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

*This episode of the Post Podcast originally aired on March 5, 2020.

<div><iframe title="ECSO shares pedestrian safety tips" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/d2wiy-d587e8?from=yiiadmin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&skin=3&auto=1&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&download=1&rtl=0&pbad=1"></iframe></div><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile notifications click here.</a></p><p>*This episode of the Post Podcast originally aired on March 5, 2020.</p>

🎤Post Podcast: ECSO shares pedestrian safety tips

*This episode of the Post Podcast originally aired on Jan. 28, 2020.

<div><iframe title="Stay safe this winter with these tips" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/9v35c-d16d97?from=yiiadmin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&skin=3&auto=1&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&download=1&rtl=0&pbad=1"></iframe></div><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile notifications click here.</a></p><p>*This episode of the Post Podcast originally aired on Jan. 28, 2020.</p>

🎤Post Podcast: Stay safe this winter with these driving tips

*This Post Podcast originally aired on March 11, 2020.

<div><iframe title="Post Podcast: Preventing dangers from social media starts with communication" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/zqamq-d600c2?from=yiiadmin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&skin=3&auto=1&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&download=1&rtl=0&pbad=1"></iframe></div><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile notifications click here.</a></p><p>*This Post Podcast originally aired on March 11, 2020.</p>

🎤Post Podcast: Good communication may keep children safe on social media

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

<div><iframe title="Entrepreneurship showcased in upcoming events at Grow Hays" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/2vk2j-eedc9f?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Entrepreneurship showcased in upcoming events

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c237bc87-b6d3-46fb-90bc-4f15cf014055">To read about the Ellis Alliance and director Sophia Henrickson click here.</a>

<div><iframe title="Ellis Alliance director shares details of upcoming activities in Ellis" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/we4a2-eedc29?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c237bc87-b6d3-46fb-90bc-4f15cf014055">To read about the Ellis Alliance and director Sophia Henrickson click here.</a></p><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Ellis Alliance director shares details of upcoming activities in Ellis

<div><iframe title="Water rights discussed at Hays City Commission meeting" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/9h3rn-eedc02?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Water rights discussed at Hays City Commission meeting

<div><iframe title="Hays library makes adjustments to accommodate ongoing remodel" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/9t878-ee9a38?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=0&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Hays library makes service adjustments during remodel

Not even a global pandemic can bring down the Tiger spirit as
Fort Hays University celebrates homecoming this week with a mix of in-person
and virtual events with a theme of Homecoming @Home.

“We know that they can’t come to Tigerland, so we are bringing
the Tiger Spirit to them,” said Tammy Wellbrock, FHSU Alumni Association
interim director.

“We have been working really hard to get our virtual
homecoming events up and off the ground and then making sure that all of our
alumni and friends are aware of the events going on,” said Noelle Husmann, FHSU Alumni
Association communications coordinator.

This year, Husmann said, the events are free and the virtual
events are open to anyone across the globe.

“We are hoping to get some good numbers this year just
because a lot of people have the opportunity to participate during this Homecoming @Home,” she said.

While many of this year’s events moved online, the goal is
to create an experience that can still bring the FHSU community together.

“That truly is our way of bringing the news, the celebration
and the honoring,” Wellbrock said. “Everything that is traditional about
homecoming — from the warm fuzzy sense
of the events — we are wanting to re-create.” 

With the shift to online events, Homecoming 2020 has the
potential to draw more people than ever before into the festivities.

“Certainly, we would have rather had everybody come visit and
us to be in person but as we have talked about here at the alumni association, we all know that 2020 homecoming is not going to look like 2019 — but I really
hope that the 2021 homecoming also doesn’t look like 2019,” Wellbrock said.
“We really want to maybe drive new traditions that can enable those people that
either can't travel due to health, can't travel due to distance and finances,
time, all those things they can still be able to interact with their fellow
alumni, Tiger friends and family and just be able to celebrate at a bigger
global level.”

By bringing the events online, many alumni who are unable
to come to Hays for the annual celebration can participate.

“I think the majority of people understand we are a global
institution reaching every place on the globe,” Wellbrock said. “That’s where
we would love to be able to continue to celebrate homecoming here on campus
because that is the heart of where everything happens, it all starts here. But it’s also not the only reality, and we certainly hope to be able to engage some
of the ideas that we are putting into place this year.”

She said she hopes to grow the online offering in the
future, even as life returns to normal.

While much of the FHSU homecoming shifted online, some
events are still planned in person.

On Thursday, the Alumni Golf Tournament is set to begin at 8:30
a.m. and the Tiger Alumni and Friends 5K Run/Walk will start at 8 a.m.
Saturday.

The 5K will also have a virtual component for those who are
not in Hays.

Other virtual events began earlier in the week, with
interviews with the alumni award winners that will culminate with an online celebration
at 7 p.m. Thursday.

“It’s a challenge to do this celebration while we can’t
actually be in person, but we have seven amazing award winners that are being
honored,” Wellbrock said.

<a href="https://m.facebook.com/FHSUAlumni/">The interviews are available for replay on the FHSU Alumni
Association Facebook page.</a>&nbsp;

Friday’s events include a virtual groundbreaking for the
Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success at 9 a.m.

And from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, a virtual reunion is
planned in an online space.

“Our office has been working really hard to find an innovative
way to connect with alumni,” Husmann
said. “We found this great online software that is a bit more interactive than
your typical video conferencing.”

Attendees will see be able to interact on a virtual quad
modeled after an 8-bit video game.

&nbsp;“You can walk around
a live campus and see people that way,” Husmann
said.

“It’s kind of a throwback gaming feel,” Wellbrock said. 

A big part of the celebration every year is the FHSU
football game, but even without games being played, the association has created
a fun solution.

Voice of the Tigers Gerard Wellbrock and Head Coach Chris
Brown will offer commentary during a replay of the Tigers and Northwest
Missouri State 2017 game.

“We are having those two actually do what we call a football
flashback,” Wellbrock said.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/fhsualumni/videos?view=0&amp;sort=dd&amp;shelf_id=1&amp;app=desktop">That is set to premiere on the FHSU Alumni Association youtube page at 7 p.m. Saturday.</a>

Overall, homecoming fits into FHSU President Tisa Mason’s
goal for the year — convert don’t cancel.

“Lots to be proud of, lots to celebrate during the
homecoming week and a lot of people are making it happen,” said Scott Cason,
FHSU chief communications officer.

Despite the challenges of the year and the work required to
pull off the event, Wellbrock is grateful for the opportunity to bring FHSU
together.

“The opportunity to celebrate is always there and we are
glad that we get to be a part of it,” Wellbrock said.

<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/homecoming/schedule/schedule-of-events">A full schedule of events and links to the virtual events
can be found by clicking here.</a>

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600560431482.png" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><div><iframe title="FHSU celebrates homecoming with virtual events" height="122" width="100%" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/969ss-edc861?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth=&btn-skin=101"></iframe></div><p><b>By JAMES BELL</b><br><i>Hays Post</i></p><p>Not even a global pandemic can bring down the Tiger spirit as
Fort Hays University celebrates homecoming this week with a mix of in-person
and virtual events with a theme of Homecoming @Home.</p><p>“We know that they can’t come to Tigerland, so we are bringing
the Tiger Spirit to them,” said Tammy Wellbrock, FHSU Alumni Association
interim director.</p><p>“We have been working really hard to get our virtual
homecoming events up and off the ground and then making sure that all of our
alumni and friends are aware of the events going on,” said Noelle Husmann, FHSU Alumni
Association communications coordinator.</p><p>This year, Husmann said, the events are free and the virtual
events are open to anyone across the globe.</p><p>“We are hoping to get some good numbers this year just
because a lot of people have the opportunity to participate during this Homecoming @Home,” she said.</p><p>While many of this year’s events moved online, the goal is
to create an experience that can still bring the FHSU community together.</p><p>“That truly is our way of bringing the news, the celebration
and the honoring,” Wellbrock said. “Everything that is traditional about
homecoming — from the warm fuzzy sense
of the events — we are wanting to re-create.” </p><p>With the shift to online events, Homecoming 2020 has the
potential to draw more people than ever before into the festivities.</p><p>“Certainly, we would have rather had everybody come visit and
us to be in person but as we have talked about here at the alumni association, we all know that 2020 homecoming is not going to look like 2019 — but I really
hope that the 2021 homecoming also doesn’t look like 2019,” Wellbrock said.
“We really want to maybe drive new traditions that can enable those people that
either can't travel due to health, can't travel due to distance and finances,
time, all those things they can still be able to interact with their fellow
alumni, Tiger friends and family and just be able to celebrate at a bigger
global level.”</p><p>By bringing the events online, many alumni who are unable
to come to Hays for the annual celebration can participate.</p><p>“I think the majority of people understand we are a global
institution reaching every place on the globe,” Wellbrock said. “That’s where
we would love to be able to continue to celebrate homecoming here on campus
because that is the heart of where everything happens, it all starts here. But it’s also not the only reality, and we certainly hope to be able to engage some
of the ideas that we are putting into place this year.”</p><p>She said she hopes to grow the online offering in the
future, even as life returns to normal.</p><h2>The events</h2><p>While much of the FHSU homecoming shifted online, some
events are still planned in person.</p><p>On Thursday, the Alumni Golf Tournament is set to begin at 8:30
a.m. and the Tiger Alumni and Friends 5K Run/Walk will start at 8 a.m.
Saturday.</p><p>The 5K will also have a virtual component for those who are
not in Hays.</p><p>Other virtual events began earlier in the week, with
interviews with the alumni award winners that will culminate with an online celebration
at 7 p.m. Thursday.</p><p>“It’s a challenge to do this celebration while we can’t
actually be in person, but we have seven amazing award winners that are being
honored,” Wellbrock said.</p><p><a href="https://m.facebook.com/FHSUAlumni/">The interviews are available for replay on the FHSU Alumni
Association Facebook page.</a>&nbsp;</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601516925379.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Friday’s events include a virtual groundbreaking for the
Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success at 9 a.m.</p><p>And from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, a virtual reunion is
planned in an online space.</p><p>“Our office has been working really hard to find an innovative
way to connect with alumni,” Husmann
said. “We found this great online software that is a bit more interactive than
your typical video conferencing.”</p><p>Attendees will see be able to interact on a virtual quad
modeled after an 8-bit video game.</p><p>&nbsp;“You can walk around
a live campus and see people that way,” Husmann
said.</p><p>“It’s kind of a throwback gaming feel,” Wellbrock said. </p><p>A big part of the celebration every year is the FHSU
football game, but even without games being played, the association has created
a fun solution.</p><p>Voice of the Tigers Gerard Wellbrock and Head Coach Chris
Brown will offer commentary during a replay of the Tigers and Northwest
Missouri State 2017 game.</p><p>“We are having those two actually do what we call a football
flashback,” Wellbrock said.</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/fhsualumni/videos?view=0&amp;sort=dd&amp;shelf_id=1&amp;app=desktop">That is set to premiere on the FHSU Alumni Association youtube page at 7 p.m. Saturday.</a></p><p>Overall, homecoming fits into FHSU President Tisa Mason’s
goal for the year — convert don’t cancel.</p><p>“Lots to be proud of, lots to celebrate during the
homecoming week and a lot of people are making it happen,” said Scott Cason,
FHSU chief communications officer.</p><p>Despite the challenges of the year and the work required to
pull off the event, Wellbrock is grateful for the opportunity to bring FHSU
together.</p><p>“The opportunity to celebrate is always there and we are
glad that we get to be a part of it,” Wellbrock said.</p><p><a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/homecoming/schedule/schedule-of-events">A full schedule of events and links to the virtual events
can be found by clicking here.</a></p>

🎙FHSU celebrates Homecoming @Home with virtual events

<div><iframe title="Holy Family Elementary technology assists learning during challenging year" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/sakik-edc7a3?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: HFE technology assists learning during challenging year

<div><iframe title="Hays Chamber readies for next business showcase" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/qfmy5-eda4f1?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Hays Chamber readies for next business showcase

<div><iframe title="Housing developments moving forward in Ellis County" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/avk5k-ed236d?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Housing developments moving forward in Ellis County

<div><iframe title="Hays City Commission rezones land outside city limits" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/v5b37-ed2281?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Hays City Commission rezones land outside city limits

<div><iframe title="Now is the time to prevent wheat streak mosaic in next years crop" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/7geqy-ed0015?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Now is the time to prevent wheat streak mosaic in next year's crop

<div><iframe title="Now is the time for high school seniors to explore college financing options" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/rkh5j-ecda02?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Now is the time for seniors to explore college financing options

<div><iframe title="Hays Chamber insurance questionnaire due today" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/kuz6k-ecb0ec?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Hays Chamber insurance questionnaire due Tuesday

There remains little good news with COVID-19 as cases continue trending up in Kansas, but Ellis County Health Services Director Jason Kennedy believes the situation is beginning to look better in Ellis County.

"Right now in Ellis County, we have seen improvement," Kennedy said. "We have seen improvement in both the percent of positives and in the number of cases."

Speaking Thursday, he said the&nbsp;percent of seven-day positives has fallen from a peak of over 25 percent to an average of around 15 percent.

"We have seen a significant decrease in cases per day and percent of positives," Kennedy said.

The percent of positives is a key indicator in community spread and tracks the amount of testing done, to the number of positives that come from that testing. That number rose to 21.5 percent in Friday's case update.

While that percent of positives is still higher than he would like, it is an encouraging trend.

Kennedy said he would like to see the percent of positives drop to under 10 percent and, ideally, the percent of positives would be under 5 percent.

Along with the percent of positives, dropping case totals are also a sign of progress in Ellis County, he said.

At a peak, there were 190 to 200 new cases per seven days, as of Thursday that was down to 99.

"The lower those numbers go, means the less amount of community transition we have," Kennedy said.

Keeping a declining trend going depends on individual actions.

"We have had community transmission for a long time. We would like to see improvements, but it really comes down to the public really paying attention to those basic health measures and really taking individual initiative to avoid those contacts that might lead to an increase in risk," Kennedy said.

While it is possible to be exposed to coronavirus in the community, the most frequent exposure comes from close contacts.

"A predominant amount of viral transmission occurs inside the home," Kennedy said.

While he said he understands that mitigation measures inside the home are not always possible, using those measures, especially with a positive case, can significantly reduce spread.

He said finding way to isolate groups together is also an important way to limit spread.

But that doesn't mean cutting off all contact.

"We need personal connections in life," Kennedy

Keeping groups small and static can help. Practicing those measures, he said, can help keep some normalcy in the community and limit the spread.

While it will not help limit COVID-19 transmission, Kennedy said getting a flu shot will help keep the community healthy.

"The flu shot this year is going to be extremely important just for a healthier community in general," Kennedy said.

He said the flu shot is an easy way to increase health by ensuring that an individual does not have a compromised immune response.

"If we make ourselves healthier, and that's not just the flu vaccine, that's healthier in general, if we eat healthily, exercise, get plenty of sleep, find time to unwind, unplug from the news media, unplug from Facebook, all of those types of things help to make you individually healthier. And the healthier we can make individuals in our population, the better their bodies can battle whatever virus it is, whether it is flu, cold or COVID."

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598582308861.jpeg" alt="Ellis County Health Services director Jason Kennedy speaks with the Hays City Commission about COVID-19 in the county earlier this month." />
                        <figcaption>Ellis County Health Services director Jason Kennedy speaks with the Hays City Commission about COVID-19 in the county earlier this month.</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><iframe title="Ellis County Health Services director shares COVID-19 update" height="122" width="100%" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/bts33-ec20c1?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth=&btn-skin=101"></iframe></div><p><b>By JAMES BELL</b><br><i>Hays Post</i></p><p>There remains little good news with COVID-19 as cases continue trending up in Kansas, but Ellis County Health Services Director Jason Kennedy believes the situation is beginning to look better in Ellis County.</p><p>"Right now in Ellis County, we have seen improvement," Kennedy said. "We have seen improvement in both the percent of positives and in the number of cases."</p><p>Speaking Thursday, he said the&nbsp;percent of seven-day positives has fallen from a peak of over 25 percent to an average of around 15 percent.</p><p>"We have seen a significant decrease in cases per day and percent of positives," Kennedy said.</p><p>The percent of positives is a key indicator in community spread and tracks the amount of testing done, to the number of positives that come from that testing. That number rose to 21.5 percent in Friday's case update.</p><p>While that percent of positives is still higher than he would like, it is an encouraging trend.</p><p>Kennedy said he would like to see the percent of positives drop to under 10 percent and, ideally, the percent of positives would be under 5 percent.</p><p>Along with the percent of positives, dropping case totals are also a sign of progress in Ellis County, he said.</p><p>At a peak, there were 190 to 200 new cases per seven days, as of Thursday that was down to 99.</p><p>"The lower those numbers go, means the less amount of community transition we have," Kennedy said.</p><p>Keeping a declining trend going depends on individual actions.</p><p>"We have had community transmission for a long time. We would like to see improvements, but it really comes down to the public really paying attention to those basic health measures and really taking individual initiative to avoid those contacts that might lead to an increase in risk," Kennedy said.</p><p>While it is possible to be exposed to coronavirus in the community, the most frequent exposure comes from close contacts.</p><p>"A predominant amount of viral transmission occurs inside the home," Kennedy said.</p><p>While he said he understands that mitigation measures inside the home are not always possible, using those measures, especially with a positive case, can significantly reduce spread.</p><p>He said finding way to isolate groups together is also an important way to limit spread.</p><p>But that doesn't mean cutting off all contact.</p><p>"We need personal connections in life," Kennedy</p><p>Keeping groups small and static can help. Practicing those measures, he said, can help keep some normalcy in the community and limit the spread.</p><p>While it will not help limit COVID-19 transmission, Kennedy said getting a flu shot will help keep the community healthy.</p><p>"The flu shot this year is going to be extremely important just for a healthier community in general," Kennedy said.</p><p>He said the flu shot is an easy way to increase health by ensuring that an individual does not have a compromised immune response.</p><p>"If we make ourselves healthier, and that's not just the flu vaccine, that's healthier in general, if we eat healthily, exercise, get plenty of sleep, find time to unwind, unplug from the news media, unplug from Facebook, all of those types of things help to make you individually healthier. And the healthier we can make individuals in our population, the better their bodies can battle whatever virus it is, whether it is flu, cold or COVID."</p>

🎙Kennedy: COVID-19 improvement in Ellis County

The Downtown Hays Development Corp. is working to bring an ice skating rink to downtown Hays this winter, but in order to make it happen, the group is asking the public for help.

"We have a GoFundMe page right now that we want to let everyone know about," said Sara Bloom, DHDC executive director. "Downtown Hays Development Corporation is trying to raise money to turn the downtown pavilion into an ice skating rink this winter.

"The premise behind this is we want to ensure that even if COVID is still a thing this winter — which we anticipate it being — that we have a family-friendly outdoor activity for people to enjoy all winter long where we can also regulate the crowd," Bloom said.

"It's around $35,000 to bring that in, so we are trying to raise $17,000 to $18,000 prior to committing to bringing that," Bloom said.

Ideally, that money would be raised in the next couple of weeks, she said.

"We started fundraising for it during our auction and now we have set up a GoFundMe page and we also have some business sponsorships available," Bloom said.

She said if everyone helps out a little, the project will come to fruition.

"If everybody that has shared the (Facebook) post gives just $5, we've got an ice skating rink," Bloom said.

Bloom said they anticipate an entry fee, but the amount will depend on the amount raised beforehand.

They also hope the rink can help raise funds for Ellis County organizations.

"We will charge something because we want it to be a fundraiser for not only downtown Hays, but for other nonprofits that we are going to be partnering with," Bloom said.

<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/downtown-hays-ice-skating-rink?utm_medium=copy_link&amp;utm_source=customer&amp;utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet">The GoFundMe page can be found by clicking here.</a>

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600463704415.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><div><iframe title="DHDC seeks donations to turn pavalion into skating rink this winter" height="122" width="100%" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/haary-ec20a3?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth=&btn-skin=101"></iframe></div><p><b>By JAMES BELL</b><br><i>Hays Post</i></p><p>The Downtown Hays Development Corp. is working to bring an ice skating rink to downtown Hays this winter, but in order to make it happen, the group is asking the public for help.</p><p>"We have a GoFundMe page right now that we want to let everyone know about," said Sara Bloom, DHDC executive director. "Downtown Hays Development Corporation is trying to raise money to turn the downtown pavilion into an ice skating rink this winter.</p><p>"The premise behind this is we want to ensure that even if COVID is still a thing this winter — which we anticipate it being — that we have a family-friendly outdoor activity for people to enjoy all winter long where we can also regulate the crowd," Bloom said.</p><p>But that idea comes with a price tag.</p><p>"It's around $35,000 to bring that in, so we are trying to raise $17,000 to $18,000 prior to committing to bringing that," Bloom said.</p><p>Ideally, that money would be raised in the next couple of weeks, she said.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600457803624.png" alt="A graphic shared on the DHDC Facebook page Friday shows a total of $1,300 raised toward a winter skating rink in the downtown pavilion." />
                        <figcaption>A graphic shared on the DHDC Facebook page Friday shows a total of $1,300 raised toward a winter skating rink in the downtown pavilion.</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>"We started fundraising for it during our auction and now we have set up a GoFundMe page and we also have some business sponsorships available," Bloom said.</p><p>She said if everyone helps out a little, the project will come to fruition.</p><p>"If everybody that has shared the (Facebook) post gives just $5, we've got an ice skating rink," Bloom said.</p><p>Bloom said they anticipate an entry fee, but the amount will depend on the amount raised beforehand.</p><p>They also hope the rink can help raise funds for Ellis County organizations.</p><p>"We will charge something because we want it to be a fundraiser for not only downtown Hays, but for other nonprofits that we are going to be partnering with," Bloom said.</p><p><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/downtown-hays-ice-skating-rink?utm_medium=copy_link&amp;utm_source=customer&amp;utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet">The GoFundMe page can be found by clicking here.</a></p>

🎙 DHDC seeks donations to turn pavilion into skating rink this winter

<a href="https://haysartscouncil.org/">The Hays Arts Council's website can be found here.</a>

<div><iframe title="New exhibitions on the way at the Hays Arts Council" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/b3drf-ec205b?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a></p><p><a href="https://haysartscouncil.org/">The Hays Arts Council's website can be found here.</a></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: New exhibitions on the way at the Hays Arts Council

"Things are going better than I ever could have expected," said&nbsp;Rachel Wentling, Holy Family Elementary principal, about the 2020-21 school year.

While the Catholic elementary school has had to adapt the year to the ongoing pandemic, now that the year has begun, students and staff are focusing less on the mitigation measures that were put into place and more on creating a learning environment that is as close to normal as possible.

"Getting this school year off the ground has been harder than usual," Wentling said. "I often compare the beginning of the school year to the launching of a space shuttle. Despite all of our other complications, this year has been especially difficult, but after we have gotten started it is going much better than I ever expected."

Getting the mitigation measures in place was the biggest challenge while preparing for the year.

"In order for us to be able to have school in person, we had to implement a lot of mitigation strategies," Wentling said. "That has taken a lot of work by a lot of people in my building."

Given building limitations, they worked to find the safest way to provide the best education possible for the students — requiring effort from the entire staff.

"We were not able to distance the students the full six feet that most people recommended," Wentling said. "So were are using all kinds of different strategies to help us."

But overall, the students have adapted well to those measures she said.

"I don't want to say it feels normal," Wentling said. "I don't ever want to say it feels normal, but I think it is becoming a little more normed, in that (the mitigation measures) are no longer the focus."

The students and staff she said are beginning to focus more on interaction and academics than the novelty of the mitigation measures.

"Our students have adapted beautifully and we are starting to see what their normal orneriness come out," Wentling said. "That's not at all a bad thing. That means that if their normal orneriness is coming out then these things that we had to put in place that everybody was so worried about are beginning to fade into the background."

She said while the year is settling in, they are still answering some questions and are not sure when thing will completely return to normal.

And they are also looking for ways to continue to improve the year with the measures in place.

"I think the general consensus is that it feels good," Wentling said.

While most students returned to in-person learning at the beginning of the year, a few opted for a remote learning environment.

For those students, the school partnered with the Smoky Valley Virtual Charter school in Lindsborg.&nbsp;

"We already had a working relationship with them on some other school-related programs," Wentling said. "So they were able to us with those virtual online students."

While students working remotely are enrolled in both Holy Family and the charter school, some services are being provided by Holy Family, including monitoring test-taking.

Students who are temporarily out of class due to coronavirus exposure or mandated isolation also work virtually with their classroom teacher in order to stay caught up with their class.

So far, Wentling said some students have already had to quarantine this year, but there have been no confirmed cases in the school.

If a case does get confirmed, they are ready to adjust as needed to keep the year on track.

"We are going to do everything we can to keep the kids in class," Wentling said.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600289353104.jpeg" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><div><iframe title="So far so good; Holy Family Elementary kicks off year" height="122" width="100%" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/rb2cc-ebd43f?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth=&btn-skin=101"></iframe></div><p><b>By JAMES BELL</b><br><i>Hays Post</i></p><p>"Things are going better than I ever could have expected," said&nbsp;Rachel Wentling, Holy Family Elementary principal, about the 2020-21 school year.</p><p>While the Catholic elementary school has had to adapt the year to the ongoing pandemic, now that the year has begun, students and staff are focusing less on the mitigation measures that were put into place and more on creating a learning environment that is as close to normal as possible.</p><p>"Getting this school year off the ground has been harder than usual," Wentling said. "I often compare the beginning of the school year to the launching of a space shuttle. Despite all of our other complications, this year has been especially difficult, but after we have gotten started it is going much better than I ever expected."</p><p>Getting the mitigation measures in place was the biggest challenge while preparing for the year.</p><p>"In order for us to be able to have school in person, we had to implement a lot of mitigation strategies," Wentling said. "That has taken a lot of work by a lot of people in my building."</p><p>Given building limitations, they worked to find the safest way to provide the best education possible for the students — requiring effort from the entire staff.</p><p>"We were not able to distance the students the full six feet that most people recommended," Wentling said. "So were are using all kinds of different strategies to help us."</p><p>But overall, the students have adapted well to those measures she said.</p><p>"I don't want to say it feels normal," Wentling said. "I don't ever want to say it feels normal, but I think it is becoming a little more normed, in that (the mitigation measures) are no longer the focus."</p><p>The students and staff she said are beginning to focus more on interaction and academics than the novelty of the mitigation measures.</p><p>"Our students have adapted beautifully and we are starting to see what their normal orneriness come out," Wentling said. "That's not at all a bad thing. That means that if their normal orneriness is coming out then these things that we had to put in place that everybody was so worried about are beginning to fade into the background."</p><p>She said while the year is settling in, they are still answering some questions and are not sure when thing will completely return to normal.</p><p>And they are also looking for ways to continue to improve the year with the measures in place.</p><p>"I think the general consensus is that it feels good," Wentling said.</p><p>While most students returned to in-person learning at the beginning of the year, a few opted for a remote learning environment.</p><p>For those students, the school partnered with the Smoky Valley Virtual Charter school in Lindsborg.&nbsp;</p><p>"We already had a working relationship with them on some other school-related programs," Wentling said. "So they were able to us with those virtual online students."</p><p>While students working remotely are enrolled in both Holy Family and the charter school, some services are being provided by Holy Family, including monitoring test-taking.</p><p>Students who are temporarily out of class due to coronavirus exposure or mandated isolation also work virtually with their classroom teacher in order to stay caught up with their class.</p><p>So far, Wentling said some students have already had to quarantine this year, but there have been no confirmed cases in the school.</p><p>If a case does get confirmed, they are ready to adjust as needed to keep the year on track.</p><p>"We are going to do everything we can to keep the kids in class," Wentling said.</p>

🎙 So far so good: Holy Family Elementary kicks off year

<div><iframe title="Food safety ever important" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/j2gzs-ec2024?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Food borne illness easy to prevent with basic measures

<div><iframe title="Hays Chamber readies for golf tournament Friday" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/6czst-ebd41c?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Hays Chamber readies for golf tournament Friday

<div><iframe title="Ellis County preparing for 2020 general election" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/v87x5-ebaada?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: Ellis County preparing for 2020 general election

The housing development planned near the intersection of Wheatland and 22nd in Hays recently reached another milestone, after four contractors signed on to build homes in the development.

"You couldn't tell by driving by it, but things are happening behind the scenes," said Doug Williams, executive director of Grow Hays. "This week, we got commitments from four contractors who have committed to build homes over there."

The commitment gives 18 months for the contractors to build the homes and will be built at different price points within the scope of the project that is designed to address a lack of homes within a price range of $175,000 to $225,000 in Hays.

"They are going to build in different price points," Williams said. "Each of them has to build a house that will sell for no more than $175,000, a house that sells for no more that $200,000, a house that sells for no more than $225,000 and then the fourth one they can pick what price range they want."

The agreement is also good news for developer Heart of America, as the nonprofit cannot begin to recoup infrastructure development costs until homes are built.

The costs will be covered by a Rural Housing Incentive District that was passed earlier this year and allows the group to collect the increase in tax revenues on the developed land.

"It's good news, not only for (Heart of America), but also for the housing market," Williams said. "It will provide some much-needed inventory at a price range that is very lacking right now and has been for quite some time."

Now that the contractors have signed on, Williams is hopeful construction will begin quickly after the infrastructure is in place.

Plans for sewers and related water infrastructure are currently being reviewed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and bids are out for construction.

"I'm hoping we can see some actual activity out there in the next 30 days," Williams said.&nbsp;

Although he admits that is an optimistic timeline,&nbsp;he said if the infrastructure can be completed in the next few months, home construction could begin after the first of the year.

"As quick as we can get some streets in and some utilities we will have 16 houses out there withing an 18-month time frame," Williams said.

The entire project will be split into three phases, with 36 lots included in phase one.

Once around 75 percent of those lots are developed, phase two will begin.

"We have several years to build out phase one, but hopefully within a couple of years that could be 75-80 percent built up and we could start on the next," Williams said.

In the meantime, Williams said the agreement with the contractors is a positive first step.

"It's great news," he said. "These are all good contractors that know what they are doing."

<div><iframe title="Housing developments progressing in Hays" height="122" width="100%" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/imwwj-eb2aaf?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth=&btn-skin=101"></iframe></div><p><b>By JAMES BELL</b><br><i>Hays Post</i></p><p>The housing development planned near the intersection of Wheatland and 22nd in Hays recently reached another milestone, after four contractors signed on to build homes in the development.</p><p>"You couldn't tell by driving by it, but things are happening behind the scenes," said Doug Williams, executive director of Grow Hays. "This week, we got commitments from four contractors who have committed to build homes over there."</p><p>The commitment gives 18 months for the contractors to build the homes and will be built at different price points within the scope of the project that is designed to address a lack of homes within a price range of $175,000 to $225,000 in Hays.</p><p>"They are going to build in different price points," Williams said. "Each of them has to build a house that will sell for no more than $175,000, a house that sells for no more that $200,000, a house that sells for no more than $225,000 and then the fourth one they can pick what price range they want."</p><p>The agreement is also good news for developer Heart of America, as the nonprofit cannot begin to recoup infrastructure development costs until homes are built.</p><p>The costs will be covered by a Rural Housing Incentive District that was passed earlier this year and allows the group to collect the increase in tax revenues on the developed land.</p><p>"It's good news, not only for (Heart of America), but also for the housing market," Williams said. "It will provide some much-needed inventory at a price range that is very lacking right now and has been for quite some time."</p><p>Now that the contractors have signed on, Williams is hopeful construction will begin quickly after the infrastructure is in place.</p><p>Plans for sewers and related water infrastructure are currently being reviewed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and bids are out for construction.</p><p>"I'm hoping we can see some actual activity out there in the next 30 days," Williams said.&nbsp;</p><p>Although he admits that is an optimistic timeline,&nbsp;he said if the infrastructure can be completed in the next few months, home construction could begin after the first of the year.</p><p>"As quick as we can get some streets in and some utilities we will have 16 houses out there withing an 18-month time frame," Williams said.</p><p>The entire project will be split into three phases, with 36 lots included in phase one.</p><p>Once around 75 percent of those lots are developed, phase two will begin.</p><p>"We have several years to build out phase one, but hopefully within a couple of years that could be 75-80 percent built up and we could start on the next," Williams said.</p><p>In the meantime, Williams said the agreement with the contractors is a positive first step.</p><p>"It's great news," he said. "These are all good contractors that know what they are doing."</p>

🎤Four contractors have signed onto Hays RHID housing project

<div><iframe title="City approves storm water retention project" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/pp3ig-eb37e6?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a></p>

🎙 Post Podcast: City approves storm water retention project

<div><iframe title="Hays Public Library remodel ongoing" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/yvj9a-eaec2f?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div><p><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a></p>