<i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Chamber vice president of membership Rhonda Meyerhoff and vice president of marketing and communication Mariah Legleiter stop by to share information about the relaunched Chamber referral program.</i>

For more about the Post Podcast, including a full list of episodes and episode transcripts click here.

<p><i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Chamber vice president of membership Rhonda Meyerhoff and vice president of marketing and communication Mariah Legleiter stop by to share information about the relaunched Chamber referral program.</i></p><div><iframe title="Hays Chamber restarts referral program" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=ma6d9-12dd1a2-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>For more about the Post Podcast, including a full list of episodes and episode transcripts click here.</p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Hays Chamber restarts referral program

As life continues moving
online, the ongoing threat from bad actors continues to grow in frequency and
insidiousness.

While technology becomes
more ubiquitous, remaining safe often comes down to understanding how scammers
operate and how they collect information that will ultimately be used to damage
or steal from the owner.

Local cybersecurity
expert and owner of TreeTop Security Dallas Haselhorst is set to offer three
free training sessions in Hays in October, which is Cybersecurity Awareness
month.

The events are open to
the public and benefits home and business users.

The first hour-long event
is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Hays Public Library, 1205 Main. Two
other events are scheduled for noon Oct. 12 and 5:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at BriefSpace, 219 W. 10th.

Hays Public Library Communications Coordinator Callie Kolacny said events like this one are important for the community.

"There are so many scams out there that we
thought partnering with TreeTop Security to bring this program to the library
was a great idea,” Kolacny said. “We have patrons who come here to use the
wifi and public computers, so to give them an opportunity to learn more about
how to stay safe online seems like a good fit."

Grow Hays Executive
Director Doug Williams also said cybersecurity is an important topic for many.

“Information systems have become the lifeblood of many
businesses, and protecting those systems is essential to the survival of those
businesses,” Williams said. “Grow Hays is committed to ensuring that local
businesses understand the importance of cybersecurity and the role it plays in
protecting their critical business information.”

The month was designated
as Cybersecurity Awareness Month in 2004 and has grown in importance since.

<b>“T</b>he
Department of Homeland Security is initially who started it,” Haselhorst said. “It
started off as just kind of a U.S.-based thing, and they quickly determined that this
isn't just us, this is the world.”

Back then, he said, the
importance of having a dedicated month to raise cybersecurity awareness seemed of little significance — now, it cannot be overstated.

“At the time, it didn't seem
like that big of a deal,” Haselhorst said. “And now, obviously, it's something
that affects every business, every individual, and if it's not part of your day-to-day,
brace yourself, because it may be coming.”

Key to keeping people safe
from online threats is prevention, and a primary mission in October is to share
information about online dangers and how to avoid them.

“It's a whole month
dedicated to the media and lots of folks like myself, professionals in the
industry, getting together and making sure that everybody is aware of
different topics that could affect them,” Haselhorst said. “From a
cybersecurity standpoint, whether that's ransomware, phishing emails, you name
it, it kind of goes over the full gamut of cybersecurity and making sure that
everybody's aware that it can happen to them.”

Each year a theme is selected
for the month. This year’s theme is See Yourself in Cyber.

“While cybersecurity may seem
like a complex subject, ultimately, it’s really all about people,” according to
the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security
Agency website. “This October will focus on the “people” part of
cybersecurity, providing information and resources to help educate CISA
partners and the public and ensure all individuals and organizations make smart
decisions whether on the job, at home or at school – now and in the future.”

During the month, the CISA will promote
four key actions that can keep people safer online:

Making people aware of
the threat and how to protect themselves is a vital part of stopping threats
before they happen, Haselhorst said and can especially be impactful to small businesses.

<b>“E</b>ducation
and free education on top of that is really your best resource,” he said. “I
can't tell you the number of businesses that we work with where somebody says, ‘Hey,
this looks odd.’ And the reason why they say that that looks really odd is
because they've had training that helps them indicate that there's just
something really off about this email.”

For those that cannot
make the scheduled events, Haselhorst said TreeTop Security works to bring the
presentation to any organization that is interested in protecting their digital
assets.

“Back
in 2019, we had put together some cybersecurity awareness training … and some
associated materials and kind of gave that away for anyone in the world to
really take and take back to their community and their businesses.”

That information has since
been used to protect people and businesses across the world, he said.

“We continue to update
it, every six months, sometimes every year, and release that, in accordance
with Cybersecurity Awareness Month,” Haselhorst said.

Whether attending a
session or learning about cybersecurity through independent research, he said understanding
online threats should be a priority for everyone.

“It is one of the best
things that you can do,” Haselhorst said. “If you say, ‘Well, I don't have $1,000s
to spend on security right now.’ You will after something happens,
unfortunately. But the biggest thing is just get in there, get some education.
It's not gimmicky. We're not pitching anything. It is things that every home
user, every business user, can use in their day-to-day.”

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664478114230.jpg" alt="<i>Image courtesy Pixabay.</i>" />
                        <figcaption><i>Image courtesy Pixabay.</i></figcaption>
                    </figure><p><b>By JAMES BELL</b><br><i>Hays Post</i></p><p>As life continues moving
online, the ongoing threat from bad actors continues to grow in frequency and
insidiousness.</p><p>While technology becomes
more ubiquitous, remaining safe often comes down to understanding how scammers
operate and how they collect information that will ultimately be used to damage
or steal from the owner.</p><p>Local cybersecurity
expert and owner of TreeTop Security Dallas Haselhorst is set to offer three
free training sessions in Hays in October, which is Cybersecurity Awareness
month.</p><div><iframe width="100%" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ApYrJ2SPJ9o" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><p>The events are open to
the public and benefits home and business users.</p><p>The first hour-long event
is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Hays Public Library, 1205 Main. Two
other events are scheduled for noon Oct. 12 and 5:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at BriefSpace, 219 W. 10th.</p><p>Hays Public Library Communications Coordinator Callie Kolacny said events like this one are important for the community.</p><p>"There are so many scams out there that we
thought partnering with TreeTop Security to bring this program to the library
was a great idea,” Kolacny said. “We have patrons who come here to use the
wifi and public computers, so to give them an opportunity to learn more about
how to stay safe online seems like a good fit."</p><p>Grow Hays Executive
Director Doug Williams also said cybersecurity is an important topic for many.</p><p>“Information systems have become the lifeblood of many
businesses, and protecting those systems is essential to the survival of those
businesses,” Williams said. “Grow Hays is committed to ensuring that local
businesses understand the importance of cybersecurity and the role it plays in
protecting their critical business information.”</p><p>The month was designated
as Cybersecurity Awareness Month in 2004 and has grown in importance since.</p><p><b>“T</b>he
Department of Homeland Security is initially who started it,” Haselhorst said. “It
started off as just kind of a U.S.-based thing, and they quickly determined that this
isn't just us, this is the world.”</p><div><iframe title="AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION: Cybersecurity awareness events help locals understand online threats" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=sfuy8-12d8386-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=450" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Back then, he said, the
importance of having a dedicated month to raise cybersecurity awareness seemed of little significance — now, it cannot be overstated.</p><p>“At the time, it didn't seem
like that big of a deal,” Haselhorst said. “And now, obviously, it's something
that affects every business, every individual, and if it's not part of your day-to-day,
brace yourself, because it may be coming.”</p><p>Key to keeping people safe
from online threats is prevention, and a primary mission in October is to share
information about online dangers and how to avoid them.</p><p>“It's a whole month
dedicated to the media and lots of folks like myself, professionals in the
industry, getting together and making sure that everybody is aware of
different topics that could affect them,” Haselhorst said. “From a
cybersecurity standpoint, whether that's ransomware, phishing emails, you name
it, it kind of goes over the full gamut of cybersecurity and making sure that
everybody's aware that it can happen to them.”</p><p>Each year a theme is selected
for the month. This year’s theme is See Yourself in Cyber.</p><p>“While cybersecurity may seem
like a complex subject, ultimately, it’s really all about people,” according to
the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security
Agency website. “This October will focus on the “people” part of
cybersecurity, providing information and resources to help educate CISA
partners and the public and ensure all individuals and organizations make smart
decisions whether on the job, at home or at school – now and in the future.”</p><p>During the month, the CISA will promote
four key actions that can keep people safer online:</p><ul>
                        <li>Enable
     Multi-Factor Authentication</li><li>Use&nbsp;Strong
     Passwords</li><li>Recognize
     and Report Phishing</li><li>Update
     Your Software</li>
                    </ul><p>Making people aware of
the threat and how to protect themselves is a vital part of stopping threats
before they happen, Haselhorst said and can especially be impactful to small businesses.</p><p><b>“E</b>ducation
and free education on top of that is really your best resource,” he said. “I
can't tell you the number of businesses that we work with where somebody says, ‘Hey,
this looks odd.’ And the reason why they say that that looks really odd is
because they've had training that helps them indicate that there's just
something really off about this email.”</p><p>For those that cannot
make the scheduled events, Haselhorst said TreeTop Security works to bring the
presentation to any organization that is interested in protecting their digital
assets.</p><p>“Back
in 2019, we had put together some cybersecurity awareness training … and some
associated materials and kind of gave that away for anyone in the world to
really take and take back to their community and their businesses.”</p><p>That information has since
been used to protect people and businesses across the world, he said.</p><p>“We continue to update
it, every six months, sometimes every year, and release that, in accordance
with Cybersecurity Awareness Month,” Haselhorst said.</p><p>Whether attending a
session or learning about cybersecurity through independent research, he said understanding
online threats should be a priority for everyone.</p><p>“It is one of the best
things that you can do,” Haselhorst said. “If you say, ‘Well, I don't have $1,000s
to spend on security right now.’ You will after something happens,
unfortunately. But the biggest thing is just get in there, get some education.
It's not gimmicky. We're not pitching anything. It is things that every home
user, every business user, can use in their day-to-day.”</p>

🎙 OUNCE OF PREVENTION: Cybersecurity awareness events help decipher online threats

<i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Thomas More Prep-Marian counselor David Zachman stops by to talk about career exploration programs in the Hays Catholic Schools.</i>

<p><i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Thomas More Prep-Marian counselor David Zachman stops by to talk about career exploration programs in the Hays Catholic Schools.</i></p><div><iframe title="TMP-Marian students prepare for future with career exploration programs" allowtransparency="true" height="450" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=xpe4x-12db5ac-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=450" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>For more about the Post Podcast, including a full list of episodes and episode transcripts click here.</p>

🎙 Post Podcast: TMP-Marian students prepare for future with career exploration programs

<i>The Imagine Ellis County Committee continues their work to strengthen area communities, from Grow Hays, Executive Director Doug Williams stops by to share with us the latest on this episode of the Post Podcast.</i>

<p><i>The Imagine Ellis County Committee continues their work to strengthen area communities, from Grow Hays, Executive Director Doug Williams stops by to share with us the latest on this episode of the Post Podcast.</i></p><div><iframe title="Imagine Ellis County Committee continues strengthening area communities" allowtransparency="true" height="450" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=29djh-12d8106-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=450" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>For more about the Post Podcast, including a full list of episodes and episode transcripts click here.</p>

🎙 Post Podcast:  Imagine Ellis County Committee continues strengthening area communities

The 2022 Hays High Homecoming festivities are set to kick
off this week as students and alumni prepare for a weekend of activities
celebrating the school and all those that have been associated with it over the
years.

Inside the school, preparations have already begun as students
will begin spirit week Monday.

“On Monday, we have pick your Future Fairy Tale day,” said Rilee
Schwarz, Hays High School Stuco vice-president. “So you'll dress up as your
favorite college or your dream college. Tuesday is Enchanted by Music Day, and
students will dress up as their favorite music genre. Wednesday is Once Upon a Time,
where you will dress up as your favorite character. Thursday is What Cast Do You
Belong To, where you'll dress up as your class color. And then on Friday, it's Dress
Like Royalty, so everybody will dress up in formal wear.”

The dress-up days will accompany the week’s Enchanted Forest
theme, which will also be reflected in floats in the upcoming Homecoming parade,
said Hannah Eikenberry, Hays High School Stuco president.

“We also have our decorations around the school are all
related to that,” Schwarz said. “And all of our dress-up days are kind of
somewhat tied into that as well. So we kind of try and carry that out
throughout the week.”

While anticipation for the weekend events builds in the
school, alums will have the opportunity to kick off their activities with an in-school
assembly.

“On Friday of homecoming week, we're going to have a Hays
High showcase assembly where all of our alumni come back for an assembly with
students,” Eikenberry said. “And we're going to introduce something new this
year, where we introduce a lot of our clubs and our sports, as well as
introducing the alumni to our students going by class reunion.”

She said the inclusion of the two-surviving member of the class
of 1947 would make this year's assembly especially moving. 

“That's our main thing,” Eikenberry said. “That assembly and
then in the parade, they ride on their class floats. And we have, I think, 12
classes total coming back, maybe 14. And that's going up to 75 years with 1947.”

After the showcase, Schwarz said that alums would gather for
a barbecue at noon. 

Later on, Friday parade participants will line up at 4 p.m. for
a 5 p.m. planned start. Parade applications will be accepted until Monday,
Schwarz said.

With ongoing Oktoberfest festivities planned in Municipal
Park, the parade route will end a few blocks shorter than usual.

“We don't really want traffic up in that area,” Schwarz
said. “So I think we're cutting it off at Eighth Street.”

“Other than that, yeah, it's just a classic Hays parade,”
Eikenberry said. 

This year’s Grand Marshall is Hays Larks head coach Frank
Leo.

Following the parade, the Hays High football team is set to
take the field at 7 p.m. This year, the team will face Dodge City.

“You can just head on over there after the parade,” Schwarz
said. “We're playing Dodge City, who is a part of our conference, so that's a
big game for us.”

Homecoming royalty will be crowned during halftime.

Both Schwarz and Eikenberry are Homecoming Queen candidates,
along with Avery Harmoney, Savannah Lawson and Lily Biggs. King candidates
include Royal Gantt, Karsten Koenke, Remy Stull, Blake Buckles and Tanner Werth.

The student body will make the selections by vote on Thursday.

“There's a little bit of friendly competition, but it's all
in good fun and good taste,” Eikenberry said. “And then also our Hays High Showcase,
where it's usually called the formal assembly, and that's where the candidates
are showcased with their parents and go out and meet, and you learn a little
bit more about the couples.

“That will also be taking place at the end of the assembly,”
she continued. “But we're introducing the club introductions and sports
introductions to that. So, it's just a new name, but the same thing, with a
little added fun.”

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663785306743.jpeg" alt="Hays High Homecoming Royalty Candidates. Front row, from left: Avery Harmoney, Hannah Eikenberry, Savannah Lawson, Lily Biggs and Rilee Schwarz. Back row, from left: Royal Gantt, Karsten Koenke, Remy Stull, Blake Buckles and Tanner Werth." />
                        <figcaption>Hays High Homecoming Royalty Candidates. Front row, from left: Avery Harmoney, Hannah Eikenberry, Savannah Lawson, Lily Biggs and Rilee Schwarz. Back row, from left: Royal Gantt, Karsten Koenke, Remy Stull, Blake Buckles and Tanner Werth.</figcaption>
                    </figure><p><b>By JAMES BELL</b><br><i>Hays Post</i></p><p>The 2022 Hays High Homecoming festivities are set to kick
off this week as students and alumni prepare for a weekend of activities
celebrating the school and all those that have been associated with it over the
years.</p><p>Inside the school, preparations have already begun as students
will begin spirit week Monday.</p><p>“On Monday, we have pick your Future Fairy Tale day,” said Rilee
Schwarz, Hays High School Stuco vice-president. “So you'll dress up as your
favorite college or your dream college. Tuesday is Enchanted by Music Day, and
students will dress up as their favorite music genre. Wednesday is Once Upon a Time,
where you will dress up as your favorite character. Thursday is What Cast Do You
Belong To, where you'll dress up as your class color. And then on Friday, it's Dress
Like Royalty, so everybody will dress up in formal wear.”</p><p>The dress-up days will accompany the week’s Enchanted Forest
theme, which will also be reflected in floats in the upcoming Homecoming parade,
said Hannah Eikenberry, Hays High School Stuco president.</p><div><iframe title="Hays High students, alumni prepare for 2022 Homecoming celebrations" allowtransparency="true" height="450" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=7h6fj-12d8189-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=450" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>“We also have our decorations around the school are all
related to that,” Schwarz said. “And all of our dress-up days are kind of
somewhat tied into that as well. So we kind of try and carry that out
throughout the week.”</p><p>While anticipation for the weekend events builds in the
school, alums will have the opportunity to kick off their activities with an in-school
assembly.</p><p>“On Friday of homecoming week, we're going to have a Hays
High showcase assembly where all of our alumni come back for an assembly with
students,” Eikenberry said. “And we're going to introduce something new this
year, where we introduce a lot of our clubs and our sports, as well as
introducing the alumni to our students going by class reunion.”</p><p>She said the inclusion of the two-surviving member of the class
of 1947 would make this year's assembly especially moving. </p><p>“That's our main thing,” Eikenberry said. “That assembly and
then in the parade, they ride on their class floats. And we have, I think, 12
classes total coming back, maybe 14. And that's going up to 75 years with 1947.”</p><p>After the showcase, Schwarz said that alums would gather for
a barbecue at noon. </p><p>Later on, Friday parade participants will line up at 4 p.m. for
a 5 p.m. planned start. Parade applications will be accepted until Monday,
Schwarz said.</p><p>With ongoing Oktoberfest festivities planned in Municipal
Park, the parade route will end a few blocks shorter than usual.</p><p>“We don't really want traffic up in that area,” Schwarz
said. “So I think we're cutting it off at Eighth Street.”</p><p>“Other than that, yeah, it's just a classic Hays parade,”
Eikenberry said. </p><p>This year’s Grand Marshall is Hays Larks head coach Frank
Leo.</p><p>Following the parade, the Hays High football team is set to
take the field at 7 p.m. This year, the team will face Dodge City.</p><p>“You can just head on over there after the parade,” Schwarz
said. “We're playing Dodge City, who is a part of our conference, so that's a
big game for us.”</p><p>Homecoming royalty will be crowned during halftime.</p><p>Both Schwarz and Eikenberry are Homecoming Queen candidates,
along with Avery Harmoney, Savannah Lawson and Lily Biggs. King candidates
include Royal Gantt, Karsten Koenke, Remy Stull, Blake Buckles and Tanner Werth.</p><p>The student body will make the selections by vote on Thursday.</p><p>“There's a little bit of friendly competition, but it's all
in good fun and good taste,” Eikenberry said. “And then also our Hays High Showcase,
where it's usually called the formal assembly, and that's where the candidates
are showcased with their parents and go out and meet, and you learn a little
bit more about the couples.</p><p>“That will also be taking place at the end of the assembly,”
she continued. “But we're introducing the club introductions and sports
introductions to that. So, it's just a new name, but the same thing, with a
little added fun.”</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594578984890.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure>

🎙 Hays High students, alumni prepare for 2022 Homecoming celebrations

<div><iframe title="KS-111th District election debate set for Oct. 12" allowtransparency="true" height="450" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=x3q3b-12d3fd2-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=450" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>For more about the Post Podcast, including a full list of episodes and episode transcripts click here.</p>

🎙 Post Podcast: KS-111th District election debate set for Oct. 12

<i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Ellis County Health Department director and public health officer Kim Reel stops by to share details of ongoing renovations.</i>

<p><i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Ellis County Health Department director and public health officer Kim Reel stops by to share details of ongoing renovations.</i></p><div><iframe title="Facility improvements underway at Ellis County Health Department" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=mpd52-12d0972-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>For more about the Post Podcast, including a full list of episodes and episode transcripts click here.</p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Facility improvements underway at Ellis County Health Department

This November, Kansas voters will decide if the constitution
should be amended to ensure sheriffs are elected to their positions. 

If passed, little would change for residents of 104 out of
105 Kansas counties, but two western Kansas sheriffs believe the move will
ensure citizens retain an important say in their area law enforcement.

“It's just a matter of just preserving people's rights to
vote,” said Graham County Sheriff Cole Presley. “It doesn't give us any more
authority, it doesn't give us any more power, the statutes are still statutes,
and what laws we enforce are still subject to the legislature. So, we don't gain
anything other than knowing we always have an office. “

“One of the unique things about the Sheriff, we are elected
by the people,” said Ellis County Sheriff Scott Braun. “We answer to the people,
to the public. Where if you're an appointed position … they answer to either a
board or to maybe a city manager or something like that.”

He said that public accountability allows voters to decide
if county law enforcement is serving the public interest.

“Every four years are people within Ellis County, and in
Graham County, if they don't like you as the Sheriff, they have an opportunity
to vote you out of there. And this constitutional bill will ensure that there's
always an elected position of Sheriff within your county,” Braun said.

“We believe that the sheriff, the head elected law
enforcement officials, should remain elected and should remain chosen by the
people within the county,” Presley said. “By moving this from statute to the
Constitution, it keeps the people's right to vote.”

Only Riley County does not currently elect a sheriff after consolidating
the city and government law enforcement into one unit in 1974. The proposed
amendment would not force the county to change the current system in place, but
if it is decided in the future that a sheriff is again to be elected, the
county would then be required to maintain that office.

Along with ensuring the office of sheriff remains and who
holds that office remains the decision of the electorate, it would change how a
Sheriff is removed from office.

“One of the changes that is within this is going to be the ouster
process,” Braun said.

Currently, a County Attorney or the Kansas Attorney General can bring action to remove a sheriff. The amendment would allow
the process to be undertaken by only the Attorney General or the voters.

“There have been some county attorneys that have sought that
to remove a sheriff, maybe not for the right reasons. Maybe for the
right reasons, but we believe that it may be better handled by the Attorney
General's office who has a non-biased party that reviews all the facts of the
case, so on that particular Sheriff, and then they could pursue the ouster
process,” Braun said.

Presley said he believes keeping an ouster process in place
is another important right of the people.

“It falls right in line with the whole concept of what we're
doing and preserving the people's right to choose and empower their own leaders,”
Presley said. “Recall is a big a big part of that and a sacred part of that, as
far as we're concerned, it just needs to be done at the appropriate levels. And
whether that be through recall or ouster, that's above peer-to-peer. That's our
position on that.”

The measure was brought forward by the Kansas Sheriff’s
Association and saw widespread support from the Republican-led Kansas legislature,
brought to the ballot by a House vote in favor of putting the amendment on the
ballot via a 91-31 vote and the Senate in a 39-1 vote.

“The Kansas Sheriff’s Association has put this forward, and
we had a lot of conversation was legislators who were able to get it put onto
the bill, and it was voted on,” Braun said. “And they agreed with us to move
forward and let it up to the people to vote on that.”

Across the U.S., the various law enforcement structures and
procedures vary, but most have the sheriff's office codified within their constitutions.

“That varies from terms of office to what their authorities
are to what their primary roles are,” Presley said. “As an example ... I believe it's the state of Maryland, the sheriff doesn't
have powers of arrest, he only operates the jail, and as an officer of the
court, it falls to police departments and state police to carry out those
functions. And in other states, the sheriff is the end all be all, and there
isn't any other authority that exists there. So, it's different from one state
to the next.”

“But the one thing that's consistent in most of those states
is the local voting populace has always had a say in who that leader is,” he
continued. “That’s the biggest connecting piece to all of them.”

“Out of all of the states, there are only 15 that are not
within the constitution,” Braun said. “So, it's not like we're going out and in
trying to create something new. It has been that way.”

As the effort to amend the constitution continues, the
measure has seen some opposition that believes the way law enforcement is structured
within a county should be a local decision.

Rep. Sydney Carlin, D-Manhattan, told the Kansas Reflector in
April she was uneasy with placing ouster authority in the hands of the Attorney
General rather than local prosecutors.

“This is a really big change to our governing system,” she
said.

Rep. Stephanie Clayton, D-Overland Park, also told the Reflector
“local control” better reflected the will of the voters.

But many opinions for or against are seen as stemming from
conversations in Johnson County as often-controversial Sheriff Calvin Hayden has
promoted election fraud claims. His actions have been a part of local conversations
to eliminate the position.

“I don’t generally support the entire state imposing their
will on Johnson County,” Clayton said.

Financial savings has also historically been a part of the
effort to consolidate law enforcement and eliminate the position.

“The interesting thing about Johnson County was they
actually did remove three elected positions there,” Braun said. ”That was the County
Clerk, the County Treasurer and Register of Deeds. They opted to keep the
sheriff.”

But Braun and Presley believe it would only be a matter of
time before the sheriff’s office was removed as well. 

“We just see that as weakening the sheriff's office,” Presley
said. “County government is not built to operate like a municipality, we're
just not. And your elected leaders need that ability to make decisions and act
decisively on a regular basis at any point in time without having to run
something up the flagpole. It's just the way county government structure.”

“At least the western part of the state of Kansas, they want
to voice,” Braun said. “Johnson County's got a lot of voices, I'm pretty sure
there's a lot of people there. But I think everyone in Ellis County and Graham
and Rooks and Rush, they want a voice in (who) they want to elect their sheriff.” 

“We believe seeing this momentum moving on the eastern side
of the state to try to change how government is structured is an indicator to
us that slowly that trickles west as much as we might all not like what happens
in Johnson County, eventually, it touches all of us out here in western Kansas,”
Presley said. And so at some point, without this amendment, that's going to
change in eastern Kansas, and that will slowly trickle this way into if we can
put that put a barrier in place now. That keeps people's right to elect their
sheriff in place. And then this is one less thing we have to worry about.”

Along with the arguments for how county’s structure law
enforcement, financial concerns have been often cited as a reason to consolidate,
but Braun said it might do more harm than good in the long run.

“The problem with that is you kind of lose that hierarchy,”
he said. “So, if the, I'm just going to use the city of Hays, for example, the
police department here, if they have an issue, a conflict within investigating
a particular case, which does happen at times, then they can contact the
sheriff's office, and the sheriff's office can investigate that.”

“And then if the sheriff has one, they go to the KBI. If the
KBI has one, they may bring in the FBI, depending upon the case," he continued. "And so, these structures have been done in order to ensure that justice and the
cases are being worked properly.”

And the top law enforcement officer in Kansas, Attorney
General Derek Schmidt, a Republican, has offered support for the amendment.

“The office of sheriff has deep historical roots, and the
longstanding practice of election rather than appointment makes sheriffs
uniquely accountable to the people,” Schmidt said following the legislative approval
that moved the issue to November’s ballot. “I commend the large bipartisan
majorities in the Legislature for giving Kansas voters the opportunity to
enshrine the elected office of&nbsp;sheriff in our state constitution, and I
look forward to supporting and campaigning for this amendment this fall.”

As political wrangling continues prior to the November 8
election, both area Sheriff’s hope the will of the people is reflected.

“If the right to choose your elected leadership is something
that's important to you whether your daily life is impacted or not, this is an
amendment that needs to be supported.” Presley said. &nbsp;“If most of us most days don't get up and
worry about what it is our local governments are doing, and I would argue the
reason for that is we've taken the time to choose who we want there, and put someone in place that we trust to conduct that business in a manner
that says we don't have to worry about it, I pay my taxes, you do your job,
leave me alone. That works great, especially out here in a rural area. But when
that doesn't happen, when that trust is gone, and that trust is eroded, if you
no longer have the ability to make that change, just simply because the state
legislature wanted to do something different. You're kind of screwed.”

“We encourage everyone to vote and to vote any way you want,”
Braun said.” But we're asking for your support to secure your voice for your Sheriff.”

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646335925302.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p><b>By JAMES BELL</b><br><i>Hays Post</i></p><p>This November, Kansas voters will decide if the constitution
should be amended to ensure sheriffs are elected to their positions. </p><p>If passed, little would change for residents of 104 out of
105 Kansas counties, but two western Kansas sheriffs believe the move will
ensure citizens retain an important say in their area law enforcement.</p><p>“It's just a matter of just preserving people's rights to
vote,” said Graham County Sheriff Cole Presley. “It doesn't give us any more
authority, it doesn't give us any more power, the statutes are still statutes,
and what laws we enforce are still subject to the legislature. So, we don't gain
anything other than knowing we always have an office. “</p><p>“One of the unique things about the Sheriff, we are elected
by the people,” said Ellis County Sheriff Scott Braun. “We answer to the people,
to the public. Where if you're an appointed position … they answer to either a
board or to maybe a city manager or something like that.”</p><p>He said that public accountability allows voters to decide
if county law enforcement is serving the public interest.</p><p>“Every four years are people within Ellis County, and in
Graham County, if they don't like you as the Sheriff, they have an opportunity
to vote you out of there. And this constitutional bill will ensure that there's
always an elected position of Sheriff within your county,” Braun said.</p><div><iframe title="NW Kan. Sheriff’s explain constitutional amendment that would ensure the continued election of Sheriff’s" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=fzzte-12cab28-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>“We believe that the sheriff, the head elected law
enforcement officials, should remain elected and should remain chosen by the
people within the county,” Presley said. “By moving this from statute to the
Constitution, it keeps the people's right to vote.”</p><p>Only Riley County does not currently elect a sheriff after consolidating
the city and government law enforcement into one unit in 1974. The proposed
amendment would not force the county to change the current system in place, but
if it is decided in the future that a sheriff is again to be elected, the
county would then be required to maintain that office.</p><p>Along with ensuring the office of sheriff remains and who
holds that office remains the decision of the electorate, it would change how a
Sheriff is removed from office.</p><p>“One of the changes that is within this is going to be the ouster
process,” Braun said.</p><p>Currently, a County Attorney or the Kansas Attorney General can bring action to remove a sheriff. The amendment would allow
the process to be undertaken by only the Attorney General or the voters.</p><p>“There have been some county attorneys that have sought that
to remove a sheriff, maybe not for the right reasons. Maybe for the
right reasons, but we believe that it may be better handled by the Attorney
General's office who has a non-biased party that reviews all the facts of the
case, so on that particular Sheriff, and then they could pursue the ouster
process,” Braun said.</p><p>Presley said he believes keeping an ouster process in place
is another important right of the people.</p><p>“It falls right in line with the whole concept of what we're
doing and preserving the people's right to choose and empower their own leaders,”
Presley said. “Recall is a big a big part of that and a sacred part of that, as
far as we're concerned, it just needs to be done at the appropriate levels. And
whether that be through recall or ouster, that's above peer-to-peer. That's our
position on that.”</p><p>The measure was brought forward by the Kansas Sheriff’s
Association and saw widespread support from the Republican-led Kansas legislature,
brought to the ballot by a House vote in favor of putting the amendment on the
ballot via a 91-31 vote and the Senate in a 39-1 vote.</p><p>“The Kansas Sheriff’s Association has put this forward, and
we had a lot of conversation was legislators who were able to get it put onto
the bill, and it was voted on,” Braun said. “And they agreed with us to move
forward and let it up to the people to vote on that.”</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642037189770.jpeg" alt="Ellis County Sheriff Scott Braun. File photo" />
                        <figcaption>Ellis County Sheriff Scott Braun. File photo</figcaption>
                    </figure><h2>The standard</h2><p>Across the U.S., the various law enforcement structures and
procedures vary, but most have the sheriff's office codified within their constitutions.</p><p>“That varies from terms of office to what their authorities
are to what their primary roles are,” Presley said. “As an example ... I believe it's the state of Maryland, the sheriff doesn't
have powers of arrest, he only operates the jail, and as an officer of the
court, it falls to police departments and state police to carry out those
functions. And in other states, the sheriff is the end all be all, and there
isn't any other authority that exists there. So, it's different from one state
to the next.”</p><p>“But the one thing that's consistent in most of those states
is the local voting populace has always had a say in who that leader is,” he
continued. “That’s the biggest connecting piece to all of them.”</p><p>“Out of all of the states, there are only 15 that are not
within the constitution,” Braun said. “So, it's not like we're going out and in
trying to create something new. It has been that way.”</p><h2>For or against</h2><p>As the effort to amend the constitution continues, the
measure has seen some opposition that believes the way law enforcement is structured
within a county should be a local decision.</p><p>Rep. Sydney Carlin, D-Manhattan, told the Kansas Reflector in
April she was uneasy with placing ouster authority in the hands of the Attorney
General rather than local prosecutors.</p><p>“This is a really big change to our governing system,” she
said.</p><p>Rep. Stephanie Clayton, D-Overland Park, also told the Reflector
“local control” better reflected the will of the voters.</p><p>But many opinions for or against are seen as stemming from
conversations in Johnson County as often-controversial Sheriff Calvin Hayden has
promoted election fraud claims. His actions have been a part of local conversations
to eliminate the position.</p><p>“I don’t generally support the entire state imposing their
will on Johnson County,” Clayton said.</p><p>Financial savings has also historically been a part of the
effort to consolidate law enforcement and eliminate the position.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663697239045.png" alt="Graham County Sheriff Cole Presley. Photo courtesy Graham County." />
                        <figcaption>Graham County Sheriff Cole Presley. Photo courtesy Graham County.</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>“The interesting thing about Johnson County was they
actually did remove three elected positions there,” Braun said. ”That was the County
Clerk, the County Treasurer and Register of Deeds. They opted to keep the
sheriff.”</p><p>But Braun and Presley believe it would only be a matter of
time before the sheriff’s office was removed as well. </p><p>“We just see that as weakening the sheriff's office,” Presley
said. “County government is not built to operate like a municipality, we're
just not. And your elected leaders need that ability to make decisions and act
decisively on a regular basis at any point in time without having to run
something up the flagpole. It's just the way county government structure.”</p><p>“At least the western part of the state of Kansas, they want
to voice,” Braun said. “Johnson County's got a lot of voices, I'm pretty sure
there's a lot of people there. But I think everyone in Ellis County and Graham
and Rooks and Rush, they want a voice in (who) they want to elect their sheriff.” </p><p>“We believe seeing this momentum moving on the eastern side
of the state to try to change how government is structured is an indicator to
us that slowly that trickles west as much as we might all not like what happens
in Johnson County, eventually, it touches all of us out here in western Kansas,”
Presley said. And so at some point, without this amendment, that's going to
change in eastern Kansas, and that will slowly trickle this way into if we can
put that put a barrier in place now. That keeps people's right to elect their
sheriff in place. And then this is one less thing we have to worry about.”</p><p>Along with the arguments for how county’s structure law
enforcement, financial concerns have been often cited as a reason to consolidate,
but Braun said it might do more harm than good in the long run.</p><p>“The problem with that is you kind of lose that hierarchy,”
he said. “So, if the, I'm just going to use the city of Hays, for example, the
police department here, if they have an issue, a conflict within investigating
a particular case, which does happen at times, then they can contact the
sheriff's office, and the sheriff's office can investigate that.”</p><p>“And then if the sheriff has one, they go to the KBI. If the
KBI has one, they may bring in the FBI, depending upon the case," he continued. "And so, these structures have been done in order to ensure that justice and the
cases are being worked properly.”</p><p>And the top law enforcement officer in Kansas, Attorney
General Derek Schmidt, a Republican, has offered support for the amendment.</p><p>“The office of sheriff has deep historical roots, and the
longstanding practice of election rather than appointment makes sheriffs
uniquely accountable to the people,” Schmidt said following the legislative approval
that moved the issue to November’s ballot. “I commend the large bipartisan
majorities in the Legislature for giving Kansas voters the opportunity to
enshrine the elected office of&nbsp;sheriff in our state constitution, and I
look forward to supporting and campaigning for this amendment this fall.”</p><p>As political wrangling continues prior to the November 8
election, both area Sheriff’s hope the will of the people is reflected.</p><p>“If the right to choose your elected leadership is something
that's important to you whether your daily life is impacted or not, this is an
amendment that needs to be supported.” Presley said. &nbsp;“If most of us most days don't get up and
worry about what it is our local governments are doing, and I would argue the
reason for that is we've taken the time to choose who we want there, and put someone in place that we trust to conduct that business in a manner
that says we don't have to worry about it, I pay my taxes, you do your job,
leave me alone. That works great, especially out here in a rural area. But when
that doesn't happen, when that trust is gone, and that trust is eroded, if you
no longer have the ability to make that change, just simply because the state
legislature wanted to do something different. You're kind of screwed.”</p><p>“We encourage everyone to vote and to vote any way you want,”
Braun said.” But we're asking for your support to secure your voice for your Sheriff.”</p>

🎙 Kan. voters to decide on constitutional amendment electing sheriffs in November

<i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Arts Council executive director Brenda Meder stops by to share the latest from the council.</i>

<p><i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Arts Council executive director Brenda Meder stops by to share the latest from the council.</i></p><div><iframe title="Hays Arts Council prepares next exhibitions" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=gd98a-12cfd14-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

🎙 Post Podcast: Hays Arts Council prepares next exhibitions

<i>On this episode of the Post Podcast, Fort Hays State University president Tisa Mason and chief communications officer Scott Cason share details of the upcoming FHSU Media Tour.</i><br>

<p><i>On this episode of the Post Podcast, Fort Hays State University president Tisa Mason and chief communications officer Scott Cason share details of the upcoming FHSU Media Tour.</i><br></p><div><iframe title="FHSU Media Tour shares university story across region" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=k2wmx-12cf159-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>For more about the Post Podcast, including a full list of episodes and episode transcripts click here.</p>

🎙 Post Podcast: FHSU Media Tour shares university story across region

<i>On this episode of the Post Podcast USD 489's Early Childhood Connections child development specialist Michelle Dannels shares information about the Go Truck Go event.</i>

<p><i>On this episode of the Post Podcast USD 489's Early Childhood Connections child development specialist Michelle Dannels shares information about the Go Truck Go event.</i></p><div><iframe title="Go Truck Go set for Thursday" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=fzrrs-12cd270-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>For more about the Post Podcast, including a full list of episodes and episode transcripts click here.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663790965594.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure>

🎙 Post Podcast: Go Truck Go set for Thursday

<i>Planning is underway for the Hays Chamber's next awards banquet vice president of membership. Rhonda Meyerhoff and Vice President of Marketing and Communications Mariah Legleiter stop by to share all the details on this episode of the Post Podcast.</i>

<p><i>Planning is underway for the Hays Chamber's next awards banquet vice president of membership. Rhonda Meyerhoff and Vice President of Marketing and Communications Mariah Legleiter stop by to share all the details on this episode of the Post Podcast.</i></p><div><iframe title="Planning underway for annual Chamber award banquet" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=dycz6-12cc308-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>For more about the Post Podcast, including a full list of episodes and episode transcripts click here.</p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Planning underway for annual Chamber award banquet

<i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Thomas More Prep-Marian Alumni Director Wanda Billinger shares details of this year's Homecoming festivities.</i>

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🎙 Post Podcast: Thomas More Prep-Marian readies for Homecoming festivities

<i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Cottonwood Extension District agent Monique Koerner stops by to share updates from the district.</i>

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🎙 Post Podcast: Cottonwood Extension District welcomes newest agent

<i>The Fort Hays State University Neuromuscular Wellness Center has a new person in charge. Luke Kriley stops by to tell us about himself and a little bit about the Center on this episode of the Post Podcast.</i>

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🎙 Post Podcast: FHSU Neuromuscular center helps keep community moving

Next month, over 100 craft vendors will fill Gross Memorial
Coliseum on the Fort Hays State University campus, allowing residents to view
and purchase various homemade items from across the region.

The Your Voice Through Cancer craft fair is scheduled from 9
a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 1. The event is free and open to the public and will feature
vendors young and old from across the Midwest.

“It is all handmade crafts. There are no direct sales,” said
Your Voice Through Cancer event coordinator Amanda Long. “We actually have
three kid booths this year, so kids are also attending to sell their crafts and
then three food vendors will have two food trucks outside and a food caterer
inside.”

For the event, vendors will travel from far and wide.

“They're from all over the place,” said Your Voice Through
Cancer event coordinator Kate Armstrong. “We've got vendors from all over
Kansas. I think we have one from Colorado and one from Nebraska. And I think
one from Oklahoma. We're kind of pulling from all over the place.”

Over 100 vendors will attend this year’s event marking a
significant increase from last year’s event, with 67 vendors.

“We're up quite a bit from that,” Long said. “We did move to
a new location to accommodate more vendors just for that reason. We want to
make a great show for Hays and surrounding communities to come and do some
early Christmas shopping and see what local artists have to offer.”

Thanks to the growing number of vendors, this year’s event
will also feature a more extensive variety of items than ever before.

“We have everything from pour painting, wood crafts,
quilting, horseshoe art and candles,” Long said. 

“Tumblers, T-shirts, little
knickknacks," Armstrong added.

“Just about anything that you can imagine, you're going to find
it at our craft fair,” Long said.

While this year’s craft fair will mark the first appearance
for many vendors, Stegman said some had made it an annual tradition since the
first event in 2014.

“Some of the vendors that we have are regulars,” she said. “It's
nice that we have repeats, but we've picked up a lot of new ones because we
went up 40 vendors from last year. “Anything you can think, that is going to
probably be at this fair. It's amazing to see what they can do.”

Along with the craft, fair food vendors will be on site.

“Our indoor caterer is going to have breakfast served,” Long
said. “You can come for breakfast and lunch with all three vendors. So yeah,
come spend the whole day with us if you want.”

With the over 100 vendors, the coliseum will be nearly full
on both the upper and lower level with booths, but a few spots remain.

“If it is something that you are interested in, make sure
you get that in as soon as possible,” Armstrong said. “Once we're full, we'll have
to start a waiting list at that point because they're just there's just no more
room at that point.”

While the craft fair will bring out scores of people searching
for one-of-a-kind items, behind the event is an effort to bring support to
those dealing with one of the most traumatic medical diagnosis people face —
cancer.

“The craft fair came about as we were trying to figure out a
way to do fundraisers, and we got to thinking that there isn't really a craft
fair round here that is just crafts,” said Judy Stegman, Your Voice Through
Cancer co-founder and president.

And the annual event has grown substantially since beginning
in 2014.

“We started out in the basement of a church with 14 vendors,”
Stegman said. “We've grown quite a bit. We're very popular with this because it
is nothing but handmade crafts.”

But most importantly, she said it is an easy way for every
to get involved and help the organization’s mission.

“We have survivors that come up and talk to us, families
that come up and talk to us and see what we can do,” Stegman said. “It's just a
great way to get the public involved.”

As an organization, Your Voice Through Cancer works to raise
funds for those afflicted and their loved ones.

“We want to make sure everybody that needs treatment gets
treatment,” Stegman said. “And cancer is expensive. It's very expensive between
them. We have a lot of patients that go to Kansas City, they need money for
gas, or they need money for a motel. And we're just here to help out as much as
we can.”

For those without medical insurance or a support system, she
said it could be even more challenging to cope, and the organization does everything
possible to help.

“One of the things that I do once in a while is go and sit
through chemo with them,” Stegman said. “A lot of people have to be dropped off,
and they have to do it. And you know, your first time for chemo, you don't know
how you're going to react. And it's scary being in that room with just nurses
and doctors. So I'll go and sit with him and explain to him how it goes and
explain to the family, you know, how it's going to go and what support is for
and you know, the different things through the chemo and stuff.”

“Alongside of the cancer support, we also offer family
support,” Long said. “It's definitely very hard for the family too. So we want
to be there for the family to support them and walk them through the situation
as well.”

“As a person whose mother-in-law just went through that. I
myself needed support to make it through that,” Armstrong said. “It's difficult
for everybody. Cancer affects all of us in some way, shape, or form. So we're
just trying to be there to be the support when you may not have it.”

“If somebody calls me and they want to meet with me, I'll
sit down and talk to you,” Stegman said. “I am a cancer survivor, so I know
what it's like to have to go through cancer. …We're just mainly here to help
out as many cancer patients as we can.”

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663264314043.png" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p><b>By JAMES BELL</b><br><i>Hays Post</i></p><p>Next month, over 100 craft vendors will fill Gross Memorial
Coliseum on the Fort Hays State University campus, allowing residents to view
and purchase various homemade items from across the region.</p><p>The Your Voice Through Cancer craft fair is scheduled from 9
a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 1. The event is free and open to the public and will feature
vendors young and old from across the Midwest.</p><p>“It is all handmade crafts. There are no direct sales,” said
Your Voice Through Cancer event coordinator Amanda Long. “We actually have
three kid booths this year, so kids are also attending to sell their crafts and
then three food vendors will have two food trucks outside and a food caterer
inside.”</p><p>For the event, vendors will travel from far and wide.</p><div><iframe title="Upcoming craft fair supports cancer non-profit" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=d69wn-12c642c-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>“They're from all over the place,” said Your Voice Through
Cancer event coordinator Kate Armstrong. “We've got vendors from all over
Kansas. I think we have one from Colorado and one from Nebraska. And I think
one from Oklahoma. We're kind of pulling from all over the place.”</p><p>Over 100 vendors will attend this year’s event marking a
significant increase from last year’s event, with 67 vendors.</p><p>“We're up quite a bit from that,” Long said. “We did move to
a new location to accommodate more vendors just for that reason. We want to
make a great show for Hays and surrounding communities to come and do some
early Christmas shopping and see what local artists have to offer.”</p><p>Thanks to the growing number of vendors, this year’s event
will also feature a more extensive variety of items than ever before.</p><p>“We have everything from pour painting, wood crafts,
quilting, horseshoe art and candles,” Long said. </p><p>“Tumblers, T-shirts, little
knickknacks," Armstrong added.</p><p>“Just about anything that you can imagine, you're going to find
it at our craft fair,” Long said.</p><p>While this year’s craft fair will mark the first appearance
for many vendors, Stegman said some had made it an annual tradition since the
first event in 2014.</p><p>“Some of the vendors that we have are regulars,” she said. “It's
nice that we have repeats, but we've picked up a lot of new ones because we
went up 40 vendors from last year. “Anything you can think, that is going to
probably be at this fair. It's amazing to see what they can do.”</p><p>Along with the craft, fair food vendors will be on site.</p><p>“Our indoor caterer is going to have breakfast served,” Long
said. “You can come for breakfast and lunch with all three vendors. So yeah,
come spend the whole day with us if you want.”</p><p>With the over 100 vendors, the coliseum will be nearly full
on both the upper and lower level with booths, but a few spots remain.</p><p>“If it is something that you are interested in, make sure
you get that in as soon as possible,” Armstrong said. “Once we're full, we'll have
to start a waiting list at that point because they're just there's just no more
room at that point.”</p><p>While the craft fair will bring out scores of people searching
for one-of-a-kind items, behind the event is an effort to bring support to
those dealing with one of the most traumatic medical diagnosis people face —
cancer.</p><p>“The craft fair came about as we were trying to figure out a
way to do fundraisers, and we got to thinking that there isn't really a craft
fair round here that is just crafts,” said Judy Stegman, Your Voice Through
Cancer co-founder and president.</p><p>And the annual event has grown substantially since beginning
in 2014.</p><p>“We started out in the basement of a church with 14 vendors,”
Stegman said. “We've grown quite a bit. We're very popular with this because it
is nothing but handmade crafts.”</p><p>But most importantly, she said it is an easy way for every
to get involved and help the organization’s mission.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663264232416.jpg" alt="Photo courtesy Pixabay" />
                        <figcaption>Photo courtesy Pixabay</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>“We have survivors that come up and talk to us, families
that come up and talk to us and see what we can do,” Stegman said. “It's just a
great way to get the public involved.”</p><p>As an organization, Your Voice Through Cancer works to raise
funds for those afflicted and their loved ones.</p><p>“We want to make sure everybody that needs treatment gets
treatment,” Stegman said. “And cancer is expensive. It's very expensive between
them. We have a lot of patients that go to Kansas City, they need money for
gas, or they need money for a motel. And we're just here to help out as much as
we can.”</p><p>For those without medical insurance or a support system, she
said it could be even more challenging to cope, and the organization does everything
possible to help.</p><p>“One of the things that I do once in a while is go and sit
through chemo with them,” Stegman said. “A lot of people have to be dropped off,
and they have to do it. And you know, your first time for chemo, you don't know
how you're going to react. And it's scary being in that room with just nurses
and doctors. So I'll go and sit with him and explain to him how it goes and
explain to the family, you know, how it's going to go and what support is for
and you know, the different things through the chemo and stuff.”</p><p>“Alongside of the cancer support, we also offer family
support,” Long said. “It's definitely very hard for the family too. So we want
to be there for the family to support them and walk them through the situation
as well.”</p><p>“As a person whose mother-in-law just went through that. I
myself needed support to make it through that,” Armstrong said. “It's difficult
for everybody. Cancer affects all of us in some way, shape, or form. So we're
just trying to be there to be the support when you may not have it.”</p><p>“If somebody calls me and they want to meet with me, I'll
sit down and talk to you,” Stegman said. “I am a cancer survivor, so I know
what it's like to have to go through cancer. …We're just mainly here to help
out as many cancer patients as we can.”</p>

🎙 Upcoming craft fair supports Ellis Co. cancer nonprofit

<i>On this episode of the Post Podcast, Hays Chief of Police Don Schiebler shares back-to-school safety tips.</i>

<p><i>On this episode of the Post Podcast, Hays Chief of Police Don Schiebler shares back-to-school safety tips.</i></p><div><iframe title="HPD Chief shares back-to-school safety tips" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=rubmp-12c6521-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>For more about the Post Podcast, including a full list of episodes and episode transcripts click here.</p>

🎙 Post Podcast: HPD Chief shares back-to-school safety tips

<i>Students at Hays High have hit the ground running for the academic year principal Shawn Henderson stops by to give us an update on this episode of the Post Podcast.</i>

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🎙 Post Podcast: School year well underway at Hays High

<i>On this episode of the Post Podcast, Hays Chamber president and CEO Sarah Wasinger discusses how the Chamber works to serve area businesses.</i>

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🎙 Post Podcast: Hays Chamber continues work to serve area businesses

<i>School year programming is underway at the Hays Public Library as they continue to develop their technological resources. Communications Coordinator, Callie Kolacny stops by to share the details on this episode of the Post Podcast.</i>

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🎙 Post Podcast: School year programing underway at the Hays Public Library

<i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Fort Hays State University Alumni Association engagement strategist Carolyn Tatro shares FHSU Homecoming 2022 details.</i>&nbsp;

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🎙 Post Podcast: FHSU Alumni Association prepares for 2022 Homecoming

<i>On this episode of the Post Podcast USD 489 assistant superintendent Shanna Dinkel shares updates from the district.</i>

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🎙 Post Podcast: As USD 489 accreditation process continues, district strengthens trade and tech programs

<i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Center for Life Experiences executive director Darian Schlegel shares updates from the center.</i>

<a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">For more about the Post Podcast, including a full list of episodes and episode transcripts click here.</a>

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🎙 Post Podcast: New director, services at Center for Life Experiences

<i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Sunflower Senior Solutions owner, Courtney Dale shares information about the upcoming Medicare enrollment window.</i>

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🎙 Post Podcast: Medicare enrollment window approaching

ELLIS — On Thursday, voters will head to the polls to decide
on a $4.55 million bond issue that would be used for improvements at the Ellis
Jr./Senior High School and Washington Elementary.

The vote will mark the third bond attempt since successfully
passing a $1.9 million bond in 1974.

A $10 million proposal was voted down in 2013. A $9 million
proposal was voted down a year later. 

Organizers say now is the time to pass a bond issue and are
using lessons from previous attempts in hopes of wider community support.

The bond would be used to make significant renovations and system
replacements in the schools and is needed after decades of relying on the
district’s capital outlay budget for facility updates for decades, according to&nbsp;Care 4 Kids committee treasurer and former member of the USD 388 Board of Education, Mike Keller.

He said that much of that budget was used to pay
debt acquired years ago to replace the HVAC system in Ellis High.

“It hamstrung us on our capital outlay. It basically took
half of the money available,” Keller said. “So it was really hard to keep up
with maintenance with making that big payment.”

While he said the facilities had been maintained as well as possible, the
lack of funding and years of use have taken a toll.

“We've done a fantastic job of maintaining that facility,”
Keller said of the High School. “When you walk in there, and you see our gym,
or our lobby or our classrooms, they do look nice. Our staff is to be commended
for keeping that facility in top-notch condition.

“But that doesn't mean there aren't needs,” he continued.

Among the projects planned if the bond is successful are a
complete renovation of the High School science labs, as well as exterior door replacement,
a partial roof replacement and the addition of a secure entry.

Washington Elementary would also see a complete HVAC
replacement, electrical system upgrades, interior improvements and a partial
roof replacement.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e1e18c07d7daa72b30eae49">The planned repairs were decided upon during a process that
included a Fort Hays State University Docking Institute survey that outlined
the amount the community would support in a bond issue.</a>

Keller said they worked to keep the proposal within that
amount.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582917685536.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p><b>By JAMES BELL</b><br><i>Hays Post</i></p><p>ELLIS — On Thursday, voters will head to the polls to decide
on a $4.55 million bond issue that would be used for improvements at the Ellis
Jr./Senior High School and Washington Elementary.</p><p>The vote will mark the third bond attempt since successfully
passing a $1.9 million bond in 1974.</p><p>A $10 million proposal was voted down in 2013. A $9 million
proposal was voted down a year later. </p><div><iframe title="Voters head to polls this week for Ellis USD 388 Bond election" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=kfqa3-12b3ef3-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Organizers say now is the time to pass a bond issue and are
using lessons from previous attempts in hopes of wider community support.</p><p>The bond would be used to make significant renovations and system
replacements in the schools and is needed after decades of relying on the
district’s capital outlay budget for facility updates for decades, according to&nbsp;Care 4 Kids committee treasurer and former member of the USD 388 Board of Education, Mike Keller.</p><p>He said that much of that budget was used to pay
debt acquired years ago to replace the HVAC system in Ellis High.</p><p>“It hamstrung us on our capital outlay. It basically took
half of the money available,” Keller said. “So it was really hard to keep up
with maintenance with making that big payment.”</p><p>While he said the facilities had been maintained as well as possible, the
lack of funding and years of use have taken a toll.</p><p>“We've done a fantastic job of maintaining that facility,”
Keller said of the High School. “When you walk in there, and you see our gym,
or our lobby or our classrooms, they do look nice. Our staff is to be commended
for keeping that facility in top-notch condition.</p><p>“But that doesn't mean there aren't needs,” he continued.</p><p>Among the projects planned if the bond is successful are a
complete renovation of the High School science labs, as well as exterior door replacement,
a partial roof replacement and the addition of a secure entry.</p><p>Washington Elementary would also see a complete HVAC
replacement, electrical system upgrades, interior improvements and a partial
roof replacement.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662144049121.png" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e1e18c07d7daa72b30eae49">The planned repairs were decided upon during a process that
included a Fort Hays State University Docking Institute survey that outlined
the amount the community would support in a bond issue.</a></p><p>Keller said they worked to keep the proposal within that
amount.</p><p>“Basically, I like to tell people when they say what's going
on with this bond, I say, you spoke we listened,” he said. “We're not trying
for anything that we think is going to put this in jeopardy, because these are
pieces that we need.”</p><h2>&nbsp;Impact to taxpayers</h2><p>If the proposed $4.55 million bond is approved residents within the district would pay additional property taxes for the 15-year term, but impact to property owners may be more significant if the measure fails, Keller said.</p><p>“If it does fail, one of the impacts will be it will cost us
it will cost us kids in our district, it'll cost us, staff," he said. "I think I read a USA
Today article and it said school district quality is one of the most important
factors home buyers consider when looking for a place to live, particularly for
a new or expecting parent."</p><p>And a good school district can greatly increase a
child's chance of success, Keller said.</p><p>For residential property owners for every $100,000 in assessed value, the bond would increase taxes by $11.26 monthly. For commercial property, the increase would be $24.48.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662144182092.png" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>While the increased cost will affect taxpayers, he said the potential damage to the community could be greater.</p><p>“If it fails, the property owners who didn't want to pay any
more taxes I guess win in the short run, point blank,” Keller said. “But at what
cost? We can’t keep patching the system together with a wing and a
prayer.”</p><p>He said as a former member of the board of education and worked
to find what was needed and this bond issue reflects those needs.</p><p>Variable pricing for construction materials also creates a sense of urgency for the bond attempt.</p><p>"That was one of the reasons we decided to have a special election," Keller said." We wanted to move the timeline up with some of the uncertainty in our economy right now. If we can get this moved up and get it passed in September, it's about a six-month window for them to do the design process, and put it out to bids."</p><p>And he said no one knows what's going to happen with interest rates, but the last bond passed in the middle of a recession, during the oil crisis of that era.</p><p>"So I don't think that's a great excuse to vote against this right now," Keller said. "I think now's the time to invest in our kids in our future version of our town."</p><p>For more information about the USD 388 Bond Issue visit the USD 388 website,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usd388.com/page/usd-388-bond">usd388.com.</a></p>