GREAT BEND - The Hays High girls tennis had a couple of second place finishers at Tuesday's Great Bend Invitational. 

Melissa Boland finished second in No. 1 singles and Dakota Maier was second in No. 2 singles. The No. 2 doubles team of Brynn Zweifel and Jadyn Younger finish third while the No. 1 doubles team of Emersyn Sander and Savanah Clingen finished fourth.

Hays Post SportsGREAT BEND - The Hays High girls tennis had a couple of second place finishers at Tuesday's Great Bend Invitational. Melissa Boland finished second in No. 1 singles and Dakota Maier was second in No. 2 singles. The No. 2 doubles team of Brynn Zweifel and Jadyn Younger finish third while the No. 1 doubles team of Emersyn Sander and Savanah Clingen finished fourth.

🎾 HHS has a couple of second place finishes in Great Bend

SALINA - The Hays High girls golf team finished seventh at Tuesday's Salina Central Invitational at the Salina Municipal Golf Course. 

Kinley Pfannenstiel shot a 90 and led the Indians with an 18th place finish.&nbsp;Ava Erbert&nbsp; shot a 97,&nbsp;Brooklynn Koerner a 98 and Lily Butler a 108.

Manhattan won the team title by 30 strokes over Bishop Carroll. The Indians Maddie Myers own the individual title with a 2-under par 68.

Hays High is at the Dodge City Invitational at Mariah Hill Golf Course Thursday.

Team Results 1. Manhattan - 294 2. Bishop Carroll - 324 3. McPherson - 334 4. Newton - 361 5. Concordia - 385 6. Derby - 388 7. Hays High - 393 8. Salina South - 429 9. Hutchinson - 433 10. Clay Center - 465 11. Great Bend - 484

Top 10 Medalist 1. Maddie Myers-Manhattan, 68 2. Mya Niehues-Concordia, 70 3. Naomi Koontz-Newton, 71 4. Mary Bina-Bishop Carroll, 72 5. Lily Bahr-Manhattan, 73 6 Brodie Kuhn-McPherson, 73 7. Kat Ball-Manhattan, 74 8. Wrenn Burton-Manhattan, 79 9. Kinsley Montgomery-Bishop Carroll, 79 10. Jessica Kim- Manhattan, 82

Hays Post SportsSALINA - The Hays High girls golf team finished seventh at Tuesday's Salina Central Invitational at the Salina Municipal Golf Course. Kinley Pfannenstiel shot a 90 and led the Indians with an 18th place finish.&nbsp;Ava Erbert&nbsp; shot a 97,&nbsp;Brooklynn Koerner a 98 and Lily Butler a 108.Manhattan won the team title by 30 strokes over Bishop Carroll. The Indians Maddie Myers own the individual title with a 2-under par 68.Hays High is at the Dodge City Invitational at Mariah Hill Golf Course Thursday.Team Results 1. Manhattan - 294 2. Bishop Carroll - 324 3. McPherson - 334 4. Newton - 361 5. Concordia - 385 6. Derby - 388 7. Hays High - 393 8. Salina South - 429 9. Hutchinson - 433 10. Clay Center - 465 11. Great Bend - 484 Top 10 Medalist 1. Maddie Myers-Manhattan, 68 2. Mya Niehues-Concordia, 70 3. Naomi Koontz-Newton, 71 4. Mary Bina-Bishop Carroll, 72 5. Lily Bahr-Manhattan, 73 6 Brodie Kuhn-McPherson, 73 7. Kat Ball-Manhattan, 74 8. Wrenn Burton-Manhattan, 79 9. Kinsley Montgomery-Bishop Carroll, 79 10. Jessica Kim- Manhattan, 82

⛳ HHS girls seventh at Salina Central Invite

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

The Ellis County Commission approved the 2026 budget with a mill levy increase of 1.96 mills during its Tuesday meeting.

A public hearing provided taxpayers the chance to give input on the general fund and fire district, both of which exceed the revenue-neutral rate. The budget process began in March.

The general fund mill levy increase will bring the total general fund expenditures to $34.7 million.&nbsp;The mill levy increase will require a homeowner with a house appraised at $100,000 to pay $22 more per year, and a homeowner with a house appraised at $200,000 to pay $45 more per year.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/7c57b3c8-1314-4bd7-8501-f559ff7c176d">SEE RELATED STORY: Ellis County Commission discusses final budget draft with mill levy increase</a>

Several residents urged the commission to remain revenue-neutral, warning that tax burdens would be imposed on homeowners and businesses. Resident Mark Hess said the commission was breaking campaign promises to keep spending in check.

"It is imperative for the commission to look back at the budget and to make some of those tougher calls that you guys are elected to do," Hess said. "True leadership means honoring your commitments, holding every budget line to performance standards and having the discipline to say no when necessary."

Resident John Pyle described himself as an “overtaxed citizen,” saying that his property taxes increased from $3,600 to $5,800 over the last five years. He shared valuation numbers and suggested commissioners look at alternative revenue sources.

Darin Myers, county administrator, said the mill levy increase was necessary to prepare for possible federal grant reductions. Commissioner Nathan Leiker emphasized the commission devoted significant time to identifying areas where spending could be reduced.

"We as commissioners spent one day alone, almost 13 hours, going through each department, item by item, justifying costs and adjustments," Leiker said.

Myers said about $770,000 was trimmed during a budget meeting, but some items were later reinstated. Commissioner Neal Younger said while county spending is high, it supports 18 services.

"Whether it be an ambulance, road and bridge, noxious weeds, mental health, that's where a lot of money goes to," Younger said.

Adam Pray,&nbsp; a developer, complimented the commission's efforts but recommended exploring sales taxes to help shift some of the costs to visitors.

Personnel policy change for retiree insurance

The county approved a personnel policy change regarding retiree health insurance, as mandated by a Kansas statute.

The law requires local governments that offer health insurance also to make the coverage available to retirees and their dependents, provided they apply within 30 days of retirement, have at least 10 years of employment with a local government and retired after Dec. 31, 1988.&nbsp;

Coverage ends when the retiree reaches 65 years old, premiums are not paid, or the retiree gains coverage under another employer's plan.

New electronic health record for Ellis County Health Department

The county health department received approval to purchase a new electronic health record system, replacing an outdated one. The five-year purchase price of about $77,100 will be prepaid using Workforce Development Grant funds and will have no impact on the general fund.&nbsp;

A homeowner received approval from the commission to use a county easement in Commerce Estates to build a private road that would provide access to his property. The homeowner will be responsible for funding, building and maintaining the road.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684183971486.png" alt="Ellis County" />
 <figcaption>Ellis County</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostThe Ellis County Commission approved the 2026 budget with a mill levy increase of 1.96 mills during its Tuesday meeting.A public hearing provided taxpayers the chance to give input on the general fund and fire district, both of which exceed the revenue-neutral rate. The budget process began in March.The general fund mill levy increase will bring the total general fund expenditures to $34.7 million.&nbsp;The mill levy increase will require a homeowner with a house appraised at $100,000 to pay $22 more per year, and a homeowner with a house appraised at $200,000 to pay $45 more per year.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/7c57b3c8-1314-4bd7-8501-f559ff7c176d">SEE RELATED STORY: Ellis County Commission discusses final budget draft with mill levy increase</a>Several residents urged the commission to remain revenue-neutral, warning that tax burdens would be imposed on homeowners and businesses. Resident Mark Hess said the commission was breaking campaign promises to keep spending in check."It is imperative for the commission to look back at the budget and to make some of those tougher calls that you guys are elected to do," Hess said. "True leadership means honoring your commitments, holding every budget line to performance standards and having the discipline to say no when necessary."Resident John Pyle described himself as an “overtaxed citizen,” saying that his property taxes increased from $3,600 to $5,800 over the last five years. He shared valuation numbers and suggested commissioners look at alternative revenue sources.Darin Myers, county administrator, said the mill levy increase was necessary to prepare for possible federal grant reductions. Commissioner Nathan Leiker emphasized the commission devoted significant time to identifying areas where spending could be reduced."We as commissioners spent one day alone, almost 13 hours, going through each department, item by item, justifying costs and adjustments," Leiker said.Myers said about $770,000 was trimmed during a budget meeting, but some items were later reinstated. Commissioner Neal Younger said while county spending is high, it supports 18 services."Whether it be an ambulance, road and bridge, noxious weeds, mental health, that's where a lot of money goes to," Younger said.Adam Pray,&nbsp; a developer, complimented the commission's efforts but recommended exploring sales taxes to help shift some of the costs to visitors.<h2>Personnel policy change for retiree insurance</h2>The county approved a personnel policy change regarding retiree health insurance, as mandated by a Kansas statute.The law requires local governments that offer health insurance also to make the coverage available to retirees and their dependents, provided they apply within 30 days of retirement, have at least 10 years of employment with a local government and retired after Dec. 31, 1988.&nbsp;Coverage ends when the retiree reaches 65 years old, premiums are not paid, or the retiree gains coverage under another employer's plan.<h2>New electronic health record for Ellis County Health Department</h2>The county health department received approval to purchase a new electronic health record system, replacing an outdated one. The five-year purchase price of about $77,100 will be prepaid using Workforce Development Grant funds and will have no impact on the general fund.&nbsp;<h2>Other business</h2>A homeowner received approval from the commission to use a county easement in Commerce Estates to build a private road that would provide access to his property. The homeowner will be responsible for funding, building and maintaining the road.

Ellis County Commission approves 2026 budget, mill levy increase

GOODLAND – The TMP-Marian girls' golf team finished second
at the Goodland Invitational at Sugar Hills Golf Club.

The Monarchs combined to shoot a team score of 401. They
finished 43 shots behind the team champion, Goodland. 

They were four shots better than third-place Syracuse. Colby
finished fourth.

TMP sophomore Brynn Schoepf finished with a 25-over 96 and
finished fifth.

Ava Schumacher shot a 100 and finished tied for sixth.

Jenna Brull was tied for 11th with a 102, and one
shot back and tied for 13th was Emma Wasinger.

The Monarchs will travel to Larned for their next varsity
action on Sept. 18.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757428249546.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Hays Post SportsGOODLAND – The TMP-Marian girls' golf team finished second
at the Goodland Invitational at Sugar Hills Golf Club.The Monarchs combined to shoot a team score of 401. They
finished 43 shots behind the team champion, Goodland. They were four shots better than third-place Syracuse. Colby
finished fourth.TMP sophomore Brynn Schoepf finished with a 25-over 96 and
finished fifth.Ava Schumacher shot a 100 and finished tied for sixth.Jenna Brull was tied for 11th with a 102, and one
shot back and tied for 13th was Emma Wasinger.The Monarchs will travel to Larned for their next varsity
action on Sept. 18.

⛳TMP girls 2nd; Schoepf 5th at Goodland

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Hays police officers swap squad cars for bicycles, gaining a new view of the streets they patrol.

Hays Police Patrol Corporal Alex Broadway said the bike division focuses on community policing, mainly downtown and around Fort Hays State University.

"We're preventing crimes in and of themselves from us being there," Broadway said. "I like to think that because we're preventing those college parties from overgrowing, we would have prevented college kids from getting overly intoxicated, stumbling out and getting struck by a vehicle."

Bike officers undergo a&nbsp;40-hour training program through the International Police Mountain Bike Association. Dakota Reese, Hays Police patrol sergeant, said this prepares the division to handle any situation.

"The main job of bike patrol at this time of year is in our college areas... you've got 2,000 kids out, there's beer cans, we're hopping curves and moving around illegally parked cars, so that creates its own obstacles," Reese said.

The bike division is most active on weekends, during special events and in warm weather to boost police visibility.

"People are more willing just to come up and chat with us. We're a lot more approachable to members of the community," Broadway said.

Broadway and Reese will participate in Pedal Patrol in the Park at 11 a.m. Sept. 13 at Aubel-Bickle Optimist Park, 30th and Sherman Ave., where they will share safety tips and encourage safe riding in Hays.

"We're hoping for a good time and to have some positive contacts with people in the community," Broadway said.

The event will feature an electric scooter raffle tied to a brief safety presentation, a kids’ safety course, snacks, food trucks and a DJ. A limited number of free helmets will be given away.

Broadway said the bike patrol rides in colder weather with jackets and gloves, but stays off the streets in rain, snow or slippery conditions. Officers typically cover 10 to 15 miles per shift.

According to Broadway, bike patrol officers most often respond to underage drinking, fights and traffic-related incidents. When an arrest is required, a patrol car is called in for transport.

"We can see and hear so much more because we're out there. It's not uncommon for bike officers to catch a DUI and process it," Broadway said.

Broadway said riding a bike does not limit an officer’s ability to serve, as shifts usually finish in a patrol car toward the end of the night. He added the best part of the job is directly engaging with the community.

"Interacting with people who are supportive of what we do, those are some of my favorite moments," he said.

The Hays Police Department launched "Ride Right Hays," a new safety campaign to educate residents on the proper and lawful use of UTVs, ATVs, golf cars, scooters and bicycles.

In addition to Pedal Patrol in the Park, the campaign will also include social media outreach. You can follow the City of Hays Police and Fire on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cityofhayspoliceandfire">Facebook</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757348354034.jpeg" alt="Hays Police Patrol Corporal Alex Broadway (right) and Hays Police Corporal Ethan Henderson (left) with their two patrol bikes. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Hays Police Patrol Corporal Alex Broadway (right) and Hays Police Corporal Ethan Henderson (left) with their two patrol bikes. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostHays police officers swap squad cars for bicycles, gaining a new view of the streets they patrol.Hays Police Patrol Corporal Alex Broadway said the bike division focuses on community policing, mainly downtown and around Fort Hays State University."We're preventing crimes in and of themselves from us being there," Broadway said. "I like to think that because we're preventing those college parties from overgrowing, we would have prevented college kids from getting overly intoxicated, stumbling out and getting struck by a vehicle."Bike officers undergo a&nbsp;40-hour training program through the International Police Mountain Bike Association. Dakota Reese, Hays Police patrol sergeant, said this prepares the division to handle any situation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757348400114.jpeg" alt="A Hays Police Department patrol bike. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A Hays Police Department patrol bike. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>"The main job of bike patrol at this time of year is in our college areas... you've got 2,000 kids out, there's beer cans, we're hopping curves and moving around illegally parked cars, so that creates its own obstacles," Reese said.The bike division is most active on weekends, during special events and in warm weather to boost police visibility."People are more willing just to come up and chat with us. We're a lot more approachable to members of the community," Broadway said.Broadway and Reese will participate in Pedal Patrol in the Park at 11 a.m. Sept. 13 at Aubel-Bickle Optimist Park, 30th and Sherman Ave., where they will share safety tips and encourage safe riding in Hays."We're hoping for a good time and to have some positive contacts with people in the community," Broadway said.The event will feature an electric scooter raffle tied to a brief safety presentation, a kids’ safety course, snacks, food trucks and a DJ. A limited number of free helmets will be given away.Broadway said the bike patrol rides in colder weather with jackets and gloves, but stays off the streets in rain, snow or slippery conditions. Officers typically cover 10 to 15 miles per shift.According to Broadway, bike patrol officers most often respond to underage drinking, fights and traffic-related incidents. When an arrest is required, a patrol car is called in for transport."We can see and hear so much more because we're out there. It's not uncommon for bike officers to catch a DUI and process it," Broadway said.Broadway said riding a bike does not limit an officer’s ability to serve, as shifts usually finish in a patrol car toward the end of the night. He added the best part of the job is directly engaging with the community."Interacting with people who are supportive of what we do, those are some of my favorite moments," he said.The Hays Police Department launched "Ride Right Hays," a new safety campaign to educate residents on the proper and lawful use of UTVs, ATVs, golf cars, scooters and bicycles.In addition to Pedal Patrol in the Park, the campaign will also include social media outreach. You can follow the City of Hays Police and Fire on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cityofhayspoliceandfire">Facebook</a>.

Hays Police bike patrol builds community connection on two wheels

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pete-hegseth">Pete Hegseth</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-joint-chiefs-chairman-razin-caine-military-41b3faeaefd4d965dc22b15b0223ec58">Air Force Gen. Dan Caine</a>, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrived in Puerto Rico on Monday for an unexpected visit as the U.S. steps up its military operations against drug cartels in the Caribbean.

Their arrival in the U.S. territory comes more than a week after ships carrying hundreds of U.S. Marines deployed to Puerto Rico for what officials said was a training exercise, a move that some on the island have criticized.

But on Monday night, Hegseth said in a video posted on X that the deployed Marines were “on the front lines of defending the American homeland.”

“Make no mistake about it, what you’re doing right now is not training. This is the real-world exercise on behalf of the vital national interest of the United States of America to end the poisoning of the American people,” he said while aboard the USS Iwo Jima.

Earlier in the day,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/puerto-rico-jenniffer-gonzalez-new-governor-sworn-84afbbfa537b23f35494df0127b20c2d">Puerto Rico's Gov. Jenniffer González</a>&nbsp;said Hegseth and Caine visited on behalf of President Donald Trump's administration to support those participating in the training.

“We thank President Trump and his administration for recognizing the strategic importance of Puerto Rico to U.S. national security and for their fight against drug cartels and the narco-dictator Nicolás Maduro,” González said.

Hegseth and Caine met with officials at the 156th Wing Muñiz Air National Guard Base in Carolina, a city just east of the capital of San Juan.

González said Hegseth spoke to nearly 300 soldiers at the base and thanked those he described as “American warriors” for their work. He later departed for the USS Iwo Jima.

“The American people are counting on you to ensure the American homeland is kept safe,” Hegseth told the Marines aboard the USS Iwo Jima. “Narco terrorists and drug traffickers are on notice.”

The visit comes as the U.S. prepares to deploy 10 F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico for operations targeting drug cartels, a person familiar with the planning said Saturday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because information about the deployments has not been made public.

On Sept. 2, Trump announced that the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-strike-rubio-trump-0f901b2a30ee20e314bcab1385ffb0c0">carried out a strike in the southern Caribbean</a>&nbsp;against a vessel that had left Venezuela and was suspected of carrying drugs. Eleven people were killed in the rare U.S. military operation in the Caribbean, with the president saying the vessel was operated by the Venezuelan gang&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-strike-rubio-trump-0f901b2a30ee20e314bcab1385ffb0c0">Tren de Aragua</a>.

While the prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trinidad-caribbean-us-strike-boat-drugs-f0529291209ffbf4162340df7860ba4c">praised the strike</a>&nbsp;and said the U.S. should kill all drug traffickers “violently,” reaction from other Caribbean leaders has been more subdued.

Barbadian Foreign Minister Kerrie Symmonds&nbsp;<a href="https://f0529291209ffbf4162340df7860ba4c/">recently told The Associated Press</a>&nbsp;that members of Caricom, a regional trade bloc, sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio asking for an open line of communication on developments. He said they want to avoid being surprised by any U.S. moves against Venezuela.

Meanwhile, Venezuela’s government on Monday insisted that the U.S. is falsely accusing it of playing a crucial role in the global drug trade. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez told reporters the U.S. government should redirect its recently deployed maritime force to the Pacific, where fast boats and container ships have long carried Colombian cocaine.

“Those ships that are trying to intimidate Venezuela today should be there in the Pacific if they truly wanted to fight and prevent cocaine from reaching the United States of America,” she said. “They have a GPS location problem. They’re where they shouldn’t be. They need to calibrate their GPS.”

Rodríguez, citing reports from the United Nations and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, added that Venezuela “has absolutely nothing to do with the deaths of (U.S.) citizens from drug overdoses” as the country “is not relevant” in global drug production.

She suggested the U.S. should focus on fighting consumption within its borders.

“There’s a lot of hypocrisy, a lot of double standards, a lot of political manipulation of this issue to attack, to intervene, to aim for regime change in countries that aren’t sympathetic,” she said, referring to drug trafficking.

The ongoing training of the Marines in Puerto Rico and the upcoming deployment of fighter jets have rankled some in the U.S. territory, where the memories of the U.S. Navy using nearby islands as training ranges for decades remains fresh,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-hiking-army-puerto-rico-bombings-816e653d04dc9e88599d37fdcb7da5d8">with the cleanup still ongoing</a>.

The April 1999 death of civilian security guard David Sanes Rodríguez sparked large protests at the time, eventually leading to the U.S. military leaving the island. Rodríguez was killed after two 500-pound (226-kilogram) bombs were dropped near him as part of a training mission in Vieques.

On Sunday, dozens of people gathered at the National Guard base in Carolina to decry the heightened U.S. military presence on the island.

They held signs that said, “No to War” and “No to military bases in P.R.”

Organizers also warned against the use of Puerto Rico as a staging ground for potential U.S. military actions in the region.

“We denounce the existence of military bases in Puerto Rico,” said Sonia Santiago Hernández, founder of Mothers Against War.

González has dismissed those concerns, saying that Puerto Rico is playing an important role in Trump's ongoing fight against drug trafficking since it represents a U.S. border in the Caribbean.

She also has noted that the ongoing training of Marines involves logistics exercises and no ammunition.

Siul López, a spokesman for Puerto Rico’s National Guard, told the AP that the Marines were practicing amphibious maneuvers with a variety of vehicles, adding that he did not know how many were on the island.

Meanwhile, González said last week that she estimates more than 1,000 Marines were in Puerto Rico.

The U.S. Marine Corps issued a statement on Aug. 31 noting that marines and sailors from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit would be conducting amphibious training and flight operations in southern Puerto Rico.

“The challenging terrain and tropical climate of Puerto Rico provides an ideal environment for the 22nd MEU to conduct realistic amphibious training and hone specialized skills such as patrolling, reconnaissance and survival techniques, ensuring a high level of readiness while forward deployed,” the Marine Corps said in a statement.

It wasn’t immediately clear how long Hegseth and Caine planned to stay in Puerto Rico, or if they visited other sites while on the island.

López, the National Guard’s spokesman, declined to comment on specifics of the visit.

Associated Press reporter Will Weissert in Washington D.C., Regina García Cano in Caracas and AP videographer Alejandro Granadillo in San Juan, Puerto Rico, contributed.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pete-hegseth">Pete Hegseth</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-joint-chiefs-chairman-razin-caine-military-41b3faeaefd4d965dc22b15b0223ec58">Air Force Gen. Dan Caine</a>, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrived in Puerto Rico on Monday for an unexpected visit as the U.S. steps up its military operations against drug cartels in the Caribbean.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Welcome aboard the USS Iwo Jima <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecWar</a> <a href="https://t.co/hx42HBSFez">pic.twitter.com/hx42HBSFez</a>&mdash; DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) <a href="https://twitter.com/DOWResponse/status/1965133239158440203?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">. <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SECWAR</a> aboard the USS Iwo Jima, addressing America’s WARRIORS: “What you’re doing right now is NOT training. This is a REAL-WORLD EXERCISE on behalf of the vital national interests of the United States of America—to end the POISONING of the American people.” <a href="https://t.co/euQHFPsIll">pic.twitter.com/euQHFPsIll</a>&mdash; DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) <a href="https://twitter.com/DOWResponse/status/1965152057196957935?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A message to our warfighters from the Secretary of War. <a href="https://t.co/UVbsvAuNmR">pic.twitter.com/UVbsvAuNmR</a>&mdash; Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar/status/1965177415455682691?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Their arrival in the U.S. territory comes more than a week after ships carrying hundreds of U.S. Marines deployed to Puerto Rico for what officials said was a training exercise, a move that some on the island have criticized.But on Monday night, Hegseth said in a video posted on X that the deployed Marines were “on the front lines of defending the American homeland.”“Make no mistake about it, what you’re doing right now is not training. This is the real-world exercise on behalf of the vital national interest of the United States of America to end the poisoning of the American people,” he said while aboard the USS Iwo Jima.Earlier in the day,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/puerto-rico-jenniffer-gonzalez-new-governor-sworn-84afbbfa537b23f35494df0127b20c2d">Puerto Rico's Gov. Jenniffer González</a>&nbsp;said Hegseth and Caine visited on behalf of President Donald Trump's administration to support those participating in the training.“We thank President Trump and his administration for recognizing the strategic importance of Puerto Rico to U.S. national security and for their fight against drug cartels and the narco-dictator Nicolás Maduro,” González said.Hegseth and Caine met with officials at the 156th Wing Muñiz Air National Guard Base in Carolina, a city just east of the capital of San Juan.González said Hegseth spoke to nearly 300 soldiers at the base and thanked those he described as “American warriors” for their work. He later departed for the USS Iwo Jima.“The American people are counting on you to ensure the American homeland is kept safe,” Hegseth told the Marines aboard the USS Iwo Jima. “Narco terrorists and drug traffickers are on notice.”The visit comes as the U.S. prepares to deploy 10 F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico for operations targeting drug cartels, a person familiar with the planning said Saturday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because information about the deployments has not been made public.<h2>Tensions escalating</h2>On Sept. 2, Trump announced that the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-strike-rubio-trump-0f901b2a30ee20e314bcab1385ffb0c0">carried out a strike in the southern Caribbean</a>&nbsp;against a vessel that had left Venezuela and was suspected of carrying drugs. Eleven people were killed in the rare U.S. military operation in the Caribbean, with the president saying the vessel was operated by the Venezuelan gang&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-strike-rubio-trump-0f901b2a30ee20e314bcab1385ffb0c0">Tren de Aragua</a>.While the prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trinidad-caribbean-us-strike-boat-drugs-f0529291209ffbf4162340df7860ba4c">praised the strike</a>&nbsp;and said the U.S. should kill all drug traffickers “violently,” reaction from other Caribbean leaders has been more subdued.Barbadian Foreign Minister Kerrie Symmonds&nbsp;<a href="https://f0529291209ffbf4162340df7860ba4c/">recently told The Associated Press</a>&nbsp;that members of Caricom, a regional trade bloc, sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio asking for an open line of communication on developments. He said they want to avoid being surprised by any U.S. moves against Venezuela.Meanwhile, Venezuela’s government on Monday insisted that the U.S. is falsely accusing it of playing a crucial role in the global drug trade. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez told reporters the U.S. government should redirect its recently deployed maritime force to the Pacific, where fast boats and container ships have long carried Colombian cocaine.“Those ships that are trying to intimidate Venezuela today should be there in the Pacific if they truly wanted to fight and prevent cocaine from reaching the United States of America,” she said. “They have a GPS location problem. They’re where they shouldn’t be. They need to calibrate their GPS.”Rodríguez, citing reports from the United Nations and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, added that Venezuela “has absolutely nothing to do with the deaths of (U.S.) citizens from drug overdoses” as the country “is not relevant” in global drug production.She suggested the U.S. should focus on fighting consumption within its borders.“There’s a lot of hypocrisy, a lot of double standards, a lot of political manipulation of this issue to attack, to intervene, to aim for regime change in countries that aren’t sympathetic,” she said, referring to drug trafficking.<h2>‘No to War’</h2>The ongoing training of the Marines in Puerto Rico and the upcoming deployment of fighter jets have rankled some in the U.S. territory, where the memories of the U.S. Navy using nearby islands as training ranges for decades remains fresh,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-hiking-army-puerto-rico-bombings-816e653d04dc9e88599d37fdcb7da5d8">with the cleanup still ongoing</a>.The April 1999 death of civilian security guard David Sanes Rodríguez sparked large protests at the time, eventually leading to the U.S. military leaving the island. Rodríguez was killed after two 500-pound (226-kilogram) bombs were dropped near him as part of a training mission in Vieques.On Sunday, dozens of people gathered at the National Guard base in Carolina to decry the heightened U.S. military presence on the island.They held signs that said, “No to War” and “No to military bases in P.R.”Organizers also warned against the use of Puerto Rico as a staging ground for potential U.S. military actions in the region.“We denounce the existence of military bases in Puerto Rico,” said Sonia Santiago Hernández, founder of Mothers Against War.González has dismissed those concerns, saying that Puerto Rico is playing an important role in Trump's ongoing fight against drug trafficking since it represents a U.S. border in the Caribbean.She also has noted that the ongoing training of Marines involves logistics exercises and no ammunition.<h2>Marines in Puerto Rico</h2>Siul López, a spokesman for Puerto Rico’s National Guard, told the AP that the Marines were practicing amphibious maneuvers with a variety of vehicles, adding that he did not know how many were on the island.Meanwhile, González said last week that she estimates more than 1,000 Marines were in Puerto Rico.The U.S. Marine Corps issued a statement on Aug. 31 noting that marines and sailors from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit would be conducting amphibious training and flight operations in southern Puerto Rico.“The challenging terrain and tropical climate of Puerto Rico provides an ideal environment for the 22nd MEU to conduct realistic amphibious training and hone specialized skills such as patrolling, reconnaissance and survival techniques, ensuring a high level of readiness while forward deployed,” the Marine Corps said in a statement.It wasn’t immediately clear how long Hegseth and Caine planned to stay in Puerto Rico, or if they visited other sites while on the island.López, the National Guard’s spokesman, declined to comment on specifics of the visit.___Associated Press reporter Will Weissert in Washington D.C., Regina García Cano in Caracas and AP videographer Alejandro Granadillo in San Juan, Puerto Rico, contributed.

 US steps up military operations in the Caribbean

Kpreps.com released its updated high school football rankings ahead of Week 2. Several area schools are earning recognition after season-opening wins.

In Class 5A, Hays High is ranked fourth after their big road win at previously 6A No. 1 Derby. Great Bend is ranked third in Class 5A.

Victoria is ranked second and Osborne fifth in Eight-Man Division II. Otis-Bison is ranked fifth in Six-Man.

In Class 2A, Phillipsburg is receiving votes while Plainville and Smith Center are both receiving votes in Class 1A. Trego is among the vote getters in Eight-Man Division I.

Across the state’s largest class, 6A, Manhattan retained the top ranking after defeating Garden City, while Derby slipped to No. 2 following its loss to Hays.&nbsp;

Class 6A 1. Manhattan (1-0) 2. Derby (0-1) 3. Wichita Northwest (1-0) 4. Blue Valley Northwest (1-0) 5. Lawrence Free State (1-0)

Others receiving votes: Blue Valley West, Dodge City, Gardner-Edgerton, Junction City, Maize, Olathe North, Olathe West, Shawnee Mission East, Shawnee Mission Northwest, Washburn Rural, Wichita East.

Class 5A 1. St. Thomas Aquinas (1-0) 2. Mill Valley (1-0) 3. Great Bend (1-0) 4. Hays (1-0) 5. St. James Academy (1-0)

Others receiving votes: Basehor-Linwood, Blue Valley, De Soto, Hutchinson, Maize South, Spring Hill, Valley Center.

Class 4A 1. Kapaun Mt. Carmel (1-0) 2. Bishop Miege (0-1) 3. Buhler (1-0) 4. Wamego (1-0) 5. Ottawa (1-0)

Others receiving votes: Andover Central, Chanute, Eudora, KC Piper, Lansing, Louisburg, Mulvane, Paola, Tonganoxie, Wellington.

Class 3A 1. Andale (1-0) 2. Topeka Hayden (1-0) 3. Wellsville (1-0) 4. Holcomb (1-0) 5. Rock Creek (1-0)

Others receiving votes: Cheney, Clay Center, Frontenac, Hesston, Hugoton, Prairie View, Scott City, Wichita Collegiate.

Class 2A 1. Southeast of Saline (1-0) 2. Nemaha Central (1-0) 3. Osage City (1-0) 4. Beloit (1-0) 5. Garden Plain (1-0)

Others receiving votes: Caney Valley, Council Grove, Ellsworth, Hoisington, Phillipsburg, Royal Valley, Sabetha, Silver Lake, St. Marys.

Class 1A 1. Conway Springs (1-0) 2. Jackson Heights (1-0) 3. Centralia (1-0) 4. Rossville (1-0) 5. Sterling (1-0)

Others receiving votes: Inman, Jefferson Co. North, Marion, Medicine Lodge, Moundridge, Olpe, Plainville, Riverside, St. Mary’s Colgan, Smith Center, Valley Heights.

Eight-Man Division I 1. South Central (1-0) 2. Leoti-Wichita County (0-1) 3. Central Plains (1-0) 4. Little River (1-0) 5. Lyndon (1-0)

Others receiving votes: Atwood-Rawlins Co., Cedar Vale-Dexter, Clifton-Clyde, Ell-Saline, Hoxie, Lincoln, Madison, Oxford, Saint Francis, Sublette, Sylvan-Lucas Unified, WaKeeney-Trego.

Eight-Man Division II 1.&nbsp;Axtell (1-0) 2. Victoria (1-0) 3. Hanover (1-0) 4. Burlingame (1-0) 5. Osborne (1-0)

Others receiving votes: Argonia-Attica, Frankfort, Hodgeman County, Hutchinson Central Christian, Marmaton Valley, Rural Vista, Waverly.

Six-Man 1. Weskan (0-1) 2. Cunningham (1-0) 3. Golden Plains (1-0) 4. Tescott (1-0) 5. Otis-Bison (1-0)

Others receiving votes: Ingalls, Marais des Cygnes Valley, Pawnee Heights, Peabody-Burns, South Barber.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693413418452.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Hays Post SportsKpreps.com released its updated high school football rankings ahead of Week 2. Several area schools are earning recognition after season-opening wins.In Class 5A, Hays High is ranked fourth after their big road win at previously 6A No. 1 Derby. Great Bend is ranked third in Class 5A.Victoria is ranked second and Osborne fifth in Eight-Man Division II. Otis-Bison is ranked fifth in Six-Man.In Class 2A, Phillipsburg is receiving votes while Plainville and Smith Center are both receiving votes in Class 1A. Trego is among the vote getters in Eight-Man Division I.Across the state’s largest class, 6A, Manhattan retained the top ranking after defeating Garden City, while Derby slipped to No. 2 following its loss to Hays.&nbsp;Class 6A 1. Manhattan (1-0) 2. Derby (0-1) 3. Wichita Northwest (1-0) 4. Blue Valley Northwest (1-0) 5. Lawrence Free State (1-0) Others receiving votes: Blue Valley West, Dodge City, Gardner-Edgerton, Junction City, Maize, Olathe North, Olathe West, Shawnee Mission East, Shawnee Mission Northwest, Washburn Rural, Wichita East.Class 5A 1. St. Thomas Aquinas (1-0) 2. Mill Valley (1-0) 3. Great Bend (1-0) 4. Hays (1-0) 5. St. James Academy (1-0)Others receiving votes: Basehor-Linwood, Blue Valley, De Soto, Hutchinson, Maize South, Spring Hill, Valley Center.Class 4A 1. Kapaun Mt. Carmel (1-0) 2. Bishop Miege (0-1) 3. Buhler (1-0) 4. Wamego (1-0) 5. Ottawa (1-0)Others receiving votes: Andover Central, Chanute, Eudora, KC Piper, Lansing, Louisburg, Mulvane, Paola, Tonganoxie, Wellington.Class 3A 1. Andale (1-0) 2. Topeka Hayden (1-0) 3. Wellsville (1-0) 4. Holcomb (1-0) 5. Rock Creek (1-0)Others receiving votes: Cheney, Clay Center, Frontenac, Hesston, Hugoton, Prairie View, Scott City, Wichita Collegiate.Class 2A 1. Southeast of Saline (1-0) 2. Nemaha Central (1-0) 3. Osage City (1-0) 4. Beloit (1-0) 5. Garden Plain (1-0)Others receiving votes: Caney Valley, Council Grove, Ellsworth, Hoisington, Phillipsburg, Royal Valley, Sabetha, Silver Lake, St. Marys.Class 1A 1. Conway Springs (1-0) 2. Jackson Heights (1-0) 3. Centralia (1-0) 4. Rossville (1-0) 5. Sterling (1-0)Others receiving votes: Inman, Jefferson Co. North, Marion, Medicine Lodge, Moundridge, Olpe, Plainville, Riverside, St. Mary’s Colgan, Smith Center, Valley Heights.Eight-Man Division I 1. South Central (1-0) 2. Leoti-Wichita County (0-1) 3. Central Plains (1-0) 4. Little River (1-0) 5. Lyndon (1-0)Others receiving votes: Atwood-Rawlins Co., Cedar Vale-Dexter, Clifton-Clyde, Ell-Saline, Hoxie, Lincoln, Madison, Oxford, Saint Francis, Sublette, Sylvan-Lucas Unified, WaKeeney-Trego.Eight-Man Division II 1.&nbsp;Axtell (1-0) 2. Victoria (1-0) 3. Hanover (1-0) 4. Burlingame (1-0) 5. Osborne (1-0)Others receiving votes: Argonia-Attica, Frankfort, Hodgeman County, Hutchinson Central Christian, Marmaton Valley, Rural Vista, Waverly.Six-Man 1. Weskan (0-1) 2. Cunningham (1-0) 3. Golden Plains (1-0) 4. Tescott (1-0) 5. Otis-Bison (1-0)Others receiving votes: Ingalls, Marais des Cygnes Valley, Pawnee Heights, Peabody-Burns, South Barber.

🏈 Kpreps Week 2 high school rankings

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/michelle-l-price">MICHELLE L. PRICE</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released on Monday a sexually suggestive letter to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">Jeffrey Epstein</a>&nbsp;purportedly signed by President Donald Trump, which he has denied.

The letter was included as part of a 50th birthday album compiled in 2003 for Epstein, a wealthy and well-connected financier who was once a friend of Trump’s. Epstein killed himself in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial in 2019 on charges that said he sexually abused and trafficked dozens of underage girls.

Trump has said he did not write the letter or create the drawing of a curvaceous woman that surrounds the letter, and he filed a $10 billion&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jeffrey-epstein-grand-jury-justice-department-ece8a837f9bd179771f801a765e242e4">lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal</a>&nbsp;for earlier reporting on his link to the letter.

“As I have said all along, it’s very clear President Trump did not draw this picture, and he did not sign it,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement posted on X. “President Trump’s legal team will continue to aggressively pursue litigation.”

White House deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich posted various pictures on X of Trump’s signature over the years and wrote, “it’s not his signature.”

The release of the drawing comes as the president has for months faced increasing pressure to force more disclosure in the case of Epstein and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell. Epstein&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6184561-Jeffrey-Epstein-indictment.html" target="_blank">was accused</a>&nbsp;of paying underage girls hundreds of dollars in cash for massages and then molesting them, while Maxwell was convicted of luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by him.

It also once again puts a spotlight on Trump’s former friendship with Epstein, which the president has said ended two decades ago after a falling-out. Trump said recently that he cut ties with Epstein&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-congress-ghislaine-maxwell-justice-department-3ca45e130deb5f2eee8deff36d99734f">because he “stole” young women</a>&nbsp;— including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virginia-roberts-giuffre-obit-778c4fdd6fac2522133ca3d79244bccd">Virginia Giuffre</a>, who was among Epstein’s most well-known sex trafficking accusers — who worked for the spa at his Mar-a-Lago resort.

The case against Epstein was brought more than a decade after he secretly cut a deal with federal prosecutors in Florida to dispose of nearly identical allegations. Trump had suggested during the presidential campaign that he’d seek to open the government’s files into Epstein, but much of what the government has released so far had already been out there.

Democrats on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-maxwell-congress-justice-department-trump-3e0d2146ce0cd0f6cecaab0198402ac7">House Oversight Committee</a>&nbsp;received a copy of the birthday album on Monday as part of a batch of documents from Epstein’s estate.

Trump has denied writing the letter and creating the drawing, calling The Wall Street Journal report on it “false, malicious, and defamatory.”

“These are not my words, not the way I talk. Also, I don’t draw pictures,” Trump said.

The letter released by the committee looks exactly as described by The Wall Street Journal in its report.

The letter bearing Trump’s name and what appears to be his signature includes text framed by a hand-drawn outline of a curvaceous woman.

“A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret,” the letter says.

The letter’s disclosure comes amid a bipartisan push in Congress for the release of the so-called Epstein files amid years of speculation and conspiracy theories. Calls for the release of the records came from Republicans, including Vice President JD Vance, before he was sworn into the country’s No. 2 position.

The Justice Department in August began turning over records from the Epstein sex trafficking investigation to the House Oversight Committee.

The committee subpoenaed the Epstein estate for documents last month. In addition to the birthday book, lawmakers requested Epstein’s last will and testament, agreements he signed with prosecutors, his contact books, and his financial transactions and holdings.

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/michelle-l-price">MICHELLE L. PRICE</a>WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released on Monday a sexually suggestive letter to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">Jeffrey Epstein</a>&nbsp;purportedly signed by President Donald Trump, which he has denied.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨🚨HERE IT IS: We got Trump’s birthday note to Jeffrey Epstein that the President said doesn’t exist. Trump talks about a “wonderful secret” the two of them shared. What is he hiding? Release the files! <a href="https://t.co/k2Mq8Hu3LY">pic.twitter.com/k2Mq8Hu3LY</a>&mdash; Oversight Dems (@OversightDems) <a href="https://twitter.com/OversightDems/status/1965125560016994708?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Time for <a href="https://twitter.com/newscorp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@newscorp</a> to open that checkbook, it’s not his signature. DEFAMATION! <a href="https://t.co/O6iKk4SYF5">https://t.co/O6iKk4SYF5</a> <a href="https://t.co/T0wlp36P9h">pic.twitter.com/T0wlp36P9h</a>&mdash; Taylor Budowich (@TayFromCA) <a href="https://twitter.com/TayFromCA/status/1965133529177878754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Donald Trump wrote a personalized note in Jeffrey Epstein’s birthday book. He’s spent all summer lying about its existence. We got a copy. Ranking Member <a href="https://twitter.com/RepRobertGarcia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepRobertGarcia</a> explains what we know and how we got here: <a href="https://t.co/PVbHaVWppw">pic.twitter.com/PVbHaVWppw</a>&mdash; Oversight Dems (@OversightDems) <a href="https://twitter.com/OversightDems/status/1965133235685298250?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The letter was included as part of a 50th birthday album compiled in 2003 for Epstein, a wealthy and well-connected financier who was once a friend of Trump’s. Epstein killed himself in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial in 2019 on charges that said he sexually abused and trafficked dozens of underage girls.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The latest piece published by the Wall Street Journal PROVES this entire “Birthday Card” story is false. As I have said all along, it’s very clear President Trump did not draw this picture, and he did not sign it. President Trump’s legal team will continue to aggressively…&mdash; Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) <a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/1965146390348398627?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump has said he did not write the letter or create the drawing of a curvaceous woman that surrounds the letter, and he filed a $10 billion&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jeffrey-epstein-grand-jury-justice-department-ece8a837f9bd179771f801a765e242e4">lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal</a>&nbsp;for earlier reporting on his link to the letter.“As I have said all along, it’s very clear President Trump did not draw this picture, and he did not sign it,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement posted on X. “President Trump’s legal team will continue to aggressively pursue litigation.”White House deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich posted various pictures on X of Trump’s signature over the years and wrote, “it’s not his signature.”The release of the drawing comes as the president has for months faced increasing pressure to force more disclosure in the case of Epstein and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell. Epstein&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6184561-Jeffrey-Epstein-indictment.html" target="_blank">was accused</a>&nbsp;of paying underage girls hundreds of dollars in cash for massages and then molesting them, while Maxwell was convicted of luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by him.It also once again puts a spotlight on Trump’s former friendship with Epstein, which the president has said ended two decades ago after a falling-out. Trump said recently that he cut ties with Epstein&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-congress-ghislaine-maxwell-justice-department-3ca45e130deb5f2eee8deff36d99734f">because he “stole” young women</a>&nbsp;— including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virginia-roberts-giuffre-obit-778c4fdd6fac2522133ca3d79244bccd">Virginia Giuffre</a>, who was among Epstein’s most well-known sex trafficking accusers — who worked for the spa at his Mar-a-Lago resort.The case against Epstein was brought more than a decade after he secretly cut a deal with federal prosecutors in Florida to dispose of nearly identical allegations. Trump had suggested during the presidential campaign that he’d seek to open the government’s files into Epstein, but much of what the government has released so far had already been out there.Democrats on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-maxwell-congress-justice-department-trump-3e0d2146ce0cd0f6cecaab0198402ac7">House Oversight Committee</a>&nbsp;received a copy of the birthday album on Monday as part of a batch of documents from Epstein’s estate.Trump has denied writing the letter and creating the drawing, calling The Wall Street Journal report on it “false, malicious, and defamatory.”“These are not my words, not the way I talk. Also, I don’t draw pictures,” Trump said.The letter released by the committee looks exactly as described by The Wall Street Journal in its report.The letter bearing Trump’s name and what appears to be his signature includes text framed by a hand-drawn outline of a curvaceous woman.“A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret,” the letter says.The letter’s disclosure comes amid a bipartisan push in Congress for the release of the so-called Epstein files amid years of speculation and conspiracy theories. Calls for the release of the records came from Republicans, including Vice President JD Vance, before he was sworn into the country’s No. 2 position.The Justice Department in August began turning over records from the Epstein sex trafficking investigation to the House Oversight Committee.The committee subpoenaed the Epstein estate for documents last month. In addition to the birthday book, lawmakers requested Epstein’s last will and testament, agreements he signed with prosecutors, his contact books, and his financial transactions and holdings.

Read the Trump note to Epstein that he denies signing released by Congress

The Cheapo Depot furniture store, 1001 Vine, Hays, announced Friday via Facebook that it will permanently close its doors after 40 years in business.

We are closing our doors with so much thankfulness and gratitude!!

After more than 40 incredible years of serving Hays and the surrounding area as Furniture Kingdom and Cheapo Depo, we want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to all our loyal customers.

Your trust, support, and friendship have made our family furniture business a success for over four decades — and we are truly thankful and grateful for every memory shared along the way.

Thank you again for your loyalty and friendship.

Here’s to a FINAL CELEBRATION of Cheapo Depo of Hays’ LEGACY!

A note from Frank and Viv Kreutzer ...The King and Queen of Furniture!

We would like to take the time to thank all of our past customers for all the wonderful years we experienced during our years of owning Furniture Kingdom and Cheapo Depo.

It is because of you that our years in business were so successful. Thank you again.!! God Bless You! — Frank and Viv

I am so very thankful and grateful for the loyal customers who have walked through our doors over the years and made us a success.

We have come to consider so many of you as family, and I will always treasure the friendships that have grown along the way.

I’m especially grateful to the Hays community and surrounding areas for choosing us as your furniture and mattress store.

Your support has truly been a blessing in my life.

As I close this chapter, I will miss seeing so many familiar, friendly faces, but my heart is excited to see how God will use me for His glory in the days ahead.

May God’s blessings be upon you and your families always. — With heartfelt gratitude, Tina

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757366151740.jpeg" alt="Kreutzer family" />
 <figcaption>Kreutzer family</figcaption>
 </figure>Hays PostThe Cheapo Depot furniture store, 1001 Vine, Hays, announced Friday via Facebook that it will permanently close its doors after 40 years in business.In a Facebook post, Tina Kreutzer said,We are closing our doors with so much thankfulness and gratitude!!After more than 40 incredible years of serving Hays and the surrounding area as Furniture Kingdom and Cheapo Depo, we want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to all our loyal customers. Your trust, support, and friendship have made our family furniture business a success for over four decades — and we are truly thankful and grateful for every memory shared along the way.Thank you again for your loyalty and friendship. Here’s to a FINAL CELEBRATION of Cheapo Depo of Hays’ LEGACY! A note from Frank and Viv Kreutzer ...The King and Queen of Furniture!We would like to take the time to thank all of our past customers for all the wonderful years we experienced during our years of owning Furniture Kingdom and Cheapo Depo.It is because of you that our years in business were so successful. Thank you again.!! God Bless You! — Frank and VivA note from Tina Kreutzer ...I am so very thankful and grateful for the loyal customers who have walked through our doors over the years and made us a success.We have come to consider so many of you as family, and I will always treasure the friendships that have grown along the way.I’m especially grateful to the Hays community and surrounding areas for choosing us as your furniture and mattress store.Your support has truly been a blessing in my life.As I close this chapter, I will miss seeing so many familiar, friendly faces, but my heart is excited to see how God will use me for His glory in the days ahead. May God’s blessings be upon you and your families always. — With heartfelt gratitude, Tina

Cheapo Depo furniture in Hays announces closure

LOGAN — At 6 a.m. on Friday, the Phillips County Sheriff's Office assisted the Federal Bureau of Investigation, according to a post on the sheriff's Facebook page.

A search warrant was executed in the 400 block of West Church Street, Logan. 

 This is an ongoing federal investigation allegedly involving victims across multiple states, according to the post.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644004912344.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>LOGAN — At 6 a.m. on Friday, the Phillips County Sheriff's Office assisted the Federal Bureau of Investigation, according to a post on the sheriff's Facebook page. A search warrant was executed in the 400 block of West Church Street, Logan. This is an ongoing federal investigation allegedly involving victims across multiple states, according to the post.

FBI executes search warrant on Friday in Logan

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas felon who admitted his role in a 2023 mass shooting at a nightclub in Wichita's Old Town that left 11 injured is going to prison.

On Friday, Judge Seth Rundle sentenced 29-year-old John Houze to 17 months in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. In July Houze pleaded no contest to criminal possession of a weapon

&nbsp;The other charges were dismissed as part of the plea deal.

Just before 1a.m. July 2, 2023, police responded to the City Nightz Club in the 200 Block of North Washington in Wichita, according to Police Lt. Aaron Moses.

There were nine people with gunshot wounds and two people were trampled during the mass exodus out of the club.&nbsp;&nbsp;No one was killed but one person was critically injured.&nbsp; Police originally arrested a Missouri man as a suspect.&nbsp;He was released from jail after the Sedgwick County District Attorney determined he was acting in self defense.

The investigation indicates there were at least four firearms discharged inside the club. Police&nbsp; also seized an additional four firearms as part of the investigation.

The shooting victims included a 21-year-old man, 26-year-old man, 24-year-old woman, 34-year-old man, 21-year-old woman, 30-year-old man, 24-year-old man. The traumatic injury victims were a 31-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man, according to Moses. Two additional gunshot victims checked into the hospital later.

Eight days after the incident, police arrested Houze in the case.&nbsp; Houze has previous convictions for aggravated battery, fleeing law enforcement, criminal possession of a weapon and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

In December Judge David Dahl sentenced 25-year-old Jaylen Thomas of Wichita to 82 months in prison with 36 months post release for his role in the shooting, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.  The judge also ordered restitution to a City Nightz victim of $8,499.89, and $1,000 to City Nightz.

In June of 2024, co-defendant in the crime, 21-year-old Ameir King-Ingram was sentenced to just more than 4-years in prison.&nbsp;

Just before noon Monday police booked 27-year-old John D. Houze on requested charges of of aggravated battery and criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, as well as a Kansas Department of Corrections warrant stemming from the shooting.

On Friday police booked 19-year-old Ameir King-Ingram in the case on requested charges that include two counts of aggravated battery and one count of criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, according to Rebolledo.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A 31-year-old Missouri man arrested in the case on July 3, was released when the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office determined he fired a weapon in self defense.

Police continue&nbsp;&nbsp;asking the public for help to locate&nbsp;23-year-old Jaylen Thomas of Wichita for questioning in connection to the incident.

Just before 1a.m. July 2, police responded to the club in the 200 Block of North Washington, according to Police Lt. Aaron Moses.

Police on the scene of the shooting investigation July 2, -photo courtesy KWCH

The shooting victims included a 21-year-old man, 26-year-old man, 24-year-old woman, 34-year-old man, 21-year-old woman, 30-year-old man, 24-year-old man. The traumatic injury victims were a 31-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man, according to Moses. Two additional gunshot victims checked into the hospital later Sunday.

King-Ingram is being held on requested charges that include two counts of aggravated battery and one count of criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688300318332.png" alt="Police on the scene of the July 2023 investigation photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the July 2023 investigation photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas felon who admitted his role in a 2023 mass shooting at a nightclub in Wichita's Old Town that left 11 injured is going to prison.On Friday, Judge Seth Rundle sentenced 29-year-old John Houze to 17 months in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. In July Houze pleaded no contest to criminal possession of a weapon<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689015131240.png" alt="Houze photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Houze photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;The other charges were dismissed as part of the plea deal.Just before 1a.m. July 2, 2023, police responded to the City Nightz Club in the 200 Block of North Washington in Wichita, according to Police Lt. Aaron Moses.There were nine people with gunshot wounds and two people were trampled during the mass exodus out of the club.&nbsp;&nbsp;No one was killed but one person was critically injured.&nbsp; Police originally arrested a Missouri man as a suspect.&nbsp;He was released from jail after the Sedgwick County District Attorney determined he was acting in self defense.The investigation indicates there were at least four firearms discharged inside the club. Police&nbsp; also seized an additional four firearms as part of the investigation.The shooting victims included a 21-year-old man, 26-year-old man, 24-year-old woman, 34-year-old man, 21-year-old woman, 30-year-old man, 24-year-old man. The traumatic injury victims were a 31-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man, according to Moses. Two additional gunshot victims checked into the hospital later.Eight days after the incident, police arrested Houze in the case.&nbsp; Houze has previous convictions for aggravated battery, fleeing law enforcement, criminal possession of a weapon and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.In December Judge David Dahl sentenced 25-year-old Jaylen Thomas of Wichita to 82 months in prison with 36 months post release for his role in the shooting, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office. The judge also ordered restitution to a City Nightz victim of $8,499.89, and $1,000 to City Nightz.In June of 2024, co-defendant in the crime, 21-year-old Ameir King-Ingram was sentenced to just more than 4-years in prison.&nbsp;Just before noon Monday police booked 27-year-old John D. Houze on requested charges of of aggravated battery and criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, as well as a Kansas Department of Corrections warrant stemming from the shooting.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688816302231.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>King-Ingram-photo Sedgwick Co.On Friday police booked 19-year-old Ameir King-Ingram in the case on requested charges that include two counts of aggravated battery and one count of criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, according to Rebolledo.&nbsp;&nbsp;A 31-year-old Missouri man arrested in the case on July 3, was released when the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office determined he fired a weapon in self defense.Police continue&nbsp;&nbsp;asking the public for help to locate&nbsp;23-year-old Jaylen Thomas of Wichita for questioning in connection to the incident.ADVERTISING<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688849063007.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Thomas-photo Wichita PoliceJust before 1a.m. July 2, police responded to the club in the 200 Block of North Washington, according to Police Lt. Aaron Moses.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688300318332.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Police on the scene of the shooting investigation July 2, -photo courtesy KWCHThere were nine people with gunshot wounds and two people were trampled during the mass exodus out of the club.&nbsp;&nbsp;No one was killed but one person was critically injured.&nbsp; Police originally arrested a Missouri man as a suspect.&nbsp;He was released from jail after the Sedgwick County District Attorney determined he was acting in self defense.The investigation indicates there were at least four firearms discharged inside the club. Police&nbsp; also seized an additional four firearms as part of the investigation.The shooting victims included a 21-year-old man, 26-year-old man, 24-year-old woman, 34-year-old man, 21-year-old woman, 30-year-old man, 24-year-old man. The traumatic injury victims were a 31-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man, according to Moses. Two additional gunshot victims checked into the hospital later Sunday.King-Ingram is being held on requested charges that include two counts of aggravated battery and one count of criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

Kan. felon going back to prison for role in night club mass shooting 

The Ellis County Commission will have a public hearing before adopting the 2026 budget during its 8:30 a.m. meeting on Tuesday.

The hearing provides taxpayers with the chance to give input on the general fund and fire district, both of which exceed the revenue-neutral rate, as well as a proposed mill levy increase of 1.96 mills.

The county will be asked to approve a personnel policy change regarding retiree health insurance, as mandated by a Kansas statute.

The law requires local governments that offer health insurance also to make the coverage available to retirees and their dependents, provided they apply within 30 days of retirement and meet other eligibility requirements. Coverage ends when the retiree reaches 65 years old.

The county health department will request approval to purchase a new electronic health record system, replacing an outdated one. The five-year purchase price of about $77,100 will be prepaid using Workforce Development Grant funds.

A homeowner will request approval from the commission to use a county easement in Commerce Estates to build a private road that would provide access to his property. No county funds or assistance will be asked for.

You can view the full agenda <a href="https://www.ellisco.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09092025-696">here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684183971486.png" alt="Ellis County" />
 <figcaption>Ellis County</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostThe Ellis County Commission will have a public hearing before adopting the 2026 budget during its 8:30 a.m. meeting on Tuesday.The hearing provides taxpayers with the chance to give input on the general fund and fire district, both of which exceed the revenue-neutral rate, as well as a proposed mill levy increase of 1.96 mills.<h2>Personnel policy change for retiree insurance</h2>The county will be asked to approve a personnel policy change regarding retiree health insurance, as mandated by a Kansas statute.The law requires local governments that offer health insurance also to make the coverage available to retirees and their dependents, provided they apply within 30 days of retirement and meet other eligibility requirements. Coverage ends when the retiree reaches 65 years old.<h2>New electronic health record for Ellis County Health Department</h2>The county health department will request approval to purchase a new electronic health record system, replacing an outdated one. The five-year purchase price of about $77,100 will be prepaid using Workforce Development Grant funds.<h2>Other business</h2>A homeowner will request approval from the commission to use a county easement in Commerce Estates to build a private road that would provide access to his property. No county funds or assistance will be asked for.You can view the full agenda <a href="https://www.ellisco.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09092025-696">here</a>.

Ellis County Commission sets 2026 budget hearing

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 school board will conduct budget and revenue-neutral rate hearings at 6:30 tonight at the Rockwell Administration Center.

The district will exceed its revenue-neutral rate.&nbsp;The USD 489's portion of the county valuation increased by about 1.4%.

The district is proposing a .447 mill increase in the tax levy for the supplemental general fund for the 2026 fiscal year.

Taxes on a home valued at $239,000 will increase by about $36 per year, based on the district's mill levy and the increased assessed valuation, according to the school district.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1ddb7029-9e09-4f6a-8c1f-c0c5f03f27ed">SEE RELATED STORY: Hays USD 489 proposes mill levy increase, sees special ed costs rise</a>

The board is also set to further discuss naming rights for school facilities.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608234493687.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays USD 489 school board will conduct budget and revenue-neutral rate hearings at 6:30 tonight at the Rockwell Administration Center.The hearings are open to the public.The district will exceed its revenue-neutral rate.&nbsp;The USD 489's portion of the county valuation increased by about 1.4%.The district is proposing a .447 mill increase in the tax levy for the supplemental general fund for the 2026 fiscal year.Taxes on a home valued at $239,000 will increase by about $36 per year, based on the district's mill levy and the increased assessed valuation, according to the school district.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1ddb7029-9e09-4f6a-8c1f-c0c5f03f27ed">SEE RELATED STORY: Hays USD 489 proposes mill levy increase, sees special ed costs rise</a>Naming rightsThe board is also set to further discuss naming rights for school facilities.&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a90fb672-f7e5-4826-b5f3-1decd214e83c">SEE RELATED STORY: Hays USD 489 pauses Hays High football field naming rights donation discussion</a>The school board put on hold a donation from Golden Belt Bank for the naming rights of the new Hays High football field.The bank has offered a $200,000 donation for the naming rights. That offer expires Sept. 15.Although some board members favored accepting the donation for the naming rights, other board members, including Board President Curt Vajnar, wanted the decision delayed.The board will also consider a bid of $69,328 from KCAV for 55 presentation display panels for Hays Middle School.