By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

HAYS – The TMP-Marian Monarchs shook off a slow start and
then cruised to a 56-16 win over the Syracuse Bulldogs Friday night at Lewis
Field in Hays.

The Monarchs (5-2, 3-1 1A-D8) drove inside the Syracuse red zone
on their first two offensive drives of the game, but both drives stalled on a pair
of turnovers on downs.

On the second offensive possession of the game for Syracuse
(0-7, 0-4 1A-D8), &nbsp;the Monarchs' safety
Carson Liles intercepted a pass that set the Monarchs up with excellent field
position in Syracuse territory.

Adler Brown capped off the three-play drive with a 12-yard
touchdown, his first career rushing touchdown.

The Monarchs led 8-0 with just over three minutes left in
the first half.

After the Syracuse interception, they fumbled on their next
two offensive plays, and TMP scored on the next play.

The Monarchs scored three first-quarter touchdowns in less than
40 seconds.

Liles found Grant Nehls for a 22-yard touchdown pass after
the first fumble, making it 16-0 TMP after the two-point conversion.

The second fumble&nbsp;and third turnover in a row by the
Bulldogs led to a three-yard Austin Gilbert touchdown run from three yards out
as TMP built a 24-0 lead.

The first-half offensive onslaught continued into the second
quarter for TMP. The Monarchs scored on touchdown passes from Liles to Isaac Purinton,
from six yards out, and from Liles to Jacob Seib from 35 yards, making it 37-0
TMP.

Liles capped off the first half with two more rushing
touchdowns as TMP led at halftime 50-0.

With the running clock in the second quarter, Syracuse
scored on a safety and a pair of touchdowns that surrounded a Brown touchdown
as the Monarchs secured the 56-16 victory.

Liles completed 12-of-19 passes for 220 yards and three
touchdowns.

Seib hauled in five passes for a career-high 148 yards and a
touchdown.

TMP will close out the regular season Friday night at Plainville.


By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostHAYS – The TMP-Marian Monarchs shook off a slow start and
then cruised to a 56-16 win over the Syracuse Bulldogs Friday night at Lewis
Field in Hays.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1937597723&color=%23294b71&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/tmp-fb-coach-postgame-interview-vs-syracuse-oct-18th-24" title="TMP FB Coach Postgame Interview Vs Syracuse Oct 18th 24" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">TMP FB Coach Postgame Interview Vs Syracuse Oct 18th 24</a></div></div>The Monarchs (5-2, 3-1 1A-D8) drove inside the Syracuse red zone
on their first two offensive drives of the game, but both drives stalled on a pair
of turnovers on downs.On the second offensive possession of the game for Syracuse
(0-7, 0-4 1A-D8), &nbsp;the Monarchs' safety
Carson Liles intercepted a pass that set the Monarchs up with excellent field
position in Syracuse territory.Adler Brown capped off the three-play drive with a 12-yard
touchdown, his first career rushing touchdown.The Monarchs led 8-0 with just over three minutes left in
the first half.After the Syracuse interception, they fumbled on their next
two offensive plays, and TMP scored on the next play.The Monarchs scored three first-quarter touchdowns in less than
40 seconds.Liles found Grant Nehls for a 22-yard touchdown pass after
the first fumble, making it 16-0 TMP after the two-point conversion.The second fumble&nbsp;and third turnover in a row by the
Bulldogs led to a three-yard Austin Gilbert touchdown run from three yards out
as TMP built a 24-0 lead.The first-half offensive onslaught continued into the second
quarter for TMP. The Monarchs scored on touchdown passes from Liles to Isaac Purinton,
from six yards out, and from Liles to Jacob Seib from 35 yards, making it 37-0
TMP.Liles capped off the first half with two more rushing
touchdowns as TMP led at halftime 50-0.With the running clock in the second quarter, Syracuse
scored on a safety and a pair of touchdowns that surrounded a Brown touchdown
as the Monarchs secured the 56-16 victory.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1937598038&color=%23294b71&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/tmp-fb-highlights-vs-syracuse-oct-18th-24" title="TMP FB Highlights Vs Syracuse Oct 18th 24" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">TMP FB Highlights Vs Syracuse Oct 18th 24</a></div></div>Liles completed 12-of-19 passes for 220 yards and three
touchdowns.Seib hauled in five passes for a career-high 148 yards and a
touchdown.TMP will close out the regular season Friday night at Plainville.

🏈 Big first half leads Monarchs past Syracuse

By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER Hays Post

GREAT BEND - The Western Athletic Conference title was on the line Friday in Great Bend as Hays High hit the road to take on the Panthers. Great Bend snapped a four game losing streak to the Indians with a 21-0 victory.&nbsp;

The first half was a defensive fight. Neither team scored in the first quarter. Great Bend's best chance in the first frame was turned away when the Indians stripped the football away and recovered it.

The lone second quarter score belonged to Great Bend. Hays had a long punt return called back on a penalty that would have set up the Indians at the Panther 28 yard line. Two plays later Hays had a 25 yard pass play called back on a penalty. The Indians eventually punted the ball away from their own end zone into the wind.

Great Bend returned the punt to the Hays 15 yard line. Great Bend lost yards on the first two plays of the series then threw an incomplete pass. The Panthers dialed up the lone first half score on 4th and 20 on a pass to the back left corner of the end zone for a 25 yard scored. The Panther point after pushed the lead to 7-0.

Hays took the ensuing kickoff back to the 40. The Indians drove all the way down to the one yard line. A 2nd and goal play from the one lost yards. Hays was pushed back to the 13 on the next play due to a penalty. Hays could not score on their final drive of the half, trailing 7-0 at halftime.

Hays again drove into the red zone i the third quarter but couldn't score. The Indians converted a 3rd and 17 to set up shop at the Panther six. Hays ended up missing a field goal that kept the score at 7-0 in favor of Great Bend.&nbsp;

The Panthers broke off two big plays in the second half to make the difference on the scoreboard. A 49 yard scoring run followed by a 63 yard touchdown pushed the lead up to 21-0 for Great Bend with 10:08 left to go in the game.

The Indians last gasp drive to turn things around converted a third down near the Great Bend penalty but a penalty on the drive and dead ball penalty doomed the drive. Great Bend ran out the clock for the 21-0 victory.

Hays was penalized 13 times for 100 yards. Great Bend had 7 penalties for 80 yards.

Hays falls to 4-3 on the season and 2-1 in conference play. Great Bend is 7-0, 3-0. They will remain the number one seeded team in 5A West with one week to go.

Holden Lind ran for 145 of the Indians 260 total yards. Great Bend had 311 yards of offense.

Hays returns home for Senior Night to take on the 5-2 Liberal Redskins.

By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER Hays PostGREAT BEND - The Western Athletic Conference title was on the line Friday in Great Bend as Hays High hit the road to take on the Panthers. Great Bend snapped a four game losing streak to the Indians with a 21-0 victory.&nbsp;The first half was a defensive fight. Neither team scored in the first quarter. Great Bend's best chance in the first frame was turned away when the Indians stripped the football away and recovered it.The lone second quarter score belonged to Great Bend. Hays had a long punt return called back on a penalty that would have set up the Indians at the Panther 28 yard line. Two plays later Hays had a 25 yard pass play called back on a penalty. The Indians eventually punted the ball away from their own end zone into the wind.Great Bend returned the punt to the Hays 15 yard line. Great Bend lost yards on the first two plays of the series then threw an incomplete pass. The Panthers dialed up the lone first half score on 4th and 20 on a pass to the back left corner of the end zone for a 25 yard scored. The Panther point after pushed the lead to 7-0.Hays took the ensuing kickoff back to the 40. The Indians drove all the way down to the one yard line. A 2nd and goal play from the one lost yards. Hays was pushed back to the 13 on the next play due to a penalty. Hays could not score on their final drive of the half, trailing 7-0 at halftime.<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1937618327&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/hays-high-fb-highlights-v-2" title="Hays High FB Highlights v Great Bend Oct 18 2024" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Hays High FB Highlights v Great Bend Oct 18 2024</a></div></div>Hays again drove into the red zone i the third quarter but couldn't score. The Indians converted a 3rd and 17 to set up shop at the Panther six. Hays ended up missing a field goal that kept the score at 7-0 in favor of Great Bend.&nbsp;The Panthers broke off two big plays in the second half to make the difference on the scoreboard. A 49 yard scoring run followed by a 63 yard touchdown pushed the lead up to 21-0 for Great Bend with 10:08 left to go in the game.The Indians last gasp drive to turn things around converted a third down near the Great Bend penalty but a penalty on the drive and dead ball penalty doomed the drive. Great Bend ran out the clock for the 21-0 victory.Hays was penalized 13 times for 100 yards. Great Bend had 7 penalties for 80 yards.<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1937618204&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/hays-high-fb-post-v-great-bend" title="Hays High FB Post v Great Bend Oct 18 2024" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Hays High FB Post v Great Bend Oct 18 2024</a></div></div>Hays falls to 4-3 on the season and 2-1 in conference play. Great Bend is 7-0, 3-0. They will remain the number one seeded team in 5A West with one week to go.Holden Lind ran for 145 of the Indians 260 total yards. Great Bend had 311 yards of offense.Hays returns home for Senior Night to take on the 5-2 Liberal Redskins.

🏈 Hays falls at Great Bend; Panthers claim WAC title

EDMOND, Okla. - The Fort Hays State volleyball team dropped a three-set match against the 13th-ranked Central Oklahoma Bronchos on Thursday, falling 21-25, 21-25, 15-25. The Tigers (9-8, 1-7 MIAA) had more service aces and the same number of attack errors as the Bronchos (19-1, 6-1 MIAA), but a 20-dig advantage for the home team helped UCO secure the win.

FHSU scored first before the Bronchos rattled off seven-straight points. UCO later led by as many as seven before the Tigers battled back to close within two. Trailing 20-13, FHSU scored seven of the next nine points to pull within 22-20.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/grace-schmedding/8180">Grace Schmedding</a>&nbsp;opened the run with a kill before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/gracie-rains/7948">Gracie Rains</a>&nbsp;recorded a solo block. Rains,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/ashlyn-reeves/7949">Ashlyn Reeves</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/abrey-galt/7955">Abrey Galt</a>&nbsp;soon added kills to continue the run. UCO eventually took the set with a block, winning 25-21.

The Tigers again trailed 7-1 early in the second set before going on a 10-4 run to pull within 13-11. The Bronchos battled back to push its lead past five. Reeves dropped in back-to-back kills to keep the Tigers alive late in the set, prompting a UCO timeout. The home team came out of the huddle to secure the set with a kill, again winning 25-21. Multiple big runs helped the Bronchos pull away in the third set, completing the win with a 25-15 victory.

Fort Hays State posted an attack percentage of .098 (32-20-123), while UCO managed a swing rate of .226 (48-20-124). Schmedding and Rains each had two kills, with Reeves contributing six kills and three blocks.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/caiya-stucky/7954">Caiya Stucky</a>&nbsp;distributed 23 assists and led the team with 10 digs.

The Tigers will be back in action on Saturday when they take on Arkansas-Fort Smith beginning at 1 p.m. from Fort Smith, Ark.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729246461549.png" alt="FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsEDMOND, Okla. - The Fort Hays State volleyball team dropped a three-set match against the 13th-ranked Central Oklahoma Bronchos on Thursday, falling 21-25, 21-25, 15-25. The Tigers (9-8, 1-7 MIAA) had more service aces and the same number of attack errors as the Bronchos (19-1, 6-1 MIAA), but a 20-dig advantage for the home team helped UCO secure the win.FHSU scored first before the Bronchos rattled off seven-straight points. UCO later led by as many as seven before the Tigers battled back to close within two. Trailing 20-13, FHSU scored seven of the next nine points to pull within 22-20.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/grace-schmedding/8180">Grace Schmedding</a>&nbsp;opened the run with a kill before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/gracie-rains/7948">Gracie Rains</a>&nbsp;recorded a solo block. Rains,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/ashlyn-reeves/7949">Ashlyn Reeves</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/abrey-galt/7955">Abrey Galt</a>&nbsp;soon added kills to continue the run. UCO eventually took the set with a block, winning 25-21.The Tigers again trailed 7-1 early in the second set before going on a 10-4 run to pull within 13-11. The Bronchos battled back to push its lead past five. Reeves dropped in back-to-back kills to keep the Tigers alive late in the set, prompting a UCO timeout. The home team came out of the huddle to secure the set with a kill, again winning 25-21. Multiple big runs helped the Bronchos pull away in the third set, completing the win with a 25-15 victory.Fort Hays State posted an attack percentage of .098 (32-20-123), while UCO managed a swing rate of .226 (48-20-124). Schmedding and Rains each had two kills, with Reeves contributing six kills and three blocks.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/caiya-stucky/7954">Caiya Stucky</a>&nbsp;distributed 23 assists and led the team with 10 digs.UP NEXTThe Tigers will be back in action on Saturday when they take on Arkansas-Fort Smith beginning at 1 p.m. from Fort Smith, Ark.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏐 Tigers swept by No. 13 Bronchos

Congratulations to&nbsp;Courtney Molleker of Hays, who won $500 in the third week of the Cash Grab giveaway.

Listen at 9, 11, 1, and 3 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and enter the keyword on&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/">hayspost.com</a>&nbsp;for a chance to win $500 on each Friday in October.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729276852359.jpeg" alt="Courtney Molleker, third from left, was the week three in the Cash Grab Eagle radio giveaway. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Courtney Molleker, third from left, was the week three in the Cash Grab Eagle radio giveaway. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Congratulations to&nbsp;Courtney Molleker of Hays, who won $500 in the third week of the Cash Grab giveaway.Listen at 9, 11, 1, and 3 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and enter the keyword on&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/">hayspost.com</a>&nbsp;for a chance to win $500 on each Friday in October.&nbsp;

Cash Grab week 3 winner announced

By CRISTINA JANNEY&nbsp; Hays Post

Ellis County was listed in moderate drought based on the Kansas Drought Monitor released on Thursday.

Hays has received no measurable precipitation for the month.

Hays's average rainfall for October is 1.45 inches.

Year-to-date, Hays has received 19.93 inches of precipitation, with the average by the end of October 21.38 inches.

The forecast for today is a high of 75 and windy with gusts up to 38 mph.

There's a 20 percent chance for rain before noon Saturday with a high forecast of 72.

Sunday night after 10 p.m. and Monday, a 50% chance of rain returns.&nbsp;

Sunny skies are set to return Tuesday with a high of 8o and dipping into the 70s Wednesday and Thursday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729264546590.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY&nbsp; Hays PostEllis County was listed in moderate drought based on the Kansas Drought Monitor released on Thursday.Hays has received no measurable precipitation for the month.Hays's average rainfall for October is 1.45 inches.Year-to-date, Hays has received 19.93 inches of precipitation, with the average by the end of October 21.38 inches.The forecast for today is a high of 75 and windy with gusts up to 38 mph.There's a 20 percent chance for rain before noon Saturday with a high forecast of 72.Sunday night after 10 p.m. and Monday, a 50% chance of rain returns.&nbsp;Sunny skies are set to return Tuesday with a high of 8o and dipping into the 70s Wednesday and Thursday.

Drought persists across NW Kansas, but rain in the forecast

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Republican Bobbi Dreiling is running for her second term as Ellis County Clerk.&nbsp;

Dreiling worked eight years for Donna Maskus, the previous county clerk, serving as deputy clerk.

"From day one, I was learning everything that she knew, and in the last two or three years of her last term, I was doing a lot of the duties, which would have been doing the July and November abstract, which is setting values and doing the mill levy and the revenue neutral rate. I did those all by myself," Dreiling said.

Dreiling, 61, is from Hays. She has an associate's degree from Hutchinson Community College.

"I came in with a lot of people skills because each of my jobs required me to work with a lot of people," she said.

She said she is running for county clerk to serve every constituent in Ellis County.

"I felt that at that time, I ran the first time, I could help every constituent and do a good job for them," she said.

"I'm running again because in the little less than four years since I took office, I have run a very good office. I have great office staff. I have run eight elections with perfect counts, audits and recounts."

"I knew I was ready to put in another four years and work for the people," she said.

Dreiling also shared other accomplishments as county clerk.

She helped the county consolidate its nine townships to four.&nbsp;

"It's a cost saving to the taxpayers in ballot preparations and just running a better township," she said.

She said she's tried to as much as possible maintain a neutral budget.

The clerk's office started using smaller envelopes for mail-in ballots, saving money on office supplies and postage. She also decreased the election budget by using a lease program for election poll pads.

Dreiling was the first clerk in Ellis County to prepare revenue-neutral rate mailings. She also handled the redistricting.

She implemented Saturday early voting and text/email notifications on election information.&nbsp;

Fort Hays State University polling location

Her opponent and the ACLU have criticized Dreiling for not opening a voting location on the Fort Hays State University campus.

Dreiling closed the voting location closest to FHSU, 601 Main, because of low voter turnout.

She combined that ward and precinct with another that had to be closed because of issues with Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.

The new location for both wards and precincts is Messiah Lutheran Church, 2000 Main.

"As to why I chose not to put one exactly on campus, the numbers don't show for me to allow to spend taxpayer dollars," she said.

She said about 1,650 students were living on the FHSU campus, according to FHSU. Based on the voter registration roles, 69 voters registered in Ellis County live on campus.

She said there are 268 eligible voters between 18 and 24 in Ward One, Precinct One, which includes the 69 students living on campus. An additional 171 eligible 18- to 24-year-old voters live in Ward One Precinct Two.

Both precincts that are combined at Messiah Lutheran have 1,420 eligible voters.&nbsp;

"I have 981 voters who are going to have to figure out where to go on campus, how to park on campus and finding the polling location," Dreiling said.

"I have two places centrally located, Messiah Lutheran Church and centrally located right down the street from the campus, 718 Main St.," she said.

"When I look at the numbers at the polls," she said, "I will always relook at things."

Dreiling sent an email to students who are part of the American Democracy Project that included information about voter registration deadlines, advance voting and mail ballots so that information could be shared with students. She also has added Saturday voting hours.

"I will always work with the students to let them know how easy it is to vote in Ellis County," she said.

Dreiling said she would like to send postcards to all new county residents about registering to vote, but she does not have the budget to do that.

Dreiling said she does not think there is anything she can do to increase voter turnout.

During the Hays USD 489 school bond election, two voters received incorrect ballots due to human error in the Ellis County Clerk's office.

Dreiling said two voters who were not eligible to vote on the city sales tax received ballots with that question on them. Two staff members handed those voters the wrong ballots during advance voting.

Since then, Dreiling has trained poll workers to ask voters to confirm their ballot tickets and ballots match.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/7c1c8817-1e3a-4c50-951e-895526935cf1">Dreiling was also criticized by her opponent in a Hays Post letter to the editor for removing ballot drop boxes from Victoria and Ellis.</a> A drop box remains for mail-in ballots at the Ellis County Administration Center, 718 Main.

The Kansas Secretary of State urged all local election officials to increase ballot box security after the 2020 election. This included not allowing ballots to remain in ballot boxes overnight, Dreiling said.

She said this would have required the county to pay a Republican and Democrat to retrieve keys from the Ellis County Clerk's office, unlock the boxes in the morning every day, lock the boxes in the evening and return ballots in the boxes to the Ellis County Clerk's office at night.

These procedures must be maintained for two and a half weeks before Election Day, Dreiling said.

She tested the procedures in the November 2023 election. No ballots were dropped into the Ellis or Victoria ballot boxes.

"From a budget standpoint, I found it wasn't in my budget to keep that kind of practice having those two open when they weren't utilized," Dreiling said.

Voters can still take their mail-in ballots to any polling location in the county on Election Day.

Dreiling obtained an election security grant of $6,000 to install a camera at the ballot drop box at the county administration center. The camera allows her to view the car's license plate, the driver and the ballots being dropped into the box. It has also allowed her to leave the drop box open 24/7, Dreiling said.

Part of the election security grant also went toward cameras in the ballot counting room and the room in which the election equipment is stored, Dreiling said.&nbsp;

Dreiling has an election and security processes manual that covers the steps and checks and balances during the election from the time the ballots enter the clerk's office through audits.

Dreiling also focuses on training poll workers and ensuring the accuracy of election equipment pre-and post-tests. Election officials must also perform post-election audits of a percentage of the results.

She said ballots are counted before they leave the clerk's office, and the number of ballots coming back must match.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/7c1c8817-1e3a-4c50-951e-895526935cf1">Allen also criticized Dreiling in a letter to the Hays Post for posting misinformation on her Facebook account about felons' rights to vote.</a>

After felons have completed all their obligations under their sentences, including completing parole and paying any financial commitments, they can reregister to vote.

Dreiling said clerks are required to check a statewide database to ensure people have met their obligations. She said the system is often not up to date, which is a systemwide issue.

She urged residents facing this issue to bring in their release letters from the Department of Corrections to the clerk's office when registering to vote.

Early voting will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21, through noon Monday, Nov. 4.&nbsp; Saturday early voting will be from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 2. 

Election Day will be Tuesday, Nov. 5. Vote at your regular polling location from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Watch the Hays Post for complete election results on Election night.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/90ec3907-2122-4b32-9bc1-b4199532ec34">Read a profile of Dreiling's opponent, Laura Allen, HERE.</a>

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostRepublican Bobbi Dreiling is running for her second term as Ellis County Clerk.&nbsp;Dreiling worked eight years for Donna Maskus, the previous county clerk, serving as deputy clerk."From day one, I was learning everything that she knew, and in the last two or three years of her last term, I was doing a lot of the duties, which would have been doing the July and November abstract, which is setting values and doing the mill levy and the revenue neutral rate. I did those all by myself," Dreiling said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729023458777.jpeg" alt="Bobbi Dreiling&nbsp;&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Bobbi Dreiling&nbsp;&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Dreiling, 61, is from Hays. She has an associate's degree from Hutchinson Community College."I came in with a lot of people skills because each of my jobs required me to work with a lot of people," she said.She said she is running for county clerk to serve every constituent in Ellis County."I felt that at that time, I ran the first time, I could help every constituent and do a good job for them," she said."I'm running again because in the little less than four years since I took office, I have run a very good office. I have great office staff. I have run eight elections with perfect counts, audits and recounts.""I knew I was ready to put in another four years and work for the people," she said.<h2>Accomplishments as county clerk</h2>Dreiling also shared other accomplishments as county clerk.She helped the county consolidate its nine townships to four.&nbsp;"It's a cost saving to the taxpayers in ballot preparations and just running a better township," she said.She said she's tried to as much as possible maintain a neutral budget.The clerk's office started using smaller envelopes for mail-in ballots, saving money on office supplies and postage. She also decreased the election budget by using a lease program for election poll pads.Dreiling was the first clerk in Ellis County to prepare revenue-neutral rate mailings. She also handled the redistricting.She implemented Saturday early voting and text/email notifications on election information.&nbsp;<h2>Fort Hays State University polling location</h2>Her opponent and the ACLU have criticized Dreiling for not opening a voting location on the Fort Hays State University campus.Dreiling closed the voting location closest to FHSU, 601 Main, because of low voter turnout.She combined that ward and precinct with another that had to be closed because of issues with Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.The new location for both wards and precincts is Messiah Lutheran Church, 2000 Main."As to why I chose not to put one exactly on campus, the numbers don't show for me to allow to spend taxpayer dollars," she said.She said about 1,650 students were living on the FHSU campus, according to FHSU. Based on the voter registration roles, 69 voters registered in Ellis County live on campus.She said there are 268 eligible voters between 18 and 24 in Ward One, Precinct One, which includes the 69 students living on campus. An additional 171 eligible 18- to 24-year-old voters live in Ward One Precinct Two.Both precincts that are combined at Messiah Lutheran have 1,420 eligible voters.&nbsp;"I have 981 voters who are going to have to figure out where to go on campus, how to park on campus and finding the polling location," Dreiling said."I have two places centrally located, Messiah Lutheran Church and centrally located right down the street from the campus, 718 Main St.," she said."When I look at the numbers at the polls," she said, "I will always relook at things."Dreiling sent an email to students who are part of the American Democracy Project that included information about voter registration deadlines, advance voting and mail ballots so that information could be shared with students. She also has added Saturday voting hours."I will always work with the students to let them know how easy it is to vote in Ellis County," she said.Dreiling said she would like to send postcards to all new county residents about registering to vote, but she does not have the budget to do that.Dreiling said she does not think there is anything she can do to increase voter turnout.<h2>Incorrect ballots</h2>During the Hays USD 489 school bond election, two voters received incorrect ballots due to human error in the Ellis County Clerk's office.Dreiling said two voters who were not eligible to vote on the city sales tax received ballots with that question on them. Two staff members handed those voters the wrong ballots during advance voting.That question passed by a wide margin.Since then, Dreiling has trained poll workers to ask voters to confirm their ballot tickets and ballots match.<h2>Ballot drop boxes</h2><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/7c1c8817-1e3a-4c50-951e-895526935cf1">Dreiling was also criticized by her opponent in a Hays Post letter to the editor for removing ballot drop boxes from Victoria and Ellis.</a> A drop box remains for mail-in ballots at the Ellis County Administration Center, 718 Main.The Kansas Secretary of State urged all local election officials to increase ballot box security after the 2020 election. This included not allowing ballots to remain in ballot boxes overnight, Dreiling said.She said this would have required the county to pay a Republican and Democrat to retrieve keys from the Ellis County Clerk's office, unlock the boxes in the morning every day, lock the boxes in the evening and return ballots in the boxes to the Ellis County Clerk's office at night.These procedures must be maintained for two and a half weeks before Election Day, Dreiling said.She tested the procedures in the November 2023 election. No ballots were dropped into the Ellis or Victoria ballot boxes."From a budget standpoint, I found it wasn't in my budget to keep that kind of practice having those two open when they weren't utilized," Dreiling said.Voters can still take their mail-in ballots to any polling location in the county on Election Day.Dreiling obtained an election security grant of $6,000 to install a camera at the ballot drop box at the county administration center. The camera allows her to view the car's license plate, the driver and the ballots being dropped into the box. It has also allowed her to leave the drop box open 24/7, Dreiling said.<h2>Election security, accuracy</h2>Part of the election security grant also went toward cameras in the ballot counting room and the room in which the election equipment is stored, Dreiling said.&nbsp;Dreiling has an election and security processes manual that covers the steps and checks and balances during the election from the time the ballots enter the clerk's office through audits.Dreiling also focuses on training poll workers and ensuring the accuracy of election equipment pre-and post-tests. Election officials must also perform post-election audits of a percentage of the results.She said ballots are counted before they leave the clerk's office, and the number of ballots coming back must match.<h2>Voting eligibility?</h2><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/7c1c8817-1e3a-4c50-951e-895526935cf1">Allen also criticized Dreiling in a letter to the Hays Post for posting misinformation on her Facebook account about felons' rights to vote.</a>After felons have completed all their obligations under their sentences, including completing parole and paying any financial commitments, they can reregister to vote.The restoration is not automatic.Dreiling said clerks are required to check a statewide database to ensure people have met their obligations. She said the system is often not up to date, which is a systemwide issue.She urged residents facing this issue to bring in their release letters from the Department of Corrections to the clerk's office when registering to vote. <h2>When and where to vote</h2>Early voting will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21, through noon Monday, Nov. 4.&nbsp; Saturday early voting will be from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 2. Election Day will be Tuesday, Nov. 5. Vote at your regular polling location from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.Watch the Hays Post for complete election results on Election night.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/90ec3907-2122-4b32-9bc1-b4199532ec34">Read a profile of Dreiling's opponent, Laura Allen, HERE.</a>

Republican Dreiling touts election security in run for Ellis County Clerk reelection

Democrat Laura Allen is running against Republican incumbent Bobbi Dreiling for the position of Ellis County Clerk.

Allen, 52, of Hays, ran an unsuccessful write-in campaign for clerk in 2020.

Allen most recently served as the director of the Center for Life Experience. She has also worked for the nonprofit First Call for Help of Hays.

She has a degree in business administration from Fort Hays State University.

"I have a desire to ensure there is open communication and a desire to work for and with the residents of Ellis County to make sure that their voices are heard," Allen said.

She added, "When I ran the last time, I felt the election portion of the county clerk duties — I don't feel like we see enough of."

She said this time, with the conversations around voting at Fort Hays State University and the closures of two polling locations, the communication has worsened.

The student group American Democracy Project has sought to open a polling location on the Fort Hays State University campus.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/3a3f06a1-6b07-45c6-bf3c-8b76f4d564d7">Those efforts were backed recently by the ACLU.</a>

Dreiling said she did not think the number of Ellis County registered voters living on campus warranted a polling location on campus.

She cited data from the most recent voting rolls showing that only 69 people registered to vote in Ellis County lived on campus.

The new location for both wards and precincts is Messiah Lutheran Church, 2000 Main. Dreiling said the new location is centrally located and accessible for all voters in those two precincts.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/64efa3e4-3296-4e5c-897f-8417a78e7fc3">SEE RELATED STORY:&nbsp;Republican Dreiling touts election security in run for Ellis County Clerk reelection</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1ff3108c-562d-421d-9200-395f040c2103">SEE RELATED STORY: Ellis County Clerk candidates disagree on campus polling location</a>

"I don't know if it is an absolute possibility to open a polling location on campus," Allen said. "I am sure there are a lot of things that go into that. 

"What I am sure about is that the open communication for people trying to better a process or make themselves more available to participate in the election process is something that should be encouraged."

"From what I can see, those concerns have not been heard or taken seriously," she said. "If they have, the people who have expressed those concerns have not felt like they have been heard."

Allen said she thought the groups trying to open a polling location on campus addressed all of the concerns raised about it.

She said she thought a polling location could be opened on campus through collaboration with campus groups.

Allen said the polling location in Ward One is not just about students. She lives in that ward and would prefer to vote on campus rather than at the church.

"That is not something that we were asked as people who vote in that area either," she said.

"My bigger issue is closing two polling locations and opening one," Allen said. "Regardless, I think it's a bigger issue than just the number of students who can vote on campus because most of us who live on that side of town are not against voting at Fort Hays."

Allen said she thinks the county clerk's office can do more to boost voter registration and turnout.

She said the clerk's office was not involved in a voter registration drive on the FHSU campus.

"I'm not sure why the clerk's office does not hold other registration drives," she said.&nbsp;

She added, "I think those are things that the clerk should be actively involved in."

She said the clerk should be talking to young people about the importance of registering to vote and voting.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/7c1c8817-1e3a-4c50-951e-895526935cf1">In a previous letter to the editor to the Hays Post, Allen criticized Dreiling for removing ballot drop boxes from Victoria and Ellis. </a>Dreiling cited the cost of maintaining security at those drop boxes and their lack of use as reasons for removing them.&nbsp;

Allen said she thinks the clerk's office could find both a Democrat and Republican to check the boxes daily as would be required.

Allen said she favored reinstalling the ballot drop boxes in Ellis and Victoria.

She questions if the current clerk had done enough to inform local voters about the drop boxes as an option when they were available in those two locations.

"I think it's important, and people are told, and they know each and every way they are able to vote," Allen said.

She said the clerk needs to pay attention to what the voters want in those areas.

To ensure the accuracy of ballots, Allen said she would make sure information is double-checked.

Allen said she did not think anything needed to be done to increase the security of elections.&nbsp;

"I think elections are run well," she said. "I don't think most people in Ellis County have a concern about someone tainting ballots or adding ballots or anything like that," Allen said.

She said the public could be better educated about the county clerk's duties.

"As far as the election process goes, they should be the go-to, and if anybody ever has a question about the election process or voting, they should automatically know they should go to the county clerk because that is our election official," Allen said.

Allen said voter registration and turnout could be increased in Ellis County by talking to young people about the process and encouraging them to participate in elections.

"I've raised my kids to really pay attention to elections and to vote," she said.&nbsp;

"It's one thing to go and talk to a government or civics class and explain this process and have kids ask questions as young adults who may very well may want to engage in that process and just don't know where to start," she said. ...

"I think putting it in our young people's minds before they're ready to vote and letting them know this is an important thing that we need to do, I think all of that comes back to engaging and making sure people are comfortable with the process and are able to ask questions," Allen said.

Allen said she had no issues with the clerk's office's other processes, including calculating mill levies.

"I don't think we go in and change things just to change it," Allen said.

Allen said that compared to the incumbent, she has a strong desire to maintain open communication with Ellis County residents.

"I just think my desire to make sure there's open communication and an open door and wanting people to be more involved in what's happening in Ellis County in general, I think makes a difference," Allen said.

Early voting will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays starting Monday, Oct. 21, and running through noon Monday, Nov. 4. Saturday early voting will be from 9 a.m. to noon on Nov. 2.

Election Day will be Tuesday, Nov. 5. Vote at your regular polling location from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostDemocrat Laura Allen is running against Republican incumbent Bobbi Dreiling for the position of Ellis County Clerk.Allen, 52, of Hays, ran an unsuccessful write-in campaign for clerk in 2020.Allen most recently served as the director of the Center for Life Experience. She has also worked for the nonprofit First Call for Help of Hays.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688753467308.jpeg" alt="Laura Allen" />
 <figcaption>Laura Allen</figcaption>
 </figure>She has a degree in business administration from Fort Hays State University."I have a desire to ensure there is open communication and a desire to work for and with the residents of Ellis County to make sure that their voices are heard," Allen said.She added, "When I ran the last time, I felt the election portion of the county clerk duties — I don't feel like we see enough of."She said this time, with the conversations around voting at Fort Hays State University and the closures of two polling locations, the communication has worsened.The student group American Democracy Project has sought to open a polling location on the Fort Hays State University campus.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/3a3f06a1-6b07-45c6-bf3c-8b76f4d564d7">Those efforts were backed recently by the ACLU.</a>Dreiling said she did not think the number of Ellis County registered voters living on campus warranted a polling location on campus.She cited data from the most recent voting rolls showing that only 69 people registered to vote in Ellis County lived on campus.Dreiling closed the voting location closest to FHSU, 601 Main, because of low voter turnout.She combined that ward and precinct with another that had to be closed because of issues with Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.The new location for both wards and precincts is Messiah Lutheran Church, 2000 Main. Dreiling said the new location is centrally located and accessible for all voters in those two precincts.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/64efa3e4-3296-4e5c-897f-8417a78e7fc3">SEE RELATED STORY:&nbsp;Republican Dreiling touts election security in run for Ellis County Clerk reelection</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1ff3108c-562d-421d-9200-395f040c2103">SEE RELATED STORY: Ellis County Clerk candidates disagree on campus polling location</a>"I don't know if it is an absolute possibility to open a polling location on campus," Allen said. "I am sure there are a lot of things that go into that. "What I am sure about is that the open communication for people trying to better a process or make themselves more available to participate in the election process is something that should be encouraged.""From what I can see, those concerns have not been heard or taken seriously," she said. "If they have, the people who have expressed those concerns have not felt like they have been heard."Allen said she thought the groups trying to open a polling location on campus addressed all of the concerns raised about it.She said she thought a polling location could be opened on campus through collaboration with campus groups.Allen said the polling location in Ward One is not just about students. She lives in that ward and would prefer to vote on campus rather than at the church."That is not something that we were asked as people who vote in that area either," she said."My bigger issue is closing two polling locations and opening one," Allen said. "Regardless, I think it's a bigger issue than just the number of students who can vote on campus because most of us who live on that side of town are not against voting at Fort Hays."Allen said she thinks the county clerk's office can do more to boost voter registration and turnout.She said the clerk's office was not involved in a voter registration drive on the FHSU campus."I'm not sure why the clerk's office does not hold other registration drives," she said.&nbsp;She added, "I think those are things that the clerk should be actively involved in."She said the clerk should be talking to young people about the importance of registering to vote and voting.<h2>Ballot drop boxes</h2><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/7c1c8817-1e3a-4c50-951e-895526935cf1">In a previous letter to the editor to the Hays Post, Allen criticized Dreiling for removing ballot drop boxes from Victoria and Ellis. </a>Dreiling cited the cost of maintaining security at those drop boxes and their lack of use as reasons for removing them.&nbsp;Allen said she thinks the clerk's office could find both a Democrat and Republican to check the boxes daily as would be required.Allen said she favored reinstalling the ballot drop boxes in Ellis and Victoria.She questions if the current clerk had done enough to inform local voters about the drop boxes as an option when they were available in those two locations."I think it's important, and people are told, and they know each and every way they are able to vote," Allen said.She said the clerk needs to pay attention to what the voters want in those areas.<h2>Election security, accuracy</h2>To ensure the accuracy of ballots, Allen said she would make sure information is double-checked.Allen said she did not think anything needed to be done to increase the security of elections.&nbsp;"I think elections are run well," she said. "I don't think most people in Ellis County have a concern about someone tainting ballots or adding ballots or anything like that," Allen said.She said the public could be better educated about the county clerk's duties."As far as the election process goes, they should be the go-to, and if anybody ever has a question about the election process or voting, they should automatically know they should go to the county clerk because that is our election official," Allen said.<h2>Voter turnout, registration</h2>Allen said voter registration and turnout could be increased in Ellis County by talking to young people about the process and encouraging them to participate in elections."I've raised my kids to really pay attention to elections and to vote," she said.&nbsp;"It's one thing to go and talk to a government or civics class and explain this process and have kids ask questions as young adults who may very well may want to engage in that process and just don't know where to start," she said. ..."I think putting it in our young people's minds before they're ready to vote and letting them know this is an important thing that we need to do, I think all of that comes back to engaging and making sure people are comfortable with the process and are able to ask questions," Allen said.Allen said she had no issues with the clerk's office's other processes, including calculating mill levies."I don't think we go in and change things just to change it," Allen said.Allen said that compared to the incumbent, she has a strong desire to maintain open communication with Ellis County residents."I just think my desire to make sure there's open communication and an open door and wanting people to be more involved in what's happening in Ellis County in general, I think makes a difference," Allen said.<h2>When and where to vote</h2>Early voting will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays starting Monday, Oct. 21, and running through noon Monday, Nov. 4. Saturday early voting will be from 9 a.m. to noon on Nov. 2.Election Day will be Tuesday, Nov. 5. Vote at your regular polling location from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Watch the Hays Post for complete election results on Election night.

Democrat Allen focuses on voting accessibility in race for Ellis County Clerk

GARDEN
CITY – The Hays High boys soccer team defeated Garden City 3-2 Thursday at
Garden City High School. 

The Indians had goals from Mason Schleicher and Henry
Speno to build a 2-0 halftime lead. Speno scored the Indians lone goal in the second
half to push the lead to 3-1.

The
Indians have now won two road contests and have won two of their last three matches
overall and are now 7-8 on the season and finish Western Athletic Conference play
3-5. 

HHS
closes out the regular season Tuesday in Hesston.

Hays PostGARDEN
CITY – The Hays High boys soccer team defeated Garden City 3-2 Thursday at
Garden City High School. The Indians had goals from Mason Schleicher and Henry
Speno to build a 2-0 halftime lead. Speno scored the Indians lone goal in the second
half to push the lead to 3-1.The
Indians have now won two road contests and have won two of their last three matches
overall and are now 7-8 on the season and finish Western Athletic Conference play
3-5. UP
NEXTHHS
closes out the regular season Tuesday in Hesston.

⚽ HHS boys defeat Buffs on the road

JUNCTION CITY - The Hays High volleyball&nbsp; team extended their winning-streak to 12 matches Thursday with a pair of wins over Junction City and Topeka High.

Hays def. Junction City 25-15, 25-13 Hays def. Topeka 25-23, 25-9

In the match, senior Annie Humphrey collected her 1,000th career dig.

Hays improves to 25-6. They play at the Western Athletic Conference Tournament Saturday in Garden City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689954940605.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hays PostJUNCTION CITY - The Hays High volleyball&nbsp; team extended their winning-streak to 12 matches Thursday with a pair of wins over Junction City and Topeka High.Hays def. Junction City 25-15, 25-13 Hays def. Topeka 25-23, 25-9In the match, senior Annie Humphrey collected her 1,000th career dig.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Congratulations to Annie Humphrey for getting 1,000 career digs tonight! <a href="https://t.co/AQSp9lo1L6">pic.twitter.com/AQSp9lo1L6</a>&mdash; Hays HS Athletics and Activities (@HaysHighAD) <a href="https://twitter.com/HaysHighAD/status/1847056693026316486?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Hays improves to 25-6. They play at the Western Athletic Conference Tournament Saturday in Garden City.

🏐 HHS wins twice in Junction City to extend win streak

HAYS
– The Hays High cross country team hosted the Western Athletic Conference meet
on a windy Thursday afternoon at the Rolling Ridge Cross Country Course. The boys finished fourth and the girls fifth.

Click <a href="https://www.heartlandtiming.com/results/2024/2024%20WAC%20XC%20Results.pdf">here</a> for complete results.

Taevian
Maupin led the boys with a ninth-place finish. Evelyn Schmidt paced the girls
coming in 19th.

Garden
City had the top three finishers and seven in the top 10 and easily won the
boys title with 18 points. Great Bend finished second with 64.

Garden City junior Uriel Gurrola won the boys title with a time of 18:00.0.

The
Panther girls placed six in the top 10 and won the girls’ race with 22 points.
Dodge City finished second with 57 points.

Dodge City junior Karime Rueda Cienfuegos won the girls' race with a time of 18:21.2.

Hays PostHAYS
– The Hays High cross country team hosted the Western Athletic Conference meet
on a windy Thursday afternoon at the Rolling Ridge Cross Country Course. The boys finished fourth and the girls fifth.Click <a href="https://www.heartlandtiming.com/results/2024/2024%20WAC%20XC%20Results.pdf">here</a> for complete results.Taevian
Maupin led the boys with a ninth-place finish. Evelyn Schmidt paced the girls
coming in 19th.Garden
City had the top three finishers and seven in the top 10 and easily won the
boys title with 18 points. Great Bend finished second with 64.Garden City junior Uriel Gurrola won the boys title with a time of 18:00.0.The
Panther girls placed six in the top 10 and won the girls’ race with 22 points.
Dodge City finished second with 57 points.Dodge City junior Karime Rueda Cienfuegos won the girls' race with a time of 18:21.2.

🏃‍♂️ HHS hosts Western Athletic Conference meet

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas Republicans lambasted a Manhattan-area Democratic candidate who used a racial slur in a 2020 Facebook post that detailed the candidate’s feelings about an outburst she witnessed.

Kim Zito, a Democrat running for House District 67, posted to Facebook, “F**K YOU N*****S!!!!” preceded by a middle finger emoji on Nov. 9, 2020. The post continues, “I write that because I want you to see that. That’s what we heard yday (sic) while we were cheering for our new President and our first female VP.”

Republicans called on Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly to rescind her endorsement of Zito in a Wednesday news release, and called the post a “shocking and racially charged rant.”

Zito said in a statement Republicans were attempting to distract voters from concerns with her opponent, Angel Roeser.

In the 2020 post, which has been deleted, Zito explained she was illustrating the “level of hate being hurled at people of color and anyone supporting the end of the” Trump administration. She pleaded with friends and family to “stand up against the violence of fellow human beings.”&nbsp;

The Kansas Black Republican Council brought the post to the attention of the Kansas House Republican Campaign Committee on Tuesday, according to the news release. Joseph Elmore, chairman of the Sedgwick County Black Republican Council and member of the state council’s executive board, called on Democrats to “unequivocally disavow and divest themselves.”

“Exposure of Kim Zito’s racism is painful to see and, in my view, disqualifies her for service as a lawmaker,” Elmore said in the news release. “Racist words and racial slurs are hurtful and hateful to our Community.”

House Majority Leader Chris Croft, R-Overland Park, and House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, echoed Elmore’s condemnation.

Zito responded by accusing Roeser of being dishonest about her level of education and where she stands on abortion rights.

“The Kansas Republican Party has a fundamentally flawed candidate who has a broken relationship with the truth,” Zito said. “The Republicans are trying to distract the voters of Manhattan from the fact their candidate lies about her voting history and lies about whether she graduated from K-State, which is an insult to hard-working Kansans.”

Roeser, who doesn’t have a college degree, identified herself as a Kansas State University graduate in postcards produced by her campaign.

The first-time candidate said in a statement for this story she didn’t have “any ill intent to withhold information” about obtaining a college degree. She acknowledged it was a mistake to lie about her education.

“Kim Zito has yet to take responsibility for the offensive, insulting and downright hostile comments she has made about races of people, groups of worshipers and individuals in our community,” Roeser said. “Her partisan rhetoric and personal attacks won’t serve Manhattan well and will most definitely ensure we don’t have a seat at the table.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729193641491.png" alt="Kim Zito, a Manhattan Democrat, says Republicans are complaining about her four-year-old social media post to draw attention away from her opponent, who lied about being a Kansas State University graduate. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kim Zito, a Manhattan Democrat, says Republicans are complaining about her four-year-old social media post to draw attention away from her opponent, who lied about being a Kansas State University graduate. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas Republicans lambasted a Manhattan-area Democratic candidate who used a racial slur in a 2020 Facebook post that detailed the candidate’s feelings about an outburst she witnessed.Kim Zito, a Democrat running for House District 67, posted to Facebook, “F**K YOU N*****S!!!!” preceded by a middle finger emoji on Nov. 9, 2020. The post continues, “I write that because I want you to see that. That’s what we heard yday (sic) while we were cheering for our new President and our first female VP.”Republicans called on Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly to rescind her endorsement of Zito in a Wednesday news release, and called the post a “shocking and racially charged rant.”Zito said in a statement Republicans were attempting to distract voters from concerns with her opponent, Angel Roeser.In the 2020 post, which has been deleted, Zito explained she was illustrating the “level of hate being hurled at people of color and anyone supporting the end of the” Trump administration. She pleaded with friends and family to “stand up against the violence of fellow human beings.”&nbsp;The Kansas Black Republican Council brought the post to the attention of the Kansas House Republican Campaign Committee on Tuesday, according to the news release. Joseph Elmore, chairman of the Sedgwick County Black Republican Council and member of the state council’s executive board, called on Democrats to “unequivocally disavow and divest themselves.”“Exposure of Kim Zito’s racism is painful to see and, in my view, disqualifies her for service as a lawmaker,” Elmore said in the news release. “Racist words and racial slurs are hurtful and hateful to our Community.”House Majority Leader Chris Croft, R-Overland Park, and House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, echoed Elmore’s condemnation.Zito responded by accusing Roeser of being dishonest about her level of education and where she stands on abortion rights.“The Kansas Republican Party has a fundamentally flawed candidate who has a broken relationship with the truth,” Zito said. “The Republicans are trying to distract the voters of Manhattan from the fact their candidate lies about her voting history and lies about whether she graduated from K-State, which is an insult to hard-working Kansans.”Roeser, who doesn’t have a college degree, identified herself as a Kansas State University graduate in postcards produced by her campaign.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729193490172.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The first-time candidate said in a statement for this story she didn’t have “any ill intent to withhold information” about obtaining a college degree. She acknowledged it was a mistake to lie about her education.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729193550023.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“Kim Zito has yet to take responsibility for the offensive, insulting and downright hostile comments she has made about races of people, groups of worshipers and individuals in our community,” Roeser said. “Her partisan rhetoric and personal attacks won’t serve Manhattan well and will most definitely ensure we don’t have a seat at the table.”

Kansas Republicans condemn Democrat’s use of racial slur in 2020 social media post, omit context

The Hays High Indians and TMP Monarchs both qualified their girls golf programs for their respective state tournaments earlier this week. Both teams won their regional.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729204012421.jpeg" alt="TMP and Hays High State Teams" />
 <figcaption>TMP and Hays High State Teams</figcaption>
 </figure>Hays PostThe Hays High Indians and TMP Monarchs both qualified their girls golf programs for their respective state tournaments earlier this week. Both teams won their regional.The Indians have qualified for the state tournament for a 19th straight year after winning the Hutchinson 5A regional at the Carey Park Golf Course.The 5A state tournament will be held at the Salina Municipal Golf Course on Monday, October 21st and Tuesday, October 22nd.Team members and tee times: Lily Butler - 10:00 Ava Erbert - 10:10 Liz Cunningham - 10:20 Kinley Pfannenstiel - 10:30 Liz Dreiling - 10:40 Jaycee Oakley - 10:50The Monarchs qualified one day later&nbsp;after they claimed the team title at the 3-1A Cheney regional at Cherry Oaks Golf Course.&nbsp;It marks the third time in the last four years the Monarchs have qualified as a team for the state tournament.&nbsp;The 3-1A state tournament is held in Emporia also on Tuesday, October 22nd.Team members and tee times: Emma Wasinger - 10:00 Ava Schumacher - 10:10 Jenna Brull - 10:20 Brynn Schoepf - 10:30