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>

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, 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>

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🎙 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>

<p><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></p><div><iframe title="School year well underway at Hays High" 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=wzxpm-12c654e-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: 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>

<p><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></p><div><iframe title="Hays Chamber continues work to serve area businesses" 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=767eg-12c4ec9-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 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>

<p><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></p><div><iframe title="School year programing underway at the Hays Public Library" 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=kejts-12c217a-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: 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;

<p><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;</p><div><iframe title="FHSU Alumni Association prepares for 2022 Homecoming" 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=q44up-12bb6a2-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 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>

<p><i>On this episode of the Post Podcast USD 489 assistant superintendent Shanna Dinkel shares updates from the district.</i></p><div><iframe title="As USD 489 accreditation process continues, district strengthens practical education programs" 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=5j54u-12bb693-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: 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>

<p><i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Center for Life Experiences executive director Darian Schlegel shares updates from the center.</i></p><div><iframe title="New director, services at Center for Life Experiences" 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=9hbrw-12bb657-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><a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">For more about the Post Podcast, including a full list of episodes and episode transcripts click here.</a></p>

🎙 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>

<p><i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Sunflower Senior Solutions owner, Courtney Dale shares information about the upcoming Medicare enrollment window.</i></p><div><iframe title="Medicare enrollment window approaching" 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=apu5v-12b9c48-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><a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">For more about the Post Podcast, including a full list of episodes and episode transcripts click here.</a></p>

🎙 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.

“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.”

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.

“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."

And a good school district can greatly increase a
child's chance of success, Keller said.

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.

While the increased cost will affect taxpayers, he said the potential damage to the community could be greater.

“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.”

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.

Variable pricing for construction materials also creates a sense of urgency for the bond attempt.

"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."

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.

"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."

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>

<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>

🎙 Voters to decide Ellis USD 388 bond issue Thursday

On Sept. 17, area car enthusiasts will again come together in
Hays for the Thunder on the Plains Car, Truck and Cycle Show. 

But the show will offer much more than just vehicles on
display. In its seventh year, the event will host various family-friendly events,
starting the night before the show.

“We're actually starting on Friday night,” said organizer
Jackie Lang. “We have a cruise night, where we’re meeting at 27th and Vine in
the parking lot by the Convention and Visitors Bureau.”

After gathering, attendees will cruise together down to
municipal park where Crazy Horse 2.0 is set to perform. 

“We'll have a dance, and there will be a food vendor
available,” Lang said. “Hopefully, we'll have a good crowd there, and people
can enjoy the night.”

On Saturday, the show begins with registration beginning
at 8 a.m. Elite Realty/Nations Auction, 700 W. 48th, with other events planned
throughout the day.

On-site will be a beer garden, hosted by Soroptimist&nbsp;International
of&nbsp;Hays, the Hays Toy Show, inflatables, Pfonz Smokehouse, Sunshine
Kitchen and Snow Cone Express. A live auction is planned for 1 p.m. and awards
at 3 p.m.

“Our major auction item is the refurbished 7Up cooler,”
said organizer Shelby Doty. “It's an old-style 7Up cooler that some of our
folks have refurbished into a bar. It's got a refrigerator in it
and shelving.”

The cooler was displayed at Thirsty's, 2704 Vine, in recent
weeks.

“It's cool. It's really cool,” Lang said. “It's also on our
website.”

Doty said they again have brought in judges from across
Kansas for the judging.

Those judges will give cash awards and trophies, including
$500 for Best of Show car or truck and $200 for Best of Show motorcycle. In total, twenty-seven class, awards are planned along with an award for furthest
distance traveled.

“We do have cash awards,” Doty said. “We've got trophies
this year. ... So dust your cars off and your trucks and get them out of the
garage and come on out.”

“Best of Show for car truck will get $500,” Lang said. “Motorcycle
gets $200, so it's worth it to bring your car out.”

While the day will be filled with fun and camaraderie, the
event also serves a good cause.

“One of our main objectives is to raise money,” Lang said. “We
have a lot of really great sponsors that allow us to do that.”

Sponsors provided both cash and in-kind donations, she said.
The items will be auctioned off during Saturday's events.

“We've got lots of great items,” Lang said. “So far for the
auction, we've got a meat package, we've got a really, really nice Polaris
cooler that one of our sponsors has donated. We've gotten some grills.”

Since the first event in 2017, she said the car show has
donated over $54,000 to local organizations. 

“That's our main objective is to raise money to give back to
the community,” Lang said.

Among those recipients last year was an NCK Tech student.

“Something new that we did establish this past year is a
scholarship to a Hays High or TMP student that plans to attend NCK Tech,” Doty
said. “Our recipient this past year was Cameron Roth, who received a $1,000
scholarship to NCK. So we're pretty proud of that. And I think he's excited as
well.”

After the show, the event site will host a classic car
auction.

“Mark Ottley at Elite Realty and Auction is allowing us to
host our car show there again this year,” Lang said. “After our event is over,
he and his staff are looking to have a classic car auction of their own at that
location. So I guess if anybody has a car out there that they've been wanting
to, or thinking about maybe selling, reach out to them and see if they can't
help you.”

For more information or to register in advance for the Thunder
on the Plains Car, Truck and Cycle Show, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thunderontheplainsks.com/">thunderontheplainsks.com.</a>

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599072426200.jpeg" alt="File photo" />
                        <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
                    </figure><p><b>By JAMES BELL</b><br><i>Hays Post</i></p><p>On Sept. 17, area car enthusiasts will again come together in
Hays for the Thunder on the Plains Car, Truck and Cycle Show. </p><p>But the show will offer much more than just vehicles on
display. In its seventh year, the event will host various family-friendly events,
starting the night before the show.</p><p>“We're actually starting on Friday night,” said organizer
Jackie Lang. “We have a cruise night, where we’re meeting at 27th and Vine in
the parking lot by the Convention and Visitors Bureau.”</p><p>After gathering, attendees will cruise together down to
municipal park where Crazy Horse 2.0 is set to perform. </p><div><iframe title="Thunder on the Plains returns to Hays Sept. 17" 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=mxfjk-12afaad-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'll have a dance, and there will be a food vendor
available,” Lang said. “Hopefully, we'll have a good crowd there, and people
can enjoy the night.”</p><p>On Saturday, the show begins with registration beginning
at 8 a.m. Elite Realty/Nations Auction, 700 W. 48th, with other events planned
throughout the day.</p><p>On-site will be a beer garden, hosted by Soroptimist&nbsp;International
of&nbsp;Hays, the Hays Toy Show, inflatables, Pfonz Smokehouse, Sunshine
Kitchen and Snow Cone Express. A live auction is planned for 1 p.m. and awards
at 3 p.m.</p><p>“Our major auction item is the refurbished 7Up cooler,”
said organizer Shelby Doty. “It's an old-style 7Up cooler that some of our
folks have refurbished into a bar. It's got a refrigerator in it
and shelving.”</p><p>The cooler was displayed at Thirsty's, 2704 Vine, in recent
weeks.</p><p>“It's cool. It's really cool,” Lang said. “It's also on our
website.”</p><p>Doty said they again have brought in judges from across
Kansas for the judging.</p><p>Those judges will give cash awards and trophies, including
$500 for Best of Show car or truck and $200 for Best of Show motorcycle. In total, twenty-seven class, awards are planned along with an award for furthest
distance traveled.</p><p>“We do have cash awards,” Doty said. “We've got trophies
this year. ... So dust your cars off and your trucks and get them out of the
garage and come on out.”</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599072410075.jpeg" alt="File photo" />
                        <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>“Best of Show for car truck will get $500,” Lang said. “Motorcycle
gets $200, so it's worth it to bring your car out.”</p><p>While the day will be filled with fun and camaraderie, the
event also serves a good cause.</p><p>“One of our main objectives is to raise money,” Lang said. “We
have a lot of really great sponsors that allow us to do that.”</p><p>Sponsors provided both cash and in-kind donations, she said.
The items will be auctioned off during Saturday's events.</p><p>“We've got lots of great items,” Lang said. “So far for the
auction, we've got a meat package, we've got a really, really nice Polaris
cooler that one of our sponsors has donated. We've gotten some grills.”</p><p>Since the first event in 2017, she said the car show has
donated over $54,000 to local organizations. </p><p>“That's our main objective is to raise money to give back to
the community,” Lang said.</p><p>Among those recipients last year was an NCK Tech student.</p><p>“Something new that we did establish this past year is a
scholarship to a Hays High or TMP student that plans to attend NCK Tech,” Doty
said. “Our recipient this past year was Cameron Roth, who received a $1,000
scholarship to NCK. So we're pretty proud of that. And I think he's excited as
well.”</p><p>After the show, the event site will host a classic car
auction.</p><p>“Mark Ottley at Elite Realty and Auction is allowing us to
host our car show there again this year,” Lang said. “After our event is over,
he and his staff are looking to have a classic car auction of their own at that
location. So I guess if anybody has a car out there that they've been wanting
to, or thinking about maybe selling, reach out to them and see if they can't
help you.”</p><p>For more information or to register in advance for the Thunder
on the Plains Car, Truck and Cycle Show, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thunderontheplainsks.com/">thunderontheplainsks.com.</a></p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599072437941.jpeg" alt="File photo" />
                        <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
                    </figure>

🎙 Thunder on the Plains rumbles into Hays this month

<i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams shares updates on proposed childcare and housing developments in Hays.</i><br>

<p><i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams shares updates on proposed childcare and housing developments in Hays.</i><br></p><div><iframe title="New childcare, housing developments proposed in Hays" 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=cr2wx-12b3e3a-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><a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">For more about the Post Podcast, including a full list of episodes and episode transcripts click here.</a></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: New childcare, housing developments proposed in Hays

<i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Heartland Community Foundation executive director Sarah Meitner stops by to share updates from the foundation.</i><br>

<p><i>On this episode of the Post Podcast Heartland Community Foundation executive director Sarah Meitner stops by to share updates from the foundation.</i><br></p><div><iframe title="Heartland Community Foundation establishes new funds" 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=vrx75-12b3e2f-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><a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">For more about the Post Podcast, including a full list of episodes and episode transcripts click here.</a></p>

🎙Post Podcast: Heartland Community Foundation establishes new funds

The Hays Chamber is beginning one of its largest projects of the year, compiling next year’s Community Guide.

The annual product helps keep the community connected, and even as area residents frequently go online to find area businesses and events, it remains a popular product.

“It is a tool circulated 12,000 different times every year, at least in hardcopy form,” said Hays Chamber president and CEO Sarah Wasinger.

This year’s guide will include the standard listings but will also incorporate some new features.

“There's pretty much anything you can think of in there,” said Mariah Legleiter, Hays Chamber vice president of marketing and communications. “We have several things going into it this year, including a couple new things. We call out specific businesses like hotels, motels, and lodging options and restaurants. We have a section in there for senior living accommodations and grocery stores and transportation options.”

This year's edition will also feature a special events spread that will showcase area providers for weddings, baby showers, anniversary parties, family reunions or any event with a big group of people.

“It's places that you can go to have catering, a space for everyone to meet flowers, linens, decorations, DJ services, and music,” Legleiter said. “I mean, really, it's just anything that you would need to plan a party. You can go to that spread and find our members that do that.”

Wasinger said the chamber frequently receives those types of business inquiries.

“And so, we love being able to showcase our members in that regard, but just in general,” she said.

For new residents or those looking for a local provider for an item or service, the guide can fill that need.

“It's a piece that means different things to different people,” Wasinger said. "So our good friends at the Hays Convention and Visitor's Bureau, whenever they're doing a welcome packet for a convention that's in town, they're actually including that piece in there. When we have our ag appreciation or education appreciation events, or our annual chamber banquet, whenever we have those events, we also put that publication.”

It also helps showcase the services offered in Hays and Ellis County in one location that serves as a marketing tool for the area.

“We frequently have our businesses reach out to us saying, ‘Hey, we've got a couple of people that were interviewing this next week, would we be able to get some welcome packets to showcase all the different things that are available, so they can feel comfortable with the community as well as the business that they're looking at going to for work,’” Wasinger said.

As the chamber wraps the production work for next year’s guide, Legleiter said ads must be received by Nov. 21 as production commences.

“I am quickly putting things together and kind of coming up with the layout,” she said. “And right now, I'm in the very beginning stages of getting it off the ground and going for this for 2023.”

She said for those needing ad design help, the chamber could assist as well.

“If folks need help designing their ad space, Mariah is equipped to do that,” Wasinger said. “And it's OK to use the same ad from one year to the next. It doesn't have to be something new.”

For those advertisers and members in the guide and for the community that uses it, Wasinger said the final product highlights the area.

<div><iframe title="Work begins on the 2023 Hays Chamber Community Guide" 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=9cjik-12afa2d-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><b>By JAMES BELL</b><br><i>Hays Post</i></p><p>The Hays Chamber is beginning one of its largest projects of the year, compiling next year’s Community Guide.</p><p>The annual product helps keep the community connected, and even as area residents frequently go online to find area businesses and events, it remains a popular product.</p><p>“It is a tool circulated 12,000 different times every year, at least in hardcopy form,” said Hays Chamber president and CEO Sarah Wasinger.</p><p>This year’s guide will include the standard listings but will also incorporate some new features.</p><p>“There's pretty much anything you can think of in there,” said Mariah Legleiter, Hays Chamber vice president of marketing and communications. “We have several things going into it this year, including a couple new things. We call out specific businesses like hotels, motels, and lodging options and restaurants. We have a section in there for senior living accommodations and grocery stores and transportation options.”</p><p>This year's edition will also feature a special events spread that will showcase area providers for weddings, baby showers, anniversary parties, family reunions or any event with a big group of people.</p><p>“It's places that you can go to have catering, a space for everyone to meet flowers, linens, decorations, DJ services, and music,” Legleiter said. “I mean, really, it's just anything that you would need to plan a party. You can go to that spread and find our members that do that.”</p><p>Wasinger said the chamber frequently receives those types of business inquiries.</p><p>“And so, we love being able to showcase our members in that regard, but just in general,” she said.</p><p>For new residents or those looking for a local provider for an item or service, the guide can fill that need.</p><p>“It's a piece that means different things to different people,” Wasinger said. "So our good friends at the Hays Convention and Visitor's Bureau, whenever they're doing a welcome packet for a convention that's in town, they're actually including that piece in there. When we have our ag appreciation or education appreciation events, or our annual chamber banquet, whenever we have those events, we also put that publication.”</p><p>It also helps showcase the services offered in Hays and Ellis County in one location that serves as a marketing tool for the area.</p><p>“We frequently have our businesses reach out to us saying, ‘Hey, we've got a couple of people that were interviewing this next week, would we be able to get some welcome packets to showcase all the different things that are available, so they can feel comfortable with the community as well as the business that they're looking at going to for work,’” Wasinger said.</p><p>As the chamber wraps the production work for next year’s guide, Legleiter said ads must be received by Nov. 21 as production commences.</p><p>“I am quickly putting things together and kind of coming up with the layout,” she said. “And right now, I'm in the very beginning stages of getting it off the ground and going for this for 2023.”</p><p>She said for those needing ad design help, the chamber could assist as well.</p><p>“If folks need help designing their ad space, Mariah is equipped to do that,” Wasinger said. “And it's OK to use the same ad from one year to the next. It doesn't have to be something new.”</p><p>For those advertisers and members in the guide and for the community that uses it, Wasinger said the final product highlights the area.</p><p>“What I love is it really showcases the depth and breadth of our county,” Wasinger said. “You can look at different options, whether it's shopping, arts. We have a quality-of-life section that showcases why Hays and Ellis County are such great places to live, work and play.”</p><p>For more information about the Hays Chamber’s Community Guide, visit hayschamber.com.</p>