<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/2019/12/1576283533002.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Three-day weather outlook

🎥 Eagle Forum: Max Haverfield

Sunday's Fort Hays State men's basketball game with Kansas Wesleyan has been postponed due to poor travel conditions along I-70. The game will be made up on Monday, January 27th at 7 p.m.

The Tigers return to action Tuesday at home against Bethel College at 7 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574351682207.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Sunday's Fort Hays State men's basketball game with Kansas Wesleyan has been postponed due to poor travel conditions along I-70. The game will be made up on Monday, January 27th at 7 p.m.The Tigers return to action Tuesday at home against Bethel College at 7 p.m.

FHSU basketball game with Kansas Wesleyan POSTPONED

<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="These tips will help keep you safe while holiday shopping" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/qt3ks-cb4812?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: These tips will help keep you safe while holiday shopping

By JAMES BELL Hays Post

ELLIS — Last Friday, Ellis City Council members — along with friends and family and law enforcement from various area agencies — gathered in celebration of the retirement of Ellis Police Chief Taft Yates, sharing stories, handshakes and hugs.

With his usual straightforward demeanor, Yates shared some thoughts with the group about his time in the position and how he was called to serve the city.

“First of all, I would like to thank you all for taking time and showing up for whatever reason, whether it’s to kick my ass out the door or whatever it may be,” he said as the group openly laughed.

“It’s been an honor in everything I have done. As I have told many people before, believe it or not, and it is an easy cliché to say, but I can honestly say that I have lived the dream. I have. And now it’s time to move on to the next phase in life.”

While he has served in law enforcement for 17 years, becoming a police officer was not something to which he had aspired.

“Never in my life did I dream I would be a cop,” Yates said.

He reflected back to 2002 when he met members of the Hays Police Department, through his wife who suggested he apply.

“They screwed up and hired me,” Yates said of landing a position on the HPD.

While he was serving as a military trainer in Africa, his name was suggested as a potential officer for the Ellis Police Department and the then-chief Randy Taylor brought him on.

Yates would move into the role of chief after Taylor moved to another position and now he said the time has come to spend more time with family and pursue other opportunities.

 “After putting it out there for 45 years, I’m going to miss it. I will. I won’t lie about it,” Yates said.

“Thanks to every one of you, God bless you. Keep doing the things that you are doing,. Don’t falter. I know you won’t.,” he said.

After his remarks, Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler shared his gratitude for Yates' service.

“It was a pleasure working with you, personally and not only as the police chief of Ellis, but also in the Hays Police Department,” Scheibler said. “Taft has always been a cop’s cop. Taft comes to work willing to carry his share of the load. He’s a hard worker trying to do the right thing for the right reasons. If you needed a backup, you knew Taft was coming, and he was coming hard.”

In closing, Scheibler presented Yates with a plaque on behalf of the Chiefs of Police Association of Kansas.

“As a chief, you want to leave a department better than you found it, and Chief Yates has definitely knocked it out of the park,” he said.

Ellis Mayor David McDaniel also shared his gratitude.

“I would like to recognize Chief Yates for his service to the city of Ellis and award his this plaque for his faithful service,” McDaniel said.

Ellis County Sheriff Ed Harbin, who himself will retire next year, said Yates was an asset to the community.

“He was a good guy to work with. He was always available when you need him and he always worked well with people,” Harbin said. “We are going to miss him, but I wish him the best in his retirement. Ellis is going to miss him too, I can tell that right now.”

With Yates' departure, Officer Chris Krom will serve as interim chief. He said Yates helped bring the department forward during his tenure. 

“Chief Yates has done a lot for the department. It’s definitely a better department than when he started,” Krom said. “He has been good to work for, he is fair, and he has taken the department several steps forward.”

While the search for a permanent police chief continues, Yates said Krom will continue pushing the department into the future.

“He is going to do well taking this place forward,” Yates said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576272811444.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays Post ELLIS — Last Friday, Ellis City Council members — along with friends and family and law enforcement from various area agencies — gathered in celebration of the retirement of Ellis Police Chief Taft Yates, sharing stories, handshakes and hugs.With his usual straightforward demeanor, Yates shared some thoughts with the group about his time in the position and how he was called to serve the city.“First of all, I would like to thank you all for taking time and showing up for whatever reason, whether it’s to kick my ass out the door or whatever it may be,” he said as the group openly laughed.“It’s been an honor in everything I have done. As I have told many people before, believe it or not, and it is an easy cliché to say, but I can honestly say that I have lived the dream. I have. And now it’s time to move on to the next phase in life.”While he has served in law enforcement for 17 years, becoming a police officer was not something to which he had aspired.“Never in my life did I dream I would be a cop,” Yates said.He reflected back to 2002 when he met members of the Hays Police Department, through his wife who suggested he apply.“They screwed up and hired me,” Yates said of landing a position on the HPD.While he was serving as a military trainer in Africa, his name was suggested as a potential officer for the Ellis Police Department and the then-chief Randy Taylor brought him on.Yates would move into the role of chief after Taylor moved to another position and now he said the time has come to spend more time with family and pursue other opportunities. “After putting it out there for 45 years, I’m going to miss it. I will. I won’t lie about it,” Yates said.In closing, he thanked the group.“Thanks to every one of you, God bless you. Keep doing the things that you are doing,. Don’t falter. I know you won’t.,” he said.After his remarks, Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler shared his gratitude for Yates' service.“It was a pleasure working with you, personally and not only as the police chief of Ellis, but also in the Hays Police Department,” Scheibler said. “Taft has always been a cop’s cop. Taft comes to work willing to carry his share of the load. He’s a hard worker trying to do the right thing for the right reasons. If you needed a backup, you knew Taft was coming, and he was coming hard.”In closing, Scheibler presented Yates with a plaque on behalf of the Chiefs of Police Association of Kansas.“As a chief, you want to leave a department better than you found it, and Chief Yates has definitely knocked it out of the park,” he said.Ellis Mayor David McDaniel also shared his gratitude.“I would like to recognize Chief Yates for his service to the city of Ellis and award his this plaque for his faithful service,” McDaniel said.Ellis County Sheriff Ed Harbin, who himself will retire next year, said Yates was an asset to the community.“He was a good guy to work with. He was always available when you need him and he always worked well with people,” Harbin said. “We are going to miss him, but I wish him the best in his retirement. Ellis is going to miss him too, I can tell that right now.”With Yates' departure, Officer Chris Krom will serve as interim chief. He said Yates helped bring the department forward during his tenure. “Chief Yates has done a lot for the department. It’s definitely a better department than when he started,” Krom said. “He has been good to work for, he is fair, and he has taken the department several steps forward.”While the search for a permanent police chief continues, Yates said Krom will continue pushing the department into the future.“He is going to do well taking this place forward,” Yates said.

Ellis gathers to celebrate work of retiring police chief

TOPEKA – Five individuals and three businesses were recognized December 4 at the <a href="https://www.kla.org/">Kansas Livestock Association</a> (KLA) Convention for joining in 1969 and now marking a half-century of continuous KLA membership. KLA currently has 107 members who have been loyal to the association 50 years or longer.

Those honored for 50 years of membership were Wilma Ackerman, Sabetha; Gene Hess, Scott City; Marcella Holbrook, Washington; Harry LaToush, Scott City; Donald Lonker, Medicine Lodge; Cattle Empire LLC, Satanta; Citizens State Bank, Gridley; and Stockgrowers State Bank, Maple Hill.

&nbsp;Six members were recognized for attaining 60 years of membership, Walt Fletcher, Lakin; Lauren Pringle, Yates Center; Don Smith, Tribune; Duane Walker, Canton; Ag Press-Grass &amp; Grain, Manhattan; and Bar S Ranch, Paradise,&nbsp;all wrote their first dues check in 1959.

&nbsp;Wayne “Jackie” Leffler of Americus, who joined KLA in 1949, received an award for achieving 70 years of membership.

“It is individuals and businesses like these that joined because they saw the value KLA provides for their operations and our industry that make our association strong. These long time members are to be commended for their decades of support for the Kansas Livestock Association,” said KLA President Harry Moser, a rancher from Wheaton.

KLA is a trade organization protecting the business interests of independent ranchers, feeders and dairy farmers. Members of the association are involved in all segments of the livestock industry, including cow-calf production, backgrounding, cattle feeding, swine, dairy and sheep. The association’s work is funded by voluntary dues dollars paid by its more than 5,600 members.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575991055069.jpeg" alt="KLA members honored for 50 years of membership (front row) Steve Niemack, Stockgrowers State Bank; Dick Poovey, Stockgrowers State Bank; Marcella Holbrook, Washington; Barbara and Donald Lonker, Medicine Lodge; Ken Kirsop, Stockgrowers State Bank; (back row) Evan Woodbury, Citizens State Bank; Diltz Lindamood, Citizens State Bank; Mark Raaf, Citizens State Bank; and Roy Brown, representing Cattle Empire LLC." />
 <figcaption>KLA members honored for 50 years of membership (front row) Steve Niemack, Stockgrowers State Bank; Dick Poovey, Stockgrowers State Bank; Marcella Holbrook, Washington; Barbara and Donald Lonker, Medicine Lodge; Ken Kirsop, Stockgrowers State Bank; (back row) Evan Woodbury, Citizens State Bank; Diltz Lindamood, Citizens State Bank; Mark Raaf, Citizens State Bank; and Roy Brown, representing Cattle Empire LLC.</figcaption>
 </figure>KLATOPEKA – Five individuals and three businesses were recognized December 4 at the <a href="https://www.kla.org/">Kansas Livestock Association</a> (KLA) Convention for joining in 1969 and now marking a half-century of continuous KLA membership. KLA currently has 107 members who have been loyal to the association 50 years or longer.Those honored for 50 years of membership were Wilma Ackerman, Sabetha; Gene Hess, Scott City; Marcella Holbrook, Washington; Harry LaToush, Scott City; Donald Lonker, Medicine Lodge; Cattle Empire LLC, Satanta; Citizens State Bank, Gridley; and Stockgrowers State Bank, Maple Hill.&nbsp;Six members were recognized for attaining 60 years of membership, Walt Fletcher, Lakin; Lauren Pringle, Yates Center; Don Smith, Tribune; Duane Walker, Canton; Ag Press-Grass &amp; Grain, Manhattan; and Bar S Ranch, Paradise,&nbsp;all wrote their first dues check in 1959.&nbsp;Wayne “Jackie” Leffler of Americus, who joined KLA in 1949, received an award for achieving 70 years of membership.“It is individuals and businesses like these that joined because they saw the value KLA provides for their operations and our industry that make our association strong. These long time members are to be commended for their decades of support for the Kansas Livestock Association,” said KLA President Harry Moser, a rancher from Wheaton.KLA is a trade organization protecting the business interests of independent ranchers, feeders and dairy farmers. Members of the association are involved in all segments of the livestock industry, including cow-calf production, backgrounding, cattle feeding, swine, dairy and sheep. The association’s work is funded by voluntary dues dollars paid by its more than 5,600 members.

Paradise ranch honored for 50 years of KLA membership

<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/2019/12/1576283452426.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development

Let’s go to Boston, where an exhibit is being installed at the Museum of Russian Icons.&nbsp;&nbsp;Where do you suppose that this exhibit was created? Would you believe, halfway across the continent in rural Kansas? Today we’ll meet an innovative Kansas company which is designing exhibits that are going across the nation.

Joel Gaeddert is founder and CEO of Flint Hills Design, the company which is installing this exhibit. Joel grew up in Kansas and went to Bethel College in North Newton, as had his parents. As a tech-savvy college student, Joel worked on a couple of websites while attending college.

His roommate’s father was the curator of the nearby Kauffman Museum and was needing help to finish a museum exhibit. Joel pitched in to help and found that he enjoyed the work. Soon people from other museums were asking for his help on their exhibits as well. Joel continued to work on websites also.

After graduation, Joel founded his own business based in North Newton. He called it Flint Hills Design.

“We like the understated beauty of the Flint Hills,” Joel said. “All of us like living in small Kansas towns.”

His business designed websites and also started building exhibits and displays for museums and other enterprises. For several years, he worked collaboratively with the Kauffman Museum staff also.

Today, Flint Hills Design specializes in exhibit design and production as well as website and app development. The exhibit work includes concept development, research and writing, exhibit design, fabrication, and installation. The staff includes artists, designers, developers, and craftsmen.

“We want to tell the stories of people and places, while celebrating their natural and cultural history,” Joel said. The company’s core principles are clarity, simplicity, authenticity, and craftmanship. Their website states: “We deliver clarity in concept, applying art and analysis to bring a shared vision to life. We strive to clearly and effectively communicate our clients’ visions with grace and precision. We use heirloom-quality materials and time-honored techniques to create meaningful spaces that stand the test of time and trends.”

Their projects include a museum on the history of Pizza Hut, the Willa Cather museum in Nebraska, and the Pikes Peak Hill Climb Experience in Colorado.

In the course of working on various exhibits, the Flint Hills Design staff developed modular walls, cases, storycarts, reader rails, connectors, and other structures that were ideal for exhibit use. Joel recognized that these would have applicability for other businesses and organizations as well. That led to the creation of a new division of the business called Upland Exhibit Systems in 2015. This business markets this specialized type of furniture and display equipment.

In 2016, the Symphony in the Flint Hills asked Flint Hills Design to develop a traveling exhibit in conjunction with the Symphony’s theme that year. It worked so well that Flint Hills Design added another division in 2018. This division is called Overland Traveling Exhibits. It focuses in developing specialized traveling exhibits for various customers.

Examples of recent projects include traveling exhibits about the Chisholm Trail, the History of Walls, Atomic Alert and more. Flint Hills Design products or exhibits have gone to 20 states from coast to coast.

Meanwhile, the other branch of the business remains Flint Hills Web Design which still does websites. The business’s clients are located as far away as Colorado and Indiana, plus many in Kansas. Those clients can be found in such rural communities as Seneca, population 1,991, Harper, population 1,473, and Cottonwood Falls, population 903 people. Now, that’s rural.

For more information, see&nbsp;<a href="http://www.flinthillsdesign.com/">www.flinthillsdesign.com</a>. For information about websites, see<a href="http://www.flinthillswebdesign.com/">www.flinthillswebdesign.com</a>.

It’s time to leave Boston, where we found an exhibit from Kansas that is being displayed at this museum. We commend Joel Gaeddert and all the staff at Flint Hills Design for making a difference with creativity and entrepreneurship. I’m glad they’re having success by design.

And there’s more. Joel was not the only member of the Gaeddert family to go to Bethel College and to start his own business. We’ll learn about another Gaeddert brother and his business next week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576160013002.png" alt="Joel Gaeddert" />
 <figcaption>Joel Gaeddert</figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development Let’s go to Boston, where an exhibit is being installed at the Museum of Russian Icons.&nbsp;&nbsp;Where do you suppose that this exhibit was created? Would you believe, halfway across the continent in rural Kansas? Today we’ll meet an innovative Kansas company which is designing exhibits that are going across the nation.Joel Gaeddert is founder and CEO of Flint Hills Design, the company which is installing this exhibit. Joel grew up in Kansas and went to Bethel College in North Newton, as had his parents. As a tech-savvy college student, Joel worked on a couple of websites while attending college.His roommate’s father was the curator of the nearby Kauffman Museum and was needing help to finish a museum exhibit. Joel pitched in to help and found that he enjoyed the work. Soon people from other museums were asking for his help on their exhibits as well. Joel continued to work on websites also.After graduation, Joel founded his own business based in North Newton. He called it Flint Hills Design.“We like the understated beauty of the Flint Hills,” Joel said. “All of us like living in small Kansas towns.”His business designed websites and also started building exhibits and displays for museums and other enterprises. For several years, he worked collaboratively with the Kauffman Museum staff also.Today, Flint Hills Design specializes in exhibit design and production as well as website and app development. The exhibit work includes concept development, research and writing, exhibit design, fabrication, and installation. The staff includes artists, designers, developers, and craftsmen.“We want to tell the stories of people and places, while celebrating their natural and cultural history,” Joel said. The company’s core principles are clarity, simplicity, authenticity, and craftmanship. Their website states: “We deliver clarity in concept, applying art and analysis to bring a shared vision to life. We strive to clearly and effectively communicate our clients’ visions with grace and precision. We use heirloom-quality materials and time-honored techniques to create meaningful spaces that stand the test of time and trends.”Their projects include a museum on the history of Pizza Hut, the Willa Cather museum in Nebraska, and the Pikes Peak Hill Climb Experience in Colorado.In the course of working on various exhibits, the Flint Hills Design staff developed modular walls, cases, storycarts, reader rails, connectors, and other structures that were ideal for exhibit use. Joel recognized that these would have applicability for other businesses and organizations as well. That led to the creation of a new division of the business called Upland Exhibit Systems in 2015. This business markets this specialized type of furniture and display equipment.In 2016, the Symphony in the Flint Hills asked Flint Hills Design to develop a traveling exhibit in conjunction with the Symphony’s theme that year. It worked so well that Flint Hills Design added another division in 2018. This division is called Overland Traveling Exhibits. It focuses in developing specialized traveling exhibits for various customers.Examples of recent projects include traveling exhibits about the Chisholm Trail, the History of Walls, Atomic Alert and more. Flint Hills Design products or exhibits have gone to 20 states from coast to coast.Meanwhile, the other branch of the business remains Flint Hills Web Design which still does websites. The business’s clients are located as far away as Colorado and Indiana, plus many in Kansas. Those clients can be found in such rural communities as Seneca, population 1,991, Harper, population 1,473, and Cottonwood Falls, population 903 people. Now, that’s rural.For more information, see&nbsp;<a href="http://www.flinthillsdesign.com/">www.flinthillsdesign.com</a>. For information about websites, see<a href="http://www.flinthillswebdesign.com/">www.flinthillswebdesign.com</a>.It’s time to leave Boston, where we found an exhibit from Kansas that is being displayed at this museum. We commend Joel Gaeddert and all the staff at Flint Hills Design for making a difference with creativity and entrepreneurship. I’m glad they’re having success by design.And there’s more. Joel was not the only member of the Gaeddert family to go to Bethel College and to start his own business. We’ll learn about another Gaeddert brother and his business next week.

Now That’s Rural: Joel Gaeddert, Flint Hills Design

<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="Grassland management key to healthy land" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/uiy4j-cb47ea?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: Grassland management key to healthy land

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Hays City Commission on Thursday approved a&nbsp;Community Improvement District for a new hotel north of Interstate 70 and west of Old Chicago.&nbsp; However, employees of current hotels said they were concerned with the potential competition.

The&nbsp;Saffron West 43rd CID will implement a 2 percent tax on sales at a new Avid/IHG hotel.

The tax will be levied for 20 years or until the CID maximum is reached. The developer estimates the CID sales tax will generate $622,836.

No bonds will be issued for this project, and the developer will have to pay for improvements up front.

Dirt work has already begun on the property. The $7 million project is expected to be completed in December 2020.

Leigh Purdy, area manager for the Sleep Inn and Suites, spoke in opposition to the hotel development.

"Of course, they are welcome to build this hotel. Obviously they can do what they like, but I don't think it should be at the expense of the taxpayer," she said.

Purdy noted the current hotel room inventory in Hays is 1,031 rooms. The number of rooms available in Hays at its peak was 1,119. The Hilton Garden Inn, which is under construction, would add another 100 rooms.

The developer of the Avid hotel is proposing 79 rooms. The developers of a proposed travel plaza in Hays also want to construct two hotels.

Purdy said increased competition is resulting in decreased revenue for the existing hotels. Revenue for the Comfort Inn and its competitors is down, whereas the Kansas market and the I-70 corridor market both have had increases.

Purdy, who sits on the Hays Convention and Visitor's Bureau board, said as hotels fight for customers, they end up lowering their prices. This can result in less transient guest tax collected in Hays.

"It is common for new hotels to come in, and they price low to attract and build a customer base. Regardless of what market segment it affects directly, it's a trickle-down effect. Holiday Inn lowers their price, Hampton lowers their price, Comfort lowers their price, and so on.

"We need to set the correct rate so we are competitive against a brand-new inexpensive property. For example, why would a traveler pay $120 to stay at a different mid-scale property that is 10 years older when the new hotel is only priced at $100?"

Mayor Henry Schwaller clarified Hays taxpayers will not be paying taxes to support the CID. Only people using the hotel services will pay the sales tax.

"It very well may be that TownePlace Suites has taken away some of your clients. I am sorry to hear that," Schwaller told Purdy.

He said TownePlace was funded through a similar tax program, and similar development programs have been ongoing for 20 years.

"When one opens, others may be hurt, but travelers today are looking for specific branded properties, because they can accumulate points," Schwaller said.

He continued, "We are not going to keep them out of town because we don't want competition."

Schwaller said the development is important and noted the city is down rooms since the demolition of the Ambassador Hotel on Vine Street.

Srujan Vusi, manager for the Saffron property, said his company has looked at the hotel inventory numbers in Hays and still think Hays is a good market.

Commissioner Ron Mellick said during peak times, such as Fort Hays State University graduation and sporting events, visitors are still forced to find hotel rooms in nearby communities.

"It supports our economic development policy, and we have spent years tweaking that and tweaking that," he said.

Commissioner Shaun Musil said, "As a small business owner, I have new competition open almost daily. Do you like it? Absolutely not, but it also sometimes makes you better. You look at yourself in the mirror and ask what you can do to be better.&nbsp;

"I don't think anyone wants to put anyone out of business. I know we don't, but we also want to gain business. I really think they wouldn't be coming to Hays if they didn't think they could grow a business in this town, so that's why I am for it."

Sandy Jacobs also said she supported the CID.

"I don't think I am probably ever going to do anything to keep business out of our community, especially when it is a CID such as this," she said.

Schwaller said the city is not picking winners or losers, it is just creating an even playing field.

Mellick noted existing hotels can apply for CIDs for infrastructure improvements and encouraged those hotels to do so to keep their properties up to date.

<div><iframe title="Hotel and convention center development continues" height="122" width="100%" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/a2yes-cb4801?from=yiiadmin&download=1&version=1&skin=3&btn-skin=101&auto=1&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&download=1&rtl=0&pbad=1"></iframe></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575586009806.jpeg" alt="Dirt work has begun on the site of a new Avid hotel north of I-70 and west of Old Chicago in Hays. A&nbsp;Community Improvement District was approved for the hotel Thursday night." />
 <figcaption>Dirt work has begun on the site of a new Avid hotel north of I-70 and west of Old Chicago in Hays. A&nbsp;Community Improvement District was approved for the hotel Thursday night.</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays City Commission on Thursday approved a&nbsp;Community Improvement District for a new hotel north of Interstate 70 and west of Old Chicago.&nbsp; However, employees of current hotels said they were concerned with the potential competition.The&nbsp;Saffron West 43rd CID will implement a 2 percent tax on sales at a new Avid/IHG hotel.The tax will be levied for 20 years or until the CID maximum is reached. The developer estimates the CID sales tax will generate $622,836.No bonds will be issued for this project, and the developer will have to pay for improvements up front.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575474368782.jpeg" alt="The CID zone." />
 <figcaption>The CID zone.</figcaption>
 </figure>Dirt work has already begun on the property. The $7 million project is expected to be completed in December 2020.Leigh Purdy, area manager for the Sleep Inn and Suites, spoke in opposition to the hotel development."Of course, they are welcome to build this hotel. Obviously they can do what they like, but I don't think it should be at the expense of the taxpayer," she said.Purdy noted the current hotel room inventory in Hays is 1,031 rooms. The number of rooms available in Hays at its peak was 1,119. The Hilton Garden Inn, which is under construction, would add another 100 rooms.The developer of the Avid hotel is proposing 79 rooms. The developers of a proposed travel plaza in Hays also want to construct two hotels.Purdy said increased competition is resulting in decreased revenue for the existing hotels. Revenue for the Comfort Inn and its competitors is down, whereas the Kansas market and the I-70 corridor market both have had increases.Purdy, who sits on the Hays Convention and Visitor's Bureau board, said as hotels fight for customers, they end up lowering their prices. This can result in less transient guest tax collected in Hays."It is common for new hotels to come in, and they price low to attract and build a customer base. Regardless of what market segment it affects directly, it's a trickle-down effect. Holiday Inn lowers their price, Hampton lowers their price, Comfort lowers their price, and so on."We need to set the correct rate so we are competitive against a brand-new inexpensive property. For example, why would a traveler pay $120 to stay at a different mid-scale property that is 10 years older when the new hotel is only priced at $100?"Mayor Henry Schwaller clarified Hays taxpayers will not be paying taxes to support the CID. Only people using the hotel services will pay the sales tax."It very well may be that TownePlace Suites has taken away some of your clients. I am sorry to hear that," Schwaller told Purdy.He said TownePlace was funded through a similar tax program, and similar development programs have been ongoing for 20 years."When one opens, others may be hurt, but travelers today are looking for specific branded properties, because they can accumulate points," Schwaller said.He continued, "We are not going to keep them out of town because we don't want competition."Schwaller said the development is important and noted the city is down rooms since the demolition of the Ambassador Hotel on Vine Street.Srujan Vusi, manager for the Saffron property, said his company has looked at the hotel inventory numbers in Hays and still think Hays is a good market.Commissioner Ron Mellick said during peak times, such as Fort Hays State University graduation and sporting events, visitors are still forced to find hotel rooms in nearby communities."It supports our economic development policy, and we have spent years tweaking that and tweaking that," he said.Commissioner Shaun Musil said, "As a small business owner, I have new competition open almost daily. Do you like it? Absolutely not, but it also sometimes makes you better. You look at yourself in the mirror and ask what you can do to be better.&nbsp;"I don't think anyone wants to put anyone out of business. I know we don't, but we also want to gain business. I really think they wouldn't be coming to Hays if they didn't think they could grow a business in this town, so that's why I am for it."Sandy Jacobs also said she supported the CID."I don't think I am probably ever going to do anything to keep business out of our community, especially when it is a CID such as this," she said.Schwaller said the city is not picking winners or losers, it is just creating an even playing field.Mellick noted existing hotels can apply for CIDs for infrastructure improvements and encouraged those hotels to do so to keep their properties up to date.

Hays City Commission approves CID for new Avid Hotel

LAWRENCE — At a time when education faces heavy criticism, a new book by a University of Kansas professor and students aims to take schools from a "yes, but" mindset to a "yes, and" approach to transform the system.

Yong Zhao, Foundation Distinguished Professor of educational leadership &amp; policy studies at KU, has written several previous books on problems in American education and how to create an educational system that is personalizable, capitalizes on the strength of every individual student and focuses on entrepreneurship and creativity.&nbsp;

“Almost nobody is happy with the education system as it is now, including the public and educators,” Zhao said. “But how to change, and in what direction to make that change is where opinions differ. We have discovered that changes are happening and that anyone can make them. We isolated cases where students made the changes, principals made changes, teachers made changes, groups of schools collaborating made changes. It’s an encouragement to say, ‘Yes you can.’”

The examples are outlined in “An Education Crisis Is a Terrible Thing to Waste: How Radical Changes Can Spark Student Excitement and Success.” It was co-written by Trina Emler, Anthony Snethen and Danqing Yin, all doctoral students in educational leadership &amp; policy studies at KU.

Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Romer famously said “a crisis is a terrible thing to waste,” providing the title for the book. He meant crises can provide the impetus for positive change, and the widely agreed-upon crisis in education can provide such a climate for educational change. In fact, it already is in many corners, the authors point out. 

They focused on “positive deviations” from the norm and conducted in-depth interviews with students, teachers, administrators, groups of schools and others. Schools that have shifted to a creative, entrepreneurial pedagogy displayed three common themes: Change can happen, each change is unique and must stem from local context, and that while each situation is unique, they do have common features.

“We look at the concept of entrepreneurial education, taking the big-picture ideas and seeking out what schools are doing now that works and sorting out the ‘yes, but’ attitude to find out what they want to do and what they can do,” Emler said.

The book opens by exploring the many excuses offered for why such radical change seemingly isn’t possible. People have blamed everything from policy to teachers to principals to technology to the students themselves for why American schools are underperforming. The authors then dispel each individually with a focus on the “yes, and” mindset, in which people acknowledge challenges and develop plans to address them.

The book’s next several chapters outline numerous individual cases in which radical school change was led by students, were made in the classrooms, were made in broken schools, in successful schools, within networks of schools and from the outside.

 Researchers spent extensive time talking with everyone involved in a variety of schools from those considered broken to others widely acknowledged as prestigious schools. They were located across the country from urban to rural areas as well as in Canada and Australia to help illustrate such changes are possible anywhere and that even schools already seen as highly successful can continue to evolve and improve to better prepare their students.

“Prestigious schools often have the hardest time making changes because they’re the highly thought-of college prep schools that people view as doing things right,” Emler said. “Seeing those that have been successful in making changes is another way of showing that these changes can work and that excuses can be eliminated.”

KU News ServiceLAWRENCE — At a time when education faces heavy criticism, a new book by a University of Kansas professor and students aims to take schools from a "yes, but" mindset to a "yes, and" approach to transform the system.Yong Zhao, Foundation Distinguished Professor of educational leadership &amp; policy studies at KU, has written several previous books on problems in American education and how to create an educational system that is personalizable, capitalizes on the strength of every individual student and focuses on entrepreneurship and creativity.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575997308575.jpeg" alt="Yong Zhao" />
 <figcaption>Yong Zhao</figcaption>
 </figure>“Almost nobody is happy with the education system as it is now, including the public and educators,” Zhao said. “But how to change, and in what direction to make that change is where opinions differ. We have discovered that changes are happening and that anyone can make them. We isolated cases where students made the changes, principals made changes, teachers made changes, groups of schools collaborating made changes. It’s an encouragement to say, ‘Yes you can.’”The examples are outlined in “An Education Crisis Is a Terrible Thing to Waste: How Radical Changes Can Spark Student Excitement and Success.” It was co-written by Trina Emler, Anthony Snethen and Danqing Yin, all doctoral students in educational leadership &amp; policy studies at KU.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575997380326.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Romer famously said “a crisis is a terrible thing to waste,” providing the title for the book. He meant crises can provide the impetus for positive change, and the widely agreed-upon crisis in education can provide such a climate for educational change. In fact, it already is in many corners, the authors point out. They focused on “positive deviations” from the norm and conducted in-depth interviews with students, teachers, administrators, groups of schools and others. Schools that have shifted to a creative, entrepreneurial pedagogy displayed three common themes: Change can happen, each change is unique and must stem from local context, and that while each situation is unique, they do have common features.“We look at the concept of entrepreneurial education, taking the big-picture ideas and seeking out what schools are doing now that works and sorting out the ‘yes, but’ attitude to find out what they want to do and what they can do,” Emler said.The book opens by exploring the many excuses offered for why such radical change seemingly isn’t possible. People have blamed everything from policy to teachers to principals to technology to the students themselves for why American schools are underperforming. The authors then dispel each individually with a focus on the “yes, and” mindset, in which people acknowledge challenges and develop plans to address them.The book’s next several chapters outline numerous individual cases in which radical school change was led by students, were made in the classrooms, were made in broken schools, in successful schools, within networks of schools and from the outside. Researchers spent extensive time talking with everyone involved in a variety of schools from those considered broken to others widely acknowledged as prestigious schools. They were located across the country from urban to rural areas as well as in Canada and Australia to help illustrate such changes are possible anywhere and that even schools already seen as highly successful can continue to evolve and improve to better prepare their students.“Prestigious schools often have the hardest time making changes because they’re the highly thought-of college prep schools that people view as doing things right,” Emler said. “Seeing those that have been successful in making changes is another way of showing that these changes can work and that excuses can be eliminated.”

Education crisis is chance for transformational change, says KU scholar

SchooI budgets were tight in the Oklahoma farming community where I grew up, but teachers’ dedication was boundless.&nbsp;&nbsp;Take, for instance, my high school biology teacher who seemed to live for his students and active learning.&nbsp;&nbsp;To experience dissection, he instructed each of us to bring a frog to class.&nbsp;when 17, farm-pond frogs, mostly alive and jumping, invaded our school, it didn’t take long to realize the slip-up.

&nbsp;It was the 1960s when teachers were expected to provide their own instructional supplies for the classroom.&nbsp;&nbsp;Not much has changed since except that teachers are ordering scientific dissecting kits online, and the public is beginning to question the “buy-your-own” supplies mandate.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“What business office would expect the workers to provide their own copy paper and printer cartridges; yet, we’re expected to pay for the consumable materials we use,” one teacher recently explained to me.

Put that way the problem seems a simple fix, but it’s not.&nbsp;&nbsp;The problem is more than whether or how much teachers should pay for their supplies and materials.&nbsp;&nbsp;The blind spot may be that age-appropriate supplies and instructional materials are often considered nice “add-ons,” not vital tools to support a rigorous, interactive curriculum.&nbsp;&nbsp;Effective teaching does depend on paper, scissors, and other supplies together with hands-on teaching tools, especially in science classes where students need to do observations and experiments not just read about them.

Daniel Koretz, a professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, says the lack of quality instructional materials and teacher professional development in their use impacts the continuing low-test scores of American students compared to those in other countries.&nbsp;&nbsp;The real problem goes beyond who spends how much on supplies.&nbsp;&nbsp;It’s about the general lack of consistently provided supplies and high-quality learning materials in schools.&nbsp;

A 2018 federal department of education survey showed that 94 percent of American teachers spend about $500 yearly on their classrooms.&nbsp;&nbsp;However, teachers have differing rates of spending due to the grade level or subject matter they teach or personal decisions about options.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;One teacher told me she spent $750 per year on supplies while a teacher in another school said she spent almost nothing.&nbsp;

Currently classroom requirements are funded several ways:&nbsp;

For the past few years, Kansas students have shown lower achievement on national and international exams compared to students in places beyond Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;Exams are not fully reliable evaluations, but they are how the public compares educational progress.&nbsp;

An important part of increasing student’s knowledge is for teachers to have adequate teaching supplies and materials for hands-on learning, and Kansas needs to figure out how to achieve this because putting this funding on the backs of teachers is unfair, unequal, inconsistent and not effective.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In the meantime, it’s December, the season for giving.&nbsp;&nbsp;Current requests include books for classroom reading, notebooks, markers and for some classes—dissection kits.&nbsp;&nbsp;Let’s give what we can to a nearby school.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean and Professor Emerita of Wichita State University College of Education.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576185211786.jpeg" alt="Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean and Professor Emerita of Wichita State University College of Education." />
 <figcaption>Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean and Professor Emerita of Wichita State University College of Education.</figcaption>
 </figure>SchooI budgets were tight in the Oklahoma farming community where I grew up, but teachers’ dedication was boundless.&nbsp;&nbsp;Take, for instance, my high school biology teacher who seemed to live for his students and active learning.&nbsp;&nbsp;To experience dissection, he instructed each of us to bring a frog to class.&nbsp;when 17, farm-pond frogs, mostly alive and jumping, invaded our school, it didn’t take long to realize the slip-up.&nbsp;It was the 1960s when teachers were expected to provide their own instructional supplies for the classroom.&nbsp;&nbsp;Not much has changed since except that teachers are ordering scientific dissecting kits online, and the public is beginning to question the “buy-your-own” supplies mandate.&nbsp;&nbsp;“What business office would expect the workers to provide their own copy paper and printer cartridges; yet, we’re expected to pay for the consumable materials we use,” one teacher recently explained to me.Put that way the problem seems a simple fix, but it’s not.&nbsp;&nbsp;The problem is more than whether or how much teachers should pay for their supplies and materials.&nbsp;&nbsp;The blind spot may be that age-appropriate supplies and instructional materials are often considered nice “add-ons,” not vital tools to support a rigorous, interactive curriculum.&nbsp;&nbsp;Effective teaching does depend on paper, scissors, and other supplies together with hands-on teaching tools, especially in science classes where students need to do observations and experiments not just read about them.Daniel Koretz, a professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, says the lack of quality instructional materials and teacher professional development in their use impacts the continuing low-test scores of American students compared to those in other countries.&nbsp;&nbsp;The real problem goes beyond who spends how much on supplies.&nbsp;&nbsp;It’s about the general lack of consistently provided supplies and high-quality learning materials in schools.&nbsp;A 2018 federal department of education survey showed that 94 percent of American teachers spend about $500 yearly on their classrooms.&nbsp;&nbsp;However, teachers have differing rates of spending due to the grade level or subject matter they teach or personal decisions about options.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;One teacher told me she spent $750 per year on supplies while a teacher in another school said she spent almost nothing.&nbsp;Currently classroom requirements are funded several ways:&nbsp;<ol>
 <li>Some districts provide stipends. ranging from $100 to $250.&nbsp;&nbsp;Other districts keep a supply “closet” until stock is gone or ask teachers to write requests to be approved by the principal or a school committee.&nbsp;&nbsp;School districts also have budgets for durable teaching tools like basketballs and microscopes.</li><li>Teachers solicit nonprofit organizations or apply to government agencies for grants or go online to crowdsource.</li><li>families and teachers shop sales at discount stores.</li>
 </ol>For the past few years, Kansas students have shown lower achievement on national and international exams compared to students in places beyond Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;Exams are not fully reliable evaluations, but they are how the public compares educational progress.&nbsp;An important part of increasing student’s knowledge is for teachers to have adequate teaching supplies and materials for hands-on learning, and Kansas needs to figure out how to achieve this because putting this funding on the backs of teachers is unfair, unequal, inconsistent and not effective.&nbsp;&nbsp;In the meantime, it’s December, the season for giving.&nbsp;&nbsp;Current requests include books for classroom reading, notebooks, markers and for some classes—dissection kits.&nbsp;&nbsp;Let’s give what we can to a nearby school.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean and Professor Emerita of Wichita State University College of Education.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Why teachers shouldn’t spend their own money

By CORINNE BOYER <a href="https://www.hppr.org/post/football-workout-killed-their-son-then-kansas-community-college-rejected-claim-millions">Kansas News Service</a>

GARDEN CITY, Kansas — It’s been more than a year 
since 19-year-old Braeden Bradforth died from exertional heat stroke 
after his first football practice at Garden City Community College.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A 48-page independent <a href="https://chrissmith.house.gov/uploadedfiles/report_of_independent_investigation.pdf">investigation</a> found systemic failures within the athletic department and <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/investigation-kansas-football-players-death-blames-coach-athletic-director">placed blame</a> on multiple employees as well as medical professionals who treated Bradforth on Aug. 1, 2018.

Bradforth’s
 parents sent the college letters demanding $50 million dollars, the 
first step required by Kansas law before they can sue the college. On 
Tuesday, Garden City Community College’s Board of Trustees unanimously 
denied the claim amounts, saying the parties were interested in moving 
forward with mediation.

Meanwhile, the college has already made changes within its athletics department, GCCC President Ryan Ruda said.

“We
 didn't wait for the internal review. We didn't wait for the external 
view,” Ruda said. “We've hired an additional full-time athletic trainer.
 We now have three. We've hired a full-time strength and conditioning 
coach … we’ve enacted the emergency action plans for all of our venues.”

By sending demand letters, Bradforth’s parents have started down the road of a possible lawsuit.

GCCC Board Chair Blake Wasinger said the trustees denied the claims on the advice of their attorneys.

“Given
 the notice of claims, it takes 90 days or a denial. So instead of 
waiting 90 days, we go ahead and deny it so we can move into that 
mediation,” he said after the meeting.

Attorney Shawn Foster, who
 is representing Bradforth’s father, said negotiations with the school 
are productive, but if efforts aren’t successful within the next several
 weeks, he may file a lawsuit in February.&nbsp;&nbsp;

According to the 
independent investigation, there were “a series of events” culminating 
in Bradforth’s death. It said he struggled to complete 36 50-yard 
sprints at an altitude of 2,800 feet during his first practice. He had 
left his hometown of Neptune, New Jersey — which sits at sea level — two
 days earlier.

Nearly 30 minutes after practice, football players
 found Bradforth sitting on the ground leaning against a brick wall at 
his dorm. When a coach reached Bradforth in the alley, players asked him
 to call 911, but 11 more minutes passed before the athletic trainer 
called for an ambulance.&nbsp;

Attorney Chris Dove, who represents 
Bradforth’s mother, Joann Atkins-Ingram, told the Kansas News Service 
that she wants to see changes within college athletic departments.

“(It’s)
 not the first time this has happened,” Dove said. “This isn’t like a 
cardiac event; it’s really extremely preventable. The signals of it are 
very easy to pick up and you can stop it immediately.”

Dove also said athletic departments should have tubs or trays for students who need to be cooled down with ice.

The
 investigation noted that Bradforth’s “core temperature was never 
assessed and no effective method of cooling him was ever implemented by 
anyone.”

Bradforth’s death led to a bill, filed by New Jersey 
U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, who represents Bradforth’s hometown. It would 
establish a commission to study heatstroke in young athletes; the bill 
has been assigned to a committee but hasn’t advanced beyond that.

Corinne
 Boyer covers western Kansas for High Plains Public Radio and the Kansas
 News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @corinne_boyer or or email 
cboyer@hppr.org. 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/2019/12/1576255751845.jpeg" alt="Garden City Community College.&nbsp; Corinne Boyer / Kansas News Service " />
 <figcaption>Garden City Community College.&nbsp; Corinne Boyer / Kansas News Service </figcaption>
 </figure>By CORINNE BOYER <a href="https://www.hppr.org/post/football-workout-killed-their-son-then-kansas-community-college-rejected-claim-millions">Kansas News Service</a>GARDEN CITY, Kansas — It’s been more than a year 
since 19-year-old Braeden Bradforth died from exertional heat stroke 
after his first football practice at Garden City Community College.&nbsp;&nbsp;A 48-page independent <a href="https://chrissmith.house.gov/uploadedfiles/report_of_independent_investigation.pdf">investigation</a> found systemic failures within the athletic department and <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/investigation-kansas-football-players-death-blames-coach-athletic-director">placed blame</a> on multiple employees as well as medical professionals who treated Bradforth on Aug. 1, 2018.Bradforth’s
 parents sent the college letters demanding $50 million dollars, the 
first step required by Kansas law before they can sue the college. On 
Tuesday, Garden City Community College’s Board of Trustees unanimously 
denied the claim amounts, saying the parties were interested in moving 
forward with mediation.Meanwhile, the college has already made changes within its athletics department, GCCC President Ryan Ruda said.“We
 didn't wait for the internal review. We didn't wait for the external 
view,” Ruda said. “We've hired an additional full-time athletic trainer.
 We now have three. We've hired a full-time strength and conditioning 
coach … we’ve enacted the emergency action plans for all of our venues.”By sending demand letters, Bradforth’s parents have started down the road of a possible lawsuit.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576255691926.png" alt="Braeden Bradforth and his mother courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Braeden Bradforth and his mother courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>GCCC Board Chair Blake Wasinger said the trustees denied the claims on the advice of their attorneys.“Given
 the notice of claims, it takes 90 days or a denial. So instead of 
waiting 90 days, we go ahead and deny it so we can move into that 
mediation,” he said after the meeting.Attorney Shawn Foster, who
 is representing Bradforth’s father, said negotiations with the school 
are productive, but if efforts aren’t successful within the next several
 weeks, he may file a lawsuit in February.&nbsp;&nbsp;According to the 
independent investigation, there were “a series of events” culminating 
in Bradforth’s death. It said he struggled to complete 36 50-yard 
sprints at an altitude of 2,800 feet during his first practice. He had 
left his hometown of Neptune, New Jersey — which sits at sea level — two
 days earlier.Nearly 30 minutes after practice, football players
 found Bradforth sitting on the ground leaning against a brick wall at 
his dorm. When a coach reached Bradforth in the alley, players asked him
 to call 911, but 11 more minutes passed before the athletic trainer 
called for an ambulance.&nbsp;Attorney Chris Dove, who represents 
Bradforth’s mother, Joann Atkins-Ingram, told the Kansas News Service 
that she wants to see changes within college athletic departments.“(It’s)
 not the first time this has happened,” Dove said. “This isn’t like a 
cardiac event; it’s really extremely preventable. The signals of it are 
very easy to pick up and you can stop it immediately.”Dove also said athletic departments should have tubs or trays for students who need to be cooled down with ice.The
 investigation noted that Bradforth’s “core temperature was never 
assessed and no effective method of cooling him was ever implemented by 
anyone.”Bradforth’s death led to a bill, filed by New Jersey 
U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, who represents Bradforth’s hometown. It would 
establish a commission to study heatstroke in young athletes; the bill 
has been assigned to a committee but hasn’t advanced beyond that.Corinne
 Boyer covers western Kansas for High Plains Public Radio and the Kansas
 News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @corinne_boyer or or email 
cboyer@hppr.org. 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.

A football workout killed their son, then college rejected their claim for millions 

Too often producers do not notice mustard weeds in their wheat fields until the mustards start to bloom in the spring. As a result, producers often do not think about control until that time. Although it is still possible to get some control at that time with herbicides, mustards are much more difficult to control at that stage and often have already reduced wheat yields by then.

To minimize yield losses, mustards should be controlled by late winter or very early spring, before the stems begin to elongate (bolt). If mustards are present in the fall, they can be controlled with ALS-inhibiting herbicides such as Ally, Amber, Finesse, Affinity, Rave, Olympus, or PowerFlex. Huskie, Talinor, Quelex, 2,4-D, and MCPA can also provide good control of most mustards if the weeds are at the right stage of growth and actively growing, and if the wheat is at the correct growth stage (fully tillered for 2,4-D). Dicamba and Starane are not very effective for mustard control.

In the late winter or early spring, blue mustard is perhaps the most difficult of the winter annual broadleaf weeds to control because it bolts very early. To be effective on blue mustard, herbicides typically need to be applied in late February or early March. Blue mustard is more difficult to control than tansy mustard with 2,4-D because blue mustard has often already bolted by the time 2,4-D can be safely applied to wheat. Thus, 2,4-D often is applied too late to be effective on blue mustard.

Most ALS-inhibiting herbicides control winter annual mustards very well, although there are populations of bushy wall flower (treacle mustard) and flixweed in Kansas that are ALS-resistant and cannot be controlled by these products. Alternative measures will be needed to control these populations. The best approach to control ALS resistant broadleaf weeds is to use other herbicides or tank-mixes with 2,4-D, MCPA, Huskie, or Talinor. MCPA can be applied after the wheat is in the 3-leaf stage; but as mentioned above, 2,4-D should not be applied until after wheat is fully tillered -- which often does not occur until spring. Huskie and Talinor can be applied from the 2-leaf to the flag leaf stage of growth. None of these herbicides have much residual control, so the majority of weeds need to be emerged and actively growing at the time of treatment.

Quelex is a premix of a short-lived ALS herbicide and an auxin-type herbicide called halauxifen. It generally can provide good control of most mustard species. Quelex can be applied from the 2-leaf up to flag leaf emergence growth stages of wheat and should be applied in combination with nonionic surfactant or oil concentrate for control of small, actively growing weeds.&nbsp; If ALS-resistant weeds are present, Quelex alone may not be effective.

Some producers commonly apply ALS herbicides with fertilizer in January or February. Unfortunately, MCPA, 2,4-D, and Huskie are most effective when applied to actively growing weeds, so application when weeds are dormant may not provide good control. As a result, if an ALS-inhibitor tank-mix with one of these herbicides is applied to dormant ALS-resistant mustards in the winter, poor control could occur.

ALS-resistant bushy wallflower seems to be present in a number of fields in central Kansas. ALS-resistant flixweed has only been confirmed in the Saline county area, but may also be present elsewhere. Producers should watch for cases of poor control, and consider alternative herbicides or herbicide tank-mixes to help prevent or manage ALS-resistant weeds.

Crop rotation with corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, or sunflowers is a good way of managing mustards as long as they are controlled in the spring prior to producing seed. Crop rotation will usually result in a gradual reduction of mustard populations in the future as the seedbank in the soil gradually decreases.

For detailed information concerning the different mustard species in Kansas, see the article on our web site <a href="http://www.cottonwood.ksu.edu">www.cottonwood.ksu.edu</a>&nbsp; “Kansas weeds: Know your mustard species”.

Stacy Campbell is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or calling 785-628-9430.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574181994278.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Too often producers do not notice mustard weeds in their wheat fields until the mustards start to bloom in the spring. As a result, producers often do not think about control until that time. Although it is still possible to get some control at that time with herbicides, mustards are much more difficult to control at that stage and often have already reduced wheat yields by then.To minimize yield losses, mustards should be controlled by late winter or very early spring, before the stems begin to elongate (bolt). If mustards are present in the fall, they can be controlled with ALS-inhibiting herbicides such as Ally, Amber, Finesse, Affinity, Rave, Olympus, or PowerFlex. Huskie, Talinor, Quelex, 2,4-D, and MCPA can also provide good control of most mustards if the weeds are at the right stage of growth and actively growing, and if the wheat is at the correct growth stage (fully tillered for 2,4-D). Dicamba and Starane are not very effective for mustard control.In the late winter or early spring, blue mustard is perhaps the most difficult of the winter annual broadleaf weeds to control because it bolts very early. To be effective on blue mustard, herbicides typically need to be applied in late February or early March. Blue mustard is more difficult to control than tansy mustard with 2,4-D because blue mustard has often already bolted by the time 2,4-D can be safely applied to wheat. Thus, 2,4-D often is applied too late to be effective on blue mustard.Most ALS-inhibiting herbicides control winter annual mustards very well, although there are populations of bushy wall flower (treacle mustard) and flixweed in Kansas that are ALS-resistant and cannot be controlled by these products. Alternative measures will be needed to control these populations. The best approach to control ALS resistant broadleaf weeds is to use other herbicides or tank-mixes with 2,4-D, MCPA, Huskie, or Talinor. MCPA can be applied after the wheat is in the 3-leaf stage; but as mentioned above, 2,4-D should not be applied until after wheat is fully tillered -- which often does not occur until spring. Huskie and Talinor can be applied from the 2-leaf to the flag leaf stage of growth. None of these herbicides have much residual control, so the majority of weeds need to be emerged and actively growing at the time of treatment.Quelex is a premix of a short-lived ALS herbicide and an auxin-type herbicide called halauxifen. It generally can provide good control of most mustard species. Quelex can be applied from the 2-leaf up to flag leaf emergence growth stages of wheat and should be applied in combination with nonionic surfactant or oil concentrate for control of small, actively growing weeds.&nbsp; If ALS-resistant weeds are present, Quelex alone may not be effective.Some producers commonly apply ALS herbicides with fertilizer in January or February. Unfortunately, MCPA, 2,4-D, and Huskie are most effective when applied to actively growing weeds, so application when weeds are dormant may not provide good control. As a result, if an ALS-inhibitor tank-mix with one of these herbicides is applied to dormant ALS-resistant mustards in the winter, poor control could occur.ALS-resistant bushy wallflower seems to be present in a number of fields in central Kansas. ALS-resistant flixweed has only been confirmed in the Saline county area, but may also be present elsewhere. Producers should watch for cases of poor control, and consider alternative herbicides or herbicide tank-mixes to help prevent or manage ALS-resistant weeds.Crop rotation with corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, or sunflowers is a good way of managing mustards as long as they are controlled in the spring prior to producing seed. Crop rotation will usually result in a gradual reduction of mustard populations in the future as the seedbank in the soil gradually decreases.For detailed information concerning the different mustard species in Kansas, see the article on our web site <a href="http://www.cottonwood.ksu.edu">www.cottonwood.ksu.edu</a>&nbsp; “Kansas weeds: Know your mustard species”.Stacy Campbell is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or calling 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: Timely treatment key to control of mustards in wheat

<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/2019/12/1576283378277.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

<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="Ellis County Commission rejects notion of outside planner" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/pgefm-cb4172?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: Ellis County Commission rejects notion of outside planner

WICHITA —&nbsp;A grant from the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs will support a drug court program in Ellis County, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said today.

Ellis County will receive $406,366 as part of more than $333 million in Justice Department grants announced Friday to fight the opioid crisis across the nation.

“Drug courts are proven to reduce recidivism and increase the likelihood of rehabilitation,” McAllister said.

Funding for the grant to Ellis County comes from the Adult Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program, Category 2. The grant supports enhancement of fully operational drug courts that incorporate the evidence-based principles included in the National Association of Drug Court Professionals’ Adult Drug Courts Best Practice Standards.

Kansas received a total of $30.9 million in grant awards from OJP in fiscal year 2019.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576260783683.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA —&nbsp;A grant from the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs will support a drug court program in Ellis County, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said today.Ellis County will receive $406,366 as part of more than $333 million in Justice Department grants announced Friday to fight the opioid crisis across the nation.“Drug courts are proven to reduce recidivism and increase the likelihood of rehabilitation,” McAllister said.Funding for the grant to Ellis County comes from the Adult Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program, Category 2. The grant supports enhancement of fully operational drug courts that incorporate the evidence-based principles included in the National Association of Drug Court Professionals’ Adult Drug Courts Best Practice Standards.Kansas received a total of $30.9 million in grant awards from OJP in fiscal year 2019.

U.S. Attorney: $400K grant will support drug court in Ellis Co.

Joshua Tanguay, a lecturer of psychology at Fort Hays State University, was recently awarded a Midwest Energy Community Fund grant to provide training from Dr. Pat Deegan’s “Hearing Distressing Voices” simulation. 

Deegan’s organization works to help people understand and work with those who struggle with mental illness. She developed “Hearing Distressing Voices” in 1996 to help people understand her world as a sufferer of schizophrenia with auditory hallucinations.&nbsp;

“The training has impacted tens of thousands of people and, for many, forever changed their paradigm of a misunderstood and sometimes neglected population,” said Tanguay.&nbsp;

Tanguay received Deegan’s training at a recent conference in Seattle with several law enforcement officers and mental health representatives from the Ellis County community as part of the local Crisis Intervention Team council.&nbsp;

“Midwest Energy has a long history of giving back to its customers by supporting sustainable projects that help build and enhance community improvements in areas such as economic growth and development, education, community renewal and healthcare,” said James Wright, key account manager at Midwest Energy.&nbsp;

Tanguay’s $810 grant was one of 32 Midwest Energy Community Fund grants awarded in Hays this fall.&nbsp;

Deegan’s simulation helps group participants experience what it is like to attempt to function as someone who is severely mentally ill and to process the experience as a means to increase empathy and understanding.&nbsp;

The simulation cites 13 peer-reviewed studies that support its efficacy for increased empathy toward those afflicted with severe mental illness.&nbsp;

Tanguay said the training will be offered to Fort Hays State faculty, staff and students as well as community organizations such as local school districts, law enforcement and hospital staff.&nbsp;

In addition to his work at Fort Hays State, Tanguay is a mental health therapist with Clinical Associates P.A.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576162681237.jpeg" alt="Tanguay" />
 <figcaption>Tanguay</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University RelationsJoshua Tanguay, a lecturer of psychology at Fort Hays State University, was recently awarded a Midwest Energy Community Fund grant to provide training from Dr. Pat Deegan’s “Hearing Distressing Voices” simulation. Deegan’s organization works to help people understand and work with those who struggle with mental illness. She developed “Hearing Distressing Voices” in 1996 to help people understand her world as a sufferer of schizophrenia with auditory hallucinations.&nbsp;“The training has impacted tens of thousands of people and, for many, forever changed their paradigm of a misunderstood and sometimes neglected population,” said Tanguay.&nbsp;Tanguay received Deegan’s training at a recent conference in Seattle with several law enforcement officers and mental health representatives from the Ellis County community as part of the local Crisis Intervention Team council.&nbsp;“Midwest Energy has a long history of giving back to its customers by supporting sustainable projects that help build and enhance community improvements in areas such as economic growth and development, education, community renewal and healthcare,” said James Wright, key account manager at Midwest Energy.&nbsp;Tanguay’s $810 grant was one of 32 Midwest Energy Community Fund grants awarded in Hays this fall.&nbsp;Deegan’s simulation helps group participants experience what it is like to attempt to function as someone who is severely mentally ill and to process the experience as a means to increase empathy and understanding.&nbsp;The simulation cites 13 peer-reviewed studies that support its efficacy for increased empathy toward those afflicted with severe mental illness.&nbsp;Tanguay said the training will be offered to Fort Hays State faculty, staff and students as well as community organizations such as local school districts, law enforcement and hospital staff.&nbsp;In addition to his work at Fort Hays State, Tanguay is a mental health therapist with Clinical Associates P.A.&nbsp;

FHSU psychology lecturer awarded grant

After a period of mild December weather, winter is expected to makes its return to northwest Kansas this weekend.

The National Weather Service in Dodge City is predicting scattered snow showers across the region beginning Saturday night and lasting through Sunday.

While the projected totals are still uncertain, meteorologists are forecasting up to 4 inches of snow in the Hays area.

The snow is expected to taper off by Monday, when skies will turn partly sunny.

Click <a href="https://hayspost.com/state-farm-weather-window">HERE</a> for the complete expanded forecast. Check Hays Post and stay tuned to your Eagle Radio of Hays stations for the latest cancellations and delays.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576247404660.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>After a period of mild December weather, winter is expected to makes its return to northwest Kansas this weekend.The National Weather Service in Dodge City is predicting scattered snow showers across the region beginning Saturday night and lasting through Sunday.While the projected totals are still uncertain, meteorologists are forecasting up to 4 inches of snow in the Hays area.The snow is expected to taper off by Monday, when skies will turn partly sunny.Click <a href="https://hayspost.com/state-farm-weather-window">HERE</a> for the complete expanded forecast. Check Hays Post and stay tuned to your Eagle Radio of Hays stations for the latest cancellations and delays.

Wintry weather could bring up to 4 inches of snow this weekend

<a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/dont-call-them-nerds-these-kansas-gamers-are-now-jocks-ku">Kansas News Service</a>

LAWRENCE — Six players signed contracts, wore Jayhawk T-shirts and put on blue KU ballcaps.

But
 they won’t be running onto a basketball court or football field anytime
 soon. They are the University of Kansas’ first varsity esports team.

Some
 experts have raised warning flags of a potential esports bubble, but 
hundreds of colleges are looking at esports as their next varsity 
league. KU hopes esports will drive alumni support and boost enrollment,
 like other sports, and it plans to use the signing-day rituals of 
traditional sports to give players a feeling of athletic grandeur that’s
 missing from esports at smaller colleges.

“It makes me feel like a basketball NBA rookie signing onto a basketball team,” said KU senior esport gamer Chenhui Liu.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5de7fc7c897d147ad4bb1fa3">Dawson Rooney, a sophomore in computer science from Hays, is a member of the team.</a>

Esports are expected to become a <a href="https://newzoo.com/insights/articles/newzoo-global-esports-economy-will-top-1-billion-for-the-first-time-in-2019/" target="_blank">billion-dollar market</a>
 by the end of the year, according to esports analytics company Newzoo. 
The live gaming streaming site Twitch regularly has well over a <a href="https://twitchtracker.com/statistics" target="_blank">million viewers</a> at any given moment.&nbsp;

That popularity led KU and <a href="https://www.missouriwestern.edu/esports/" target="_blank">Missouri Western State University</a> to announce this semester that they’re creating varsity teams.&nbsp;

But
 despite that growth, schools are still figuring out what college 
esports should look like: How big of a budget does a team need? What 
tournaments do you join? How do you practice? Should esports fall under 
the athletics department or student affairs?

Even the question of what games to play still confounds colleges.

“We
 just don’t know what is the secret sauce,” said Yvette Wohn, an 
assistant professor at the New Jersey Institute of Technology who 
researches esports.

KU’s esports team falls under the Department of Student Affairs, 
because the athletics department said it wasn’t interested. The team 
doesn’t have an official budget, and Dell Computers donated most of the 
equipment.

Still, KU is hoping to borrow the appearance of 
traditional sports, betting that leaning into the history and prestige 
of the Jayhawk name will set it apart from community colleges and 
smaller universities in Kansas and across the nation with already formed
 teams.

Schools like <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/are-video-games-sport-hoping-attract-fans-and-students-kansas-colleges-say-yes">Wichita State University</a>
 have already beaten KU to establishing a varsity esports team. But Wohn
 said KU is still ahead of many big four-year public schools.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576245701392.jpeg" alt="Six KU students sign contracts to join the university's varsity esports team.&nbsp; Stephan Bisaha / Kansas News Service &nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Six KU students sign contracts to join the university's varsity esports team.&nbsp; Stephan Bisaha / Kansas News Service &nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By STEPHAN BISAHA<a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/dont-call-them-nerds-these-kansas-gamers-are-now-jocks-ku">Kansas News Service</a>LAWRENCE — Six players signed contracts, wore Jayhawk T-shirts and put on blue KU ballcaps.But
 they won’t be running onto a basketball court or football field anytime
 soon. They are the University of Kansas’ first varsity esports team.Some
 experts have raised warning flags of a potential esports bubble, but 
hundreds of colleges are looking at esports as their next varsity 
league. KU hopes esports will drive alumni support and boost enrollment,
 like other sports, and it plans to use the signing-day rituals of 
traditional sports to give players a feeling of athletic grandeur that’s
 missing from esports at smaller colleges.“It makes me feel like a basketball NBA rookie signing onto a basketball team,” said KU senior esport gamer Chenhui Liu.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5de7fc7c897d147ad4bb1fa3">Dawson Rooney, a sophomore in computer science from Hays, is a member of the team.</a><h2>Building a team</h2>Esports are expected to become a <a href="https://newzoo.com/insights/articles/newzoo-global-esports-economy-will-top-1-billion-for-the-first-time-in-2019/" target="_blank">billion-dollar market</a>
 by the end of the year, according to esports analytics company Newzoo. 
The live gaming streaming site Twitch regularly has well over a <a href="https://twitchtracker.com/statistics" target="_blank">million viewers</a> at any given moment.&nbsp;That popularity led KU and <a href="https://www.missouriwestern.edu/esports/" target="_blank">Missouri Western State University</a> to announce this semester that they’re creating varsity teams.&nbsp;But
 despite that growth, schools are still figuring out what college 
esports should look like: How big of a budget does a team need? What 
tournaments do you join? How do you practice? Should esports fall under 
the athletics department or student affairs?Even the question of what games to play still confounds colleges.“We
 just don’t know what is the secret sauce,” said Yvette Wohn, an 
assistant professor at the New Jersey Institute of Technology who 
researches esports.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576245763836.jpeg" alt="Dell Computers is donating computers, keyboards and other equipment to KU's esports team.&nbsp;Credit Stephan Bisaha / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Dell Computers is donating computers, keyboards and other equipment to KU's esports team.&nbsp;Credit Stephan Bisaha / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>KU’s esports team falls under the Department of Student Affairs, 
because the athletics department said it wasn’t interested. The team 
doesn’t have an official budget, and Dell Computers donated most of the 
equipment.Still, KU is hoping to borrow the appearance of 
traditional sports, betting that leaning into the history and prestige 
of the Jayhawk name will set it apart from community colleges and 
smaller universities in Kansas and across the nation with already formed
 teams.Schools like <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/are-video-games-sport-hoping-attract-fans-and-students-kansas-colleges-say-yes">Wichita State University</a>
 have already beaten KU to establishing a varsity esports team. But Wohn
 said KU is still ahead of many big four-year public schools.&nbsp;“For any new program, it takes several years to really iron out the kinks,” Wohn said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576245798962.jpeg" alt="The University of Kansas holds a signing day for its inaugural varsity esports team.&nbsp;Credit Stephan Bisaha / Kansas News Service&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>The University of Kansas holds a signing day for its inaugural varsity esports team.&nbsp;Credit Stephan Bisaha / Kansas News Service&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Happy gaming</h2>Like KU’s other sports, the school is investing in esports to three groups happy — alumni, high schoolers and current students.Some research has shown a correlation between <a href="https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2012/07/03/report-finds-alumni-giving-among-other-areas-correlated-football-success" target="_blank">alumni donations and wins on the football field</a>.
 KU’s esports coach, Michelle Compton-Muñoz, said alumni are already 
expressing excitement about getting to cheer on the virtual KU team.“We’ve
 had a lot of alums reach out say that that’s really cool that they get 
to see the official KU name … in the esports world,” Compton-Muñoz said.And enticing high schoolers with the prospect of earning a varsity 
letter by gaming at KU could boost enrollment —an area all Kansas 
universities have been <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/strong-economy-and-costly-tuition-stall-increases-kansas-college-graduates" target="_blank">struggling with over the last decade</a>.&nbsp;“There’s
 a lot of high schoolers who are emailing me and saying they’re really 
interested in coming to play for us and that that could get them to come
 to KU,” Compton-Munoz said.While the idea of varsity esports 
might draw eyerolls off campus, students in KU’s student union have no 
issue with competitive gaming. Even students that don’t consider 
themselves gamers support the idea of a KU team competing with buttons 
instead of helmets.“I’ve grown up in a culture that’s very pro-video games,” KU student Sydney Summers said. “It deserves to be recognized.”Stephan Bisaha reports on education and young adult life for the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/stevebisaha" target="_blank">@SteveBisaha</a>
 or email him at bisaha@kmuw.org. 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.

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