JOHNSON COUNTY —A former Kansas middle school teacher is going to prison for child sex crimes.

On November 8, Judge Neil Foth sentenced 55-year-old Keil Hileman to 24-months in prison. He must also register as a sex offender for 25-years.

On August 14,&nbsp; Hileman pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted unlawful sexual relations, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.

As part of the plea agreement, the State of Kansas dismissed&nbsp; four additional sex crime charges against him, according to court documents.

In October of 2022, the Johnson County District Attorney’s office charged Hileman, at the time a Monticello Trails Middle School, USD 232 DeSoto teacher, alleging criminal conduct involving his role as an educator," the district said in the letter to families.

In 2004, Hileman was named Kansas Teacher of the Year and was a finalists for the National Teacher of the Year.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731165443157.png" alt="Hileman photo KBI Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Hileman photo KBI Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A former Kansas middle school teacher is going to prison for child sex crimes.On November 8, Judge Neil Foth sentenced 55-year-old Keil Hileman to 24-months in prison. He must also register as a sex offender for 25-years.On August 14,&nbsp; Hileman pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted unlawful sexual relations, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.As part of the plea agreement, the State of Kansas dismissed&nbsp; four additional sex crime charges against him, according to court documents.In October of 2022, the Johnson County District Attorney’s office charged Hileman, at the time a Monticello Trails Middle School, USD 232 DeSoto teacher, alleging criminal conduct involving his role as an educator," the district said in the letter to families.In 2004, Hileman was named Kansas Teacher of the Year and was a finalists for the National Teacher of the Year.&nbsp;

Former Kan. teacher of the year sentenced for child sex crimes

David E.
“Dave” Haddock, 73, Hays, died Thursday, October 24, 2024 at HaysMed.

He was born
April 30, 1951 in Hays, the son of Herman E. and Oma M. (Shetler) Haddock.&nbsp; Dave was a graduate of Hays High School in
1969, and served in the U.S. Army from 1969-1971, repairing helicopter skins.&nbsp; On May 27, 1973 he was united in marriage to
Catherine Rose “Cathy” Saunders in Gillette, Wyoming.&nbsp; Dave worked at LaCrosse Furniture Factory for
27 years and then in the Auto Care Center at Wal-Mart for 17 years.&nbsp; He never knew a stranger, was a good
listener, gave sound advice, and valued the importance of education.&nbsp; He enjoyed life outdoors, woodworking, mechanic
work, farming, and loved being with his granddaughters.

Survivors
include his wife Cathy of Hays, his son Tim Haddock (Mandy Brungardt) of
Emmeram, his daughter, Natalie Irwin (Matt) of Centennial, CO, a brother, Jack
Haddock (JoAnn) of Munjor, two sisters, Judy Allen of Topeka and Oma Dee
Milledge (Rick) of Kiowa, his mother-in-law, Arlene Saunders of Gillette, WY,
five granddaughters, Riley, Hayden, Katelyn, Karsyn, and Zoe, and numerous
nieces and nephews.

He was
preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Donald and Gary Haddock, two
sisters, Joyce Haddock and Charlotta Klaus, his granddaughter, Alyshia, and his
father-in-law, Bernard Saunders.

Funeral
Services will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at Hays Memorial
Chapel Funeral Home with Pastor Curtis Flax officiating.&nbsp; The family will receive friends from 9:00 am
until service time.&nbsp; Memorials are
suggested to the Dave Haddock Educational Fund for his granddaughters’
education.&nbsp; Condolences and memories of
Dave may be left for his family at www.haysmemorial.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731512809902.jpeg" alt="David Haddock&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>David Haddock&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>David E.
“Dave” Haddock, 73, Hays, died Thursday, October 24, 2024 at HaysMed.He was born
April 30, 1951 in Hays, the son of Herman E. and Oma M. (Shetler) Haddock.&nbsp; Dave was a graduate of Hays High School in
1969, and served in the U.S. Army from 1969-1971, repairing helicopter skins.&nbsp; On May 27, 1973 he was united in marriage to
Catherine Rose “Cathy” Saunders in Gillette, Wyoming.&nbsp; Dave worked at LaCrosse Furniture Factory for
27 years and then in the Auto Care Center at Wal-Mart for 17 years.&nbsp; He never knew a stranger, was a good
listener, gave sound advice, and valued the importance of education.&nbsp; He enjoyed life outdoors, woodworking, mechanic
work, farming, and loved being with his granddaughters.Survivors
include his wife Cathy of Hays, his son Tim Haddock (Mandy Brungardt) of
Emmeram, his daughter, Natalie Irwin (Matt) of Centennial, CO, a brother, Jack
Haddock (JoAnn) of Munjor, two sisters, Judy Allen of Topeka and Oma Dee
Milledge (Rick) of Kiowa, his mother-in-law, Arlene Saunders of Gillette, WY,
five granddaughters, Riley, Hayden, Katelyn, Karsyn, and Zoe, and numerous
nieces and nephews.He was
preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Donald and Gary Haddock, two
sisters, Joyce Haddock and Charlotta Klaus, his granddaughter, Alyshia, and his
father-in-law, Bernard Saunders.Funeral
Services will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at Hays Memorial
Chapel Funeral Home with Pastor Curtis Flax officiating.&nbsp; The family will receive friends from 9:00 am
until service time.&nbsp; Memorials are
suggested to the Dave Haddock Educational Fund for his granddaughters’
education.&nbsp; Condolences and memories of
Dave may be left for his family at www.haysmemorial.com

David E. Haddock

Professional academic advisors from FHSU were recognized during the Kansas Academic Advising Network (KAAN) annual advising conference at the University of Kansas in September.

Becky Newell, a professional advisor at the Werth College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics, was selected for the 2024 KAAN Supportive Advisor Award. The award winner exemplifies a commitment to advising and advocates for students and advisors. 

Newell, who has served as a professional advisor since 2017, has also been recognized at FHSU with the Werth College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics Advisor Award and the 2024 FHSU Edmund Shearer Advisor Award.

At the conference, Ashley Wetzel, a professional advisor in the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, and Whitney Whitaker, Chair of Psychology, presented on&nbsp;Centralized Advising and Faculty Mentoring at FHSU: Benefits, Challenges, and Future Direction.

Ashley Wetzel was elected as the new treasurer for the KAAN Steering Committee for 2024-2026. She joins Nikki Brown and six other advisors from across higher education in Kansas.

Brown, assistant director of the Academic Advising and Career Exploration Center, completed her term as KAAN Chair, moved into the Past Chair role, and will host the 2025 Kansas Academic Advising Network Conference at FHSU. 

In October, Brown, together with Patricia Griffin, director of AACE, presented a two-hour pre-conference workshop at the NACADA Annual Conference in Pittsburgh, Penn.

FHSU currently has 23 undergraduate professional advisors and four graduate professional advisors. It began its transition to college-based professional advising for undergraduate students in 2021. 

FHSU’s advising program was reviewed by NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising in January of 2024. The review found the program to have a strong ethos of care and coordinated support for student success.

“The transition to undergraduate professional advisors has paired well with the addition of faculty mentoring students,” Griffin said. “Students can benefit from more support and access to opportunities as a FHSU student. This ties into Goal Theme 2 Student Success of the Strategic Plan to&nbsp;‘create opportunities for all students and empower them to identify, evaluate, and achieve their goals while becoming engaged global citizens.’”

More information about academic advising at FHSU is available at:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.EWtdXdo3nx3t8ZlvSfKX0W2EM4rxdpqpPEwGhOo5r-2BulqkOQcr7pGIJfq0hVfkl-2Ffyx9PXXAqDW-2BaHI-2BKGSzkQ-3D-3D97Nq_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOnbvmz8jSGQqVqmmrvzpoIKtXk-2BAV2bLjyKzQGzKmZ33hr0i5o-2BAAa8odR2XORVkJ7sMR7-2BHSydRxR1K6Q-2BHWpw8aE3q8cWhXY9GUOgdUztZ51qbiMnenn2-2FmJqHoS0SWfP-2FaCusuvbyh5mWC80Jh0eMqVz3nfyThYduEhoHZ4mqWoubbmUD267JWresE1Ox-2B6nq1t86oNlUYycTuJH6qIl7FLxlSoZjXWeY0Zru79MWfb1-2BhIrpVFx5Xy6GQs893">https://www.fhsu.edu/academic-advising/</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731426356828.jpeg" alt="Becky Newell&nbsp;was selected for the 2024 KAAN Supportive Advisor Award. Photo courtesy Fort Hays State University." />
 <figcaption>Becky Newell&nbsp;was selected for the 2024 KAAN Supportive Advisor Award. Photo courtesy Fort Hays State University.</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University RelationsProfessional academic advisors from FHSU were recognized during the Kansas Academic Advising Network (KAAN) annual advising conference at the University of Kansas in September.Becky Newell, a professional advisor at the Werth College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics, was selected for the 2024 KAAN Supportive Advisor Award. The award winner exemplifies a commitment to advising and advocates for students and advisors. Newell, who has served as a professional advisor since 2017, has also been recognized at FHSU with the Werth College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics Advisor Award and the 2024 FHSU Edmund Shearer Advisor Award.At the conference, Ashley Wetzel, a professional advisor in the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, and Whitney Whitaker, Chair of Psychology, presented on&nbsp;Centralized Advising and Faculty Mentoring at FHSU: Benefits, Challenges, and Future Direction.Ashley Wetzel was elected as the new treasurer for the KAAN Steering Committee for 2024-2026. She joins Nikki Brown and six other advisors from across higher education in Kansas.Brown, assistant director of the Academic Advising and Career Exploration Center, completed her term as KAAN Chair, moved into the Past Chair role, and will host the 2025 Kansas Academic Advising Network Conference at FHSU. In October, Brown, together with Patricia Griffin, director of AACE, presented a two-hour pre-conference workshop at the NACADA Annual Conference in Pittsburgh, Penn.FHSU currently has 23 undergraduate professional advisors and four graduate professional advisors. It began its transition to college-based professional advising for undergraduate students in 2021. FHSU’s advising program was reviewed by NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising in January of 2024. The review found the program to have a strong ethos of care and coordinated support for student success.“The transition to undergraduate professional advisors has paired well with the addition of faculty mentoring students,” Griffin said. “Students can benefit from more support and access to opportunities as a FHSU student. This ties into Goal Theme 2 Student Success of the Strategic Plan to&nbsp;‘create opportunities for all students and empower them to identify, evaluate, and achieve their goals while becoming engaged global citizens.’”More information about academic advising at FHSU is available at:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.EWtdXdo3nx3t8ZlvSfKX0W2EM4rxdpqpPEwGhOo5r-2BulqkOQcr7pGIJfq0hVfkl-2Ffyx9PXXAqDW-2BaHI-2BKGSzkQ-3D-3D97Nq_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOnbvmz8jSGQqVqmmrvzpoIKtXk-2BAV2bLjyKzQGzKmZ33hr0i5o-2BAAa8odR2XORVkJ7sMR7-2BHSydRxR1K6Q-2BHWpw8aE3q8cWhXY9GUOgdUztZ51qbiMnenn2-2FmJqHoS0SWfP-2FaCusuvbyh5mWC80Jh0eMqVz3nfyThYduEhoHZ4mqWoubbmUD267JWresE1Ox-2B6nq1t86oNlUYycTuJH6qIl7FLxlSoZjXWeY0Zru79MWfb1-2BhIrpVFx5Xy6GQs893">https://www.fhsu.edu/academic-advising/</a>

FHSU student advisors make an impact at annual KAAN conference

WASHINGTON (AP) — A man who worked for the U.S. government has been charged with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-us-documents-attack-e7e23d09a2f1fc14498e64b38d74576f">leaking classified information</a>&nbsp;assessing Israel's earlier plans to attack Iran, according to court papers filed Wednesday.

The man, identified as Asif William Rahman, was arrested by the FBI this week in Cambodia and was due to make his first court appearance in Guam.

He was indicted last week in U.S. court in Virginia on two counts of willful transmission of national defense information — felony charges that can can carry significant prison sentences.

It was not immediately clear whether Rahman had a lawyer or which federal agency employed him, but officials say he had top secret security clearance.

The charges stem from the documents, attributed to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nga.mil/index.html">National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nsa.gov/">National Security Agency</a>, appearing last month on a channel of the Telegram messaging app. The documents noted that Israel was still moving military assets in place to conduct a military strike in response to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-gaza-news-10-01-2024-eb175dff6e46906caea8b9e43dfbd3da">Iran’s blistering ballistic missile attack</a>&nbsp;on Oct. 1.

Israel carried out a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-attack-israel-strikes-mideast-war-tehran-35a2b1474e5feedbb200c3aaa557fe60">retaliatory attack on multiple sites in Iran</a>&nbsp;in late October.

The documents were sharable within the “Five Eyes,” which are the United States, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

The New York Times was first to report his arrest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713493747235.png" alt="Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari- courtesy photo&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari- courtesy photo&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A man who worked for the U.S. government has been charged with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-us-documents-attack-e7e23d09a2f1fc14498e64b38d74576f">leaking classified information</a>&nbsp;assessing Israel's earlier plans to attack Iran, according to court papers filed Wednesday.The man, identified as Asif William Rahman, was arrested by the FBI this week in Cambodia and was due to make his first court appearance in Guam.He was indicted last week in U.S. court in Virginia on two counts of willful transmission of national defense information — felony charges that can can carry significant prison sentences.It was not immediately clear whether Rahman had a lawyer or which federal agency employed him, but officials say he had top secret security clearance.The charges stem from the documents, attributed to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nga.mil/index.html">National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nsa.gov/">National Security Agency</a>, appearing last month on a channel of the Telegram messaging app. The documents noted that Israel was still moving military assets in place to conduct a military strike in response to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-gaza-news-10-01-2024-eb175dff6e46906caea8b9e43dfbd3da">Iran’s blistering ballistic missile attack</a>&nbsp;on Oct. 1.Israel carried out a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-attack-israel-strikes-mideast-war-tehran-35a2b1474e5feedbb200c3aaa557fe60">retaliatory attack on multiple sites in Iran</a>&nbsp;in late October.The documents were sharable within the “Five Eyes,” which are the United States, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.The New York Times was first to report his arrest.

US government worker charged in docs leak about Israel’s plans to strike Iran

BARBER COUNTY —A Silver Alert issued August 3, for 73-year-old David Reese has been canceled. Searchers found his body in rural Barber County, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

On August 2, the Barber County Sheriff's Office was contacted in regards to an individual at a property in rural southwest Barber County. The reporting party described the individual to be a white male, approximately 65-75 years old, according to a statement from the Barber County Sheriff.

 Reporting party also stated the individual had a brown dog with him and he was driving a white newer model Chevrolet pickup truck with Harper County tags.

The reporting party stated they watched the vehicle leave headed eastbound away from the property. Reporting party believed the individual may have been intoxicated. Barber County Sheriff’s Office personnel were unable to locate the vehicle at the time. 

On August 3, 2024, the Harper Police Department in Harper, KS issued a silver alert for a David L Reese, of Harper, KS.&nbsp; Through an initial investigation, it was determined that Reese was the individual that arrived at the reporting party's property in rural Barber County. 

There were no reports of Reese making contact with anyone since August 2, 2024.&nbsp; &nbsp;The sheriff's office believe the reporting party may have been the last person to see Reese or speak to Reese.

On Monday, August 5, 2024, a large scale grid search was conducted of the property where Reese was last seen. &nbsp;This search covered over 700 square miles. Due to the fact that the reporting party witnessed Reese leave his property, this search was very large scale and widespread because no one had any indication where he may have gone after leaving the property. 

Unfortunately, there was no trace of Reese or his vehicle that he was last seen in.

On October 4, 2024, the same reporting party from the last known sighting of Reese contacted Barber County Dispatch and informed them that he believed the dog that was with Reese was back at the property. 

The Barber County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to the scene and were able to positively identify the dog as being David Reese’s dog. Another, more narrow, search was conducted in the area. Again, there were, unfortunately, no signs of Reese or his vehicle during this search.

On the evening of November 10, Barber County Dispatch was notified that an employee of the initial reporting party had been working on a fence and noticed a white truck in a creek bed. Barber County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the scene and confirmed that the truck was owned by David L. Reese and was the same truck he was last seen in. 

During the time of the initial searches, this area would have been extremely hard to see into. This area is tree covered and not able to be seen by drones or by people unless very close to the location. The Barber County Sheriff's Office contacted a team with the Great Plains Search and Rescue Canines (GPSK9) and a plan was created to search the area near the truck on the morning of November 11, 2024

At approximately 9:57a.m.&nbsp; on the morning of November 11, the GPSK9 team began searching the area near the truck and at approximately 10:54 AM, a canine team with GPSK9 indicated to the presence of human remains approximately 80-100 yards from the truck location.

Later in the evening, with the assistance of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, remains were collected from the scene. Through the collection, it was determined that the remains indicated the individual had a hip replacement. After a review of medical records and matching the serial number from the hip replacement, it was determined that the human remains that were located on November 11, were that of David L. Reese.

"Although this was not the outcome anyone had prayed for, we hope this can give Mr. Reese’s family the closure they deserve."

.If any more information is available, we will update the public as soon as possible.Thank you to all parties involved in this search and investigation and a special thank you to Great Plains Search and Rescue Canines (GPSK9) for their assistance in locating Mr. Reese

BARBER COUNTY —The Silver Alert issued August 3, for 73-year-old David Reese remains active, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

On November 10, the Barber County Sheriff’s Office was notified that a white Chevrolet pickup truck was located in a creek bed in rural Barber County near Little Mule and Hardtner Shortcut, according to a media release.

Deputies with the Barber County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the vehicle is owned by David Reese.

The Barber County Sheriff’s Office contacted Great Plains Search and Rescue K9 and they plan search of the area.&nbsp;

On October 4, the Harper Police Department reported that Reese’s chocolate lab, that had accompanied him when he disappeared, was found in good health. She was returned to his family. The dog was found not far from the last sighting of Reese near Little Mule and Hardtner Shortcut in Barber County. Police searched over 50 square miles again but still did not locate him.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728310557814.png" alt="David Reese pickup -photo KBI" />
 <figcaption>David Reese pickup -photo KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>BARBER COUNTY —A Silver Alert issued August 3, for 73-year-old David Reese has been canceled. Searchers found his body in rural Barber County, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.On August 2, the Barber County Sheriff's Office was contacted in regards to an individual at a property in rural southwest Barber County. The reporting party described the individual to be a white male, approximately 65-75 years old, according to a statement from the Barber County Sheriff. Reporting party also stated the individual had a brown dog with him and he was driving a white newer model Chevrolet pickup truck with Harper County tags.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728310404447.png" alt="David Reese photo Barber County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>David Reese photo Barber County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>The reporting party stated they watched the vehicle leave headed eastbound away from the property. Reporting party believed the individual may have been intoxicated. Barber County Sheriff’s Office personnel were unable to locate the vehicle at the time. On August 3, 2024, the Harper Police Department in Harper, KS issued a silver alert for a David L Reese, of Harper, KS.&nbsp; Through an initial investigation, it was determined that Reese was the individual that arrived at the reporting party's property in rural Barber County. There were no reports of Reese making contact with anyone since August 2, 2024.&nbsp; &nbsp;The sheriff's office believe the reporting party may have been the last person to see Reese or speak to Reese.On Monday, August 5, 2024, a large scale grid search was conducted of the property where Reese was last seen. &nbsp;This search covered over 700 square miles. Due to the fact that the reporting party witnessed Reese leave his property, this search was very large scale and widespread because no one had any indication where he may have gone after leaving the property. Unfortunately, there was no trace of Reese or his vehicle that he was last seen in.On October 4, 2024, the same reporting party from the last known sighting of Reese contacted Barber County Dispatch and informed them that he believed the dog that was with Reese was back at the property. The Barber County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to the scene and were able to positively identify the dog as being David Reese’s dog. Another, more narrow, search was conducted in the area. Again, there were, unfortunately, no signs of Reese or his vehicle during this search.On the evening of November 10, Barber County Dispatch was notified that an employee of the initial reporting party had been working on a fence and noticed a white truck in a creek bed. Barber County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the scene and confirmed that the truck was owned by David L. Reese and was the same truck he was last seen in. During the time of the initial searches, this area would have been extremely hard to see into. This area is tree covered and not able to be seen by drones or by people unless very close to the location. The Barber County Sheriff's Office contacted a team with the Great Plains Search and Rescue Canines (GPSK9) and a plan was created to search the area near the truck on the morning of November 11, 2024At approximately 9:57a.m.&nbsp; on the morning of November 11, the GPSK9 team began searching the area near the truck and at approximately 10:54 AM, a canine team with GPSK9 indicated to the presence of human remains approximately 80-100 yards from the truck location.Later in the evening, with the assistance of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, remains were collected from the scene. Through the collection, it was determined that the remains indicated the individual had a hip replacement. After a review of medical records and matching the serial number from the hip replacement, it was determined that the human remains that were located on November 11, were that of David L. Reese."Although this was not the outcome anyone had prayed for, we hope this can give Mr. Reese’s family the closure they deserve.".If any more information is available, we will update the public as soon as possible.Thank you to all parties involved in this search and investigation and a special thank you to Great Plains Search and Rescue Canines (GPSK9) for their assistance in locating Mr. Reese-------------BARBER COUNTY —The Silver Alert issued August 3, for 73-year-old David Reese remains active, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.On November 10, the Barber County Sheriff’s Office was notified that a white Chevrolet pickup truck was located in a creek bed in rural Barber County near Little Mule and Hardtner Shortcut, according to a media release.Deputies with the Barber County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the vehicle is owned by David Reese.The Barber County Sheriff’s Office contacted Great Plains Search and Rescue K9 and they plan search of the area.&nbsp;On October 4, the Harper Police Department reported that Reese’s chocolate lab, that had accompanied him when he disappeared, was found in good health. She was returned to his family. The dog was found not far from the last sighting of Reese near Little Mule and Hardtner Shortcut in Barber County. Police searched over 50 square miles again but still did not locate him.

Silver Alert canceled: Kan. man's remains found after 3 months

By JOHN P. TRETBAR Eagle Media

The latest crude production reporting in Kansas shows another statewide decline in output, and a shakeup in the county rankings.&nbsp;

Last year saw the lowest production totals since record-keeping began in Kansas, and the state is currently lagging behind that pace. 

The Kansas Geological Survey reports production through July of 15.6 million barrels statewide, down half a million barrels year over year. Most county totals dropped as well.

Ellis County reached 1.21 million barrels through July, down about 60,000 barrels year-over-year. Finney County passes Haskell County to take the number two spot, with total production over 930,000 barrels. That's up more than 100,000 barrels from the total a year ago.

Haskell County notched 857,000 barrels, down from 976,000 a year ago. Barton County produced 828,251 barrels, compared to nearly 870,000 last year. Russell County also dropped, pumping 756,000 barrels, down from 780,000 at this time last year. In Stafford County, operators extracted nearly 505,000 barrels, down 22,000 barrels from a year ago.

The Kansas Rig Count from Independent Oil and Gas Service is unchanged after a spike last week, with 15 active drilling rigs east of Wichita and 19 in western Kansas. The tally is up 17% from a month ago, but down nearly six percent from last year at this time.&nbsp; 

Drilling continued Monday on a lease in Barton County, a lease in Ellis County, and two leases in Finney County.

The Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes is unchanged from a week ago at 585 rigs. 

There were some changes from state to state, with Louisiana dropping by three rigs, Oklahoma adding two, Pennsylvania and Wyoming up one apiece and Colorado down one. The breakout for horizontal drilling is up three, vertical drops by two rigs and directional is down by one.

Kansas regulators report 163 new intent-to-drill notices in October. That's 1,034 new intents so far this year, down about 150 filings from the first ten months of last year. Barton County reports five new intents in October and 31 through October. Ellis County adds four for a year-to-date total of 14.&nbsp; With none to add in Russell County, the annual total remains at eight, and Stafford County inches up to 17 new intents so far this year, with three filed last month.

Last week, the state okayed 24 new drilling locations, with seven in western Kansas, including one in Barton County and one in Ellis County. That's 985 new drilling permits so far this year, compared to 1,140 new permits a year ago.

Independent Oil and Gas Service reports 46 completed wells across Kansas last week, 1,137 so far this year. That's down from 1,485 a year ago. There are 28 newly-completed wells in eastern Kansas and 18 west of Wichita, including three in Barton County, one in Russell County and one in Stafford County.

U.S. crude production dropped by about seven thousand barrels a day, but according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, output remained above 13.5 million for a fourth consecutive week, reaching the third highest weekly average ever. 

Cumulative production so far this year is up nearly six percent from the same tally a year ago, topping 13.2 million daily barrels for only the second time in history.

U.S. crude imports outpaced exports by more than three million barrels a day last week. Product exports topped imports by more than six million. Crude exports dropped by nearly 1.5 million daily barrels, for a weekly average of 2.85 million barrels per day. That's about a million barrels a day less than the four-week seasonal average, and two million less than the same four weeks last year. 

U.S. crude imports averaged 6.24 million barrels a day, up nearly half a million barrels a day from a week ago, and exceeding the four-week seasonal average by nearly a quarter million daily barrels.

Commercial crude inventories rose by more than two million barrels to 427.7 million barrels as of November 1. The Energy Information Administration says stockpiles are about five percent below the five-year average for this time of year. 

The Energy Department took delivery on 1.4 million barrels of crude for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve last week, pushing the dip stick up to 427.7 million barrels. Strategic stockpiles are up more than ten percent from a year ago.&nbsp; Since April, the government has added 23.2 million barrels, at prices about $20 a barrel cheaper than what they sold it for back in 2022.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684775008059.jpeg" alt="Photo by Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN P. TRETBAR Eagle MediaThe latest crude production reporting in Kansas shows another statewide decline in output, and a shakeup in the county rankings.&nbsp;Last year saw the lowest production totals since record-keeping began in Kansas, and the state is currently lagging behind that pace. The Kansas Geological Survey reports production through July of 15.6 million barrels statewide, down half a million barrels year over year. Most county totals dropped as well.Ellis County reached 1.21 million barrels through July, down about 60,000 barrels year-over-year. Finney County passes Haskell County to take the number two spot, with total production over 930,000 barrels. That's up more than 100,000 barrels from the total a year ago.Haskell County notched 857,000 barrels, down from 976,000 a year ago. Barton County produced 828,251 barrels, compared to nearly 870,000 last year. Russell County also dropped, pumping 756,000 barrels, down from 780,000 at this time last year. In Stafford County, operators extracted nearly 505,000 barrels, down 22,000 barrels from a year ago.The Kansas Rig Count from Independent Oil and Gas Service is unchanged after a spike last week, with 15 active drilling rigs east of Wichita and 19 in western Kansas. The tally is up 17% from a month ago, but down nearly six percent from last year at this time.&nbsp; Drilling continued Monday on a lease in Barton County, a lease in Ellis County, and two leases in Finney County.The Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes is unchanged from a week ago at 585 rigs. There were some changes from state to state, with Louisiana dropping by three rigs, Oklahoma adding two, Pennsylvania and Wyoming up one apiece and Colorado down one. The breakout for horizontal drilling is up three, vertical drops by two rigs and directional is down by one.Kansas regulators report 163 new intent-to-drill notices in October. That's 1,034 new intents so far this year, down about 150 filings from the first ten months of last year. Barton County reports five new intents in October and 31 through October. Ellis County adds four for a year-to-date total of 14.&nbsp; With none to add in Russell County, the annual total remains at eight, and Stafford County inches up to 17 new intents so far this year, with three filed last month.Last week, the state okayed 24 new drilling locations, with seven in western Kansas, including one in Barton County and one in Ellis County. That's 985 new drilling permits so far this year, compared to 1,140 new permits a year ago.Independent Oil and Gas Service reports 46 completed wells across Kansas last week, 1,137 so far this year. That's down from 1,485 a year ago. There are 28 newly-completed wells in eastern Kansas and 18 west of Wichita, including three in Barton County, one in Russell County and one in Stafford County.U.S. crude production dropped by about seven thousand barrels a day, but according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, output remained above 13.5 million for a fourth consecutive week, reaching the third highest weekly average ever. Cumulative production so far this year is up nearly six percent from the same tally a year ago, topping 13.2 million daily barrels for only the second time in history.U.S. crude imports outpaced exports by more than three million barrels a day last week. Product exports topped imports by more than six million. Crude exports dropped by nearly 1.5 million daily barrels, for a weekly average of 2.85 million barrels per day. That's about a million barrels a day less than the four-week seasonal average, and two million less than the same four weeks last year. U.S. crude imports averaged 6.24 million barrels a day, up nearly half a million barrels a day from a week ago, and exceeding the four-week seasonal average by nearly a quarter million daily barrels.Commercial crude inventories rose by more than two million barrels to 427.7 million barrels as of November 1. The Energy Information Administration says stockpiles are about five percent below the five-year average for this time of year. The Energy Department took delivery on 1.4 million barrels of crude for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve last week, pushing the dip stick up to 427.7 million barrels. Strategic stockpiles are up more than ten percent from a year ago.&nbsp; Since April, the government has added 23.2 million barrels, at prices about $20 a barrel cheaper than what they sold it for back in 2022.&nbsp;&nbsp;

News from the Oil Patch: County crude production rankings shift; Ellis Co. remains at top

NEW YORK (AP) — A judge postponed a decision on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immunity-hush-money-merchan-stormy-daniels-02e54baf65b233ad7f6875536fb998ea">whether to undo</a>&nbsp;President-elect Donald Trump’s conviction in his hush money case as prosecutors consider how to proceed in light of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-day-trump-harris-white-house-83c8e246ab97f5b97be45cdc156af4e2">last week's election</a>&nbsp;and his lawyers argue for dismissal so he can run the country.

The postponement comes at a dramatic and dynamic point in the case, which focused on how Trump accounted for payments to a porn actor before the 2016 election and produced a first-ever&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-deliberations-jury-testimony-verdict-85558c6d08efb434d05b694364470aa0">conviction</a>&nbsp;of a former commander-in-chief.

Sentencing had been set for Nov. 26. But prosecutors now say they're reassessing, and they appear open to the possibility that the proceedings can't go as planned.

“These are unprecedented circumstances,” prosecutor Matthew Colangelo wrote in an email to the court. He said prosecutors need to consider how to balance the “competing interests” of the jury’s verdict and the presidency.

Trump lawyer Emil Bove, meanwhile, argued the case must be thrown out altogether "to avoid unconstitutional impediments to President Trump’s ability to govern.”

The messages were part of an email chain released Tuesday, when New York Judge Juan M. Merchan had been set to rule on Trump lawyers' earlier request to toss his conviction for a different reason — because of a U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-capitol-riot-immunity-2dc0d1c2368d404adc0054151490f542">Supreme Court ruling</a>&nbsp;this summer on presidential immunity.

Instead, Merchan told Trump's lawyers he'd halt proceedings and delay the ruling until at least Nov. 19 so that prosecutors can suggest a way forward. Both sides agreed to the one-week postponement.

Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung heralded the delay. He said in a statement that the president-elect's win makes it “abundantly clear that Americans want an immediate end to the weaponization of our justice system, including this case, which should have never been filed.”

A jury convicted Trump in May of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels in 2016. The payout was to buy her silence about claims that she had sex with Trump.

Trump says they didn’t have sex, denies any wrongdoing and maintains the prosecution was a political tactic meant to harm his latest campaign. Trump is a Republican. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whose office brought the case, is a Democrat, as is Merchan.

Just over a month after the verdict, the Supreme Court ruled that ex-presidents can’t be prosecuted for actions they took in the course of running the country, and prosecutors can’t cite those actions even to bolster a case centered on purely personal conduct.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immunity-hush-money-new-york-conviction-b67bafcb92b287933c6e6d54fc122117">Trump’s lawyers cited that ruling to</a>&nbsp;argue that the hush money jury got some evidence it shouldn't have, such as Trump’s presidential financial disclosure form and testimony from some White House aides.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-new-york-immunity-a6662f61014a7f47400a4af163e01eb3">Prosecutors disagreed</a>&nbsp;and said the evidence in question was only “a sliver” of their case.

Trump's criminal conviction was a first for any ex-president. It left the 78-year-old facing the possibility of a fine, probation or up to four years in prison.

The case centered on how Trump accounted for reimbursing a personal attorney for the Daniels payment.

The then-lawyer, Michael Cohen, fronted the money. He later recouped it through a series of payments that Trump’s company logged as legal expenses. Trump, by then in the White House, signed most of the checks himself.

Prosecutors said the designation was meant to cloak the true purpose of the payments and help cover up a broader effort to keep voters from hearing unflattering claims about Trump during his first campaign.

Trump said that Cohen was legitimately paid for legal services, and that Daniels’ story was suppressed to avoid embarrassing Trump’s family, not to influence the electorate.

Trump was a private citizen, campaigning for president, when Cohen paid Daniels in October 2016. He was president when Cohen was reimbursed, and Cohen testified that they discussed the repayment arrangement in the Oval Office.

Trump has been fighting for months to overturn the verdict. While urging Merchan to nix the conviction, the president-elect also has been trying to move the case to federal court. Before the election, a federal judge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-sentencing-new-york-immunity-a905207c7db9fc48d022d68ac6cc12e1">repeatedly said no</a>&nbsp;to the move, but Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-appeal-immunity-sentencing-c143a098e633bbe8f624966806996fc2">has appealed</a>.

Trump faces three other unrelated indictments in various jurisdictions.

But Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith has been evaluating how to wind down both the 2020 election interference case and the separate classified documents case against Trump before he takes office, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. Longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted.

Meanwhile, a Georgia election interference case against Trump is largely on hold while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-fani-willis-georgia-election-indictment-31ca3234b244126cbe412dc279fd0562">he and other defendants appeal</a>&nbsp;a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-election-indictment-fani-willis-trump-60b7dd9642fc9ef7c03d75980692334c">judge’s ruling</a>&nbsp;allowing Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to continue prosecuting it.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717103382357.png" alt="File photo Donald Trump during the trial in May of 2024" />
 <figcaption>File photo Donald Trump during the trial in May of 2024</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — A judge postponed a decision on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immunity-hush-money-merchan-stormy-daniels-02e54baf65b233ad7f6875536fb998ea">whether to undo</a>&nbsp;President-elect Donald Trump’s conviction in his hush money case as prosecutors consider how to proceed in light of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-day-trump-harris-white-house-83c8e246ab97f5b97be45cdc156af4e2">last week's election</a>&nbsp;and his lawyers argue for dismissal so he can run the country.The postponement comes at a dramatic and dynamic point in the case, which focused on how Trump accounted for payments to a porn actor before the 2016 election and produced a first-ever&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-deliberations-jury-testimony-verdict-85558c6d08efb434d05b694364470aa0">conviction</a>&nbsp;of a former commander-in-chief.Sentencing had been set for Nov. 26. But prosecutors now say they're reassessing, and they appear open to the possibility that the proceedings can't go as planned.“These are unprecedented circumstances,” prosecutor Matthew Colangelo wrote in an email to the court. He said prosecutors need to consider how to balance the “competing interests” of the jury’s verdict and the presidency.Trump lawyer Emil Bove, meanwhile, argued the case must be thrown out altogether "to avoid unconstitutional impediments to President Trump’s ability to govern.”The messages were part of an email chain released Tuesday, when New York Judge Juan M. Merchan had been set to rule on Trump lawyers' earlier request to toss his conviction for a different reason — because of a U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-capitol-riot-immunity-2dc0d1c2368d404adc0054151490f542">Supreme Court ruling</a>&nbsp;this summer on presidential immunity.Instead, Merchan told Trump's lawyers he'd halt proceedings and delay the ruling until at least Nov. 19 so that prosecutors can suggest a way forward. Both sides agreed to the one-week postponement.Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung heralded the delay. He said in a statement that the president-elect's win makes it “abundantly clear that Americans want an immediate end to the weaponization of our justice system, including this case, which should have never been filed.”Prosecutors declined to comment.A jury convicted Trump in May of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels in 2016. The payout was to buy her silence about claims that she had sex with Trump.Trump says they didn’t have sex, denies any wrongdoing and maintains the prosecution was a political tactic meant to harm his latest campaign. Trump is a Republican. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whose office brought the case, is a Democrat, as is Merchan.Just over a month after the verdict, the Supreme Court ruled that ex-presidents can’t be prosecuted for actions they took in the course of running the country, and prosecutors can’t cite those actions even to bolster a case centered on purely personal conduct.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immunity-hush-money-new-york-conviction-b67bafcb92b287933c6e6d54fc122117">Trump’s lawyers cited that ruling to</a>&nbsp;argue that the hush money jury got some evidence it shouldn't have, such as Trump’s presidential financial disclosure form and testimony from some White House aides.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-new-york-immunity-a6662f61014a7f47400a4af163e01eb3">Prosecutors disagreed</a>&nbsp;and said the evidence in question was only “a sliver” of their case.Trump's criminal conviction was a first for any ex-president. It left the 78-year-old facing the possibility of a fine, probation or up to four years in prison.The case centered on how Trump accounted for reimbursing a personal attorney for the Daniels payment.The then-lawyer, Michael Cohen, fronted the money. He later recouped it through a series of payments that Trump’s company logged as legal expenses. Trump, by then in the White House, signed most of the checks himself.Prosecutors said the designation was meant to cloak the true purpose of the payments and help cover up a broader effort to keep voters from hearing unflattering claims about Trump during his first campaign.Trump said that Cohen was legitimately paid for legal services, and that Daniels’ story was suppressed to avoid embarrassing Trump’s family, not to influence the electorate.Trump was a private citizen, campaigning for president, when Cohen paid Daniels in October 2016. He was president when Cohen was reimbursed, and Cohen testified that they discussed the repayment arrangement in the Oval Office.Trump has been fighting for months to overturn the verdict. While urging Merchan to nix the conviction, the president-elect also has been trying to move the case to federal court. Before the election, a federal judge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-sentencing-new-york-immunity-a905207c7db9fc48d022d68ac6cc12e1">repeatedly said no</a>&nbsp;to the move, but Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-appeal-immunity-sentencing-c143a098e633bbe8f624966806996fc2">has appealed</a>.Trump faces three other unrelated indictments in various jurisdictions.But Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith has been evaluating how to wind down both the 2020 election interference case and the separate classified documents case against Trump before he takes office, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. Longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted.Meanwhile, a Georgia election interference case against Trump is largely on hold while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-fani-willis-georgia-election-indictment-31ca3234b244126cbe412dc279fd0562">he and other defendants appeal</a>&nbsp;a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-election-indictment-fani-willis-trump-60b7dd9642fc9ef7c03d75980692334c">judge’s ruling</a>&nbsp;allowing Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to continue prosecuting it.___

Judge delays ruling on President-elect Trump's criminal case

United Wireless Arena, managed by VenuWorks, is excited to announce that country music legend, CLINT BLACK will be coming to Dodge City on Saturday, February 8th with his 35th Anniversary of Killin’ Time tour. Doors will open at 6:30 PM on February 8th and Clint Black will take the stage at 7:30 PM.

Country icon Clint Black, one of the truest traditionalists in music over the last three decades, will celebrate the 35th anniversary of his debut album, Killin’ Time, on tour in 2024. A true triple threat singer/guitarist/songwriter, Black has sold more than twenty million records, written and recorded twenty-two #1 singles, and has been awarded nearly two dozen gold and platinum awards, a GRAMMY, and numerous CMA, ACM, and American Music Awards. He’s a member of the Grand Ole Opry and has been honored with stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Nashville Walk of Fame. His musical style encompasses traditional country, honky-tonk, and Western swing. From the beginning, Black’s biggest influences were Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and especially Merle Haggard, to whom his smooth baritone voice was initially compared. One-fourth of country music’s storied Class of 1989, Clint Black's meteoric rise began with Killin’ Time, which produced five consecutive number-one singles on the Billboard Hot Country charts. His break-out success put Black on a fast track to super-stardom.

Eventually, Black’s wide-spread appeal and his own creative curiosity led him into the world of acting where he earned roles in dozens of TV shows and feature films including Maverick, Anger Management, The Larry Sanders Show, and many others. The fifth season of his own talk show, Talking in Circles is currently airing on Circle TV and was awarded “Best Talk Show” in Cynopsis Media’s Best of the Best and Rising Star Awards. This year Clint received the Poet’s Award at the ACM Honors, an award given to the most remarkable and enduring talents in country music songwriting. Now, Black revisits the album that started it all, Killin’ Time, with a special world tour that kicked off with three sold-out dates at the renowned Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN, and continues through 2025.

Tickets for Clint Black’s 35th Anniversary of Killin Time will go on sale Friday, October 25th at 10:00 AM CST. Tickets can be purchased at the United Wireless Arena box office or online through Ticketmaster.com. Ticket prices are $45, $55, or $69 for reserved seating depending on location, plus applicable fees and taxes. United Wireless Arena is an exclusive Ticketmaster facility and cannot guarantee tickets purchased as resale or through a third-party vendor. Doors will open one hour before showtime. Handicapped accessible seating must be arranged directly through the United Wireless Arena Ticket Office. United Wireless Arena has a clear bag policy in place. Please check our website for more details

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731361110846.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedUnited Wireless Arena, managed by VenuWorks, is excited to announce that country music legend, CLINT BLACK will be coming to Dodge City on Saturday, February 8th with his 35th Anniversary of Killin’ Time tour. Doors will open at 6:30 PM on February 8th and Clint Black will take the stage at 7:30 PM.Country icon Clint Black, one of the truest traditionalists in music over the last three decades, will celebrate the 35th anniversary of his debut album, Killin’ Time, on tour in 2024. A true triple threat singer/guitarist/songwriter, Black has sold more than twenty million records, written and recorded twenty-two #1 singles, and has been awarded nearly two dozen gold and platinum awards, a GRAMMY, and numerous CMA, ACM, and American Music Awards. He’s a member of the Grand Ole Opry and has been honored with stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Nashville Walk of Fame. His musical style encompasses traditional country, honky-tonk, and Western swing. From the beginning, Black’s biggest influences were Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and especially Merle Haggard, to whom his smooth baritone voice was initially compared. One-fourth of country music’s storied Class of 1989, Clint Black's meteoric rise began with Killin’ Time, which produced five consecutive number-one singles on the Billboard Hot Country charts. His break-out success put Black on a fast track to super-stardom.Eventually, Black’s wide-spread appeal and his own creative curiosity led him into the world of acting where he earned roles in dozens of TV shows and feature films including Maverick, Anger Management, The Larry Sanders Show, and many others. The fifth season of his own talk show, Talking in Circles is currently airing on Circle TV and was awarded “Best Talk Show” in Cynopsis Media’s Best of the Best and Rising Star Awards. This year Clint received the Poet’s Award at the ACM Honors, an award given to the most remarkable and enduring talents in country music songwriting. Now, Black revisits the album that started it all, Killin’ Time, with a special world tour that kicked off with three sold-out dates at the renowned Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN, and continues through 2025.Tickets for Clint Black’s 35th Anniversary of Killin Time will go on sale Friday, October 25th at 10:00 AM CST. Tickets can be purchased at the United Wireless Arena box office or online through Ticketmaster.com. Ticket prices are $45, $55, or $69 for reserved seating depending on location, plus applicable fees and taxes. United Wireless Arena is an exclusive Ticketmaster facility and cannot guarantee tickets purchased as resale or through a third-party vendor. Doors will open one hour before showtime. Handicapped accessible seating must be arranged directly through the United Wireless Arena Ticket Office. United Wireless Arena has a clear bag policy in place. Please check our website for more details

Clint Black’s 35th anniversary tour includes Dodge City in 2025

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728310557814.png" alt="The missing pickup -photo KBI" />
 <figcaption>The missing pickup -photo KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>BARBER COUNTY —The Silver Alert issued August 3, for 73-year-old David Reese remains active, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728310404447.png" alt="David Reese courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>David Reese courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>On November 10, the Barber County Sheriff’s Office was notified that a white Chevrolet pickup truck was located in a creek bed in rural Barber County near Little Mule and Hardtner Shortcut, according to a media release.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722706150273.png" alt="David Reese courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>David Reese courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies with the Barber County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the vehicle is owned by David Reese.The Barber County Sheriff’s Office contacted Great Plains Search and Rescue K9 and they plan search of the area.&nbsp;On October 4, the Harper Police Department reported that Reese’s chocolate lab, that had accompanied him when he disappeared, was found in good health. She was returned to his family. The dog was found not far from the last sighting of Reese near Little Mule and Hardtner Shortcut in Barber County. Police searched over 50 square miles again but still did not locate him.

Silver Alert continues: Kansas man’s pickup found in creek bed

By MICHELLE BERAN Cottonwood Extension District

The 4-H year runs from October 1 through September 30 of each year. Youth select projects in October or November and work on learning new skills, improving others, and participating in related leadership and community service throughout the year.

Celebrating involvement and accomplishments is an important and fun part of this process! About 80 4-H members and their families gathered on Sunday, November 3, to share a meal, good fellowship, and celebrate 4-H members.

A committee puts together the theme and decides on the meal. They did a great job this year to Level Up with 4-H, a video game themed event! One of the families provided roasters of soup while another took care of the desserts! It was a great way to begin the evening.

One of the hallmarks of 4-H is the focus on communication skills and leadership, and both were on display as 4-H Council officers Melody Braddy, Kassie Linsner, Ailey Williams, and Jonas Kern served as our emcees for the evening.

Each 4-H club has an opportunity to share about events they participated in and to showcase the awards for their club members. It is so much fun to see each club gather with their project awards for a group photo!

In addition, there are a few special awards presented. The Key Award is for 4-H members who have demonstrated outstanding contributions in leadership, citizenship, community service, demonstrations, judging and the holding of club and county offices. In short, it recognizes 4-H members who have lived up to the high ideals expressed by the 4-H Club Pledge. Jonas Kern received his Key Award as a 10-year member of the Ellinwood Energizers and is involved in a wide variety of project areas. In particular, he was recognized at the 2024 Emerald Circle banquet, held during Discovery Days, for having the Kansas 4-H Wildlife Project Record. He is a member of the Cottonwood 4-H2O Ambassadors and presents water educational information to a wide variety of audiences. He is an active member of Junior Leaders, 4-H Ambassadors, and the 4-H Livestock Committee and has held numerous offices in all of these organizations. He is a gracious leader who is willing to listen but keep the decision-making process moving forward.

The “I Dare You” Leadership award was first offered in 1941 by the late Williams H. Danforth, founder of the Ralston Purina company in St. Louis. He challenged young people to achieve their highest potential and to influence others through lives of service. The award inspired the book, “I Dare You” written by Danforth in which he encourages a balanced life of mental, physical, social, and spiritual development as the backbone of leadership. Ailey Williams, the first recipient holds multiple leadership roles in her club, Junior Leaders, and 4-H Council. In addition, she always shows up with a smile and a “can do” attitude for any task. Melody Braddy, the second recipient, also holds multiple leadership roles across our county and is a candidate for the Kansas Youth Leadership Council this year. Her creative spark is visible in many activities and projects. Both of these young women are incredibly involved in school activities in addition to 4-H yet show up and LEAD activities! I was particularly pleased to see their commitment and engagement the last couple of years as the Visual Arts superintendents. They had a short and sharp learning curve the first year but have gained much experience in the last two years!

Our final special awards are the Friends of 4-H. The first was presented to Shane and Hayley Dicks for their many years as Busy Buzzers club leaders and advisers for the 4-H Livestock Committee and 4-H Ambassadors. The second was presented to the family of the late Frank Ochs who was a 4-H champion and cheerleader to many 4-H families. His smile and jokes in the barn will be greatly missed but we look forward to many years of involvement by his family.

Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness.

Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth Development resources, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton Office at 620-793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668179445671.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By MICHELLE BERAN Cottonwood Extension DistrictThe 4-H year runs from October 1 through September 30 of each year. Youth select projects in October or November and work on learning new skills, improving others, and participating in related leadership and community service throughout the year.Celebrating involvement and accomplishments is an important and fun part of this process! About 80 4-H members and their families gathered on Sunday, November 3, to share a meal, good fellowship, and celebrate 4-H members.A committee puts together the theme and decides on the meal. They did a great job this year to Level Up with 4-H, a video game themed event! One of the families provided roasters of soup while another took care of the desserts! It was a great way to begin the evening.One of the hallmarks of 4-H is the focus on communication skills and leadership, and both were on display as 4-H Council officers Melody Braddy, Kassie Linsner, Ailey Williams, and Jonas Kern served as our emcees for the evening.Each 4-H club has an opportunity to share about events they participated in and to showcase the awards for their club members. It is so much fun to see each club gather with their project awards for a group photo!In addition, there are a few special awards presented. The Key Award is for 4-H members who have demonstrated outstanding contributions in leadership, citizenship, community service, demonstrations, judging and the holding of club and county offices. In short, it recognizes 4-H members who have lived up to the high ideals expressed by the 4-H Club Pledge. Jonas Kern received his Key Award as a 10-year member of the Ellinwood Energizers and is involved in a wide variety of project areas. In particular, he was recognized at the 2024 Emerald Circle banquet, held during Discovery Days, for having the Kansas 4-H Wildlife Project Record. He is a member of the Cottonwood 4-H2O Ambassadors and presents water educational information to a wide variety of audiences. He is an active member of Junior Leaders, 4-H Ambassadors, and the 4-H Livestock Committee and has held numerous offices in all of these organizations. He is a gracious leader who is willing to listen but keep the decision-making process moving forward.The “I Dare You” Leadership award was first offered in 1941 by the late Williams H. Danforth, founder of the Ralston Purina company in St. Louis. He challenged young people to achieve their highest potential and to influence others through lives of service. The award inspired the book, “I Dare You” written by Danforth in which he encourages a balanced life of mental, physical, social, and spiritual development as the backbone of leadership. Ailey Williams, the first recipient holds multiple leadership roles in her club, Junior Leaders, and 4-H Council. In addition, she always shows up with a smile and a “can do” attitude for any task. Melody Braddy, the second recipient, also holds multiple leadership roles across our county and is a candidate for the Kansas Youth Leadership Council this year. Her creative spark is visible in many activities and projects. Both of these young women are incredibly involved in school activities in addition to 4-H yet show up and LEAD activities! I was particularly pleased to see their commitment and engagement the last couple of years as the Visual Arts superintendents. They had a short and sharp learning curve the first year but have gained much experience in the last two years!Our final special awards are the Friends of 4-H. The first was presented to Shane and Hayley Dicks for their many years as Busy Buzzers club leaders and advisers for the 4-H Livestock Committee and 4-H Ambassadors. The second was presented to the family of the late Frank Ochs who was a 4-H champion and cheerleader to many 4-H families. His smile and jokes in the barn will be greatly missed but we look forward to many years of involvement by his family.Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness.Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth Development resources, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton Office at 620-793-1910.

BERAN: Celebrating achievements

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A woman accused in connection with a shooting on Halloween that left a 13-year-old boy dead made her first court appearance on Friday.

Carrice&nbsp; Profit, 19, was charged with 1st&nbsp;degree murder and criminal discharge of a firearm, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. Police arrested her November 6.

&nbsp;Jermall Campbell, 19, identified as Profit’s cousin, has been charged with Felony Murder, Aggravated Battery, and multiple counts of Aggravated Assault in connection to the homicide. Campbell remains at large, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.Campbell is considered armed and dangerous.

Just after 10:30p.m. October 31, police responded to a report of gunfire at the QuikTrip located at Central and Oliver in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

Officers discovered evidence of a shooting and the convenience store. Simultaneously, a walk-in report was received from a local hospital indicating that a private vehicle had transported victims of this incident for treatment.

The victims included a 15-year-old boy from Wichita, who suffered a gunshot wound to the leg, and a 13-year-old boy who sustained a fatal gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival at the hospital.

Initial investigations reveal that a disturbance occurred in the QuikTrip parking lot, leading to the suspect firing at a crowd, which tragically resulted in injuries to the two victims.

Profit is being held on a bond of $350,000. Her next court appearance is November 25, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1730979564649.png" alt="Profit photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Profit photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A woman accused in connection with a shooting on Halloween that left a 13-year-old boy dead made her first court appearance on Friday.Carrice&nbsp; Profit, 19, was charged with 1st&nbsp;degree murder and criminal discharge of a firearm, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. Police arrested her November 6.&nbsp;Jermall Campbell, 19, identified as Profit’s cousin, has been charged with Felony Murder, Aggravated Battery, and multiple counts of Aggravated Assault in connection to the homicide. Campbell remains at large, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.Campbell is considered armed and dangerous.Just after 10:30p.m. October 31, police responded to a report of gunfire at the QuikTrip located at Central and Oliver in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1730455429350.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation on Halloween -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation on Halloween -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>Officers discovered evidence of a shooting and the convenience store. Simultaneously, a walk-in report was received from a local hospital indicating that a private vehicle had transported victims of this incident for treatment.The victims included a 15-year-old boy from Wichita, who suffered a gunshot wound to the leg, and a 13-year-old boy who sustained a fatal gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival at the hospital.Initial investigations reveal that a disturbance occurred in the QuikTrip parking lot, leading to the suspect firing at a crowd, which tragically resulted in injuries to the two victims.Profit is being held on a bond of $350,000. Her next court appearance is November 25, according to the district attorney's office.

Kansas woman charged in Halloween killing of 13-year-old

Troy Porter, born April 9, 1948, in Atwood,
Kansas, passed away on October 27, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of love,
laughter, and community spirit. He is survived by his devoted wife, Teresa
Porter, and their cherished children: Wade (spouse Brenda, grandchildren Paige
Porter and Gage Porter) and Mindy (spouse Aaron, grandchildren Mia and Cody
Marks, Gator Young, and Crew Young). Troy also leaves behind his brothers
Gerald Porter (wife Phyllis), Royce Porter (wife Anita), Merlin Porter (wife
Brenda), and sister Rhonda Laufer (husband Brian), along with brothers-in-law
Dr. Randy Cook (wife Karen) and Dr. Kelly Cook (wife Holly). Troy was a beloved
uncle to many nieces and nephews. His love for his family was evident; he not
only spoiled them but also enjoyed being the prankster, filling their lives
with joy and laughter.

Troy was the son of Russell and Bernita Porter,
and his vibrant spirit shone from a young age. A gifted athlete, he excelled in
high school and college sports, earning a degree from Fort Hays State
University where he ran track and played football. As a proud member of the
Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity, he formed lifelong bonds with his brothers and
loved sharing stories of his athletic feats.

In 1969, Troy married the love of his life, Teresa
Cook. The couple settled in St. Francis, Kansas, where Troy worked at Great
Western Tire, eventually purchasing the business and running it for many years.
His passion for landscaping soon became his lifetime dream, allowing him to
transform numerous projects into beautiful works of art.

Troy was an active member of the community,
contributing to organizations such as the Cheyenne County Wildlife, Ducks
Unlimited, and the Chamber of Commerce. He held a special place in his heart
for the ISIS Shrine Temple and Masons, where he proudly received his 50-year
pin. His service as the Associate Guardian for the Job’s Daughters of St.
Francis exemplified his commitment to nurturing future generations.

A passionate supporter of St. Francis High School,
Troy was a familiar face at Friday night football games, where he delighted in
setting off the cannon after touchdowns and blowing up hundreds of giant
balloons for the crowd to release as the team ran onto the field. His
involvement in community theater, encouraged by Teresa, revealed another side
of his creativity, with his favorite role as the waiter in "Hello
Dolly," where his beautiful singing voice brought smiles to the faces of
many.

Troy's greatest joy came from hunting and fishing
with his son and grandsons at his cabin, “Grizzly Flats.” Many of his and his
son's hunting trophies are proudly displayed on the walls, and countless hours
were spent making it a true haven. From elk to ducks and everything in between,
he pursued all types of game, sharing adventures filled with laughter and
camaraderie. Though the elusive sandhill crane always eluded him, the memories
made during these adventures were priceless.

A celebration of life will be held at Fresh Seven
in St. Francis, Kansas, on January 4th, 2025, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. Memorials
will be made to the St. Francis Swimming Pool Landscaping Fund in honor of
Troy's many hours devoted to the swimming pool project. Please send any
memorials to Troy Porter Memorial Fund C/O Bankwest PO Box St. Francis Kansas
67756.

Troy Porter's spirit will live on in the hearts of
all who knew him. He will be remembered for his storytelling, his laughter, and
his deep love for family and community. He will be greatly missed but forever
cherished.

Troy Porter, born April 9, 1948, in Atwood,
Kansas, passed away on October 27, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of love,
laughter, and community spirit. He is survived by his devoted wife, Teresa
Porter, and their cherished children: Wade (spouse Brenda, grandchildren Paige
Porter and Gage Porter) and Mindy (spouse Aaron, grandchildren Mia and Cody
Marks, Gator Young, and Crew Young). Troy also leaves behind his brothers
Gerald Porter (wife Phyllis), Royce Porter (wife Anita), Merlin Porter (wife
Brenda), and sister Rhonda Laufer (husband Brian), along with brothers-in-law
Dr. Randy Cook (wife Karen) and Dr. Kelly Cook (wife Holly). Troy was a beloved
uncle to many nieces and nephews. His love for his family was evident; he not
only spoiled them but also enjoyed being the prankster, filling their lives
with joy and laughter.Troy was the son of Russell and Bernita Porter,
and his vibrant spirit shone from a young age. A gifted athlete, he excelled in
high school and college sports, earning a degree from Fort Hays State
University where he ran track and played football. As a proud member of the
Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity, he formed lifelong bonds with his brothers and
loved sharing stories of his athletic feats.In 1969, Troy married the love of his life, Teresa
Cook. The couple settled in St. Francis, Kansas, where Troy worked at Great
Western Tire, eventually purchasing the business and running it for many years.
His passion for landscaping soon became his lifetime dream, allowing him to
transform numerous projects into beautiful works of art.Troy was an active member of the community,
contributing to organizations such as the Cheyenne County Wildlife, Ducks
Unlimited, and the Chamber of Commerce. He held a special place in his heart
for the ISIS Shrine Temple and Masons, where he proudly received his 50-year
pin. His service as the Associate Guardian for the Job’s Daughters of St.
Francis exemplified his commitment to nurturing future generations.A passionate supporter of St. Francis High School,
Troy was a familiar face at Friday night football games, where he delighted in
setting off the cannon after touchdowns and blowing up hundreds of giant
balloons for the crowd to release as the team ran onto the field. His
involvement in community theater, encouraged by Teresa, revealed another side
of his creativity, with his favorite role as the waiter in "Hello
Dolly," where his beautiful singing voice brought smiles to the faces of
many.Troy's greatest joy came from hunting and fishing
with his son and grandsons at his cabin, “Grizzly Flats.” Many of his and his
son's hunting trophies are proudly displayed on the walls, and countless hours
were spent making it a true haven. From elk to ducks and everything in between,
he pursued all types of game, sharing adventures filled with laughter and
camaraderie. Though the elusive sandhill crane always eluded him, the memories
made during these adventures were priceless.A celebration of life will be held at Fresh Seven
in St. Francis, Kansas, on January 4th, 2025, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. Memorials
will be made to the St. Francis Swimming Pool Landscaping Fund in honor of
Troy's many hours devoted to the swimming pool project. Please send any
memorials to Troy Porter Memorial Fund C/O Bankwest PO Box St. Francis Kansas
67756.Troy Porter's spirit will live on in the hearts of
all who knew him. He will be remembered for his storytelling, his laughter, and
his deep love for family and community. He will be greatly missed but forever
cherished.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731450324960.jpeg" alt="Mr. Porter" />
 <figcaption>Mr. Porter</figcaption>
 </figure>

Troy Porter

Editor's note: Corrected 12 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Recent economic data from the Docking Institute of Public Affairs showed that Ellis County had the highest poverty rate in the region at 18%.

Another 23% were classified as Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, or ALICE. These households are above the federal poverty level but cannot afford the basic cost of living in their county. They do not qualify for public assistance.

Combined, that equals 41% or more than 4 out of 10 Ellis County residents who are struggling financially.

Erica Berges, director of the <a href="https://www.liveunited.us/">United Way of Ellis County</a>, said the ALICE families are employed, sometimes working multiple jobs, but are not making enough to make ends meet.&nbsp;

The median household income for Ellis County is $59,665. According to the data from United for ALICE, the survival budget for a family with two adults and two children, with the children in child care, is $67,164. That works out to be $33.58 per hour or $16.79 per hour for each adult, with both adults working full time.&nbsp;

The Kansas minimum wage is $7.25 for non-tipped employees.

Hays is a retail hub, and many of those jobs do not pay high wages. Even entry-level positions in education and health care often do not pay high enough wages to meet a survival budget.

Forty-six percent of households with workers who are nursing assistants and 42% of households who are teaching assistants are ALICE households.

“It’s pretty easy to comment, ‘Oh, they just need to go find a higher paying job,’” Bergers said. “If you don’t have a college degree, your options are limited. You want to better yourself and get a college degree, but how are you going to afford that? How are you going to find time to do that if you’re working multiple jobs to make ends meet.”

The population with the highest percentage of households in poverty or under the ALICE threshold are single mothers at 73%.

The next most affected group is households headed by someone 25 and younger. Sixty-nine percent of those households are affected. Students might work retail or food services jobs to accommodate their school schedules, but those are typically lower-paying jobs.

The third most affected group is senior citizens, with 48% of households affected.

Although Social Security lifts many of these households above the federal poverty level, they still don’t have enough income to satisfy a survival budget.

Berges also said some of the figures used in the Docking study seemed low, including $458 per month for rent.&nbsp;

Apartments.com listed the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Hays as $611. Zillow listed the median rent at $800.

Berges said some of the housing in Hays is liveable, but the apartments and homes are not in the best shape.

Hays does not have a rental inspection program, although it has been discussed in years past.

Macey Pfeifer, director of First Call for Help, said her agency has seen increased demand for housing assistance. First Call for Help also recently received a grant from Union Pacific to help people with deposits and the first month’s rent. She said demand for that assistance has also been high.

First Call for Help also provides utility assistance, and Pfeifer said demand also increased in October. She said there was an increase in utility shutoffs before Midwest Energy initiated its Cold Weather Rule, which prohibits utility disconnection during the winter.&nbsp;

Pfeifer said requests for assistance usually increase again in the spring, with some people owing $1,000 or more.

First Call for Help has a client whose utilities have been shut off for more than a year, Pfeifer said. She’s been using a garden hose from a neighbor.

“Everything adds up, and the money doesn’t go very far,” Pfeifer said.

Pfeifer said she thought the increase in assistance has been driven largely by inflation.

“The hourly wage people are receiving is not reflecting the increases they see around them,” she said. “Normal places do a 3% increase, but with everything going up way more than 3%, it’s hard.”

During a recent city commission meeting, Hays City Commissioner Reese Barrick urged local businesses to increase their wages.

“The reality is it would take to get all of Hays outside of poverty and not always struggling week to week and month to month, would people with jobs making $25 an hour,” he said.

He added, “We wouldn’t have to have all of these [nonprofit] organizations if we were able to pay people enough so they were outside of the risk zone every month. …

“If we want a community where everyone can participate and put money back into the community by shopping everywhere, then we have to pay people enough so they can participate. We can take care of the poverty level. It’s really a wage thing.”

The most recent available data is from 2022, prior to record-setting inflation driving up costs, especially food costs.

According to the USDA, food prices have increased about 7.3% since 2022.&nbsp;

"Look at the budget," Berges said. "They are paying $1,300. That's probably three meals a day. They're cutting out a meal. They have to cut that expense. With transportation, they might own two carts. They need to probably sell one.

"Those are the decisions those families are probably having to make."

Hays has public transportation through the ACCESS program. However, there is no fixed route for that service, which makes it difficult for workers to rely on it to travel back and forth to work, she said.

Berges said a working adult may be one flat tire or car breakdown away from a crisis.&nbsp;If they can't get to work, they can get fired, Berges said.&nbsp;

United Way of Kansas is trying to lobby the legislature on behalf of the ALICE households to bring more state resources to bear.

"People in poverty, they have more access to federal and state resources—food stamps, SNAP, WIC, Section 8," she said. "The poverty level for two adults and two children is $31,000, so if you make just slightly over, you don't qualify for any of that, yet you still need this help."

Berges said some of the United Way partner agencies help families who are above the poverty line, but they can only do so much with their limited funds, she said.

"It's really those ALICE households who are feeling the pinch because the poverty line has not changed, yet the cost of everything is going up," she said.&nbsp;

United Way receives many calls for rent and utility assistance. Although United Way doesn't offer direct assistance, it refers people to agencies that do.

"People always need a place to stay, and obviously, they always need heat or water or electricity," she said. "Whereas the food, maybe they can get by."

"One thing with this community is that there are still gaps, but there are good resources in food pantries," Berges said.

She said a need that is not being met is health care, including dental. United Way of Kansas is advocating for Medicaid expansion in its United for Alice campaign.

"If you don't get health care, that can snowball into something bigger, and that can affect the hospital and the clinics," Berges said.

Berges said she hopes the data opens some community members' eyes.

"A lot of people who I work with, I don't think we can relate unless we know someone personally who is going through something like that. You take that for granted," Berges said.

Anyone needing assistance can call 211 to access United Way’s statewide referral system. They can also download the United Ways Ellis County Community Resources Directory app on Apple or Android devices or <a href="https://elliscountykshelp.com/">CLICK HERE.</a>

You can contact First Call for Help at&nbsp;785-623-2800&nbsp;or visit its office from 8 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at 607 E. 13th St., Hays.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731001805145.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Editor's note: Corrected 12 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11.By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostRecent economic data from the Docking Institute of Public Affairs showed that Ellis County had the highest poverty rate in the region at 18%.Another 23% were classified as Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, or ALICE. These households are above the federal poverty level but cannot afford the basic cost of living in their county. They do not qualify for public assistance.Combined, that equals 41% or more than 4 out of 10 Ellis County residents who are struggling financially.Erica Berges, director of the <a href="https://www.liveunited.us/">United Way of Ellis County</a>, said the ALICE families are employed, sometimes working multiple jobs, but are not making enough to make ends meet.&nbsp;The median household income for Ellis County is $59,665. According to the data from United for ALICE, the survival budget for a family with two adults and two children, with the children in child care, is $67,164. That works out to be $33.58 per hour or $16.79 per hour for each adult, with both adults working full time.&nbsp;The Kansas minimum wage is $7.25 for non-tipped employees.Hays is a retail hub, and many of those jobs do not pay high wages. Even entry-level positions in education and health care often do not pay high enough wages to meet a survival budget.Forty-six percent of households with workers who are nursing assistants and 42% of households who are teaching assistants are ALICE households.“It’s pretty easy to comment, ‘Oh, they just need to go find a higher paying job,’” Bergers said. “If you don’t have a college degree, your options are limited. You want to better yourself and get a college degree, but how are you going to afford that? How are you going to find time to do that if you’re working multiple jobs to make ends meet.”The population with the highest percentage of households in poverty or under the ALICE threshold are single mothers at 73%.The next most affected group is households headed by someone 25 and younger. Sixty-nine percent of those households are affected. Students might work retail or food services jobs to accommodate their school schedules, but those are typically lower-paying jobs.The third most affected group is senior citizens, with 48% of households affected.Although Social Security lifts many of these households above the federal poverty level, they still don’t have enough income to satisfy a survival budget.Berges also said some of the figures used in the Docking study seemed low, including $458 per month for rent.&nbsp;Apartments.com listed the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Hays as $611. Zillow listed the median rent at $800.Berges said some of the housing in Hays is liveable, but the apartments and homes are not in the best shape.Hays does not have a rental inspection program, although it has been discussed in years past.Macey Pfeifer, director of First Call for Help, said her agency has seen increased demand for housing assistance. First Call for Help also recently received a grant from Union Pacific to help people with deposits and the first month’s rent. She said demand for that assistance has also been high.First Call for Help also provides utility assistance, and Pfeifer said demand also increased in October. She said there was an increase in utility shutoffs before Midwest Energy initiated its Cold Weather Rule, which prohibits utility disconnection during the winter.&nbsp;Pfeifer said requests for assistance usually increase again in the spring, with some people owing $1,000 or more.First Call for Help has a client whose utilities have been shut off for more than a year, Pfeifer said. She’s been using a garden hose from a neighbor.“Everything adds up, and the money doesn’t go very far,” Pfeifer said.Pfeifer said she thought the increase in assistance has been driven largely by inflation.“The hourly wage people are receiving is not reflecting the increases they see around them,” she said. “Normal places do a 3% increase, but with everything going up way more than 3%, it’s hard.”During a recent city commission meeting, Hays City Commissioner Reese Barrick urged local businesses to increase their wages.“The reality is it would take to get all of Hays outside of poverty and not always struggling week to week and month to month, would people with jobs making $25 an hour,” he said.He added, “We wouldn’t have to have all of these [nonprofit] organizations if we were able to pay people enough so they were outside of the risk zone every month. …“If we want a community where everyone can participate and put money back into the community by shopping everywhere, then we have to pay people enough so they can participate. We can take care of the poverty level. It’s really a wage thing.”The most recent available data is from 2022, prior to record-setting inflation driving up costs, especially food costs.According to the USDA, food prices have increased about 7.3% since 2022.&nbsp;"Look at the budget," Berges said. "They are paying $1,300. That's probably three meals a day. They're cutting out a meal. They have to cut that expense. With transportation, they might own two carts. They need to probably sell one."Those are the decisions those families are probably having to make."Hays has public transportation through the ACCESS program. However, there is no fixed route for that service, which makes it difficult for workers to rely on it to travel back and forth to work, she said.Berges said a working adult may be one flat tire or car breakdown away from a crisis.&nbsp;If they can't get to work, they can get fired, Berges said.&nbsp;United Way of Kansas is trying to lobby the legislature on behalf of the ALICE households to bring more state resources to bear."People in poverty, they have more access to federal and state resources—food stamps, SNAP, WIC, Section 8," she said. "The poverty level for two adults and two children is $31,000, so if you make just slightly over, you don't qualify for any of that, yet you still need this help."Berges said some of the United Way partner agencies help families who are above the poverty line, but they can only do so much with their limited funds, she said."It's really those ALICE households who are feeling the pinch because the poverty line has not changed, yet the cost of everything is going up," she said.&nbsp;United Way receives many calls for rent and utility assistance. Although United Way doesn't offer direct assistance, it refers people to agencies that do."People always need a place to stay, and obviously, they always need heat or water or electricity," she said. "Whereas the food, maybe they can get by.""One thing with this community is that there are still gaps, but there are good resources in food pantries," Berges said.She said a need that is not being met is health care, including dental. United Way of Kansas is advocating for Medicaid expansion in its United for Alice campaign."If you don't get health care, that can snowball into something bigger, and that can affect the hospital and the clinics," Berges said.Berges said she hopes the data opens some community members' eyes."A lot of people who I work with, I don't think we can relate unless we know someone personally who is going through something like that. You take that for granted," Berges said.Anyone needing assistance can call 211 to access United Way’s statewide referral system. They can also download the United Ways Ellis County Community Resources Directory app on Apple or Android devices or <a href="https://elliscountykshelp.com/">CLICK HERE.</a>You can contact First Call for Help at&nbsp;785-623-2800&nbsp;or visit its office from 8 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at 607 E. 13th St., Hays.

Ellis County reports highest poverty rate in region

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

The agenda for Thursday's Hays City Commission work session was short, and each of the three discussion items involved new developments in the city.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731099505711.png" alt="Existing housing complex owned by DP Management in Norfolk, Nebraska, that is similar to the proposed Victory Village to be built in Hays.&nbsp; Courtesy image&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Existing housing complex owned by DP Management in Norfolk, Nebraska, that is similar to the proposed Victory Village to be built in Hays.&nbsp; Courtesy image&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostThe agenda for Thursday's Hays City Commission work session was short, and each of the three discussion items involved new developments in the city."This is one of the most exciting agendas we've had in a while," said Alaina Cunningham, commissioner. "So many growth projects."A partnership between DP Management Commercial Real Estate Services and RMDX Development, Omaha, Nebraska, proposes building a multi-family housing project with 136 apartment units. It would be located at the southeast corner of Wheatland Avenue and East 22nd St., just east of the Bright Minds Academy child care facility.The apartment complex will cost $22 million for phase one, and $9.8 million for phase two.The proposed "Victory Village" would include 48 market-rate units and 88 low-income units.Brian Reilly, president of DP Management, said the company will apply for $650,000 in moderate-income housing grant funding from the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation and is asking the city for a resolution of support.The developer is also partnering with Ellis County to submit an application for the low-income housing tax credits program.&nbsp;DP Management already has a presence in Hays. Big Creek Crossing, 2918 Vine, is managed by DP Management as a third-party project on behalf of the owner.&nbsp;&nbsp;"We want to do this [housing] project independently. That's what brought us here today. We believe there's a strong need for this housing and feel we can execute it very well," Reilly said.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731099775395.jpeg" alt="Brian Reilly, president, DP Management Commercial Real Estate Services, Omaha, talks to the Hays city commission about constructing a large multi-family apartment complex in east Hays. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Brian Reilly, president, DP Management Commercial Real Estate Services, Omaha, talks to the Hays city commission about constructing a large multi-family apartment complex in east Hays. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>DP Management Commercial Real Estate Services has completed similar housing projects in Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney, Norfolk and North Platte, Nebraska.&nbsp;Reilly said construction could start in October 2025 if the project is successful.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728058506970.png" alt="CERVS, 3701 Vine. Courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>CERVS, 3701 Vine. Courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Jarrod Kuckelman, Hays management analyst, updated the CERVS project to build a new convenience store and Phillips 66 gas station at its 3701 Vine Street facility.CERVS wants to establish a 1.5% community improvement district (CID) sales tax on the site. The developer estimates the tax will generate about $895,000 over the maximum 22-year term of the CID.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731101447674.png" alt="CERVS' eligible expenses in a proposed community improvement district for a new facility at 3701 Vine.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>CERVS' eligible expenses in a proposed community improvement district for a new facility at 3701 Vine.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>City staff recommends that the ordinance establishing the CID, passing the sales tax, and approving the development agreement be approved.&nbsp;A design-build agreement for remodeling the Astra Bank building, 1100 Fort, into the new Hays police and municipal court facility was presented by Collin Bielser, deputy city manager.The city has been sharing space since 1976 with the Ellis County Law Enforcement Center at 105 W. 12th."This process has involved many phases and is near ready for preliminary design to begin for the renovation," Bielser said.City staff recommends the governing body proceed with the proposal submitted by PWC, Inc., Hays.PWC has submitted a lump sum fee of $182,000 to complete Phase 1 services. This will provide 30% design plans for the renovation and establish a guaranteed maximum price for the project. The project will be funded by general obligation temporary notes issued in October.The commission moved to add the three agenda items for a vote at their Nov. 14 meeting.Commissioner Reese Barrick was absent from the meeting.&nbsp;