards in his spokes to make noise when his wheels turn while Isannah generally fills the basket on her handlebars with flowers and grass that she throws to her crowd consisting of Rosie the dog and Sunflower the cow. Modified All School’s Day Parade — check.

While the traditional events that held space on the calendar might not be happening this year, I’ve realized sometimes you have to open your eyes a little more to recognize the essence of those special events are still present.

"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.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575904358712.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KIM BALDWIN, McPherson County farmer and rancherI’ve received a number of calls lately to reschedule appointments because of COVID-19. Aside from the monthly hair appointments, my kids and I will not be visiting our dentist or eye doctor at our originally scheduled times this spring.In the past, I have generally made these appointments around the end of school when the kids have a more flexible schedule. As I was on one particular call looking at calendar options for later this summer, I began to notice all of the events and functions that didn’t happen.After penciling in a new appointment, I continued to look at all of the things I had not deleted on my calendar. Things like the pre-K Mom’s Day Tea Party, a music program, our elementary school’s field day and our county’s All Schools Day parade.These were all days I had planned to take off to spend some special time with my kiddos. This realization brought some tears to my eyes as I realized my kids and I wouldn’t be able to experience some established traditions this year. As I was wiping my eyes, my son and daughter came tromping into the farm office with Rosie our farm dog not far behind. The office has not only served as my remote workspace for nearly two months but has also served as the kids’ remote schoolhouse. Evidence of learning and life is scattered throughout the room.My two young children, covered in a thick layer of dust, were looking for a snack break. They made a beeline to my desk drawer where I keep some goodies in the event of an all-to-often emergency snack. I handed them each a packet of peanut butter crackers and asked what they were up to. They began naming off all of the shenanigans they and Rosie were doing that afternoon. From riding their bikes around the farmyard, gathering materials for a tree fort, setting up the water slide and gathering sticks for the fire pit. They had a busy afternoon planned. After gobbling down their snacks, they took off for another round of fun outside.As I hollered at them to “be careful” and “shut the office door,” it was then that I realized I have been witness to all of the scheduled traditional spring events I was so sad to miss — only in a modified form.I have been able to eat lunch with both kiddos nearly every day. And while I haven’t donned any special hats, we do eat finger foods on occasion and have even enjoyed some cream puffs I had originally purchased for the actual Mom’s Day Tea Party school event. While it might not be as fancy, and we generally have an unrefined hairy, stinky farm dog plotting to steal our food, we are still able to enjoy lovely conversations while also sipping on peach tea or lemonade. Modified Tea Party — check.My daughter Isannah wakes up every morning singing a song and proceeds to go about her day singing while making multiple wardrobe changes and adding to the laundry pile. Modified school music program — check.My son Banks has been throwing balls, lifting bags of seed, climbing everything and racing Rosie all around the farm. Modified school field day — check.Both kids ride their bikes all over the farm. Banks generally puts cards in his spokes to make noise when his wheels turn while Isannah generally fills the basket on her handlebars with flowers and grass that she throws to her crowd consisting of Rosie the dog and Sunflower the cow. Modified All School’s Day Parade — check.While the traditional events that held space on the calendar might not be happening this year, I’ve realized sometimes you have to open your eyes a little more to recognize the essence of those special events are still present."Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.

Kansas Farm Bureau Insight: Modified calendar events

Three-day weather outlook

Is there a difference between cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing?&nbsp; Yes, there is! The following information is just the basics, so please visit the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) website for more detailed information.&nbsp;

Whether at home or at work, a surface must first be cleaned. When we teach the Employee Food Handlers Class through ServSafe and the National Restaurant Association, the students are taught that “cleaning” removes food and other types of soil from a surface such as a countertop or plate. Then, sanitizing reduces the number of pathogens on the clean surface to a safe level. The cleaning and sanitizing process is a five-step process: 1. Scrape or remove food from the surface 2. Wash the surface with soap and water 3. Rinse the surface 4. Sanitize the surface 5. Allow the surface to air dry.&nbsp;

Sanitizing and disinfecting are different things. Disinfection uses a higher concentration of bleach than sanitizing.

For general kitchen sanitizing, a solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented chlorine bleach per gallon of lukewarm (not hot) water is the usual recommendation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Only use bleach when it is appropriate for the surface. It is very important to read the label on the bottle you are using. Some bleach is used only for laundry and not for disinfecting. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.

Disinfecting refers to using chemicals, for example, EPA-registered disinfectants, to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection. For disinfecting, diluted household bleach solutions (at least 1000ppm sodium hypochlorite) can be used if appropriate for the surface. Disinfectant sprays or wipes are intended for use on hard, non-porous surfaces. To prepare a bleach solution for disinfecting mix 5 tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water OR if you need a smaller amount, 4 teaspoons of bleach per quart of water. Homemade cleaning solutions made with bleach&nbsp;should&nbsp;be remade&nbsp;after&nbsp;24 hours.

&nbsp;Again, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application, ensuring a contact time of at least 5 minutes on the surfaces where it is appropriate to use bleach. Some disinfectant wipes say on the label to leave the area wet until dry. Please read the label! Wear gloves when working with bleach and other disinfectants. It is also important to allowing proper ventilation during and after application. Always keep chemicals and cleaning products out of the reach of children and in a locked cupboard.

For additional information visit the cdc.gov website or call the Extension office.&nbsp;

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588274071306.jpeg" alt="Berny Unruh is Family and Community Wellness agent for the Cottonwood Extension District." />
 <figcaption>Berny Unruh is Family and Community Wellness agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.</figcaption>
 </figure>Is there a difference between cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing?&nbsp; Yes, there is! The following information is just the basics, so please visit the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) website for more detailed information.&nbsp;Whether at home or at work, a surface must first be cleaned. When we teach the Employee Food Handlers Class through ServSafe and the National Restaurant Association, the students are taught that “cleaning” removes food and other types of soil from a surface such as a countertop or plate. Then, sanitizing reduces the number of pathogens on the clean surface to a safe level. The cleaning and sanitizing process is a five-step process: 1. Scrape or remove food from the surface 2. Wash the surface with soap and water 3. Rinse the surface 4. Sanitize the surface 5. Allow the surface to air dry.&nbsp;Sanitizing and disinfecting are different things. Disinfection uses a higher concentration of bleach than sanitizing.For general kitchen sanitizing, a solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented chlorine bleach per gallon of lukewarm (not hot) water is the usual recommendation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Only use bleach when it is appropriate for the surface. It is very important to read the label on the bottle you are using. Some bleach is used only for laundry and not for disinfecting. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.Disinfecting refers to using chemicals, for example, EPA-registered disinfectants, to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection. For disinfecting, diluted household bleach solutions (at least 1000ppm sodium hypochlorite) can be used if appropriate for the surface. Disinfectant sprays or wipes are intended for use on hard, non-porous surfaces. To prepare a bleach solution for disinfecting mix 5 tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water OR if you need a smaller amount, 4 teaspoons of bleach per quart of water. Homemade cleaning solutions made with bleach&nbsp;should&nbsp;be remade&nbsp;after&nbsp;24 hours.&nbsp;Again, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application, ensuring a contact time of at least 5 minutes on the surfaces where it is appropriate to use bleach. Some disinfectant wipes say on the label to leave the area wet until dry. Please read the label! Wear gloves when working with bleach and other disinfectants. It is also important to allowing proper ventilation during and after application. Always keep chemicals and cleaning products out of the reach of children and in a locked cupboard.For additional information visit the cdc.gov website or call the Extension office.&nbsp;	Berny Unruh is the Family and Community Wellness Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp; She can be reached at 785-628-9430 or at <a href="mailto:bunruh@ksu.edu">bunruh@ksu.edu</a>

UNRUH: Cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing

Breana McPherson has been located and is safe, according to Scott City police.&nbsp; They released no additional details.

SCOTT COUNTY&nbsp; — Law enforcement authorities are asking the public for help to located a missing 15-year-old girl from Scott City, according to a social media report from police.

Breana McPherson is a described as 5-foot-3, 102 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. 

She was reported missing at approximately 3 a.m. Tuesday.

Authorities found the vehicle she took at the Scott County Cemetery. Police say they are very worried about her welfare and asking the public for help locating her. She could be in the Garden City area, according to police.

If you have any information of her possible whereabouts, call the Scott City Police Department at (620) 872-2133. You may remain anonymous.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588687330077.png" alt="Breana McPherson " />
 <figcaption>Breana McPherson </figcaption>
 </figure>7p.m. updateBreana McPherson has been located and is safe, according to Scott City police.&nbsp; They released no additional details.--------SCOTT COUNTY&nbsp; — Law enforcement authorities are asking the public for help to located a missing 15-year-old girl from Scott City, according to a social media report from police.Breana McPherson is a described as 5-foot-3, 102 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. She was reported missing at approximately 3 a.m. Tuesday.Authorities found the vehicle she took at the Scott County Cemetery. Police say they are very worried about her welfare and asking the public for help locating her. She could be in the Garden City area, according to police.If you have any information of her possible whereabouts, call the Scott City Police Department at (620) 872-2133. You may remain anonymous.

Police: Missing Scott City teen found safe

After six weeks of stay-at-home <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5eaffb43eb7f170536041503">restrictions began to lift</a> Monday in Kansas, activities in Hays also begin to pick up again.

"This is what I know about today," emphasized Melissa Dixon, convention and visitors bureau executive director, said Tuesday morning.

"It's going to change quickly and daily."

The CVB website includes a <a href="http://www.visithays.com/calendar.aspx?CID=0&amp;Keywords=&amp;startDate=&amp;enddate=&amp;">local community calendar</a>, which has the most recent information about upcoming events.

Public gatherings remain limited to 10 people for now. On May 18, that will be number will increase to 30 people. Social distancing still must be observed, and masks are strongly encouraged under the first reopening phase.

The Downtown Hays Market is scheduled to open May 30 at the Downtown Pavilion, 10th and Main.

"There'll be new shopping guidelines to keep shoppers safe, and a curbside pickup option will be offered," Dixon said.&nbsp;

Farmers markets supply food and services that are <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e8f3361eb7f1705360219e1">considered essential functions </a>and are exempt from the governor's executive order.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1580501251069.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostAfter six weeks of stay-at-home <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5eaffb43eb7f170536041503">restrictions began to lift</a> Monday in Kansas, activities in Hays also begin to pick up again."This is what I know about today," emphasized Melissa Dixon, convention and visitors bureau executive director, said Tuesday morning."It's going to change quickly and daily."The CVB website includes a <a href="http://www.visithays.com/calendar.aspx?CID=0&amp;Keywords=&amp;startDate=&amp;enddate=&amp;">local community calendar</a>, which has the most recent information about upcoming events.Public gatherings remain limited to 10 people for now. On May 18, that will be number will increase to 30 people. Social distancing still must be observed, and masks are strongly encouraged under the first reopening phase.The Downtown Hays Market is scheduled to open May 30 at the Downtown Pavilion, 10th and Main."There'll be new shopping guidelines to keep shoppers safe, and a curbside pickup option will be offered," Dixon said.&nbsp;Farmers markets supply food and services that are <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e8f3361eb7f1705360219e1">considered essential functions </a>and are exempt from the governor's executive order.<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HfhNrq4pRcg"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

🎥 CVB: Events, activities will begin to increase in Hays as restrictions loosen

In response to the governor’s recent Executive Order No. 20-29, “Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas," the City of Hays is reopening all city playgrounds, shelters and the dog park. 

Restroom facilities will remain closed at this time. Due to gathering size limitations, the Parks Department will not be accepting shelter reservations. It is the responsibility of park users to follow all state orders regarding social distancing, gathering size limitations and public health guidelines.

In response to the governor’s recent Executive Order No. 20-29, “Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas," the City of Hays is reopening all city playgrounds, shelters and the dog park. Restroom facilities will remain closed at this time. Due to gathering size limitations, the Parks Department will not be accepting shelter reservations. It is the responsibility of park users to follow all state orders regarding social distancing, gathering size limitations and public health guidelines.— City of Hays

Playgrounds, dog park, shelters will reopen in Hays

EmberHope Youthville is looking for loving adults to foster children in Hays and the surrounding area.

EmberHope Youthville provides you the training and support as you create a brighter future for the abused and neglected. Foster children from a caring foster home are more likely to graduate from high school and make a successful transition into adulthood.

A life-saving experience for them, a life-changing experience for you. Become a foster parent today.

For information on fostering, go to <a href="http://emberhope.org">emberhope.org</a> and click on the “contact us today” button.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588711392958.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>EmberHope Youthville is looking for loving adults to foster children in Hays and the surrounding area.EmberHope Youthville provides you the training and support as you create a brighter future for the abused and neglected. Foster children from a caring foster home are more likely to graduate from high school and make a successful transition into adulthood.A life-saving experience for them, a life-changing experience for you. Become a foster parent today.For information on fostering, go to <a href="http://emberhope.org">emberhope.org</a> and click on the “contact us today” button.

Ellis County offices reopen with social distancing

Polling places in Kansas are 
required by law to be open, but this year's primary and general 
elections might see fewer in-person votes and more by mail. The latter 
is a safe and convenient option in the time of coronavirus, but comes 
with its own costs and challenges.

By DANIEL CAUDILL, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-05-03/protecting-voters-from-covid-19-will-cost-kansas-counties-extra">Kansas News Service</a>

WICHITA — Thousands of Reno County voters usually cast
 their ballots at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, a central 
location with a high capacity.

Deputy Election Officer Jenna Fager
 said it’ll look different for this year’s August primary and November 
general election to avoid spreading the coronavirus. How different, 
though, she’s not sure.

“We’d have to consult emergency management and our health department and just, kind of, do the best we can,” she said.

Fager
 is one of dozens of county election officials in Kansas preparing for 
two possibly unusual elections — and an expected surge in voting by 
mail. Kansas law requires polling places to be open on election days, so
 counties are looking to stock up on disinfectants and protective gear. 
And unlike neighboring Missouri, voters in Kansas don’t have to have a 
specific excuse to request a mail-in ballot.

Though mail-in voting might be a safe and convenient option for voters, it also comes with its own costs and challenges.

“The
 cost of envelopes, paper ballots, and postage will likely be 
significantly more than we budgeted for those purposes,” said Marion 
County Clerk Tina Spencer, who oversees elections for the county’s more 
than 7,500 voters and eight polling places.

Spencer said the 
county election board will also likely have to meet once or twice per 
week in the weeks leading up to election day to process the additional 
advance ballots.

Johnson County officials are shipping 
vote-by-mail applications directly to all registered voters. Election 
Commissioner Connie Schmidt said she hopes that will help prevent 
overcrowding or long lines at polling places.

“We won’t be able to have as many voting machines in some of the locations as we’ve had in the past,” she <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/article242261896.html" target="_blank">told The Kansas City Star</a>. “They will have to be spread out. That’s another reason why we’re encouraging people to vote by mail this time.”

It’s difficult to estimate what it would take for the entire state to run elections by mail.

“Elections
 in Kansas are conducted at the county level, and depending on the 
election, the ballot length, ballot weight and a number of other 
factors,” said Joanna Dolan, principal research analyst at the Kansas 
Legislative Research Department, “costs could vary from county to county
 and election to election.”

Sending applications to its more than 
400,000 registered voters will cost Johnson County an estimated 
$120,000. They’re hoping they’ll be reimbursed with federal funds, which
 were made available through the CARES Act. Of the $400 million 
nationally, Kansas will receive just under $4 million, Kansas Secretary 
of State Scott Schwab said.

That money will help cover safety 
measures for polling places, like hand sanitizer, disinfectants and 
protective gear, as well as the additional postage and processing that’s
 expected with extra mail-in ballots.

The funds will also reimburse counties who have already incurred some of those expenses. Fager said Reno County secured protective gear and other materials for its polling places through local resources.

“We’re just kind of doing that on our own right now,” she said, “instead of depending on the state.”

With
 only two polling places and about 10,000 registered voters, 
preparations in western Kansas’ Seward County won’t be quite as 
cumbersome as others. The county is also fortunate that a 2002 
resolution allows county employees to work polls, all but guaranteeing 
ample workers.

“We have several county employees who volunteer to 
assist during elections, which makes recruiting experienced workers much
 easier,” Seward County Clerk Stacia Long said.

For counties needing help, Kansas is launching a statewide campaign to recruit poll workers, especially young ones.

“You
 can be 16, 17 years old and still volunteer as a poll board worker,” 
Schwab said. “My son doesn’t know it yet, but my 16-year-olds will be 
working at the poll in the primary this year.”

Sedgwick County 
Election Commissioner Tabitha Lehman said that after multiple asks, only
 228 of nearly 2,000 current and former poll workers have agreed to work
 the elections.

Sedgwick and Johnson counties are the state’s two most populous, representing nearly 40% of <a href="https://www.kssos.org/elections/elections_registration_voterreg.asp" target="_blank">registered voters</a>.
 Lehman said they’re forming similar contingency plans, like moving 
election-worker training online. And Sedgwick County will follow Johnson
 County’s lead in sending applications to active registered voters.

“We believe it is crucial that we work together to provide the best options to our voters moving forward,” she said.

Ahead
 of Georgia’s presidential primary in June, state election officials 
mailed almost 7 million mail-in voting applications to registered 
voters. Like what’s currently expected to happen in Kansas, polls will 
still be open, but officials want to limit how many people vote in 
person.

Schwab said his office is not currently planning to mail 
anything to voters statewide, and would rather leave the decision up to 
each county.

“If the state did one and the county did one, you’re 
going to have some duplication and you’re going to increase confusion,” 
he said.

He said it’s unclear at this point how many Kansans will 
vote by mail in the upcoming elections, but that will become apparent as
 applications start to come in this summer.

Schwab said the state is also looking at drive-thru voting, which <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/article241912941.html" target="_blank">Missouri</a> hopes to implement for its municipal elections in June.

“I’m
 a believer of (having) every opportunity and every way possible to vote
 that you can,” he said, “as opposed to a unilateral — you can only vote
 this way and no other way.”

Daniel Caudill is a Statehouse intern for the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter<a href="https://twitter.com/bydanielcaudill" target="_blank"> @byDanielCaudill</a>.
 The Kansas News Service is a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public 
Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public Radio focused on the health and 
well-being of Kansans, their communities and civic life.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588600227252.png" alt="A Kansas polling place in November 2018. Kansas News Service file photo" />
 <figcaption>A Kansas polling place in November 2018. Kansas News Service file photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Polling places in Kansas are 
required by law to be open, but this year's primary and general 
elections might see fewer in-person votes and more by mail. The latter 
is a safe and convenient option in the time of coronavirus, but comes 
with its own costs and challenges.</h2>By DANIEL CAUDILL, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-05-03/protecting-voters-from-covid-19-will-cost-kansas-counties-extra">Kansas News Service</a>WICHITA — Thousands of Reno County voters usually cast
 their ballots at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, a central 
location with a high capacity.Deputy Election Officer Jenna Fager
 said it’ll look different for this year’s August primary and November 
general election to avoid spreading the coronavirus. How different, 
though, she’s not sure.“We’d have to consult emergency management and our health department and just, kind of, do the best we can,” she said.Fager
 is one of dozens of county election officials in Kansas preparing for 
two possibly unusual elections — and an expected surge in voting by 
mail. Kansas law requires polling places to be open on election days, so
 counties are looking to stock up on disinfectants and protective gear. 
And unlike neighboring Missouri, voters in Kansas don’t have to have a 
specific excuse to request a mail-in ballot.Though mail-in voting might be a safe and convenient option for voters, it also comes with its own costs and challenges.“The
 cost of envelopes, paper ballots, and postage will likely be 
significantly more than we budgeted for those purposes,” said Marion 
County Clerk Tina Spencer, who oversees elections for the county’s more 
than 7,500 voters and eight polling places.Spencer said the 
county election board will also likely have to meet once or twice per 
week in the weeks leading up to election day to process the additional 
advance ballots.Johnson County officials are shipping 
vote-by-mail applications directly to all registered voters. Election 
Commissioner Connie Schmidt said she hopes that will help prevent 
overcrowding or long lines at polling places.“We won’t be able to have as many voting machines in some of the locations as we’ve had in the past,” she <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/article242261896.html" target="_blank">told The Kansas City Star</a>. “They will have to be spread out. That’s another reason why we’re encouraging people to vote by mail this time.”It’s difficult to estimate what it would take for the entire state to run elections by mail.“Elections
 in Kansas are conducted at the county level, and depending on the 
election, the ballot length, ballot weight and a number of other 
factors,” said Joanna Dolan, principal research analyst at the Kansas 
Legislative Research Department, “costs could vary from county to county
 and election to election.”Sending applications to its more than 
400,000 registered voters will cost Johnson County an estimated 
$120,000. They’re hoping they’ll be reimbursed with federal funds, which
 were made available through the CARES Act. Of the $400 million 
nationally, Kansas will receive just under $4 million, Kansas Secretary 
of State Scott Schwab said.That money will help cover safety 
measures for polling places, like hand sanitizer, disinfectants and 
protective gear, as well as the additional postage and processing that’s
 expected with extra mail-in ballots.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588600298363.png" alt="Kansas News Service file photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas News Service file photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Costs, approaches vary by county</h2>The funds will also reimburse counties who have already incurred some of those expenses. Fager said Reno County secured protective gear and other materials for its polling places through local resources.“We’re just kind of doing that on our own right now,” she said, “instead of depending on the state.”With
 only two polling places and about 10,000 registered voters, 
preparations in western Kansas’ Seward County won’t be quite as 
cumbersome as others. The county is also fortunate that a 2002 
resolution allows county employees to work polls, all but guaranteeing 
ample workers.“We have several county employees who volunteer to 
assist during elections, which makes recruiting experienced workers much
 easier,” Seward County Clerk Stacia Long said.For counties needing help, Kansas is launching a statewide campaign to recruit poll workers, especially young ones.“You
 can be 16, 17 years old and still volunteer as a poll board worker,” 
Schwab said. “My son doesn’t know it yet, but my 16-year-olds will be 
working at the poll in the primary this year.”Sedgwick County 
Election Commissioner Tabitha Lehman said that after multiple asks, only
 228 of nearly 2,000 current and former poll workers have agreed to work
 the elections.Sedgwick and Johnson counties are the state’s two most populous, representing nearly 40% of <a href="https://www.kssos.org/elections/elections_registration_voterreg.asp" target="_blank">registered voters</a>.
 Lehman said they’re forming similar contingency plans, like moving 
election-worker training online. And Sedgwick County will follow Johnson
 County’s lead in sending applications to active registered voters.“We believe it is crucial that we work together to provide the best options to our voters moving forward,” she said.Ahead
 of Georgia’s presidential primary in June, state election officials 
mailed almost 7 million mail-in voting applications to registered 
voters. Like what’s currently expected to happen in Kansas, polls will 
still be open, but officials want to limit how many people vote in 
person.Schwab said his office is not currently planning to mail 
anything to voters statewide, and would rather leave the decision up to 
each county.“If the state did one and the county did one, you’re 
going to have some duplication and you’re going to increase confusion,” 
he said.He said it’s unclear at this point how many Kansans will 
vote by mail in the upcoming elections, but that will become apparent as
 applications start to come in this summer.Schwab said the state is also looking at drive-thru voting, which <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/article241912941.html" target="_blank">Missouri</a> hopes to implement for its municipal elections in June.“I’m
 a believer of (having) every opportunity and every way possible to vote
 that you can,” he said, “as opposed to a unilateral — you can only vote
 this way and no other way.”Daniel Caudill is a Statehouse intern for the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter<a href="https://twitter.com/bydanielcaudill" target="_blank"> @byDanielCaudill</a>.
 The Kansas News Service is a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public 
Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public Radio focused on the health and 
well-being of Kansans, their communities and civic life.

Protecting Kan. voters from COVID-19 will be costly for counties

BY JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

After the approval of a quarter-cent sales tax, the Ellis County Commission is focusing on possible road improvements and, recently, commissioners took their annual road tour of Ellis County. 

“I would like them to do some more planning because of the
cost of roads,” Ring said. “So that they can see that we need to take a real in-depth
look at how we’re going to manage the road system because it is expensive.”

Ring said that he wasn’t trying to get the commission to
make specific decisions because, right now, there are a lot of outside factors that
will weigh on the cost of the projects.

Commissioner Dustin Roths said he was “pleasantly surprised”
with the conditions of the roads that they traveled.

“Considering the budget situation that we have had with road
and bridge ... it was understandable that we
would want to do something but it wasn’t like we were in dire need,” Roth said.

Commissioners said that with the approval of the sales tax
they could look at using a portion of that money to put together a bond to pay
for needed improvements.

“Let’s determine where we have serious issues and if we’re
going to take care of those serious issues (with a bond)” Roths said. “This is
a good starting point for us to plan things in an order."

Among the roads the commission toured was Cathedral Avenue in
Victoria. The county is responsible for Cathedral because it is a main thoroughfare.


Ring said Cathedral has been a focus of the road and
bridge department for several years because it needs work done. It also has
water lines running underneath it that need to be replaced.

The city of Victoria has already received the grant and began
laying out a timetable for those lines to be replaced, according to Ring. He
said they believe that project could be completed by next spring and after that
crews could begin fixing the road service.

“We don’t want to do anything until they dig up the road and
patch it back,” Ring said. “We’ve been working with the city of Victoria and
their commission and mayor to stay apprised of what is going on.”

Ring said the work on Cathedral will require crews to take the road all the way down to the road bed. He also anticipates some
work on the base of the road and curb and guttering.

The commission also looked at bridges throughout the county.
One of those was the Ellis Blacktop Bridge north of Ellis over the Saline River.

Ring said that bridge needs a new deck and previous estimates
came in between $450,000 and $500,000

“It’s drivable. It's not that it’s unsafe,” Ring said, “but
it needs a deck. It’s got potholes and it’s got cracking.”

Ring said he believes that is one of the No. 1 needs
for Ellis County.

 “It’s not a very wide bridge and its on a relatively
high traveled road between Palco and Ellis," he said. "If we did something to it, I’d
almost rather look at a potential replacement or upgrade to if for safe, better
conditions on it.”

They also looked at 12th Street/Noose Road bridge west
of Hays, the Yocemento bridge and a bridge on Old Highway 40 in Ellis — all of which
need new bridge decks.

Ring said there are 200 bridges in Ellis County and they
will continue to have to prioritize them.

“Prices are going to come down,” Ring said. “So the more
insight I can provide the commissioners on the condition (and) possible projects, it will help.”

Roths said with the Northwest Business Corridor project, the
improvements to Cathedral Avenue and some of the other road projects that could
be coming up soon, the county is going to be spending significant money on road
projects in the next few years.

“We want to at least allow the infrastructure we’ve built to
last as long as we can but we’ve also got to start looking at actually being
able to take care of things now, where as before we were just trying to hang
out,” Roth said.

“If the economy gets back going and oil gets in good shape, we might have the ability as a county to really be some of the best road infrastructure
for a county in western Kansas.”

BY JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostAfter the approval of a quarter-cent sales tax, the Ellis County Commission is focusing on possible road improvements and, recently, commissioners took their annual road tour of Ellis County. “I would like them to do some more planning because of the
cost of roads,” Ring said. “So that they can see that we need to take a real in-depth
look at how we’re going to manage the road system because it is expensive.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588573032381.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Ring said that he wasn’t trying to get the commission to
make specific decisions because, right now, there are a lot of outside factors that
will weigh on the cost of the projects.Commissioner Dustin Roths said he was “pleasantly surprised”
with the conditions of the roads that they traveled.“Considering the budget situation that we have had with road
and bridge ... it was understandable that we
would want to do something but it wasn’t like we were in dire need,” Roth said.Commissioners said that with the approval of the sales tax
they could look at using a portion of that money to put together a bond to pay
for needed improvements.“Let’s determine where we have serious issues and if we’re
going to take care of those serious issues (with a bond)” Roths said. “This is
a good starting point for us to plan things in an order."Among the roads the commission toured was Cathedral Avenue in
Victoria. The county is responsible for Cathedral because it is a main thoroughfare.
Ring said Cathedral has been a focus of the road and
bridge department for several years because it needs work done. It also has
water lines running underneath it that need to be replaced.The city of Victoria has already received the grant and began
laying out a timetable for those lines to be replaced, according to Ring. He
said they believe that project could be completed by next spring and after that
crews could begin fixing the road service.“We don’t want to do anything until they dig up the road and
patch it back,” Ring said. “We’ve been working with the city of Victoria and
their commission and mayor to stay apprised of what is going on.”Ring said the work on Cathedral will require crews to take the road all the way down to the road bed. He also anticipates some
work on the base of the road and curb and guttering.The commission also looked at bridges throughout the county.
One of those was the Ellis Blacktop Bridge north of Ellis over the Saline River.Ring said that bridge needs a new deck and previous estimates
came in between $450,000 and $500,000“It’s drivable. It's not that it’s unsafe,” Ring said, “but
it needs a deck. It’s got potholes and it’s got cracking.”Ring said he believes that is one of the No. 1 needs
for Ellis County.Roths agreed. “It’s not a very wide bridge and its on a relatively
high traveled road between Palco and Ellis," he said. "If we did something to it, I’d
almost rather look at a potential replacement or upgrade to if for safe, better
conditions on it.”They also looked at 12th Street/Noose Road bridge west
of Hays, the Yocemento bridge and a bridge on Old Highway 40 in Ellis — all of which
need new bridge decks.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588573071386.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Ring said there are 200 bridges in Ellis County and they
will continue to have to prioritize them.“Prices are going to come down,” Ring said. “So the more
insight I can provide the commissioners on the condition (and) possible projects, it will help.”Roths said with the Northwest Business Corridor project, the
improvements to Cathedral Avenue and some of the other road projects that could
be coming up soon, the county is going to be spending significant money on road
projects in the next few years.“We want to at least allow the infrastructure we’ve built to
last as long as we can but we’ve also got to start looking at actually being
able to take care of things now, where as before we were just trying to hang
out,” Roth said.“If the economy gets back going and oil gets in good shape, we might have the ability as a county to really be some of the best road infrastructure
for a county in western Kansas.”

Ellis County Commission turns focus to infrastructure

The Kansas Corporation Commission reports just 29 new intent-to-drill notices for the month of April, including one in Ellis County. The April total is down from 37 intents from the month before, and down from 106 in April of last year. There are 200 new intents on file so far this year, compared to 334 by the end of April last year.

Kansas crude prices gained a dollar on Friday. Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson starts this week at $10 a barrel. The monthly average for Kansas Common crude in April was just over $10 a barrel, compared to nearly $21 a barrel in March and over $54 a barrel in April of last year.

Baker Hughes reported another big drop in its weekly Rotary Rig Count to 408 active rigs, down 53 oil rigs and four gas rigs. The count in Texas was down 30 rigs. Colorado dropped by seven rigs. Oklahoma was down five and New Mexico was down four. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports a slight uptick in the Rig Count in Kansas. There are seven active rigs in Western Kansas, up four from last week; and one active rig east of Wichita, up one.&nbsp;

Operators received six new drilling permits across the State of Kansas last week, three east of Wichita, and three in western Kansas. That's 177 permits for drilling at new locations so far this year, compared to 304 at this time last year. Independent Oil &amp; Gas reports just three new well-completions last week, two of them dry holes.

We could find out this week if regulators will place legal limits on oil and gas production in the top-producing state in the country. The Railroad Commission of Texas held a lengthy hearing on the matter last month, but a two-member majority voted to consult with the state attorney general and put off any decision on "proration." The board could take up the matter again in its next scheduled meeting Tuesday.

U.S. crude production dropped 23 million barrels from February of last year, according to the latest numbers available from the government. According to the new government report, Kansas production in February was just over two and a half million barrels. That's an average of 88,000 barrels per day, about the same as the month before, but down from 92,000 barrels per day in February of last year.

The government on last week said U.S. crude-oil inventories increased by nine million barrels, significantly less than expected. Stockpiles are about ten percent above the five year average. The Energy Information Administration reported another decline in weekly crude-oil production.&nbsp; U.S. output last week dropped by about 100,000 barrels per day from the week before. EIA reports imports of 5.3 million barrels per day, up 365,000 barrels per day over the week before. The four-week average is still nearly 20% less than last year. U.S. gasoline stockpiles dropped by nearly four million barrels, but remain about ten percent above the five-year seasonal average.

The Association of American Railroads says U.S. oil-by-rail traffic as down more than 30% for the week ended April 25 compared to a year earlier. Total freight traffic dropped more than 22%.

The government reported total U.S. energy production last year exceeded consumption for the first time in 62 years. The Energy Information Administration compared production and use of oil, gas, coal, nuclear power and renewable energy. The Monthly Energy Review indicates we produced eight trillion BTUs of energy more than we consumed.

Commodity regulators are looking into possible insider futures trading by brokers with inside information on Russia's production negotiations with OPEC. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is scrutinizing futures trades by market participants who may have had advanced word on the Russian strategy. The investigation reportedly does not involve any Americans or Russian officials. But, sources tell Bloomberg the trading entities involved do employ people with ties to the Kremlin.

The Interior Department is preparing to sell drilling rights in the 1.56-million-acre coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, but that sale may already have gone bust. Morgan Stanley just ruled out financing for Arctic energy development. They join Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase and Wells Fargo in ending support for drilling in the refuge. Bloomberg reports activists have shifted their focus to the flow of the huge sums of money needed to exploit the region. Lending restrictions now pose another obstacle to oil companies hunting for the next big U.S. discovery, particularly after an epic collapse in prices, declining demand tied to coronavirus and a mounting glut of crude. The Interior Department is preparing to sell drilling rights in the 1.56-million-acre coastal plain of the Arctic refuge.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574099516454.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN P. TRETBARThe Kansas Corporation Commission reports just 29 new intent-to-drill notices for the month of April, including one in Ellis County. The April total is down from 37 intents from the month before, and down from 106 in April of last year. There are 200 new intents on file so far this year, compared to 334 by the end of April last year.Kansas crude prices gained a dollar on Friday. Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson starts this week at $10 a barrel. The monthly average for Kansas Common crude in April was just over $10 a barrel, compared to nearly $21 a barrel in March and over $54 a barrel in April of last year.Baker Hughes reported another big drop in its weekly Rotary Rig Count to 408 active rigs, down 53 oil rigs and four gas rigs. The count in Texas was down 30 rigs. Colorado dropped by seven rigs. Oklahoma was down five and New Mexico was down four. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports a slight uptick in the Rig Count in Kansas. There are seven active rigs in Western Kansas, up four from last week; and one active rig east of Wichita, up one.&nbsp;Operators received six new drilling permits across the State of Kansas last week, three east of Wichita, and three in western Kansas. That's 177 permits for drilling at new locations so far this year, compared to 304 at this time last year. Independent Oil &amp; Gas reports just three new well-completions last week, two of them dry holes.We could find out this week if regulators will place legal limits on oil and gas production in the top-producing state in the country. The Railroad Commission of Texas held a lengthy hearing on the matter last month, but a two-member majority voted to consult with the state attorney general and put off any decision on "proration." The board could take up the matter again in its next scheduled meeting Tuesday.U.S. crude production dropped 23 million barrels from February of last year, according to the latest numbers available from the government. According to the new government report, Kansas production in February was just over two and a half million barrels. That's an average of 88,000 barrels per day, about the same as the month before, but down from 92,000 barrels per day in February of last year.The government on last week said U.S. crude-oil inventories increased by nine million barrels, significantly less than expected. Stockpiles are about ten percent above the five year average. The Energy Information Administration reported another decline in weekly crude-oil production.&nbsp; U.S. output last week dropped by about 100,000 barrels per day from the week before. EIA reports imports of 5.3 million barrels per day, up 365,000 barrels per day over the week before. The four-week average is still nearly 20% less than last year. U.S. gasoline stockpiles dropped by nearly four million barrels, but remain about ten percent above the five-year seasonal average.The Association of American Railroads says U.S. oil-by-rail traffic as down more than 30% for the week ended April 25 compared to a year earlier. Total freight traffic dropped more than 22%.The government reported total U.S. energy production last year exceeded consumption for the first time in 62 years. The Energy Information Administration compared production and use of oil, gas, coal, nuclear power and renewable energy. The Monthly Energy Review indicates we produced eight trillion BTUs of energy more than we consumed.Commodity regulators are looking into possible insider futures trading by brokers with inside information on Russia's production negotiations with OPEC. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is scrutinizing futures trades by market participants who may have had advanced word on the Russian strategy. The investigation reportedly does not involve any Americans or Russian officials. But, sources tell Bloomberg the trading entities involved do employ people with ties to the Kremlin.The Interior Department is preparing to sell drilling rights in the 1.56-million-acre coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, but that sale may already have gone bust. Morgan Stanley just ruled out financing for Arctic energy development. They join Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase and Wells Fargo in ending support for drilling in the refuge. Bloomberg reports activists have shifted their focus to the flow of the huge sums of money needed to exploit the region. Lending restrictions now pose another obstacle to oil companies hunting for the next big U.S. discovery, particularly after an epic collapse in prices, declining demand tied to coronavirus and a mounting glut of crude. The Interior Department is preparing to sell drilling rights in the 1.56-million-acre coastal plain of the Arctic refuge.

News from the Oil Patch: New drilling notices dip

Forsyth Library at Fort Hays State University is joining with libraries across the nation to document the historical impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global health crisis on individuals, families, organizations, businesses, and communities.&nbsp;

The Library is seeking stories and file submissions from individuals from the FHSU and Ellis County communities for inclusion in the university archive. These submissions will be made available as primary resources for historical and research purposes, exhibits, and public dissemination.&nbsp;

Submissions might include experiences with the stay-at-home order, social distancing, self-quarantine, online education, working remotely and other local effects of the pandemic.&nbsp;

Similar primary source collections have been gathered by libraries during times of great community impact such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks, wars, and recessions. They serve as primary research material for many disciplines in the present and for the future.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588171172210.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University RelationsForsyth Library at Fort Hays State University is joining with libraries across the nation to document the historical impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global health crisis on individuals, families, organizations, businesses, and communities.&nbsp;The Library is seeking stories and file submissions from individuals from the FHSU and Ellis County communities for inclusion in the university archive. These submissions will be made available as primary resources for historical and research purposes, exhibits, and public dissemination.&nbsp;Submissions might include experiences with the stay-at-home order, social distancing, self-quarantine, online education, working remotely and other local effects of the pandemic.&nbsp;Similar primary source collections have been gathered by libraries during times of great community impact such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks, wars, and recessions. They serve as primary research material for many disciplines in the present and for the future.&nbsp;Please consider submitting your real-life stories to capture the local experience during this unprecedented time and document it for posterity. To submit a story, send text, photographs, journal and diary entries and other digital evidence by using the project's submission form at&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/COVIDarchive">https://bit.ly/COVIDarchive</a>&nbsp;or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:forsythsc@fhsu.edu">forsythsc@fhsu.edu</a>.&nbsp;