By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

The Ellis County Fair continues with KPRA Rodeo Nights in Hays.

Rodeo fans watched on as cowboys and cowgirls rode, roped and raced Tuesday at the Ellis County Fairgrounds. The second day of the KPRA rodeo is set for 8 p.m. tonight.

Tickets for the fair can be purchased in advance&nbsp;<a href="https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/36944/ellis-county-fair?fbclid=IwY2xjawKujTRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF6VFdJNnVTa0NYYk82ZUp4AR44_gw2XjWFjbazSFQJZE4y3MXwLLePpTZO8DU_vIYc0eKGGESB4xXlYUunwA_aem_v9FbcbBjuUHs1yaGOY1NgA">here</a>&nbsp;or at the gate. A pass covering seven events costs $40, and a single-night admission costs $20. Children age 5 and younger get in free.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/dd373ce5-e23f-4a60-bc72-6a6ffb27d422">SEE RELATED STORY: Ellis County Fair offers week of family fun</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/52d736e5-de04-4b4b-a988-277667123f6a">SEE RELATED STORY: Midget wrestling set to shake up Ellis County Fair</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5b14a780-50e1-4795-b899-9800bd00a9d7">SEE RELATED STORY: Engines to roar as Moto Rodeo races into Ellis County Fair</a>

You can follow the Ellis County Fair on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063657276403">Facebook</a>.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oaB_5Pzg_Zg?si=UhzMjeEoc63E_fTR" 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>Music courtesy of PixabayBy TONY GUERRERO Hays PostThe Ellis County Fair continues with KPRA Rodeo Nights in Hays.Rodeo fans watched on as cowboys and cowgirls rode, roped and raced Tuesday at the Ellis County Fairgrounds. The second day of the KPRA rodeo is set for 8 p.m. tonight.Tickets for the fair can be purchased in advance&nbsp;<a href="https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/36944/ellis-county-fair?fbclid=IwY2xjawKujTRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF6VFdJNnVTa0NYYk82ZUp4AR44_gw2XjWFjbazSFQJZE4y3MXwLLePpTZO8DU_vIYc0eKGGESB4xXlYUunwA_aem_v9FbcbBjuUHs1yaGOY1NgA">here</a>&nbsp;or at the gate. A pass covering seven events costs $40, and a single-night admission costs $20. Children age 5 and younger get in free.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/dd373ce5-e23f-4a60-bc72-6a6ffb27d422">SEE RELATED STORY: Ellis County Fair offers week of family fun</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/52d736e5-de04-4b4b-a988-277667123f6a">SEE RELATED STORY: Midget wrestling set to shake up Ellis County Fair</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5b14a780-50e1-4795-b899-9800bd00a9d7">SEE RELATED STORY: Engines to roar as Moto Rodeo races into Ellis County Fair</a>You can follow the Ellis County Fair on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063657276403">Facebook</a>.

Ellis County Fair 2025 KPRA Rodeo

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Trump administration has frozen $172,000 in federal title funds for the Hays USD 489 school district.

The funds for the district and others across the country were supposed to be distributed as of July 1.

Superintendent Ron Wilson said the funds have already been allocated. Unless Congress votes to claw back the funds, the money will be automatically distributed after 45 days.

Title funds help pay for extra support for reading and math instruction, support for migrant students and professional development.

Wilson said the state has already eliminated funding for professional development.

If the federal funds are clawed back, the district would be forced to fund the programs through its general fund, Wilson said.

The school board also approved&nbsp;$183,454 for the purchase of&nbsp;180 Dell computers for Hays High School and other staff.

Some of the computers will be assinged to special education staff. The cost of those computers will be reimbursed by the special education co-op.

The cost of the co-op computers will be spread across the participating districts, including Ellis, Victoria, Russell, Hays and LaCrosse.

The purchase is part of the district's scheduled technology replacement program.

During its annual reorganization meeting, the board re-elected Curt Vajnar as president of the board. The board members elected Ken Brooks as vice president.

On Monday, the school board returned the Hays High School handbook to administrators for further review and revision.

The elementary, middle and virtual school handbooks were approved as presented.

Board member Jayme Goetz said she wanted the high school handbook to include specific consequences for violations. She argued these examples would result in consistent discipline.

However, at the previous meeting, Principal Shawn Henderson said some of the verbiage in the handbook had been eliminated to allow for more flexibility in dealing with students based on individual circumstances.

The board also approved changes to policy recommended by the Kansas Association of School Boards.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608234493687.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Trump administration has frozen $172,000 in federal title funds for the Hays USD 489 school district.The funds for the district and others across the country were supposed to be distributed as of July 1.Superintendent Ron Wilson said the funds have already been allocated. Unless Congress votes to claw back the funds, the money will be automatically distributed after 45 days.Title funds help pay for extra support for reading and math instruction, support for migrant students and professional development.Wilson said the state has already eliminated funding for professional development.If the federal funds are clawed back, the district would be forced to fund the programs through its general fund, Wilson said.<h2>Computer purchase</h2>The school board also approved&nbsp;$183,454 for the purchase of&nbsp;180 Dell computers for Hays High School and other staff.Some of the computers will be assinged to special education staff. The cost of those computers will be reimbursed by the special education co-op.The cost of the co-op computers will be spread across the participating districts, including Ellis, Victoria, Russell, Hays and LaCrosse.The purchase is part of the district's scheduled technology replacement program.<h2>Board reorganization</h2>During its annual reorganization meeting, the board re-elected Curt Vajnar as president of the board. The board members elected Ken Brooks as vice president.<h2>Handbooks</h2>On Monday, the school board returned the Hays High School handbook to administrators for further review and revision.The elementary, middle and virtual school handbooks were approved as presented.Board member Jayme Goetz said she wanted the high school handbook to include specific consequences for violations. She argued these examples would result in consistent discipline.However, at the previous meeting, Principal Shawn Henderson said some of the verbiage in the handbook had been eliminated to allow for more flexibility in dealing with students based on individual circumstances.The board also approved changes to policy recommended by the Kansas Association of School Boards.

Trump administration withholds funds from Hays school district

The Ellis County Commission agreed to increase High Plains Mental Health Center's county funding by $75,000 for its Crisis Intervention Center at its meeting on Tuesday.

The commission heard an update on the second draft of the 2026 budget and tentatively agreed to increase the mill levy by one mill. However, the full budget has yet to be approved.

High Plains Mental Health's request of about $378,603,&nbsp;a significant increase from last year's $299,975 request,  was tentatively approved by the commission.

Ellis County Sheriff Scott Braun said the Ellis County Jail is not best equipped to handle individuals who have mental health issues. The new facility will offer an option for treatment versus incarceration.

"It will not only help at the sheriff's office, but it will help the Hays Police Department, Ellis Police Department, Victoria Police Department, as well as our surrounding counties," Braun said.

Commissioner Neal Younger said the increase being requested is less expensive than building a new jail.

Commissioners said the Ellis County Historical Society's funding will remain the same as their 2025 request, at $100,000, rather than the $140,000 that the agency had initially requested. The commissioners said the historical society has done a good job of maintaining itself and raising funds.

ACCESS Transportation's funding request of about $111,000 is pending as the commission members said further talks are needed with the city of Hays, which also contributes to funding ACCESS.

The program has lost state funding and is requesting a more than $60,000 increase from the county to cover its funding gap for one year.

ACCESS offers public transportation primarily to low-income, elderly and disabled individuals.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1c896b49-4c58-4425-a998-474c7c4b6da4">SEE RELATED STORY: ACCESS Public Transportation faces 2026 budget shortfall&nbsp;</a>

Other discussed items for the 2026 budget

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/f411c2a9-c20a-4cf3-963d-d834ddb0f613">The commissioners decided not to increase the county's retirement plan contributions. The move would have increased the county's cost by as much as $40,000.</a>

The commissioners said they would revisit the increase during next year's budget discussion. The commission already approved a cost-of-living adjustment for county employees.

Commissioners also said they are interested in providing funding to&nbsp;Roosevelt Elementary School's AmeriTowne civics program. Commissioner Nathan Leikr said if there is some contingency left over, a $500 donation could be made.

Darin Myers, county administrator, said five Ellis County court-appointed attorneys are requesting a higher pay rate of about $120 per hour. He said more discussions are planned for early August.

Myers also proposed adding three EMS positions to address increased call volume. He suggested they be funded with health sales tax and EMS service revenues.

The commission acknowledged the hard work of volunteers at the Ellis County Fairgrounds and discussed a facilities maintenance position to take care of the 80 acres of property.

Mill levy increased and notice to exceed revenue-neutral rate

Myers discussed with the commission increasing the mill levy to cover outside agency funding, insurance premiums, bond payments and a future 12-hour shift change for the sheriff's office.

Hays resident Ken Kennedy urged caution on raising taxes on residents already burdened by federal, state and local taxes.

The commission also raised economic concerns over agriculture and oil valuations being down. Commissioners Nathan Leiker and Michael Berges said they are in favor of increasing the mill levy by one mill.

"I would make the consideration and exceed the revenue-neutral rate with the caveat that we do our best to maintain what we can and be respectful of tax dollars," Leiker said.

The budget will not be final until the end of August when the budget is published and approved, Myers said.

The commission moved to approve sending a notice to the county clerk of its intention to exceed the revenue-neutral rate for the 2026 budget year.

This notice does not obligate the commission to exceed the revenue-neutral rate but preserves the legal option to do so as final budget decisions are made.

A&nbsp;revenue-neutral public hearing has been set for Sept. 9.

The Ellis County Fire Department displayed two new fire engines after the meeting. These engines were approved for purchase in December 2023.

Myers received approval to update a rental contract for the Schenk and Unrein Buildings at the Ellis County Fairgrounds. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation requested a change to the indemnity clause limiting their responsibility to injuries or damages only caused by their group or contractors.

The commission approved a bid of about $36,200 from JDR Painting Services to repaint the jail cells and kitchen ceiling at the Ellis County Jail.

The commission approved revised job descriptions as part of the previously approved restructuring of the Public Works Department.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684183971486.png" alt="Ellis County" />
 <figcaption>Ellis County</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostThe Ellis County Commission agreed to increase High Plains Mental Health Center's county funding by $75,000 for its Crisis Intervention Center at its meeting on Tuesday.The commission heard an update on the second draft of the 2026 budget and tentatively agreed to increase the mill levy by one mill. However, the full budget has yet to be approved.High Plains Mental Health's request of about $378,603,&nbsp;a significant increase from last year's $299,975 request, was tentatively approved by the commission.Ellis County Sheriff Scott Braun said the Ellis County Jail is not best equipped to handle individuals who have mental health issues. The new facility will offer an option for treatment versus incarceration."It will not only help at the sheriff's office, but it will help the Hays Police Department, Ellis Police Department, Victoria Police Department, as well as our surrounding counties," Braun said.Commissioner Neal Younger said the increase being requested is less expensive than building a new jail.<h2>Ellis County Historical Society</h2>Commissioners said the Ellis County Historical Society's funding will remain the same as their 2025 request, at $100,000, rather than the $140,000 that the agency had initially requested. The commissioners said the historical society has done a good job of maintaining itself and raising funds.<h2>ACCESS Transportation</h2>ACCESS Transportation's funding request of about $111,000 is pending as the commission members said further talks are needed with the city of Hays, which also contributes to funding ACCESS.The program has lost state funding and is requesting a more than $60,000 increase from the county to cover its funding gap for one year.ACCESS offers public transportation primarily to low-income, elderly and disabled individuals.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1c896b49-4c58-4425-a998-474c7c4b6da4">SEE RELATED STORY: ACCESS Public Transportation faces 2026 budget shortfall&nbsp;</a><h2>Other discussed items for the 2026 budget</h2><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/f411c2a9-c20a-4cf3-963d-d834ddb0f613">The commissioners decided not to increase the county's retirement plan contributions. The move would have increased the county's cost by as much as $40,000.</a>The commissioners said they would revisit the increase during next year's budget discussion. The commission already approved a cost-of-living adjustment for county employees.Commissioners also said they are interested in providing funding to&nbsp;Roosevelt Elementary School's AmeriTowne civics program. Commissioner Nathan Leikr said if there is some contingency left over, a $500 donation could be made.Darin Myers, county administrator, said five Ellis County court-appointed attorneys are requesting a higher pay rate of about $120 per hour. He said more discussions are planned for early August.Myers also proposed adding three EMS positions to address increased call volume. He suggested they be funded with health sales tax and EMS service revenues.The commission acknowledged the hard work of volunteers at the Ellis County Fairgrounds and discussed a facilities maintenance position to take care of the 80 acres of property.<h2>Mill levy increased and notice to exceed revenue-neutral rate</h2>Myers discussed with the commission increasing the mill levy to cover outside agency funding, insurance premiums, bond payments and a future 12-hour shift change for the sheriff's office.Hays resident Ken Kennedy urged caution on raising taxes on residents already burdened by federal, state and local taxes.The commission also raised economic concerns over agriculture and oil valuations being down. Commissioners Nathan Leiker and Michael Berges said they are in favor of increasing the mill levy by one mill."I would make the consideration and exceed the revenue-neutral rate with the caveat that we do our best to maintain what we can and be respectful of tax dollars," Leiker said.The budget will not be final until the end of August when the budget is published and approved, Myers said.The commission moved to approve sending a notice to the county clerk of its intention to exceed the revenue-neutral rate for the 2026 budget year.This notice does not obligate the commission to exceed the revenue-neutral rate but preserves the legal option to do so as final budget decisions are made.A&nbsp;revenue-neutral public hearing has been set for Sept. 9.<h2>Other business</h2>The Ellis County Fire Department displayed two new fire engines after the meeting. These engines were approved for purchase in December 2023.Myers received approval to update a rental contract for the Schenk and Unrein Buildings at the Ellis County Fairgrounds. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation requested a change to the indemnity clause limiting their responsibility to injuries or damages only caused by their group or contractors.The commission approved a bid of about $36,200 from JDR Painting Services to repaint the jail cells and kitchen ceiling at the Ellis County Jail.The commission approved revised job descriptions as part of the previously approved restructuring of the Public Works Department.

Ellis County Commission tentatively agrees to raise tax rate by 1 mill

HAYS
– Five titles in six years. The Hays Larks continued their dominance in the
Rocky Mountain Baseball League after clinching a tie for the RMBL championship
with a 10-0 rout of Liberal Tuesday at Larks Park and Dodge City’s 14-2 loss to
the Gameday Angels.

The
Larks (24-4-1, 16-4 RMBL) scored all the runs they would need in the bottom of the first. Taber Stokes led off the inning with a walk followed by a Lane Sparks single. Trent Baker then doubled to score Stokes. Sparks scored on Jackson Babcock’s sacrifice fly, the first of his three RBIs. Dylan LaRue then drove in Baker with another sacrifice fly. 

Pitchers Nolan Wilson and Brooks Jones combined on a
two-hitter with 10 strikeouts as the Larks won their ninth straight overall and
ran their home winning streak to 11 games.

Meanwhile, Liberal (15-16, 10-12 RMBL) has lost three straight and four of their last five.

Starting pitcher Nolan Wilson (3-0) set the tone early by retiring the first seven Bee Jays he faced.
The only hit he allowed was a one out single in the third. The junior from the University
of Cumberlands struck out six and walked only one over five scoreless innings and picked up the win. 

Brooks Jones allowed only a one out single in the seventh with
four strikeouts and a walk over the final two frames.

The
Larks scored five n the fourth to blow the game open. CJ Reid singled which scored courtesy
runner Brady Kreutzer. Stokes singled which scored Thomas Lyssy who reached
when he was hit by a pitch. Babcock drove in two with hard hit single then
LaRue followed with an RBI single to push the lead to 8-0.

Kaleb
Duncan singled with one out in the fifth, stole second, moved to third on a Stokes
single then stole home. Sparks followed with a single to push the lead to 10-0.

Tuesday's victory was the Larks third run-rule win in their last four games and their seventh overall this summer.

Tuesday's win over the Bee Jays marked the 10th time this summer the Larks have won a game by 10 or more runs. It was also the 15th time this season they've scored 10 or more runs in a game, going 14-1 on those contests.

The
Larks and Bee Jays close out the two-game series on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at
Larks Park. Admission is free courtesy of Emprise Bank, Taco Shop, Nex-Tech and
Bright Minds Academy.



<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717183089670.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Hays Post SportsHAYS
– Five titles in six years. The Hays Larks continued their dominance in the
Rocky Mountain Baseball League after clinching a tie for the RMBL championship
with a 10-0 rout of Liberal Tuesday at Larks Park and Dodge City’s 14-2 loss to
the Gameday Angels.The
Larks (24-4-1, 16-4 RMBL) scored all the runs they would need in the bottom of the first. Taber Stokes led off the inning with a walk followed by a Lane Sparks single. Trent Baker then doubled to score Stokes. Sparks scored on Jackson Babcock’s sacrifice fly, the first of his three RBIs. Dylan LaRue then drove in Baker with another sacrifice fly. Pitchers Nolan Wilson and Brooks Jones combined on a
two-hitter with 10 strikeouts as the Larks won their ninth straight overall and
ran their home winning streak to 11 games.Meanwhile, Liberal (15-16, 10-12 RMBL) has lost three straight and four of their last five.Starting pitcher Nolan Wilson (3-0) set the tone early by retiring the first seven Bee Jays he faced.
The only hit he allowed was a one out single in the third. The junior from the University
of Cumberlands struck out six and walked only one over five scoreless innings and picked up the win. Brooks Jones allowed only a one out single in the seventh with
four strikeouts and a walk over the final two frames.The
Larks scored five n the fourth to blow the game open. CJ Reid singled which scored courtesy
runner Brady Kreutzer. Stokes singled which scored Thomas Lyssy who reached
when he was hit by a pitch. Babcock drove in two with hard hit single then
LaRue followed with an RBI single to push the lead to 8-0.Kaleb
Duncan singled with one out in the fifth, stole second, moved to third on a Stokes
single then stole home. Sparks followed with a single to push the lead to 10-0.END THE NIGHT EARLYTuesday's victory was the Larks third run-rule win in their last four games and their seventh overall this summer.DOUBLE DIGIT DOMINANCETuesday's win over the Bee Jays marked the 10th time this summer the Larks have won a game by 10 or more runs. It was also the 15th time this season they've scored 10 or more runs in a game, going 14-1 on those contests.UP
NEXTThe
Larks and Bee Jays close out the two-game series on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at
Larks Park. Admission is free courtesy of Emprise Bank, Taco Shop, Nex-Tech and
Bright Minds Academy.

⚾ Larks run-rule Liberal, clinch tie of RMBL title

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement continue to find drivers traveling far above the posted speed limit. Sometimes officers find even more.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol Troop H, Southeast Kansas Master Trooper Bales was on his way to a training class when he stopped a car on Interstate 135 south of Salina.&nbsp; The driver was traveling 104mph. He was also accused of transporting an open container, Driving under the influence and did not have a driver's license.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752625758451.png" alt="Photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>Photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement continue to find drivers traveling far above the posted speed limit. Sometimes officers find even more.According to the Kansas Highway Patrol Troop H, Southeast Kansas Master Trooper Bales was on his way to a training class when he stopped a car on Interstate 135 south of Salina.&nbsp; The driver was traveling 104mph. He was also accused of transporting an open container, Driving under the influence and did not have a driver's license.&nbsp;

KHP: Driver with no license stopped for 104 mph, accused of DUI

The Kansas Department of Revenue has seized assets from San Juan Mexican Restaurant Inc. with locations in  Russell, Scott, Thomas, Phillips, Rooks and Pawnee counties.

On July 8, agents from the Department of Revenue accompanied by the Russell, Scott, Thomas, Phillips, Rooks, Pawnee County Sheriff departments executed tax warrants.

They seized the assets of San Juan Mexican Restaurant Inc., Bernabe A Lopez, Magarita Lopez, Johnaton Lopez, Santiago Gutirrez, Bernabe K Lopez, David Serrato for nonpayment of sales tax and liquor drink tax totaling $301,031.29, according to information provided by the Department of Revenue.

The taxes owed included&nbsp;$238,449.93 in sales tax,&nbsp;$16,490.74 in liquor drink tax and&nbsp;$46,090.62 in income tax.

The warrants were filed in Russell, Scott, Thomas, Phillips, Rooks, Pawnee counties. The assets were seized at 9 a.m. at 740 E. Wichita Ave. in Russell, 1921 S. Range in Colby, 1213 S. Main St. in Scott City, 609 Third St. Phillipsburg, 711 S. Washington in Plainville and 421 W. 14th St. in Larned.

The types of assets seized include all known bank accounts, on-site cash, business inventory, as well as personal property belonging to the owner, according to the Department of Revenue. The business was sealed closed with a public notice posted on the outside. All seized assets will be sold at public auction, and the proceeds will pay for the delinquent taxes, the department said on its website.

KDOR’s policy and practice is to work with taxpayers in delinquent status to voluntarily enter into repayment agreements, the department said on its website. It is only after these efforts and multiple failed collection attempts that the department is forced to execute a tax warrant, utilizing such actions as bank levies, till taps and ultimately asset seizure to ensure compliance with the law, the department said.

KDOR’s responsibility to recover delinquent taxes not only ensures fairness for individuals and business owners who do pay their taxes but also ensures that money is lawfully collected to fund state and local programs on which Kansans depend. These programs include education, highways, public safety and human services, the department said.

Customers, employees, or others who may have items at the business may contact the agent assigned to this case at 316-337-6130.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752591280762.jpg" alt="Photo courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Kansas Department of Revenue has seized assets from San Juan Mexican Restaurant Inc. with locations in Russell, Scott, Thomas, Phillips, Rooks and Pawnee counties.On July 8, agents from the Department of Revenue accompanied by the Russell, Scott, Thomas, Phillips, Rooks, Pawnee County Sheriff departments executed tax warrants.They seized the assets of San Juan Mexican Restaurant Inc., Bernabe A Lopez, Magarita Lopez, Johnaton Lopez, Santiago Gutirrez, Bernabe K Lopez, David Serrato for nonpayment of sales tax and liquor drink tax totaling $301,031.29, according to information provided by the Department of Revenue.The taxes owed included&nbsp;$238,449.93 in sales tax,&nbsp;$16,490.74 in liquor drink tax and&nbsp;$46,090.62 in income tax.The warrants were filed in Russell, Scott, Thomas, Phillips, Rooks, Pawnee counties. The assets were seized at 9 a.m. at 740 E. Wichita Ave. in Russell, 1921 S. Range in Colby, 1213 S. Main St. in Scott City, 609 Third St. Phillipsburg, 711 S. Washington in Plainville and 421 W. 14th St. in Larned.The types of assets seized include all known bank accounts, on-site cash, business inventory, as well as personal property belonging to the owner, according to the Department of Revenue. The business was sealed closed with a public notice posted on the outside. All seized assets will be sold at public auction, and the proceeds will pay for the delinquent taxes, the department said on its website.KDOR’s policy and practice is to work with taxpayers in delinquent status to voluntarily enter into repayment agreements, the department said on its website. It is only after these efforts and multiple failed collection attempts that the department is forced to execute a tax warrant, utilizing such actions as bank levies, till taps and ultimately asset seizure to ensure compliance with the law, the department said.KDOR’s responsibility to recover delinquent taxes not only ensures fairness for individuals and business owners who do pay their taxes but also ensures that money is lawfully collected to fund state and local programs on which Kansans depend. These programs include education, highways, public safety and human services, the department said.Customers, employees, or others who may have items at the business may contact the agent assigned to this case at 316-337-6130.

Local restaurant chain's assets seized on tax warrants

On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Becky Kiser talks with Doug Williams, Grow Hays executive director, about the economic impact of Hays Regional Airport, along with an update about The Grove housing project.

<div><iframe title="Post Podcast: Economic impact of Hays Regional Airport; Update on The Grove" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&i=qc5qr-1902166-pb&square=1&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=300" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Becky Kiser talks with Doug Williams, Grow Hays executive director, about the economic impact of Hays Regional Airport, along with an update about The Grove housing project.

🎙 Post Podcast: Economic impact of Hays Regional Airport; The Grove development update

A recently announced candidate for Hays City Commission was arrested on a charge of alleged blackmail Friday.

According to district court records, 23-year-old Samuel Emerson Allen of Hays allegedly tried to obtain $50 by threatening to share nude photos or videos of someone obtained through a dating app on June 27.

Blackmail is a level 4 person felony in Kansas. Public records said the court ordered Allen’s arrest with an appearance bond set at $40,000.

Ellis County booking records show Allen was booked for failure to appear. Ellis County Attorney Aaron J. Cunningham was contacted but declined to comment.

Allen announced his candidacy for the Hays City Commission in the 2025 municipal election on June 23 and is completing his degree in political science at Fort Hays State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750345202754.jpeg" alt="Hays City Commission candidate Samuel Allen. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Hays City Commission candidate Samuel Allen. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostA recently announced candidate for Hays City Commission was arrested on a charge of alleged blackmail Friday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752585035279.png" alt="Allen as shown in his Ellis County Jail booking photo" />
 <figcaption>Allen as shown in his Ellis County Jail booking photo</figcaption>
 </figure>According to district court records, 23-year-old Samuel Emerson Allen of Hays allegedly tried to obtain $50 by threatening to share nude photos or videos of someone obtained through a dating app on June 27.Blackmail is a level 4 person felony in Kansas. Public records said the court ordered Allen’s arrest with an appearance bond set at $40,000.Ellis County booking records show Allen was booked for failure to appear. Ellis County Attorney Aaron J. Cunningham was contacted but declined to comment.Allen announced his candidacy for the Hays City Commission in the 2025 municipal election on June 23 and is completing his degree in political science at Fort Hays State University.

Hays Commission candidate arrested on charge of alleged blackmail

WASHINGTON (AP) — Education Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/linda-mcmahon-education-confirmation-hearing-417b1d36f9347b8279798fd311d211dc">Linda McMahon</a>&nbsp;is expected to move quickly now that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-education-layoffs-9370415531185092341b16a6bfea9344">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;has cleared the way for the Trump administration to continue unwinding her department.

The justices on Monday paused a lower court order that had halted nearly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-layoffs-job-cuts-linda-mcmahon-ce9f6a8a63972aede0d8fbdf057ab788">1,400 layoffs</a>&nbsp;and had called into question the legality of President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-trump-patriot-missiles-kellogg-ca8cda9b417737188c471390bc312a5d">Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;plan to outsource the department’s operations to other agencies.

Now, Trump and McMahon are free to execute the layoffs and break up the department’s work among other federal agencies. Trump had campaigned on closing the department, and McMahon has said the department has one “final mission” to turn over its power to the states.

“The Federal Government has been running our Education System into the ground, but we are going to turn it all around by giving the Power back to the PEOPLE,” Trump said late Monday in a post on Truth Social. “Thank you to the United States Supreme Court!”

Department lawyers have already previewed McMahon’s next steps in court filings.

What happens with student loans, civil rights cases

Trump and McMahon have acknowledged only Congress has authority to close the Education Department fully, but both have suggested its core functions could be parceled out to different federal agencies.

Among the most important decisions is where to put management of federal student loans, a $1.6 trillion portfolio affecting nearly 43 million borrowers.

Trump in March suggested the Small Business Administration would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-shut-down-mcmahon-37e3eceb8f7ae93e488ea33f8d970786">take on federal student loans</a>, but a June court filing indicated the Treasury Department is expected to take over the work. The Education Department said it had been negotiating a contract with Treasury but paused discussions when the court intervened. That work is now expected to proceed in coming days.

Under a separate arrangement, nine Education Department workers already have been detailed to Treasury, according to a court filing.

The department had also recently struck a deal to outsource the management of several grant programs for workforce training and adult education to the Department of Labor. The Education Department agreed to send $2.6 billion to Labor to oversee grants, which are distributed to states to be passed down to schools and colleges.

Combining workforce training programs at Education and Labor would “provide a coordinated federal education and workforce system,” according to the agreement.

Additional agreements are expected to follow with other agencies. At her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/linda-mcmahon-education-confirmation-hearing-417b1d36f9347b8279798fd311d211dc">Senate confirmation hearing</a>, McMahon suggested that enforcement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act could be handled by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hhs-layoffs-restructuring-maha-rfk-7adbc357bf25b2c92b94e012ba3d8316">Department of Health and Human Services</a>. Civil rights work could be managed by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-trump-bondi-904822e788fa02fd6bd5c8181d0c9c08">Justice Department</a>, she said.

Democracy Forward, which represents plaintiffs in the lawsuit, said it will pursue “every legal option” to fight for children. The group’s federal court case is proceeding, but the Supreme Court’s emergency decision means the Education Department is allowed to downsize in the meantime.

“No court in the nation — not even the Supreme Court — has found that what the administration is doing is lawful,” said Skye Perryman, president and CEO of the group, in a statement.

Trump campaigned on a promise to close the agency, and in March ordered it to be wound down “to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law.” McMahon had already started a dramatic downsizing, laying off about 1,400 workers.

Education Department employees targeted by the layoffs have been on paid leave since March, according to a union that represents some of the agency’s staff. The lower court order had prevented the department from fully terminating them, though none had been allowed to return to work, according to the American Federation of Government Employees Local 252. Without the lower court order, the workers would have been terminated in early June.

The absence of those staffers already had caused problems in the office that handles&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loans-default-repayment-plans-fff521f5f3a24afbe30739b96d2e6b67">student loans</a>, said Melanie Storey, president and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. College financial aid staffers reported delays and breakdowns in federal systems — such as an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loans-education-department-outage-layoffs-5afb5a0a1b51bbe50e5961a63b419041">hours-long outage</a>&nbsp;on StudentAid.gov the day after departmental layoffs. Communication with the Education Department eroded, Storey said.

“It is concerning that the Court is allowing the Trump administration to continue with its planned reduction in force, given what we know about the early impact of those cuts on delivering much-needed financial assistance to students seeking a postsecondary education,” Storey said.

Gutting the Education Department will hinder the government’s ability to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-department-layoffs-closure-c7cddd1dbf310dadcd70e003d62a6df0">enforce civil rights laws</a>, especially for girls, students with disabilities, LGBTQ+ students and students of color, said Gaylynn Burroughs, vice president at the National Women’s Law Center. Laid-off staff in the Office of Civil Rights were handling&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-department-layoffs-civil-rights-8cbf463cce765f497c10d688ab4d51e1">thousands of cases</a>.

“Without enough staff and resources, students will face more barriers to educational opportunity and have fewer places to turn to when their rights are violated,” Burroughs said in a statement. “This is part of a coordinated plan by the Trump administration to dismantle the federal government and roll back hard-won civil rights protections.”

AP education writers Annie Ma and Cheyanne Mumphrey contributed reporting.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Education Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/linda-mcmahon-education-confirmation-hearing-417b1d36f9347b8279798fd311d211dc">Linda McMahon</a>&nbsp;is expected to move quickly now that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-education-layoffs-9370415531185092341b16a6bfea9344">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;has cleared the way for the Trump administration to continue unwinding her department.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We’re on it, Mr. President! <a href="https://t.co/URGYOsvHXN">https://t.co/URGYOsvHXN</a>&mdash; Secretary Linda McMahon (@EDSecMcMahon) <a href="https://twitter.com/EDSecMcMahon/status/1944912417718460436?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The justices on Monday paused a lower court order that had halted nearly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-layoffs-job-cuts-linda-mcmahon-ce9f6a8a63972aede0d8fbdf057ab788">1,400 layoffs</a>&nbsp;and had called into question the legality of President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-trump-patriot-missiles-kellogg-ca8cda9b417737188c471390bc312a5d">Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;plan to outsource the department’s operations to other agencies.Now, Trump and McMahon are free to execute the layoffs and break up the department’s work among other federal agencies. Trump had campaigned on closing the department, and McMahon has said the department has one “final mission” to turn over its power to the states.“The Federal Government has been running our Education System into the ground, but we are going to turn it all around by giving the Power back to the PEOPLE,” Trump said late Monday in a post on Truth Social. “Thank you to the United States Supreme Court!”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752532757011.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Department lawyers have already previewed McMahon’s next steps in court filings.<h2>What happens with student loans, civil rights cases</h2>Trump and McMahon have acknowledged only Congress has authority to close the Education Department fully, but both have suggested its core functions could be parceled out to different federal agencies.Among the most important decisions is where to put management of federal student loans, a $1.6 trillion portfolio affecting nearly 43 million borrowers.Trump in March suggested the Small Business Administration would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-shut-down-mcmahon-37e3eceb8f7ae93e488ea33f8d970786">take on federal student loans</a>, but a June court filing indicated the Treasury Department is expected to take over the work. The Education Department said it had been negotiating a contract with Treasury but paused discussions when the court intervened. That work is now expected to proceed in coming days.Under a separate arrangement, nine Education Department workers already have been detailed to Treasury, according to a court filing.The department had also recently struck a deal to outsource the management of several grant programs for workforce training and adult education to the Department of Labor. The Education Department agreed to send $2.6 billion to Labor to oversee grants, which are distributed to states to be passed down to schools and colleges.Combining workforce training programs at Education and Labor would “provide a coordinated federal education and workforce system,” according to the agreement.Additional agreements are expected to follow with other agencies. At her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/linda-mcmahon-education-confirmation-hearing-417b1d36f9347b8279798fd311d211dc">Senate confirmation hearing</a>, McMahon suggested that enforcement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act could be handled by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hhs-layoffs-restructuring-maha-rfk-7adbc357bf25b2c92b94e012ba3d8316">Department of Health and Human Services</a>. Civil rights work could be managed by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-trump-bondi-904822e788fa02fd6bd5c8181d0c9c08">Justice Department</a>, she said.Democracy Forward, which represents plaintiffs in the lawsuit, said it will pursue “every legal option” to fight for children. The group’s federal court case is proceeding, but the Supreme Court’s emergency decision means the Education Department is allowed to downsize in the meantime.“No court in the nation — not even the Supreme Court — has found that what the administration is doing is lawful,” said Skye Perryman, president and CEO of the group, in a statement.<h2>Laying off staff</h2>Trump campaigned on a promise to close the agency, and in March ordered it to be wound down “to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law.” McMahon had already started a dramatic downsizing, laying off about 1,400 workers.Education Department employees targeted by the layoffs have been on paid leave since March, according to a union that represents some of the agency’s staff. The lower court order had prevented the department from fully terminating them, though none had been allowed to return to work, according to the American Federation of Government Employees Local 252. Without the lower court order, the workers would have been terminated in early June.The absence of those staffers already had caused problems in the office that handles&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loans-default-repayment-plans-fff521f5f3a24afbe30739b96d2e6b67">student loans</a>, said Melanie Storey, president and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. College financial aid staffers reported delays and breakdowns in federal systems — such as an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loans-education-department-outage-layoffs-5afb5a0a1b51bbe50e5961a63b419041">hours-long outage</a>&nbsp;on StudentAid.gov the day after departmental layoffs. Communication with the Education Department eroded, Storey said.“It is concerning that the Court is allowing the Trump administration to continue with its planned reduction in force, given what we know about the early impact of those cuts on delivering much-needed financial assistance to students seeking a postsecondary education,” Storey said.Gutting the Education Department will hinder the government’s ability to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-department-layoffs-closure-c7cddd1dbf310dadcd70e003d62a6df0">enforce civil rights laws</a>, especially for girls, students with disabilities, LGBTQ+ students and students of color, said Gaylynn Burroughs, vice president at the National Women’s Law Center. Laid-off staff in the Office of Civil Rights were handling&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-department-layoffs-civil-rights-8cbf463cce765f497c10d688ab4d51e1">thousands of cases</a>.“Without enough staff and resources, students will face more barriers to educational opportunity and have fewer places to turn to when their rights are violated,” Burroughs said in a statement. “This is part of a coordinated plan by the Trump administration to dismantle the federal government and roll back hard-won civil rights protections.”___AP education writers Annie Ma and Cheyanne Mumphrey contributed reporting.___

Trump responds to Supreme Court victory on effort to close Education Dept.

FINNEY COUNTY—The Garden City Police Department issued an alert Monday to notify the public they are aware of recent social media posts raising concerns and suggesting child abductions or attempted abductions linked to human trafficking in Garden City and southwest Kansas. 

"While human trafficking remains a serious concern that warrants vigilance, we have not received any legitimate reports of these incidents occurring locally nor have any arrests been made in connection with these claims."

"Furthermore, these posts appear to be resurfaced or have circulated before. As always, if you have a concern about any suspicious activity occurring in Garden City, please call police at (620) 276-1300 or 911 if it is an emergency."

Please do not report suspected crimes through social media or share posts about crimes that may cause fear and panic without verifying the validity of the post first. Let’s continue to look out for one another, and stay safe and vigilant.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752524999386.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY—The Garden City Police Department issued an alert Monday to notify the public they are aware of recent social media posts raising concerns and suggesting child abductions or attempted abductions linked to human trafficking in Garden City and southwest Kansas. "While human trafficking remains a serious concern that warrants vigilance, we have not received any legitimate reports of these incidents occurring locally nor have any arrests been made in connection with these claims." "Furthermore, these posts appear to be resurfaced or have circulated before. As always, if you have a concern about any suspicious activity occurring in Garden City, please call police at (620) 276-1300 or 911 if it is an emergency."Please do not report suspected crimes through social media or share posts about crimes that may cause fear and panic without verifying the validity of the post first. Let’s continue to look out for one another, and stay safe and vigilant.&nbsp;

Police: Social media posts on human trafficking in SW Kan. are false

The Hays USD 489 school board approved a maximum guaranteed price of $1.925 million for renovations to what will be the new Hays Middle School at its meeting on Monday night.

The $300,000 savings will stay in the bond fund.&nbsp;

The former Hays High building is being renovated for use as a middle school.&nbsp;

Work began on Monday to relocate classroom materials to the new high school. The new Hays High is set to open in August. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Aug. 29.

Sets of three classrooms in the new middle school will be reconfigured to two classrooms with a collaborative area. This will result in more space per classroom, increasing classrooms from 700 square feet to 900 square feet.

"We will have more space and better space than we have at all of the current middle school," HMS Principal Tom Albers said.

The new classrooms will receive new paint, new floor coverings, ceilings, lighting and visual boards.

The work that Nabholz Construction will supervise will also include replacing the exterior door system.

An additional $3.86 million in renovations are being completed under the supervision of district staff, which includes painting and carpeting. The total cost of the project will be about $6.1 million.

Middle school students and staff are set to start classes in the renovated building in January. The current middle school will be renovated for use as an elementary school.

More than 2,700 companies were invited to bid on the work. Forty-nine bids were received. Thirty-seven percent of the participating companies are local.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752541764882.jpeg" alt="Floor plan for new Hays Middle School. The areas in yellow will be new classrooms. The red dots indicate the locations of the new exterior door system. Courtesy image." />
 <figcaption>Floor plan for new Hays Middle School. The areas in yellow will be new classrooms. The red dots indicate the locations of the new exterior door system. Courtesy image.</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays USD 489 school board approved a maximum guaranteed price of $1.925 million for renovations to what will be the new Hays Middle School at its meeting on Monday night.The $300,000 savings will stay in the bond fund.&nbsp;The former Hays High building is being renovated for use as a middle school.&nbsp;Work began on Monday to relocate classroom materials to the new high school. The new Hays High is set to open in August. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Aug. 29.Sets of three classrooms in the new middle school will be reconfigured to two classrooms with a collaborative area. This will result in more space per classroom, increasing classrooms from 700 square feet to 900 square feet."We will have more space and better space than we have at all of the current middle school," HMS Principal Tom Albers said.The new classrooms will receive new paint, new floor coverings, ceilings, lighting and visual boards.The work that Nabholz Construction will supervise will also include replacing the exterior door system.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752543682969.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>An additional $3.86 million in renovations are being completed under the supervision of district staff, which includes painting and carpeting. The total cost of the project will be about $6.1 million.Middle school students and staff are set to start classes in the renovated building in January. The current middle school will be renovated for use as an elementary school.More than 2,700 companies were invited to bid on the work. Forty-nine bids were received. Thirty-seven percent of the participating companies are local.

Hays Middle School renovation cost $300,000 under budget

By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension District

In today’s fast-paced world, making time for exercise can be a challenge. However, growing research suggests that intense exercise—even in shorter bursts—can offer significant physical and mental health benefits. From improving cardiovascular health to boosting brain function, intense workouts are proving to be one of the most efficient ways to elevate overall well-being.

High-intensity exercise such as interval training or vigorous strength workouts has been linked to improved heart health and better metabolic function. According to the American Heart Association engaging in vigorous physical activity for just 75 minutes per week can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and hypertension.

Unlike moderate exercise, intense workouts push the body to operate at or near its maximum capacity, increasing the heart rate and stimulating the muscles in a shorter period of time. This leads to greater calorie burn both during and after the workout, known as the “afterburn effect” or excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC). As a result, intense exercise is an efficient way to support weight loss and improve metabolic health, particularly for those with limited time.

Intense resistance and body weight training not only build muscle but also improve muscular endurance and bone density. This is especially crucial as we age, when muscle mass naturally declines. Compound movements like squats, deadlifts, and sprints recruit multiple muscle groups, maximizing strength development while also improving coordination and stability.

Furthermore, intense exercise stimulates the production of growth hormone and testosterone, both essential for muscle repair and regeneration. Regular intense sessions can also enhance endurance, allowing individuals to perform daily activities more efficiently and with less fatigue.

The benefits of intense exercise aren’t limited to the body—they also extend to the brain. Short bursts of high-effort activity can significantly elevate levels of endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin, chemicals responsible for improved mood and reduced stress. 

In fact, studies show that intense workouts can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression more effectively than lower-intensity exercise.

Additionally, intense physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, which can improve focus, memory, and cognitive function. Some research even indicates that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) may stimulate the growth of new brain cells and delay age-related cognitive decline.

One of the biggest advantages of intense workouts is their time efficiency, HIIT sessions, for instance, often last just 15-30 minutes and can be done with minimal equipment. This makes them ideal for people with busy schedules or those who prefer to exercise at home. Whether it’s a quick sprint session, a vigorous cycling class, or a circuit of bodyweight exercises, intense workouts can fit into almost any lifestyle.

High-intensity workouts, while effective for building strength and improving cardiovascular fitness, are not suitable for everyone. 

Individuals with certain medical conditions—such as heart disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or joint problems—should approach these workouts with caution or avoid them entirely unless cleared by a healthcare professional. Beginners who lack a solid fitness foundation may also be at greater risk of injury due to poor form or overexertion. 

Additionally, high-intensity training can lead to burnout or overtraining if not balanced with adequate rest and recovery. It’s important for anyone considering this type of exercise to assess their current health status and fitness level and ideally consult a medical provider or certified trainer before beginning a high-intensity regimen.

While all forms of physical activity have their place, intense exercise offers a uniquely powerful combination of physical, mental, and practical benefits. For those looking to maximize either health outcomes with minimal time investment, intense workouts may be the key to a stronger, healthier future.

Source: Atakan MM, Li Y, Koşar ŞN, Turnagöl HH, Yan X. Evidence-Based Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Exercise Capacity and Health: A Review with Historical Perspective. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Jul 5;18(13):7201. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18137201. PMID: 34281138; PMCID: PMC8294064.

Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at 785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668522152076.jpeg" alt="Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension DistrictIn today’s fast-paced world, making time for exercise can be a challenge. However, growing research suggests that intense exercise—even in shorter bursts—can offer significant physical and mental health benefits. From improving cardiovascular health to boosting brain function, intense workouts are proving to be one of the most efficient ways to elevate overall well-being.High-intensity exercise such as interval training or vigorous strength workouts has been linked to improved heart health and better metabolic function. According to the American Heart Association engaging in vigorous physical activity for just 75 minutes per week can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and hypertension.Unlike moderate exercise, intense workouts push the body to operate at or near its maximum capacity, increasing the heart rate and stimulating the muscles in a shorter period of time. This leads to greater calorie burn both during and after the workout, known as the “afterburn effect” or excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC). As a result, intense exercise is an efficient way to support weight loss and improve metabolic health, particularly for those with limited time.Intense resistance and body weight training not only build muscle but also improve muscular endurance and bone density. This is especially crucial as we age, when muscle mass naturally declines. Compound movements like squats, deadlifts, and sprints recruit multiple muscle groups, maximizing strength development while also improving coordination and stability.Furthermore, intense exercise stimulates the production of growth hormone and testosterone, both essential for muscle repair and regeneration. Regular intense sessions can also enhance endurance, allowing individuals to perform daily activities more efficiently and with less fatigue.The benefits of intense exercise aren’t limited to the body—they also extend to the brain. Short bursts of high-effort activity can significantly elevate levels of endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin, chemicals responsible for improved mood and reduced stress. In fact, studies show that intense workouts can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression more effectively than lower-intensity exercise.Additionally, intense physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, which can improve focus, memory, and cognitive function. Some research even indicates that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) may stimulate the growth of new brain cells and delay age-related cognitive decline.One of the biggest advantages of intense workouts is their time efficiency, HIIT sessions, for instance, often last just 15-30 minutes and can be done with minimal equipment. This makes them ideal for people with busy schedules or those who prefer to exercise at home. Whether it’s a quick sprint session, a vigorous cycling class, or a circuit of bodyweight exercises, intense workouts can fit into almost any lifestyle.High-intensity workouts, while effective for building strength and improving cardiovascular fitness, are not suitable for everyone. Individuals with certain medical conditions—such as heart disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or joint problems—should approach these workouts with caution or avoid them entirely unless cleared by a healthcare professional. Beginners who lack a solid fitness foundation may also be at greater risk of injury due to poor form or overexertion. Additionally, high-intensity training can lead to burnout or overtraining if not balanced with adequate rest and recovery. It’s important for anyone considering this type of exercise to assess their current health status and fitness level and ideally consult a medical provider or certified trainer before beginning a high-intensity regimen.While all forms of physical activity have their place, intense exercise offers a uniquely powerful combination of physical, mental, and practical benefits. For those looking to maximize either health outcomes with minimal time investment, intense workouts may be the key to a stronger, healthier future.Source: Atakan MM, Li Y, Koşar ŞN, Turnagöl HH, Yan X. Evidence-Based Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Exercise Capacity and Health: A Review with Historical Perspective. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Jul 5;18(13):7201. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18137201. PMID: 34281138; PMCID: PMC8294064.Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at 785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu.

KOERNER: The power of intense exercise

A 23-year-old Hutchinson man is facing a long list of charges after allegedly committing two armed robberies, leading officers on a pursuit, and barricading himself inside an occupied home Sunday evening.

According to the Hutchinson Police Department, officers were dispatched around 7:19 p.m. on July 13 to a business in the 500 block of East 17th Avenue for an armed robbery. By the time officers arrived, the suspect had already fled. Officers and deputies with the Reno County Sheriff’s Office began searching the area.

Just over 20 minutes later, at about 7:41 p.m., police were called to a second armed robbery at a business in the 400 block of East 4th Avenue. Investigators say the suspect description matched the first incident.

At approximately 7:52 p.m., officers located the suspect vehicle near 17th Avenue and Plum Street. When a deputy attempted a traffic stop, the driver refused to pull over, leading to a pursuit that ended when the suspect crashed into a residence in the 400 block of East 18th Avenue. The suspect then fled into an occupied home but was quickly taken into custody.

Police say the vehicle used in the robberies was reported stolen earlier that day from the 1600 block of Center Street.

Malachi J. Sims, 23, was arrested and booked into the Reno County Correctional Facility. He faces numerous charges:• Aggravated Robbery; Dangerous Weapon (2 counts)• Criminal Possession of a Firearm by a Felon (2 counts)• Theft; Property or Services; Less than $1,500 (2 counts)• Theft; Motor Vehicle: $1,500 to $24,999• Aggravated Assault of LEO; with Deadly Weapon• Aggravated Battery on LEO; Physical Contact with County Officer• Aggravated Battery on LEO; Physical Contact with City Officer• Aggravated Burglary; Dwelling for Felony, Flee and Elude; Commission of Felony• Interference with Law Enforcement; Obstruct, Resist, Oppose; Felony Case•Interference with Law Enforcement; Conceal/Alter/Destroy Evidence• Felony Criminal Damage to Property; &gt;$25,000• DUI; 2nd Conviction• Possession of Marijuana• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia• MVA; Failure to Report an Accident, Leave the Scene of an Accident• Ignition Interlock; Operate Without• Alcohol; Illegal Transportation• Possession of Opiates, Narcotics, or Certain Stimulants; 1 prior conviction

No injuries were reported during the incidents.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752544193285.jpeg" alt="Malachi J. Sims-photo Reno County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Malachi J. Sims-photo Reno County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>MARC JACOBS Hutch Post&nbsp;A 23-year-old Hutchinson man is facing a long list of charges after allegedly committing two armed robberies, leading officers on a pursuit, and barricading himself inside an occupied home Sunday evening.According to the Hutchinson Police Department, officers were dispatched around 7:19 p.m. on July 13 to a business in the 500 block of East 17th Avenue for an armed robbery. By the time officers arrived, the suspect had already fled. Officers and deputies with the Reno County Sheriff’s Office began searching the area.Just over 20 minutes later, at about 7:41 p.m., police were called to a second armed robbery at a business in the 400 block of East 4th Avenue. Investigators say the suspect description matched the first incident.At approximately 7:52 p.m., officers located the suspect vehicle near 17th Avenue and Plum Street. When a deputy attempted a traffic stop, the driver refused to pull over, leading to a pursuit that ended when the suspect crashed into a residence in the 400 block of East 18th Avenue. The suspect then fled into an occupied home but was quickly taken into custody.Police say the vehicle used in the robberies was reported stolen earlier that day from the 1600 block of Center Street.Malachi J. Sims, 23, was arrested and booked into the Reno County Correctional Facility. He faces numerous charges:• Aggravated Robbery; Dangerous Weapon (2 counts)• Criminal Possession of a Firearm by a Felon (2 counts)• Theft; Property or Services; Less than $1,500 (2 counts)• Theft; Motor Vehicle: $1,500 to $24,999• Aggravated Assault of LEO; with Deadly Weapon• Aggravated Battery on LEO; Physical Contact with County Officer• Aggravated Battery on LEO; Physical Contact with City Officer• Aggravated Burglary; Dwelling for Felony, Flee and Elude; Commission of Felony• Interference with Law Enforcement; Obstruct, Resist, Oppose; Felony Case•Interference with Law Enforcement; Conceal/Alter/Destroy Evidence• Felony Criminal Damage to Property; &gt;$25,000• DUI; 2nd Conviction• Possession of Marijuana• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia• MVA; Failure to Report an Accident, Leave the Scene of an Accident• Ignition Interlock; Operate Without• Alcohol; Illegal Transportation• Possession of Opiates, Narcotics, or Certain Stimulants; 1 prior convictionNo injuries were reported during the incidents.

Kansas armed robbery suspect captured after chase, crash

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals selected 17 players on the final day of the 2025 First-Year Player Draft.&nbsp;

In total, the Royals selected 13 pitchers (12 RHP, 1 LHP), five infielders, three outfielders and one catcher. Of their 22 picks, 16 were from the college ranks, including 2 from JUCO, and six were high school players. Of note, out of the nine position players selected, only No. 28 (PPI) Josh Hammond bats right-handed.

With the 128th overall pick in the 4th round, the Royals selected outfielder Nolan Sailors out of Creighton University (Neb.). Sailors, 22, slashed .389/.485/.584 (88-for-226, 1.069 OPS) with 28 extra-base hits, 44 RBI and 27 stolen bases in 59 games as a senior. In four seasons with the Bluejays, he played in 207 games and slashed .320/.422/.491 (251-for-784) with 19 home runs, 148 RBI and 63 stolen bases. He graduated from Ralston High School (Neb.), where he was named to the All-Nebraska and Super State First Teams after hitting .476 as a senior. He is a native of Omaha, Neb.

With the 158th overall pick in the 5th round, the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Aiden Jimenez out of the University of Arkansas. Jimenez, 21, completed his redshirt sophomore season with the Razorbacks in 2025, going 4-1 with 40 strikeouts (8.5 K/9) in 42.1 innings pitched, posting a 3.40 ERA (16 ER) in a team-high 22 games (2 GS). He began his collegiate career at Oregon State in 2023, where he appeared in 22 games (1 GS) and struck out 35 batters in 38.0 innings of work (8.3 K/9). Jimenez graduated from Elk Grove High School (Calif.). His father, Jason Jimenez, appeared in 6 Major League games with Tampa Bay (5) and Detroit (1) in 2002, and was a 28th round pick by the Rays in 1997. Jason was teammates with Royals Manager Matt Quatraro and Bench Coach Paul Hoover in the Rays minor league system from 1998-2002. His grandfather, Ken Hottman, also played in 6 MLB games in 1971.

With the 188th overall pick in the 6th round, the Royals selected infielder Tyriq Kemp out of Baylor University (Texas). Kemp, 22, played in 55 games for the Bears this season, slashing .358/.446/.542 (72-for-201, .988 OPS) with 48 runs, 41 RBI and more walks (32) than strikeouts (27). He was also announced as a semifinalist for the Brooks Wallace Award in 2025, given annually to the nation’s top collegiate shortstop. In two seasons at Baylor, he posted an .849 OPS and batted .305 (110-for-361), playing in 108 games. In 2024, he played for Curaçao Neptunus in the Dutch Major League, and he slashed .292/.400/.427 (28-for-96, .827 OPS) as a 21-year-old, while playing alongside his older brother, Dwayne, who signed with the Cubs in 2009. Prior to attending Baylor, he played two seasons at Western Oklahoma State College (the same school that notable Curaçaoan shortstop Andrelton Simmons attended), where he hit .375 with 9 home runs and 41 RBI as a sophomore. Kemp was raised in The Netherlands and was a member of the Dutch National Teams from ages U15 to U23, guiding the U23 team to a gold medal at the European Baseball Championship in 2021.

With the 218th overall pick in the 7th round, the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Bryson Dudley out of Texas State University. Dudley, 21, just finished his first season with Texas State and earned CSC Academic All-District Team and Sun Belt Conference All-Tournament Team honors. He pitched in 24 games (2 GS) for the Bobcats, holding opponents to a .185 batting average that was a school record, paired with a 3.93 ERA (22 ER in 50.1 IP). He pitched in 2 games for Trenton in the MLB Draft League this year, striking out 13 batters in 7.0 innings. Spent two seasons at Blinn College (Texas) and helped the Buccaneers win the NJCAA National Championship as a sophomore in 2024.

With the 248th overall pick in the 8th round, the Royals selected catcher Brooks Bryan out of Troy University (Ala.). Bryan, who is celebrating his 21st birthday today, spent each of the last three seasons at Troy, and started all 60 games for them this season, slashing .279/.399/.533 (64-for-229, .931 OPS) with 18 doubles and 12 home runs. He earned All-Sun Belt First Team honors as a sophomore in 2024 and was named a semifinalist for both the Dick Howser Trophy and the Golden Spikes Award, after he posted a .970 OPS with 18 home runs and 85 RBI in 58 games. He was a part of the 2024 Team USA Collegiate National Team, appearing in 4 games, and hit a grand slam on July 3 vs. Chinese Taipei. He also played in 7 games for Cotuit in the Cape Cod League in 2024. He batted .380 with 8 home runs as a senior at Opelika High School (Ala.) in 2022, the alma mater of 10-year MLB vet Roy Lee Jackson.

With the 278th overall pick in the 9th round, the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Shane Van Dam out of North Carolina State University. Van Dam, who underwent Tommy John Surgery in 2024, pitched in just 3 games (1 start) at the end of this season. The 21-year-old pitched in 16 games and covered 37.1 innings as a sophomore in 2024, striking out 38 batters (9.2 K/9). He played both baseball and football at SUNY Cortland in 2023, striking out 43 batters in 29.1 innings (13.2 K/9) while playing quarterback for the Red Dragons, but not appearing in a game. He graduated from Cranford High School (N.J.) in 2022, where he was a three-year member of the football team and a two-year starter on the baseball team. He was teammates with Kansas City’s 2025 5th rounder Aiden Jimenez and their 2024 12th rounder Tommy Molsky on the 2023 Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod League.

With the 308th overall pick in the 10th round, the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Max Martin out of the University of California-Irvine. Martin, 21, finished his junior season with 14 saves, tied for 4th among all Division I pitchers this season, as well as a 3.29 ERA (14 ER in 38.1 IP) and 39 strikeouts. In three seasons at U.C. Irvine, he struck out 83 batters in 84.1 innings and earned 19 saves. Pitched in 8 games for the Pulaski River Turtles of the Appalachian League in 2024, and allowed just 2 runs (1 ER) across 15.0 innings (0.60 ERA), striking out 17 and walking just 3. He graduated from Sierra Canyon School (Calif.), where he was teammates with Kehden Hettiger, Philadelphia’s 11th round pick in 2023.

With the 338th overall pick in the 11th round, the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Hunter Alberini out of the University of Arizona. Alberini, 23, pitched in one season at Arizona, going 1-0 with 33 strikeouts (14.4 K/9) to just 7 walks (3.0 BB/9) and a 3.48 ERA (8 ER in 20.2 IP) in 18 games. Prior to joining the Wildcats, he spent two seasons at Umpqua Community College (Ore.) from 2021-22 and two seasons at the College of Southern Nevada (2023-24), the alma mater of Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper. In 2024, he pitched in 7 games for State College in the MLB Draft League and struck out 10 in 12.0 IP. He graduated from Centennial High School (Nev.) in 2020, where he earned two baseball letters.

With the 368th overall pick in the 12th round, the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Matthew Hoskins out of the University of Georgia. Hoskins, 21, made 18 appearances (2 starts) for the Bulldogs as a junior this year, and struck out 39 batters in just 27.1 innings (12.8 K/9), earning 1 win and 2 saves. After the season, he also pitched once for Trenton in the MLB Draft League, where he was teammates with Kansas City’s 7th round selection this year, Bryson Dudley. While at Georgia, he earned three SEC Academic Honor Roll nominations and struck out 67 batters across 50.2 innings (11.9 K/9). He graduated from Peachtree Ridge High School (Ga.) in 2022, where he went 4-3 with a 2.89 ERA and 62 strikeouts as a senior. He also batted .382 with 6 doubles, 5 home runs and 24 RBI as a senior, playing primarily as an outfielder when he wasn’t pitching. He was rated as the No. 11 prospect in the state of Georgia coming out of high school, per Perfect Game.

With the 398th overall pick in the 13th round, the Royals selected infielder Tyson Moran out of the F.E. Madill Secondary School (Ontario, CAN). Moran, 19, is currently committed to play at North Dakota State University. He plays for the Great Lakes Canadians amateur baseball program, and is coached by former big leaguer Jamie Romak, who played in 27 games for the Dodgers (2014) and Diamondbacks (2015).

With the 428th overall pick in the 14th round, the Royals selected infielder JC Vanek out of Chipola College (Fla.). Vanek, 20, slashed .395/.512/.631 (62-for-157, 1.143 OPS) with 9 home runs, 50 runs scored, 43 RBI and more walks (30) than strikeouts (27). Was named to the Panhandle All-Conference First Team in 2024 after leading Chipola in average (.366), hits (53) and RBI (47). He has since committed to Florida State University. After the season, he played in 16 games for Mahoning Valley in the MLB Draft League and posted a .712 OPS with 2 home runs, 13 RBI and 4 stolen bases in 16 games. He graduated from Alfred M. Barbe High School (La.) in 2023.

With the 458th overall pick in the 15th round, the Royals selected infielder Connor Rasmussen out of Tulane University (La.). Rasmussen, 21, has spent each of the last two seasons at Tulane, and has slashed .321/.425/.485 (141-for-439, .910 OPS) in 120 games for the Green Wave, driving in 96 runs while scoring 92. He also drew more walks (71) than he had strikeouts (58). Prior to transferring to Tulane, he spent his freshman season at East Carolina University (N.C.), where he appeared in 17 games. He graduated from Fort Mill High School (S.C.) in 2022, where his .418 average as a senior guided his team to a state championship runner-up finish. His brother, Cole, was a long snapper for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks from 2021-24.

With the 488th overall pick in the 16th round, the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Randy Ramnarace out of the University of New Haven (Conn.). Ramnarace, 20, went 2-1 with a 2.51 ERA (9 ER in 32.1 IP) and 45 strikeouts (12.5 K/9) in 12 games (1 GS), earning 3 saves. He has spent three seasons with the Chargers, amassing a 9-5 record and a 4.28 ERA (56 ER in 117.2 IP) with 146 strikeouts. This summer, he pitched in 5 games for Bristol in the New England Collegiate Baseball League, his second consecutive summer in the NECBL after pitching in 5 games for Danbury in 2024. He graduated from Brentwood High School (N.Y.), where he was the team captain as a senior.

With the 518th overall pick in the 17th round, the Royals selected outfielder Luke Nowak out of the University of Illinois at Chicago. Nowak, 22, just finished his senior season at UIC, and he posted a .387/.455/.559 (86-for-222, 1.014 OPS) slashline, leading the Missouri Valley Conference in average (.387), while ranking among qualified leaders in hits (3rd, 86), triples (T-4th, 3) and OBP (5th, .455). He spent the first three seasons of his collegiate career at East Carolina University (N.C.), where he was teammates with Kansas City’s 15th rounder Connor Rasmussen. In three seasons at ECU, he slashed .268/.382/.362 (71-for-265) with 17 extra-base hits and 49 RBI in 118 games (71 starts). He graduated from Menomonee Falls High School (Wis.), where he earned seven letters (3 in baseball, 4 in track and field), and was a two-time conference and regional champion in baseball as well as a four-time state qualifier in track.

With the 548th overall pick in the 18th round, the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Grayson Boles out of St. Augustine High School (Calif.). Boles, 18, is committed to the University of Texas, and is ranked the 9th-best right-handed pitcher in the state of California by Perfect Game. Per his Maxpreps.com page, he posted a 2.92 ERA (71 ER in 170.1 IP) in high school, including a 1.95 mark (17 ER in 61.0 IP) this year, with 81 strikeouts to just 22 walks. As a hitter, he batted .335 (55-for-164) in four years, and he hit 2 home runs while batting .393 (11-for-28) this season. He started the High School All-American Game on Aug. 15, 2024 at Petco Park, and finished the 1st inning with a strikeout.

With the 578th overall pick in the 19th round, the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Dylan Wood out of Franklin High School (Calif.). Wood, 18, went 8-0 as a senior while posting a 1.65 ERA (14 ER in 59.1 IP) with 100 strikeouts. He is ranked as the No. 102 prospect and No. 25 RHP nationally and as the No. 20 prospect and No. 6 RHP in California by Perfect Game. He pitched in 3 games for Team USA’s 18U National Team, allowing 1 run in 6.1 innings, and earned the win in the gold medal game at the 2024 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier with 1.1 hitless innings. He is committed to play baseball at the University of Arizona.

With the 608th overall pick in the 20th and final round of the 2025 Draft, the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Kamden Edge out of Northern Oklahoma Junior College. Edge, 20, pitched in 14 games this year for the Mavericks, logging a 3.25 ERA (19 ER in 52.2 IP) and 74 strikeouts (12.7 K/9). After the season, he made 2 appearances for Mahoning Valley in the MLB Draft League, striking out 7 in 4.0 innings. In the summer of 2024, he pitched in 9 games for the Hutchinson Monarchs in the Jayhawk Collegiate League, striking out 37 batters across 20.0 innings pitched (16.7 K/9).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591095847004.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas City RoyalsKANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals selected 17 players on the final day of the 2025 First-Year Player Draft.&nbsp;In total, the Royals selected 13 pitchers (12 RHP, 1 LHP), five infielders, three outfielders and one catcher. Of their 22 picks, 16 were from the college ranks, including 2 from JUCO, and six were high school players. Of note, out of the nine position players selected, only No. 28 (PPI) Josh Hammond bats right-handed.With the 128th overall pick in the 4th round, the Royals selected outfielder Nolan Sailors out of Creighton University (Neb.). Sailors, 22, slashed .389/.485/.584 (88-for-226, 1.069 OPS) with 28 extra-base hits, 44 RBI and 27 stolen bases in 59 games as a senior. In four seasons with the Bluejays, he played in 207 games and slashed .320/.422/.491 (251-for-784) with 19 home runs, 148 RBI and 63 stolen bases. He graduated from Ralston High School (Neb.), where he was named to the All-Nebraska and Super State First Teams after hitting .476 as a senior. He is a native of Omaha, Neb.With the 158th overall pick in the 5th round, the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Aiden Jimenez out of the University of Arkansas. Jimenez, 21, completed his redshirt sophomore season with the Razorbacks in 2025, going 4-1 with 40 strikeouts (8.5 K/9) in 42.1 innings pitched, posting a 3.40 ERA (16 ER) in a team-high 22 games (2 GS). He began his collegiate career at Oregon State in 2023, where he appeared in 22 games (1 GS) and struck out 35 batters in 38.0 innings of work (8.3 K/9). Jimenez graduated from Elk Grove High School (Calif.). His father, Jason Jimenez, appeared in 6 Major League games with Tampa Bay (5) and Detroit (1) in 2002, and was a 28th round pick by the Rays in 1997. Jason was teammates with Royals Manager Matt Quatraro and Bench Coach Paul Hoover in the Rays minor league system from 1998-2002. His grandfather, Ken Hottman, also played in 6 MLB games in 1971.With the 188th overall pick in the 6th round, the Royals selected infielder Tyriq Kemp out of Baylor University (Texas). Kemp, 22, played in 55 games for the Bears this season, slashing .358/.446/.542 (72-for-201, .988 OPS) with 48 runs, 41 RBI and more walks (32) than strikeouts (27). He was also announced as a semifinalist for the Brooks Wallace Award in 2025, given annually to the nation’s top collegiate shortstop. In two seasons at Baylor, he posted an .849 OPS and batted .305 (110-for-361), playing in 108 games. In 2024, he played for Curaçao Neptunus in the Dutch Major League, and he slashed .292/.400/.427 (28-for-96, .827 OPS) as a 21-year-old, while playing alongside his older brother, Dwayne, who signed with the Cubs in 2009. Prior to attending Baylor, he played two seasons at Western Oklahoma State College (the same school that notable Curaçaoan shortstop Andrelton Simmons attended), where he hit .375 with 9 home runs and 41 RBI as a sophomore. Kemp was raised in The Netherlands and was a member of the Dutch National Teams from ages U15 to U23, guiding the U23 team to a gold medal at the European Baseball Championship in 2021.With the 218th overall pick in the 7th round, the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Bryson Dudley out of Texas State University. Dudley, 21, just finished his first season with Texas State and earned CSC Academic All-District Team and Sun Belt Conference All-Tournament Team honors. He pitched in 24 games (2 GS) for the Bobcats, holding opponents to a .185 batting average that was a school record, paired with a 3.93 ERA (22 ER in 50.1 IP). He pitched in 2 games for Trenton in the MLB Draft League this year, striking out 13 batters in 7.0 innings. Spent two seasons at Blinn College (Texas) and helped the Buccaneers win the NJCAA National Championship as a sophomore in 2024.With the 248th overall pick in the 8th round, the Royals selected catcher Brooks Bryan out of Troy University (Ala.). Bryan, who is celebrating his 21st birthday today, spent each of the last three seasons at Troy, and started all 60 games for them this season, slashing .279/.399/.533 (64-for-229, .931 OPS) with 18 doubles and 12 home runs. He earned All-Sun Belt First Team honors as a sophomore in 2024 and was named a semifinalist for both the Dick Howser Trophy and the Golden Spikes Award, after he posted a .970 OPS with 18 home runs and 85 RBI in 58 games. He was a part of the 2024 Team USA Collegiate National Team, appearing in 4 games, and hit a grand slam on July 3 vs. Chinese Taipei. He also played in 7 games for Cotuit in the Cape Cod League in 2024. He batted .380 with 8 home runs as a senior at Opelika High School (Ala.) in 2022, the alma mater of 10-year MLB vet Roy Lee Jackson.With the 278th overall pick in the 9th round, the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Shane Van Dam out of North Carolina State University. Van Dam, who underwent Tommy John Surgery in 2024, pitched in just 3 games (1 start) at the end of this season. The 21-year-old pitched in 16 games and covered 37.1 innings as a sophomore in 2024, striking out 38 batters (9.2 K/9). He played both baseball and football at SUNY Cortland in 2023, striking out 43 batters in 29.1 innings (13.2 K/9) while playing quarterback for the Red Dragons, but not appearing in a game. He graduated from Cranford High School (N.J.) in 2022, where he was a three-year member of the football team and a two-year starter on the baseball team. He was teammates with Kansas City’s 2025 5th rounder Aiden Jimenez and their 2024 12th rounder Tommy Molsky on the 2023 Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod League.With the 308th overall pick in the 10th round, the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Max Martin out of the University of California-Irvine. Martin, 21, finished his junior season with 14 saves, tied for 4th among all Division I pitchers this season, as well as a 3.29 ERA (14 ER in 38.1 IP) and 39 strikeouts. In three seasons at U.C. Irvine, he struck out 83 batters in 84.1 innings and earned 19 saves. Pitched in 8 games for the Pulaski River Turtles of the Appalachian League in 2024, and allowed just 2 runs (1 ER) across 15.0 innings (0.60 ERA), striking out 17 and walking just 3. He graduated from Sierra Canyon School (Calif.), where he was teammates with Kehden Hettiger, Philadelphia’s 11th round pick in 2023.With the 338th overall pick in the 11th round, the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Hunter Alberini out of the University of Arizona. Alberini, 23, pitched in one season at Arizona, going 1-0 with 33 strikeouts (14.4 K/9) to just 7 walks (3.0 BB/9) and a 3.48 ERA (8 ER in 20.2 IP) in 18 games. Prior to joining the Wildcats, he spent two seasons at Umpqua Community College (Ore.) from 2021-22 and two seasons at the College of Southern Nevada (2023-24), the alma mater of Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper. In 2024, he pitched in 7 games for State College in the MLB Draft League and struck out 10 in 12.0 IP. He graduated from Centennial High School (Nev.) in 2020, where he earned two baseball letters.With the 368th overall pick in the 12th round, the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Matthew Hoskins out of the University of Georgia. Hoskins, 21, made 18 appearances (2 starts) for the Bulldogs as a junior this year, and struck out 39 batters in just 27.1 innings (12.8 K/9), earning 1 win and 2 saves. After the season, he also pitched once for Trenton in the MLB Draft League, where he was teammates with Kansas City’s 7th round selection this year, Bryson Dudley. While at Georgia, he earned three SEC Academic Honor Roll nominations and struck out 67 batters across 50.2 innings (11.9 K/9). He graduated from Peachtree Ridge High School (Ga.) in 2022, where he went 4-3 with a 2.89 ERA and 62 strikeouts as a senior. He also batted .382 with 6 doubles, 5 home runs and 24 RBI as a senior, playing primarily as an outfielder when he wasn’t pitching. He was rated as the No. 11 prospect in the state of Georgia coming out of high school, per Perfect Game.With the 398th overall pick in the 13th round, the Royals selected infielder Tyson Moran out of the F.E. Madill Secondary School (Ontario, CAN). Moran, 19, is currently committed to play at North Dakota State University. He plays for the Great Lakes Canadians amateur baseball program, and is coached by former big leaguer Jamie Romak, who played in 27 games for the Dodgers (2014) and Diamondbacks (2015).With the 428th overall pick in the 14th round, the Royals selected infielder JC Vanek out of Chipola College (Fla.). Vanek, 20, slashed .395/.512/.631 (62-for-157, 1.143 OPS) with 9 home runs, 50 runs scored, 43 RBI and more walks (30) than strikeouts (27). Was named to the Panhandle All-Conference First Team in 2024 after leading Chipola in average (.366), hits (53) and RBI (47). He has since committed to Florida State University. After the season, he played in 16 games for Mahoning Valley in the MLB Draft League and posted a .712 OPS with 2 home runs, 13 RBI and 4 stolen bases in 16 games. He graduated from Alfred M. Barbe High School (La.) in 2023.With the 458th overall pick in the 15th round, the Royals selected infielder Connor Rasmussen out of Tulane University (La.). Rasmussen, 21, has spent each of the last two seasons at Tulane, and has slashed .321/.425/.485 (141-for-439, .910 OPS) in 120 games for the Green Wave, driving in 96 runs while scoring 92. He also drew more walks (71) than he had strikeouts (58). Prior to transferring to Tulane, he spent his freshman season at East Carolina University (N.C.), where he appeared in 17 games. He graduated from Fort Mill High School (S.C.) in 2022, where his .418 average as a senior guided his team to a state championship runner-up finish. His brother, Cole, was a long snapper for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks from 2021-24.With the 488th overall pick in the 16th round, the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Randy Ramnarace out of the University of New Haven (Conn.). Ramnarace, 20, went 2-1 with a 2.51 ERA (9 ER in 32.1 IP) and 45 strikeouts (12.5 K/9) in 12 games (1 GS), earning 3 saves. He has spent three seasons with the Chargers, amassing a 9-5 record and a 4.28 ERA (56 ER in 117.2 IP) with 146 strikeouts. This summer, he pitched in 5 games for Bristol in the New England Collegiate Baseball League, his second consecutive summer in the NECBL after pitching in 5 games for Danbury in 2024. He graduated from Brentwood High School (N.Y.), where he was the team captain as a senior.With the 518th overall pick in the 17th round, the Royals selected outfielder Luke Nowak out of the University of Illinois at Chicago. Nowak, 22, just finished his senior season at UIC, and he posted a .387/.455/.559 (86-for-222, 1.014 OPS) slashline, leading the Missouri Valley Conference in average (.387), while ranking among qualified leaders in hits (3rd, 86), triples (T-4th, 3) and OBP (5th, .455). He spent the first three seasons of his collegiate career at East Carolina University (N.C.), where he was teammates with Kansas City’s 15th rounder Connor Rasmussen. In three seasons at ECU, he slashed .268/.382/.362 (71-for-265) with 17 extra-base hits and 49 RBI in 118 games (71 starts). He graduated from Menomonee Falls High School (Wis.), where he earned seven letters (3 in baseball, 4 in track and field), and was a two-time conference and regional champion in baseball as well as a four-time state qualifier in track.With the 548th overall pick in the 18th round, the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Grayson Boles out of St. Augustine High School (Calif.). Boles, 18, is committed to the University of Texas, and is ranked the 9th-best right-handed pitcher in the state of California by Perfect Game. Per his Maxpreps.com page, he posted a 2.92 ERA (71 ER in 170.1 IP) in high school, including a 1.95 mark (17 ER in 61.0 IP) this year, with 81 strikeouts to just 22 walks. As a hitter, he batted .335 (55-for-164) in four years, and he hit 2 home runs while batting .393 (11-for-28) this season. He started the High School All-American Game on Aug. 15, 2024 at Petco Park, and finished the 1st inning with a strikeout.With the 578th overall pick in the 19th round, the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Dylan Wood out of Franklin High School (Calif.). Wood, 18, went 8-0 as a senior while posting a 1.65 ERA (14 ER in 59.1 IP) with 100 strikeouts. He is ranked as the No. 102 prospect and No. 25 RHP nationally and as the No. 20 prospect and No. 6 RHP in California by Perfect Game. He pitched in 3 games for Team USA’s 18U National Team, allowing 1 run in 6.1 innings, and earned the win in the gold medal game at the 2024 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier with 1.1 hitless innings. He is committed to play baseball at the University of Arizona.With the 608th overall pick in the 20th and final round of the 2025 Draft, the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Kamden Edge out of Northern Oklahoma Junior College. Edge, 20, pitched in 14 games this year for the Mavericks, logging a 3.25 ERA (19 ER in 52.2 IP) and 74 strikeouts (12.7 K/9). After the season, he made 2 appearances for Mahoning Valley in the MLB Draft League, striking out 7 in 4.0 innings. In the summer of 2024, he pitched in 9 games for the Hutchinson Monarchs in the Jayhawk Collegiate League, striking out 37 batters across 20.0 innings pitched (16.7 K/9).

⚾ Royals select 17 players on final day of First-Year Player Draft

City of Hays The city of Hays will begin asphalt sealcoating work on select streets starting this month, weather permitting.

Sealcoating protects and extends the life of pavement while improving safety and appearance.

During the project, affected areas will be temporarily closed or reduced to one lane. All vehicles must be moved by the dates noted on contractor notices to avoid towing.

Residents are encouraged to follow all posted signage and use caution while the sealcoat cures. The full project map and details are available at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.haysusa.com/155/Project-Management">HaysUSA.com</a>.

Please note that weather conditions could delay the schedule.

This important preventative maintenance is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to maintain road quality.

The city appreciates the community’s patience and cooperation.

Questions may be directed to the City of Hays Public Works Department at 785-628-7350.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752536446362.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>City of Hays The city of Hays will begin asphalt sealcoating work on select streets starting this month, weather permitting.Sealcoating protects and extends the life of pavement while improving safety and appearance.During the project, affected areas will be temporarily closed or reduced to one lane. All vehicles must be moved by the dates noted on contractor notices to avoid towing.Residents are encouraged to follow all posted signage and use caution while the sealcoat cures. The full project map and details are available at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.haysusa.com/155/Project-Management">HaysUSA.com</a>.Please note that weather conditions could delay the schedule.This important preventative maintenance is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to maintain road quality.The city appreciates the community’s patience and cooperation.Questions may be directed to the City of Hays Public Works Department at 785-628-7350.