By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

The Ellis County Commission discussed with city of Ellis officials the replacement of the 10th Street bridge in Ellis, which has fallen into disrepair.

The commissioners went on a road tour, led by the Ellis County Public Works Department, on Wednesday to personally assess the county's roads and bridges that require attention.

The day began near the city of Ellis's 10th Street bridge, which was the center of discussion for replacement designs, and how costs and responsibilities would be divided.

"The bridge is wider than what normal bridges are,"&nbsp;Ellis County administrator Darin Myers said. "Most likely that's due to the way it was designed back in the day for the city of Ellis."

Ellis County Public Works Director Brendan Mackay informed attendees the bridge, including its road surface, is aging and deteriorating structurally.&nbsp;

"There's asphalt over it. The bridge looks fine, but it's not fine. [The image] shows the delamination of the layers underneath the asphalt. That's hollow areas," he said.

Mackay outlined three options: replacing just the deck, replacing the entire superstructure or fully rebuilding the bridge, including the piers.

City of Ellis council members emphasized the importance of collaborating to ensure the bridge is rebuilt correctly, cost-effectively and in a manner that benefits the community.

While the county owns the bridge, its location within city limits has prompted discussions about sharing costs if the design exceeds standard specifications.

Myers said the county would cover the cost of a standard-width bridge, but any additional features, such as sidewalks or bike lanes, would fall under the City of Ellis’ financial responsibility.

Mackay mentioned the Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program grant as a potential funding source for the county and city. A complete bridge replacement is estimated to cost about $2.5 million.

Myers said the best choice is to fully replace the bridge, while the second option—repairing only the structure above the piers—may be less expensive upfront, but is not a viable long-term solution.

"If we leave the piers but put a whole new steel structure... that may get you 40 to 50 years and then you now have a 100-year bridge sitting on top of a pier that's only worth 40 years," he said. "Yes, it's cheaper, but it could be something that costs us more in the years ahead."

County officials agreed to continue collaborating with the city of Ellis, but emphasized the city needs to decide on sidewalk and width preferences to direct engineers and avoid unnecessary expenses.

The Ellis County Commission also visited Catherine Road, where reconstruction is underway to address deteriorating asphalt. Crews are rebuilding the road base in preparation for a new asphalt overlay.

Vineyard Road and Commerce Parkway is a collaborative project between the Ellis County Commission and the city of Hays. The road base has been rebuilt, and ditches have been installed for improved drainage. An asphalt overlay is scheduled for later this summer.

The county commission toured multiple areas of Old Highway 40, including east of Walker Avenue and the interchange at Old Highway 40 and Eighth Street.

Mackay said plans are in place to repair cracked panels at the interchange later this year and to redesign the crossovers at the location.

Toulon Avenue has developed pavement ruts that create noticeable wobbling, especially for larger and heavier vehicles. The scheduled overlay was moved up from 2026 to 2025.

Mackay said the county also plans to seek grants to widen the road and add shoulders.

Other locations the Ellis County road tour visited included:

• 210th Avenue • Vineyard Avenue • Little Creek Addition • Leiker Addition • Stonewood Estates North Addition • Ellis County Landfill • Stonewood Estates • Canterbury Road • Reservation Road and developments • 280th Avenue

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746121141967.jpeg" alt="The Ellis County road tour makes a stop in the city of Ellis to speak with locals and city officials. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The Ellis County road tour makes a stop in the city of Ellis to speak with locals and city officials. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostThe Ellis County Commission discussed with city of Ellis officials the replacement of the 10th Street bridge in Ellis, which has fallen into disrepair.The commissioners went on a road tour, led by the Ellis County Public Works Department, on Wednesday to personally assess the county's roads and bridges that require attention.The day began near the city of Ellis's 10th Street bridge, which was the center of discussion for replacement designs, and how costs and responsibilities would be divided."The bridge is wider than what normal bridges are,"&nbsp;Ellis County administrator Darin Myers said. "Most likely that's due to the way it was designed back in the day for the city of Ellis."Ellis County Public Works Director Brendan Mackay informed attendees the bridge, including its road surface, is aging and deteriorating structurally.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746121171628.jpeg" alt="The city of Ellis' 10th Street bridge. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The city of Ellis' 10th Street bridge. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746121897096.png" alt="A top view photo of the 10th Street bridge in the city of Ellis showing delamination on its surface. The hatch lines show areas where the road surface has deteriorated." />
 <figcaption>A top view photo of the 10th Street bridge in the city of Ellis showing delamination on its surface. The hatch lines show areas where the road surface has deteriorated.</figcaption>
 </figure>"There's asphalt over it. The bridge looks fine, but it's not fine. [The image] shows the delamination of the layers underneath the asphalt. That's hollow areas," he said.Mackay outlined three options: replacing just the deck, replacing the entire superstructure or fully rebuilding the bridge, including the piers.City of Ellis council members emphasized the importance of collaborating to ensure the bridge is rebuilt correctly, cost-effectively and in a manner that benefits the community.While the county owns the bridge, its location within city limits has prompted discussions about sharing costs if the design exceeds standard specifications.Myers said the county would cover the cost of a standard-width bridge, but any additional features, such as sidewalks or bike lanes, would fall under the City of Ellis’ financial responsibility.Mackay mentioned the Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program grant as a potential funding source for the county and city. A complete bridge replacement is estimated to cost about $2.5 million.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746121209930.jpeg" alt="Ellis County Administrator Darin Myers speaking to city of Ellis officials and residents during the road tour. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Ellis County Administrator Darin Myers speaking to city of Ellis officials and residents during the road tour. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Myers said the best choice is to fully replace the bridge, while the second option—repairing only the structure above the piers—may be less expensive upfront, but is not a viable long-term solution."If we leave the piers but put a whole new steel structure... that may get you 40 to 50 years and then you now have a 100-year bridge sitting on top of a pier that's only worth 40 years," he said. "Yes, it's cheaper, but it could be something that costs us more in the years ahead."County officials agreed to continue collaborating with the city of Ellis, but emphasized the city needs to decide on sidewalk and width preferences to direct engineers and avoid unnecessary expenses.<h2>Catherine Road</h2>The Ellis County Commission also visited Catherine Road, where reconstruction is underway to address deteriorating asphalt. Crews are rebuilding the road base in preparation for a new asphalt overlay.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746121265133.jpeg" alt="Catherine Road construction in Ellis County. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Catherine Road construction in Ellis County. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Vineyard Road and Commerce Parkway</h2>Vineyard Road and Commerce Parkway is a collaborative project between the Ellis County Commission and the city of Hays. The road base has been rebuilt, and ditches have been installed for improved drainage. An asphalt overlay is scheduled for later this summer.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746121303675.jpeg" alt="The intersection of Vineyard Road and Commerce Parkway in Ellis County. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The intersection of Vineyard Road and Commerce Parkway in Ellis County. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Old Highway 40</h2>The county commission toured multiple areas of Old Highway 40, including east of Walker Avenue and the interchange at Old Highway 40 and Eighth Street.Mackay said plans are in place to repair cracked panels at the interchange later this year and to redesign the crossovers at the location.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746127753992.jpeg" alt="The interchange of Old Highway 40 and Eighth Street in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The interchange of Old Highway 40 and Eighth Street in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Toulon Avenue</h2>Toulon Avenue has developed pavement ruts that create noticeable wobbling, especially for larger and heavier vehicles. The scheduled overlay was moved up from 2026 to 2025.Mackay said the county also plans to seek grants to widen the road and add shoulders.Other locations the Ellis County road tour visited included:• 210th Avenue • Vineyard Avenue • Little Creek Addition • Leiker Addition • Stonewood Estates North Addition • Ellis County Landfill • Stonewood Estates • Canterbury Road • Reservation Road and developments • 280th Avenue

Ellis County Commission discuss bridge replacement in city of Ellis

On this episode of the&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/category/post-podcast" target="_blank">Post Podcast</a>,&nbsp;Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney speaks with Jessica Younker, USD 489 director of nutrition services, about the Summer Food Program.

<div><iframe title="POST PODCAST: USD 489 - Free Summer Meals Program" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&i=fzb9i-189829b-pb&square=1&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=300" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/category/post-podcast" target="_blank">Post Podcast</a>,&nbsp;Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney speaks with Jessica Younker, USD 489 director of nutrition services, about the Summer Food Program.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746112942615.png" alt="2025 Summer Meals" />
 <figcaption>2025 Summer Meals</figcaption>
 </figure>

🎙 Free summer meals through USD 489 offered at Hays High 

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

HAYS – The TMP-Marian Monarchs softball team earned a split
doubleheader Thursday afternoon with the Hays High Indians at Bickle-Schmidt
Sports Complex.

GAME 1: TMP 13, Hays 11 The Monarchs' Brynn Rebel got the offense started in game
one, hitting a solo home run on the second pitch, as part of a six-run first
inning.

TMP added runs in the inning on Brooke Koenigsman and Adison
Watson RBI singles, an error, and a pair of stolen bases for a 6-0 lead after
one inning.

The offensive output carried over for the Monarchs in the
second inning when Koenigsman converted her second straight RBI single. Bria
Windholz added an RBI single of her own, and then with two outs, TMP’s Teagan
Gottschalk and Raegan Allen hit back-to-back RBI singles to put TMP up 10-0
through an inning and a half.

Hays’ Brynlee Brous led off the bottom of the second inning
with a solo home run. The first of five home runs for Hays cutting TMP’s lead to 10-1.

Brynlee Rupp’s first of two home runs opened the third
inning, trimming TMP’s lead to 10-2. Hays added a third run on a Lauren Klein
RBI groundout.

TMP added two more insurance runs in the fifth on a Brooke Koenigsman double and a Paige Koenigsman RBI single for a 12-3 TMP lead. 

Rupp led off the bottom of the fifth with her second home
run, and Riley Dreher followed with a single home run, making it 12-5 TMP.

An Avery Solida RBI single closed the inning with a 12-6 TMP
lead.

In the bottom of the sixth, Hays scored on an error and loaded
the bases for Avery Soliday, whose grand slam brought Hays within one at 12-11
in the bottom of the sixth inning.

TMP added one more run on an error at the top of the sixth
inning for a 13-11 lead.

In the bottom of the seventh, Hays loaded the bases but
failed to score as TMP picked up its 19th straight win.

Brynn Rebel allowed 11 runs, four earned, with nine hits in
seven innings.

TMP’s Brooke Koenigsman finished three-for-five with three
RBI and three runs scored.

Hays, as a team, connected on five home runs. Avery Solida drove
in five runs.

GAME 2: Hays 6, TMP 3 The Indians scored
four runs in the sixth inning and rallied for a 6-3 win in game two.

The first two innings of the second game of the doubleheader
belonged to the pitchers as TMP starter Bria Windholz and Hays starter Riley
Dreher matched each other through two innings.

Windholz didn’t allow a hit through the first three innings,
and the Monarchs opened the scoring in the top of the third inning.&nbsp; 

Brynn Rebel singled a run home, putting TMP up 1-0. 

Then two batters later, Paige Koenigsman doubled home two
runs, giving TMP a 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third inning. 

It took Hays High until the bottom of the fourth inning to scratch
across their first run, on Rylynn Davis’ two-out double for a 3-1 deficit.,

Hays got closer to snatching the lead back from the Monarchs,
scoring on an RBI groundout by Zimmerman.

After TMP was retired in the top of the sixth, Hays struck
big, scoring 4 times in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Hays tied the game at three runs each on a live drive to
center field by Brynlee Brous. 

An error by the pitcher, Rebel, in the next at-bat allowed
Hays to score the go-ahead run.

Leading 4-3, Lauren Klein connected on a two-run home run, putting
Hays up 6-3, and they went on to win by that score.

Riley Dreher earned the win, allowing just three runs on four
hits with two strikeouts.

Bria Windholz suffered the loss. She allowed all four runs,
three earned with six walks and one strikeout.

Paige Koenigsman (drove in two runs for TMP).

Hays High’s Lauren Klein homered and drive in a pair of
runs.

TMP (19-1) will travel to Salina Sacred Heart on Monday. 

Hays (10-8) will travel to Liberal on Tuesday. 

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostHAYS – The TMP-Marian Monarchs softball team earned a split
doubleheader Thursday afternoon with the Hays High Indians at Bickle-Schmidt
Sports Complex.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2088604905&color=%23000000&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/melissa-schoepf-postgame-1" title="Melissa Schoepf Postgame Interview vs Hays High (May 1st 25)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Melissa Schoepf Postgame Interview vs Hays High (May 1st 25)</a></div></div>GAME 1: TMP 13, Hays 11 The Monarchs' Brynn Rebel got the offense started in game
one, hitting a solo home run on the second pitch, as part of a six-run first
inning.TMP added runs in the inning on Brooke Koenigsman and Adison
Watson RBI singles, an error, and a pair of stolen bases for a 6-0 lead after
one inning.The offensive output carried over for the Monarchs in the
second inning when Koenigsman converted her second straight RBI single. Bria
Windholz added an RBI single of her own, and then with two outs, TMP’s Teagan
Gottschalk and Raegan Allen hit back-to-back RBI singles to put TMP up 10-0
through an inning and a half.Hays’ Brynlee Brous led off the bottom of the second inning
with a solo home run. The first of five home runs for Hays cutting TMP’s lead to 10-1.Brynlee Rupp’s first of two home runs opened the third
inning, trimming TMP’s lead to 10-2. Hays added a third run on a Lauren Klein
RBI groundout.TMP added two more insurance runs in the fifth on a Brooke Koenigsman double and a Paige Koenigsman RBI single for a 12-3 TMP lead. Rupp led off the bottom of the fifth with her second home
run, and Riley Dreher followed with a single home run, making it 12-5 TMP.An Avery Solida RBI single closed the inning with a 12-6 TMP
lead.In the bottom of the sixth, Hays scored on an error and loaded
the bases for Avery Soliday, whose grand slam brought Hays within one at 12-11
in the bottom of the sixth inning.TMP added one more run on an error at the top of the sixth
inning for a 13-11 lead.In the bottom of the seventh, Hays loaded the bases but
failed to score as TMP picked up its 19th straight win.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2088605079&color=%23000000&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/tmp-sb-highlights-vs-hays-high" title="TMP SB Highlights vs Hays High (May 1st 25) game 1" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">TMP SB Highlights vs Hays High (May 1st 25) game 1</a></div></div>Brynn Rebel allowed 11 runs, four earned, with nine hits in
seven innings.TMP’s Brooke Koenigsman finished three-for-five with three
RBI and three runs scored.Hays, as a team, connected on five home runs. Avery Solida drove
in five runs.GAME 2: Hays 6, TMP 3 The Indians scored
four runs in the sixth inning and rallied for a 6-3 win in game two.The first two innings of the second game of the doubleheader
belonged to the pitchers as TMP starter Bria Windholz and Hays starter Riley
Dreher matched each other through two innings.Windholz didn’t allow a hit through the first three innings,
and the Monarchs opened the scoring in the top of the third inning.&nbsp; Brynn Rebel singled a run home, putting TMP up 1-0. Then two batters later, Paige Koenigsman doubled home two
runs, giving TMP a 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third inning. It took Hays High until the bottom of the fourth inning to scratch
across their first run, on Rylynn Davis’ two-out double for a 3-1 deficit.,Hays got closer to snatching the lead back from the Monarchs,
scoring on an RBI groundout by Zimmerman.After TMP was retired in the top of the sixth, Hays struck
big, scoring 4 times in the bottom of the sixth inning.Hays tied the game at three runs each on a live drive to
center field by Brynlee Brous. An error by the pitcher, Rebel, in the next at-bat allowed
Hays to score the go-ahead run.Leading 4-3, Lauren Klein connected on a two-run home run, putting
Hays up 6-3, and they went on to win by that score.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2088605202&color=%23000000&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/tmp-sb-highlights-vs-hays-1" title="TMP SB Highlights vs Hays High (May 1st 25) game 2" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">TMP SB Highlights vs Hays High (May 1st 25) game 2</a></div></div>Riley Dreher earned the win, allowing just three runs on four
hits with two strikeouts.Bria Windholz suffered the loss. She allowed all four runs,
three earned with six walks and one strikeout.TMP out hit the Indians 4 to 3. Paige Koenigsman (drove in two runs for TMP).Hays High’s Lauren Klein homered and drive in a pair of
runs.TMP (19-1) will travel to Salina Sacred Heart on Monday. Hays (10-8) will travel to Liberal on Tuesday.

🥎 Monarchs suffer first loss of the season in split at Hays High

By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER Hays Post

HAYS - Hays High took a big step towards winning the Western Athletic Conference title with a sweep of Liberal on Thursday at Leo-Harper Field.

Game 1: Hays 10, Liberal 5 Liberal jumped out in front with five runs over the first two innings. Two Hays errors in second inning helped the Redskins to four runs. Liberal added a run in the top of the third inning for the 5-0 advantage.

The Indians started to battle back in the bottom of the third. Ian McGuire and Cam Sanders led off the inning with singles. Landon Hardman reached on a fielders choice that drove in McGuire for the Indians' first run. Johnny Cano followed with a run scoring single that scored Weston Werth who was running for Sanders. Carter Graham and Brett Rhoades each drove in a run to close the gap down to 5-4.

Hays took the lead in the fifth inning. Jalen Smith sent a ball over the outfield fence on one hop for a ground rule double that brought Brett Rhoades home to tie the game. McGuire lifted a ball to centerfield for a sacrifice fly that gave the Indians a 6-5 lead.

The Indians added four insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth despite not recording a hit for the 10-5 victory.

Johnny Cano (3-1) earned the victory in relief throwing four innings. He allowed no runs on three hits, struck out one and walked one.

Jalen Smith was the only Indian to record two hits.

Game 2: Hays 4, Liberal 1 Two Hays pitchers combined to allow one run and strikeout nine batters in front of an excellent defensive day by the rest of the team for a 4-1 victory.

Trenton Welch (1-0) worked through two outs in the fifth inning for his longest outing of the year and first career victory. The tall lefty allowed one run on three hits, walked three and struck out six. Brett Rhoades by every definition earned his first career save. He came into a bases loaded top of the sixth inning and slammed the door shut with a strikeout.

Liberal then loaded the bases with a pair of singles and a walk in the top of seventh inning. Rhoades ended the Redskins' hopes and the game with another strikeout.

Each team scored a single run in the first. Hays took advantage of two Liberal errors for their run. A Bennett Smith single in the fourth inning scored Trace Jacobs for the go ahead run. Johnny Cano and Tiger Johnson led off the fifth inning with a single and walk. Carter Graham and Brett Rhoades drove them in with singles for the 4-1 difference.&nbsp;

Hays High (10-6, 9-1) moves within a game of winning the Western Athletic Conference title. They have that chance when they host Garden City on Friday. Liberal (6-15, 2-6) will host Hays in a single game on May 15th.

By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER Hays PostHAYS - Hays High took a big step towards winning the Western Athletic Conference title with a sweep of Liberal on Thursday at Leo-Harper Field.Game 1: Hays 10, Liberal 5 Liberal jumped out in front with five runs over the first two innings. Two Hays errors in second inning helped the Redskins to four runs. Liberal added a run in the top of the third inning for the 5-0 advantage.The Indians started to battle back in the bottom of the third. Ian McGuire and Cam Sanders led off the inning with singles. Landon Hardman reached on a fielders choice that drove in McGuire for the Indians' first run. Johnny Cano followed with a run scoring single that scored Weston Werth who was running for Sanders. Carter Graham and Brett Rhoades each drove in a run to close the gap down to 5-4.Hays took the lead in the fifth inning. Jalen Smith sent a ball over the outfield fence on one hop for a ground rule double that brought Brett Rhoades home to tie the game. McGuire lifted a ball to centerfield for a sacrifice fly that gave the Indians a 6-5 lead.The Indians added four insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth despite not recording a hit for the 10-5 victory.Highlights<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2088556311&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/5-1-25-hhs-bsb-dh-game-1" title="5-1-25 HHS BSB DH Game 1 Highlights v. Liberal" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">5-1-25 HHS BSB DH Game 1 Highlights v. Liberal</a></div></div>Johnny Cano (3-1) earned the victory in relief throwing four innings. He allowed no runs on three hits, struck out one and walked one.Jalen Smith was the only Indian to record two hits.Game 2: Hays 4, Liberal 1 Two Hays pitchers combined to allow one run and strikeout nine batters in front of an excellent defensive day by the rest of the team for a 4-1 victory.Trenton Welch (1-0) worked through two outs in the fifth inning for his longest outing of the year and first career victory. The tall lefty allowed one run on three hits, walked three and struck out six. Brett Rhoades by every definition earned his first career save. He came into a bases loaded top of the sixth inning and slammed the door shut with a strikeout.Liberal then loaded the bases with a pair of singles and a walk in the top of seventh inning. Rhoades ended the Redskins' hopes and the game with another strikeout.Each team scored a single run in the first. Hays took advantage of two Liberal errors for their run. A Bennett Smith single in the fourth inning scored Trace Jacobs for the go ahead run. Johnny Cano and Tiger Johnson led off the fifth inning with a single and walk. Carter Graham and Brett Rhoades drove them in with singles for the 4-1 difference.&nbsp;Highlights<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2088610755&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/5-1-25-hhs-bsb-dh-game-2" title="5-1-25 HHS BSB DH Game 2 Highlights v. Liberal" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">5-1-25 HHS BSB DH Game 2 Highlights v. Liberal</a></div></div>Hays High (10-6, 9-1) moves within a game of winning the Western Athletic Conference title. They have that chance when they host Garden City on Friday. Liberal (6-15, 2-6) will host Hays in a single game on May 15th.Coach Dustin Dreher<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2088607722&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/5-1-25-hhs-bsb-dh-coach-interview-v-liberal" title="5-1-25 HHS BSB DH Coach Interview v. Liberal" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">5-1-25 HHS BSB DH Coach Interview v. Liberal</a></div></div>

⚾ Hays High sweeps Liberal

McPHERSON
– The Hays High boys and girls both won the McPherson Invitational Thursday.
The girls edged Andover by one point and the boys won by 33 over second place Pratt.
The Indian boys won seven events and the girls six.

Kamari
Jones won three gold medals for the boys, taking the 200 and the triple jump.
Jones was also on the winning 4x100 relay along with Holden Lind, Jarek Purdy
and Braxton Basgall (43.81). Bruce Steffen won the 300 hurdles (40.47), Caleb
Englert won the shot put with a personal best throw of 52-1. Parker McGuire had
a personal best in the discus at 157-0 in a first place finish and Dalton
Meyers won the javelin (170-2).

The
girls were pace by Lyndi Zimmerman and Kamryn McCall who both had two first
place finishes. Zimmerman won the 100 hurdles (14.49) and McCall the long jump
(17-4). Both were a part of the 4x100 relay along with Moriah Hallum and Lynsi
Kanek which also finished first with a time of 50.21. Katie Linenberger won the
high jump (5-2) and Rylen Harrington placed first in the javelin (119-3).

Hays Post SportsMcPHERSON
– The Hays High boys and girls both won the McPherson Invitational Thursday.
The girls edged Andover by one point and the boys won by 33 over second place Pratt.
The Indian boys won seven events and the girls six.Kamari
Jones won three gold medals for the boys, taking the 200 and the triple jump.
Jones was also on the winning 4x100 relay along with Holden Lind, Jarek Purdy
and Braxton Basgall (43.81). Bruce Steffen won the 300 hurdles (40.47), Caleb
Englert won the shot put with a personal best throw of 52-1. Parker McGuire had
a personal best in the discus at 157-0 in a first place finish and Dalton
Meyers won the javelin (170-2).The
girls were pace by Lyndi Zimmerman and Kamryn McCall who both had two first
place finishes. Zimmerman won the 100 hurdles (14.49) and McCall the long jump
(17-4). Both were a part of the 4x100 relay along with Moriah Hallum and Lynsi
Kanek which also finished first with a time of 50.21. Katie Linenberger won the
high jump (5-2) and Rylen Harrington placed first in the javelin (119-3).

🏃‍♀️ HHS boys and girls win McPherson Invitational

KANSAS CITY —Kansas City, Missouri police are investigating a deadly officer involved shooting near Kansas City International Airport.

Early Thursday,&nbsp; Riverside, Missouri Police Officers were dispatched on a reported Domestic Violence Aggravated Assault that occurred in the parking lot of the Argosy Casino, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez .

 An adult male victim was located and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on scene at that location. Riverside dispatch quickly broadcasted the description of the suspect vehicle and person of interest to responding officers. 

A Riverside police officer located the described suspect and vehicle as he was fleeing the scene. Due to the nature of the call, a vehicle pursuit was initiated, to stop an armed and dangerous individual. 

The Kansas City Missouri Police Department became notified of an outside agency vehicle pursuit traveling through the city and assisted by deploying stop sticks, a tire deflation device, in the area of I-29 and Cookingham around 6:40a.m.

The suspect vehicle’s tires struck the tire deflation device disabling the vehicle. The driver subsequently pulled over and stopped the vehicle at I-29 and I-435. 

Multiple agencies, to include the Riverside Police Department and the Platte County Sheriff’s Office, began giving verbal commands for the suspect to exit the vehicle and peacefully surrender. 

After approximately thirty minutes of negotiations, the suspect exited the driver’s seat of the vehicle armed with a handgun. He pointed the firearm in the direction of the officers, at which time two Riverside Police Officers and one Platte County Deputy discharged their duty weapons, striking the adult male subject. 

Officers on scene provided emergency medical care to the man until EMS responded and transported him to an area hospital for treatment. The male suspect was declared deceased a short time later at the hospital. 

A handgun was recovered from the scene where the suspect had been shot. No officers were injured during this incident.&nbsp; Police have not released the suspect's name.

KANSAS CITY —The Kansas City Police Department is investigating an Officer Involved Shooting involving multiple outside agencies that occurred early Thursday near Interstate 29 and Interstate 435, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez .&nbsp; Few details are available. Northbound Interstate 29 was closed at Cookingham during the investigation.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746109656574.png" alt="Image KC Scout camera" />
 <figcaption>Image KC Scout camera</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Kansas City, Missouri police are investigating a deadly officer involved shooting near Kansas City International Airport.Early Thursday,&nbsp; Riverside, Missouri Police Officers were dispatched on a reported Domestic Violence Aggravated Assault that occurred in the parking lot of the Argosy Casino, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez . An adult male victim was located and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on scene at that location. Riverside dispatch quickly broadcasted the description of the suspect vehicle and person of interest to responding officers. A Riverside police officer located the described suspect and vehicle as he was fleeing the scene. Due to the nature of the call, a vehicle pursuit was initiated, to stop an armed and dangerous individual. The Kansas City Missouri Police Department became notified of an outside agency vehicle pursuit traveling through the city and assisted by deploying stop sticks, a tire deflation device, in the area of I-29 and Cookingham around 6:40a.m.The suspect vehicle’s tires struck the tire deflation device disabling the vehicle. The driver subsequently pulled over and stopped the vehicle at I-29 and I-435. Multiple agencies, to include the Riverside Police Department and the Platte County Sheriff’s Office, began giving verbal commands for the suspect to exit the vehicle and peacefully surrender. After approximately thirty minutes of negotiations, the suspect exited the driver’s seat of the vehicle armed with a handgun. He pointed the firearm in the direction of the officers, at which time two Riverside Police Officers and one Platte County Deputy discharged their duty weapons, striking the adult male subject. Officers on scene provided emergency medical care to the man until EMS responded and transported him to an area hospital for treatment. The male suspect was declared deceased a short time later at the hospital. A handgun was recovered from the scene where the suspect had been shot. No officers were injured during this incident.&nbsp; Police have not released the suspect's name.----------------KANSAS CITY —The Kansas City Police Department is investigating an Officer Involved Shooting involving multiple outside agencies that occurred early Thursday near Interstate 29 and Interstate 435, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez .&nbsp; Few details are available. Northbound Interstate 29 was closed at Cookingham during the investigation.Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

KCPD updates details on fatal officer-involved shooting near KCI

GARDEN
CITY – The Hays High boys golf team finished third at Thursday’s Garden City
Invitational at the Buffalo Dunes Golf Course. The Indians shot a 324 and finished
nine shots behind first place Dodge City and three behind second place Garden
City.

Caleb
Thompson led the Indians with a 4-over-par 76 and placed third. Braiden Bickle
placed seventh with an 8-over-par 80 and Trey Oakley finished eighth with an
82.

Garden City’s Maddix Shook won the individual title
firing a 5-under-par 67. Dodge City’s Aiden Thompson was second with a 1-under
71.

Hays Post SportsGARDEN
CITY – The Hays High boys golf team finished third at Thursday’s Garden City
Invitational at the Buffalo Dunes Golf Course. The Indians shot a 324 and finished
nine shots behind first place Dodge City and three behind second place Garden
City.Caleb
Thompson led the Indians with a 4-over-par 76 and placed third. Braiden Bickle
placed seventh with an 8-over-par 80 and Trey Oakley finished eighth with an
82.Garden City’s Maddix Shook won the individual title
firing a 5-under-par 67. Dodge City’s Aiden Thompson was second with a 1-under
71.

⛳Thompson leads HHS boys to third place finish in Garden City

DICKINSON COUNTY —Law enforcement and USD 473 staff are investigating an alleged threat at the middle school in Chapman.

On Wednesday, an officer with Chapman Police was notified of a potential harmful event that may occur at a later date at the Chapman Middle School, 624 Marshall Ave, Chapman, according to a social media report from the Chapman Police Department.

Chapman police immediately made contact with USD 473 staff and contacted the Dickinson Co. Sheriff’s Office and an investigation began immediately.

After the investigation, the officials feel that there is no credible threat. The investigation isn’t complete.  An official statement will be released on Friday.  Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

DICKINSON COUNTY —Law enforcement and USD 473 staff are investigating an alleged threat at the middle school in Chapman.On Wednesday, an officer with Chapman Police was notified of a potential harmful event that may occur at a later date at the Chapman Middle School, 624 Marshall Ave, Chapman, according to a social media report from the Chapman Police Department.Chapman police immediately made contact with USD 473 staff and contacted the Dickinson Co. Sheriff’s Office and an investigation began immediately.After the investigation, the officials feel that there is no credible threat. The investigation isn’t complete. An official statement will be released on Friday. Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

Police investigating alleged threat at Kansas middle school

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Thursday that he’s naming Secretary of State Marco Rubio as acting national security adviser to replace Mike Waltz, whom he is nominating for United Nations ambassador.

Trump announced the moves shortly after news broke that Waltz and his deputy Alex Wong were departing the administration just weeks after it was revealed that Waltz added a journalist to a Signal chat being used to discuss military plans.

Trump said Rubio will continue to serve as secretary of state.

“I am pleased to announce that I will be nominating Mike Waltz to be the next United States Ambassador to the United Nations. From his time in uniform on the battlefield, in Congress and, as my National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz has worked hard to put our Nation’s Interests first,” Trump wrote on social media.

“In the interim, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will serve as National Security Advisor, while continuing his strong leadership at the State Department. Together, we will continue to fight tirelessly to Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN.

WASHINGTON (AP) — White House national security adviser&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-national-security-adviser-mike-wlatz-0c81d044c9ffe18dfd745202e8351b9c">Mike Waltz</a>&nbsp;is leaving the administration just weeks after it was revealed he added a journalist to a Signal chat being used to discuss military plans, according to two people familiar with the matter Thursday, marking the first major staff shakeup of President Donald Trump’s second term.

Mike Walz statement during the Trump cabinet meeting Wednesday.

Waltz came under searing scrutiny in March after revelations that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/war-plans-hegseth-signal-chat-investigation-507d6c692d0cfdfe53e687c0801fd46b">added journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to a private text chain</a>&nbsp;on the encrypted messaging app Signal, which was used to discuss planning for a sensitive March 15 military operation against Houthi militants in Yemen. A far-right ally of the president, Laura Loomer, has also targeted Waltz, telling Trump in a recent Oval Office conversation that he needs to purge aides who she believes are insufficiently loyal to the “Make America Great Again” agenda.

Waltz’s deputy, Alex Wong, is also expected to depart, according to the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a personnel move not yet made public. The National Security Council did not respond do a request for comment.

Waltz, who served in the House representing Florida for three terms before his elevation to the White House, is the most prominent senior administration official to depart since Trump returned to the White House. In his second term, the Republican president had been looking to avoid the tumult of his first four years in office, during which he cycled through four national security advisers, four White House chiefs of staff and two secretaries of state.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-signal-chat-pentagon-trump-30dc4c3d0e75a89f3fd883f38b26afff">The Signal chain</a>&nbsp;also showed that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth provided the exact timings of warplane launches and when bombs would drop. Waltz had previously taken “full responsibility” for building the message chain and administration officials described the episode as a “mistake” but one that caused Americans no harm. Waltz maintained that he was not sure how Goldberg ended up in the messaging chain, and insisted he did not know the journalist.

Trump and the White House — which insisted that no classified information was shared on the text chain — have stood by Waltz publicly throughout the episode. But the embattled national security adviser was also under siege from personalities such as Loomer, who had been complaining to administration officials that she had been excluded from the vetting process for National Security Council aides. In her view, Waltz relied too much on “neocons” — referring to hawkish neoconservatives within the Republican Party — as well as others who Loomer argued were “not-MAGA-enough” types.

Waltz was on television as late as Thursday morning, promoting the administration’s agreement with Kyiv that would allow the U.S. to access Ukraine’s critical minerals and other natural resources. As reports began to circulate that Waltz could be leaving the administration, Loomer appeared to take credit in a post on the social media site X, writing: “SCALP.”

“Hopefully, the rest of the people who were set to be fired but were given promotions at the NSC under Waltz also depart,” Loomer wrote in another post.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746122307583.png" alt="Mike Waltz leaving the White House grounds on Thursday- image from CSPAN video" />
 <figcaption>Mike Waltz leaving the White House grounds on Thursday- image from CSPAN video</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Thursday that he’s naming Secretary of State Marco Rubio as acting national security adviser to replace Mike Waltz, whom he is nominating for United Nations ambassador.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737910487415.png" alt="Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran during a meeting with Waltz before his confirmation hearing- courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran during a meeting with Waltz before his confirmation hearing- courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Trump announced the moves shortly after news broke that Waltz and his deputy Alex Wong were departing the administration just weeks after it was revealed that Waltz added a journalist to a Signal chat being used to discuss military plans.Trump said Rubio will continue to serve as secretary of state.“I am pleased to announce that I will be nominating Mike Waltz to be the next United States Ambassador to the United Nations. From his time in uniform on the battlefield, in Congress and, as my National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz has worked hard to put our Nation’s Interests first,” Trump wrote on social media.“In the interim, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will serve as National Security Advisor, while continuing his strong leadership at the State Department. Together, we will continue to fight tirelessly to Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN.---------WASHINGTON (AP) — White House national security adviser&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-national-security-adviser-mike-wlatz-0c81d044c9ffe18dfd745202e8351b9c">Mike Waltz</a>&nbsp;is leaving the administration just weeks after it was revealed he added a journalist to a Signal chat being used to discuss military plans, according to two people familiar with the matter Thursday, marking the first major staff shakeup of President Donald Trump’s second term.Mike Walz statement during the Trump cabinet meeting Wednesday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Cabinet meet yest: WALTZ: &quot;Total lack of zero leadership under Biden. We&#39;ve had 100 days of your leadership with respect, with strength...Pulling this great team together Mr. President...It&#39;s an honor to serve you in this administration&quot; TRUMP: &quot;...Thank you very much, Michael&quot; <a href="https://t.co/JovGXc9wV3">pic.twitter.com/JovGXc9wV3</a>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1917981092545454561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Waltz came under searing scrutiny in March after revelations that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/war-plans-hegseth-signal-chat-investigation-507d6c692d0cfdfe53e687c0801fd46b">added journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to a private text chain</a>&nbsp;on the encrypted messaging app Signal, which was used to discuss planning for a sensitive March 15 military operation against Houthi militants in Yemen. A far-right ally of the president, Laura Loomer, has also targeted Waltz, telling Trump in a recent Oval Office conversation that he needs to purge aides who she believes are insufficiently loyal to the “Make America Great Again” agenda.Waltz’s deputy, Alex Wong, is also expected to depart, according to the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a personnel move not yet made public. The National Security Council did not respond do a request for comment.Waltz, who served in the House representing Florida for three terms before his elevation to the White House, is the most prominent senior administration official to depart since Trump returned to the White House. In his second term, the Republican president had been looking to avoid the tumult of his first four years in office, during which he cycled through four national security advisers, four White House chiefs of staff and two secretaries of state.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-signal-chat-pentagon-trump-30dc4c3d0e75a89f3fd883f38b26afff">The Signal chain</a>&nbsp;also showed that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth provided the exact timings of warplane launches and when bombs would drop. Waltz had previously taken “full responsibility” for building the message chain and administration officials described the episode as a “mistake” but one that caused Americans no harm. Waltz maintained that he was not sure how Goldberg ended up in the messaging chain, and insisted he did not know the journalist.Trump and the White House — which insisted that no classified information was shared on the text chain — have stood by Waltz publicly throughout the episode. But the embattled national security adviser was also under siege from personalities such as Loomer, who had been complaining to administration officials that she had been excluded from the vetting process for National Security Council aides. In her view, Waltz relied too much on “neocons” — referring to hawkish neoconservatives within the Republican Party — as well as others who Loomer argued were “not-MAGA-enough” types.Waltz was on television as late as Thursday morning, promoting the administration’s agreement with Kyiv that would allow the U.S. to access Ukraine’s critical minerals and other natural resources. As reports began to circulate that Waltz could be leaving the administration, Loomer appeared to take credit in a post on the social media site X, writing: “SCALP.”“Hopefully, the rest of the people who were set to be fired but were given promotions at the NSC under Waltz also depart,” Loomer wrote in another post.

Staff shakeup: Waltz will move from National Security Adviser to UN envoy

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Property abatements for two former motel properties in Hays will be heard by the Hays City Commission this afternoon.&nbsp;

If an abatement is ultimately approved by commissioners, and if the owner does not take action to remedy the issues, the city will hire a contractor to demolish the structure, and all costs of abatement will be charged to the property owner.

The Rodeway Inn Motel, 3404 Vine St., is owned by HKHR Hospitality Inc. and was <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e02e23b-0f72-40cb-9cb4-862afda92c4c">shut down by the Kansas Fire Marshal</a> last year for significant structural damage.&nbsp; On Oct. 5, 2024, the fire marshal was notified by the owner that the motel was closed.&nbsp;

Also under consideration for property abatement is the former Budget Host Inn, 810 E. Eighth St., owned by Mark Ottley. 

In 2019, Ottley remodeled two of the closed motel buildings into apartments. In May 2020, three of the remaining four buildings were demolished. 

City staff received building plans for the last building in June 2024 and completed a full plan review. No action has been taken by Ottley since then to obtain permits for the project.

Commissioners will also review an ordinance to establish a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District and a plan developing 101 houses and public facilities in the Tallgrass 2nd Addition, Phase 4 at the northeast corner of Wheatland Ave. and 22nd Street.

The developer, Heart of America Development Corporation of Ellis County,&nbsp; requests the district financing on a pay-as-you-go basis for 25 years. 

Heart of America proposes that the city finance the majority of the district-eligible costs and construct the infrastructure, utilizing the district revenues to offset the city’s costs. Revenues will come from incremental property taxes revenues collected on the project site.

A low bid award will be considered for the construction of a stormwater equipment storage building by QMC, Inc., Gove County, for $292,650. QMC most recently built the Hays Microfactory.&nbsp;

The complete May 1 agenda is available <a href="https://ks-hays.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05012025-1543">here</a>.&nbsp;

The work session begins at 4 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746115364907.png" alt="3404 Vine St. property owned by&nbsp;HKHR Hospitality Inc. Photo by city of Hays" />
 <figcaption>3404 Vine St. property owned by&nbsp;HKHR Hospitality Inc. Photo by city of Hays</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostProperty abatements for two former motel properties in Hays will be heard by the Hays City Commission this afternoon.&nbsp;If an abatement is ultimately approved by commissioners, and if the owner does not take action to remedy the issues, the city will hire a contractor to demolish the structure, and all costs of abatement will be charged to the property owner.The Rodeway Inn Motel, 3404 Vine St., is owned by HKHR Hospitality Inc. and was <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e02e23b-0f72-40cb-9cb4-862afda92c4c">shut down by the Kansas Fire Marshal</a> last year for significant structural damage.&nbsp; On Oct. 5, 2024, the fire marshal was notified by the owner that the motel was closed.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746115157019.png" alt="810 E. Eighth St. property owned by Mark Ottley. Photo by City of Hays" />
 <figcaption>810 E. Eighth St. property owned by Mark Ottley. Photo by City of Hays</figcaption>
 </figure>Also under consideration for property abatement is the former Budget Host Inn, 810 E. Eighth St., owned by Mark Ottley. In 2019, Ottley remodeled two of the closed motel buildings into apartments. In May 2020, three of the remaining four buildings were demolished. City staff received building plans for the last building in June 2024 and completed a full plan review. No action has been taken by Ottley since then to obtain permits for the project.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746115659056.png" alt="Tallgrass Housing 2nd Addition Phase 4 at the northeast corner of Wheatland Avenue and 22nd Street. Courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>Tallgrass Housing 2nd Addition Phase 4 at the northeast corner of Wheatland Avenue and 22nd Street. Courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>Commissioners will also review an ordinance to establish a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District and a plan developing 101 houses and public facilities in the Tallgrass 2nd Addition, Phase 4 at the northeast corner of Wheatland Ave. and 22nd Street.The developer, Heart of America Development Corporation of Ellis County,&nbsp; requests the district financing on a pay-as-you-go basis for 25 years. Heart of America proposes that the city finance the majority of the district-eligible costs and construct the infrastructure, utilizing the district revenues to offset the city’s costs. Revenues will come from incremental property taxes revenues collected on the project site.A low bid award will be considered for the construction of a stormwater equipment storage building by QMC, Inc., Gove County, for $292,650. QMC most recently built the Hays Microfactory.&nbsp;The complete May 1 agenda is available <a href="https://ks-hays.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05012025-1543">here</a>.&nbsp;The work session begins at 4 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.

Rodeway Inn, and other former motel property may be demolished by city

Weekly on Tuesdays – Cinnamon Rolls, Coffee &amp; Fellowship, 7:00-9:00 a.m., American Legion, 520 N. 1st&nbsp;St., Natoma&nbsp;

May 2 Coffee &amp; Donuts, 10:00-11:00 AM, Downs Care and Rehab, 1218 Kansas St, Downs&nbsp;

May 17 Shady Bend 4-Person Golf Tournament, 9 AM, Shady Bend Golf, Osborne;&nbsp;To enter please call or text Eric at 785-346-4654.

May 23 Osborne’s 6th&nbsp;Annual Draggin’ Main event, Downtown Osborne,&nbsp;

5:15 Cruise Staging 5:30 Cruise the Old Route, with a lap through the parking lots of the nursing home and hospital Food trucks will be on site all afternoon and evening on South 4th (east of the old hospital) BYOB &nbsp; 8pm - Band on the Basketball Courts!!!&nbsp;

May 26-30 Vacation Bible School at Dispatch Christian Reformed Church, 9:00-11:30;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dispatch Christian Reformed Church, 298 10 Rd, Cawker City, KS 67430

May 26 His and Her Scramble Golf Tournament, 9:00 a.m., Downs Golf Course, KS-181, Downs;&nbsp;Call or text Cory 785-545-6043 or Charlene 785-545-5582 to register. &nbsp;

May 26 Natoma’s 157th&nbsp;Memorial Day Service;&nbsp;American Legion Post 109 Color Guard American Legion Auxiliary Unit 109 &nbsp;

Natoma Catholic, Thomas J. Hogan WWI, rural 9:30 a.m.&nbsp; North Immanuel Lutheran, rural 10 a.m.&nbsp; Mount Hermon, Paradise rural, 10:30 a.m.&nbsp; Natoma City Cemetery, 11 a.m.&nbsp;

Memorial Day Beef and Noodle Community Dinner; 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.; hosted by the American Legion Auxiliary American Legion Hall, Post 109&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745947347148.png" alt="Osborne County Community Foundation" />
 <figcaption>Osborne County Community Foundation</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedWeekly on Tuesdays – Cinnamon Rolls, Coffee &amp; Fellowship, 7:00-9:00 a.m., American Legion, 520 N. 1st&nbsp;St., Natoma&nbsp;May 2 Coffee &amp; Donuts, 10:00-11:00 AM, Downs Care and Rehab, 1218 Kansas St, Downs&nbsp;May 17 Shady Bend 4-Person Golf Tournament, 9 AM, Shady Bend Golf, Osborne;&nbsp;To enter please call or text Eric at 785-346-4654. May 23 Osborne’s 6th&nbsp;Annual Draggin’ Main event, Downtown Osborne,&nbsp;5:15 Cruise Staging 5:30 Cruise the Old Route, with a lap through the parking lots of the nursing home and hospital Food trucks will be on site all afternoon and evening on South 4th (east of the old hospital) BYOB &nbsp; 8pm - Band on the Basketball Courts!!!&nbsp;May 26-30 Vacation Bible School at Dispatch Christian Reformed Church, 9:00-11:30;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dispatch Christian Reformed Church, 298 10 Rd, Cawker City, KS 67430 May 26 His and Her Scramble Golf Tournament, 9:00 a.m., Downs Golf Course, KS-181, Downs;&nbsp;Call or text Cory 785-545-6043 or Charlene 785-545-5582 to register. &nbsp;May 26 Natoma’s 157th&nbsp;Memorial Day Service;&nbsp;American Legion Post 109 Color Guard American Legion Auxiliary Unit 109 &nbsp;Natoma Catholic, Thomas J. Hogan WWI, rural 9:30 a.m.&nbsp; North Immanuel Lutheran, rural 10 a.m.&nbsp; Mount Hermon, Paradise rural, 10:30 a.m.&nbsp; Natoma City Cemetery, 11 a.m.&nbsp;Memorial Day Beef and Noodle Community Dinner; 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.; hosted by the American Legion Auxiliary American Legion Hall, Post 109&nbsp;

Osborne County events for May

See your school's goal and learn how you can help

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The state of Kansas has changed the accreditation process for Kansas schools, and Hays USD 489 schools have announced new goals for improvement.

Accreditation is transitioning from a five-year cycle to a one-year cycle, said Shanna Dinkel, assistant superintendent and director of curriculum.

The accreditation is split into three sections: compliance, outcomes and improvements.

Compliance covers items such as the number of school days and school nutrition programs—requirements that all schools must meet.

Outcomes have been narrowed to include math and English student assessment scores, graduation rate and postsecondary success. All three of these measures were also part of the former accreditation system.

Post-secondary success is the number of students who have received post-secondary degrees or accreditation, or are enrolled in post-secondary education two years after graduation. It does not include students who enter the workforce or military directly after high school.

You can find information about the district's data on the Kansas Department of Education website under the <a href="https://ksreportcard.ksde.gov/home.aspx?org_no=D0489&amp;rptType=2">Data Central tab</a>.

Assessments are completed in the spring, so the data for the 2024-25 school year has not been released.

The assessments are based on scores ranging from one to four. • Level one indicates students demonstrate a limited ability to understand the material. • Level two&nbsp;indicates students demonstrate a basic ability to understand the material. • Level three indicates students demonstrate effective skills to understand the material. • Level four&nbsp;indicates students demonstrate an excellent ability to understand the material.

In 2023 and 2024, USD 489 had fewer students in the lowest level for English and math, but had slightly higher percentages of students in level two compared to the state average.

Dinkel said the district will emphasize math improvement during the coming school year. The district's math scores for all students have decreased since the pandemic. The district has had more students scoring in level one and fewer in levels three and four, Dinkel said.

"The gap is a little tighter than we want it to be," Dinkel said of the district's scores compared to the state averages.

The district plans for English improvement projects at a later date, she said.

Hays USD 489 exceeded the state graduation rate in 2023 and 2024, with a 89.6% graduation rate in 2023 and a 93.5% graduation rate in 2024.

The district's post-secondary success rate has declined during the last two years. These would be students who graduated in 2021 and 2022 and were affected by pandemic remote learning.

The school districts have been planning their improvement projects this year. They will implement the plans in the 2025-26 school year, and the state will assess how those plans have affected outcomes in the 2026-27 school year.

The Kansas Department of Education has yet to establish benchmarks that school districts must meet to achieve accreditation, Dinkel said.

Dinkel said the district is working to align its curriculum with test standards and better coordinate collaboration among teachers.

"We want to make sure we're looking at the data and having the right conversations to make sure it impacts students at the desk level so our students are better prepared for those state assessments," Dinkel said.

Each school also has a distinct improvement plan based on the needs of its students, Dinkel said.

They are as follows: • Hays High School: Promoting student responsibility by expanding staff capacity in classroom management and relationship-building practices.

• Hays Middle School: Students will show improvement in course grades. • Roosevelt Elementary School:&nbsp;Targeted Tier 1 instruction in the area of behavior and social/emotional learning.

• O'Loughlin Elementary School:&nbsp;By spring 2025, at least 92% of O’Loughlin students will show modest, typical or aggressive overall reading growth as measured by FastBridge.

• Wilson Elementary School:&nbsp;Focus on grade-level learners in Numbers and Operations in Base Ten standards K-5.

• Early Childhood Connections: Increase self-control of feelings and behavior, phonological awareness, and letter and word knowledge to 80%.

Dinkel said the schools will periodically check their progress toward their goals throughout the school year.

&nbsp;The district offers a parent feedback survey in the spring, but Dinkel encourages parents to provide their thoughts throughout the year.

"The more families who provide feedback, the better, because that helps us identify where we are falling short from the parents' perspective," Dinkel said.&nbsp;"We can think we're doing a great job, but we really need to hear ways we can support [students]."

Based on parent feedback, the middle school changed to the Rooms app, which allows parents and teachers to communicate through text messages.

Dinkel said parents can also assist their students by offering homework help and establishing routines that set aside time for homework.&nbsp;

Check your students' grades on PowerSchool and then visit with them on how school is going, Dinkel suggested.

Parents can also become involved through home and school organizations and school site councils.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745952157863.jpg" alt="Photo courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>See your school's goal and learn how you can help</h2>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe state of Kansas has changed the accreditation process for Kansas schools, and Hays USD 489 schools have announced new goals for improvement.Accreditation is transitioning from a five-year cycle to a one-year cycle, said Shanna Dinkel, assistant superintendent and director of curriculum.The accreditation is split into three sections: compliance, outcomes and improvements.Compliance covers items such as the number of school days and school nutrition programs—requirements that all schools must meet.Outcomes have been narrowed to include math and English student assessment scores, graduation rate and postsecondary success. All three of these measures were also part of the former accreditation system.Post-secondary success is the number of students who have received post-secondary degrees or accreditation, or are enrolled in post-secondary education two years after graduation. It does not include students who enter the workforce or military directly after high school.You can find information about the district's data on the Kansas Department of Education website under the <a href="https://ksreportcard.ksde.gov/home.aspx?org_no=D0489&amp;rptType=2">Data Central tab</a>.Assessments are completed in the spring, so the data for the 2024-25 school year has not been released.The assessments are based on scores ranging from one to four. • Level one indicates students demonstrate a limited ability to understand the material. • Level two&nbsp;indicates students demonstrate a basic ability to understand the material. • Level three indicates students demonstrate effective skills to understand the material. • Level four&nbsp;indicates students demonstrate an excellent ability to understand the material.In 2023 and 2024, USD 489 had fewer students in the lowest level for English and math, but had slightly higher percentages of students in level two compared to the state average.Dinkel said the district will emphasize math improvement during the coming school year. The district's math scores for all students have decreased since the pandemic. The district has had more students scoring in level one and fewer in levels three and four, Dinkel said."The gap is a little tighter than we want it to be," Dinkel said of the district's scores compared to the state averages.The district plans for English improvement projects at a later date, she said.Hays USD 489 exceeded the state graduation rate in 2023 and 2024, with a 89.6% graduation rate in 2023 and a 93.5% graduation rate in 2024.The district's post-secondary success rate has declined during the last two years. These would be students who graduated in 2021 and 2022 and were affected by pandemic remote learning.The school districts have been planning their improvement projects this year. They will implement the plans in the 2025-26 school year, and the state will assess how those plans have affected outcomes in the 2026-27 school year.The Kansas Department of Education has yet to establish benchmarks that school districts must meet to achieve accreditation, Dinkel said.Dinkel said the district is working to align its curriculum with test standards and better coordinate collaboration among teachers."We want to make sure we're looking at the data and having the right conversations to make sure it impacts students at the desk level so our students are better prepared for those state assessments," Dinkel said.<h2>School-level improvements</h2>Each school also has a distinct improvement plan based on the needs of its students, Dinkel said.They are as follows: • Hays High School: Promoting student responsibility by expanding staff capacity in classroom management and relationship-building practices.• Hays Middle School: Students will show improvement in course grades. • Roosevelt Elementary School:&nbsp;Targeted Tier 1 instruction in the area of behavior and social/emotional learning. • O'Loughlin Elementary School:&nbsp;By spring 2025, at least 92% of O’Loughlin students will show modest, typical or aggressive overall reading growth as measured by FastBridge.• Wilson Elementary School:&nbsp;Focus on grade-level learners in Numbers and Operations in Base Ten standards K-5.• Early Childhood Connections: Increase self-control of feelings and behavior, phonological awareness, and letter and word knowledge to 80%.Dinkel said the schools will periodically check their progress toward their goals throughout the school year.<h2>How can parents help?</h2>&nbsp;The district offers a parent feedback survey in the spring, but Dinkel encourages parents to provide their thoughts throughout the year."The more families who provide feedback, the better, because that helps us identify where we are falling short from the parents' perspective," Dinkel said.&nbsp;"We can think we're doing a great job, but we really need to hear ways we can support [students]."Based on parent feedback, the middle school changed to the Rooms app, which allows parents and teachers to communicate through text messages.Dinkel said parents can also assist their students by offering homework help and establishing routines that set aside time for homework.&nbsp;Check your students' grades on PowerSchool and then visit with them on how school is going, Dinkel suggested.Parents can also become involved through home and school organizations and school site councils.

Hays USD 489 to focus on math under new state accreditation system

For nine years I lived within five miles of the Pacific Ocean. I breathed its salt air, I lived for invigorating breezes that freshened every morning and evening. As often as I could, I stood with toes in foaming water and looked West into forever. Standing there, I saw infinity roll away and then roll back on the white wash of one returning wave after another. I thought I could never live anywhere I couldn’t see and hear the continual rising and falling of the sea.

It wasn’t long after I paused at the Pacific’s edge that last time, wondering how I could survive away from it that I discovered the answer to my question. After my family moved to Oklahoma, I reeled and foundered, trying to adjust and find a way to part from the ocean I loved.

For months, I clung to memories, sniffed bags filled with seaweed scented shells, and listened to audio tapes that replicated the sea’s pounding thunder. 

After a spell, I began to look around. A college friend lived in a balcony apartment overlooking a wheat field. One day I sat on the porch and watched wind move through a ripening wheat field. Those of you who’ve done the same know what I saw. An ocean, a swelling and falling ocean of grain rolling over the prairie. Once again I watched infinite waves roll in, one right after the other. My fascination with the scene before me puzzled this friend who’d grown up on a farm. However, former dwellers of a land near the sea recognize what I found that day.

Years later, more by far than I ever spent living near the ocean, I still miss watching rising and falling foam-capped grey-green water. I miss the tides, the waxing and waning of water and land. I miss the ocean’s roar, the feel of salt-tang wind against my face, the discovery of delicate shells beneath my feet.

But I no longer miss them too much. I discovered I live in an ancient sea bed. I find shells in pastures, limestone rocks, on roadsides, and on hillsides near my home. I find ammonite and clam imprints in the thousands of limestone posts fencing this region. Even better, I found the sea again.

Walking country roads of Kansas, I need listen only a short while before I hear the echo of ancient waves carried on the wind. When I stand on a hill overlooking somebody’s wheat field, I imagine myself perched at the edge of infinity listening to a roaring tide pour in. Nearby, wave after wave of rolling wheat reminds me that eons ago, this land where I now stand teemed with sea creatures great and small.

As I walk face first into the wind, I hear an ocean within as my own blood pounds and pulses in tune to the clamor without. This one-time child of the Pacific stands rooted in another ancient seabed, feeling eternity throb on a Kansas hillside.

Karen Madorin is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and sixth-generation Kansan.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745947901206.jpeg" alt="Logan area wheat field. Photo by Karen Madorin" />
 <figcaption>Logan area wheat field. Photo by Karen Madorin</figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN MADORINFor nine years I lived within five miles of the Pacific Ocean. I breathed its salt air, I lived for invigorating breezes that freshened every morning and evening. As often as I could, I stood with toes in foaming water and looked West into forever. Standing there, I saw infinity roll away and then roll back on the white wash of one returning wave after another. I thought I could never live anywhere I couldn’t see and hear the continual rising and falling of the sea.Surprise, life inevitably changes. It wasn’t long after I paused at the Pacific’s edge that last time, wondering how I could survive away from it that I discovered the answer to my question. After my family moved to Oklahoma, I reeled and foundered, trying to adjust and find a way to part from the ocean I loved.For months, I clung to memories, sniffed bags filled with seaweed scented shells, and listened to audio tapes that replicated the sea’s pounding thunder. After a spell, I began to look around. A college friend lived in a balcony apartment overlooking a wheat field. One day I sat on the porch and watched wind move through a ripening wheat field. Those of you who’ve done the same know what I saw. An ocean, a swelling and falling ocean of grain rolling over the prairie. Once again I watched infinite waves roll in, one right after the other. My fascination with the scene before me puzzled this friend who’d grown up on a farm. However, former dwellers of a land near the sea recognize what I found that day.Years later, more by far than I ever spent living near the ocean, I still miss watching rising and falling foam-capped grey-green water. I miss the tides, the waxing and waning of water and land. I miss the ocean’s roar, the feel of salt-tang wind against my face, the discovery of delicate shells beneath my feet.But I no longer miss them too much. I discovered I live in an ancient sea bed. I find shells in pastures, limestone rocks, on roadsides, and on hillsides near my home. I find ammonite and clam imprints in the thousands of limestone posts fencing this region. Even better, I found the sea again.Walking country roads of Kansas, I need listen only a short while before I hear the echo of ancient waves carried on the wind. When I stand on a hill overlooking somebody’s wheat field, I imagine myself perched at the edge of infinity listening to a roaring tide pour in. Nearby, wave after wave of rolling wheat reminds me that eons ago, this land where I now stand teemed with sea creatures great and small.As I walk face first into the wind, I hear an ocean within as my own blood pounds and pulses in tune to the clamor without. This one-time child of the Pacific stands rooted in another ancient seabed, feeling eternity throb on a Kansas hillside.Karen Madorin is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and sixth-generation Kansan.

MADORIN: An ocean

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. and Ukraine on Wednesday signed off on a deal that will give Washington access to Ukraine's vast critical minerals and natural resources, finalizing an agreement weeks in the making to compensate the U.S. for its help in repelling Russia’s invasion.

The two sides offered only barebone details about the structure of the deal, which they called the United States-Ukraine Reinvestment Fund. But it is expected to give the U.S. access to Ukraine’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-zelenskyy-deal-minerals-ukraine-investment-fund-d8e03ddc86510cd4c4acca1fcb6fe253">valuable rare earth minerals</a>&nbsp;while providing Kyiv a measure of assurance about continued American support in its grinding war with Russia.

“This agreement signals clearly to Russia that the Trump administration is committed to a peace process centered on a free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine over the long term,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. “President Trump envisioned this partnership between the American people and the Ukrainian people to show both sides’ commitment to lasting peace and prosperity in Ukraine.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745670044084.png" alt="President Trump met privately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City Saturday morning.-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>President Trump met privately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City Saturday morning.-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. and Ukraine on Wednesday signed off on a deal that will give Washington access to Ukraine's vast critical minerals and natural resources, finalizing an agreement weeks in the making to compensate the U.S. for its help in repelling Russia’s invasion.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>’s tireless efforts to secure a lasting peace, I am glad to announce the signing of today’s historic economic partnership agreement between the United States and Ukraine establishing the United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund to help… <a href="https://t.co/N1jPa35DYh">pic.twitter.com/N1jPa35DYh</a>&mdash; Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecScottBessent/status/1917697018551754802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The two sides offered only barebone details about the structure of the deal, which they called the United States-Ukraine Reinvestment Fund. But it is expected to give the U.S. access to Ukraine’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-zelenskyy-deal-minerals-ukraine-investment-fund-d8e03ddc86510cd4c4acca1fcb6fe253">valuable rare earth minerals</a>&nbsp;while providing Kyiv a measure of assurance about continued American support in its grinding war with Russia.“This agreement signals clearly to Russia that the Trump administration is committed to a peace process centered on a free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine over the long term,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. “President Trump envisioned this partnership between the American people and the Ukrainian people to show both sides’ commitment to lasting peace and prosperity in Ukraine.”The announcement comes at a critical moment in the three-year war as Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with both sides. The signing comes two months after a different but similar agreement was nearly signed before being derailed in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/zelenskyy-security-guarantees-trump-meeting-washington-eebdf97b663c2cdc9e51fa346b09591d">tense Oval Office meeting</a>&nbsp;involving President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.Trump has long criticized Zelenskyy, saying he didn’t “have the cards” to win the war and blaming him for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-peace-talks-london-4f35dc70f521e2363218f4c40748caba">prolonging the killing</a>&nbsp;by not giving up Crimea, but in recent days has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-putin-russia-ukraine-war-kyiv-fb61625d2dee8b1917bb3522e73c2166">rebuked Russian President Vladimir Putin</a>&nbsp;as well, saying he was complicating negotiations with “very bad timing” in launching deadly strikes on Kyiv.Trump said Wednesday night on NewsNation that the deal, “in theory,” means that the U.S. will get more from Ukraine than it contributed. “I wanted to be protected,” he said, adding that he didn’t want to be looking “foolish” by not getting money back for the investment.<h2>Ukraine praises signing as an ‘equal and good international deal’</h2>For Ukraine, the agreement is seen as key to ensuring its access to future U.S. military aid.“Truly, this is a strategic deal for the creation of an investment partner fund,” said Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. “This is truly an equal and good international deal on joint investment in the development and restoration of Ukraine between the governments of the United States and Ukraine.”Ukraine’s economy minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, flew to Washington on Wednesday to help finalize the deal.“Together with the United States, we are creating the Fund that will attract global investment to our country,” she said in a post on X after the signing.<h2>White House had raised doubts that agreement was ready</h2>Earlier Wednesday, Bessent said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House — hours after Ukrainian officials indicated a deal was nearly finalized — that there was still work to do.“The Ukrainians decided last night to make some last-minute changes," Bessent said when asked about reports that Ukraine was ready to agree to the pact. "We’re sure that they will reconsider that. And we are ready to sign this afternoon if they are.”He didn't elaborate as to the late changes he said Ukraine made.The U.S. has been seeking access to more than 20 raw materials deemed strategically critical to its interests, including some non-minerals such as oil and natural gas. Among them are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-trump-united-states-ukraine-minerals-57c6c566b330c8941a3ba6a7d5f8dd2f">Ukraine's deposits of titanium</a>, which is used for making aircraft wings and other aerospace manufacturing, and uranium, which is used for nuclear power, medical equipment and weapons. Ukraine also has lithium, graphite and manganese, which are used in electric vehicle batteries.After Kyiv felt the initial U.S. draft of the deal disproportionately favored American interests, it introduced new provisions aimed at addressing those concerns.According to Shmyhal, the latest version would establish an equal partnership between the two countries and last for 10 years. Financial contributions to a joint fund would be made in cash, and only new U.S. military aid would count toward the American share. Assistance provided before the agreement was signed would not be counted. Unlike an earlier draft, the deal would not conflict with Ukraine’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/european-union-united-nations-trump-russia-ukraine-02dadb854440861864733211e687b9b5">path toward European Union membership</a>&nbsp;— a key provision for Kyiv.The Ukrainian Cabinet approved the agreement Wednesday, empowering Svyrydenko to sign it in Washington. The deal still needs to be ratified by the Ukrainian Parliament before it can take effect.WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. and Ukraine announced on Wednesday an economic agreement after a weekslong press by President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cabinet-meeting-stocks-detainees-rubio-musk-3fdf4f5019bf5b578c466e32aee2ae79">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Ukraine to compensate Washington for billions in military and economic assistance to help Ukraine repel the Russian invasion.Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a video posted to X that “this partnership allows the United States to invest alongside Ukraine, to unlock Ukraine’s growth assets, mobilize American talent, capital and governance standards that will improve Ukraine’s investment climate and accelerate Ukraine’s economic recovery.”The announcement comes at a critical moment in the war as Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with leaders of Russia and Ukraine with the brutal fighting dragging on.The American president has criticized his Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, for steps that he said were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-peace-talks-london-4f35dc70f521e2363218f4c40748caba">prolonging the killing,</a>&nbsp;and he has rebuked Russian President Vladimir Putin for complicating negotiations with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-putin-russia-ukraine-war-kyiv-fb61625d2dee8b1917bb3522e73c2166">“very bad timing”</a>&nbsp;in launching&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-kyiv-strike-913ca4a6b4e624ed50e6c1018576a8ad">deadly strikes</a>&nbsp;on Kyiv.Trump on Saturday met with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral.Ukraine’s Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko in a post on X celebrated the breakthrough.“Together with the United States, we are creating the Fund that will attract global investment to our country," she said.The two sides offered only barebone details about the structure of the deal, but it is expected to give the U.S. access to its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-zelenskyy-deal-minerals-ukraine-investment-fund-d8e03ddc86510cd4c4acca1fcb6fe253">valuable rare minerals</a>&nbsp;in the hopes of ensuring&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ukraine-europe-rare-earth-russia-war-9af06a9f17dbaa49a05dcba3a3363977">continued American support</a>&nbsp;for Kyiv in its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">grinding war with Russia</a>.Ukraine's economy minister and deputy prime minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, flew to Washington on Wednesday to help finalize the deal, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said during an appearance on Ukrainian television. Although the main part of the agreement had been settled, there were still hurdles to overcome, said a senior Ukrainian official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the official wasn't authorized to discuss the matter publicly.For Ukraine, the agreement is seen as key to ensuring its access to future U.S. military aid.“Truly, this is a strategic deal for the creation of an investment partner fund,” Shmyhal said. "This is truly an equal and good international deal on joint investment in the development and restoration of Ukraine between the governments of the United States and Ukraine.”Trump began his push for a deal in February that he wanted access to Ukraine’s rare earth materials as a condition for continued U.S. support in the war, describing it as reimbursement for the billions of dollars in aid the U.S. has given to Kyiv.But talks stalled after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/zelenskyy-security-guarantees-trump-meeting-washington-eebdf97b663c2cdc9e51fa346b09591d">tense Oval Office meeting</a>&nbsp;of U.S. and Ukrainian leaders, and reaching an agreement since then has proven difficult and strained relations between Washington and Kyiv.Negotiations appeared to drag on till shortly before the two sides confirmed an agreement had been signed off on the deal.Earlier Wednesday, Bessent said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House — hours after Ukrainian officials indicated a deal was nearly finalized — that there was still work to do.“The Ukrainians decided last night to make some last-minute changes," Bessent said when asked about reports that Ukraine was ready to agree to the pact. "We’re sure that they will reconsider that. And we are ready to sign this afternoon if they are.”He didn't elaborate as to the late changes he said Ukraine made.The U.S. has been seeking access to more than 20 raw materials deemed strategically critical to its interests, including some non-minerals such as oil and natural gas. Among them are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-trump-united-states-ukraine-minerals-57c6c566b330c8941a3ba6a7d5f8dd2f">Ukraine's deposits of titanium</a>, which is used for making aircraft wings and other aerospace manufacturing, and uranium, which is used for nuclear power, medical equipment and weapons. Ukraine also has lithium, graphite and manganese, which are used in electric vehicle batteries.After Kyiv felt the initial U.S. draft of the deal disproportionately favored American interests, it introduced new provisions aimed at addressing those concerns.According to Shmyhal, the latest version would establish an equal partnership between the two countries and last for 10 years. Financial contributions to a joint fund would be made in cash, and only new U.S. military aid would count toward the American share. Assistance provided before the agreement was signed would not be counted. Unlike an earlier draft, the deal would not conflict with Ukraine’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/european-union-united-nations-trump-russia-ukraine-02dadb854440861864733211e687b9b5">path toward European Union membership</a>&nbsp;— a key provision for Kyiv.The Ukrainian Cabinet approved the agreement Wednesday, empowering Svyrydenko to sign it in Washington. Once signed by both sides, the deal would need to be ratified by the Ukrainian Parliament before it could take effect.<h2>Putin wants answers before committing to a ceasefire</h2>The negotiations come amid rocky progress in Washington's push to stop the war.Putin backs calls for a ceasefire before peace negotiations, “but before it’s done, it’s necessary to answer a few questions and sort out a few nuances,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Putin is also ready for direct talks with Ukraine without preconditions to seek a peace deal, he added.“We realize that Washington wants to achieve quick progress, but we hope for understanding that the Ukrainian crisis settlement is far too complex to be done quickly,” Peskov said during his daily conference call with reporters.Trump has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ukraine-gaza-russia-100-days-ad7af3502370f1743e28690ac0ce2a17">expressed frustration</a>&nbsp;over the slow pace of progress in negotiations aimed at stopping the war. Western European leaders have accused Putin of stalling while his forces seek to grab more Ukrainian land. Russia has captured nearly a fifth of Ukraine’s territory since Moscow's forces launched a full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022.Trump has long dismissed the war as a waste of lives and American taxpayer money — a complaint he repeated Wednesday during his Cabinet meeting. That could spell an end to crucial military help for Ukraine and heavier economic sanctions on Russia.<h2>US wants both sides to speed things up</h2>The U.S. State Department on Tuesday tried again to push both sides to move more quickly and warned that the U.S. could pull out of the negotiations if there's no progress.“We are now at a time where concrete proposals need to be delivered by the two parties on how to end this conflict," department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce quoted U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as telling her.Russia has effectively rejected a U.S. proposal for an immediate and full 30-day ceasefire, making it conditional on a halt to Ukraine’s mobilization effort and Western arms supplies to Kyiv.Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed Wednesday that Ukraine had accepted an unconditional truce only because it was being pushed back on the battlefield, where the bigger Russian forces have the upper hand.<h2>UN says Ukrainian civilian casualties are on the rise</h2>Meanwhile, Ukrainian civilians have been killed or wounded in attacks every day this year, according to a U.N. report presented Tuesday in New York.The U.N. Human Rights Office said in the report that in the first three months of this year, it had verified 2,641 civilian casualties in Ukraine. That was almost 900 more than during the same period last year.Also, between April 1-24, civilian casualties in Ukraine were up 46% from the same weeks in 2024, it said.The daily grind of the war shows no sign of letting up. A nighttime Russian drone attack on Ukraine’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kharkiv">second-largest city, Kharkiv,</a>&nbsp;wounded at least 45 civilians, Ukrainian officials said.Also Wednesday, the Ukrainian Security Service claimed its drones struck the Murom Instrument Engineering Plant in Russia’s Vladimir region overnight, causing five explosions and a fire at the military facility. The claim could not be independently verified.___