Marvel Schaadt, age 97, passed away on Sunday, September 24, 2023 at the Parkview Care Center in Osborne, KS.

Marvel LeVeta Hurlburt Cameron Schaadt was born to Jerry and Vesta (Roach) Hurlburt March 2, 1926 and went to be with her Lord September 24, 2023. Her first name was established by the first words her mother said at her birth, "Oh what a marvel," as they had hoped for a child for so long. As an only child, she was overwhelmed with joy to get an adopted brother in 1934, Neil Hurlburt. This completed the family she and her parents had so longed for.

On May 14, 1944 Marvel married Donald Cameron and to this union three sons were born, Jerrilyn, Rodney and Kyle.

Marvel was a devoted wife, mother, home maker and farm wife. Later in life they divorced and Marvel remarried a long time friend Carl Schaadt. They divided their time living between two homes, one in Kansas and in Ohio. This union combined two families for her to love and be thankful for. 

Most of all she never lost focus of her strong faith in and devotion to her Lord and savior. She gave many hours to serving her church family in any way she could, as a Sunday school teacher, Bible school sponsor, or in any capacity she could. Marvel never put herself ahead of others.

Marvel was preceded in death by her parents, brother Neil and husband Carl and one stepdaughter.

Survivors include Jerrilyn and BJ Cameron of Hays, Rodney and Sandy Cameron, Kyle Cameron and special friend Kelli, all of Portis, KS; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; four stepchildren and families in Ohio and two stepgrandchildren and families in Hays and Ellis, KS.

Marvel touched many lives and will be greatly missed by all.

To send flowers to the family of Marvel, please&nbsp;<a href="http://clarkgashaw-mortuary.tributestore.com/?oId=29219964&amp;tag=&amp;source=tco_description&amp;_cdx=GA1.2.837611060.1682956848:GS1.1.1695908904.66.0.1695908912.52.0.0&amp;mtph=1">visit our floral store.</a>

<h2>Marvel Schaadt</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695908978224.png" alt="Marvel Schaadt" />
 <figcaption>Marvel Schaadt</figcaption>
 </figure>March 2, 1926 - September 24, 2023Marvel Schaadt, age 97, passed away on Sunday, September 24, 2023 at the Parkview Care Center in Osborne, KS.Marvel LeVeta Hurlburt Cameron Schaadt was born to Jerry and Vesta (Roach) Hurlburt March 2, 1926 and went to be with her Lord September 24, 2023. Her first name was established by the first words her mother said at her birth, "Oh what a marvel," as they had hoped for a child for so long. As an only child, she was overwhelmed with joy to get an adopted brother in 1934, Neil Hurlburt. This completed the family she and her parents had so longed for.On May 14, 1944 Marvel married Donald Cameron and to this union three sons were born, Jerrilyn, Rodney and Kyle.Marvel was a devoted wife, mother, home maker and farm wife. Later in life they divorced and Marvel remarried a long time friend Carl Schaadt. They divided their time living between two homes, one in Kansas and in Ohio. This union combined two families for her to love and be thankful for. Most of all she never lost focus of her strong faith in and devotion to her Lord and savior. She gave many hours to serving her church family in any way she could, as a Sunday school teacher, Bible school sponsor, or in any capacity she could. Marvel never put herself ahead of others.Marvel was preceded in death by her parents, brother Neil and husband Carl and one stepdaughter.Survivors include Jerrilyn and BJ Cameron of Hays, Rodney and Sandy Cameron, Kyle Cameron and special friend Kelli, all of Portis, KS; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; four stepchildren and families in Ohio and two stepgrandchildren and families in Hays and Ellis, KS.Marvel touched many lives and will be greatly missed by all.To send flowers to the family of Marvel, please&nbsp;<a href="http://clarkgashaw-mortuary.tributestore.com/?oId=29219964&amp;tag=&amp;source=tco_description&amp;_cdx=GA1.2.837611060.1682956848:GS1.1.1695908904.66.0.1695908912.52.0.0&amp;mtph=1">visit our floral store.</a>

Marvel Schaadt

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

The U.S. Census Bureau recently released its&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNlbnN1cy5nb3YvcHJvZ3JhbXMtc3VydmV5cy9hY3MvbmV3cy9kYXRhLXJlbGVhc2VzLzIwMjIvcmVsZWFzZS5odG1sI29uZXllYXIiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjMwOTIxLjgyOTU5ODMxIn0.z1aMR8a_3sVEFlg--K2BepgDDrI1guZ945uwDf3iyHA/s/1303161001/br/226596011466-l" target="_blank">American Community Survey one-year estimates</a>, indicating nearly 250,000 Kansans lack health insurance.

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is determined to change that, despite the wall of opposition she's been up against, fronted by Republican leadership in the Kansas legislature.

The survey reflects data collected in 2022 to assess health insurance coverage rates across Kansas and the United States.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Kansas is one of just ten states that has not taken advantage of expansion. It is surrounded by states that have done so.

"That makes a lot of difference in where people are going to set up shop. Just getting affordable healthcare into the hands of working Kansans is incredibly important," Kelly said in a telephone interview with Hays Post. "But it's also what it will do for our economy, particularly in our rural communities.

"It's estimated it would create about 23,000 jobs if we were to expand Medicaid. It would bring millions, if not billions, of dollars back into the state."&nbsp;

By law, 90% of the costs to expand Medicaid would be funded by the federal government with the state providing 10% of funds to match.

"We've had 10 years now of opportunity to expand Medicaid, and in that time, we have left over $6.5 billion back in Washington, D.C., money paid in by Kansas taxpayers. That money is supposed to come back to Kansas. Instead, it's going to all the other different states that have expanded it.&nbsp;

"We're shooting ourselves in our foot by not getting this money back into our state," the governor said.

Kelly also referenced the worker shortage in Kansas. "By expanding Medicaid, you ensure that you'll have more healthy people who can work."

She said it would also save rural hospitals, which hugely influence the economy of many small western Kansas towns.&nbsp;

"We know that Medicaid expansion can sometimes make the difference between staying open and having to close.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"We've had six or seven hospitals close in our rural areas close since Medicaid expansion became an option. And about 50% of our hospitals right now are really close and just hanging on.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"We know from many, many visits to different hospitals that the one, or two, or three million dollars that Medicaid expansion would bring into those hospitals would make a world of difference in their ability to operate."&nbsp;

"If you're a physician, are you going to set up an office or clinic in a state that doesn't pay for Medicaid patients? Or are you just going to see them for nothing? I doubt it, not when you can go across the border and get reimbursed for that kind of stuff."

Kelly, a longtime supporter of Medicaid expansion dating back to when she was a state senator, said it would reduce costs for every Kansan.

On Wednesday, the governor announced that <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/e18ec6bc-ec69-423e-b373-969360e19ee1">expanding Medicaid, known as KanCare, is her top priority</a> for the upcoming 2024 legislative session.

This fall, she will make stops around the state to hear from Kansans how Medicaid expansion would directly impact them.

"We've estimated around 75% of the people who don't have health insurance are working, but they're working in jobs like fast foods or a child care center or a nursing home, places where they work hourly and they don't have benefits.&nbsp;

"A lot of the people who would be covered by Medicare expansion are already working; in fact, most of them are.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Those who are not working could be for reasons such as they're taking care of an elderly parent or young child. They may have mental health issues.

"There will always be people who are not able to work who would benefit from Medicaid expansion," Kelly said, "but the vast majority are already working and don't have insurance."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695239791031.jpeg" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly, R-KS, announced Wednesday in Winfield&nbsp; at William Newton Hospital that expanding Medicaid is her number one priority in the upcoming legislative session. Photo courtesy Gov. Kelly's office." />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly, R-KS, announced Wednesday in Winfield&nbsp; at William Newton Hospital that expanding Medicaid is her number one priority in the upcoming legislative session. Photo courtesy Gov. Kelly's office.</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostThe U.S. Census Bureau recently released its&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNlbnN1cy5nb3YvcHJvZ3JhbXMtc3VydmV5cy9hY3MvbmV3cy9kYXRhLXJlbGVhc2VzLzIwMjIvcmVsZWFzZS5odG1sI29uZXllYXIiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjMwOTIxLjgyOTU5ODMxIn0.z1aMR8a_3sVEFlg--K2BepgDDrI1guZ945uwDf3iyHA/s/1303161001/br/226596011466-l" target="_blank">American Community Survey one-year estimates</a>, indicating nearly 250,000 Kansans lack health insurance. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is determined to change that, despite the wall of opposition she's been up against, fronted by Republican leadership in the Kansas legislature.The survey reflects data collected in 2022 to assess health insurance coverage rates across Kansas and the United States.&nbsp; &nbsp;Kansas is one of just ten states that has not taken advantage of expansion. It is surrounded by states that have done so."That makes a lot of difference in where people are going to set up shop. Just getting affordable healthcare into the hands of working Kansans is incredibly important," Kelly said in a telephone interview with Hays Post. "But it's also what it will do for our economy, particularly in our rural communities."It's estimated it would create about 23,000 jobs if we were to expand Medicaid. It would bring millions, if not billions, of dollars back into the state."&nbsp;By law, 90% of the costs to expand Medicaid would be funded by the federal government with the state providing 10% of funds to match."We've had 10 years now of opportunity to expand Medicaid, and in that time, we have left over $6.5 billion back in Washington, D.C., money paid in by Kansas taxpayers. That money is supposed to come back to Kansas. Instead, it's going to all the other different states that have expanded it.&nbsp;"We're shooting ourselves in our foot by not getting this money back into our state," the governor said.Kelly also referenced the worker shortage in Kansas. "By expanding Medicaid, you ensure that you'll have more healthy people who can work."She said it would also save rural hospitals, which hugely influence the economy of many small western Kansas towns.&nbsp; "We know that Medicaid expansion can sometimes make the difference between staying open and having to close.&nbsp;&nbsp;"We've had six or seven hospitals close in our rural areas close since Medicaid expansion became an option. And about 50% of our hospitals right now are really close and just hanging on.&nbsp;&nbsp;"We know from many, many visits to different hospitals that the one, or two, or three million dollars that Medicaid expansion would bring into those hospitals would make a world of difference in their ability to operate."&nbsp;"If you're a physician, are you going to set up an office or clinic in a state that doesn't pay for Medicaid patients? Or are you just going to see them for nothing? I doubt it, not when you can go across the border and get reimbursed for that kind of stuff."Kelly, a longtime supporter of Medicaid expansion dating back to when she was a state senator, said it would reduce costs for every Kansan.On Wednesday, the governor announced that <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/e18ec6bc-ec69-423e-b373-969360e19ee1">expanding Medicaid, known as KanCare, is her top priority</a> for the upcoming 2024 legislative session.This fall, she will make stops around the state to hear from Kansans how Medicaid expansion would directly impact them."We've estimated around 75% of the people who don't have health insurance are working, but they're working in jobs like fast foods or a child care center or a nursing home, places where they work hourly and they don't have benefits.&nbsp;"A lot of the people who would be covered by Medicare expansion are already working; in fact, most of them are.&nbsp;&nbsp;"Those who are not working could be for reasons such as they're taking care of an elderly parent or young child. They may have mental health issues."There will always be people who are not able to work who would benefit from Medicaid expansion," Kelly said, "but the vast majority are already working and don't have insurance."

Gov. Kelly: 'We're shooting ourselves in the foot' by not expanding Medicaid 

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Kayla Taylor was 33 weeks pregnant when she lost her son, Mason, two years ago in June 2021.

"We went to a scheduled ultrasound, and he didn't have a heartbeat," she said.

His umbilical cord had become knotted, and he died in utero. She said she had good support through the delivery of the baby, but no community support existed after she and her husband left the hospital.

She finally found comfort in an organization in Nebraska.

The lack of services in Western Kansas for grieving families inspired her to found Mason's Mourning Light Foundation, which assists families who face infertility or the loss of a child from conception through infancy.

"We support women who've had miscarriages, especially early miscarriages," she said. "A lot of time, people don't have any support. It's just a day off of work. It's something they have to completely internalize."

The group sends comfort packages to families. These items are hand-selected to meet the family's needs. If the child who died has older siblings, the basket will include age-appropriate care items for those children. The group also has a father-to-father support system.

Mason's Mourning Light will assist with the funding of memorial items. This could include a memory bear, a registered star in the child's name, an urn or a headstone.

Taylor and her husband had necklace charms made from Mason's footprints—something that Taylor continues to wear and cherish.

Taylor said as the group grows, she would like to be able to help families with medical bills and funeral expenses.

"So as you're working through this grief, you're not having all of these logistical things that make it harder," Taylor said.

The foundation does not offer grief support groups. The Center for Life Experience in Hays already has a grief support group for people who have lost children of all ages. She said she did not want to duplicate services that already existed.

Healing Hearts&nbsp;meets on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the&nbsp;Center for Life Experience, 103 C East 27th, Hays. You can learn about this group on the <a href="https://www.cflehope.org/">Center for Life Experience website</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CenterforLifeExperienceinc">Facebook page</a>.&nbsp;

Once you've lost a child, you are not as you were before, Taylor said.

"It's like you say goodbye to your life and start over," she said.&nbsp;

Taylor said she and her husband had good support from their friends and family as well as their employers, but she still felt lonely.

"It still felt like we were the only ones who had ever experienced this," she said. "That was one of my goals—to show people that, unfortunately, it is way more common. I wanted to help people through that."

About one in four families have lost a child, Taylor said.

"That number may seem really far even though it's a really big percentage," she said. "But when you put a name—a kid's name or a mom's name or a dad's name to that 1 in 4, you really do get that sense of community. You get that this is not just you or just them. It is everywhere."

She said she wanted people to have a place where they could talk about their children. When she went back to work, her co-workers who had children avoided her. They were afraid of hurting her.

Taylor has two other children, a 4-year-old and Mason's younger sibling, who just turned 1.

Her most recent pregnancy was filled with anxiety, especially when she had to have sonograms. If the baby wasn't moving, she was filled with dread that the baby had suffered the same fate as Mason. Knowing other families who have lost children helped her, she said.

Taylor and her family continue to memorialize Mason. On what would have been Mason's first birthday, her family made comfort boxes and donated them to HaysMed for families dealing with stillbirths.

"I don't think there is an amount of time that doesn't make it hard," she said. "I think if I was 90, it would still hurt."

Taylor offered advice for family and friends who may be offering comfort to a father or mother who is grieving the loss of a child.

She said actions speak louder than words.

"We got a lot of 'Let me know what you need,'" she said. "When you're grieving, you have no idea what you need. You just feel horrible."

She suggested talking about the child and helping the parents keep the child's memory alive.

"A nurse came in when I was in the hospital. I was looking at pictures of Mason. The funeral home had already taken him. She asked to look at baby pictures. That made such a huge difference because she cared about my baby," she said.

You can learn more about Mason's Mourning Light through its <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091628208016">Facebook page</a>. The foundation can also be reached by phone at 785-365-9380 or by email at&nbsp;masonsmourninglight@gmail.com.

A form to request a comfort package is pinned to the top of the foundation's Facebook page. The foundation will be serving all of western Kansas—anyone who lives west of Salina. You can request a package for yourself or someone else.

The foundation will have a Hays Chamber ribbon cutting at noon Oct. 12 at the Hays Welcome Center.

The organization will accept monetary donations or you can choose an item from its Amazon wish list for its comfort packages at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/7NNSZ4G2BVJR?ref_=wl_share" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/7NNSZ4G2BVJR?ref_=wl_share</a>.

The organization also will have a Bowling Bingo fundraiser from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at Centennial Lanes in Hays. The event will feature a silent auction, cash bar, prizes, a photo booth and bowling bingo contest.

Instead of a bingo number like B4, you might bowl with your left hand or bowl a split.

Individual tickets are $35. Corporate sponsors are $300.

Checks can be mailed to the foundation at 4320 Vine St., Unit 80, PMB 323,&nbsp; Hays, KS 67601.

"We want families to be able to live a happy, healthy life while still missing one of their kids or sometimes multiple kids," she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693944710623.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostKayla Taylor was 33 weeks pregnant when she lost her son, Mason, two years ago in June 2021."We went to a scheduled ultrasound, and he didn't have a heartbeat," she said.His umbilical cord had become knotted, and he died in utero. She said she had good support through the delivery of the baby, but no community support existed after she and her husband left the hospital.She finally found comfort in an organization in Nebraska.The lack of services in Western Kansas for grieving families inspired her to found Mason's Mourning Light Foundation, which assists families who face infertility or the loss of a child from conception through infancy."We support women who've had miscarriages, especially early miscarriages," she said. "A lot of time, people don't have any support. It's just a day off of work. It's something they have to completely internalize."The group sends comfort packages to families. These items are hand-selected to meet the family's needs. If the child who died has older siblings, the basket will include age-appropriate care items for those children. The group also has a father-to-father support system.Mason's Mourning Light will assist with the funding of memorial items. This could include a memory bear, a registered star in the child's name, an urn or a headstone.Taylor and her husband had necklace charms made from Mason's footprints—something that Taylor continues to wear and cherish.Taylor said as the group grows, she would like to be able to help families with medical bills and funeral expenses."So as you're working through this grief, you're not having all of these logistical things that make it harder," Taylor said.The foundation does not offer grief support groups. The Center for Life Experience in Hays already has a grief support group for people who have lost children of all ages. She said she did not want to duplicate services that already existed.Healing Hearts&nbsp;meets on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the&nbsp;Center for Life Experience, 103 C East 27th, Hays. You can learn about this group on the <a href="https://www.cflehope.org/">Center for Life Experience website</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CenterforLifeExperienceinc">Facebook page</a>.&nbsp;Once you've lost a child, you are not as you were before, Taylor said."It's like you say goodbye to your life and start over," she said.&nbsp;Taylor said she and her husband had good support from their friends and family as well as their employers, but she still felt lonely."It still felt like we were the only ones who had ever experienced this," she said. "That was one of my goals—to show people that, unfortunately, it is way more common. I wanted to help people through that."About one in four families have lost a child, Taylor said."That number may seem really far even though it's a really big percentage," she said. "But when you put a name—a kid's name or a mom's name or a dad's name to that 1 in 4, you really do get that sense of community. You get that this is not just you or just them. It is everywhere."She said she wanted people to have a place where they could talk about their children. When she went back to work, her co-workers who had children avoided her. They were afraid of hurting her.Taylor has two other children, a 4-year-old and Mason's younger sibling, who just turned 1.Her most recent pregnancy was filled with anxiety, especially when she had to have sonograms. If the baby wasn't moving, she was filled with dread that the baby had suffered the same fate as Mason. Knowing other families who have lost children helped her, she said.Taylor and her family continue to memorialize Mason. On what would have been Mason's first birthday, her family made comfort boxes and donated them to HaysMed for families dealing with stillbirths."I don't think there is an amount of time that doesn't make it hard," she said. "I think if I was 90, it would still hurt."Taylor offered advice for family and friends who may be offering comfort to a father or mother who is grieving the loss of a child.She said actions speak louder than words."We got a lot of 'Let me know what you need,'" she said. "When you're grieving, you have no idea what you need. You just feel horrible."She suggested talking about the child and helping the parents keep the child's memory alive."A nurse came in when I was in the hospital. I was looking at pictures of Mason. The funeral home had already taken him. She asked to look at baby pictures. That made such a huge difference because she cared about my baby," she said.You can learn more about Mason's Mourning Light through its <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091628208016">Facebook page</a>. The foundation can also be reached by phone at 785-365-9380 or by email at&nbsp;masonsmourninglight@gmail.com.A form to request a comfort package is pinned to the top of the foundation's Facebook page. The foundation will be serving all of western Kansas—anyone who lives west of Salina. You can request a package for yourself or someone else.The foundation will have a Hays Chamber ribbon cutting at noon Oct. 12 at the Hays Welcome Center.The organization will accept monetary donations or you can choose an item from its Amazon wish list for its comfort packages at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/7NNSZ4G2BVJR?ref_=wl_share" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/7NNSZ4G2BVJR?ref_=wl_share</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693944677573.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The organization also will have a Bowling Bingo fundraiser from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at Centennial Lanes in Hays. The event will feature a silent auction, cash bar, prizes, a photo booth and bowling bingo contest.Instead of a bingo number like B4, you might bowl with your left hand or bowl a split.Individual tickets are $35. Corporate sponsors are $300.Checks can be mailed to the foundation at 4320 Vine St., Unit 80, PMB 323,&nbsp; Hays, KS 67601."We want families to be able to live a happy, healthy life while still missing one of their kids or sometimes multiple kids," she said.Cover photo courtesy of Pixabay.

Western Kansas group seeks to offer comfort after miscarriages, death of babies

DODGE CITY—Despite significantly higher rates of suicide among rural residents, mental health resources in rural Kansas continue to be lacking, panelists in Dodge City said last week.

A panel sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, also known as NAMI, met in Dodge City to discuss the challenges of rural mental health.

People in rural areas are 64 to 68 percent more likely to die by suicide than people in urban areas, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

The panel was asked what they saw as challenges to providing mental health services in western Kansas.

Itzel Moya of NAMI Southwest Kansas grew up in a Spanish-speaking home and said Kansas has a lack of services and education materials in Spanish.

"We have more providers who speak Spanish compared to when I was growing up, but it could be better," she said.

A clergy member from Garden City said 45 languages are spoken in that community, and it's impossible to fully address all the needs of so many diverse cultures.

"There's not a culture of southwest Kansas. There's a multitude of cultures in southwest Kansas," he said.

Eric Van Allen of CareSource, a lifelong western Kansas resident, said he had concerns about social isolation. Young people, including his own children, experienced significant isolation during the pandemic.

"Farmers spend hours and hours on tractors in their own thoughts. They are represented in high suicide rates. Those are some of the challenges we face. I don’t think we have all of the solutions, and that's why I think this room is so powerful."

Brian Hastings, farmer/rancher and NAMI Kansas board member, said western Kansas service providers have to cover many miles and have too much to do.

"We talk about burnout among farmers and ranchers, but medical providers are having their issues, too," he said. "Money is also a big issue. Money flows from Topeka. It flows about the same as our river flows in Dodge City. It doesn't."

High Plains Mental Health is the community mental health provider for Ellis County. It also services 19 other counties in northwest Kansas, including&nbsp;Cheyenne, Decatur, Gove, Graham, Logan, Ness, Norton, Osborne, Phillips, Rawlins, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Thomas, Trego and Wallace counties.

Farmers and ranchers are very independent, and convincing them to seek mental health services can be difficult, Hastings said.

"He may not know why his buddy is drinking so much beer.&nbsp;It used to be you only drank beer after 6 o'clock.  Now they're drinking beer at 8 and 9 o'clock and filling up coolers and going out to the fields. It's a problem. It's depression," he said.

Chuck Strand of Rural Minds, a national non-profit, said self-reliance can be a challenge and an opportunity.

"Someone mentioned the challenge of people in rural communities being very self-reliant and do-it-yourself," Strand said. "That mindset can be necessary to survive and thrive in rural communities, but it can be a real challenge when that mindset is driving a response to a mental health challenge or a potential mental illness."

<a href="https://www.ruralminds.org/">Rural Minds</a> offers the information and resources so people can do it themselves, he said.

Rural communities have a lack of access to both mental and physical health providers, Strand said. Telehealth has filled some of that gap. However, 30 percent of rural homes don't have access to reliable internet access.

Sim Wimbush, panelist from Anthem Health, said transportation is an ongoing challenge for many rural residents. Because the public health emergency sparked by the pandemic has ended, some insurance companies are no longer allowing mental health assessments to be done through telemedicine.

A man from Hill City who was attending the conference ran into this roadblock. He and his family just moved to western Kansas from Lindsborg. He had hoped to continue to use his current providers through telemedicine. However, Medicare said he could not. Now, the family has to find a new provider.

In rural areas, clients may have to drive an hour or more to drive to a location where they can have a mental health appointment in person.

Inpatient mental health beds in western Kansas continue to be lacking. Gov. Kelly has placed a focus on increasing inpatient services on a state level, and a new facility is under construction in Wichita.

Western Kansas is primarily served by the state hospital in Larned, but it has not been open to its state-licensed capacity since the onset of the pandemic.

"Wichita is three and a half hours away from us," Rachel Clews, moderator from K-State Extension, said. "We know it's successful when families are a part of the healing process. If a family has transportation problems and can't get there, it's a detriment to the people who need served."

Hastings said he would like to see more beds opened in western Kansas. In lieu of a new inpatient facility, an alternative could be regional crisis stabilization units. This would be a step down from inpatient care and be available for clients who need shorter-term stays.

Funding continues to be an obstacle. Services are available for people who receive Medicare and Medicaid, but many of the clients who need crisis intervention are not Medicaid-eligible.

The group discussed the need to recruit more people to work in mental health professions.&nbsp;Student loan forgiveness could help recruit more people in the field, panelists said. Mental health professionals are required to have high levels of education but don't earn as much as medical professionals.

Lay people also can receive mental health first aid training, which is available through High Plains Mental Health Center.

"We need to normalize the conversation," Van Allen said.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/ed7f0fae-f1d1-4a9e-ad68-5b9ae8ef4fc2">RELATED STORY: 988 Crisis, Suicide Lifeline fills gap in rural Kansas but has limitations</a>

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

NAMI Golden Plains, which serves Ellis, Graham, Lane, Ness, Rooks, Rush and Trego counties, can be reached at namigoldenplains@kansas.org or 785-214-4538 or follow them on Facebook&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/NAMIGoldenPlains">at facebook.com/NAMIGoldenPlains</a>

A combined NAMI Golden Plains Connection and Family Support Group, which is for people with a mental illness or who have family members with a mental illness, meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Oak Plaza, 103C E. 27th St., Hays.

NOTE:&nbsp;&nbsp;The NAMI Golden Plains Connection Support Group is now offered as a hybrid/in-person meeting as desired. Contact&nbsp;<a href="mailto:namigoldenplains@gmail.org" target="_blank">namigoldenplains@namikansas.org</a>&nbsp;if you wish to attend by Zoom.

NAMI campus FHSU&nbsp;meets at 3:30 p.m. every other Wednesday in Rarick Hall, room 107. The next meeting is Sept. 6.

<a href="https://afsp.org/">American Society for Suicide Prevention</a>

<a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/">National Institute of Mental Health</a>&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.samhsa.gov/">Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration</a>

High Plains Independence—Social and peer support, 1200 Canterbury, Hays, KS, 785-621-4188

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693425168292.jpg" alt="Cover photo courtesy of Pixabay." />
 <figcaption>Cover photo courtesy of Pixabay.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693324294722.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostDODGE CITY—Despite significantly higher rates of suicide among rural residents, mental health resources in rural Kansas continue to be lacking, panelists in Dodge City said last week.A panel sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, also known as NAMI, met in Dodge City to discuss the challenges of rural mental health.People in rural areas are 64 to 68 percent more likely to die by suicide than people in urban areas, according to the Centers for Disease Control.The panel was asked what they saw as challenges to providing mental health services in western Kansas.Itzel Moya of NAMI Southwest Kansas grew up in a Spanish-speaking home and said Kansas has a lack of services and education materials in Spanish."We have more providers who speak Spanish compared to when I was growing up, but it could be better," she said.A clergy member from Garden City said 45 languages are spoken in that community, and it's impossible to fully address all the needs of so many diverse cultures."There's not a culture of southwest Kansas. There's a multitude of cultures in southwest Kansas," he said.Eric Van Allen of CareSource, a lifelong western Kansas resident, said he had concerns about social isolation. Young people, including his own children, experienced significant isolation during the pandemic."Farmers spend hours and hours on tractors in their own thoughts. They are represented in high suicide rates. Those are some of the challenges we face. I don’t think we have all of the solutions, and that's why I think this room is so powerful."Brian Hastings, farmer/rancher and NAMI Kansas board member, said western Kansas service providers have to cover many miles and have too much to do."We talk about burnout among farmers and ranchers, but medical providers are having their issues, too," he said. "Money is also a big issue. Money flows from Topeka. It flows about the same as our river flows in Dodge City. It doesn't."High Plains Mental Health is the community mental health provider for Ellis County. It also services 19 other counties in northwest Kansas, including&nbsp;Cheyenne, Decatur, Gove, Graham, Logan, Ness, Norton, Osborne, Phillips, Rawlins, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Thomas, Trego and Wallace counties.Farmers and ranchers are very independent, and convincing them to seek mental health services can be difficult, Hastings said."He may not know why his buddy is drinking so much beer.&nbsp;It used to be you only drank beer after 6 o'clock. Now they're drinking beer at 8 and 9 o'clock and filling up coolers and going out to the fields. It's a problem. It's depression," he said.Connections are not being made, he said.Chuck Strand of Rural Minds, a national non-profit, said self-reliance can be a challenge and an opportunity."Someone mentioned the challenge of people in rural communities being very self-reliant and do-it-yourself," Strand said. "That mindset can be necessary to survive and thrive in rural communities, but it can be a real challenge when that mindset is driving a response to a mental health challenge or a potential mental illness."<a href="https://www.ruralminds.org/">Rural Minds</a> offers the information and resources so people can do it themselves, he said.Rural communities have a lack of access to both mental and physical health providers, Strand said. Telehealth has filled some of that gap. However, 30 percent of rural homes don't have access to reliable internet access.Sim Wimbush, panelist from Anthem Health, said transportation is an ongoing challenge for many rural residents. Because the public health emergency sparked by the pandemic has ended, some insurance companies are no longer allowing mental health assessments to be done through telemedicine.A man from Hill City who was attending the conference ran into this roadblock. He and his family just moved to western Kansas from Lindsborg. He had hoped to continue to use his current providers through telemedicine. However, Medicare said he could not. Now, the family has to find a new provider.In rural areas, clients may have to drive an hour or more to drive to a location where they can have a mental health appointment in person.Inpatient mental health beds in western Kansas continue to be lacking. Gov. Kelly has placed a focus on increasing inpatient services on a state level, and a new facility is under construction in Wichita.Western Kansas is primarily served by the state hospital in Larned, but it has not been open to its state-licensed capacity since the onset of the pandemic."Wichita is three and a half hours away from us," Rachel Clews, moderator from K-State Extension, said. "We know it's successful when families are a part of the healing process. If a family has transportation problems and can't get there, it's a detriment to the people who need served."Hastings said he would like to see more beds opened in western Kansas. In lieu of a new inpatient facility, an alternative could be regional crisis stabilization units. This would be a step down from inpatient care and be available for clients who need shorter-term stays.Funding continues to be an obstacle. Services are available for people who receive Medicare and Medicaid, but many of the clients who need crisis intervention are not Medicaid-eligible.The group discussed the need to recruit more people to work in mental health professions.&nbsp;Student loan forgiveness could help recruit more people in the field, panelists said. Mental health professionals are required to have high levels of education but don't earn as much as medical professionals.Lay people also can receive mental health first aid training, which is available through High Plains Mental Health Center."We need to normalize the conversation," Van Allen said.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/ed7f0fae-f1d1-4a9e-ad68-5b9ae8ef4fc2">RELATED STORY: 988 Crisis, Suicide Lifeline fills gap in rural Kansas but has limitations</a><h2>Other resources</h2>National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)NAMI Golden Plains, which serves Ellis, Graham, Lane, Ness, Rooks, Rush and Trego counties, can be reached at namigoldenplains@kansas.org or 785-214-4538 or follow them on Facebook&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/NAMIGoldenPlains">at facebook.com/NAMIGoldenPlains</a>A combined NAMI Golden Plains Connection and Family Support Group, which is for people with a mental illness or who have family members with a mental illness, meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Oak Plaza, 103C E. 27th St., Hays.NOTE:&nbsp;&nbsp;The NAMI Golden Plains Connection Support Group is now offered as a hybrid/in-person meeting as desired. Contact&nbsp;<a href="mailto:namigoldenplains@gmail.org" target="_blank">namigoldenplains@namikansas.org</a>&nbsp;if you wish to attend by Zoom.NAMI campus FHSU&nbsp;meets at 3:30 p.m. every other Wednesday in Rarick Hall, room 107. The next meeting is Sept. 6.<a href="https://afsp.org/">American Society for Suicide Prevention</a><a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/">National Institute of Mental Health</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.samhsa.gov/">Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration</a>High Plains Independence—Social and peer support, 1200 Canterbury, Hays, KS, 785-621-4188

Panel: Western Kansas communities continue to lack mental health resources

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has been in operation for a little more than a year.

A group gathered in Dodge City for a "Standing in the Gap: Rural and Frontier Access to Mental Health Care" summit last week and discussed the role the 988 crisis line plays in providing crisis intervention in rural Kansas.

<a href="https://namikansas.org/">The event was sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Kansas, which is also known as NAMI</a>.

988 offers 24/7 access anywhere in the United States to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress, according to the 988 resource materials.

Anyone can call or text 988 or chat on the 988 website at <a href="http://988lifeline.org">988lifeline.org</a>. You can call for yourself or for a loved one for whom you have concerns.

Within 988's first year of operation, it received more than 2 million calls, texts and chat messages, according to the Associated Press.

The new line, which was modeled to resemble the 911 emergency line, has seen an increase from the previous national suicide and crisis line.&nbsp;

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/60a1ade6-5f02-41ca-aa25-e492145a8db7">The 988 helpline registered 154,585 more calls, texts and chat messages during November 2022 compared to the old national lifeline in November 2021, according to the Associated Press.</a>

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration noted a 1,227 percent increase in texts, and veterans crisis services, which can be accessed through the 988, saw a 10 percent increase, according to the Associated Press.

"It's in its infancy, Clayton Levret, pharmacologist and PsychU presenter, said of the hotline. "I want to bring attention to how important it is to bring people together not just around 988 but also with the summit today and around the rural community and all of the other challenges that you face."

Sixty-five percent of nonmetropolitan counties don't have psychiatrists, Levret Sixty percent of rural Americans live in areas with mental health provider shortages.

Levret said through his research he found suicide happens within 11 minutes. If intervention can be achieved within that time, the thought process can be interrupted.

988 differs from 911 in that it is a crisis response line and not a dispatch line. If you need medical help or police, you still need to call 911.

However, Brooks Robertson of the Kansas 988 system, which is based out of Lawrence, said people do not need to be suicidal to reach out.&nbsp;

"One thing we found was people knew they were in crisis, but they didn't necessarily know if they could call it a suicidal crisis. They did not know if 988 was an appropriate space and an appropriate pathway for them," Robertson said.

"We really want to encourage folks who experience crises of all shapes, all sizes, whether that's a crisis related to substance use, whether that's a general suicidal crisis or a crisis related to mental health.

"If you are worried about someone else—someone you love, someone you know— and you want to know the best way to connect them to the best pathway to support, that crisis counselor on the other end of those three numbers will work with you as well."

988 is available regardless of age, which means resources are available for youth. Spanish-speaking crisis counselors are available. Those who are deaf or hard of hearing can use the chat or text options or use a relay service by dialing 711 and then 988.

Many people use 988 fully anonymously without giving their name, Robertson said.

For the phone line, 80 percent of the calls come from people who are 20 or older. On the flip side, 80 percent of the text contacts are from people who are younger than 20.

"There are so many different reasons why someone chooses one avenue of communication over another, whether that's ability or preference, but it really goes to show how having these different methods of preference for folks can really drive engagement and provide a space that is most comfortable for that person," Robertson said.

Calling 988 is not a cure-all, Robertson said.

"We want to reserve the space for people to call and not have the pressure to instantly become better today. A lot of people use 988 as a stopgap service between therapy appointments or other appointments they may have," Robertson said.

988 routes calls by area code. In a community like Hays, which is home to students from other states, calls may be routed out of state.

If you have an Ohio area code, your call will be routed to Ohio. That may make getting the caller connected to resources in the community for follow-up difficult, Robertson said.

That is why making people aware of local crisis lines through community mental health centers is also important, Robertson said.

"If you are in crisis, call 988," Robertson said. "You have a direct connection to a compassionate support person who will be able to work with you through de-escalation, assess safety for you in that moment, work with you on a collaborative safety plan and hopefully get that conversation to a place that next connection can be made with whatever resource needs to be.

"We also want to share that if you are looking for that direct connection and that local support, reach out to that local crisis line. That's going to be the best pathway to that local resource."

<a href="https://hpmhc.com/">High Plains Mental Health Center </a>is the community mental health center for Ellis County and most of northwest Kansas. It's 24/7 crisis line is 1-800-432-0333.

Robertson said 988 counselors will try to connect with local 911 if they believe callers are in immediate danger. However, if someone is directed out of state, making those connections can be much more difficult.

Despite its limitations, Levret said 988 is an important tool.

"The most important thing I can say today is 988 saves lives," he said.

NAMI Golden Plains, which serves Ellis, Graham, Lane, Ness, Rooks, Rush and Trego counties, can be reached at namigoldenplains@kansas.org or 785-214-4538 or follow them on Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NAMIGoldenPlains">at facebook.com/NAMIGoldenPlains</a>

NOTE:&nbsp; The NAMI Golden Plains Connection Support Group is now offered as a hybrid/in-person meeting as desired. Contact&nbsp;<a href="mailto:namigoldenplains@gmail.org" target="_blank">namigoldenplains@namikansas.org</a>&nbsp;if you wish to attend by Zoom.

NAMI campus FHSU meets at 3:30 p.m. every other Wednesday in Rarick Hall, room 107. The next meeting is Sept. 6.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666632231682.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693324294722.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has been in operation for a little more than a year.A group gathered in Dodge City for a "Standing in the Gap: Rural and Frontier Access to Mental Health Care" summit last week and discussed the role the 988 crisis line plays in providing crisis intervention in rural Kansas.<a href="https://namikansas.org/">The event was sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Kansas, which is also known as NAMI</a>.988 offers 24/7 access anywhere in the United States to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress, according to the 988 resource materials.Anyone can call or text 988 or chat on the 988 website at <a href="http://988lifeline.org">988lifeline.org</a>. You can call for yourself or for a loved one for whom you have concerns.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657909299467.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Within 988's first year of operation, it received more than 2 million calls, texts and chat messages, according to the Associated Press.The new line, which was modeled to resemble the 911 emergency line, has seen an increase from the previous national suicide and crisis line.&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/60a1ade6-5f02-41ca-aa25-e492145a8db7">The 988 helpline registered 154,585 more calls, texts and chat messages during November 2022 compared to the old national lifeline in November 2021, according to the Associated Press.</a>Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration noted a 1,227 percent increase in texts, and veterans crisis services, which can be accessed through the 988, saw a 10 percent increase, according to the Associated Press."It's in its infancy, Clayton Levret, pharmacologist and PsychU presenter, said of the hotline. "I want to bring attention to how important it is to bring people together not just around 988 but also with the summit today and around the rural community and all of the other challenges that you face."Sixty-five percent of nonmetropolitan counties don't have psychiatrists, Levret Sixty percent of rural Americans live in areas with mental health provider shortages.Levret said through his research he found suicide happens within 11 minutes. If intervention can be achieved within that time, the thought process can be interrupted.988 differs from 911 in that it is a crisis response line and not a dispatch line. If you need medical help or police, you still need to call 911.However, Brooks Robertson of the Kansas 988 system, which is based out of Lawrence, said people do not need to be suicidal to reach out.&nbsp;"One thing we found was people knew they were in crisis, but they didn't necessarily know if they could call it a suicidal crisis. They did not know if 988 was an appropriate space and an appropriate pathway for them," Robertson said."We really want to encourage folks who experience crises of all shapes, all sizes, whether that's a crisis related to substance use, whether that's a general suicidal crisis or a crisis related to mental health."If you are worried about someone else—someone you love, someone you know— and you want to know the best way to connect them to the best pathway to support, that crisis counselor on the other end of those three numbers will work with you as well."988 is available regardless of age, which means resources are available for youth. Spanish-speaking crisis counselors are available. Those who are deaf or hard of hearing can use the chat or text options or use a relay service by dialing 711 and then 988.Many people use 988 fully anonymously without giving their name, Robertson said.For the phone line, 80 percent of the calls come from people who are 20 or older. On the flip side, 80 percent of the text contacts are from people who are younger than 20."There are so many different reasons why someone chooses one avenue of communication over another, whether that's ability or preference, but it really goes to show how having these different methods of preference for folks can really drive engagement and provide a space that is most comfortable for that person," Robertson said.Calling 988 is not a cure-all, Robertson said."We want to reserve the space for people to call and not have the pressure to instantly become better today. A lot of people use 988 as a stopgap service between therapy appointments or other appointments they may have," Robertson said.However, 988 has limitations.988 routes calls by area code. In a community like Hays, which is home to students from other states, calls may be routed out of state.If you have an Ohio area code, your call will be routed to Ohio. That may make getting the caller connected to resources in the community for follow-up difficult, Robertson said.That is why making people aware of local crisis lines through community mental health centers is also important, Robertson said."If you are in crisis, call 988," Robertson said. "You have a direct connection to a compassionate support person who will be able to work with you through de-escalation, assess safety for you in that moment, work with you on a collaborative safety plan and hopefully get that conversation to a place that next connection can be made with whatever resource needs to be."We also want to share that if you are looking for that direct connection and that local support, reach out to that local crisis line. That's going to be the best pathway to that local resource."<a href="https://hpmhc.com/">High Plains Mental Health Center </a>is the community mental health center for Ellis County and most of northwest Kansas. It's 24/7 crisis line is 1-800-432-0333.Robertson said 988 counselors will try to connect with local 911 if they believe callers are in immediate danger. However, if someone is directed out of state, making those connections can be much more difficult.Despite its limitations, Levret said 988 is an important tool."The most important thing I can say today is 988 saves lives," he said.<h2>Other resources</h2>National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)NAMI Golden Plains, which serves Ellis, Graham, Lane, Ness, Rooks, Rush and Trego counties, can be reached at namigoldenplains@kansas.org or 785-214-4538 or follow them on Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NAMIGoldenPlains">at facebook.com/NAMIGoldenPlains</a>A combined NAMI Golden Plains Connection and Family Support Group, which is for people with a mental illness or who have family members with a mental illness, meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Oak Plaza, 103C E. 27th St., Hays.NOTE:&nbsp; The NAMI Golden Plains Connection Support Group is now offered as a hybrid/in-person meeting as desired. Contact&nbsp;<a href="mailto:namigoldenplains@gmail.org" target="_blank">namigoldenplains@namikansas.org</a>&nbsp;if you wish to attend by Zoom.NAMI campus FHSU meets at 3:30 p.m. every other Wednesday in Rarick Hall, room 107. The next meeting is Sept. 6.<a href="https://afsp.org/">American Society for Suicide Prevention</a><a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/">National Institute of Mental Health</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.samhsa.gov/">Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration</a>High Plains Independence—Social and peer support, 1200 Canterbury, Hays, KS, 785-621-4188

988 Crisis, Suicide Lifeline fills gap in rural Kansas but has limitations 

By DAVID SMALE Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Ke'Bryan Hayes hit a two-run homer with two out in the eighth inning, helping rally the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 6-3 win over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.

Hayes hit his 11th homer of the season 424 feet to left-center to erase a one-run deficit. In the ninth inning, Liover Peguero added a three-run homer and Jack Suwinski scored on a Kansas City error.

“It feels great,” Hayes said. “Those are the type of moments you grow up playing the game for — late in the game tying the game up or taking the lead.”

The Pirates won the series opener 5-0 on Monday and will try to win three in a row on Wednesday for only the second time since the All-Star break. Pittsburgh hasn't swept a series since June 27-29 against San Diego.

Luis Ortiz (3-4) allowed just one run on three hits in five innings of relief to get the victory.

“Ortiz was outstanding,” Pittsburgh manager Derek Shelton said. “He was totally in control of his delivery. The big inning was when he got out of the bases-loaded jam. He gave up one run, but he stayed composed and did a nice job.”

Carlos Hernandez (1-9), one of five Kansas City pitchers, gave up the home run to Hayes and took the loss.

The Royals lost a series for the seventh time in eight tries and would need to go 16-12 in their final 28 games to avoid matching the franchise record of 106 losses from 2005.

Kansas City squandered a solid effort by starter Cole Ragans, who allowed three hits, struck out nine and walked one in carrying a shutout through seven innings. With the nine strikeouts, he finished the month of August with 53 Ks, the second-most in Royals history behind Dennis Leonard's 55 in June 1977. He has a 1.73 ERA in seven starts with the Royals since being acquired in mid-July from Texas for Aroldis Chapman.

Shelton gave credit to Ragans when asked what changed after seven fruitless innings on offense.

“Ragans was out of the game, quite honestly,” he said. “That's really good stuff, a left-handed fastball at 99 and a change-up and a cutter. That's a good young pitcher.”

Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro was equally impressed.

“(A) continuation of what he’s been doing," he said. "All his pitches (were) effective, around the zone, in the zone, getting chase when he needed it, swing-and-miss in the zone. I would guess he might say it wasn’t his best command. He lost some balls arm-side, but was able to correct. But, his stuff’s so good that even when he was behind in the count he would get swing and miss.”

The first hit of the game came with no outs in the bottom of the fourth, when Bobby Witt Jr. lined a single into left field. Salvador Perez then lined a single off the glove of Hayes, sending Witt to third with no outs. After striking out MJ Melendez, Ortiz walked Nelson Velazquez, loading the bases. Drew Waters hit a line drive that tipped off Connor Joe's glove at first. Waters was retired, 4-3, but he picked up the game's first RBI.

Ragans allowed his first baserunner on a leadoff walk to Joe in the fifth. He later gave up a two-out single to Peguero, ending his no-hit bid. He struck out Jack Suwinski to end the threat.

Steven Cruz made his MLB debut Tuesday for Kansas City. He was acquired in the offseason in a trade for Michael A Taylor from the Twins. He became the 34th pitcher to appear in a game this season for Kansas City, extending a club record set last year at 32.

The Royals added two runs in the ninth on an RBI single by Freddy Fermin.

Royals: RHP Steven Cruz was selected from Triple-A Omaha. In a corresponding move, LHP Taylor Hearn was optioned to Triple-A Omaha following Monday night's game.

The Pirates and Royals conclude their three-game series Wednesday night. The Pirates will send Andre Jackson (0-1, 4.91 ERA) to the mound. Kansas City has not announced a starter.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693365714889.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans throws during the first inning of a baseball game Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans throws during the first inning of a baseball game Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVID SMALE Associated PressKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Ke'Bryan Hayes hit a two-run homer with two out in the eighth inning, helping rally the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 6-3 win over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.Hayes hit his 11th homer of the season 424 feet to left-center to erase a one-run deficit. In the ninth inning, Liover Peguero added a three-run homer and Jack Suwinski scored on a Kansas City error.“It feels great,” Hayes said. “Those are the type of moments you grow up playing the game for — late in the game tying the game up or taking the lead.”The Pirates won the series opener 5-0 on Monday and will try to win three in a row on Wednesday for only the second time since the All-Star break. Pittsburgh hasn't swept a series since June 27-29 against San Diego.Luis Ortiz (3-4) allowed just one run on three hits in five innings of relief to get the victory.“Ortiz was outstanding,” Pittsburgh manager Derek Shelton said. “He was totally in control of his delivery. The big inning was when he got out of the bases-loaded jam. He gave up one run, but he stayed composed and did a nice job.”Carlos Hernandez (1-9), one of five Kansas City pitchers, gave up the home run to Hayes and took the loss.The Royals lost a series for the seventh time in eight tries and would need to go 16-12 in their final 28 games to avoid matching the franchise record of 106 losses from 2005.Kansas City squandered a solid effort by starter Cole Ragans, who allowed three hits, struck out nine and walked one in carrying a shutout through seven innings. With the nine strikeouts, he finished the month of August with 53 Ks, the second-most in Royals history behind Dennis Leonard's 55 in June 1977. He has a 1.73 ERA in seven starts with the Royals since being acquired in mid-July from Texas for Aroldis Chapman.Shelton gave credit to Ragans when asked what changed after seven fruitless innings on offense.“Ragans was out of the game, quite honestly,” he said. “That's really good stuff, a left-handed fastball at 99 and a change-up and a cutter. That's a good young pitcher.”Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro was equally impressed.“(A) continuation of what he’s been doing," he said. "All his pitches (were) effective, around the zone, in the zone, getting chase when he needed it, swing-and-miss in the zone. I would guess he might say it wasn’t his best command. He lost some balls arm-side, but was able to correct. But, his stuff’s so good that even when he was behind in the count he would get swing and miss.”The first hit of the game came with no outs in the bottom of the fourth, when Bobby Witt Jr. lined a single into left field. Salvador Perez then lined a single off the glove of Hayes, sending Witt to third with no outs. After striking out MJ Melendez, Ortiz walked Nelson Velazquez, loading the bases. Drew Waters hit a line drive that tipped off Connor Joe's glove at first. Waters was retired, 4-3, but he picked up the game's first RBI.Ragans allowed his first baserunner on a leadoff walk to Joe in the fifth. He later gave up a two-out single to Peguero, ending his no-hit bid. He struck out Jack Suwinski to end the threat.Steven Cruz made his MLB debut Tuesday for Kansas City. He was acquired in the offseason in a trade for Michael A Taylor from the Twins. He became the 34th pitcher to appear in a game this season for Kansas City, extending a club record set last year at 32.The Royals added two runs in the ninth on an RBI single by Freddy Fermin.TRANSACTIONS:Royals: RHP Steven Cruz was selected from Triple-A Omaha. In a corresponding move, LHP Taylor Hearn was optioned to Triple-A Omaha following Monday night's game.UP NEXT:The Pirates and Royals conclude their three-game series Wednesday night. The Pirates will send Andre Jackson (0-1, 4.91 ERA) to the mound. Kansas City has not announced a starter.

⚾ Ke’Bryan Hayes' 2-run homer sends Pirates to win over the Royals

Norma J. Schmidtberger, 87, of Overland Park, passed away Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, surrounded by her loving family at Overland Park Regional Medical Center.

The visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. with the Rosary being prayed at 10:15 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 1 at Cure of Ars Catholic Church, 9405 Mission Road, Leawood. Christian Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa.

Norma was born Sept. 16, 1935, in Rush County, the daughter of Wendelin and Pauline (Urban) Schmidt. She was a member of Cure of Ars Catholic Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Marvin in 2007, a son, Dale, in 2003, and sisters Margola and Melba, and brother Wendelin Jr.

Norma is survived by two daughters, Linda Coffee and husband Bill, Olathe, Sandy Mulvany and husband Tim, Roeland Park; daughter-in-law, Elaine Schmidtberger, Overland Park; and a son, Greg Schmidtberger and wife Lois, Edgerton; brothers, Irvin Schmidt, Wichita; Leon Schmidt and wife, Roseann, Wichita; Gary Schmidt and wife, Karen, Hot Springs, Melvin and wife, Connie, Victoria; and sister-in-law, Catherine Schmidt, Wichita; 10 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

Norma grew up in western Kansas in the small German Catholic farming community of Pfeifer, just south of Hays. Raised with a sister and five brothers, they grew up hard working with a strong family bond and faith that they have passed on through the generations. She is proud to be from the home of one of the prettiest churches in Kansas, The Holy Cross Shrine.

Norma married her husband of 53 years, Marvin Schmidtberger, in a double wedding ceremony along with her sister Melba to Marvin’s brother Leroy. One of the families’ favorite stories to tell...Leroy was planning to marry Melba and their mom said to our dad, “If Leroy is getting married, you might as well marry Norma." The double wedding celebration was on, and the two couples were best of friends for life!

Norma spent her young married life raising four children in Mission, Kan., working as a cashier for area grocery stores and participating in parish life at St. Pius X. Guided by their own faith and strong work ethic, she and Marvin saw to it that the children were raised in a Catholic environment sending them to St. Pius X Elementary and Bishop Miege High Schools. As the kids attended high school, Norma used her cashier skills to own and operate the family convenience store “Handi Mart” just down the road from Lake Quivira. She finished her working career with Cardinal Office Supply in Mission, leaving to start many hours of babysitting as the grandchildren began to multiply.

One of the families’ fondest memories of our mom was her cooking. She loved preparing meals!! The recipe traditions she learned as a child in a large household prepared her to mostly memorize everything she cooked…many with interesting names: kaselabba (cheese sacks), the Schmidt family favorite, bierochs, galuskies, knoedel, kald shunka, schwartzberren kucken—all German names we could not pronounce, but all delicious! She was always baking and continued to send her famous cinnamon rolls with Dale’s lake buddies every year after his death in 2003. They always made a special trip to visit her and, of course, pick up the goodies! We always encouraged her to start her own catering company named “This Food Tastes like Schmidt." Her cooking will be missed, and we can only hope to carry on the tradition and figure out the recipes.

She loved the arrival of the casinos in Kansas City and would frequent them whenever given the chance. Family visits from her many brothers often found them all spending the night at one of the casinos. She loved to be in a crowd and cherished all the family reunions, weddings, and many events that brought the entire family together in Kansas City, Pfeifer and Wichita.

Growing up around the Schmidt and Schmidtberger clan, Norma developed a quick wit to deal with the onery men!! She kept us all laughing with her sarcasm and great sense of humor.

Mom was a beloved homemaker that held her family first in her heart. She had a strong faith, and it was rare to see her without a rosary in her hand. Her faith should be a reminder for all to follow and it helped her through life’s hardest moments. All who knew her loved her outgoing personality and knew she was always there to join in the fun, a good conversation or lend a helping hand. She simply loved to be around people.

We Love You Mom! Until we are all together again. Rest in Peace.

Compliments of Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 E. 22nd St., Hays, KS 67601.

Norma J. Schmidtberger, 87, of Overland Park, passed away Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, surrounded by her loving family at Overland Park Regional Medical Center.The visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. with the Rosary being prayed at 10:15 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 1 at Cure of Ars Catholic Church, 9405 Mission Road, Leawood. Christian Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693333308037.jpeg" alt="Norma Schmidtberger" />
 <figcaption>Norma Schmidtberger</figcaption>
 </figure>Norma was born Sept. 16, 1935, in Rush County, the daughter of Wendelin and Pauline (Urban) Schmidt. She was a member of Cure of Ars Catholic Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Marvin in 2007, a son, Dale, in 2003, and sisters Margola and Melba, and brother Wendelin Jr.Norma is survived by two daughters, Linda Coffee and husband Bill, Olathe, Sandy Mulvany and husband Tim, Roeland Park; daughter-in-law, Elaine Schmidtberger, Overland Park; and a son, Greg Schmidtberger and wife Lois, Edgerton; brothers, Irvin Schmidt, Wichita; Leon Schmidt and wife, Roseann, Wichita; Gary Schmidt and wife, Karen, Hot Springs, Melvin and wife, Connie, Victoria; and sister-in-law, Catherine Schmidt, Wichita; 10 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.Norma grew up in western Kansas in the small German Catholic farming community of Pfeifer, just south of Hays. Raised with a sister and five brothers, they grew up hard working with a strong family bond and faith that they have passed on through the generations. She is proud to be from the home of one of the prettiest churches in Kansas, The Holy Cross Shrine.Norma married her husband of 53 years, Marvin Schmidtberger, in a double wedding ceremony along with her sister Melba to Marvin’s brother Leroy. One of the families’ favorite stories to tell...Leroy was planning to marry Melba and their mom said to our dad, “If Leroy is getting married, you might as well marry Norma." The double wedding celebration was on, and the two couples were best of friends for life!Norma spent her young married life raising four children in Mission, Kan., working as a cashier for area grocery stores and participating in parish life at St. Pius X. Guided by their own faith and strong work ethic, she and Marvin saw to it that the children were raised in a Catholic environment sending them to St. Pius X Elementary and Bishop Miege High Schools. As the kids attended high school, Norma used her cashier skills to own and operate the family convenience store “Handi Mart” just down the road from Lake Quivira. She finished her working career with Cardinal Office Supply in Mission, leaving to start many hours of babysitting as the grandchildren began to multiply.One of the families’ fondest memories of our mom was her cooking. She loved preparing meals!! The recipe traditions she learned as a child in a large household prepared her to mostly memorize everything she cooked…many with interesting names: kaselabba (cheese sacks), the Schmidt family favorite, bierochs, galuskies, knoedel, kald shunka, schwartzberren kucken—all German names we could not pronounce, but all delicious! She was always baking and continued to send her famous cinnamon rolls with Dale’s lake buddies every year after his death in 2003. They always made a special trip to visit her and, of course, pick up the goodies! We always encouraged her to start her own catering company named “This Food Tastes like Schmidt." Her cooking will be missed, and we can only hope to carry on the tradition and figure out the recipes.She loved the arrival of the casinos in Kansas City and would frequent them whenever given the chance. Family visits from her many brothers often found them all spending the night at one of the casinos. She loved to be in a crowd and cherished all the family reunions, weddings, and many events that brought the entire family together in Kansas City, Pfeifer and Wichita.Growing up around the Schmidt and Schmidtberger clan, Norma developed a quick wit to deal with the onery men!! She kept us all laughing with her sarcasm and great sense of humor.Mom was a beloved homemaker that held her family first in her heart. She had a strong faith, and it was rare to see her without a rosary in her hand. Her faith should be a reminder for all to follow and it helped her through life’s hardest moments. All who knew her loved her outgoing personality and knew she was always there to join in the fun, a good conversation or lend a helping hand. She simply loved to be around people.We Love You Mom! Until we are all together again. Rest in Peace.Compliments of Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 E. 22nd St., Hays, KS 67601.

Norma J. Schmidtberger

The Center for Life Experience, which supports grief support groups in Hays, has hired a new director, Laura Allen of Hays.

Allen, 50, spent five years at First Call for Help as a client service specialist. She recently graduated with the 2023 Leadership Hays class.

She said making the jump to a non-profit director position would be a better fit for her degree in business, which she earned at Fort Hays State University.

Allen also works part-time with DSNWK and is on the steering committee for the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Hays.

She has two adult sons and a daughter, who is a 2023 Hays High School graduate and will be studying at NCK-Tech in the fall.

"After First Call, I love the idea of non-profits," she said. "I love helping people in different situations. A director position is a really good combination of the two."

Because she is a full-time staff of one, she will still interact regularly with clients.

She hopes to seek new grants to support the organization and will be taking a grant-writing class at FHSU to that end.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688753467308.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Center for Life Experience, which supports grief support groups in Hays, has hired a new director, Laura Allen of Hays.Allen, 50, spent five years at First Call for Help as a client service specialist. She recently graduated with the 2023 Leadership Hays class.She said making the jump to a non-profit director position would be a better fit for her degree in business, which she earned at Fort Hays State University.Allen also works part-time with DSNWK and is on the steering committee for the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Hays.She has two adult sons and a daughter, who is a 2023 Hays High School graduate and will be studying at NCK-Tech in the fall."After First Call, I love the idea of non-profits," she said. "I love helping people in different situations. A director position is a really good combination of the two."Because she is a full-time staff of one, she will still interact regularly with clients.She hopes to seek new grants to support the organization and will be taking a grant-writing class at FHSU to that end.She said she would like to get to the point where the center could hire another staff member.Allen said she has spoken to the board about expanding the center's offerings."Grief takes a lot of different forms," she said. "I think there are opportunities there to be a little more inclusive and to find other ways we can support people in the community through different groups or different activities."<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/bc5867e5-81b7-47d1-9e44-cf3e0b22e1cd">The center has divided its administration into a director's role, who will be in charge of fundraising and executive functions and will be contracting with individuals to help facilitate its support groups.</a>The center offers three grief support groups— Healing After Loss, Healing After Loss of Suicide, which is also known as HALOS, and Healing Hearts.Healing After Loss is for any adult grieving the loss of another adult. It meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month in the center's conference room at Oak Plaza, 103 C. E. 27th St. in Hays.Healing After Loss of Suicide meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of the month in the center's conference room. As the name implies, this support group is for people who are grieving the loss of someone to suicide.Healing Hearts is for people who are grieving the loss of a child, no matter what age the child was when he or she died. That group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month in the center's conference room.All support groups are free and in-person. They are open to anyone in the area, and you do not need to register to attend.The center also is sponsoring an event for children on July 22.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/696513b0-0369-4a23-8a54-2965ddb56867">The Summer Healing Kids’ Hearts Event will be from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at the Hays Aquatic Park, Fourth and Main in Hays. The event is open to children ages 6 through 11. Registration is due by Friday.</a>The youth will participate in craft projects. A taco bar is being donated by Taco Grande for the children and their registered adults. The children will conclude the evening with swim time."I think we may have expectations for children and think they maybe are not in tune, or people may not think their grieving is not as significant as an adult's," Allen said. "I don't think that is true. I think it's just a different dynamic."People come from across northwest Kansas to participate in the center's groups.Allen said support groups are different than sessions with a therapist. Support group members have similar lived experiences and can offer empathy."You don't have to explain yourself, or you can just vent or cry or whatever you have to do, and no one judges you for that," she said. "I think that offers a sense of relief and security that there is a safe place for me to go do that."If you would like to donate to the center, donation links are on the center's website. You can also donate by mailing a check to the center at Oak Plaza, 103 C. E. 27th St., Hays, KS 67601."Hays has a really robust community service community," Allen said. "Working with those folks is something that I'm glad I can continue by coming here."For more information on the center or its groups, you can call or text 785-259-6859 or email info@cflehope.org. You can also follow the center on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CenterforLifeExperienceinc">Facebook</a>.