"Be REAL" is a gentle reminder from education consultant and author Tara Martin who spoke Monday to 615 area teachers attending the Tiger Teacher Nation Regional Professional Learning Day inservice program at Hays High School.

The Lawrence resident encouraged the teachers to be real — to be relatable, expose their vulnerability, be approachable, learn through life — and to educate from the heart.&nbsp;

 "All of these things shape our lives, help us to serve people better, no matter what profession that we're in," Martin noted.

"We live in a real world. But I feel like Photoshop — all of this — is portraying this image that we need to be something that we're not.&nbsp;

"If everyone could just be real and we accepted that for what it was, wouldn't that be a beautiful diverse world where everyone felt that they were enough? How much more would they perform?"

By being real, teachers are also empowering their students to do that themselves, Martin said. "I think the more real teachers are, the better their students perform."

"Our empathy for them grows dramatically when we show a little bit of our vulnerability and we understand that they have a real story behind them as well."

Martin's story, who grew up in southwest Texas, stems from her second grade teacher, Mrs. S. She taught Martin to read and to understand that she could learn.

"Learning really became the gateway to success for me — growing up in high poverty, growing up with parents who didn't graduate, becoming the first generation in my family to become a graduate of anything."

Martin referenced a report by the National Education Association which says a large body of research shows a strong social and emotional foundation helps boost children's learning, academic performance and other positive long-term outcomes.&nbsp;

Along with primary caregivers, teachers can have a major lifelong impact on students.

"I still say Mrs. S changed the trajectory of my thinking," Martin says nearly 40 years later. "She rewired my brain that year that I didn't have to become a statistic."

Technology can defy reality, but when deliberately used in the classroom, it can also amplify realness.

Following some back and forth discussion with her then 15-year-old son Caleb, Martin founded #BookSnaps three years ago. 

It became a strategy used by teachers worldwide.&nbsp; It's now used in 17 countries and in 25 languages. 

#BookSnaps&nbsp; is a way of using the popular phone app Snapchat in the educational setting to create a digital visual representation of learning.&nbsp;

"If we have them use the language that they love — Snapchat or any digital app that lets you edit a visual image — we're peeking into the minds of our learners. They're creating the learning inside their minds digitally to show us.&nbsp;

"You see&nbsp;#BookSnaps all over Twitter and social media and you don't even understand the language but you can tell what they're thinking because of that universal language of images."

Martin is the author of the books "Be REAL: Educate from the Heart" and "Cannonball In," a motivating children's book illustrated by Genesis Kohler. She coaches and serves educational authors as the director of public relations and communication for her publisher DBC Inc. 

About 120 teacher paras were among those attending the day-long inservice from USD 489, TMP-Marian and Holy Family Elementary in Hays, and schools in Ellis, Victoria, Palco and Stockton.&nbsp;

Fifty professionals presented multiple breakout sessions focusing on topics ranging from other types of tech integration, parent communication and enhancing student career readiness skills to teacher retention and burnout.

Heather Musil, an instructor of Special Education in Teacher Education at Fort Hays State University's College of Education, represented FHSU on a LEAD team that spent the last four months planning the inservice.

"The January inservices for teachers are very critical because they're halfway&nbsp; through the (academic) year and they need something to motivate them and get them reenergized," Musil said. "They also get a little TLC for themselves as well plus what they can take back into the classroom."&nbsp;

The final sessions of the day provided opportunities for the educators to get together to discuss what they had learned and for collaboration.

Musil, who taught in USD 489 for 18 years, now teaches college students considering education as a career. She says her daughter calls them "the wanna-be teachers."

"I'm teaching them the things I learned in my classroom as well as strategies to help them in their future classrooms."

Musil sees a strong desire in her students to become teachers. 

"I believe it's the love of kids that motivates us," she said with a smile.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579542539462.jpeg" alt="Tara Martin,&nbsp;#BookSnaps founder, talks about&nbsp; using technology to amplify realness during an area teacher inservice event Monday at Hays High School.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Tara Martin,&nbsp;#BookSnaps founder, talks about&nbsp; using technology to amplify realness during an area teacher inservice event Monday at Hays High School.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure><div>By BECKY KISER Hays Post</div>"Be REAL" is a gentle reminder from education consultant and author Tara Martin who spoke Monday to 615 area teachers attending the Tiger Teacher Nation Regional Professional Learning Day inservice program at Hays High School.The Lawrence resident encouraged the teachers to be real — to be relatable, expose their vulnerability, be approachable, learn through life — and to educate from the heart.&nbsp; "All of these things shape our lives, help us to serve people better, no matter what profession that we're in," Martin noted."We live in a real world. But I feel like Photoshop — all of this — is portraying this image that we need to be something that we're not.&nbsp;"If everyone could just be real and we accepted that for what it was, wouldn't that be a beautiful diverse world where everyone felt that they were enough? How much more would they perform?"By being real, teachers are also empowering their students to do that themselves, Martin said. "I think the more real teachers are, the better their students perform.""Our empathy for them grows dramatically when we show a little bit of our vulnerability and we understand that they have a real story behind them as well."Martin's story, who grew up in southwest Texas, stems from her second grade teacher, Mrs. S. She taught Martin to read and to understand that she could learn."Learning really became the gateway to success for me — growing up in high poverty, growing up with parents who didn't graduate, becoming the first generation in my family to become a graduate of anything."Martin referenced a report by the National Education Association which says a large body of research shows a strong social and emotional foundation helps boost children's learning, academic performance and other positive long-term outcomes.&nbsp;Along with primary caregivers, teachers can have a major lifelong impact on students.<div><iframe width="722" height="406" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tBxIuul1lhk" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>"I still say Mrs. S changed the trajectory of my thinking," Martin says nearly 40 years later. "She rewired my brain that year that I didn't have to become a statistic."Instead, Martin became a teacher.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579568259324.jpeg" alt="#BookSnaps was&nbsp; founded by Martin and is used in 17 countries." />
 <figcaption>#BookSnaps was&nbsp; founded by Martin and is used in 17 countries.</figcaption>
 </figure>Technology can defy reality, but when deliberately used in the classroom, it can also amplify realness.Following some back and forth discussion with her then 15-year-old son Caleb, Martin founded #BookSnaps three years ago. It became a strategy used by teachers worldwide.&nbsp; It's now used in 17 countries and in 25 languages. #BookSnaps&nbsp; is a way of using the popular phone app Snapchat in the educational setting to create a digital visual representation of learning.&nbsp;"If we have them use the language that they love — Snapchat or any digital app that lets you edit a visual image — we're peeking into the minds of our learners. They're creating the learning inside their minds digitally to show us.&nbsp;"You see&nbsp;#BookSnaps all over Twitter and social media and you don't even understand the language but you can tell what they're thinking because of that universal language of images."Martin is the author of the books "Be REAL: Educate from the Heart" and "Cannonball In," a motivating children's book illustrated by Genesis Kohler. She coaches and serves educational authors as the director of public relations and communication for her publisher DBC Inc. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579571100423.jpeg" alt="More than 600 area teachers and paras attended Monday's inservice program in Hays.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>More than 600 area teachers and paras attended Monday's inservice program in Hays.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>About 120 teacher paras were among those attending the day-long inservice from USD 489, TMP-Marian and Holy Family Elementary in Hays, and schools in Ellis, Victoria, Palco and Stockton.&nbsp;Fifty professionals presented multiple breakout sessions focusing on topics ranging from other types of tech integration, parent communication and enhancing student career readiness skills to teacher retention and burnout.Heather Musil, an instructor of Special Education in Teacher Education at Fort Hays State University's College of Education, represented FHSU on a LEAD team that spent the last four months planning the inservice."The January inservices for teachers are very critical because they're halfway&nbsp; through the (academic) year and they need something to motivate them and get them reenergized," Musil said. "They also get a little TLC for themselves as well plus what they can take back into the classroom."&nbsp;The final sessions of the day provided opportunities for the educators to get together to discuss what they had learned and for collaboration.Musil, who taught in USD 489 for 18 years, now teaches college students considering education as a career. She says her daughter calls them "the wanna-be teachers.""I'm teaching them the things I learned in my classroom as well as strategies to help them in their future classrooms."Musil sees a strong desire in her students to become teachers. "I believe it's the love of kids that motivates us," she said with a smile.

🎥 'Be REAL' inservice draws 615 local educators

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Sophia Linenberger, a sophomore at Thomas More Prep-Marian, has something to cheer about when the Kansas City Chiefs take the field for the Super Bowl on Feb. 2.

Sophia was diagnosed in January 2019 with a rare cancer, Ewing's sarcoma. She spent much of last year going back and forth to Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City for treatment, including two surgeries to her spine.

In November, Sophia was asked to represent Children's Mercy at Mahomes' charity gala, 15 and the Mahomies.

Sophia had wanted to meet Mahomes for some time. He visited Children's Mercy, but Sophia was home on a break from her treatment and missed him by a day.

Sophia accepted a $15,000 donation for Children's Mercy from Mahomes' foundation. She also received an autographed Mahomes helmet from the Children's Mercy CEO.

"He's really nice, and he's a really genuine person," she said of Mahomes.&nbsp;

Sophia gave Mahomes and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce both yellow Sophia Strong bracelets that TMP had made for her.

Mahomes said he would wear the bracelet in his upcoming game. He not only wore the bracelet in that game, but has continued to wear Sophia's bracelet, including during the AFC Championship on Sunday.

"Every time we see it on the TV, we pause the TV and take all kinds of pictures," Sophia said.

Sophia also follows Mahomes' longtime girlfriend Brittany Mathews online. She posted a video of Mahomes on Thanksgiving, and he was wearing Sophia's wristband then as well.

In an interview with the Kansas City Star, Mahomes talked about Sophia's wristband and wristbands he wears from other kids battling serious illnesses.

Sophia said she has three things in common with Mahomes.

"I was 15 years old when I was diagnosed with cancer, and his number is 15," she said. "Me and him put ketchup on everything. I won my battle with cancer and hopefully he will win the Super Bowl."

Sophia is in remission from her cancer. She missed most of 2019 from school, but was able to return to school for the first time since her remission Tuesday. She is also excited that her hair is growing back after she lost it as a result of chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

"I was really excited to go to school today," she said. "It made me feel normal."

She said her classmates welcomed her back, saying hi to her in the hallways and classrooms.

"I am just really excited to watch the Super Bowl," Sophia said. "I just wish I could be there to see him in person, but I will definitely be watching him on TV and we will be pausing and taking all kinds of pictures again."

Sophia's mother, Jenny, said she has been humbled by Mahomes.

 Jenny was raised in California and had always been an Oakland Raiders fan. However, since Mahomes wore Sophia's bracelet, Jenny has become a Chiefs fan.

"I am all Mahomies. He is a great guy," Jenny said. "He is a very genuine guy, a very nice guy, very kind with a big, gigantic heart."

Jenny also said she was thankful to the Hays community for all the support they have shown Sophia and their family.&nbsp;

The TMP-M football team honored Sophia on senior night, allowing her to participate in the coin toss. She happily announced her remission that evening.

The FHSU football team also met with Sophia last fall and signed a football for her.

<a href="https://archive.hayspost.com/2019/10/25/tmp-cancer-survivor-honored-at-football-game/">See related story: TMP-M cancer survivor honored at football game</a>

<a href="https://archive.hayspost.com/2019/06/22/hays-teen-suffering-from-cancer-featured-on-today-show/">See related story: Hays teen suffering from cancer featured on 'Today' show</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579715718028.jpeg" alt="Sophia Linenberger, TMP sophomore, right, with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Sophia's sister, Holly, at a Mahomes charity gala in November. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Sophia Linenberger, TMP sophomore, right, with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Sophia's sister, Holly, at a Mahomes charity gala in November. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostSophia Linenberger, a sophomore at Thomas More Prep-Marian, has something to cheer about when the Kansas City Chiefs take the field for the Super Bowl on Feb. 2.Sophia was diagnosed in January 2019 with a rare cancer, Ewing's sarcoma. She spent much of last year going back and forth to Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City for treatment, including two surgeries to her spine.In November, Sophia was asked to represent Children's Mercy at Mahomes' charity gala, 15 and the Mahomies.Sophia had wanted to meet Mahomes for some time. He visited Children's Mercy, but Sophia was home on a break from her treatment and missed him by a day.Sophia accepted a $15,000 donation for Children's Mercy from Mahomes' foundation. She also received an autographed Mahomes helmet from the Children's Mercy CEO."He's really nice, and he's a really genuine person," she said of Mahomes.&nbsp;Sophia gave Mahomes and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce both yellow Sophia Strong bracelets that TMP had made for her.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579715802248.jpeg" alt="Sophia Linenberger points to her Sophia Strong wristband just like the one she gave Patrick Mahomes. She also has an autographed helmet from the Chiefs quarterback. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Sophia Linenberger points to her Sophia Strong wristband just like the one she gave Patrick Mahomes. She also has an autographed helmet from the Chiefs quarterback. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Mahomes said he would wear the bracelet in his upcoming game. He not only wore the bracelet in that game, but has continued to wear Sophia's bracelet, including during the AFC Championship on Sunday."Every time we see it on the TV, we pause the TV and take all kinds of pictures," Sophia said.Sophia also follows Mahomes' longtime girlfriend Brittany Mathews online. She posted a video of Mahomes on Thanksgiving, and he was wearing Sophia's wristband then as well.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579715842366.jpeg" alt="Sophia Linenberger receives a hug from Patrick Mahomes during a charity gala in November. Linenberger was on hand to receive a $15,000 check from Mahomes' foundation on behalf of Children's Mercy Hospital. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Sophia Linenberger receives a hug from Patrick Mahomes during a charity gala in November. Linenberger was on hand to receive a $15,000 check from Mahomes' foundation on behalf of Children's Mercy Hospital. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>In an interview with the Kansas City Star, Mahomes talked about Sophia's wristband and wristbands he wears from other kids battling serious illnesses.Sophia said she has three things in common with Mahomes."I was 15 years old when I was diagnosed with cancer, and his number is 15," she said. "Me and him put ketchup on everything. I won my battle with cancer and hopefully he will win the Super Bowl."Sophia is in remission from her cancer. She missed most of 2019 from school, but was able to return to school for the first time since her remission Tuesday. She is also excited that her hair is growing back after she lost it as a result of chemotherapy and radiation treatments."I was really excited to go to school today," she said. "It made me feel normal."She said her classmates welcomed her back, saying hi to her in the hallways and classrooms.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579715866183.jpeg" alt="Sophia Linenberger with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce at the Patrick Mahomes foundation gala in November. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Sophia Linenberger with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce at the Patrick Mahomes foundation gala in November. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>"I am just really excited to watch the Super Bowl," Sophia said. "I just wish I could be there to see him in person, but I will definitely be watching him on TV and we will be pausing and taking all kinds of pictures again."Sophia's mother, Jenny, said she has been humbled by Mahomes. Jenny was raised in California and had always been an Oakland Raiders fan. However, since Mahomes wore Sophia's bracelet, Jenny has become a Chiefs fan."I am all Mahomies. He is a great guy," Jenny said. "He is a very genuine guy, a very nice guy, very kind with a big, gigantic heart."Jenny also said she was thankful to the Hays community for all the support they have shown Sophia and their family.&nbsp;The TMP-M football team honored Sophia on senior night, allowing her to participate in the coin toss. She happily announced her remission that evening.The FHSU football team also met with Sophia last fall and signed a football for her.<a href="https://archive.hayspost.com/2019/10/25/tmp-cancer-survivor-honored-at-football-game/">See related story: TMP-M cancer survivor honored at football game</a><a href="https://archive.hayspost.com/2019/06/22/hays-teen-suffering-from-cancer-featured-on-today-show/">See related story: Hays teen suffering from cancer featured on 'Today' show</a>

Mahomes inspiration for TMP sophomore in recovery from cancer

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

<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="HACC annual award banquet set for next week" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/mymta-d0a45a?from=yiiadmin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&skin=3&auto=1&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&download=1&rtl=0&pbad=1"></iframe></div>

🎤Post Podcast: HACC annual award banquet set for next week

By DAVE SKRETTA, AP Basketball Writer

No. 3 Kansas has suspended forward Silvio De Sousa indefinitely for his role in a brawl with Kansas State near the end of their game. 

De Sousa was the main instigator on the Kansas side, but he may not be the only one facing punishment. 

Several other players that left the bench and were involved in an ugly fracas that spilled into disability seating behind one of the baskets in Allen Fieldhouse on Tuesday night. 

By DAVE SKRETTA, AP Basketball WriterNo. 3 Kansas has suspended forward Silvio De Sousa indefinitely for his role in a brawl with Kansas State near the end of their game. De Sousa was the main instigator on the Kansas side, but he may not be the only one facing punishment. Several other players that left the bench and were involved in an ugly fracas that spilled into disability seating behind one of the baskets in Allen Fieldhouse on Tuesday night.

Kansas suspends De Sousa indefinitely for K-State brawl

CINCINNATI — The Kroger Co. on Tuesday announced the retirement of Pam Matthews,
 president of the Central division, and promotions of Colleen 
Juergensen—currently president of the Dillons division—to president of 
the Central division and Steve Dreher—currently vice president of the 
Dillons division—to president of the Dillons division. 

Pam Matthews to Retire After 40 Years of Service Matthews will retire from the company, effective February 2,
 after 40 years of service. Most recently, she's led the Central 
division, which has 134 stores and more than 15,000 associates, 
primarily throughout Indiana, southern Illinois, and eastern Missouri.

"Pam's passion for our associates and the retail business has been 
demonstrated throughout her successful career with Kroger," said Mike Donnelly,
 Kroger's executive vice president and COO. "She has been an exceptional
 mentor and coach to many and will leave a legacy of caring, dedicated 
teams who care about each other and the customers and communities they 
serve."

Matthews began her career with Kroger in 1980 as a courtesy clerk in 
the Fred Meyer division. She held a variety of leadership roles in her 
25-year career with Fred Meyer before being promoted to a director of 
merchandising at Kroger's corporate office in Cincinnati.
 In 2006, she was promoted to vice president of merchandising for the 
Central division. Several years later, she moved to the Delta division 
to serve in the same role and ultimately became the region's vice 
president of operations. In 2016, she was promoted to president of the 
QFC division and then became president of the Central division in 2017.

Active in the community, Matthews serves on multiple board of 
directors, including the Riley Children's Foundation and local 
organizing committee for the 2021 NBA All-Star Game. She previously was a
 board of director member for the Julian Center, a non-profit that 
empowers survivors of domestic violence. 

Matthews was named a Progressive Grocer "Top Women in Grocery," and she received the "Indiana Fever Inspirational Award," which was featured in Indianapolis –To Her Success.

In her retirement, Matthews and her husband, Craig, plan to continue to reside in Indianapolis, travel, spend the cooler months in Florida and welcome their first grandchild in March.&nbsp;

Colleen Juergensen Named President of the Central Division Juergensen,
 currently president of the Dillons division, has been named president 
of the Central division, succeeding Matthews. Juergensen will oversee 
134 stores and more than 15,000 associates, primarily throughout Indiana, southern Illinois, and eastern Missouri.

"Colleen has been very successful throughout her long career with the
 Kroger Family of Companies, and we know she'll continue to serve our 
associates, customers and communities with excellence as the leader of 
our Central division," said Mike Donnelly,
 Kroger's executive vice president and COO. "Her diverse background in 
operations and merchandising, joined with her passion for the community,
 will help us deliver our vision to serve America through food 
inspiration and uplift."

Juergensen has more than 38 years of experience with the company and 
began her career in 1981 as a bakery clerk in her hometown of Great Bend, Kansas.
 She has served in various leadership roles in the Dillons division, 
including store leader, district manager and director of advertising. 
She was promoted to vice president of operations for Dillons in 2008. 
She transferred to the Smith's division as vice president of operations 
in 2012 and was then named vice president of merchandising in 2015. 
Juergensen was promoted to her current role as president of Dillons in 
2016.

Passionate about the community, Juergensen served on the board of directors for United Way of Reno County, the Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce and Dillons Credit Union. She is an avid supporter of all food bank locations in Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri, and the American Heart Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Susan G. Komen. 

Juergensen has also been recognized by Progressive Grocer as a "Top Women in Grocery" honoree and by Ingram's magazine as one of the 50 Kansans You Should Know.

Steve Dreher Named President of the Dillons Division Dreher, Hutchinson,&nbsp; has been promoted to president of the Dillons division, succeeding 
Juergensen. The Dillons division includes 80 stores with 11,500 
associates serving customers across Kansas, southeastern Nebraska and central Missouri operating under the Dillons, Baker's and Gerbes banners.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"We are pleased to elevate Steve to the role of division president at
 Dillons," said Donnelly. "Steve has driven positive results in his role
 as vice president and understands the Dillons customer and market well.
 We look forward to his continuation of achieving great results and 
inspiring our associates to deliver the outstanding customer experience 
expected at Dillons." 

Dreher, who attended Thomas More Prep-Marian and Fort Hays State University, began his career with the company 1985 in Hays as a courtesy clerk. He was promoted to assistant store leader in 1998 
and soon after was promoted to store leader. In 2003, he was promoted to
 division labor specialist and then labor manager. Dreher served as a 
district manager in several regions before being named to his current 
role of vice president of operations in 2018.&nbsp; 

Dreher is a Knights of Columbus member and supporter of all food bank locations in Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri, Susan G. Komen and United Way. He is also the executive sponsor for the multicultural associate resource group (ARG) for the Dillons division.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579634681429.jpeg" alt="Steve Dreher" />
 <figcaption>Steve Dreher</figcaption>
 </figure>PR NewswireCINCINNATI — The Kroger Co. on Tuesday announced the retirement of Pam Matthews,
 president of the Central division, and promotions of Colleen 
Juergensen—currently president of the Dillons division—to president of 
the Central division and Steve Dreher—currently vice president of the 
Dillons division—to president of the Dillons division. Pam Matthews to Retire After 40 Years of Service Matthews will retire from the company, effective February 2,
 after 40 years of service. Most recently, she's led the Central 
division, which has 134 stores and more than 15,000 associates, 
primarily throughout Indiana, southern Illinois, and eastern Missouri."Pam's passion for our associates and the retail business has been 
demonstrated throughout her successful career with Kroger," said Mike Donnelly,
 Kroger's executive vice president and COO. "She has been an exceptional
 mentor and coach to many and will leave a legacy of caring, dedicated 
teams who care about each other and the customers and communities they 
serve."Matthews began her career with Kroger in 1980 as a courtesy clerk in 
the Fred Meyer division. She held a variety of leadership roles in her 
25-year career with Fred Meyer before being promoted to a director of 
merchandising at Kroger's corporate office in Cincinnati.
 In 2006, she was promoted to vice president of merchandising for the 
Central division. Several years later, she moved to the Delta division 
to serve in the same role and ultimately became the region's vice 
president of operations. In 2016, she was promoted to president of the 
QFC division and then became president of the Central division in 2017.Active in the community, Matthews serves on multiple board of 
directors, including the Riley Children's Foundation and local 
organizing committee for the 2021 NBA All-Star Game. She previously was a
 board of director member for the Julian Center, a non-profit that 
empowers survivors of domestic violence. Matthews was named a Progressive Grocer "Top Women in Grocery," and she received the "Indiana Fever Inspirational Award," which was featured in Indianapolis –To Her Success.In her retirement, Matthews and her husband, Craig, plan to continue to reside in Indianapolis, travel, spend the cooler months in Florida and welcome their first grandchild in March.&nbsp;Colleen Juergensen Named President of the Central Division Juergensen,
 currently president of the Dillons division, has been named president 
of the Central division, succeeding Matthews. Juergensen will oversee 
134 stores and more than 15,000 associates, primarily throughout Indiana, southern Illinois, and eastern Missouri."Colleen has been very successful throughout her long career with the
 Kroger Family of Companies, and we know she'll continue to serve our 
associates, customers and communities with excellence as the leader of 
our Central division," said Mike Donnelly,
 Kroger's executive vice president and COO. "Her diverse background in 
operations and merchandising, joined with her passion for the community,
 will help us deliver our vision to serve America through food 
inspiration and uplift."Juergensen has more than 38 years of experience with the company and 
began her career in 1981 as a bakery clerk in her hometown of Great Bend, Kansas.
 She has served in various leadership roles in the Dillons division, 
including store leader, district manager and director of advertising. 
She was promoted to vice president of operations for Dillons in 2008. 
She transferred to the Smith's division as vice president of operations 
in 2012 and was then named vice president of merchandising in 2015. 
Juergensen was promoted to her current role as president of Dillons in 
2016.Passionate about the community, Juergensen served on the board of directors for United Way of Reno County, the Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce and Dillons Credit Union. She is an avid supporter of all food bank locations in Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri, and the American Heart Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Susan G. Komen. Juergensen has also been recognized by Progressive Grocer as a "Top Women in Grocery" honoree and by Ingram's magazine as one of the 50 Kansans You Should Know.Steve Dreher Named President of the Dillons Division Dreher, Hutchinson,&nbsp; has been promoted to president of the Dillons division, succeeding 
Juergensen. The Dillons division includes 80 stores with 11,500 
associates serving customers across Kansas, southeastern Nebraska and central Missouri operating under the Dillons, Baker's and Gerbes banners.&nbsp;&nbsp;"We are pleased to elevate Steve to the role of division president at
 Dillons," said Donnelly. "Steve has driven positive results in his role
 as vice president and understands the Dillons customer and market well.
 We look forward to his continuation of achieving great results and 
inspiring our associates to deliver the outstanding customer experience 
expected at Dillons." Dreher, who attended Thomas More Prep-Marian and Fort Hays State University, began his career with the company 1985 in Hays as a courtesy clerk. He was promoted to assistant store leader in 1998 
and soon after was promoted to store leader. In 2003, he was promoted to
 division labor specialist and then labor manager. Dreher served as a 
district manager in several regions before being named to his current 
role of vice president of operations in 2018.&nbsp; Dreher is a Knights of Columbus member and supporter of all food bank locations in Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri, Susan G. Komen and United Way. He is also the executive sponsor for the multicultural associate resource group (ARG) for the Dillons division.

TMP, FHSU alum named president of Kroger's Dillons division

The Ellis County Joint Planning Commission will meet tonight at 7 p.m. in the Ellis County Administrative Center, 718 Main, Hays.

III. Approval November 20th, 2019, meeting minutes

A. Comprehensive Plan update, Keith Marvin

VIII. Confirm next meeting date: February 26th, 2020 at Ellis County

Administrative Center Meeting Room, 718 Main Lower Level,

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579287163220.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>ELLIS COUNTYThe Ellis County Joint Planning Commission will meet tonight at 7 p.m. in the Ellis County Administrative Center, 718 Main, Hays.The agenda is below.I. Call to OrderII. Roll CallIII. Approval November 20th, 2019, meeting minutesIV. Public PresentationV. Staff ReportA. Activity ReportB. OtherVI. Old BusinessA. Comprehensive Plan update, Keith MarvinB. OtherVII. New BusinessA. Zoning Regulations, Keith MarvinB. Upcoming CUP for Public WorksC. OtherVIII. Confirm next meeting date: February 26th, 2020 at Ellis CountyAdministrative Center Meeting Room, 718 Main Lower Level,Hays, Kansas at 7:00 p.m.IX. Adjournment

Planning Commission to discuss Ellis Co. comprehensive plan 

Governor Kelly’s Budget Proposal

Governor Laura Kelly unveiled her budget to both the Senate Ways and Means and House Appropriations Committees on Thursday, January 16, 2020. The Governor’s budget contained many major points, the first being Medicaid Expansion. Governor Kelly’s budget allocates $17.5 million for Fiscal Year 2021 for partial expansion and then an increase to full expansion of $35 million for Fiscal Year 2022, although some estimates claim full expansion to cost $40 million or higher.

The second point are some tax changes. The budget would call for implementation of higher retail sales and compensating use taxes for digital property, totaling $22.4 million. There is also the creation of a marketplace facilitators sales tax, totaling $25 million in 2021. The budget also calls for the implemention of a food sales tax relief credit, which would apply to individauls earninig $30,000 and families earning $40,000 or less, totaling $53.2 million in Fiscal Year 2021.

The third major component is a partial retention of the State Highway Fund transfer to State General Fund. The Governor’s budget calls for a transfer of $158.7 million in 2021, which Governor Kelly claims is the first step on planning to phase out of the fund transfer by 2022.

The Governor’s plan to reamortize KPERS over 25 years. The plan would save millions of dollars in upcoming fiscal years but ultimately would increase cost of the KPERS debt repayment by $4.4 billion.

Wednesday, January 15, 2020 the House Appropriations Committee was briefed by Secretary David Toland from the Kansas Department of Commerce on the Rural Opportunity Zone (ROZ) program. Secretary Toland informed the Committee about the history of the ROZ program, population trends in counties participating in ROZ, and an internal audit of the program of those benefitting from its financial incentives. According to the audit, Secretary Toland stated that the ROZ program had not been as successful in attracting people to rural Kansas. Of those participating in the program, many were already residents in Kansas and a vast majority, 84% of those surveyed, had decided to relocate to those counties without considering ROZ at all. There is approximately $1 million appropriated in the state budget for ROZ, all from the Economic Development Initiatives Fund.

Appropriations Committee: Agenda for the Week

The House Appropriations Committee will have a full week of briefings from agencies and departments while we wait for the budget committees to hold hearings on the submitted budget by the Governor.

The Secretary of Transportation, Julie Lorenz, will inform the committee on the future transportation needs across the state of Kansas. She will also explain the details of the newly proposed transportation plan, called Forward.

We will also be informed on the budget recommendations from the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, which I was chair of during the legislative break. Some of the recommendations include mental health, agriculture, and economic development.

We will have an update on the proposal from the Department of Administration on the future of the Docking building. There will be briefing on two tours that I participated in during the break. The first was a tour across the state regarding mental health. The second tour focused on children’s health and what strategies can Kansas implement, especially regarding infant health, nutrition, and early child development.

Anytime that one would like to participate and listen to the developments of committee hearings or discussion on the House floor, one can tune in by listening to the audio footage at <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a>.

As always, if you have any concerns, feel free to contact me (785) 296-7672, follow on twitter at #waymaster4house, or email me at troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov. Also, if you happen to visit the statehouse, please let my office know.

It is a distinct honor to serve as your representative for the 109th Kansas House District and the state of Kansas. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and questions. I always appreciate hearing from the residents of the 109th House District and others from the state of Kansas, as well.

My family and I wish all of you a Happy New Year and a prosperous 2020!

Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, is state representative for the 109th Kansas House District.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579706011519.jpeg" alt="Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill</figcaption>
 </figure>Governor Kelly’s Budget ProposalGovernor Laura Kelly unveiled her budget to both the Senate Ways and Means and House Appropriations Committees on Thursday, January 16, 2020. The Governor’s budget contained many major points, the first being Medicaid Expansion. Governor Kelly’s budget allocates $17.5 million for Fiscal Year 2021 for partial expansion and then an increase to full expansion of $35 million for Fiscal Year 2022, although some estimates claim full expansion to cost $40 million or higher.The second point are some tax changes. The budget would call for implementation of higher retail sales and compensating use taxes for digital property, totaling $22.4 million. There is also the creation of a marketplace facilitators sales tax, totaling $25 million in 2021. The budget also calls for the implemention of a food sales tax relief credit, which would apply to individauls earninig $30,000 and families earning $40,000 or less, totaling $53.2 million in Fiscal Year 2021.The third major component is a partial retention of the State Highway Fund transfer to State General Fund. The Governor’s budget calls for a transfer of $158.7 million in 2021, which Governor Kelly claims is the first step on planning to phase out of the fund transfer by 2022.The Governor’s plan to reamortize KPERS over 25 years. The plan would save millions of dollars in upcoming fiscal years but ultimately would increase cost of the KPERS debt repayment by $4.4 billion.Rural Opportunity ZonesWednesday, January 15, 2020 the House Appropriations Committee was briefed by Secretary David Toland from the Kansas Department of Commerce on the Rural Opportunity Zone (ROZ) program. Secretary Toland informed the Committee about the history of the ROZ program, population trends in counties participating in ROZ, and an internal audit of the program of those benefitting from its financial incentives. According to the audit, Secretary Toland stated that the ROZ program had not been as successful in attracting people to rural Kansas. Of those participating in the program, many were already residents in Kansas and a vast majority, 84% of those surveyed, had decided to relocate to those counties without considering ROZ at all. There is approximately $1 million appropriated in the state budget for ROZ, all from the Economic Development Initiatives Fund.Appropriations Committee: Agenda for the WeekThe House Appropriations Committee will have a full week of briefings from agencies and departments while we wait for the budget committees to hold hearings on the submitted budget by the Governor.The Secretary of Transportation, Julie Lorenz, will inform the committee on the future transportation needs across the state of Kansas. She will also explain the details of the newly proposed transportation plan, called Forward.We will also be informed on the budget recommendations from the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, which I was chair of during the legislative break. Some of the recommendations include mental health, agriculture, and economic development.We will have an update on the proposal from the Department of Administration on the future of the Docking building. There will be briefing on two tours that I participated in during the break. The first was a tour across the state regarding mental health. The second tour focused on children’s health and what strategies can Kansas implement, especially regarding infant health, nutrition, and early child development.Contact InformationAnytime that one would like to participate and listen to the developments of committee hearings or discussion on the House floor, one can tune in by listening to the audio footage at <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a>.As always, if you have any concerns, feel free to contact me (785) 296-7672, follow on twitter at #waymaster4house, or email me at troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov. Also, if you happen to visit the statehouse, please let my office know.It is a distinct honor to serve as your representative for the 109th Kansas House District and the state of Kansas. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and questions. I always appreciate hearing from the residents of the 109th House District and others from the state of Kansas, as well.My family and I wish all of you a Happy New Year and a prosperous 2020!Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, is state representative for the 109th Kansas House District.

WAYMASTER: From the Dome to Home Jan. 22

Early evening rain Tuesday turned to slushy snow in Hays early this morning with light rain continuing.

The official report from the K-State Agricultural Research Center was a combined total of 0.56 inch moisture as of 8 a.m. Just 0.04 of that amount was in the form of snow as the overnight low dipped to 15 degrees.

So far in January Hays has received 0.83 inch of moisture, nearly double the average of 0.45 by the end of the month.

The <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e2773037d7daa72b30eb6e5">weather forecast</a> is calling for high temperatures in the low 40s through Friday.

<div>By BECKY KISER Hays Post</div>Early evening rain Tuesday turned to slushy snow in Hays early this morning with light rain continuing.The official report from the K-State Agricultural Research Center was a combined total of 0.56 inch moisture as of 8 a.m. Just 0.04 of that amount was in the form of snow as the overnight low dipped to 15 degrees.So far in January Hays has received 0.83 inch of moisture, nearly double the average of 0.45 by the end of the month.The <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e2773037d7daa72b30eb6e5">weather forecast</a> is calling for high temperatures in the low 40s through Friday.

Rain, snow and more rain in Hays

A new introductory video of Cheyenne Bottoms is available for visitors to the Kansas Wetlands Education Center near Great Bend. The 15-minute video provides visitors with an overview of Cheyenne Bottoms and a glimpse of what they may see on a tour through the wetlands.

The video project was made possible through a $12,000 gift from the Dorothy M. Morrison Foundation.

“We wanted to give viewers a glimpse of how diverse Cheyenne Bottoms can be, including wildlife throughout the seasons,” said Curtis Wolf, center director.

“This video is loaded with hundreds of video clips showing everything from birds to insects, as well as many of the land management practices that make Cheyenne Bottoms one of the most unique destinations in the United States,” he said.

The video was filmed and produced by Mike Blair with contributions from center staff and staff from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, and The Nature Conservancy.

Viewers get a basic introduction to Cheyenne Bottoms. Segments showcase the wetlands center, the Department of Wildlife and Parks, Cheyenne Bottoms, and The Nature Conservancy’s Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve.

The video is available and offered to all visitors for viewing in the center’s Duane Shook Auditorium.

“We’ve already had great feedback,” said Wolf. “Viewers have most appreciated the diversity displayed in the video and have commented how excited they are to get out and see it for themselves.”

For more information about the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu/" target="_blank">http://wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579285130146.jpeg" alt="Photo by Dr. Dan Witt, Hoisington" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Dr. Dan Witt, Hoisington</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University RelationsA new introductory video of Cheyenne Bottoms is available for visitors to the Kansas Wetlands Education Center near Great Bend. The 15-minute video provides visitors with an overview of Cheyenne Bottoms and a glimpse of what they may see on a tour through the wetlands.The video project was made possible through a $12,000 gift from the Dorothy M. Morrison Foundation.“We wanted to give viewers a glimpse of how diverse Cheyenne Bottoms can be, including wildlife throughout the seasons,” said Curtis Wolf, center director.“This video is loaded with hundreds of video clips showing everything from birds to insects, as well as many of the land management practices that make Cheyenne Bottoms one of the most unique destinations in the United States,” he said.The video was filmed and produced by Mike Blair with contributions from center staff and staff from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, and The Nature Conservancy.Viewers get a basic introduction to Cheyenne Bottoms. Segments showcase the wetlands center, the Department of Wildlife and Parks, Cheyenne Bottoms, and The Nature Conservancy’s Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve.The video is available and offered to all visitors for viewing in the center’s Duane Shook Auditorium.“We’ve already had great feedback,” said Wolf. “Viewers have most appreciated the diversity displayed in the video and have commented how excited they are to get out and see it for themselves.”For more information about the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu/" target="_blank">http://wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu</a>.&nbsp;

Morrison Foundation gift makes Cheyenne Bottoms video possible

By GREG DOERING, Kansas Farm Bureau

The pre-show dinner at this year’s Golden Globes may have featured a “plant-based feast,” but it came with a side of red meat for those who believe the people who grow and raise our food are a driving force in climate change. As with most things in Hollywood, truth was sacrificed for the story.

"The climate crisis is impossible to ignore and after speaking with our peers, and friends in the community, we felt challenged to do better," Lorenzo Soria, president of the organization behind the awards show, told CNN. She also noted the gesture "represents a small step in response to a big problem."

I don’t want to litigate the intricacies of climate change here. Rather I want to highlight how farmers and ranchers in the United States are at the leading edge of reducing so-called greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs, like carbon dioxide and methane, from their operations.

U.S. agriculture is responsible for just 9 percent of the nation’s emissions, an amount that pales in comparison to those spewed from vehicles and electric power generation.

Carbon is an important component of soil health. That’s why farmers are using innovative practices like conservation tillage, no-till, cover crops and adding amendments like biochar which increase the amount of carbon stored in soil. Growers also are keenly aware of the cost to operate tractors, combines, trucks and other farm equipment and continue to invest in fuel-efficient machinery.

Livestock producers, especially cattle ranchers, are often unfairly blamed for GHGs when cows have been responsible for less than 3 percent of emissions in the last 30 years. Cattle are the original plant-based meat, meaning they efficiently convert forbs and grasses unfit for human consumption into high-quality, protein-packed morsels.

Just like with human nutrition, the quality of forage makes a significant difference for livestock. One recent study found pigs, cattle, poultry and small ruminants in low-income countries require far more food – and produce more emissions as a result – than similar animals in developed countries. Kansas in particular has some outstanding grazing ground.

Producers also are capturing methane from manure to power their operations, placing land in conservation programs to preserve green spaces and using rotational grazing which lessen the strain on the land.

All of this is what makes American farmers and ranchers the most efficient in the world. Over the past 70 years, they’ve increased food production nearly three-fold while keeping their use of land, energy and fertilizer stable. The increased efficacy is proof American farmers and ranchers are not lumbering Luddites clinging to tradition.

Global food production will need to increase by 30 to 40 percent to nourish an estimated population of 9.3 billion people in 2050. The growing population will be richer and more urban, increasing the demand for animal-based protein.

The best way to meet the increasing demand is for American farmers and ranchers, the most efficient producers in the world, to continue working at the forefront of climate-smart production. They have a vested interest in using scientific solutions, technology and innovation to work to protect the air, land and water.

However, they can’t tackle climate change by themselves. We all must push for investments in agricultural research and innovation so our farmers and ranchers can continue implementing sustainable solutions to feed the world.

"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.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574694551876.png" alt="Greg Doering" />
 <figcaption>Greg Doering</figcaption>
 </figure>By GREG DOERING, Kansas Farm BureauThe pre-show dinner at this year’s Golden Globes may have featured a “plant-based feast,” but it came with a side of red meat for those who believe the people who grow and raise our food are a driving force in climate change. As with most things in Hollywood, truth was sacrificed for the story."The climate crisis is impossible to ignore and after speaking with our peers, and friends in the community, we felt challenged to do better," Lorenzo Soria, president of the organization behind the awards show, told CNN. She also noted the gesture "represents a small step in response to a big problem."I don’t want to litigate the intricacies of climate change here. Rather I want to highlight how farmers and ranchers in the United States are at the leading edge of reducing so-called greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs, like carbon dioxide and methane, from their operations.U.S. agriculture is responsible for just 9 percent of the nation’s emissions, an amount that pales in comparison to those spewed from vehicles and electric power generation.Carbon is an important component of soil health. That’s why farmers are using innovative practices like conservation tillage, no-till, cover crops and adding amendments like biochar which increase the amount of carbon stored in soil. Growers also are keenly aware of the cost to operate tractors, combines, trucks and other farm equipment and continue to invest in fuel-efficient machinery.Livestock producers, especially cattle ranchers, are often unfairly blamed for GHGs when cows have been responsible for less than 3 percent of emissions in the last 30 years. Cattle are the original plant-based meat, meaning they efficiently convert forbs and grasses unfit for human consumption into high-quality, protein-packed morsels.Just like with human nutrition, the quality of forage makes a significant difference for livestock. One recent study found pigs, cattle, poultry and small ruminants in low-income countries require far more food – and produce more emissions as a result – than similar animals in developed countries. Kansas in particular has some outstanding grazing ground.Producers also are capturing methane from manure to power their operations, placing land in conservation programs to preserve green spaces and using rotational grazing which lessen the strain on the land.All of this is what makes American farmers and ranchers the most efficient in the world. Over the past 70 years, they’ve increased food production nearly three-fold while keeping their use of land, energy and fertilizer stable. The increased efficacy is proof American farmers and ranchers are not lumbering Luddites clinging to tradition.Global food production will need to increase by 30 to 40 percent to nourish an estimated population of 9.3 billion people in 2050. The growing population will be richer and more urban, increasing the demand for animal-based protein.The best way to meet the increasing demand is for American farmers and ranchers, the most efficient producers in the world, to continue working at the forefront of climate-smart production. They have a vested interest in using scientific solutions, technology and innovation to work to protect the air, land and water.However, they can’t tackle climate change by themselves. We all must push for investments in agricultural research and innovation so our farmers and ranchers can continue implementing sustainable solutions to feed the world."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: Sustainable solutions

<a href="https://hayspost.com/state-farm-weather-window/">For a full look at weather visit the State Farm Weather Window by clicking here.&nbsp;</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575929617735.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/state-farm-weather-window/">For a full look at weather visit the State Farm Weather Window by clicking here.&nbsp;</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579643684507.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Three-day weather outlook

	The wintery weather we are having makes me think of how good a piping hot bowl of soup would taste. Whether it’s a prize winning recipe for chili or a recipe you are preparing for the first time, soups can be a great way to add nutrition and a sense of warmth to any meal.

	There are several distinct kinds of soups. Many times a meal starts off with a broth type of soup. This can help whet the appetite for the rest of the meal. A broth type soup can also help keep a person hydrated since we often don’t drink enough water on a cold wintery day. One of our favorite soups is Miso soup. It’s simple to make, and besides tasting good, the miso paste added at the end of the cooking time, has cancer fighting properties.

	Savory soups and stews are popular in the winter months because they stick to your ribs. As a general rule, a savory soup may cook more slowly, like in a slow cooker or electric roaster. The added benefit of preparing a soup in this way is that you get to enjoy the smell of the soup while it is cooking throughout the day. You can add just about any vegetable to a savory soup and not be disappointed.&nbsp;

	And finally, there are creamy soups. Recipes abound in this category. Some creamy soups are milk based but you can also find recipes where you pull out a few ladles full of the chunky ingredients and use an immersion blender to puree part of the soup before adding it back in to the entire pot full. This will thicken the soup and provide an almost creamy texture.&nbsp; Perhaps a family member is not fond of the texture of a soup ingredient; by pureeing it like I’ve described, you can almost hide an ingredient.

	Whatever type of soup you choose to prepare, you will find that cooking from scratch has many advantages. I try to avoid using canned soups as much as possible because they add a large amount of sodium and other preservatives to your diet. If you do purchase canned soup, make sure you look for low sodium options.&nbsp;

	If I have made you just a little bit hungry for soup, I hope you will mark your calendar for Sunday, January 26th. That is the date of our next Healthy Community Potluck from 4-6 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall in Great Bend. The focus of our January potluck will be on plant based soups, so start looking for a recipe to prepare and share. I will do a short cooking demonstration at 4 and then we’ll enjoy sampling all of the soups brought by everyone. Make sure you bring a recipe and following the potluck we will e-mail all of the recipes out to everyone. I hope to see you on the 26th!

Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574802720194.jpeg" alt="Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood District." />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood District.</figcaption>
 </figure>	The wintery weather we are having makes me think of how good a piping hot bowl of soup would taste. Whether it’s a prize winning recipe for chili or a recipe you are preparing for the first time, soups can be a great way to add nutrition and a sense of warmth to any meal.	There are several distinct kinds of soups. Many times a meal starts off with a broth type of soup. This can help whet the appetite for the rest of the meal. A broth type soup can also help keep a person hydrated since we often don’t drink enough water on a cold wintery day. One of our favorite soups is Miso soup. It’s simple to make, and besides tasting good, the miso paste added at the end of the cooking time, has cancer fighting properties.	Savory soups and stews are popular in the winter months because they stick to your ribs. As a general rule, a savory soup may cook more slowly, like in a slow cooker or electric roaster. The added benefit of preparing a soup in this way is that you get to enjoy the smell of the soup while it is cooking throughout the day. You can add just about any vegetable to a savory soup and not be disappointed.&nbsp;	And finally, there are creamy soups. Recipes abound in this category. Some creamy soups are milk based but you can also find recipes where you pull out a few ladles full of the chunky ingredients and use an immersion blender to puree part of the soup before adding it back in to the entire pot full. This will thicken the soup and provide an almost creamy texture.&nbsp; Perhaps a family member is not fond of the texture of a soup ingredient; by pureeing it like I’ve described, you can almost hide an ingredient.	Whatever type of soup you choose to prepare, you will find that cooking from scratch has many advantages. I try to avoid using canned soups as much as possible because they add a large amount of sodium and other preservatives to your diet. If you do purchase canned soup, make sure you look for low sodium options.&nbsp;	If I have made you just a little bit hungry for soup, I hope you will mark your calendar for Sunday, January 26th. That is the date of our next Healthy Community Potluck from 4-6 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall in Great Bend. The focus of our January potluck will be on plant based soups, so start looking for a recipe to prepare and share. I will do a short cooking demonstration at 4 and then we’ll enjoy sampling all of the soups brought by everyone. Make sure you bring a recipe and following the potluck we will e-mail all of the recipes out to everyone. I hope to see you on the 26th!Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;

KRUG: Super soups are great comfort foods

A term tossed around by trappers and by people who work with fur is the word “prime.” When a fur-bearing animal’s fur is at its very best it’s called prime. An animal’s fur pelt has thick, dense “underfur” similar to the down feathers on a bird that insulates the animal from the cold. That dense underfur is protected by long “guard hairs” that grow long and thick above it. The pelt is considered prime when that underfur is at its thickest and the guard hairs are at their longest. Hunters and trappers get the most benefit from harvesting furbearing animals when their fur is at it very best, or prime.

Animals fur is always prime at the coldest part of the year, so it seems a safe assumption to think temperature is what brings a fur pelt to become prime. Temperature affects fur quality, but temperature actually has nothing at all to do with fur primeness. The primeness of fur is controlled by a long scientific term called photoperiodism, meaning the amount of light in a 24-hour period. Light is absorbed through the animal’s retina’s, so when the winter days become short with fewer hours of daylight, that information is transmitted to the animal’s brain, triggering seasonal responses like turning the fur of a weasel or hare from brown to white, signaling for bears to seek their dens and causing fur-bearers pelts to become prime. &nbsp;

It’s no secret that furbearer’s pelts grow thicker and of better quality in parts of the north and west. For instance, a prime coyote pelt from Montana will be thicker and of better quality than a prime coyote pelt from South Carolina. Both pelts will be at their very best because of photoperiodism (the length of sunlight during the day) but the Montana coyote’s pelt will be thicker and better because of the longer, colder and more severe winters where it lives.&nbsp;

Photoperiodism also tells hibernating animals when to hibernate and triggers sexual responses in others, telling them when to search for mates and when to begin breeding.&nbsp;

The fur of Kansas furbearers becomes prime at different times and remains prime and in good condition for different lengths of time. Kansas racoons and coyotes will become prime around mid-November, followed by muskrats and beavers later in the winter, and bobcats and badgers after the first of the year. Coyote’s pelts begin to lose quality around mid-January or before as they begin to breed and to rub their shoulders and necks.&nbsp;

Fur primeness is a major factor used by wildlife and parks personnel across the country when deciding trapping seasons. Since prime fur is also the highest quality and most valuable fur, seasons are set to coincide with when fur is prime. Kansas trapping seasons end mid-February for all furbearers except beavers and otters. Beavers and otters can be trapped until March 31 partly because their pelts remain prime slightly longer.&nbsp;

As we zip through all the various hunting, fishing and trapping seasons we enjoy, it’s easy for us Kansas outdoorsmen and women to take for granted and not to think about the subtle little ways God has designed all of Nature to work. The way He triggers animal’s fur coats to become prime and luxurious after a long, hot Kansas summer is just the tip of the iceberg…Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.

Steve Gillialnd, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696138742.jpeg" alt="Steve Gilliland" />
 <figcaption>Steve Gilliland</figcaption>
 </figure>A term tossed around by trappers and by people who work with fur is the word “prime.” When a fur-bearing animal’s fur is at its very best it’s called prime. An animal’s fur pelt has thick, dense “underfur” similar to the down feathers on a bird that insulates the animal from the cold. That dense underfur is protected by long “guard hairs” that grow long and thick above it. The pelt is considered prime when that underfur is at its thickest and the guard hairs are at their longest. Hunters and trappers get the most benefit from harvesting furbearing animals when their fur is at it very best, or prime.Animals fur is always prime at the coldest part of the year, so it seems a safe assumption to think temperature is what brings a fur pelt to become prime. Temperature affects fur quality, but temperature actually has nothing at all to do with fur primeness. The primeness of fur is controlled by a long scientific term called photoperiodism, meaning the amount of light in a 24-hour period. Light is absorbed through the animal’s retina’s, so when the winter days become short with fewer hours of daylight, that information is transmitted to the animal’s brain, triggering seasonal responses like turning the fur of a weasel or hare from brown to white, signaling for bears to seek their dens and causing fur-bearers pelts to become prime. &nbsp;It’s no secret that furbearer’s pelts grow thicker and of better quality in parts of the north and west. For instance, a prime coyote pelt from Montana will be thicker and of better quality than a prime coyote pelt from South Carolina. Both pelts will be at their very best because of photoperiodism (the length of sunlight during the day) but the Montana coyote’s pelt will be thicker and better because of the longer, colder and more severe winters where it lives.&nbsp;Photoperiodism also tells hibernating animals when to hibernate and triggers sexual responses in others, telling them when to search for mates and when to begin breeding.&nbsp;The fur of Kansas furbearers becomes prime at different times and remains prime and in good condition for different lengths of time. Kansas racoons and coyotes will become prime around mid-November, followed by muskrats and beavers later in the winter, and bobcats and badgers after the first of the year. Coyote’s pelts begin to lose quality around mid-January or before as they begin to breed and to rub their shoulders and necks.&nbsp;Fur primeness is a major factor used by wildlife and parks personnel across the country when deciding trapping seasons. Since prime fur is also the highest quality and most valuable fur, seasons are set to coincide with when fur is prime. Kansas trapping seasons end mid-February for all furbearers except beavers and otters. Beavers and otters can be trapped until March 31 partly because their pelts remain prime slightly longer.&nbsp;As we zip through all the various hunting, fishing and trapping seasons we enjoy, it’s easy for us Kansas outdoorsmen and women to take for granted and not to think about the subtle little ways God has designed all of Nature to work. The way He triggers animal’s fur coats to become prime and luxurious after a long, hot Kansas summer is just the tip of the iceberg…Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.Steve Gillialnd, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: Fur at its best

First District Rep. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., will be in western Kansas this week, including in Hays, to conduct town hall meetings. 

* Wednesday 4:15 P.M.&nbsp;- Dodge City Town Hall -&nbsp;Western Plains Medical Complex&nbsp;

* Thursday 7:30 A.M.&nbsp;- Garden City Town Hall -&nbsp;St. Catherine Hospital Classroom A&amp;B

* Thursday 12:30 P.M.&nbsp;- Colby Town Hall -&nbsp;Citizens Medical Center

* Thursday 5 P.M.&nbsp;- Hays Town Hall -&nbsp;HaysMed&nbsp;

First District Rep. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., will be in western Kansas this week, including in Hays, to conduct town hall meetings. The public is encouraged to attend.The schedule is below.* Wednesday 4:15 P.M.&nbsp;- Dodge City Town Hall -&nbsp;Western Plains Medical Complex&nbsp;* Thursday 7:30 A.M.&nbsp;- Garden City Town Hall -&nbsp;St. Catherine Hospital Classroom A&amp;B* Thursday 12:30 P.M.&nbsp;- Colby Town Hall -&nbsp;Citizens Medical Center* Thursday 5 P.M.&nbsp;- Hays Town Hall -&nbsp;HaysMed&nbsp;- SUBMITTED -&nbsp;

Marshall in Hays on Thursday for town hall meeting

By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER Hays Post

In late April 2019, the Kansas State High School Activities Association approved the formation of girls wrestling as a sanctioned sport for the first time.&nbsp; By late August, a vote of 65-2 by a board of school representatives put the wheels in motion for the 2019-20 school year to be the first official season.&nbsp;

Schools are not required to have girls wrestling if there is no interest.&nbsp; First-year Hays High wrestling coach Heath Meder began to see if any girls in Hays had interest.&nbsp; The answer he found out was a quick yes.&nbsp; Initially, 12 girls signed up to receive more information and 10 eventually started the season.

Currently, six of those are still active wrestlers including Sarah Zimmerman who as a freshman is ranked fifth at 109 pounds as of the Jan. 14 rankings.&nbsp;&nbsp;

It has been a work in progress for coach Meder as the season has gone along. Singlets needed to be ordered but had to wait until a week into the season to see how many would be needed.&nbsp; Girls are not required to wrestle boys if they do not wish to.&nbsp; This is the first time wrestling for most of the girls so the coaching staff had to bring back the basics.

There have been some girls only tournaments this season. Most recently, Hays High hosted the Junior Prairie Classic. Traditionally, this tournament was for junior varsity wrestlers. This year, they decided to add an all level girls tournament to the equation. 340 wrestlers showed up last Saturday in Hays. Nearly 100 of them were girls.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Meder said some of his favorite moments so far in the new venture of girls wrestling comes from the joy the girls have competing.&nbsp; He also notes that some of the girls are the most aggressive wrestlers he coaches.&nbsp;&nbsp;

There will be separate girls regional tournaments that will lead to a separate state tourney.&nbsp; Currently, there are two regionals with classes 1A through 6A all in one division.&nbsp; Hays will be among the 79 schools in McPherson Feb. 14 and 15 trying to qualify individuals for the state tournament.&nbsp; The other tournament is in Paola and has 71 schools attending.&nbsp; The top four from each weight class at each regional will qualify for state.&nbsp;

The State Tournament will be in Salina on Thursday, Feb. 27.&nbsp; The tournament is one day in advance of the boys state tournament.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Coach Meder expects the number of female wrestlers in Kansas to continue to grow.&nbsp; The National Federation of State High School Associations backs up the thought.&nbsp; NFHS numbers show a 27.5% increase of female wrestlers in the United States from 2018 to 2019.&nbsp; The state of Kansas saw a growth rate of almost 75% in the same time.&nbsp; (USA Wrestling High School Development Committee, Co-Chair Joan Fulp and Andrea Yamamoto&nbsp;<a href="http://kshsaa.org/Public/Wrestling/PDF/GirlsParticipationData.pdf">http://kshsaa.org/Public/Wrestling/PDF/GirlsParticipationData.pdf</a>)

Each of the Western Athletic Conference schools have a girls wrestling program, and Meder says he wouldn't be surprised to see girls wrestling at the middle school level soon.&nbsp;&nbsp;

By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER Hays PostIn late April 2019, the Kansas State High School Activities Association approved the formation of girls wrestling as a sanctioned sport for the first time.&nbsp; By late August, a vote of 65-2 by a board of school representatives put the wheels in motion for the 2019-20 school year to be the first official season.&nbsp;Schools are not required to have girls wrestling if there is no interest.&nbsp; First-year Hays High wrestling coach Heath Meder began to see if any girls in Hays had interest.&nbsp; The answer he found out was a quick yes.&nbsp; Initially, 12 girls signed up to receive more information and 10 eventually started the season.Currently, six of those are still active wrestlers including Sarah Zimmerman who as a freshman is ranked fifth at 109 pounds as of the Jan. 14 rankings.&nbsp;&nbsp;It has been a work in progress for coach Meder as the season has gone along. Singlets needed to be ordered but had to wait until a week into the season to see how many would be needed.&nbsp; Girls are not required to wrestle boys if they do not wish to.&nbsp; This is the first time wrestling for most of the girls so the coaching staff had to bring back the basics.<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/747217321&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe></div>There have been some girls only tournaments this season. Most recently, Hays High hosted the Junior Prairie Classic. Traditionally, this tournament was for junior varsity wrestlers. This year, they decided to add an all level girls tournament to the equation. 340 wrestlers showed up last Saturday in Hays. Nearly 100 of them were girls.&nbsp;&nbsp;Meder said some of his favorite moments so far in the new venture of girls wrestling comes from the joy the girls have competing.&nbsp; He also notes that some of the girls are the most aggressive wrestlers he coaches.&nbsp;&nbsp;There will be separate girls regional tournaments that will lead to a separate state tourney.&nbsp; Currently, there are two regionals with classes 1A through 6A all in one division.&nbsp; Hays will be among the 79 schools in McPherson Feb. 14 and 15 trying to qualify individuals for the state tournament.&nbsp; The other tournament is in Paola and has 71 schools attending.&nbsp; The top four from each weight class at each regional will qualify for state.&nbsp;The State Tournament will be in Salina on Thursday, Feb. 27.&nbsp; The tournament is one day in advance of the boys state tournament.&nbsp;&nbsp;Coach Meder expects the number of female wrestlers in Kansas to continue to grow.&nbsp; The National Federation of State High School Associations backs up the thought.&nbsp; NFHS numbers show a 27.5% increase of female wrestlers in the United States from 2018 to 2019.&nbsp; The state of Kansas saw a growth rate of almost 75% in the same time.&nbsp; (USA Wrestling High School Development Committee, Co-Chair Joan Fulp and Andrea Yamamoto&nbsp;<a href="http://kshsaa.org/Public/Wrestling/PDF/GirlsParticipationData.pdf">http://kshsaa.org/Public/Wrestling/PDF/GirlsParticipationData.pdf</a>)Each of the Western Athletic Conference schools have a girls wrestling program, and Meder says he wouldn't be surprised to see girls wrestling at the middle school level soon.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hays High embraces first year of girls wrestling program

We are back in full mode of bill introductions and review of budgets and ideas to make our lives better. 

Last week, Governor Kelly delivered her second State of the State address. 

The Republicans offered a response to what was heard:

The governor’s vision includes squandering the state’s current surplus and lead the state down a road of financial instability. This includes her plan to reamortize KPERS which will balloon state debt and will require all Kansans to pay more out of their pockets. This credit card tactic will inevitably divert funds away from critical programs like mental health services, our foster care system, and our highways. At the end of FY 2019 the state had a surplus of $1.1 billion, or 15.7% ending balance. The governor’s budget cuts that figure in half to $533.3 million, or 6.8% ending balance.

Both Republicans and Democrats have been invited to embrace civil discourse with training designed to break down partisan barriers and encourage productive policy conversations. Through efforts like this, we can make our state government more about solutions and less about election-year promises. 

3. Growing Kansas instead of growing government

 Governor Kelly seeks to add more government programs and grow spending, hoping in turn to grow Kansas. We know that this is the wrong path for Kansas. Limited government partnered with private investment that fuels the fires of innovation and renewal will cultivate authentic growth. This growth that the governor seeks to foster cannot be stimulated by continuing to treat taxpayers’ pockets like an ATM.

The state cannot continue to spend more than it brings in, leaving all Kansans like us to pick up the tab. We need to grow Kansas through limited government and private investment rather than growth stimulated by bigger government reaching into taxpayers’ pockets.

Early this week the Value Them Both Amendment—Constitutional Amendment to Protect Both Women and Babies has taken center stage in the Federal and State Affairs Committee. 

This proposed constitutional amendment in response to the Kansas Supreme Court’s 2019 overreaching ruling on the case of Hodes &amp; Nauser v Schmidt.

The ruling puts at risk broadly supported regulations like bans on brutal late-term abortion and taxpayer funded abortions, parental notification requirements and clinic safety standards, leaving both women and babies without even the most basic health and safety standards. The Value Them Both amendment will remedy this ruling and restore the foundation for basic regulations to be placed around the abortion industry and will place the power to regulate the abortion industry back in the people’s hands where it belongs. Value Them Both was introduced and heard by committees this week, and once passed by two-thirds majority in each chamber, it will be placed on the ballot in August of 2020 for the people of Kansas to weigh in. 

"Because Kansans value both women and children, the constitution of the state of Kansas does not require government funding of abortion and does not create or secure a right to abortion. To the extent permitted by the United States Constitution, the people through their elected state representatives and state senators may pass laws regarding abortion, including, but not limited to, in circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest or when necessary to save the life of the mother."

Bottom line: The Legislature has passed previous abortion regulation measures. The Value Them Both amendment will protect both women and babies from what could soon be an unregulated abortion industry created by the ruling Hodes &amp; Nauser v. Schmidt. Kansans should have the right to vote on this issue so they can decide whether they want Kansas to be a pro-life state or not.

What would the legislative session be without talking about KPERS? 

Governor’s KPERS Plan—Second Verse, (Nearly) Same as the First. The governor unveiled another attempt to balance the budget on the backs of retirees and current state employees. In 2019 she proposed a plan to reamortize KPERS which would have left a legacy of debt amassing to $7.4 billion, all in the name of funding the governor’s spending increases.

 The Legislature saw through this credit card tactic and rejected the bill (HB 2197) on a vote of 36-87. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579011948686.jpeg" alt="Rep. Ken Rahjes (R-Agra)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Ken Rahjes (R-Agra)</figcaption>
 </figure>Hello from Topeka! We are back in full mode of bill introductions and review of budgets and ideas to make our lives better. Last week, Governor Kelly delivered her second State of the State address. The Republicans offered a response to what was heard: 1. Fiscal responsibilityThe governor’s vision includes squandering the state’s current surplus and lead the state down a road of financial instability. This includes her plan to reamortize KPERS which will balloon state debt and will require all Kansans to pay more out of their pockets. This credit card tactic will inevitably divert funds away from critical programs like mental health services, our foster care system, and our highways. At the end of FY 2019 the state had a surplus of $1.1 billion, or 15.7% ending balance. The governor’s budget cuts that figure in half to $533.3 million, or 6.8% ending balance. 2. Civil discourseBoth Republicans and Democrats have been invited to embrace civil discourse with training designed to break down partisan barriers and encourage productive policy conversations. Through efforts like this, we can make our state government more about solutions and less about election-year promises. 3. Growing Kansas instead of growing government Governor Kelly seeks to add more government programs and grow spending, hoping in turn to grow Kansas. We know that this is the wrong path for Kansas. Limited government partnered with private investment that fuels the fires of innovation and renewal will cultivate authentic growth. This growth that the governor seeks to foster cannot be stimulated by continuing to treat taxpayers’ pockets like an ATM.Bottom lineThe state cannot continue to spend more than it brings in, leaving all Kansans like us to pick up the tab. We need to grow Kansas through limited government and private investment rather than growth stimulated by bigger government reaching into taxpayers’ pockets.Early this week the Value Them Both Amendment—Constitutional Amendment to Protect Both Women and Babies has taken center stage in the Federal and State Affairs Committee. This proposed constitutional amendment in response to the Kansas Supreme Court’s 2019 overreaching ruling on the case of Hodes &amp; Nauser v Schmidt.The ruling puts at risk broadly supported regulations like bans on brutal late-term abortion and taxpayer funded abortions, parental notification requirements and clinic safety standards, leaving both women and babies without even the most basic health and safety standards. The Value Them Both amendment will remedy this ruling and restore the foundation for basic regulations to be placed around the abortion industry and will place the power to regulate the abortion industry back in the people’s hands where it belongs. Value Them Both was introduced and heard by committees this week, and once passed by two-thirds majority in each chamber, it will be placed on the ballot in August of 2020 for the people of Kansas to weigh in. The text reads as follows:"Because Kansans value both women and children, the constitution of the state of Kansas does not require government funding of abortion and does not create or secure a right to abortion. To the extent permitted by the United States Constitution, the people through their elected state representatives and state senators may pass laws regarding abortion, including, but not limited to, in circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest or when necessary to save the life of the mother."Bottom line: The Legislature has passed previous abortion regulation measures. The Value Them Both amendment will protect both women and babies from what could soon be an unregulated abortion industry created by the ruling Hodes &amp; Nauser v. Schmidt. Kansans should have the right to vote on this issue so they can decide whether they want Kansas to be a pro-life state or not.What would the legislative session be without talking about KPERS? Governor’s KPERS Plan—Second Verse, (Nearly) Same as the First. The governor unveiled another attempt to balance the budget on the backs of retirees and current state employees. In 2019 she proposed a plan to reamortize KPERS which would have left a legacy of debt amassing to $7.4 billion, all in the name of funding the governor’s spending increases. The Legislature saw through this credit card tactic and rejected the bill (HB 2197) on a vote of 36-87. This year’s proposal is much of the same, an increase of debt totaling to $4.4 billion in effort to carry out Governor Kelly’s unsustainable budget to “save” $130+ million. It is evident that engaging in this borrowing scheme only leads to fiscal instability which ultimately will jeopardize the efficacy of government services which hurts all Kansans. In response to this proposal, KPERS Executive Director Alan Conroy provided the following information:• Under the governor’s proposal, the amortization period would be extended 25 years (adds 10 years to current amortization) for unfunded actuarial liability (KPERS State/School). This requires adding $4.4 billion in additional payments.• Reamortization is projected to delay KPERS reaching the 80% funded ratio by seven years (2036, not 2029)• Reamortization requires a payment of $268.4 million at end of current FY for prior missed KPERS State/School employer contributions. The Legislature previously authorized payments over 20 years for those missed contributions.• Paying KPERS obligations early does not improve the actuarial funding of KPERS, but does get the payment to KPERS more quickly for investment.At the expense of $4.4 billion in debt, the governor’s proposal “frees up” additional SGF funds to prop up her budget:FY 21—$130.9 millionFY 22—$132.4 millionFY 23—$157.9 millionFY 24—$162.9 millionBottom line: The governor’s KPERS reamortization proposal includes short term “savings” at the expense of accruing debt totaling $4.4 billion. The same plan was voted down by the House just last year, and was even denounced by the governor herself in 2017. Our children and their children shouldn’t have to pay tomorrow for Governor Kelly’s increased spending today.Sorry this week’s column is long, but lots of information I wanted to share. I now have a newsletter, let me know if you would like to subscribe or you can go to <a href="https://kenforkansas.com/">kenforkansas.com</a>.When you come to Topeka during the session, my office is still located in Room: 149-S. My phone number is (785) 296- 7463 and email is: ken.rahjes@house.ks.gov and you can always try my cell number at (785) 302-8416. When you call or write you might hear from Jan Kohlers, who is my assistant during the session.I look forward to seeing you around the 110th District. It is my honor to by your representative.Ken Rahjes (R-Agra) is the 110th district state representative in Kansas.&nbsp;

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