Michael Pfannenstiel:
Originally &nbsp;from Hays, Kansas

It is with deep sadness we report the death of Michael
Pfannenstiel, 74, of Buda, TX who passed away on August 24, 2025, from Agent
Orange related illnesses. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death
by his older brother Ron (2014).

There will be a Celebration of Mike’s life at 10:00 am on
Wednesday September 3, 2025.&nbsp; This
Celebration will be held at Celebration Community Church, 5790 230th
Ave. Hays, Kansas.&nbsp; Following the
service, we will proceed to the Kansas Veterans Cemetery in WaKeeney, Kansas,
where Mike will be laid to rest. If you would like to express your condolences
or share memories of Mike, please join the family for visitation and fellowship
beginning at 9:00 a.m. until time service.

Mike was born on 23 December 1950 in Hays, Kansas where he lived
for the first 17 years of his life. He was the son of Ted and Rosie (Kisner)
Pfannenstiel who owned and operated Ted’s Steakhouse. Working in the family’s
restaurant provided Mike with a lifelong appreciation for cooking. 

Mike met the woman that captured his heart, Anne E. Johnson,
at Chula Vista Community College in Chula Vista, Ca in 1975 and they were
married in 1977. Mike is survived by his wife Anne Elizabeth (Johnson) of 45
years. He is also survived by 2 sons, Dustin and Mark both of Austin, Texas. 1
daughter Erica Wood (Eric), New Braunfels, Texas and a grandson Jared
Pfannenstiel, Augusta, Maine. He is survived by 2 sisters, Debra Kingsley
(Doug) of Hays, Kansas, Christine Unrein (Bruce) of Hays, KS. and 1 brother Wesley
(Nancy) of Panama City, FL. 

Upon graduating from St. Josephs Military Academy in May of
1968, Mike attended the School of Automation in Kansas City, Missouri where he
was introduced to the world of computers. Mike enlisted in December of 1969
with the U.S. Navy and attended boot camp in San Diego, Ca. where he completed
Radioman A school in April of 1970. Mike volunteered for duty in Vietnam and
flew directly to Saigon, RVN. He was assigned to the U.S.S. Page County
LST1076, which was home ported out of Guam but was assigned river duty in
Vietnam. The ship performed duties in Chu Lai and Danang. Following the
decommissioning of the U.S.S. Page County in December of 1970, Mike was
assigned to BeachMasterUnitOne located in Coronado, Ca. In February of 1971 his
unit, Beach Party Team Bravo, was deployed to Southeast Asia where his unit
performed duties in Danang and was part of Amphibious Ready Group Alpha which
supported the Northern Pacific Region. In 1972 Mike again was deployed this
time with Beach Party Team Alfa and returned to Southeast Asia and returned to
Danang as part of Amphibious Ready Group Alpha. BeachMasterUnitOne Beach Party
Team Alfa took part in removing the mines from Haiphong Harbor, North Vietnam
during Operation End Sweep, from December 1972 to February of 1973. In December
1973 Mike was discharged from the US Navy. Due to Agent Orange contamination
Mike was classified as a 100% disabled Vietnam Veteran.

After Mike’s discharge he served 4 years with the US Navy as
a civilian communications specialist in Coronado, Ca. and in 1978 applied for
employment with the Central Intelligence Agency and was hired in August of
1978. Mike served in the CIA from 1978 through 2005 as a Staff Officer and
lived with his family in various overseas and stateside locations. Mike retired
as a Senior Communications Intelligence Officer and upon retirement received
the Career Commendation Medal for exemplary service significantly above normal
duties that had an important contribution to the Agency's mission. Mike served
a total of 45 years working for the Government as an enlisted military
communications operator, a CIA staff officer and as a Government Communications
contractor. Mike enjoyed baseball and movies and was passionate about playing
competitive steel tip darts. Mike earned numerous trophies and team events
throughout his long association within the darts world. He met some of the
world’s top players and enjoyed exchanging stories with them. Mike became a
member of the local VFW Post 3377 in Manchaca, TX upon retirement in 2016 and
served in many capacities such as House Committee Chairman, Canteen Manager,
Post Adjutant, Junior Vice Commander, Senior Vice Commander, Post Commander and
for many years was the editor of the VFW Post 3377 newsletter and VFW Post
3377’s Website. Mike wished to be buried in the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery in
WaKeeney, Kansas where his uncle Marvin Pfannenstiel also lies in rest. Asked
why there, he said “I want to lay in a field with Hero’s”.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials can be sent to the
Wounded Warrior project

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756472826475.jpeg" alt="Michael Pfannenstiel" />
 <figcaption>Michael Pfannenstiel</figcaption>
 </figure>Michael Pfannenstiel:
Originally &nbsp;from Hays, KansasIt is with deep sadness we report the death of Michael
Pfannenstiel, 74, of Buda, TX who passed away on August 24, 2025, from Agent
Orange related illnesses. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death
by his older brother Ron (2014).There will be a Celebration of Mike’s life at 10:00 am on
Wednesday September 3, 2025.&nbsp; This
Celebration will be held at Celebration Community Church, 5790 230th
Ave. Hays, Kansas.&nbsp; Following the
service, we will proceed to the Kansas Veterans Cemetery in WaKeeney, Kansas,
where Mike will be laid to rest. If you would like to express your condolences
or share memories of Mike, please join the family for visitation and fellowship
beginning at 9:00 a.m. until time service.Mike was born on 23 December 1950 in Hays, Kansas where he lived
for the first 17 years of his life. He was the son of Ted and Rosie (Kisner)
Pfannenstiel who owned and operated Ted’s Steakhouse. Working in the family’s
restaurant provided Mike with a lifelong appreciation for cooking. Mike met the woman that captured his heart, Anne E. Johnson,
at Chula Vista Community College in Chula Vista, Ca in 1975 and they were
married in 1977. Mike is survived by his wife Anne Elizabeth (Johnson) of 45
years. He is also survived by 2 sons, Dustin and Mark both of Austin, Texas. 1
daughter Erica Wood (Eric), New Braunfels, Texas and a grandson Jared
Pfannenstiel, Augusta, Maine. He is survived by 2 sisters, Debra Kingsley
(Doug) of Hays, Kansas, Christine Unrein (Bruce) of Hays, KS. and 1 brother Wesley
(Nancy) of Panama City, FL. Upon graduating from St. Josephs Military Academy in May of
1968, Mike attended the School of Automation in Kansas City, Missouri where he
was introduced to the world of computers. Mike enlisted in December of 1969
with the U.S. Navy and attended boot camp in San Diego, Ca. where he completed
Radioman A school in April of 1970. Mike volunteered for duty in Vietnam and
flew directly to Saigon, RVN. He was assigned to the U.S.S. Page County
LST1076, which was home ported out of Guam but was assigned river duty in
Vietnam. The ship performed duties in Chu Lai and Danang. Following the
decommissioning of the U.S.S. Page County in December of 1970, Mike was
assigned to BeachMasterUnitOne located in Coronado, Ca. In February of 1971 his
unit, Beach Party Team Bravo, was deployed to Southeast Asia where his unit
performed duties in Danang and was part of Amphibious Ready Group Alpha which
supported the Northern Pacific Region. In 1972 Mike again was deployed this
time with Beach Party Team Alfa and returned to Southeast Asia and returned to
Danang as part of Amphibious Ready Group Alpha. BeachMasterUnitOne Beach Party
Team Alfa took part in removing the mines from Haiphong Harbor, North Vietnam
during Operation End Sweep, from December 1972 to February of 1973. In December
1973 Mike was discharged from the US Navy. Due to Agent Orange contamination
Mike was classified as a 100% disabled Vietnam Veteran.After Mike’s discharge he served 4 years with the US Navy as
a civilian communications specialist in Coronado, Ca. and in 1978 applied for
employment with the Central Intelligence Agency and was hired in August of
1978. Mike served in the CIA from 1978 through 2005 as a Staff Officer and
lived with his family in various overseas and stateside locations. Mike retired
as a Senior Communications Intelligence Officer and upon retirement received
the Career Commendation Medal for exemplary service significantly above normal
duties that had an important contribution to the Agency's mission. Mike served
a total of 45 years working for the Government as an enlisted military
communications operator, a CIA staff officer and as a Government Communications
contractor. Mike enjoyed baseball and movies and was passionate about playing
competitive steel tip darts. Mike earned numerous trophies and team events
throughout his long association within the darts world. He met some of the
world’s top players and enjoyed exchanging stories with them. Mike became a
member of the local VFW Post 3377 in Manchaca, TX upon retirement in 2016 and
served in many capacities such as House Committee Chairman, Canteen Manager,
Post Adjutant, Junior Vice Commander, Senior Vice Commander, Post Commander and
for many years was the editor of the VFW Post 3377 newsletter and VFW Post
3377’s Website. Mike wished to be buried in the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery in
WaKeeney, Kansas where his uncle Marvin Pfannenstiel also lies in rest. Asked
why there, he said “I want to lay in a field with Hero’s”.In lieu of flowers, Memorials can be sent to the
Wounded Warrior project

Michael Pfannenstiel

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Two members of the governing bodies of Hays and Russell were children in elementary and middle school in 1995 when the towns jointly purchased the <a href="https://www.agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/division-of-water-resources/water-appropriation/change-applications/hays-change">R9 Ranch</a> in Edwards County as a long-term water supply.

City officials are now concerned about the future of water in the area for their own young children.

"We're in a multi-generational battle that we started decades ago," said Mason Ruder, Hays vice-mayor.&nbsp;

City leadership from both towns met in Russell City Hall Wednesday evening for a comprehensive update on the R9 project.&nbsp;

The project aims to ensure water sustainability, addressing urgent needs created by current inadequate and drought-susceptible water sources for both cities.

The state Water Transfer Act must be triggered to allow the conveyance of water more than 70 miles across Kansas. It will be the first time it is enacted for such a long distance.

The towns' water rights are currently for irrigation. Another approval process will change them to municipal use.

Legal wrangling with WaterPACK (Water Protection Association of Central Kansas), the Edwards County Commission and the Edwards County Planning Commission, which oppose the pipeline, has been underway for almost 10 years.

"We haven't lost anything substantive in this. We've won at every step of the process," said Toby Dougherty, Hays city manager. "The opponents in this have succeeded in weaponizing the legal and judicial system against Hays and Russell."

To date, regulatory costs amount to $10 million. The overall project cost is estimated at $144.9 million.

Reports from Hays' John Braun, project manager, and Matt Gallagher from Burns McDonnell engineering indicate the pipeline design is wrapping up, and right-of-way permits are being sought.

"We're going to have a project that's ready to bid on early next year," Dougherty said.

"At that point, it's just a matter of waiting for the transfer application to get approved. We're waiting on some litigation to finalize."

Sandy Jacobs, Hays mayor, said, "We've done everything by the book, by the statute."

"We just have to be confident that the system is going to prevail and allow us to use our water we bought 30 years ago," Dougherty said.&nbsp;

"Drought is going to happen...so we want to get shovels turning as quickly as possible as soon as we get regulatory approval," he said.

The U.S. Drought Monitor recently removed Ellis and Russell counties from all drought declarations. 

However, Hays remains an inch behind normal for the year-to-date, according to Thursday's official rainfall report from the K-State Agricultural Research Center. 

Russell recently lost its surface water source and is in a S<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/848f9503-4f0d-4d1d-92af-6639003b4aac">tage II water warning</a>.

Both towns have aggressive water conservation plans in place.

"This is about sustainability and survival," said Alaina Cunningham, Hays city commissioner, "and without it, we don't survive."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756388890394.jpeg" alt="Wednesday's joint meeting of the governing bodies of Hays and Russell to discuss updates to the R9 long-term water supply project. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday's joint meeting of the governing bodies of Hays and Russell to discuss updates to the R9 long-term water supply project. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostTwo members of the governing bodies of Hays and Russell were children in elementary and middle school in 1995 when the towns jointly purchased the <a href="https://www.agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/division-of-water-resources/water-appropriation/change-applications/hays-change">R9 Ranch</a> in Edwards County as a long-term water supply.City officials are now concerned about the future of water in the area for their own young children."We're in a multi-generational battle that we started decades ago," said Mason Ruder, Hays vice-mayor.&nbsp;City leadership from both towns met in Russell City Hall Wednesday evening for a comprehensive update on the R9 project.&nbsp;The project aims to ensure water sustainability, addressing urgent needs created by current inadequate and drought-susceptible water sources for both cities.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756399356256.jpeg" alt="Image courtesy City of Hays" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy City of Hays</figcaption>
 </figure>The state Water Transfer Act must be triggered to allow the conveyance of water more than 70 miles across Kansas. It will be the first time it is enacted for such a long distance.The towns' water rights are currently for irrigation. Another approval process will change them to municipal use.Legal wrangling with WaterPACK (Water Protection Association of Central Kansas), the Edwards County Commission and the Edwards County Planning Commission, which oppose the pipeline, has been underway for almost 10 years."We haven't lost anything substantive in this. We've won at every step of the process," said Toby Dougherty, Hays city manager. "The opponents in this have succeeded in weaponizing the legal and judicial system against Hays and Russell."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756400006933.jpeg" alt="Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>To date, regulatory costs amount to $10 million. The overall project cost is estimated at $144.9 million.Reports from Hays' John Braun, project manager, and Matt Gallagher from Burns McDonnell engineering indicate the pipeline design is wrapping up, and right-of-way permits are being sought."We're going to have a project that's ready to bid on early next year," Dougherty said."At that point, it's just a matter of waiting for the transfer application to get approved. We're waiting on some litigation to finalize."Sandy Jacobs, Hays mayor, said, "We've done everything by the book, by the statute.""We just have to be confident that the system is going to prevail and allow us to use our water we bought 30 years ago," Dougherty said.&nbsp;"Drought is going to happen...so we want to get shovels turning as quickly as possible as soon as we get regulatory approval," he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756402139053.png" alt="Ellis and Russell counties outlined in the U.S. Drought Monitor status map for Kansas as of Tuesday.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Ellis and Russell counties outlined in the U.S. Drought Monitor status map for Kansas as of Tuesday.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>The U.S. Drought Monitor recently removed Ellis and Russell counties from all drought declarations. However, Hays remains an inch behind normal for the year-to-date, according to Thursday's official rainfall report from the K-State Agricultural Research Center. Russell recently lost its surface water source and is in a S<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/848f9503-4f0d-4d1d-92af-6639003b4aac">tage II water warning</a>.Both towns have aggressive water conservation plans in place."This is about sustainability and survival," said Alaina Cunningham, Hays city commissioner, "and without it, we don't survive."

R9 water pipeline project should be out to bid early next year despite litigation

Sunflower Electric Power Corporation

Sunflower Electric Power Corporation is pleased to announce the promotions of Katelyn Dickinson to manager of human resources and Shelbi Wiles to manager of communications. Both bring a strong history of leadership, innovation, and dedication to Sunflower’s mission of empowering employees and powering members.

In her new role, Dickinson will continue leading the day-to-day operations of the human resources team, including business partnerships, employee relations, talent acquisition, compensation, benefits, and compliance. Her steady leadership and collaboration efforts guided the human resources team through a period of transition, and she consistently models Sunflower’s core values of treating others exceptionally well and delivering world-class service.

With more than a decade of human resources experience across multiple industries, Dickinson has a proven record of developing people and processes. She joined Sunflower in November 2020 as a human resources administrator and was quickly promoted to human resources supervisor.

A native of Hays, she earned a bachelor of science in business administration from Kansas State University. Dickinson and her husband live in the Hays area with their two children, Stetson and Jolee.

Wiles, promoted to manager of communications, will manage the development of Sunflower’s corporate communications. She’ll serve as the company’s official spokesperson, lead crisis communications efforts, and oversee media relations, digital strategies, and stakeholder communications to strengthen Sunflower’s reputation and visibility.

She joined Sunflower in 2022 as a project portfolio specialist and was promoted to marketing and communications supervisor in 2024. Wiles’ leadership in empowering her team and encouraging innovation has been instrumental in guiding the communications department through the successful launch of Sunflower’s refreshed brand and logo.

A Beloit native, Wiles holds a bachelor of science in tourism and hospitality management with a minor in organizational leadership, as well as a master’s certificate in project management from Wichita State University. She resides in Hays with her fiancé, Alex.

“Shelbi and Katelyn have both shown exceptional leadership and dedication to Sunflower’s mission,” said Steve Epperson, Sunflower’s chief executive officer. “Their promotions recognize their achievements and the important role they will play in strengthening our organization and supporting the success of our employees and members.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724359836024.jpeg" alt="Sunflower Electric" />
 <figcaption>Sunflower Electric</figcaption>
 </figure>Sunflower Electric Power CorporationSunflower Electric Power Corporation is pleased to announce the promotions of Katelyn Dickinson to manager of human resources and Shelbi Wiles to manager of communications. Both bring a strong history of leadership, innovation, and dedication to Sunflower’s mission of empowering employees and powering members.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756393353339.jpeg" alt="Katelyn Dickinson. Photo courtesy Sunflower Electric" />
 <figcaption>Katelyn Dickinson. Photo courtesy Sunflower Electric</figcaption>
 </figure>In her new role, Dickinson will continue leading the day-to-day operations of the human resources team, including business partnerships, employee relations, talent acquisition, compensation, benefits, and compliance. Her steady leadership and collaboration efforts guided the human resources team through a period of transition, and she consistently models Sunflower’s core values of treating others exceptionally well and delivering world-class service.With more than a decade of human resources experience across multiple industries, Dickinson has a proven record of developing people and processes. She joined Sunflower in November 2020 as a human resources administrator and was quickly promoted to human resources supervisor.A native of Hays, she earned a bachelor of science in business administration from Kansas State University. Dickinson and her husband live in the Hays area with their two children, Stetson and Jolee.Wiles, promoted to manager of communications, will manage the development of Sunflower’s corporate communications. She’ll serve as the company’s official spokesperson, lead crisis communications efforts, and oversee media relations, digital strategies, and stakeholder communications to strengthen Sunflower’s reputation and visibility.She joined Sunflower in 2022 as a project portfolio specialist and was promoted to marketing and communications supervisor in 2024. Wiles’ leadership in empowering her team and encouraging innovation has been instrumental in guiding the communications department through the successful launch of Sunflower’s refreshed brand and logo.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756393275755.jpeg" alt="Shelbi Wiles. Photo courtesy Sunflower Electric" />
 <figcaption>Shelbi Wiles. Photo courtesy Sunflower Electric</figcaption>
 </figure>A Beloit native, Wiles holds a bachelor of science in tourism and hospitality management with a minor in organizational leadership, as well as a master’s certificate in project management from Wichita State University. She resides in Hays with her fiancé, Alex.“Shelbi and Katelyn have both shown exceptional leadership and dedication to Sunflower’s mission,” said Steve Epperson, Sunflower’s chief executive officer. “Their promotions recognize their achievements and the important role they will play in strengthening our organization and supporting the success of our employees and members.

Sunflower Electric announces promotions 

By TISA MASON Fort Hays State University President

What inspires me, as the president of Fort Hays State University, is the impact of our students, faculty, and staff. What I love about Elle Hutchinson’s story is how it embodies the essential traits we relish at FHSU. Elle is a determined contender, an inspired innovator, and a caring individual. Elle’s journey in higher education has been nothing short of remarkable.

Elle shared that Fort Hays State University (FHSU) was the perfect fit for her when choosing a university. Growing up near Hays and engaging with FHSU alumni allowed her to appreciate the institution's value. Elle shared with me that the decision was ultimately grounded in affordability, the transferability of her credits from Barton Community College (BCC), and her desire to remain close to family.

Elle graduated with her associate’s degree from BCC, graduating with highest honors, just a week before she walked across the stage at Great Bend High School, a unique achievement that pushed the boundaries of what she thought was possible.

Like FHSU, BCC is very student-focused. When the leadership at BCC learned about Elle pursuing her high school diploma and her associate's degree simultaneously, they worked with Elle to create and promote a program designed to facilitate an academic pathway for other high school students. That spirit of innovation, of always blazing a new path, is precisely what FHSU is all about.

The challenge of pursuing two degrees simultaneously truly motivated Elle. She wanted to challenge herself, push beyond conventional boundaries, and set an exemplary trajectory for her educational experience. Hearing how other high school students benefited from the initiative Elle helped establish strengthened her resolve and motivated her to keep moving forward.

Managing coursework from two institutions (Great Bend High School and BCC) came with several obstacles. “I encountered skepticism from peers and guidance counselors who doubted my ability to succeed. However, this motivated me to seek assistance from those who believed in my potential. I found that surrounding myself with encouraging support systems was crucial.”

Maintaining balance among the demands of work, academics, and personal life is another skill Elle developed. Balancing her commitments meant focusing weekdays primarily on work and studies. This sometimes involved finding creative ways to integrate schoolwork into her social time, ensuring she could enjoy life while fulfilling her responsibilities. Through it all, Elle’s priority was always to remain close to family and friends.

Elle carried that philosophy with her to FHSU, where she served on the Student Government Association, holding several leadership roles, and as a student assistant in the Office of Student Fiscal Services. While at FHSU, she majored in Business Education – Corporate Communications. She chose this major for its versatility in the real world, plus its helpfulness in pursuing a legal career.

“Law has long been a field I aspired to enter, primarily due to its versatility and my passion for helping others. An attorney can do almost anything; they are not confined to just practicing law. Additionally, there is a lot of variety within the practice of law,” Elle shared

Elle is interested in agricultural law. Last summer, she interned at Bauer &amp; Pike Law Firm in Great Bend, which solidified her interest in the legal field and introduced her to the complexity and balance built into our legal system. She also benefited greatly from this real-world learning experience and from the dedicated mentorship she received.

Another pivotal experience for Elle was her employment as a student worker in the Student Fiscal Services office at FHSU. “I engaged with a team that shared professional guidance, and we became lifelong friends.” Working in Student Fiscal Services opened Ellie’s eyes to the available financial resources available to help keep the Fort Hays State experience affordable. She learned about many different scholarships that helped reduce the cost of tuition for her at FHSU. She also gained a heightened awareness of the financial resources that exist to make the next step in her academic career, law school, more affordable.

Staying focused on her academic and career goals often required establishing a balance in the demands for her time to ensure she still maintained a social life, which always remained important to her. “I believe that healthy interaction with friends can enhance productivity. Though I prioritized homework, I ensured that I scheduled social activities to maintain my mental health. This kept me motivated. There were many times when I had to make a tough decision to stay in and study rather than go out. You have to be willing to make sacrifices.”

Elle credits her achievements to her family. “They supported me through the good, the bad, and the ugly. I cannot imagine trying to do all of this without such amazing parents, support systems, and role models.”

Elle credits her remarkable success to her father, Shawn Hutchinson; her mother, Jamie Hutchinson; her BCC advisor, Karen Kratzer; the student fiscal services staff; and Dr. Wendy Rohleder-Sook, FHSU chairman of the department of communication studies, law, and political science. She is also grateful for the mentorship of Judge Charles Pike (Great Bend Municipal judge) and Julie Carroll, attorneys at the Bauer and Pike Law firm, where she interned last summer.

With her current studies completed, including a FHSU bachelor's degree earned with honors, she is taking a gap year before pursuing law school. In the interim, she is working in her family-owned small business, Satellite Pros &amp; Central Plains Security, and has recently accepted a position as a media consultant for Barton County.

As we celebrate Elle’s achievements, let us also recognize the spirit of those who support our students, from faculty to family. Together, we forge paths for the future, inspired by stories like Elle’s that remind us of the impact we can have in our communities. 

Here’s to Elle and all our students who strive for greatness, shaped by their experiences and determination, while driven to serve the greater good!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756390432923.jpeg" alt="Elle Hutchinson. Photo courtesy Fort Hays State University" />
 <figcaption>Elle Hutchinson. Photo courtesy Fort Hays State University</figcaption>
 </figure>By TISA MASON Fort Hays State University PresidentWhat inspires me, as the president of Fort Hays State University, is the impact of our students, faculty, and staff. What I love about Elle Hutchinson’s story is how it embodies the essential traits we relish at FHSU. Elle is a determined contender, an inspired innovator, and a caring individual. Elle’s journey in higher education has been nothing short of remarkable.Elle shared that Fort Hays State University (FHSU) was the perfect fit for her when choosing a university. Growing up near Hays and engaging with FHSU alumni allowed her to appreciate the institution's value. Elle shared with me that the decision was ultimately grounded in affordability, the transferability of her credits from Barton Community College (BCC), and her desire to remain close to family.Elle graduated with her associate’s degree from BCC, graduating with highest honors, just a week before she walked across the stage at Great Bend High School, a unique achievement that pushed the boundaries of what she thought was possible.Like FHSU, BCC is very student-focused. When the leadership at BCC learned about Elle pursuing her high school diploma and her associate's degree simultaneously, they worked with Elle to create and promote a program designed to facilitate an academic pathway for other high school students. That spirit of innovation, of always blazing a new path, is precisely what FHSU is all about.The challenge of pursuing two degrees simultaneously truly motivated Elle. She wanted to challenge herself, push beyond conventional boundaries, and set an exemplary trajectory for her educational experience. Hearing how other high school students benefited from the initiative Elle helped establish strengthened her resolve and motivated her to keep moving forward.Managing coursework from two institutions (Great Bend High School and BCC) came with several obstacles. “I encountered skepticism from peers and guidance counselors who doubted my ability to succeed. However, this motivated me to seek assistance from those who believed in my potential. I found that surrounding myself with encouraging support systems was crucial.”Maintaining balance among the demands of work, academics, and personal life is another skill Elle developed. Balancing her commitments meant focusing weekdays primarily on work and studies. This sometimes involved finding creative ways to integrate schoolwork into her social time, ensuring she could enjoy life while fulfilling her responsibilities. Through it all, Elle’s priority was always to remain close to family and friends.Elle carried that philosophy with her to FHSU, where she served on the Student Government Association, holding several leadership roles, and as a student assistant in the Office of Student Fiscal Services. While at FHSU, she majored in Business Education – Corporate Communications. She chose this major for its versatility in the real world, plus its helpfulness in pursuing a legal career.“Law has long been a field I aspired to enter, primarily due to its versatility and my passion for helping others. An attorney can do almost anything; they are not confined to just practicing law. Additionally, there is a lot of variety within the practice of law,” Elle sharedElle is interested in agricultural law. Last summer, she interned at Bauer &amp; Pike Law Firm in Great Bend, which solidified her interest in the legal field and introduced her to the complexity and balance built into our legal system. She also benefited greatly from this real-world learning experience and from the dedicated mentorship she received.Another pivotal experience for Elle was her employment as a student worker in the Student Fiscal Services office at FHSU. “I engaged with a team that shared professional guidance, and we became lifelong friends.” Working in Student Fiscal Services opened Ellie’s eyes to the available financial resources available to help keep the Fort Hays State experience affordable. She learned about many different scholarships that helped reduce the cost of tuition for her at FHSU. She also gained a heightened awareness of the financial resources that exist to make the next step in her academic career, law school, more affordable.Staying focused on her academic and career goals often required establishing a balance in the demands for her time to ensure she still maintained a social life, which always remained important to her. “I believe that healthy interaction with friends can enhance productivity. Though I prioritized homework, I ensured that I scheduled social activities to maintain my mental health. This kept me motivated. There were many times when I had to make a tough decision to stay in and study rather than go out. You have to be willing to make sacrifices.”Elle credits her achievements to her family. “They supported me through the good, the bad, and the ugly. I cannot imagine trying to do all of this without such amazing parents, support systems, and role models.”Elle credits her remarkable success to her father, Shawn Hutchinson; her mother, Jamie Hutchinson; her BCC advisor, Karen Kratzer; the student fiscal services staff; and Dr. Wendy Rohleder-Sook, FHSU chairman of the department of communication studies, law, and political science. She is also grateful for the mentorship of Judge Charles Pike (Great Bend Municipal judge) and Julie Carroll, attorneys at the Bauer and Pike Law firm, where she interned last summer.With her current studies completed, including a FHSU bachelor's degree earned with honors, she is taking a gap year before pursuing law school. In the interim, she is working in her family-owned small business, Satellite Pros &amp; Central Plains Security, and has recently accepted a position as a media consultant for Barton County.As we celebrate Elle’s achievements, let us also recognize the spirit of those who support our students, from faculty to family. Together, we forge paths for the future, inspired by stories like Elle’s that remind us of the impact we can have in our communities. Here’s to Elle and all our students who strive for greatness, shaped by their experiences and determination, while driven to serve the greater good!

🏈 Tigers drop season opener to No. 13 Angelo State

#13/12 Angelo State (0-0, 0-0 LSC) at RV/#20 Fort Hays State (0-0, 0-0 MIAA) Thursday, August 28, 2025&nbsp;&nbsp;⦁&nbsp;7 p.m. Hays, Kan. ⦁&nbsp;Lewis Field Stadium

Radio:&nbsp;KJLS (103.3)&nbsp;<a href="https://mix103fm.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video:&nbsp;MIAA Network:&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>

Fort Hays State opens the 2025 season on Thursday night when it plays host to Angelo State in the Vyve Broadband Kickoff Classic at Lewis Field Stadium. Both the Tigers (No. 20) and Rams (No. 12) are ranked among the preseason top 25 of the D2Football.com Poll, while the Rams (No. 13) are a top 25 team in the AFCA poll. This will be the second-straight year the teams meet in the season opener in Hays.

Fort Hays State knocked off a No. 24 nationally ranked Angelo State team in the season opener of 2024 by a score of 21-7. The game never got going on the original night it was scheduled due to storms in the Hays area, so the game was postponed to the following day. Fort Hays State went on to win the weather-delayed contest 21-7 in its first-ever meeting with Angelo State in football.

The season-opening win for Fort Hays State started a dominant season at home in 2024, a perfect 6-0 at Lewis Field Stadium. Angelo State was among two nationally ranked teams the Tigers defeated in Hays last year, the other being No. 12 ranked Central Missouri by a score of 31-21 for Homecoming. The Tigers knocked off three nationally ranked teams overall in 2024, despite falling just short of an NCAA playoff berth in Super Region 3 with an 8-3 record.

Angelo State, on the other hand, lost both of its non-conference games to open last season. The Rams took a loss to Emporia State following their loss to FHSU. From that point, the Rams got red-hot, reeled off nine-straight wins to go undefeated in Lone Star Conference play, and made the NCAA playoffs with a 9-2 record in Super Region 4. They fell in the opening round of the playoffs at home to Bemidji State of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

This year, the meeting between FHSU and ASU will be within the same super region. Both teams are part of Super Region 4 after a realignment of super regions in NCAA Division II. The MIAA, Great American Conference (GAC), Lone Star Conference (LSC) and Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) are all in the same super region now, while the GLIAC and GLVC are no longer part of FHSU's super region. The GLIAC has perennial powerhouse programs Ferris State and Grand Valley State out of Michigan. Ferris State claimed its third national title over the last four years in 2024.

In last year's meeting, Fort Hays State built a 14-0 lead through one quarter before Angelo State cut the lead in half with a second-quarter touchdown. Neither team scored in the third before FHSU pushed its lead back out to 14 early in the fourth quarter and eventually won by that margin. Shane Watts, who went on to earn All-America honors at running back in 2024, scored two of FHSU's three touchdowns. Watts recently signed with the New England Patriots of the NFL in 2025 and played in two preseason games. Ryan Allen had the other Tiger touchdown in the game, a leaping 19-yard touchdown reception. It was the second-straight year Allen scored a touchdown on his first reception of the season. FHSU had three players finish with double-digit tackles in the game, lead by Makel Williams with 12.

The Tigers had a strong defense all throughout 2024 and the 203 yards they limited the Rams to in the season opener last year was the second fewest they allowed in a game throughout the season. Their lowest was a smothering of a No. 11-ranked Emporia State squad in Emporia on November 2 when they held the Hornets to just 138 yards of total offense in a 36-7 win. FHSU finished the 2024 season with the top scoring defense in the MIAA at just 16.9 points allowed per game. The Tigers had the second-best total defense in the conference, allowing just 330.1 yards per game in one of the top offensive conferences in the nation. Central Oklahoma (538.2) and Central Missouri (526.1) owned the top two total offenses nationally and were the only teams in Division II to average 500 yards or more of total offense per game.

Fort Hays State returns seven of its starters on offense from 2024, but just four on defense. Headlining the offensive starters returning are All-MIAA selections Josh Shaw (OL), Porter Dannevik (OL), Cale Cormaney (TE) and Caleb Heavner (QB). All-MIAA performers John Johnson (LB) and Gaven Haselhorst (DL) are among the four returning starters on the defensive side of the ball. Shaw and Johnson were named to the D2Football.com Elite 100 Watch List for 2025. It was the second-straight year Johnson was on the list.

After taking over the starting role at quarterback midway through last season, Heavner went on to set an FHSU record for completion percentage in a season (70.2). He threw for 1,649 yards and 13 touchdowns, while doing a good job of limiting mistakes with just two interceptions for the year. He added 353 rushing yards on the ground and reached the endzone five times carrying the ball. Shaw and Dannevik helped the FHSU offense average better than 400 yards of total offense per game for the second-straight year, while Cormaney notched over 300 receiving yards from his tight end position.

Johnson ranked second on the team in tackles per game last year (8.0), notching 63 in eight games of action after fighting through a mid-season injury. Haselhorst notched 31 tackles as a defensive end and finished with 3.5 sacks, second on the team only to Myles Menges, who earned MIAA Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2024. He was the fourth Tiger to be the Defensive Player of the Year in the MIAA under head coach Chris Brown, joining Sie Doe, Jr. (2016), Nathan Shepherd (2017), and Jose Delgado (2018).

Angelo State is headed by quarterback Braeden Fuller, who was the Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2024. He had numbers similar to FHSU's Heavner in regards to a high touchdown to low interception ratio. He finished with 2,318 passing yards with 19 touchdowns and just two interceptions, while rushing for 678 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Tigers limited Fuller to a 2024 season-low 48 passing yards and just three yards of rushing (his second-lowest rushing total of the season). The Tigers were the only team to hold him under 100 yards passing in a game last year.

Both FHSU and ASU head coaches are looking for significant wins on Thursday night. Chris Brown of FHSU is seeking his 90th win, already the all-time wins leader in FHSU history. Now in his 14th season, Brown is the longest tenured Tiger head coach, passing the 13 seasons coached by Wayne McConnell. Jeff Girsch is seeking his 50th win at Angelo State, this being just his seventh year guiding the Rams.

This will be the second of three-straight season openers between FHSU and Angelo State. The Rams will host the third installment in San Angelo, Texas in 2026.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756296781829.png" alt="FHSU Athletics image" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics image</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU Athletics#13/12 Angelo State (0-0, 0-0 LSC) at RV/#20 Fort Hays State (0-0, 0-0 MIAA) Thursday, August 28, 2025&nbsp;&nbsp;⦁&nbsp;7 p.m. Hays, Kan. ⦁&nbsp;Lewis Field StadiumGame Sponsor: Vyve BroadbandRadio:&nbsp;KJLS (103.3)&nbsp;<a href="https://mix103fm.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video:&nbsp;MIAA Network:&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>Fort Hays State opens the 2025 season on Thursday night when it plays host to Angelo State in the Vyve Broadband Kickoff Classic at Lewis Field Stadium. Both the Tigers (No. 20) and Rams (No. 12) are ranked among the preseason top 25 of the D2Football.com Poll, while the Rams (No. 13) are a top 25 team in the AFCA poll. This will be the second-straight year the teams meet in the season opener in Hays.Fort Hays State knocked off a No. 24 nationally ranked Angelo State team in the season opener of 2024 by a score of 21-7. The game never got going on the original night it was scheduled due to storms in the Hays area, so the game was postponed to the following day. Fort Hays State went on to win the weather-delayed contest 21-7 in its first-ever meeting with Angelo State in football.The season-opening win for Fort Hays State started a dominant season at home in 2024, a perfect 6-0 at Lewis Field Stadium. Angelo State was among two nationally ranked teams the Tigers defeated in Hays last year, the other being No. 12 ranked Central Missouri by a score of 31-21 for Homecoming. The Tigers knocked off three nationally ranked teams overall in 2024, despite falling just short of an NCAA playoff berth in Super Region 3 with an 8-3 record.Angelo State, on the other hand, lost both of its non-conference games to open last season. The Rams took a loss to Emporia State following their loss to FHSU. From that point, the Rams got red-hot, reeled off nine-straight wins to go undefeated in Lone Star Conference play, and made the NCAA playoffs with a 9-2 record in Super Region 4. They fell in the opening round of the playoffs at home to Bemidji State of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.This year, the meeting between FHSU and ASU will be within the same super region. Both teams are part of Super Region 4 after a realignment of super regions in NCAA Division II. The MIAA, Great American Conference (GAC), Lone Star Conference (LSC) and Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) are all in the same super region now, while the GLIAC and GLVC are no longer part of FHSU's super region. The GLIAC has perennial powerhouse programs Ferris State and Grand Valley State out of Michigan. Ferris State claimed its third national title over the last four years in 2024.In last year's meeting, Fort Hays State built a 14-0 lead through one quarter before Angelo State cut the lead in half with a second-quarter touchdown. Neither team scored in the third before FHSU pushed its lead back out to 14 early in the fourth quarter and eventually won by that margin. Shane Watts, who went on to earn All-America honors at running back in 2024, scored two of FHSU's three touchdowns. Watts recently signed with the New England Patriots of the NFL in 2025 and played in two preseason games. Ryan Allen had the other Tiger touchdown in the game, a leaping 19-yard touchdown reception. It was the second-straight year Allen scored a touchdown on his first reception of the season. FHSU had three players finish with double-digit tackles in the game, lead by Makel Williams with 12.The Tigers had a strong defense all throughout 2024 and the 203 yards they limited the Rams to in the season opener last year was the second fewest they allowed in a game throughout the season. Their lowest was a smothering of a No. 11-ranked Emporia State squad in Emporia on November 2 when they held the Hornets to just 138 yards of total offense in a 36-7 win. FHSU finished the 2024 season with the top scoring defense in the MIAA at just 16.9 points allowed per game. The Tigers had the second-best total defense in the conference, allowing just 330.1 yards per game in one of the top offensive conferences in the nation. Central Oklahoma (538.2) and Central Missouri (526.1) owned the top two total offenses nationally and were the only teams in Division II to average 500 yards or more of total offense per game.Fort Hays State returns seven of its starters on offense from 2024, but just four on defense. Headlining the offensive starters returning are All-MIAA selections Josh Shaw (OL), Porter Dannevik (OL), Cale Cormaney (TE) and Caleb Heavner (QB). All-MIAA performers John Johnson (LB) and Gaven Haselhorst (DL) are among the four returning starters on the defensive side of the ball. Shaw and Johnson were named to the D2Football.com Elite 100 Watch List for 2025. It was the second-straight year Johnson was on the list.After taking over the starting role at quarterback midway through last season, Heavner went on to set an FHSU record for completion percentage in a season (70.2). He threw for 1,649 yards and 13 touchdowns, while doing a good job of limiting mistakes with just two interceptions for the year. He added 353 rushing yards on the ground and reached the endzone five times carrying the ball. Shaw and Dannevik helped the FHSU offense average better than 400 yards of total offense per game for the second-straight year, while Cormaney notched over 300 receiving yards from his tight end position.Johnson ranked second on the team in tackles per game last year (8.0), notching 63 in eight games of action after fighting through a mid-season injury. Haselhorst notched 31 tackles as a defensive end and finished with 3.5 sacks, second on the team only to Myles Menges, who earned MIAA Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2024. He was the fourth Tiger to be the Defensive Player of the Year in the MIAA under head coach Chris Brown, joining Sie Doe, Jr. (2016), Nathan Shepherd (2017), and Jose Delgado (2018).Angelo State is headed by quarterback Braeden Fuller, who was the Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2024. He had numbers similar to FHSU's Heavner in regards to a high touchdown to low interception ratio. He finished with 2,318 passing yards with 19 touchdowns and just two interceptions, while rushing for 678 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Tigers limited Fuller to a 2024 season-low 48 passing yards and just three yards of rushing (his second-lowest rushing total of the season). The Tigers were the only team to hold him under 100 yards passing in a game last year.Both FHSU and ASU head coaches are looking for significant wins on Thursday night. Chris Brown of FHSU is seeking his 90th win, already the all-time wins leader in FHSU history. Now in his 14th season, Brown is the longest tenured Tiger head coach, passing the 13 seasons coached by Wayne McConnell. Jeff Girsch is seeking his 50th win at Angelo State, this being just his seventh year guiding the Rams.This will be the second of three-straight season openers between FHSU and Angelo State. The Rams will host the third installment in San Angelo, Texas in 2026.

🏈🎧 LISTEN: FHSU hosts No. 13 Rams in season opener Thursday

Grow Hays<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756302702217.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
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Economic impact of Heart of America Housing Incentive District lunch Sept. 9

Gerald Lee 'Gary' Meis,
89, of Russell Kansas, died Sunday, January 19, 2025, at the Russell Regional
Hospital.

Gerald was born on August 4, 1935,
in Catherine, Kansas and was the son of Aegedius Meis and Celestina (Karlin)
Meis.&nbsp; He grew up in Catherine and
attended school there and later in Hays, Kansas.&nbsp; He worked in the dairy business in his early
years before joining the Navy, where he served as an Aircraft Mechanic.&nbsp; He was joined in marriage to Gracia Ostrom
(Rassette) on September 5th, 1956, in St. Mary's Church in Russell,
Kansas.&nbsp; From this union, they were
blessed with 4 children - Randy, Rick, Shelley and Tessa.&nbsp; They were divorced in 1973.

During his life he worked on the
freight docks in Denver, Colorado at Red Ball Motor Freight and afterwards
moving to Houston, Texas, he worked at Con-Tech Engineering as a purchasing
manager until retirement.&nbsp; After this, he
moved to Russell, Kansas and started a pipeline construction and maintenance
business with his son, Rick.

He was born and baptized into the
Catholic Church.&nbsp; He was a member of the
Teamsters Union and Elks Lodge.&nbsp; He
enjoyed his work, spending time with his loved ones, and time with his friends.

Surviving family includes his son
Rick Meis, of Russell, Kansas, daughter Tessa Meis (Joe Ernst) of Wilson,
Kansas, sister Darlene Booth (Ronnie Booth) of Larned, Kansas, brother Dan Meis
of Yuma, Arizona, sister Fran Amidon (Mike Amidon) of Junction City, Kansas,
along with 7 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren and a host of nieces and
nephews. 

He was proceeded in death by his
parents, his son Randy, his daughter Shelley, his brother Ken Meis (Dolly
Meis), and his great granddaughter, Randi Rene Casper.

Cremation was selected by the
family.&nbsp; A graveside memorial service to
celebrate Gary’s life will be held at10:30 A.M. on Friday, September 19, 2025,
at the Dorrance City Cemetery in Dorrance, Kansas.&nbsp; Family will greet guests on the day of the
service at the cemetery.&nbsp;
Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, are in charge of the
graveside service arrangements.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756394804950.jpeg" alt="Gerald Lee 'Gary' Meis" />
 <figcaption>Gerald Lee 'Gary' Meis</figcaption>
 </figure>Gerald Lee 'Gary' Meis,
89, of Russell Kansas, died Sunday, January 19, 2025, at the Russell Regional
Hospital.Gerald was born on August 4, 1935,
in Catherine, Kansas and was the son of Aegedius Meis and Celestina (Karlin)
Meis.&nbsp; He grew up in Catherine and
attended school there and later in Hays, Kansas.&nbsp; He worked in the dairy business in his early
years before joining the Navy, where he served as an Aircraft Mechanic.&nbsp; He was joined in marriage to Gracia Ostrom
(Rassette) on September 5th, 1956, in St. Mary's Church in Russell,
Kansas.&nbsp; From this union, they were
blessed with 4 children - Randy, Rick, Shelley and Tessa.&nbsp; They were divorced in 1973.During his life he worked on the
freight docks in Denver, Colorado at Red Ball Motor Freight and afterwards
moving to Houston, Texas, he worked at Con-Tech Engineering as a purchasing
manager until retirement.&nbsp; After this, he
moved to Russell, Kansas and started a pipeline construction and maintenance
business with his son, Rick.He was born and baptized into the
Catholic Church.&nbsp; He was a member of the
Teamsters Union and Elks Lodge.&nbsp; He
enjoyed his work, spending time with his loved ones, and time with his friends.Surviving family includes his son
Rick Meis, of Russell, Kansas, daughter Tessa Meis (Joe Ernst) of Wilson,
Kansas, sister Darlene Booth (Ronnie Booth) of Larned, Kansas, brother Dan Meis
of Yuma, Arizona, sister Fran Amidon (Mike Amidon) of Junction City, Kansas,
along with 7 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren and a host of nieces and
nephews. He was proceeded in death by his
parents, his son Randy, his daughter Shelley, his brother Ken Meis (Dolly
Meis), and his great granddaughter, Randi Rene Casper.Cremation was selected by the
family.&nbsp; A graveside memorial service to
celebrate Gary’s life will be held at10:30 A.M. on Friday, September 19, 2025,
at the Dorrance City Cemetery in Dorrance, Kansas.&nbsp; Family will greet guests on the day of the
service at the cemetery.&nbsp;
Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, are in charge of the
graveside service arrangements.

Gerald Lee 'Gary' Meis

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Hays hit a high of 71 Wednesday, according to the K-State Ag Research Center.

Hays received .3 inches of rain as of 9 a.m. today. Hays has received 2.90 inches in the month of August. The low for Wednesday was 60.

On average, Hays receives 3.01 inches of rain in August and 17.70 inches of moisture by the end of August. Hays has received&nbsp;16.41 inches of precipitation year to date.

The forecast for today is a slight chance of showers with patchy fog, with a high of 72 and a low of 60. Winds are expected to be around 8 mph.

More patchy fog is expected Friday, with a high of 77, and a chance of storms and showers going into the weekend.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719872287576.jpg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostHays hit a high of 71 Wednesday, according to the K-State Ag Research Center.Hays received .3 inches of rain as of 9 a.m. today. Hays has received 2.90 inches in the month of August. The low for Wednesday was 60.On average, Hays receives 3.01 inches of rain in August and 17.70 inches of moisture by the end of August. Hays has received&nbsp;16.41 inches of precipitation year to date.The forecast for today is a slight chance of showers with patchy fog, with a high of 72 and a low of 60. Winds are expected to be around 8 mph.More patchy fog is expected Friday, with a high of 77, and a chance of storms and showers going into the weekend.

Hays receives more rain; fog expected Friday 

Due to the observance of the Labor Day on Monday, September 1, 2025, refuse/recycling route collection schedules will be altered as follows:&nbsp;

Monday, September 1, 2025 and Tuesday, September 2, 2025 will be collected on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.&nbsp;

There will be no changes to Wednesday, September 3, Thursday, September 4, and Friday, September 5 routes.&nbsp;

Although collections may not occur on your normal day, collections will be completed by the week’s end. It is anticipated that heavy volumes of refuse/recyclables will be encountered around the holidays.&nbsp;

Please make sure your polycarts and recyclables are out by 7:00 a.m., and keep in mind that the trucks have no set time schedule.&nbsp;

City of Hays customers that may have any questions regarding this notice should contact the Solid Waste Division of the Public Works Department at 785-628-7350.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756392060514.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>City of HaysDue to the observance of the Labor Day on Monday, September 1, 2025, refuse/recycling route collection schedules will be altered as follows:&nbsp;Monday, September 1, 2025 and Tuesday, September 2, 2025 will be collected on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.&nbsp;There will be no changes to Wednesday, September 3, Thursday, September 4, and Friday, September 5 routes.&nbsp;Although collections may not occur on your normal day, collections will be completed by the week’s end. It is anticipated that heavy volumes of refuse/recyclables will be encountered around the holidays.&nbsp;Please make sure your polycarts and recyclables are out by 7:00 a.m., and keep in mind that the trucks have no set time schedule.&nbsp;City of Hays customers that may have any questions regarding this notice should contact the Solid Waste Division of the Public Works Department at 785-628-7350.

No trash/recycling collection in Hays on Labor Day

Billie
Mickelson Shippy, age 65, of Ellis, Kansas, passed away with her family by her
side on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at HaysMed after a courageous 15-year battle
with multiple cancer diagnoses.



She was born on June 2, 1960, in Hays, Kansas, to Everett and Donna (Ellis)
Mickelson. Billie grew up in Ellis and graduated from Ellis High School in 1978
before attending college.

Throughout her working years, Billie was employed primarily in retail sales.
She was known as a caring, strong-willed, and giving person who was always
willing to help others. A passionate sports fan, Billie cheered fiercely for
the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas Jayhawks. She also loved attending
concerts, spending time with friends, and especially rescuing and caring for
Boxers—an endeavor that became a true calling for her. Billie was also a proud
member of the Ellis VFW Auxiliary.



She is survived by her mother, Donna Dreiling of Ellis; her siblings, Fred
(Becky) Mickelson of WaKeeney, Greg (Becca) Mickelson of Ellis, Bob (Margie)
Mickelson of Ellis, and Mickie (Marvin) Dechant of WaKeeney; her honorary
daughters, Moriah Keller and Kelly Graves both of Colorado; stepdaughters,
Rachel Carnes of Colorado and Victoria Carnes of Phoenix; special friends,
Steve and Erin Malone of Lawrence, Kansas; eight nephews, three nieces,
numerous great-nephews and great-nieces; and her beloved Boxers, Axel and JoJo.



She was preceded in death by her father, Everett Mickelson; her daughter, Alice
Marie Mickelson; and her stepfather, Wilmer “Wimp” Dreiling.



Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, August 30, at Ellis United
Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Ellis.

 

Visitation will be Friday, August 29, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Keithley Funeral
Chapel, 400 E. 17th Street in Ellis.


Memorial contributions are suggested to the Humane Society of the High Plains
or HOBO Boxer Rescue of Denver and may be made in care of Keithley Funeral
Chapels.

Please share memories on Billie’s tribute page at <a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756314631041.jpeg" alt="Billie Mickelson Shippy" />
 <figcaption>Billie Mickelson Shippy</figcaption>
 </figure>Billie
Mickelson Shippy, age 65, of Ellis, Kansas, passed away with her family by her
side on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at HaysMed after a courageous 15-year battle
with multiple cancer diagnoses.

She was born on June 2, 1960, in Hays, Kansas, to Everett and Donna (Ellis)
Mickelson. Billie grew up in Ellis and graduated from Ellis High School in 1978
before attending college.

Throughout her working years, Billie was employed primarily in retail sales.
She was known as a caring, strong-willed, and giving person who was always
willing to help others. A passionate sports fan, Billie cheered fiercely for
the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas Jayhawks. She also loved attending
concerts, spending time with friends, and especially rescuing and caring for
Boxers—an endeavor that became a true calling for her. Billie was also a proud
member of the Ellis VFW Auxiliary.

She is survived by her mother, Donna Dreiling of Ellis; her siblings, Fred
(Becky) Mickelson of WaKeeney, Greg (Becca) Mickelson of Ellis, Bob (Margie)
Mickelson of Ellis, and Mickie (Marvin) Dechant of WaKeeney; her honorary
daughters, Moriah Keller and Kelly Graves both of Colorado; stepdaughters,
Rachel Carnes of Colorado and Victoria Carnes of Phoenix; special friends,
Steve and Erin Malone of Lawrence, Kansas; eight nephews, three nieces,
numerous great-nephews and great-nieces; and her beloved Boxers, Axel and JoJo.

She was preceded in death by her father, Everett Mickelson; her daughter, Alice
Marie Mickelson; and her stepfather, Wilmer “Wimp” Dreiling.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, August 30, at Ellis United
Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Ellis. 

Visitation will be Friday, August 29, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Keithley Funeral
Chapel, 400 E. 17th Street in Ellis.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Humane Society of the High Plains
or HOBO Boxer Rescue of Denver and may be made in care of Keithley Funeral
Chapels.

Please share memories on Billie’s tribute page at <a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>

Billie Mickelson Shippy

KAYS - (1400/94.3) KFIX - (96.9) KHAZ - (99.5) KJLS - (103.3) KKQY - (101.9)&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Thursday, August 28
 KJLS: Fort Hays State
FB vs. Angelo State, 6:00pm

Friday, August 29
 KAYS: Kansas FB vs.
Wagner, 5:00pm

Saturday, August 30
 KAYS: Kansas City
Royals vs. Detroit Tigers, 5:30pm

Sunday, August 31
 KAYS: Kansas City
Royals vs. Detroit Tigers, 12:30pm

KAYS - (1400/94.3) KFIX - (96.9) KHAZ - (99.5) KJLS - (103.3) KKQY - (101.9)&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Thursday, August 28
 KJLS: Fort Hays State
FB vs. Angelo State, 6:00pmFriday, August 29
 KAYS: Kansas FB vs.
Wagner, 5:00pmSaturday, August 30
 KAYS: Kansas City
Royals vs. Detroit Tigers, 5:30pmSunday, August 31
 KAYS: Kansas City
Royals vs. Detroit Tigers, 12:30pm

🎧 Eagle Radio, Hull sports broadcast schedule

Janice
Elaine Johansen died peacefully on Friday, July 25, 2025, at the age of 90 at
Country Living in Larned, Kansas.&nbsp; 

She
was born September 5, 1934, in Elgin, Iowa, to Oliver and Reva (Swenson)
Torkelson.&nbsp; Jan was one of five children.&nbsp; She received her bachelor's degree, majoring
in Home Economics from the Iowa State Teachers College (University of Northern
Iowa) in Cedar Falls, Iowa.&nbsp; While in
college, she met Dale, another student, on a blind date.&nbsp; They were married on December 29, 1955, in
Elgin, Iowa.&nbsp; In 1958, their first child
was born, Tom.&nbsp; At the time, Dale was
commuting between Cedar Falls and Iowa City, working on his Ph.D. degree.&nbsp; Jan worked as a substitute and full-time
teacher of home economics in Cedar Falls.&nbsp;
In 1963, Jan, Dale, and Tom moved to Wayne, Nebraska.&nbsp; Jan worked in the home taking care of her
son. In 1966, daughter Mary was born.&nbsp;
While Tom was growing up, Jan attended all of Tom’s football,
basketball, and baseball games.&nbsp; Jan had
many hobbies and interests, from playing cards, collecting antiques, cooking,
sewing, knitting, and golf.&nbsp; She was
active in the ladies’ league at Wayne Country Club for many years.&nbsp; Jan volunteered at her church, Redeemer
Lutheran Church, as a Sunday school and Vacation Bible School Director and
teacher.&nbsp; In 1976, the family moved to
Hays, Kansas.&nbsp; Jan continued to work in
the home while Mary was in grade school and middle school. She began working at
Fort Hays State University serving in several positions including Interim
Director of the Alumni Association. While with the Alumni Association, she
initiated several innovative programs that still exist today. Jan retired from
FHSU in 1991. She was also an avid golfer at Smoky Hill Country Club, active in
several bridge clubs, and a member of Chapter BQ of PEO in Hays. 

In
retirement, Jan and Dale traveled to watch their granddaughters’ activities,
including Elise’s concerts, Madelyn’s and Molly’s soccer and basketball games,
and Kiley’s golf tournaments for Hays High School (never missing a tournament)
and FHSU women’s golf. Elise, Kiley, Madelyn, and Molly enjoyed many years
going to “Gramma’s house” after school and spending quality time with Gramma
and Grampa. These were special times for the Johansen family. Jan and Dale
spent many summers in Iowa, playing golf and cards with her sisters and
brother-in-law. 

Jan
was the ultimate loyal and faithful servant to her church, family, friends, and
community. Whether it was making cookies and other sweets with her
granddaughters or attending family events, Jan supported her family with love,
compassion, and selflessness, and was the ultimate role model for her
granddaughters. Jan didn’t meet someone on the street without greeting them.
Her radiant smile and graciousness will be remembered always and cherished by
those who knew and loved her. 

She
is survived by her son Tom Johansen and his wife Vicki of Hays; daughter Mary
Martin and her husband Mike of Hays, four granddaughters: Elise Johansen Harvey
and husband Alex of Spartanburg, South Carolina; Kiley Johansen Barnett and
husband Reid of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; Madelyn and Molly Martin of Hays; and eight
great-grandchildren Lincoln, Aria, Salem, Abram, Asher, Rosemary, Freya, and
Lucy.&nbsp; 

She
was preceded in death by her husband Dale; parents, Oliver and Reva Torkelson;
sisters Norma, Dorothy and husband Don, and Delores and husband Harry, and
infant brother Wayne.

Memorial
Services will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Hays Memorial
Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Christine Wagner officiating.&nbsp; Inurnment will follow in Mount Allen
Cemetery.&nbsp; &nbsp;The family will receive friends from 9:00 am
until service time at the funeral home.&nbsp; A
celebration of Jan’s life will occur at a later date. &nbsp;Memorials are suggested to Gentiva Hospice,
Hutchinson, Kansas.&nbsp; Condolences and
memories of Jan may be shared with her family at www.haysmemorial.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756332982957.jpeg" alt="Janice Elaine Johansen" />
 <figcaption>Janice Elaine Johansen</figcaption>
 </figure>Janice
Elaine Johansen died peacefully on Friday, July 25, 2025, at the age of 90 at
Country Living in Larned, Kansas.&nbsp; She
was born September 5, 1934, in Elgin, Iowa, to Oliver and Reva (Swenson)
Torkelson.&nbsp; Jan was one of five children.&nbsp; She received her bachelor's degree, majoring
in Home Economics from the Iowa State Teachers College (University of Northern
Iowa) in Cedar Falls, Iowa.&nbsp; While in
college, she met Dale, another student, on a blind date.&nbsp; They were married on December 29, 1955, in
Elgin, Iowa.&nbsp; In 1958, their first child
was born, Tom.&nbsp; At the time, Dale was
commuting between Cedar Falls and Iowa City, working on his Ph.D. degree.&nbsp; Jan worked as a substitute and full-time
teacher of home economics in Cedar Falls.&nbsp;
In 1963, Jan, Dale, and Tom moved to Wayne, Nebraska.&nbsp; Jan worked in the home taking care of her
son. In 1966, daughter Mary was born.&nbsp;
While Tom was growing up, Jan attended all of Tom’s football,
basketball, and baseball games.&nbsp; Jan had
many hobbies and interests, from playing cards, collecting antiques, cooking,
sewing, knitting, and golf.&nbsp; She was
active in the ladies’ league at Wayne Country Club for many years.&nbsp; Jan volunteered at her church, Redeemer
Lutheran Church, as a Sunday school and Vacation Bible School Director and
teacher.&nbsp; In 1976, the family moved to
Hays, Kansas.&nbsp; Jan continued to work in
the home while Mary was in grade school and middle school. She began working at
Fort Hays State University serving in several positions including Interim
Director of the Alumni Association. While with the Alumni Association, she
initiated several innovative programs that still exist today. Jan retired from
FHSU in 1991. She was also an avid golfer at Smoky Hill Country Club, active in
several bridge clubs, and a member of Chapter BQ of PEO in Hays. In
retirement, Jan and Dale traveled to watch their granddaughters’ activities,
including Elise’s concerts, Madelyn’s and Molly’s soccer and basketball games,
and Kiley’s golf tournaments for Hays High School (never missing a tournament)
and FHSU women’s golf. Elise, Kiley, Madelyn, and Molly enjoyed many years
going to “Gramma’s house” after school and spending quality time with Gramma
and Grampa. These were special times for the Johansen family. Jan and Dale
spent many summers in Iowa, playing golf and cards with her sisters and
brother-in-law. Jan
was the ultimate loyal and faithful servant to her church, family, friends, and
community. Whether it was making cookies and other sweets with her
granddaughters or attending family events, Jan supported her family with love,
compassion, and selflessness, and was the ultimate role model for her
granddaughters. Jan didn’t meet someone on the street without greeting them.
Her radiant smile and graciousness will be remembered always and cherished by
those who knew and loved her. She
is survived by her son Tom Johansen and his wife Vicki of Hays; daughter Mary
Martin and her husband Mike of Hays, four granddaughters: Elise Johansen Harvey
and husband Alex of Spartanburg, South Carolina; Kiley Johansen Barnett and
husband Reid of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; Madelyn and Molly Martin of Hays; and eight
great-grandchildren Lincoln, Aria, Salem, Abram, Asher, Rosemary, Freya, and
Lucy.&nbsp; She
was preceded in death by her husband Dale; parents, Oliver and Reva Torkelson;
sisters Norma, Dorothy and husband Don, and Delores and husband Harry, and
infant brother Wayne.Memorial
Services will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Hays Memorial
Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Christine Wagner officiating.&nbsp; Inurnment will follow in Mount Allen
Cemetery.&nbsp; &nbsp;The family will receive friends from 9:00 am
until service time at the funeral home.&nbsp; A
celebration of Jan’s life will occur at a later date. &nbsp;Memorials are suggested to Gentiva Hospice,
Hutchinson, Kansas.&nbsp; Condolences and
memories of Jan may be shared with her family at www.haysmemorial.com

Janice Elaine Johansen

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Representatives of judicial districts from across the state gathered in Hays on Tuesday and Wednesday for a mental health summit.

Seventy percent of people who are incarcerated in the United States have a mental illness or substance abuse problem or both.

The Hon. Steven Leifman from Florida told the group, "We should create specialty courts for the 30% of people who don't have mental illness or substance abuse."

There are 19 times more people who have mental illnesses in jails and prisons than in civil treatment programs.

He said the people who do have mental illness and substance abuse issues should be placed in therapeutic situations.

Leifman said the United States is failing at dealing with people who have mental illness, and it is costing taxpayers millions of dollars to run a broken system.

The United States has 4% of the world's population and 25% of the incarcerated people, resulting in $1 trillion in direct and indirect costs per year.&nbsp;

Leifman had the opportunity to visit&nbsp;Trieste, Italy, where he said the community is doing it right.

They virtually have no homelessness. They have few, if any, people with serious mental illness in jails. They have few, if any, people with serious mental illness in their forensic hospitals, and they have very few people in their civil hospitals," he said.

Last year, out of 40,000 patients, they only filed 100 cases for civil commitment.

"We do that every day in Miami," he said.

"First, they don't define people by their mental illnesses," he said. "You're not the crazy guy that lives down the street. You are John Smith, who just happens to have a mental illness. Just like you might be John Smith, who just happens to have heart disease or cancer."

When someone has a mental health episode, a doctor immediately goes to that person's home and begins treatment immediately. If the person can't stay at home, they find them housing and assign them three case managers, so they are covered 24 hours until they are stable. They are placed on medication and monitored, but not hospitalized.

As soon as the person begins to recover, they start to try to give them their lives back.

Instead of a state hospital, they have a supportive employment program that includes a radio station, a restaurant and a chic clothing manufacturing operation.

"You walk around the campus, and you don't know the difference between the staff and the patients," he said.

"They have a reason to get up every single day and participate,"&nbsp;Leifman said.

"It is a truly remarkable system of care that actually promotes recovery, and there's absolutely no reason why we can't scale that type of system here in the United States. Today, in the United States, we basically do the opposite," he said.

People remain on the streets, sometimes psychotic, for decades.

"We have been so bad about it that the courts have ruled that the way we do it is basically unconstitutional, enormously unsuccessful and enormously expensive without any positive measurable outcomes," he said.

He said the earlier we treat mental illness, the better the outcomes will be.

He called the treatment of people with serious mental illnesses within the judicial system the greatest public policy failure.

"The fact that we have applied the criminal justice model to a disease as opposed to a population health model explains why we have failed so miserably,"&nbsp;Leifman said.

Leifman's first experience with the mental health system was when he was 17 and working as an intern for a state senator's office.

He was sent to the state mental hospital to investigate claims that a young man was being mistreated.

He found the man tied in four-point restraints, screaming and moaning and about 100 pounds overweight from being injected with Thorazine.

In reading his file and talking to staff, he learned the young man was not psychotic, but autistic. In the basement, he also saw naked men covered in their own feces being hosed down like they were animals in a zoo.

The state senator's office was able to get the young man with autism placed in a group home. However, thewhat&nbsp;

Eventually, Leifman became a judge in Miami.

The city went from having one wing on one floor of the jail dedicated to people who had mental illness to&nbsp;having three dedicated floors to house people who had mental illness.

"When I became a judge, I had no idea that I was becoming the gatekeeper to the largest psychiatric facility in the state of Florida, the Dade County Jail," he said.

Seventy to 80% of the inmates have a mental health diagnosis and are in immediate need of treatment, he said.

Leifman was eventually given a special assignment to work on mental health issues within the Florida court system. He found the state was spending a third of its mental health budget, $250 million, to restore competency to 2,500 to 3,000 people, when about 160,000 people at the time of their arrest needed acute mental health care and weren't getting it.

After spending so many resources on this small population, either the charges were dropped, they were given credit for time served and were released, or they received probation.

They ended up back on the streets, often psychotic, with no access to treatment, and were sometimes rearrested before they made it out of the parking lot.

Leifman shared the story of Tristan Murphy, who suffered from schizophrenia. He wasn't violent, but had good and bad days, depending on whether he took his medication.

One day, he drove his truck into a pond near the sheriff's office. He was arrested and convicted of felony littering.

He was placed on a work detail while incarcerated. His bunkmates noted he was deteriorating mentally. However, corrections officers continued to give him access to tools, including a chainsaw for his work detail. One day, he took a chainsaw to his neck, ending his life.

Leifman said he was no threat to anyone other than himself. He should never have been arrested. He should have been diverted into treatment, Leifman said.

The governor of Florida, a few weeks ago, signed the Tristin Murphy Act, which expands the Miami mental health diversion program statewide.

"We shouldn't need that kind of horror to get the attention of policymakers," he said, "because we all know that the way we handle individuals with these illnesses is wrong and doesn't really work."

He said people who have mental illnesses are less dangerous than the general population and a lot less dangerous than the general population when they are on medication. They are more likely to be the victims of violent crime than the perpetrators.

"We also know that recovery rates for people with mental illness, in many cases, are much better than heart disease and diabetes,"&nbsp;Leifman said. "These are not terminal illnesses. They are treatable illnesses."

People with schizophrenia have higher rates of heart disease and cancer because untreated schizophrenia results in a depletion of the brain chemical dopamine.&nbsp;

They feel awful,&nbsp;Leifman said, so they often chain smoke because the nicotine helps cognition and helps them feel better.

When these people end up in jail, not only do taxpayers have to pay for treatment of the mental illness, but also severe physical health concerns as a result of the mental illness going untreated, Leifman said.

"The good news is that this is a very fixable system," he said.

The judicial system and mental health systems were developed when the most acutely ill were still in state hospitals. The community mental health systems were designed to handle people who have moderate mental illness,&nbsp;Leifman said.

The hospitals were shut down. The U.S. adopted the war on crime and sentencing guidelines and drastically cut funds for low-income housing, and the population of the acute mentally ill was thrown into communities that were not prepared for them, he said.

"Instead of blaming themselves for not developing an appropriate system of care, we end up blaming this population, and we use the justice system to punish them, and that has not worked out too well," Leifman said.

He said our society would never allow people to be treated in primary care as we treat people with mental illnesses.&nbsp;

"If you threw people who had primary care illnesses out of hospitals in the middle of the night like we do people with mental illnesses, you'd get arrested," he said.

&nbsp;Leifman said this is a national issue that needs national money, but the solutions can start at the local level.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostRepresentatives of judicial districts from across the state gathered in Hays on Tuesday and Wednesday for a mental health summit.Seventy percent of people who are incarcerated in the United States have a mental illness or substance abuse problem or both.The Hon. Steven Leifman from Florida told the group, "We should create specialty courts for the 30% of people who don't have mental illness or substance abuse."There are 19 times more people who have mental illnesses in jails and prisons than in civil treatment programs.He said the people who do have mental illness and substance abuse issues should be placed in therapeutic situations.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756322262554.jpeg" alt="The Hon. Steven Leifman from Florida discusses his experiences in the judicial system in Florida and Dade County at the 2025 Kansas Mental Health Summit on Tuesday at Fort Hays State University. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The Hon. Steven Leifman from Florida discusses his experiences in the judicial system in Florida and Dade County at the 2025 Kansas Mental Health Summit on Tuesday at Fort Hays State University. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Leifman said the United States is failing at dealing with people who have mental illness, and it is costing taxpayers millions of dollars to run a broken system.The United States has 4% of the world's population and 25% of the incarcerated people, resulting in $1 trillion in direct and indirect costs per year.&nbsp;Leifman had the opportunity to visit&nbsp;Trieste, Italy, where he said the community is doing it right.They virtually have no homelessness. They have few, if any, people with serious mental illness in jails. They have few, if any, people with serious mental illness in their forensic hospitals, and they have very few people in their civil hospitals," he said.Last year, out of 40,000 patients, they only filed 100 cases for civil commitment."We do that every day in Miami," he said."First, they don't define people by their mental illnesses," he said. "You're not the crazy guy that lives down the street. You are John Smith, who just happens to have a mental illness. Just like you might be John Smith, who just happens to have heart disease or cancer."When someone has a mental health episode, a doctor immediately goes to that person's home and begins treatment immediately. If the person can't stay at home, they find them housing and assign them three case managers, so they are covered 24 hours until they are stable. They are placed on medication and monitored, but not hospitalized.As soon as the person begins to recover, they start to try to give them their lives back.Instead of a state hospital, they have a supportive employment program that includes a radio station, a restaurant and a chic clothing manufacturing operation."You walk around the campus, and you don't know the difference between the staff and the patients," he said."They have a reason to get up every single day and participate,"&nbsp;Leifman said."It is a truly remarkable system of care that actually promotes recovery, and there's absolutely no reason why we can't scale that type of system here in the United States. Today, in the United States, we basically do the opposite," he said.People remain on the streets, sometimes psychotic, for decades."We have been so bad about it that the courts have ruled that the way we do it is basically unconstitutional, enormously unsuccessful and enormously expensive without any positive measurable outcomes," he said.He said the earlier we treat mental illness, the better the outcomes will be.He called the treatment of people with serious mental illnesses within the judicial system the greatest public policy failure."The fact that we have applied the criminal justice model to a disease as opposed to a population health model explains why we have failed so miserably,"&nbsp;Leifman said.Leifman's first experience with the mental health system was when he was 17 and working as an intern for a state senator's office.He was sent to the state mental hospital to investigate claims that a young man was being mistreated.He found the man tied in four-point restraints, screaming and moaning and about 100 pounds overweight from being injected with Thorazine.In reading his file and talking to staff, he learned the young man was not psychotic, but autistic. In the basement, he also saw naked men covered in their own feces being hosed down like they were animals in a zoo.The state senator's office was able to get the young man with autism placed in a group home. However, thewhat&nbsp;Eventually, Leifman became a judge in Miami.The city went from having one wing on one floor of the jail dedicated to people who had mental illness to&nbsp;having three dedicated floors to house people who had mental illness."When I became a judge, I had no idea that I was becoming the gatekeeper to the largest psychiatric facility in the state of Florida, the Dade County Jail," he said.Seventy to 80% of the inmates have a mental health diagnosis and are in immediate need of treatment, he said.Leifman was eventually given a special assignment to work on mental health issues within the Florida court system. He found the state was spending a third of its mental health budget, $250 million, to restore competency to 2,500 to 3,000 people, when about 160,000 people at the time of their arrest needed acute mental health care and weren't getting it.After spending so many resources on this small population, either the charges were dropped, they were given credit for time served and were released, or they received probation.They ended up back on the streets, often psychotic, with no access to treatment, and were sometimes rearrested before they made it out of the parking lot.Leifman shared the story of Tristan Murphy, who suffered from schizophrenia. He wasn't violent, but had good and bad days, depending on whether he took his medication.One day, he drove his truck into a pond near the sheriff's office. He was arrested and convicted of felony littering.He was placed on a work detail while incarcerated. His bunkmates noted he was deteriorating mentally. However, corrections officers continued to give him access to tools, including a chainsaw for his work detail. One day, he took a chainsaw to his neck, ending his life.Leifman said he was no threat to anyone other than himself. He should never have been arrested. He should have been diverted into treatment, Leifman said.The governor of Florida, a few weeks ago, signed the Tristin Murphy Act, which expands the Miami mental health diversion program statewide."We shouldn't need that kind of horror to get the attention of policymakers," he said, "because we all know that the way we handle individuals with these illnesses is wrong and doesn't really work."He said people who have mental illnesses are less dangerous than the general population and a lot less dangerous than the general population when they are on medication. They are more likely to be the victims of violent crime than the perpetrators."We also know that recovery rates for people with mental illness, in many cases, are much better than heart disease and diabetes,"&nbsp;Leifman said. "These are not terminal illnesses. They are treatable illnesses."People with schizophrenia have higher rates of heart disease and cancer because untreated schizophrenia results in a depletion of the brain chemical dopamine.&nbsp;They feel awful,&nbsp;Leifman said, so they often chain smoke because the nicotine helps cognition and helps them feel better.When these people end up in jail, not only do taxpayers have to pay for treatment of the mental illness, but also severe physical health concerns as a result of the mental illness going untreated, Leifman said."The good news is that this is a very fixable system," he said.The judicial system and mental health systems were developed when the most acutely ill were still in state hospitals. The community mental health systems were designed to handle people who have moderate mental illness,&nbsp;Leifman said.The hospitals were shut down. The U.S. adopted the war on crime and sentencing guidelines and drastically cut funds for low-income housing, and the population of the acute mentally ill was thrown into communities that were not prepared for them, he said."Instead of blaming themselves for not developing an appropriate system of care, we end up blaming this population, and we use the justice system to punish them, and that has not worked out too well," Leifman said.He said our society would never allow people to be treated in primary care as we treat people with mental illnesses.&nbsp;"If you threw people who had primary care illnesses out of hospitals in the middle of the night like we do people with mental illnesses, you'd get arrested," he said.&nbsp;Leifman said this is a national issue that needs national money, but the solutions can start at the local level."Each community needs to take a good, hard look at how they are doing things, and develop collaborative agreements to alter and restructure how we approach this population," he said.Miami put to gether a two-part approach, pre-arrest and post-arrest.This included Crisis Intervention Teams, which include specially trained law enforcement officers to respond when someone is having a mental health episode. This often has resulted in people being diverted into treatment instead of arrest&nbsp;In 10 years, two Crisis Intervention Teams responded to more than 105,000 calls and made fewer than 200 arrests.Overall arrests plummeted. Dade County closed one of its jails, saving $168 million. Police shootings almost stopped.The post-arrest program eliminated many of the time-consuming competency evaluations in favor of bringing these individuals into treatment as soon as possible.Assisted Outpatient Treatment programs were created, also known as AOT. Hays has had an AOT program since 2022.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/8abbbbb5-b093-4c36-bc34-50be0815125d">SEE RELATED STORY: Ellis County mental health court pilot sees success in first year.</a>And peers were enlisted to help people navigate the system and encourage work toward recovery.Recidivism rates for misdemeanor cases decreased from 75% to 20% for individuals participating in these programs. The treatment model proved so effective that it was expanded to include nonviolent felony cases. Recidivism rates decreased from 75% to 6%.Continuing care was still needed for individuals with the most acute illnesses, so Dade County recently passed a bond issue to build a facility for these individuals based on the Trieste model.It offers wrap-around services, including crisis stabilization, primary care, a dental clinic, a podiatry clinic, an eye clinic, short-term residential care, tattoo removal, a day program, a supportive employment program, a computer lab, a GED program, and a courtroom that can handle both civil and criminal cases onsite."Not one person, not one party, not one institution created this mess. Not one person, party or institution will fix it. It takes all of us in this room to start looking at our systems and determine how there is a better way to run this system," Leifman said.