Due to the 4th of July holiday on Thursday, July 4, there will be changes to the refuse and recycling pick up schedule in Hays.

 Both Wednesday and Thursday routes will be picked up on Wednesday July 3. Monday, Tuesday, and Fridays routes will not change.&nbsp;

It is anticipated that heavy volumes of refuse/recyclable will be encountered around the holidays. Please be sure to set your bags out by 7:00 a.m. on the collection day and keep in mind that the trucks have no set time schedule.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605721681274.jpeg" alt="File photo/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>File photo/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>City of HaysDue to the 4th of July holiday on Thursday, July 4, there will be changes to the refuse and recycling pick up schedule in Hays. Both Wednesday and Thursday routes will be picked up on Wednesday July 3. Monday, Tuesday, and Fridays routes will not change.&nbsp;It is anticipated that heavy volumes of refuse/recyclable will be encountered around the holidays. Please be sure to set your bags out by 7:00 a.m. on the collection day and keep in mind that the trucks have no set time schedule.City of Hays customers that may have any questions regarding this notice should contact Public Works Department at 785-628-7350.

July 4th holiday brings refuse/recycling collection changes in Hays

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

An overnight storm dropped varied amounts of moisture over the Hays area Monday.

The K-State Ag Research Center reported .7 inches of rain south of Hays.

The Eagle Radio office at 2300 Hall reported 1.25 inches of rain.

The Ag Research Center is now reporting 4.75 inches of rain for the month and 10.4 inches of rain year to date. That almost brings Hays to its average precipitation by the end of June of 11.31 inches.

However, expect more hot weather today. Monday's high reached 103, but was far short of the record high of 114 set in 1911.

A heat advisory remains in effect today. The high is forecast to hit 102, and the heat index is expected to rise to 103 to 107.

Hays has a 20 percent chance of more showers before 9 p.m. today.

Temperatures are forecast to cool into the 90s for the rest of the week with chances of rain from early Wednesday morning through Sunday.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostAn overnight storm dropped varied amounts of moisture over the Hays area Monday.The K-State Ag Research Center reported .7 inches of rain south of Hays.The Eagle Radio office at 2300 Hall reported 1.25 inches of rain.The Ag Research Center is now reporting 4.75 inches of rain for the month and 10.4 inches of rain year to date. That almost brings Hays to its average precipitation by the end of June of 11.31 inches.However, expect more hot weather today. Monday's high reached 103, but was far short of the record high of 114 set in 1911.A heat advisory remains in effect today. The high is forecast to hit 102, and the heat index is expected to rise to 103 to 107.Hays has a 20 percent chance of more showers before 9 p.m. today.Temperatures are forecast to cool into the 90s for the rest of the week with chances of rain from early Wednesday morning through Sunday.

Storm brings rain, but expect today to be hot, steamy

DETROIT (AP) — Ford is recalling more than 550,000 pickup trucks in the U.S. because the transmissions can unexpectedly downshift to first gear no matter how fast the trucks are going.

The recall&nbsp;<a href="https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCAK-24V444-7911.pdf">covers certain F-150 pickups</a>&nbsp;from the 2014 model year. Ford's F-Series pickups are the top-selling vehicles in the U.S.

Ford says in&nbsp;<a href="https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCLRPT-24V444-2781.PDF">documents posted Tuesday</a>&nbsp;by U.S. safety regulators that the downshifting can cause drivers to lose control of the trucks, increasing the risk of a crash.

The recalls come after U.S. auto safety regulators in March&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ford-f150-transmission-downshift-investigation-558a5ad5cefb8533fc9beb6acdcf756e">began investigating complaints</a>&nbsp;that more than 540,000 Ford pickup trucks from 2014 can abruptly downshift to a lower gear and increase the risk of a crash.

Documents say the problem is caused by a lost signal between a transmission speed sensor and the powertrain control computer. There also could be corrosion and problems with connector pins.

Dealers will update the powertrain control software at no cost to owners, who will be notified by letters in early July.

In a statement Tuesday, Ford said it expects repairs to be available in the third quarter of this year. Owners will be able to use mobile service or pickup and delivery at participating dealers.

Ford says in documents posted Tuesday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it has 396 warranty and field reports and 124 customer complaints about the problem, covering 482 trucks.

The Dearborn, Michigan, automaker says it knows of 130 complaints to the government, with 52 alleging that rear wheels locked up or that drivers lost control of the trucks. Two of the complainants reported injuries and one reported a crash that could have been caused by the problem, Ford said.

Ford's statement said that before the trucks downshift, drivers could see a malfunction indicator light on the dashboard. In some cases, signals can be restored while the trucks are moving, and they can be driven normally. In other cases drivers may need to stop and restart the engine to get the transmissions to work properly.

The company says it expects fewer than 1% of the recalled vehicles to have the problem.

NHTSA said it started its investigation in March after getting complaints about sudden downshifts in the trucks’ automatic transmissions.

The agency is looking into whether those trucks should have been included in previous recalls for the problem.

Ford started recalling trucks and other vehicles from the 2011 and 2012 model years in 2016, and added two recalls in 2019 covering pickups from the 2011 to 2013 model years. The recalls covered about 1.5 million vehicles.

DETROIT (AP) — Ford is recalling more than 550,000 pickup trucks in the U.S. because the transmissions can unexpectedly downshift to first gear no matter how fast the trucks are going.The recall&nbsp;<a href="https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCAK-24V444-7911.pdf">covers certain F-150 pickups</a>&nbsp;from the 2014 model year. Ford's F-Series pickups are the top-selling vehicles in the U.S.Ford says in&nbsp;<a href="https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCLRPT-24V444-2781.PDF">documents posted Tuesday</a>&nbsp;by U.S. safety regulators that the downshifting can cause drivers to lose control of the trucks, increasing the risk of a crash.The recalls come after U.S. auto safety regulators in March&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ford-f150-transmission-downshift-investigation-558a5ad5cefb8533fc9beb6acdcf756e">began investigating complaints</a>&nbsp;that more than 540,000 Ford pickup trucks from 2014 can abruptly downshift to a lower gear and increase the risk of a crash.Documents say the problem is caused by a lost signal between a transmission speed sensor and the powertrain control computer. There also could be corrosion and problems with connector pins.Dealers will update the powertrain control software at no cost to owners, who will be notified by letters in early July.In a statement Tuesday, Ford said it expects repairs to be available in the third quarter of this year. Owners will be able to use mobile service or pickup and delivery at participating dealers.Ford says in documents posted Tuesday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it has 396 warranty and field reports and 124 customer complaints about the problem, covering 482 trucks.The Dearborn, Michigan, automaker says it knows of 130 complaints to the government, with 52 alleging that rear wheels locked up or that drivers lost control of the trucks. Two of the complainants reported injuries and one reported a crash that could have been caused by the problem, Ford said.Ford's statement said that before the trucks downshift, drivers could see a malfunction indicator light on the dashboard. In some cases, signals can be restored while the trucks are moving, and they can be driven normally. In other cases drivers may need to stop and restart the engine to get the transmissions to work properly.The company says it expects fewer than 1% of the recalled vehicles to have the problem.NHTSA said it started its investigation in March after getting complaints about sudden downshifts in the trucks’ automatic transmissions.The agency is looking into whether those trucks should have been included in previous recalls for the problem.Ford started recalling trucks and other vehicles from the 2011 and 2012 model years in 2016, and added two recalls in 2019 covering pickups from the 2011 to 2013 model years. The recalls covered about 1.5 million vehicles.

Ford recalls F-150 pickups to fix transmission problem

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Federal judges in Kansas and Missouri on Monday together blocked much of a Biden administration student loan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-miguel-cardona-business-73dcbf54ddb3b53c9c3c5468cfdec3b9">repayment plan</a>&nbsp;that provides a faster path to cancellation and lower monthly payments for millions of borrowers.

The judges’ rulings prevent the U.S. Department of Education from helping many of the intended borrowers ease their loan repayment burdens going forward under a rule set to go into effect July 1. The decisions do not cancel assistance already provided to borrowers.

In Kansas, U.S. District Judge Daniel Crabtree ruled in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-cancellation-debt-lawsuit-republicans-biden-b60d13539b2f2aef2869d56e63f33a3b">a lawsuit filed by the state’s attorney general,</a>&nbsp;Kris Kobach, on behalf of his state and 10 others. In his ruling, Crabtree allowed parts of the program that allow students who borrowed $12,000 or less to have the rest of their loans forgiven if they make 10 years’ worth of payments, instead of the standard 25.

But Crabtree said that the Department of Education won’t be allowed to implement parts of the program meant to help students who had larger loans and could have their monthly payments lowered and their required payment period reduced from 25 years to 20 years.

In Missouri, U.S. District Judge John Ross’ order applies to different parts of the program than Crabtree’s. His order says that the U.S. Department of Education cannot forgive loan balances going forward. He said the department still could lower monthly payments.

Ross issued a ruling in a lawsuit filed by Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey on behalf of his state and six others.

Together, the two rulings, each by a judge appointed by former President Barack Obama, a Democrat, appeared to greatly limit the scope of the Biden administration’s efforts to help borrowers after the U.S. Supreme Court last year rejected the Democratic president’s first attempt at a forgiveness plan. Both judges said Education Secretary Miguel Cardona exceeded the authority granted by Congress in laws dealing with students loans.

Bailey and Kobach each hailed the decision from their state's judge as a major legal victory against the Biden administration and argue, as many Republicans do, that forgiving some students' loans shifts the cost of repaying them to taxpayers.

“Only Congress has the power of the purse, not the President,” Bailey said in a statement. "Today’s ruling was a huge win for the rule of law, and for every American who Joe Biden was about to force to pay off someone else’s debt.”

The White House said it strongly disagrees with the judges’ rulings and would continue to defend the program, and use every available tool to give relief to students and borrowers.

In a statement, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the Biden administration “will never stop fighting for students and borrowers — no matter how many roadblocks Republican elected officials and special interests put in our way.”

In a statement posted on the social media platform X, leaders of the Student Borrower Protection Center, which advocates for eliminating student debt, called the decisions “partisan lawfare” and “a recipe for chaos across the student loan system.”

“Millions of borrowers are now in limbo as they struggle to make sense of their rights under the law and the information being provided by the government and their student loan companies,” said the group’s executive director, Mike Pierce.

In both lawsuits, the suing states sought to invalidate the entire program, which the Biden administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loans-debt-college-cancellation-forgiveness-34152bb5000128a413efd2287887a37a">first made available</a>&nbsp;to borrowers in July 2023, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-student-loan-forgiveness-2024-california-cc23ba93a733b583f3ee8963cdd02566">at least 150,000</a>&nbsp;have had their loans canceled. But the judges noted that the lawsuits weren't filed until late March in Kansas and early April in Missouri.

“So the court doesn’t see how plaintiffs can complain of irreparable harm from them,” Crabtree wrote in his opinion.

Both orders are preliminary, meaning the injunctions imposed by the judges would remain in effect through a trial of the separate lawsuits. However, to issue a temporary order each judge had to conclude that the states were likely to prevail in a trial.

Kobach framed the Biden plan as “unconstitutional” and an affront to “blue collar Kansas workers who didn’t go to college."

There was some irony in Crabtree's decision: Kansas is no longer a party to the lawsuit Kobach filed. Earlier this month, Crabtree ruled that Kansas and seven other states in the lawsuit — Alabama, Idaho, Iowa, Lousiana, Montana, Nebraska and Utah — couldn't show that they'd been harmed by the new program and dismissed them as plaintiffs.

That left Alaska, South Carolina and Texas, and Crabtree said they could sue because each has a state agency that services student loans.

But Crabtree said that lowering monthly payments and shortening the period of required payments to earn loan forgiveness “overreach any generosity Congress has authorized before.”

In the Missouri ruling, Ross said repayment schedules and “are well within the wheelhouse” of the department but the “plain text” of U.S. law doesn’t give it authority to forgive loans before 25 years of payments.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Federal judges in Kansas and Missouri on Monday together blocked much of a Biden administration student loan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-miguel-cardona-business-73dcbf54ddb3b53c9c3c5468cfdec3b9">repayment plan</a>&nbsp;that provides a faster path to cancellation and lower monthly payments for millions of borrowers.The judges’ rulings prevent the U.S. Department of Education from helping many of the intended borrowers ease their loan repayment burdens going forward under a rule set to go into effect July 1. The decisions do not cancel assistance already provided to borrowers.In Kansas, U.S. District Judge Daniel Crabtree ruled in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-cancellation-debt-lawsuit-republicans-biden-b60d13539b2f2aef2869d56e63f33a3b">a lawsuit filed by the state’s attorney general,</a>&nbsp;Kris Kobach, on behalf of his state and 10 others. In his ruling, Crabtree allowed parts of the program that allow students who borrowed $12,000 or less to have the rest of their loans forgiven if they make 10 years’ worth of payments, instead of the standard 25.But Crabtree said that the Department of Education won’t be allowed to implement parts of the program meant to help students who had larger loans and could have their monthly payments lowered and their required payment period reduced from 25 years to 20 years.In Missouri, U.S. District Judge John Ross’ order applies to different parts of the program than Crabtree’s. His order says that the U.S. Department of Education cannot forgive loan balances going forward. He said the department still could lower monthly payments.Ross issued a ruling in a lawsuit filed by Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey on behalf of his state and six others.Together, the two rulings, each by a judge appointed by former President Barack Obama, a Democrat, appeared to greatly limit the scope of the Biden administration’s efforts to help borrowers after the U.S. Supreme Court last year rejected the Democratic president’s first attempt at a forgiveness plan. Both judges said Education Secretary Miguel Cardona exceeded the authority granted by Congress in laws dealing with students loans.Bailey and Kobach each hailed the decision from their state's judge as a major legal victory against the Biden administration and argue, as many Republicans do, that forgiving some students' loans shifts the cost of repaying them to taxpayers.“Only Congress has the power of the purse, not the President,” Bailey said in a statement. "Today’s ruling was a huge win for the rule of law, and for every American who Joe Biden was about to force to pay off someone else’s debt.”The White House said it strongly disagrees with the judges’ rulings and would continue to defend the program, and use every available tool to give relief to students and borrowers.In a statement, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the Biden administration “will never stop fighting for students and borrowers — no matter how many roadblocks Republican elected officials and special interests put in our way.”In a statement posted on the social media platform X, leaders of the Student Borrower Protection Center, which advocates for eliminating student debt, called the decisions “partisan lawfare” and “a recipe for chaos across the student loan system.”“Millions of borrowers are now in limbo as they struggle to make sense of their rights under the law and the information being provided by the government and their student loan companies,” said the group’s executive director, Mike Pierce.In both lawsuits, the suing states sought to invalidate the entire program, which the Biden administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loans-debt-college-cancellation-forgiveness-34152bb5000128a413efd2287887a37a">first made available</a>&nbsp;to borrowers in July 2023, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-student-loan-forgiveness-2024-california-cc23ba93a733b583f3ee8963cdd02566">at least 150,000</a>&nbsp;have had their loans canceled. But the judges noted that the lawsuits weren't filed until late March in Kansas and early April in Missouri.“So the court doesn’t see how plaintiffs can complain of irreparable harm from them,” Crabtree wrote in his opinion.Both orders are preliminary, meaning the injunctions imposed by the judges would remain in effect through a trial of the separate lawsuits. However, to issue a temporary order each judge had to conclude that the states were likely to prevail in a trial.Kobach framed the Biden plan as “unconstitutional” and an affront to “blue collar Kansas workers who didn’t go to college."There was some irony in Crabtree's decision: Kansas is no longer a party to the lawsuit Kobach filed. Earlier this month, Crabtree ruled that Kansas and seven other states in the lawsuit — Alabama, Idaho, Iowa, Lousiana, Montana, Nebraska and Utah — couldn't show that they'd been harmed by the new program and dismissed them as plaintiffs.That left Alaska, South Carolina and Texas, and Crabtree said they could sue because each has a state agency that services student loans.But Crabtree said that lowering monthly payments and shortening the period of required payments to earn loan forgiveness “overreach any generosity Congress has authorized before.”In the Missouri ruling, Ross said repayment schedules and “are well within the wheelhouse” of the department but the “plain text” of U.S. law doesn’t give it authority to forgive loans before 25 years of payments.

Kansas judge halts much of Biden's student debt forgiveness plan

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

After announcing a&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/d8edd6b6-77a5-4f00-be6f-dd172d6a13a7" target="_blank">$95,000 deficit</a>&nbsp;in April, the Wild West Festival committee said Friday it should be in the black this year, the 30th year, for the annual July 4th multi-day celebration in Hays.

"We were in trouble," said Jeff Ridgeway, committee chairman, "but thanks to the community, the numbers look like we are going to be able to continue this tradition."

The budget for this year's festival was so tight the committee thought it would have to eliminate fireworks, a $25,000 expense. However, sponsors stepped up to fund the fireworks, including Thirsty's, Gella's, Platinum Group and Joe Bob Outfitters.

Ridgeway also feared this summer's event might not happen at all.

But it's on, and "it's only possible&nbsp;because the community, the organizations, the businesses have all stepped up," Ridgeway said during the The Chamber in Hays' weekly Chamber Chat.

In addition to financial contributions, he said businesses have covered some annual behind-the-scene expenses.

"That's helped us stay in the black this year. We can't express the thanks to the community enough and how big the support has been, from the wristbands to the fireworks,"&nbsp; he said.&nbsp;

Along with the traditional three nights of concerts, fireworks show and parade, several exciting changes are set to enhance the festival experience for attendees.

"We are thrilled to include several new activities to Wild West Fest this year, along with bringing back a third band to open each night," said&nbsp; Ridgway. "It has been many years since we have been able to feature so many bands during the festival, including some amazing local talent."

Additional activities during this year’s event include the cornhole league, on hand with board for play, the Nex-Tech Wireless photo booth and the Nex-Tech Cash Catch on stage at 6:40 p.m. nightly, with participants chosen from the crowd.

There will also be opportunities to win special concert mementos.

Each night at 9 p.m., a guitar featuring autographs from the evening’s headlining act will be auctioned in conjunction with a hidden bid auction and raffle at the festival merchandise tent, concluding at 9 p.m. each night. Various autographed items will be available.

VIP ticket holders who purchase the premium experience and those who buy official event merchandise will receive a custom playing card that serves as an entry to win framed song lyrics with the band’s autograph while supplies last.

Another significant change this year is that the entire festival grounds at Municipal Park, 100 Main St., will be open for beer consumption sold on-site, provided by the Hays Kiwanis Club. Beer will be served on the ground's east side, near the beer garden's historical location.

To purchase alcoholic beverages, attendees must buy a $2 wristband.

While the grounds will be open for consumption, no outside beverages will be permitted at the festival, and opened containers will not be allowed to leave the premises.

For VIP ticket holders, alcoholic beverages and meals are included in the ticket price. However, for those seeking an upgraded experience, a premium liquor upgrade will be offered for a $30 charge each night.

This year, VIP meals will be provided by Rose Garden Banquet Hall and Catering, Hilton Garden Inn and Union Catering Company.

Food trucks planned include Kitchen N’Stitchen, Western Sunset Creations, The Local Food Truck, Pfonz Smokehaus, Silvey Concessions, Sno Days, Texas Reds and the Hurricanes Swim team.

The Kansas Office of Veterans Services will also provide their mobile unit for on-site veteran information and assistance.

"We believe these changes will create a more welcoming environment while remaining family-friendly," Ridgway said in a news release. "It will also help keep ticket prices as low as possible in future years."

General admission tickets for the entire Wild West Festival will remain available throughout the event at Hays Dillons and Cerv's locations or at&nbsp;<a href="https://wildwestfestival.com/">wildwestfestival.com</a>&nbsp;for $30. Tickets at the gate are $40 per night.

VIP tickets are also available for $300 online or at the Hays Welcome Center, 2700 Vine St.

"We are blessed to live in an area where our community and business leaders see the value of community events like the Wild West Festival," he said. "Without our incredible sponsors, this not-for-profit event could not happen. We are immensely appreciative of their support.

"That support, in turn, helps other community organizations," he said.

"As a not-for-profit, we are proud to support many other groups who volunteer or use festival equipment throughout the year, including Fort Hays State University football, Hurricanes Swim Club, Hays Striders, Boy Scout Troops 101 and 133, Thunder on the Plains, Oktoberfest, Kiwanis and the Veterans Program by the Hays Larks," Ridgway said.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. VIP access opens at 6 p.m. Nex-Tech Wireless photo booth open 6-7:30 p.m. Nex-Tech Cash Catch 6:40 p.m. VIP/merchandise holder card drawing 8:50 p.m. Guitar auction: 9 p.m. Vyve Broadband and Eagle Radio T-shirt shoot 9 p.m. Hidden Bid and Raffle ends at 9 p.m. Scheduled performers: Reprise, Paramount and Nate Smith

Fireworks Spectacular south of Hays near the 183 Bypass and Golf Course Road at 10 p.m.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. VIP access opens at 6 p.m. Nex-Tech Wireless photo booth open 6-7:30 p.m. Nex-Tech Cash Catch 6:40 p.m. VIP/merchandise holder card drawing 8:50 p.m. Guitar auction: 9 p.m. Vyve Broadband and Eagle Radio T-shirt shoot 9 p.m. Hidden Bid and Raffle ends at 9 p.m. Scheduled performers: Jake Dunworth, Savanna Chestnut and Sawyer Brown

Main Street Parade at 10 a.m.,&nbsp;Theme: 30 Years of Rootin’ and Tootin’ Gates open at 5:30 p.m. VIP access opens at 6 p.m. Nex-Tech Wireless photo booth open 6-7:30 p.m. Nex-Tech Cash Catch 6:40 p.m. VIP/merchandise holder card drawing 8:50 p.m. Guitar auction: 9 p.m. Vyve Broadband and Eagle Radio T-shirt shoot 9 p.m. Hidden Bid and Raffle ends at 9 p.m. Scheduled performers: RoxSLYDE, Sunset Sinners and Quiet Riot

"The Wild West Festival committee has worked hard to ensure a fantastic experience for all attendees," Ridgway said. "We are thrilled to bring this year's lineup to western Kansas and hope to see everyone there."&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719323566590.jpeg" alt="Wild West Festival Committee members Jeff Jordan, Emily Knowles, Jeff Ridgeway, Tom Lippert and Bob Swift, with Leigh Purdy, vice president of membership for The Chamber in Hays, talk about this year's 30th anniversary of the event. Photo and video by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Wild West Festival Committee members Jeff Jordan, Emily Knowles, Jeff Ridgeway, Tom Lippert and Bob Swift, with Leigh Purdy, vice president of membership for The Chamber in Hays, talk about this year's 30th anniversary of the event. Photo and video by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays Post After announcing a&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/d8edd6b6-77a5-4f00-be6f-dd172d6a13a7" target="_blank">$95,000 deficit</a>&nbsp;in April, the Wild West Festival committee said Friday it should be in the black this year, the 30th year, for the annual July 4th multi-day celebration in Hays."We were in trouble," said Jeff Ridgeway, committee chairman, "but thanks to the community, the numbers look like we are going to be able to continue this tradition."The budget for this year's festival was so tight the committee thought it would have to eliminate fireworks, a $25,000 expense. However, sponsors stepped up to fund the fireworks, including Thirsty's, Gella's, Platinum Group and Joe Bob Outfitters.Ridgeway also feared this summer's event might not happen at all.But it's on, and "it's only possible&nbsp;because the community, the organizations, the businesses have all stepped up," Ridgeway said during the The Chamber in Hays' weekly Chamber Chat.In addition to financial contributions, he said businesses have covered some annual behind-the-scene expenses."That's helped us stay in the black this year. We can't express the thanks to the community enough and how big the support has been, from the wristbands to the fireworks,"&nbsp; he said.&nbsp;The festival costs $225,000 annually.<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a7IUoMddAaI" title="Jeff Ridgeway, Wild West Festival chairman previews 30th year." frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Along with the traditional three nights of concerts, fireworks show and parade, several exciting changes are set to enhance the festival experience for attendees."We are thrilled to include several new activities to Wild West Fest this year, along with bringing back a third band to open each night," said&nbsp; Ridgway. "It has been many years since we have been able to feature so many bands during the festival, including some amazing local talent."Additional activities during this year’s event include the cornhole league, on hand with board for play, the Nex-Tech Wireless photo booth and the Nex-Tech Cash Catch on stage at 6:40 p.m. nightly, with participants chosen from the crowd.There will also be opportunities to win special concert mementos.Each night at 9 p.m., a guitar featuring autographs from the evening’s headlining act will be auctioned in conjunction with a hidden bid auction and raffle at the festival merchandise tent, concluding at 9 p.m. each night. Various autographed items will be available.VIP ticket holders who purchase the premium experience and those who buy official event merchandise will receive a custom playing card that serves as an entry to win framed song lyrics with the band’s autograph while supplies last.Another significant change this year is that the entire festival grounds at Municipal Park, 100 Main St., will be open for beer consumption sold on-site, provided by the Hays Kiwanis Club. Beer will be served on the ground's east side, near the beer garden's historical location.To purchase alcoholic beverages, attendees must buy a $2 wristband.While the grounds will be open for consumption, no outside beverages will be permitted at the festival, and opened containers will not be allowed to leave the premises.For VIP ticket holders, alcoholic beverages and meals are included in the ticket price. However, for those seeking an upgraded experience, a premium liquor upgrade will be offered for a $30 charge each night.This year, VIP meals will be provided by Rose Garden Banquet Hall and Catering, Hilton Garden Inn and Union Catering Company.Food trucks planned include Kitchen N’Stitchen, Western Sunset Creations, The Local Food Truck, Pfonz Smokehaus, Silvey Concessions, Sno Days, Texas Reds and the Hurricanes Swim team.The Kansas Office of Veterans Services will also provide their mobile unit for on-site veteran information and assistance."We believe these changes will create a more welcoming environment while remaining family-friendly," Ridgway said in a news release. "It will also help keep ticket prices as low as possible in future years."General admission tickets for the entire Wild West Festival will remain available throughout the event at Hays Dillons and Cerv's locations or at&nbsp;<a href="https://wildwestfestival.com/">wildwestfestival.com</a>&nbsp;for $30. Tickets at the gate are $40 per night.VIP tickets are also available for $300 online or at the Hays Welcome Center, 2700 Vine St."We are blessed to live in an area where our community and business leaders see the value of community events like the Wild West Festival," he said. "Without our incredible sponsors, this not-for-profit event could not happen. We are immensely appreciative of their support."That support, in turn, helps other community organizations," he said."As a not-for-profit, we are proud to support many other groups who volunteer or use festival equipment throughout the year, including Fort Hays State University football, Hurricanes Swim Club, Hays Striders, Boy Scout Troops 101 and 133, Thunder on the Plains, Oktoberfest, Kiwanis and the Veterans Program by the Hays Larks," Ridgway said.<h2>EVENT SCHEDULE</h2><h2>Wednesday, July 3</h2>Gates open at 5:30 p.m. VIP access opens at 6 p.m. Nex-Tech Wireless photo booth open 6-7:30 p.m. Nex-Tech Cash Catch 6:40 p.m. VIP/merchandise holder card drawing 8:50 p.m. Guitar auction: 9 p.m. Vyve Broadband and Eagle Radio T-shirt shoot 9 p.m. Hidden Bid and Raffle ends at 9 p.m. Scheduled performers: Reprise, Paramount and Nate Smith <h2>Thursday, July 4</h2>Fireworks Spectacular south of Hays near the 183 Bypass and Golf Course Road at 10 p.m. <h2>Friday, July 5</h2>Gates open at 5:30 p.m. VIP access opens at 6 p.m. Nex-Tech Wireless photo booth open 6-7:30 p.m. Nex-Tech Cash Catch 6:40 p.m. VIP/merchandise holder card drawing 8:50 p.m. Guitar auction: 9 p.m. Vyve Broadband and Eagle Radio T-shirt shoot 9 p.m. Hidden Bid and Raffle ends at 9 p.m. Scheduled performers: Jake Dunworth, Savanna Chestnut and Sawyer Brown<h2>Saturday, July 6</h2>Main Street Parade at 10 a.m.,&nbsp;Theme: 30 Years of Rootin’ and Tootin’ Gates open at 5:30 p.m. VIP access opens at 6 p.m. Nex-Tech Wireless photo booth open 6-7:30 p.m. Nex-Tech Cash Catch 6:40 p.m. VIP/merchandise holder card drawing 8:50 p.m. Guitar auction: 9 p.m. Vyve Broadband and Eagle Radio T-shirt shoot 9 p.m. Hidden Bid and Raffle ends at 9 p.m. Scheduled performers: RoxSLYDE, Sunset Sinners and Quiet Riot"The Wild West Festival committee has worked hard to ensure a fantastic experience for all attendees," Ridgway said. "We are thrilled to bring this year's lineup to western Kansas and hope to see everyone there."&nbsp;&nbsp;

🎥 Wild West Festival: 'After being in trouble, we're going to be in the black this year'

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Summer is officially here, according to the calendar. The 100-plus-degree temperatures are also a reminder.

The National Weather Service in Dodge City has&nbsp;reissued a<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/34e186c3-1bcd-4a04-8480-94766cc0d9b0" target="_blank">&nbsp;heat advisory</a>&nbsp;for today, with <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/6c0d8487-c74c-4e9b-9068-c2b885f83074">slightly cooler temperatures</a> later in the week.&nbsp;

Matt Meagher, assistant director of Ellis County Emergency Medical Services, cautions residents to be aware of the sun and the heat index, whether outdoors or indoors.&nbsp;

Children and the elderly are especially vulnerable to the heat.&nbsp;

"They have a higher chance of getting overheated quickly," Meagher said.

 "Children's bodies haven't developed enough to compensate for the heat," he said. "Adults as we get older, our bodies' processes start to slow down and don't respond as well to the heat. They heat up faster and don't get rid of that heat as quickly."

Senior citizens may also be taking prescription drugs that don't allow them to tolerate the heat well, including high blood pressure and congestive heart failure medicines.

"The typical response by the body when it overheats is to speed the heart rate up, to push that heat out of the center of the body and into your skin to get rid of it," he said. "But if you're on a medicine that controls the heart rate, it's not going to be able to speed up&nbsp;or pump as effectively as it's supposed to."

Diuretics are also often prescribed to older people to pull fluid out of the body, and that can cause dehydration, which will make someone heat up faster.&nbsp;

Meagher said there are three degrees of heat illness to watch out for: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

"Heat cramps, such as in your legs, are the first stage of your body saying you're getting too hot and to slow down and take a break," he said.&nbsp;

"Heat exhaustion brings on extreme thirst, heavy sweating, muscle cramps and spasms, along with headaches and nausea, pale and dry skin, and you may pass out."

The body is still trying to cool itself during these first two stages.&nbsp;

The final stage, heat stroke, is a true emergency.&nbsp;

"It's time to call 9-1-1 when someone starts acting abnormally, is confused or combative, all the way to being very lethargic,"&nbsp;Meagher said.

"The body is heating up from the inside out and no longer trying to cool itself."

It's essential to stay hydrated with water or electrolyte drinks.

"Along with the salt in electrolyte drinks such as Gatorade to replace what you're sweating out, you're often getting a large dose of sugar," Meagher said, "which isn't very healthy. Maybe drink one if you really need it.

"There used to be a big emphasis on the electrolyte replacement. Now we're saying just to replace the fluids you've lost with water."

Adults should drink eight eight-ounce glasses of water daily during the summer and more as they work harder.&nbsp;

Meagher also reminds drivers about the dangers of leaving children or pets in a hot car.

"A car parked in the sun on a 95-degree sun can get up to 116 degrees inside within an hour. The seats can get up to 127 degrees," he said. "You're cooking at 127 degrees, and that's heatstroke level, an emergency."

Meagher said Ellis County emergency services are called out several times each year for children accidentally locked in a vehicle.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719246139107.jpeg" alt="Photo by Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="EMS: Take cautions during hot temperatures; stay hydrated" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=ekkc6-164ed1b-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=315" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>By BECKY KISER Hays PostSummer is officially here, according to the calendar. The 100-plus-degree temperatures are also a reminder.The National Weather Service in Dodge City has&nbsp;reissued a<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/34e186c3-1bcd-4a04-8480-94766cc0d9b0" target="_blank">&nbsp;heat advisory</a>&nbsp;for today, with <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/6c0d8487-c74c-4e9b-9068-c2b885f83074">slightly cooler temperatures</a> later in the week.&nbsp;Matt Meagher, assistant director of Ellis County Emergency Medical Services, cautions residents to be aware of the sun and the heat index, whether outdoors or indoors.&nbsp;Children and the elderly are especially vulnerable to the heat.&nbsp;"They have a higher chance of getting overheated quickly," Meagher said. "Children's bodies haven't developed enough to compensate for the heat," he said. "Adults as we get older, our bodies' processes start to slow down and don't respond as well to the heat. They heat up faster and don't get rid of that heat as quickly."Senior citizens may also be taking prescription drugs that don't allow them to tolerate the heat well, including high blood pressure and congestive heart failure medicines."The typical response by the body when it overheats is to speed the heart rate up, to push that heat out of the center of the body and into your skin to get rid of it," he said. "But if you're on a medicine that controls the heart rate, it's not going to be able to speed up&nbsp;or pump as effectively as it's supposed to."Diuretics are also often prescribed to older people to pull fluid out of the body, and that can cause dehydration, which will make someone heat up faster.&nbsp;Meagher said there are three degrees of heat illness to watch out for: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke."Heat cramps, such as in your legs, are the first stage of your body saying you're getting too hot and to slow down and take a break," he said.&nbsp;"Heat exhaustion brings on extreme thirst, heavy sweating, muscle cramps and spasms, along with headaches and nausea, pale and dry skin, and you may pass out."The body is still trying to cool itself during these first two stages.&nbsp;The final stage, heat stroke, is a true emergency.&nbsp;"It's time to call 9-1-1 when someone starts acting abnormally, is confused or combative, all the way to being very lethargic,"&nbsp;Meagher said."The body is heating up from the inside out and no longer trying to cool itself."It's essential to stay hydrated with water or electrolyte drinks."Along with the salt in electrolyte drinks such as Gatorade to replace what you're sweating out, you're often getting a large dose of sugar," Meagher said, "which isn't very healthy. Maybe drink one if you really need it. "There used to be a big emphasis on the electrolyte replacement. Now we're saying just to replace the fluids you've lost with water."Adults should drink eight eight-ounce glasses of water daily during the summer and more as they work harder.&nbsp;Meagher also reminds drivers about the dangers of leaving children or pets in a hot car."A car parked in the sun on a 95-degree sun can get up to 116 degrees inside within an hour. The seats can get up to 127 degrees," he said. "You're cooking at 127 degrees, and that's heatstroke level, an emergency."Meagher said Ellis County emergency services are called out several times each year for children accidentally locked in a vehicle.

EMS: Take cautions during hot temperatures; stay hydrated   

KANSAS CITY —One person was injured in an accident with a police vehicle just before 10a.m. on Monday.

According to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino, a Mitsubishi Endeavor was westbound on 57th Street at Woodland in Kansas City.&nbsp;

The driver of the Mitsubishi failed to stop for the posted stop sign and entered the intersection. A northbound marked blue KCPD Ford Explorer struck the Mitsubishi. EMS transported the driver and sole occupant of the Mitsubishi to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

 The KCPD officer received non-life-threatening injuries but was not transported to a medical facility, according to DiMartino. The accident remains under investigation.

KANSAS CITY —One person was injured in an accident with a police vehicle just before 10a.m. on Monday.According to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino, a Mitsubishi Endeavor was westbound on 57th Street at Woodland in Kansas City.&nbsp;The driver of the Mitsubishi failed to stop for the posted stop sign and entered the intersection. A northbound marked blue KCPD Ford Explorer struck the Mitsubishi. EMS transported the driver and sole occupant of the Mitsubishi to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The KCPD officer received non-life-threatening injuries but was not transported to a medical facility, according to DiMartino. The accident remains under investigation.

Driver hospitalized after crash with KCPD vehicle

JUNCTION CITY – Trent
Baker and Wilbert Espinal both homered and the Hays Larks used a couple of big
innings to beat the Junction City Brigade 15-7 Monday at Rathert Stadium to run
their winning-streak to 10 games.

Baker opened the game
with a home run, Espinal put it away with a grand slam which was the punctuation
mark of a seven-run seventh inning.

Trailing 2-1, the Larks (14-2) scored five in the third to take the lead for good. They used four-straight
walks to tie the game 2-2. Garrett Gruell gave them the lead with an RBI
single. Will Carpenter and Taber Stokes both added RBI singles.

Starter Mack Ortner (1-0) allowed
two runs on two hits with five strikeouts and two walks over three innings and
was awarded the win.

- Five Larks pitchers
combined to strikeout 13 Brigade batters. - Larks pitchers have recorded double-digit strikeouts in four-straight games with a total of 52 in the
last four games. - The Larks matched a season-high with 16 hits - The Larks drew a season-high
14 walks in the game. - The 15 runs scored is a season-high.

The Larks continue their
seven-game road trip with a two-game series against the Western Nebraska
Pioneers Wednesday in Gering, Neb.

Hays PostJUNCTION CITY – Trent
Baker and Wilbert Espinal both homered and the Hays Larks used a couple of big
innings to beat the Junction City Brigade 15-7 Monday at Rathert Stadium to run
their winning-streak to 10 games.Baker opened the game
with a home run, Espinal put it away with a grand slam which was the punctuation
mark of a seven-run seventh inning.Trailing 2-1, the Larks (14-2) scored five in the third to take the lead for good. They used four-straight
walks to tie the game 2-2. Garrett Gruell gave them the lead with an RBI
single. Will Carpenter and Taber Stokes both added RBI singles.Starter Mack Ortner (1-0) allowed
two runs on two hits with five strikeouts and two walks over three innings and
was awarded the win.STATS OF THE GAME- Five Larks pitchers
combined to strikeout 13 Brigade batters. - Larks pitchers have recorded double-digit strikeouts in four-straight games with a total of 52 in the
last four games. - The Larks matched a season-high with 16 hits - The Larks drew a season-high
14 walks in the game. - The 15 runs scored is a season-high.UP NEXTThe Larks continue their
seven-game road trip with a two-game series against the Western Nebraska
Pioneers Wednesday in Gering, Neb.

⚾ Larks beat Brigade for 10th-straight win

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Civil liberties groups filed a lawsuit Monday to block&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/louisiana-ten-commandments-displayed-classrooms-571a2447906f7bbd5a166d53db005a62">Louisiana’s new law</a>&nbsp;that requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom, a measure they contend is unconstitutional.

Plaintiffs in the suit include parents of Louisiana public school children, represented by attorneys with the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

Under the legislation signed into law by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry last week, all public K-12 classrooms and state-funded universities will be required to display a poster-sized version of the Ten Commandments in “large, easily readable font” next year.

Opponents argue that the law is a violation of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ten-commandments-louisiana-schools-religion-99b86fff51932374993c45ab3f0555c9">separation of church and state</a>&nbsp;and that the display will isolate students, especially those who are not Christian. Proponents say the measure is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/indiana-lifewise-public-school-religion-d7cf2b67b2ae3b7919e0a21f89ce80c0">not solely religious</a>, but that it has historical significance. In the language of the law, the Ten Commandments are “foundational documents of our state and national government.”

The lawsuit filed Monday seeks a court declaration that the new law, referred to in the lawsuit as HB 71, violates First Amendment clauses forbidding government establishment of religion and guaranteeing religious liberty. It also seeks an order prohibiting the posting of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms.

“The state’s main interest in passing H.B. 71 was to impose religious beliefs on public-school children, regardless of the harm to students and families,” the lawsuit says. "The law’s primary sponsor and author, Representative Dodie Horton, proclaimed during debate over the bill that it 'seeks to have a display of God’s law in the classroom for children to see what He says is right and what He says is wrong.'"

Defendants include state Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley, members of the state education board and some local school boards.

Landry and Louisiana Attorney General Elizabeth Murrill support the new law, and Murrill has said she is looking forward to defending it. She issued a statement saying she couldn’t comment directly on the lawsuit because she had not yet seen it.

“It seems the ACLU only selectively cares about the First Amendment — it doesn’t care when the Biden administration censors speech or arrests pro-life protesters, but apparently it will fight to prevent posters that discuss our own legal history,” Murrill said in the emailed statement.

The Ten Commandments have long been at the center of lawsuits across the nation.

In 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a similar Kentucky law violated the establishment clause of the U.S. Constitution, which says Congress can “make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” The high court found that the law had no secular purpose but rather served a plainly religious purpose.

In a more recent ruling, the Supreme Court held in 2005 that such displays in a pair of Kentucky courthouses violated the Constitution. At the same time, the court upheld a Ten Commandments marker on the grounds of the Texas state Capitol in Austin. Those were 5-4 decisions, but the court’s makeup has changed, with a 6-3 conservative majority now.

Other states, including Texas, Oklahoma and Utah, have attempted to pass requirements that the schools display the Ten Commandments. However, with threats of legal battles, none has the mandate in place except for Louisiana.

The posters in Louisiana, which will be paired with a four-paragraph “context statement” describing how the Ten Commandments “were a prominent part of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/education">public education</a>&nbsp;for almost three centuries,” must be in place in classrooms by the start of 2025. Under the law, state funds will not be used to implement the mandate. The posters would be paid for through donations.

The controversial law, in a state ensconced in the Bible Belt, comes during a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/governor-jeff-landry-louisiana-conservative-bef181b17cb5a5819514c7c68ae8f2e1">new era of conservative leadership</a>&nbsp;in Louisiana under Landry, who replaced two-term Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards in January. The GOP holds a supermajority in the Legislature, and Republicans hold every statewide elected position, paving the way for lawmakers to push through a conservative agenda.

The case was allotted to U.S. District Judge John deGravelles, nominated to the federal bench by former President Barack Obama.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718826624556.png" alt="Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed the bill into law on Wednesday-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed the bill into law on Wednesday-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Civil liberties groups filed a lawsuit Monday to block&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/louisiana-ten-commandments-displayed-classrooms-571a2447906f7bbd5a166d53db005a62">Louisiana’s new law</a>&nbsp;that requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom, a measure they contend is unconstitutional.Plaintiffs in the suit include parents of Louisiana public school children, represented by attorneys with the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom From Religion Foundation.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovJeffLandry%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02LNPPH3HryrcETAgrfYrrSEPY1Rb7gPxjfFgsqDFUgVtskWtqUcfNA1gDG1gApo62l&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="404" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>Under the legislation signed into law by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry last week, all public K-12 classrooms and state-funded universities will be required to display a poster-sized version of the Ten Commandments in “large, easily readable font” next year.Opponents argue that the law is a violation of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ten-commandments-louisiana-schools-religion-99b86fff51932374993c45ab3f0555c9">separation of church and state</a>&nbsp;and that the display will isolate students, especially those who are not Christian. Proponents say the measure is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/indiana-lifewise-public-school-religion-d7cf2b67b2ae3b7919e0a21f89ce80c0">not solely religious</a>, but that it has historical significance. In the language of the law, the Ten Commandments are “foundational documents of our state and national government.”The lawsuit filed Monday seeks a court declaration that the new law, referred to in the lawsuit as HB 71, violates First Amendment clauses forbidding government establishment of religion and guaranteeing religious liberty. It also seeks an order prohibiting the posting of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms.“The state’s main interest in passing H.B. 71 was to impose religious beliefs on public-school children, regardless of the harm to students and families,” the lawsuit says. "The law’s primary sponsor and author, Representative Dodie Horton, proclaimed during debate over the bill that it 'seeks to have a display of God’s law in the classroom for children to see what He says is right and what He says is wrong.'"Defendants include state Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley, members of the state education board and some local school boards.Landry and Louisiana Attorney General Elizabeth Murrill support the new law, and Murrill has said she is looking forward to defending it. She issued a statement saying she couldn’t comment directly on the lawsuit because she had not yet seen it.“It seems the ACLU only selectively cares about the First Amendment — it doesn’t care when the Biden administration censors speech or arrests pro-life protesters, but apparently it will fight to prevent posters that discuss our own legal history,” Murrill said in the emailed statement.The Ten Commandments have long been at the center of lawsuits across the nation.In 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a similar Kentucky law violated the establishment clause of the U.S. Constitution, which says Congress can “make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” The high court found that the law had no secular purpose but rather served a plainly religious purpose.In a more recent ruling, the Supreme Court held in 2005 that such displays in a pair of Kentucky courthouses violated the Constitution. At the same time, the court upheld a Ten Commandments marker on the grounds of the Texas state Capitol in Austin. Those were 5-4 decisions, but the court’s makeup has changed, with a 6-3 conservative majority now.Other states, including Texas, Oklahoma and Utah, have attempted to pass requirements that the schools display the Ten Commandments. However, with threats of legal battles, none has the mandate in place except for Louisiana.The posters in Louisiana, which will be paired with a four-paragraph “context statement” describing how the Ten Commandments “were a prominent part of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/education">public education</a>&nbsp;for almost three centuries,” must be in place in classrooms by the start of 2025. Under the law, state funds will not be used to implement the mandate. The posters would be paid for through donations.The controversial law, in a state ensconced in the Bible Belt, comes during a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/governor-jeff-landry-louisiana-conservative-bef181b17cb5a5819514c7c68ae8f2e1">new era of conservative leadership</a>&nbsp;in Louisiana under Landry, who replaced two-term Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards in January. The GOP holds a supermajority in the Legislature, and Republicans hold every statewide elected position, paving the way for lawmakers to push through a conservative agenda.The case was allotted to U.S. District Judge John deGravelles, nominated to the federal bench by former President Barack Obama.___McGill reported from New Orleans.

First lawsuit challenges law requiring classrooms display Ten Commandments

Two finalists were chosen on Saturday for the&nbsp;COORS LIGHT CHILL RIDE UTV GIVEAWAY. They were Doug Pfannenstiel and Tawnya Rohr.&nbsp; A complete list of finalists is below:

1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Brianne Sultzer from Hays – Briney Motorsports – 6/14

2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Greg Beougher from Quinter – Briney Motorsports – 6/14

3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Doug Pfannenstiel from Hays – Ellis Co Community Fair – 6/21

4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Tawnya Rohr from Hays – Ellis Co Community Fair – 6/21

Watch the Hays Post and listen to Eagle Radio for your next chance to enter to win.

The COORS LIGHT CHILL RIDE UTV GIVEAWAY is courtesy of A &amp; A Coors, Briney Motorsports, Advantage Glass Plus, and Commercial Sign Company all of Hays.

The winner of the COORS LIGHT CHILL RIDE&nbsp;UTV will be announced at the FHSU football game on Sept. 7.

July 3 at Wild West Festival for High Plains Roofing

July 12 at &nbsp;Auto Collision Specialists from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

July 12 at the Trego County Fair that evening

August 1 at Mr. K’s Foodtown in Plainville&nbsp;from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

August 2 at the Phillipsburg Rodeo

August 3 at Ole 40 Express&nbsp;from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

August 9 at Kaiser Liquor East from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

August 30 at Doghouse Liquor&nbsp;from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716322467979.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Two finalists were chosen on Saturday for the&nbsp;COORS LIGHT CHILL RIDE UTV GIVEAWAY. They were Doug Pfannenstiel and Tawnya Rohr.&nbsp; A complete list of finalists is below:1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Brianne Sultzer from Hays – Briney Motorsports – 6/142.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Greg Beougher from Quinter – Briney Motorsports – 6/143.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Doug Pfannenstiel from Hays – Ellis Co Community Fair – 6/214.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Tawnya Rohr from Hays – Ellis Co Community Fair – 6/21Watch the Hays Post and listen to Eagle Radio for your next chance to enter to win.The COORS LIGHT CHILL RIDE UTV GIVEAWAY is courtesy of A &amp; A Coors, Briney Motorsports, Advantage Glass Plus, and Commercial Sign Company all of Hays.The winner of the COORS LIGHT CHILL RIDE&nbsp;UTV will be announced at the FHSU football game on Sept. 7.Enter to win on one of theses dates.July 3 at Wild West Festival for High Plains RoofingJuly 12 at &nbsp;Auto Collision Specialists from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.July 12 at the Trego County Fair that eveningJuly 20 at the Ellis County FairAugust 1 at Mr. K’s Foodtown in Plainville&nbsp;from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.August 2 at the Phillipsburg RodeoAugust 3 at Ole 40 Express&nbsp;from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.August 9 at Kaiser Liquor East from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.August 30 at Doghouse Liquor&nbsp;from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Latest finalists announced for Coors Light Chill Ride UTV

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

Many times,  a photograph only tells part of the story. A picture from June 30, 2008, at the finish line of Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. is a prime example. Christian Smith, a former standout from Pawnee Heights High School and Kansas State University, is caught falling across the finish line to secure a third-place finish at the U.S. Olympic Trials and secure his spot in the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing. The unlikely road to China, full of bumps, began when Smith was growing up in Pawnee County.

"Being out there, hard work is just how you live your life," he said. "You don't cut corners. You do the job and you do it to the best of your ability. I think I had a lot of people in my life where that was the emphasis."

Those people included his parents and coaches, in particular his basketball coach and PE teacher, Jay Artaz.

"We did pushups, situps,and laps in PE," Smith said. "Some kids probably hated it but I loved PE. It was like training."

Making the Olympic games draws a certain amount of fame, but Smith's third-place finish in the Olympic Trials is noted as one of the greatest in American history.

Nick Symmonds, a seven-time outdoor track champion at Div. III Willamette University in Oregon, won the race in a personal best 1:44.10. The University of Oregon's Andrew Wheating finished second in 1:45.03. Needing a top-three finish to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team, Smith was in fourth place until a big lean at the tape secured the third-place finish by six-hundredths of a second in 1:45.47. It was the first time Smith ran under the Olympic qualifying time of 1:46 required to run in Beijing.

"I was behind him with 10 meters left," said Smith. "I knew it was going to take a ridiculous lean, so I knew it was going to end up with me on the ground. It wasn't a question of whether that was going to happen. At the end, I just leaned as hard as I could and dove."

Symmonds, a club training partner of Smith's, and Wheating were at the back of the pack with 200 meters to go. Symmonds cut through traffic and cruised to the win by nearly a second. Wheating made his move on the outside.

"Wheating went by with about 40 meters left," Smith said. "I thought he went by with 80 meters left. That last 40 meters was an eternity almost. It was just building and building."

On Aug. 20, 2008, Smith ran in the sixth of eight preliminary heats at the Olympic Games in Beijing. The top two runners in each heat plus the next eight overall fastest runners qualified for the next round. Smith ran a 1:48.20 to place fourth in his heat and miss round two by 0.27 seconds. Wheating also failed to make it out of round one. Symmonds placed fifth in his semifinal heat to miss the finals by half a second. He later placed fifth in the 2012 Games in London.

Smith's story began long before the trials in Oregon. As a freshman at Pawnee Heights, he finished fourth in the Class 1A 800m run (2:02.50). He was part of the 4x8 team that won the title, and the Tigers missed the team championship by just three points.

Pawnee Heights won the state title in 2000. The 4x8 team won another title and Christian and his brother, Trevor, swept the mid-distance events with Trevor winning titles in the 800 and 1600, and Christian finishing behind him.

Christian was again a 4x8 state champion as a junior (8:17.44), and the 800m champion in 2001 (1:59.65). He completed the sweep of 4x8 titles as a senior (8:18.70), and also won titles that year in the 4x4 (3:26.28), 800 (1:53.29) and 1600 (4:26.77). The Tigers beat Deerfield by 11 points for the 1A championship.

Smith received one final gift before graduating from Pawnee Heights. Artaz, that hard-nosed coach and PE teacher, carried the 2002 Olympic Torch through Wichita ahead of the Salt Lake City Games. After he passed away on March 4, 2002, his wife, Nancy, gave Smith the gloves Artaz wore during the torch run.

"He was someone who really emphasized hard work in athletics," said Smith. "He was always a believer that if you worked hard enough, you really could accomplish anything if you wanted it."

At Kansas State University, Smith set the indoor NCAA record at 1,000 meters in 2:19.57, a time that has since been surpassed. That time still stands as the school record 18 years later, as do his times in the outdoor 800 (1:44.86) and 1,500 runs (3:38.10).

As a sophomore at Pawnee Heights, Smith once had to write down his goals. That included a far-fetched idea of making the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials in Sacramento, Calif. He made the trials and just missed a spot in the 800m finals.

"I was just happy to be there in 2004, and I outdid my expectations," he said. "That definitely propelled me into thinking more was possible."

In 2006, Smith won the NCAA indoor title in the mile (4:12.75). Later that year, he set the K-State outdoor record in the 800m run in Italy. In 2006, he was the only American to crack 1:45 in the 800 and 3:39 in the 1500.

After graduating from K-State, Smith moved to Oregon and joined the famed Oregon Track Club alongside Symmonds. On a return trip to Manhattan in 2007, Smith woke to a stabbing pain in his abdomen. Smith's appendix had burst, but even doctors had difficulty believing him because, as a runner used to dealing with pain, he rated the pain only 6 out of 10.

The high pain tolerance nearly cost Smith his life. A week later, the burst appendix remained untreated. A CT scan revealed the damage but Smith's infection was so severe it had to be drained before surgeons could operate. Two liters of fluid were drained from his lungs. Smith remained in the hospital for weeks and did not eat solid food for four months. He lost 20 pounds from his already light 165-pound racing frame.

Beginning in 1952, a series of Olympic trials were held at various California venues. As the University of Oregon track and field program gained fame under coach Bill Bowerman in the 1960s and 70s, the trials were moved to the old Hayward Field for the 1972 and 1976 trials. Subsequent trials were held in Los Angels, Indianapolis, Atlanta, and Sacramento before returning to Hayward in 2008, 10 years before it was replaced by the current version of the stadium.

"I grew up loving Steve Prefontaine," Smith said. "There are two movies that were shot at Hayward. The new stadium is awesome but the old one was historic. When you go to Europe and race, a lot of places really love track. Eugene is a place in the United States that loves track. There's just a different atmosphere there than in other places."

With the 2008 Olympic trials looming, Smith still had not run a qualifying team to earn a place in Eugene.&nbsp;A week before the trials, Smith had climbed to No. 31 in the U.S. 800m rankings. Unfortunately, only the top-30 would run at Hayward. Then Smith finally caught a break. Alan Webb, whose American mile record lasted from 2007 to 2023, scratched from the 800 to focus on the 1500. Smith was in and the rest, as they say, is history.

Despite entering the field as the No. 30 seed, Smith ran a 1:47.97 for fifth place in the preliminaries. He missed the Olympic standard by 0.011 seconds to place third in the semifinals. The top six finishers in the final all came in under the 1:46 standard to compete in Beijing. Other notables at the trials that year include Tyson Gay, former Barton Cougar and still the American record holder in the 100m dash, American 400m record holder Sanya Richards (Ross), and Allyson Felix, the most decorated athlete in U.S. track and field history.

Smith ran his final race at the 2012 Olympic Trials, again in Eugene. He now lives in Gardner with his wife, Sara, a doctor of veterinary medicine, and their three children. His life is more ordinary now than it was then, but every four years as the Olympic Games approach, he reaches into the memory bank for one of the great sports stories in American history.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OeIY_M7YJxk?si=35P8anj6qZgqdntd" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostMany times, a photograph only tells part of the story. A picture from June 30, 2008, at the finish line of Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. is a prime example. Christian Smith, a former standout from Pawnee Heights High School and Kansas State University, is caught falling across the finish line to secure a third-place finish at the U.S. Olympic Trials and secure his spot in the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing. The unlikely road to China, full of bumps, began when Smith was growing up in Pawnee County."Being out there, hard work is just how you live your life," he said. "You don't cut corners. You do the job and you do it to the best of your ability. I think I had a lot of people in my life where that was the emphasis."Those people included his parents and coaches, in particular his basketball coach and PE teacher, Jay Artaz."We did pushups, situps,and laps in PE," Smith said. "Some kids probably hated it but I loved PE. It was like training."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718908582140.jpeg" alt="Former Pawnee Heights Tiger Christian Smith won a national track title at Kansas State University and still holds two outdoor records at the school. In 2008, Smith ran in the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. (photo courtesy of K-State Athletics)" />
 <figcaption>Former Pawnee Heights Tiger Christian Smith won a national track title at Kansas State University and still holds two outdoor records at the school. In 2008, Smith ran in the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. (photo courtesy of K-State Athletics)</figcaption>
 </figure>Making the Olympic games draws a certain amount of fame, but Smith's third-place finish in the Olympic Trials is noted as one of the greatest in American history.Nick Symmonds, a seven-time outdoor track champion at Div. III Willamette University in Oregon, won the race in a personal best 1:44.10. The University of Oregon's Andrew Wheating finished second in 1:45.03. Needing a top-three finish to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team, Smith was in fourth place until a big lean at the tape secured the third-place finish by six-hundredths of a second in 1:45.47. It was the first time Smith ran under the Olympic qualifying time of 1:46 required to run in Beijing."I was behind him with 10 meters left," said Smith. "I knew it was going to take a ridiculous lean, so I knew it was going to end up with me on the ground. It wasn't a question of whether that was going to happen. At the end, I just leaned as hard as I could and dove."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718908709867.jpeg" alt="Smith won the national title in the NCAA indoor mile in 2006. (photo by K-State Athletics)" />
 <figcaption>Smith won the national title in the NCAA indoor mile in 2006. (photo by K-State Athletics)</figcaption>
 </figure>Symmonds, a club training partner of Smith's, and Wheating were at the back of the pack with 200 meters to go. Symmonds cut through traffic and cruised to the win by nearly a second. Wheating made his move on the outside."Wheating went by with about 40 meters left," Smith said. "I thought he went by with 80 meters left. That last 40 meters was an eternity almost. It was just building and building."On Aug. 20, 2008, Smith ran in the sixth of eight preliminary heats at the Olympic Games in Beijing. The top two runners in each heat plus the next eight overall fastest runners qualified for the next round. Smith ran a 1:48.20 to place fourth in his heat and miss round two by 0.27 seconds. Wheating also failed to make it out of round one. Symmonds placed fifth in his semifinal heat to miss the finals by half a second. He later placed fifth in the 2012 Games in London.Smith's story began long before the trials in Oregon. As a freshman at Pawnee Heights, he finished fourth in the Class 1A 800m run (2:02.50). He was part of the 4x8 team that won the title, and the Tigers missed the team championship by just three points.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718973725259.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Pawnee Heights won the state title in 2000. The 4x8 team won another title and Christian and his brother, Trevor, swept the mid-distance events with Trevor winning titles in the 800 and 1600, and Christian finishing behind him.Christian was again a 4x8 state champion as a junior (8:17.44), and the 800m champion in 2001 (1:59.65). He completed the sweep of 4x8 titles as a senior (8:18.70), and also won titles that year in the 4x4 (3:26.28), 800 (1:53.29) and 1600 (4:26.77). The Tigers beat Deerfield by 11 points for the 1A championship.Smith received one final gift before graduating from Pawnee Heights. Artaz, that hard-nosed coach and PE teacher, carried the 2002 Olympic Torch through Wichita ahead of the Salt Lake City Games. After he passed away on March 4, 2002, his wife, Nancy, gave Smith the gloves Artaz wore during the torch run.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718908784958.jpeg" alt="Smith won the national title in the NCAA indoor mile in 2006. (photo by K-State Athletics)" />
 <figcaption>Smith won the national title in the NCAA indoor mile in 2006. (photo by K-State Athletics)</figcaption>
 </figure>"He was someone who really emphasized hard work in athletics," said Smith. "He was always a believer that if you worked hard enough, you really could accomplish anything if you wanted it."At Kansas State University, Smith set the indoor NCAA record at 1,000 meters in 2:19.57, a time that has since been surpassed. That time still stands as the school record 18 years later, as do his times in the outdoor 800 (1:44.86) and 1,500 runs (3:38.10).As a sophomore at Pawnee Heights, Smith once had to write down his goals. That included a far-fetched idea of making the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials in Sacramento, Calif. He made the trials and just missed a spot in the 800m finals."I was just happy to be there in 2004, and I outdid my expectations," he said. "That definitely propelled me into thinking more was possible."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718973762453.jpeg" alt="After graduating from Pawnee Heights High School in 2002, Smith was given these gloves worn by former PHHS teacher and coach Jay Artaz, who carried the Olympic torch for the 2004 Olympics." />
 <figcaption>After graduating from Pawnee Heights High School in 2002, Smith was given these gloves worn by former PHHS teacher and coach Jay Artaz, who carried the Olympic torch for the 2004 Olympics.</figcaption>
 </figure>In 2006, Smith won the NCAA indoor title in the mile (4:12.75). Later that year, he set the K-State outdoor record in the 800m run in Italy. In 2006, he was the only American to crack 1:45 in the 800 and 3:39 in the 1500.After graduating from K-State, Smith moved to Oregon and joined the famed Oregon Track Club alongside Symmonds. On a return trip to Manhattan in 2007, Smith woke to a stabbing pain in his abdomen. Smith's appendix had burst, but even doctors had difficulty believing him because, as a runner used to dealing with pain, he rated the pain only 6 out of 10.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719186347937.png" alt="The photo from the Lynx camera system at the finish line shows how Smith beat the fourth-place finisher by 0.06s. (photo courtesy of KSHB)." />
 <figcaption>The photo from the Lynx camera system at the finish line shows how Smith beat the fourth-place finisher by 0.06s. (photo courtesy of KSHB).</figcaption>
 </figure>The high pain tolerance nearly cost Smith his life. A week later, the burst appendix remained untreated. A CT scan revealed the damage but Smith's infection was so severe it had to be drained before surgeons could operate. Two liters of fluid were drained from his lungs. Smith remained in the hospital for weeks and did not eat solid food for four months. He lost 20 pounds from his already light 165-pound racing frame.Beginning in 1952, a series of Olympic trials were held at various California venues. As the University of Oregon track and field program gained fame under coach Bill Bowerman in the 1960s and 70s, the trials were moved to the old Hayward Field for the 1972 and 1976 trials. Subsequent trials were held in Los Angels, Indianapolis, Atlanta, and Sacramento before returning to Hayward in 2008, 10 years before it was replaced by the current version of the stadium.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719186191921.jpeg" alt="An artist's rendition of the photo of Smith diving across the finish line at Hayward Field to secure his spot in the Olympics." />
 <figcaption>An artist's rendition of the photo of Smith diving across the finish line at Hayward Field to secure his spot in the Olympics.</figcaption>
 </figure>"I grew up loving Steve Prefontaine," Smith said. "There are two movies that were shot at Hayward. The new stadium is awesome but the old one was historic. When you go to Europe and race, a lot of places really love track. Eugene is a place in the United States that loves track. There's just a different atmosphere there than in other places."With the 2008 Olympic trials looming, Smith still had not run a qualifying team to earn a place in Eugene.&nbsp;A week before the trials, Smith had climbed to No. 31 in the U.S. 800m rankings. Unfortunately, only the top-30 would run at Hayward. Then Smith finally caught a break. Alan Webb, whose American mile record lasted from 2007 to 2023, scratched from the 800 to focus on the 1500. Smith was in and the rest, as they say, is history.Despite entering the field as the No. 30 seed, Smith ran a 1:47.97 for fifth place in the preliminaries. He missed the Olympic standard by 0.011 seconds to place third in the semifinals. The top six finishers in the final all came in under the 1:46 standard to compete in Beijing. Other notables at the trials that year include Tyson Gay, former Barton Cougar and still the American record holder in the 100m dash, American 400m record holder Sanya Richards (Ross), and Allyson Felix, the most decorated athlete in U.S. track and field history.Smith ran his final race at the 2012 Olympic Trials, again in Eugene. He now lives in Gardner with his wife, Sara, a doctor of veterinary medicine, and their three children. His life is more ordinary now than it was then, but every four years as the Olympic Games approach, he reaches into the memory bank for one of the great sports stories in American history.

🎥From Kan. to Beijing: Smith remembers unlikely road to 2008 Olympics

By Sheldon Wickwar Special to the Hays Post

Rolling Plains Motor Speedway fired off for another weekly IMCA racing show Saturday night, and 76 race teams checked in and entertained a great crowd. 

The track ran six classes, the traditional five IMCA classes plus a cruisers class.

Three drivers pulled off weekend sweeps after picking up feature wins Friday night at either Thomas County Speedway in Colby, Salina Speedway or SaltCity Racing in Hutchinson.

Visiting Victory Lane were David Kraus in the cruisers, Brock Leibhart in the sport compacts, Zach Olmstead in the hobby stocks, Luke Stallbaumer in the sport mods, Kyle Pfeifer in the stock cars and Jake Nightingale in the modifieds.

The cruisers started the program off with one heat race won by Weston Kraus. Their 12-lap feature event started with an all-Kraus family front row, as Weston and David Kraus made up the front row.

By Sheldon Wickwar Special to the Hays PostRolling Plains Motor Speedway fired off for another weekly IMCA racing show Saturday night, and 76 race teams checked in and entertained a great crowd. The track ran six classes, the traditional five IMCA classes plus a cruisers class.Three drivers pulled off weekend sweeps after picking up feature wins Friday night at either Thomas County Speedway in Colby, Salina Speedway or SaltCity Racing in Hutchinson.Visiting Victory Lane were David Kraus in the cruisers, Brock Leibhart in the sport compacts, Zach Olmstead in the hobby stocks, Luke Stallbaumer in the sport mods, Kyle Pfeifer in the stock cars and Jake Nightingale in the modifieds.The cruisers started the program off with one heat race won by Weston Kraus. Their 12-lap feature event started with an all-Kraus family front row, as Weston and David Kraus made up the front row.Weston Kraus fired off with the early race lead. Meanwhile, David Kraus and Chris Lohrey would quickly get to his rear bumper. Weston was able to lead the first few laps, and then, on lap four, David Kraus was able to take the lead. Weston Kraus would make heavy contact, spinning Lohrey one lap later to bring out the first caution. Weston Kraus was sent to the back for causing the caution, and David Kraus would restart the field. David Kraus would run away with the remainder of the feature, and Weston was able to rebound nicely. David Kraus won picking up his first win of the season, second was Weston Kraus, third was Madelyn Kraus, fourth was Dylan Pfeifer, and fifth was Dakota Bliss. Hard chargers in the event were Madelyn Kraus, Shaun Woods and Seth Rupp, who all gained two spots each.The sport compacts ran second on the program. They ran two heat races won by Brock Leibhart and Gage Porter. Their 15-lap feature started with a front row of Brock Leibhart and Kyle Mortensen, Leibhart took an early lead after battling three wide with Dave Kappel and Gage Porter.Leibhart would continue to lead and would battle side-by-side with Gage Porter for a while. A few laps later, Jake Schwien got to third place after passing Kappel, and Porter continued to try to find a way around Leibhart.Brock Leibhart picked up the race win completing a weekend sweep as he won Friday night in Colby, grabbing race wins three and four on the season. Second was Gage Porter, third was Jake Schwien, fourth was Dave Kappel and fifth was Kiowa Higdon. The hard charger in the event was Jake Schwien, who grabbed four spots.&nbsp;In an interview with track announcer Tanner Schmidt, Leibhart said, "I've been waiting on this one for a while...winning here feels great."The hobby stocks were third on the program. They ran three heat races, won by Cody Williams, Tyler Heath, and Trent Matson. Their 20-lap feature event started with a front row of Alec Jeske and Cody Williams; Williams gained the early lead. Meanwhile, a three—and four-wide battle would break out behind him as Zach Olmstead and Morgan Olmstead made moves to the front of the pack.A few laps in, Tyler Heath blew a tire to bring out the event's first caution. Williams restarted the field and jumped back to a nice lead, while they ran three wide for second behind him.Shaun Woods and Danny Schulte brought out a caution a couple of laps later as they both spun. Williams restarted the field again and led until he suffered a tire issue. Meanwhile, a group of cars tangled down the backstretch, ending several drivers' nights.Zach Olmstead inherited the race lead and led the remainder of the feature. Zach Olmstead grabbed race win No. 3 on the season. Second was Trent Matson, third was Jonathan Saliba, fourth was Tyler Heath and fifth was Cody Ghumm. The hard charger in the event was Caleb Davis, who gained 10 spots. Other nice runs included Zach Olmstead up nine spots, Cody Ghumm up seven spots, Hayden Kelly up six spots and Jonathan Saliba up five spots.In an interview with track announcer Tanner Schmidt, Olmstead said, "I was trying to trick him (Williams). ... He's usually pretty tough around here, but I got it done."The sport mods ran fourth on the program. They ran two heat races won by Tracy Holloway and Luke Stallbaumer. Their 20-lap feature event started with a front row of Tracy Holloway and Preston Donovan, Holloway got the early race lead and led for a while. Meanwhile, Carson Lang got to second, while Donovan dropped a few spots. Luke Stallbaumer got to second place by lap two and started pressuring Holloway for the race lead. Caution came out and led to a red flag as two cars hit hard and broke their cars significantly. Both Connor Barnes and Dalton Bell were OK, but the red flag allowed track workers to clean up the wreck more easily.Holloway would bring the field to a restart with 14 laps to go, Stallbaumer and Lang would go three wide with Holloway, and Lang grabbed the race lead.After running side-by-side for three laps, Stallbaumer grabbed the race lead with nine laps to go. Stallbaumer entered lapped traffic and navigated a good race to pick up the race win.Luke Stallbaumer picked up race win No. 3 on the season after picking No. 2 up Friday night in Salina. Carson Lang was second, third was Blaine Walt, fourth was Tracy Holloway and fifth was Brianna Maughlin. The hard charger in the event was Blaine Walt, who gained 10 spots; other nice runs included Luke Stallbaumer and Justin Meserve, both up six spots each, and Jack Kirchoff, who gained five spots.In an interview with track announcer Tanner Schmidt, Stallbaumer said, "I could feel those guys on my back bumper the whole time, I was just hoping the checkered flag would come out."The stock cars ran fifth on the program. They ran one heat race won by Mike Petersilie. Their 15-lap feature started with a front row of Mike Petersilie and George Ramey. A three-wide battle broke out as Troy Burkhart tried to grab the race lead, but Petersilie led lap one. Ramey and Troy Burkhart were right on Petersilie's bumper, meanwhile Kyle Pfeifer got to third place by lap two.The caution came out as Pfeifer and Troy Burkhart made contact and spun, collecting the whole field except for race leader Mike Petersilie. Petersilie restarted the field and led momentarily as Tathan Burkhart grabbed the race lead, but Kyle Pfeifer would start making a run on the bottom.With three laps to go, Kyle Pfeifer was able to get by Tathan for the race lead. Kyle Pfeifer picked up his second win of the weekend after winning Friday night in Colby, his fourth and fifth wins on the season. Second was Tathan Burkhart, third was Mike Petersilie, and fourth was Troy Burkhart. The hard chargers in the event were Kyle Pfeifer and Tathan Burkhart who both gained four spots each.In an interview with track announcer Tanner Schmidt, Pfeifer said, "We've been pretty fortunate. Those guys work harder on their cars...been a pretty cool year."The modifieds closed out the program. They ran two heat races won by Clay Money and Kyle Rohleder. Their 20-lap feature event started with a front row of Jake Nightingale and John Fabrizius. Nightingale grabbed the early lead, and Money quickly got to second.Daniel Gottschalk got to second on lap two after Money had to hit the brakes in turn two. Lap three saw Rohleder head pit side with a flat tire, ending his night. Meanwhile, Nightingale was flying away with the race lead.At the halfway point, Nightingale still held a commanding lead as Gottschalk was trying to find speed and grip to track down Nightingale. Jake Nightingale went on to pick up his second win of the weekend, as he won Friday night in his hometown of Hutchinson.Nightingale grabbed wins one and two on the season this weekend. Second was Daniel Gottschalk, third was Jeremy Frenier, fourth was Clay Money and fifth was Dylan Sherfick. The hard charger in the event was Daniel Gottschalk, who gained five spots. Other nice runs included Kaid Calhoon and Curtis Barnes up four spots each, Dylan Sherfick and Jeremy Frenier picked up three spots each.In an interview with track announcer Tanner Schmidt, Nightingale said, "Well, you know, winning back-to-back nights, feel like we got it figured out."