By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Almost $1 million of street maintenance will be done this year in Hays.

City commissioners unanimously approved six recommended low bids Thursday.

Seal coating and striping and sealing will be done in various areas of town.&nbsp;

Curb and brick repairs will be made along 19th Street between Elm and Ash. Concrete alleys will be installed at Eighth and Oak and at the new Depot housing development to be built at 10th and Walnut in downtown Hays.

A concrete paving project will be done on East 19th Street between Oak and Pine.&nbsp;

The largest project this year will be mill and overlay on East 17th between Canterbury and Wheatland.

"This is the 21st year of the street maintenance program," said Jesse Rohr, public works director, "and I think it's made a real difference."

Commissioners also approved the contribution of $377,000 toward two joint road improvement projects with Ellis County at 48th Street and Vineyard Road and on 270th Avenue.&nbsp;

Water Conservation Specialist Holly Dickman presented an overview of the 2024 water conservation programs.&nbsp;

"The rebates were all over the place," she told the commission, "with a lot of participation in some and not so much in others."&nbsp;

About 50 units of the city's new automated water metering system have been installed in the south end of town by VEPO Metering, Columbus, Ohio, said Jeff Crispin, water resources director.

The upgrade will replace every residential and commercial water meter in Hays with technology capable of wirelessly sending usage data to the Department of Water Resources.

The complete rollout will take four to six months.

Requests to eliminate a loading zone at 12th and Main and a cereal malt beverage license application for the Wild West Festival Saloon were also approved.

A 40-minute executive session was held at the end of the meeting to discuss land easement acquisition for the R9 water project pipeline.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740755671574.jpeg" alt="Jesse Rohr, Hays public works director, talks about projects for street maintenance this year. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Jesse Rohr, Hays public works director, talks about projects for street maintenance this year. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="Post Podcast: $1M in street maintenance to be done in Hays this year" 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=hfybu-1820f42-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>By BECKY KISER Hays PostAlmost $1 million of street maintenance will be done this year in Hays.City commissioners unanimously approved six recommended low bids Thursday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740754047903.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740754769379.png" alt="Street maintenance for 2025 in Hays. City of Hays image" />
 <figcaption>Street maintenance for 2025 in Hays. City of Hays image</figcaption>
 </figure>Seal coating and striping and sealing will be done in various areas of town.&nbsp;Curb and brick repairs will be made along 19th Street between Elm and Ash. Concrete alleys will be installed at Eighth and Oak and at the new Depot housing development to be built at 10th and Walnut in downtown Hays.A concrete paving project will be done on East 19th Street between Oak and Pine.&nbsp;The largest project this year will be mill and overlay on East 17th between Canterbury and Wheatland."This is the 21st year of the street maintenance program," said Jesse Rohr, public works director, "and I think it's made a real difference." Commissioners also approved the contribution of $377,000 toward two joint road improvement projects with Ellis County at 48th Street and Vineyard Road and on 270th Avenue.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740758662183.jpeg" alt="Ellis County" />
 <figcaption>Ellis County</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740758698290.jpeg" alt="Ellis County" />
 <figcaption>Ellis County</figcaption>
 </figure>Water Conservation Specialist Holly Dickman presented an overview of the 2024 water conservation programs.&nbsp;"The rebates were all over the place," she told the commission, "with a lot of participation in some and not so much in others."&nbsp;About 50 units of the city's new automated water metering system have been installed in the south end of town by VEPO Metering, Columbus, Ohio, said Jeff Crispin, water resources director.The upgrade will replace every residential and commercial water meter in Hays with technology capable of wirelessly sending usage data to the Department of Water Resources.The complete rollout will take four to six months.Requests to eliminate a loading zone at 12th and Main and a cereal malt beverage license application for the Wild West Festival Saloon were also approved.A 40-minute executive session was held at the end of the meeting to discuss land easement acquisition for the R9 water project pipeline.No action was taken.&nbsp;

🎙 $1M in street maintenance to be done in Hays this year

Peggy Delores (Douglas) Schoenberger, 78, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at her home in Russell.

Peggy was born July 6, 1946, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was one of five children to William E. and Evelyne O. (Qualls) Douglas. She grew up in Ellis, Kansas, and graduated from Ellis High School in 1964. She then attended and graduated with a degree in Cosmetology from the Cosmetology School of Hays. She also attended classes at Ft. Hays State University for Pottery and Photography.

Peggy met the love of her life James “Jim” Schoenberger and were united in marriage on July 31, 1966, in Collyer, Kansas. This union was blessed with three children, Sharon, James Jr, and Jason. They made their home in Ellis for a couple of years before moving to Russell in 1969. Jim preceded her in death on January 4, 2020.

Peggy was a Cosmetologist in Russell for many years. She owned the Hair Shack and later she and her daughter, Sharon opened, Scissors Family Hair Design. She worked several years with Travenal, with her sister Barbara. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She was a member of the Russell Elks Lodge, Russell VFW Post #6240 Ladies Auxiliary and Delta Mu Sorority. Some of her favorite things to do in life were; doing arts and crafts like pottery, dishes, stain glass windows, drawings and doing art shows at the Deines Cultural Center; traveling with Jim to Homer, Alaska and Branson, Missouri. She loved going to the casinos, cooking for family and friends, taking pictures, getting her lottery tickets and cappuccino’s in Russell. She also enjoyed spending time with her family.

Peggy’s surviving family include her daughter, Sharon Weigel (Michael) of Russell, Kansas; sons, James Schoenberger, Jr of Russell, Kansas and Jason Schoenberger (Misty) of Russell, Kansas; brother, William Douglas, Jr. (Angelia) of Overland Park, Kansas; sister, Diane Douglas of England; 10 grandchildren; Jordan Burton of Russell, Kansas; Sheldon Bennett (Clayton) of Russell, Kansas; Breilynn Schoenberger of Fort Worth, Texas; Justine Evans (Cade) of Russell, Kansas; Chandler Schoenberger of Ankeney, Iowa; Graci Crow (Jordan) of Russell, Kansas; Ava Schoenberger of Manhattan, Kansas; Pierce Schoenberger of Russell, Kansas; Bo Schoenberger of Russell, Kansas; &amp; Kimber Schoenberger of Russell, Kansas; and 6 great-grandchildren; Irie Burton, Raegan Bennett, Boone Bennett, Stella Crow, Bowen Evans, Walker Burton and baby Evans on the way. Many nieces and nephews and friends.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents; husband Jim; brother, Eddie Douglas; and sister, Barbara Rupp.

Celebration of Peggy’s Life will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, March 7, 2025, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary. Burial of ashes will follow at a later date. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A memorial has been established with Deines Cultural Center. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740758384571.png" alt="Peggy Delores (Douglas) Schoenberger" />
 <figcaption>Peggy Delores (Douglas) Schoenberger</figcaption>
 </figure>Peggy Delores (Douglas) Schoenberger, 78, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at her home in Russell.Peggy was born July 6, 1946, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was one of five children to William E. and Evelyne O. (Qualls) Douglas. She grew up in Ellis, Kansas, and graduated from Ellis High School in 1964. She then attended and graduated with a degree in Cosmetology from the Cosmetology School of Hays. She also attended classes at Ft. Hays State University for Pottery and Photography.Peggy met the love of her life James “Jim” Schoenberger and were united in marriage on July 31, 1966, in Collyer, Kansas. This union was blessed with three children, Sharon, James Jr, and Jason. They made their home in Ellis for a couple of years before moving to Russell in 1969. Jim preceded her in death on January 4, 2020.Peggy was a Cosmetologist in Russell for many years. She owned the Hair Shack and later she and her daughter, Sharon opened, Scissors Family Hair Design. She worked several years with Travenal, with her sister Barbara. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She was a member of the Russell Elks Lodge, Russell VFW Post #6240 Ladies Auxiliary and Delta Mu Sorority. Some of her favorite things to do in life were; doing arts and crafts like pottery, dishes, stain glass windows, drawings and doing art shows at the Deines Cultural Center; traveling with Jim to Homer, Alaska and Branson, Missouri. She loved going to the casinos, cooking for family and friends, taking pictures, getting her lottery tickets and cappuccino’s in Russell. She also enjoyed spending time with her family.Peggy’s surviving family include her daughter, Sharon Weigel (Michael) of Russell, Kansas; sons, James Schoenberger, Jr of Russell, Kansas and Jason Schoenberger (Misty) of Russell, Kansas; brother, William Douglas, Jr. (Angelia) of Overland Park, Kansas; sister, Diane Douglas of England; 10 grandchildren; Jordan Burton of Russell, Kansas; Sheldon Bennett (Clayton) of Russell, Kansas; Breilynn Schoenberger of Fort Worth, Texas; Justine Evans (Cade) of Russell, Kansas; Chandler Schoenberger of Ankeney, Iowa; Graci Crow (Jordan) of Russell, Kansas; Ava Schoenberger of Manhattan, Kansas; Pierce Schoenberger of Russell, Kansas; Bo Schoenberger of Russell, Kansas; &amp; Kimber Schoenberger of Russell, Kansas; and 6 great-grandchildren; Irie Burton, Raegan Bennett, Boone Bennett, Stella Crow, Bowen Evans, Walker Burton and baby Evans on the way. Many nieces and nephews and friends.Peggy was preceded in death by her parents; husband Jim; brother, Eddie Douglas; and sister, Barbara Rupp.Celebration of Peggy’s Life will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, March 7, 2025, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary. Burial of ashes will follow at a later date. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A memorial has been established with Deines Cultural Center. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Peggy Delores (Douglas) Schoenberger

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital dedicated an expansion on Wednesday with special guest Gov. Laura Kelly.

The hospital has added 11 private patient rooms, a new emergency room and expanded physical therapy to include a pool for aqua therapy and private treatment rooms, Jeremy Rabe, hospital CEO, said.

A new nurses station accompanies the new patient rooms. They also include three isolation rooms, Rabe said.

Four assisted-living apartments will also be added. Rabe said he anticipated those apartments would open by the end of March.

"We are dedicated in creating an environment that fosters healing, comfort and support," Rabe said on Wednesday.

The $13 million project was paid for through bonds.

"A lot of health care has been pushed to more of an outpatient setting," Rabe said. "With this expansion, it's going to let us bring more specialty doctors here and offer more telemedicine opportunities.&nbsp;

"The big thing was to keep our Trego County residents in Trego County."

Rabe said the hospital hasn't signed any contracts with new specialists but is working toward that goal.

The expansion is also enhancing patient privacy. The ER, which was built in 1951 as a large room separated by curtains, now has private treatment rooms.

Ambulances can now drive into the ER bay and unload patients out of the elements and in a private area.

The previous trauma rooms were too small to handle the severe injuries that might come off the interstate, Rabe said.

Phase two of the project will include remodeling the existing emergency room, laboratory and physical therapy areas.

Dr. Paulo De Andrade celebrated what he called a new, state-of-the-art building, which he said was a symbol of hope and healing.

He said small critical-access hospitals like Trego County-Lemke Memorial prevent residents from driving long distances for care.

"This hospital represents our unwavering commitment to everyone who walks through this door to have the best care possible,"&nbsp;De Andrade said.

Gov. Kelly used the opportunity to highlight the need for Medicaid expansion in Kansas, which has been a continuing focus of her administration.

"I have often said my goal as your governor is to make Kansas the best place to live, to work and to raise a family," Kelly said. "Quality health care and access to medical treatment are fundamental to that vision."

Local hospitals are essential to providing care and jobs and to local economies, she said.

"Without these hospitals, families are forced to travel long distances for emergency care; businesses struggle to recruit and retain workers, and local economies suffer," Kelly said. "That is why my administration has prioritized investments in health care infrastructure across Kansas and in economic development in general."

The state has dedicated $2 million to rural emergency hospitals, $30 million to increasing reimbursement rates for providers who accept Medicaid patients and $10 million to hospitals treating behavioral health patients.

Of the 97 rural hospitals in Kansas, 62 are in threat of closure, the highest rate of at-risk hospitals in the country, Kelly said.

"If we do nothing, more hospitals will close, leaving communities without emergency services," she said.&nbsp;

Hospitals are the largest employers in many rural communities. Closing hospitals means losing jobs, Kelly said.

She said expanding Medicaid would be one of the most effective means of protecting rural hospitals. The expansion would result in 150,000 Kansans gaining health care coverage, many of them in rural Kansas.&nbsp;

"Hospitals would get financial relief, allowing them to stay open and fully staffed," Kelly said. "23,000 new jobs would be created across health care and in local economies."

$1.2 billion per year would be injected into the Kansas economy. In the last 10 years, Kansas has left $7.6 billion of Kansas taxpayer money in Washington, D.C.

"It's time to bring our dollars home," Kelly said.

"This is not a partisan issue," she said. "It's about economic security, public health and fairness for all Kansans."

Kelly signed legislation expanding a loan forgiveness program for medical professionals in Kansas. OBGYNs were added to a list of qualified providers and scholarships were extended to osteopathic students.

She also urged the expansion of telehealth and mental health services in Kansas.&nbsp;

"We are making progress. The expansion of this hospital is proof that what we invest in health care, we invest in the future of Kansas," Kelly said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740685897496.jpeg" alt="Jeremy Rabe, Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital CEO, speaks to Gov. Laura Kelly in a new ER trauma room at the hospital. Kelly was onhand for the ribbon cutting for the hospital's expansion on Wednesday in WaKeeney. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Jeremy Rabe, Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital CEO, speaks to Gov. Laura Kelly in a new ER trauma room at the hospital. Kelly was onhand for the ribbon cutting for the hospital's expansion on Wednesday in WaKeeney. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostTrego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital dedicated an expansion on Wednesday with special guest Gov. Laura Kelly.The hospital has added 11 private patient rooms, a new emergency room and expanded physical therapy to include a pool for aqua therapy and private treatment rooms, Jeremy Rabe, hospital CEO, said.A new nurses station accompanies the new patient rooms. They also include three isolation rooms, Rabe said.Four assisted-living apartments will also be added. Rabe said he anticipated those apartments would open by the end of March."We are dedicated in creating an environment that fosters healing, comfort and support," Rabe said on Wednesday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740686254580.jpeg" alt="Trego County-Lemke Memorial&nbsp; Hospital staff, board members Gov. Laura Kelly, center, cut the ribbon on the hospital's expansion during a ceremony on Wednesday. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Trego County-Lemke Memorial&nbsp; Hospital staff, board members Gov. Laura Kelly, center, cut the ribbon on the hospital's expansion during a ceremony on Wednesday. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>The $13 million project was paid for through bonds."A lot of health care has been pushed to more of an outpatient setting," Rabe said. "With this expansion, it's going to let us bring more specialty doctors here and offer more telemedicine opportunities.&nbsp;"The big thing was to keep our Trego County residents in Trego County."Rabe said the hospital hasn't signed any contracts with new specialists but is working toward that goal.The expansion is also enhancing patient privacy. The ER, which was built in 1951 as a large room separated by curtains, now has private treatment rooms.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740686498581.jpeg" alt="One of 11 new private patient rooms that were part of the&nbsp;Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital expansion.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>One of 11 new private patient rooms that were part of the&nbsp;Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital expansion.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740686778647.jpeg" alt="A new nurses station serves the new 11 private rooms that are a part of the&nbsp;Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital expansion.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A new nurses station serves the new 11 private rooms that are a part of the&nbsp;Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital expansion.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Ambulances can now drive into the ER bay and unload patients out of the elements and in a private area.The previous trauma rooms were too small to handle the severe injuries that might come off the interstate, Rabe said.Phase two of the project will include remodeling the existing emergency room, laboratory and physical therapy areas.Dr. Paulo De Andrade celebrated what he called a new, state-of-the-art building, which he said was a symbol of hope and healing.He said small critical-access hospitals like Trego County-Lemke Memorial prevent residents from driving long distances for care.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740686575990.jpeg" alt="A pool that will be used for aqua therapy is part of the&nbsp;Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital's expansion of the physical therapy department.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A pool that will be used for aqua therapy is part of the&nbsp;Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital's expansion of the physical therapy department.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740686654849.jpeg" alt="The new occupational therapy room has space for an oven, refrigerator, sink, tub and two private therapy rooms.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The new occupational therapy room has space for an oven, refrigerator, sink, tub and two private therapy rooms.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>"This hospital represents our unwavering commitment to everyone who walks through this door to have the best care possible,"&nbsp;De Andrade said.Gov. Kelly used the opportunity to highlight the need for Medicaid expansion in Kansas, which has been a continuing focus of her administration."I have often said my goal as your governor is to make Kansas the best place to live, to work and to raise a family," Kelly said. "Quality health care and access to medical treatment are fundamental to that vision."Local hospitals are essential to providing care and jobs and to local economies, she said."Without these hospitals, families are forced to travel long distances for emergency care; businesses struggle to recruit and retain workers, and local economies suffer," Kelly said. "That is why my administration has prioritized investments in health care infrastructure across Kansas and in economic development in general."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740687147864.jpeg" alt="Gov. Kelly making a push for Medicaid expansion and health care investment at the ribbon cutting for the Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital expansion Wednesday in WaKeeney.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Kelly making a push for Medicaid expansion and health care investment at the ribbon cutting for the Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital expansion Wednesday in WaKeeney.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>The state has dedicated $2 million to rural emergency hospitals, $30 million to increasing reimbursement rates for providers who accept Medicaid patients and $10 million to hospitals treating behavioral health patients.Of the 97 rural hospitals in Kansas, 62 are in threat of closure, the highest rate of at-risk hospitals in the country, Kelly said."If we do nothing, more hospitals will close, leaving communities without emergency services," she said.&nbsp;Hospitals are the largest employers in many rural communities. Closing hospitals means losing jobs, Kelly said.She said expanding Medicaid would be one of the most effective means of protecting rural hospitals. The expansion would result in 150,000 Kansans gaining health care coverage, many of them in rural Kansas.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740687339997.jpeg" alt="A large crowd of many of the 150 staff members at&nbsp;Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital, as well as residents and local officials, gathered for the ribbon county of the hospital's expansion. Gov. Kelly spoke on the importance of investment in health care in rural communities.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A large crowd of many of the 150 staff members at&nbsp;Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital, as well as residents and local officials, gathered for the ribbon county of the hospital's expansion. Gov. Kelly spoke on the importance of investment in health care in rural communities.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>"Hospitals would get financial relief, allowing them to stay open and fully staffed," Kelly said. "23,000 new jobs would be created across health care and in local economies."$1.2 billion per year would be injected into the Kansas economy. In the last 10 years, Kansas has left $7.6 billion of Kansas taxpayer money in Washington, D.C."It's time to bring our dollars home," Kelly said."This is not a partisan issue," she said. "It's about economic security, public health and fairness for all Kansans."Kelly signed legislation expanding a loan forgiveness program for medical professionals in Kansas. OBGYNs were added to a list of qualified providers and scholarships were extended to osteopathic students.She also urged the expansion of telehealth and mental health services in Kansas.&nbsp;"We are making progress. The expansion of this hospital is proof that what we invest in health care, we invest in the future of Kansas," Kelly said.

Trego County-Lemke Hospital expands; Gov. Kelly speaks on health care investments

The site of the former Love's Country Store in Hays, 2500 Vine, is seeing some activity for the first time since the <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5fe47100-3d66-44bb-97b3-25aceb8379e3">convenience store closed in early May 2024</a>.&nbsp;

An excavator was at work Thursday morning to demolish the empty store and gas pump canopy.&nbsp;

According to information provided to the Hays Area Board of Zoning and Appeals, Credit Union of America will open a new location on the former Love's property.

This would be the first Credit Union of America facility in Hays, said Doug Williams, Grow Hays executive director.

There are 16 other branches across Kansas with the majority based in Wichita.

Plans also call for a new detached ITM (interactive teller machine) canopy. 

The current gas pump canopy sits eight feet from the west property line.&nbsp;

The credit union wants to place its canopy further to the west, which would also require eliminating two of the four approaches to the lot.

A public hearing for the ITM canopy setback requests has been scheduled for 4 p.m. March 17 at Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.

Love's Country Store operated in that location since the late 1970s.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740679271594.jpeg" alt="Demolition of the former Love's Country Store, 2500 Vine, in Hays began Thursday morning. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Demolition of the former Love's Country Store, 2500 Vine, in Hays began Thursday morning. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740679415899.jpeg" alt="A branch of Wichita-based Credit Union of America will be built at the site of the former Love's Country Store, 2500 Vine, Hays. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A branch of Wichita-based Credit Union of America will be built at the site of the former Love's Country Store, 2500 Vine, Hays. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostThe site of the former Love's Country Store in Hays, 2500 Vine, is seeing some activity for the first time since the <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5fe47100-3d66-44bb-97b3-25aceb8379e3">convenience store closed in early May 2024</a>.&nbsp;An excavator was at work Thursday morning to demolish the empty store and gas pump canopy.&nbsp;According to information provided to the Hays Area Board of Zoning and Appeals, Credit Union of America will open a new location on the former Love's property.This would be the first Credit Union of America facility in Hays, said Doug Williams, Grow Hays executive director.There are 16 other branches across Kansas with the majority based in Wichita.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740678438767.png" alt="Credit Union of America site plan for Hays, 2500 Vine. Courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>Credit Union of America site plan for Hays, 2500 Vine. Courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>Plans also call for a new detached ITM (interactive teller machine) canopy. The current gas pump canopy sits eight feet from the west property line.&nbsp;The credit union wants to place its canopy further to the west, which would also require eliminating two of the four approaches to the lot.A public hearing for the ITM canopy setback requests has been scheduled for 4 p.m. March 17 at Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.Love's Country Store operated in that location since the late 1970s.

Former Love's Country Store in Hays under demolition to make way for new business

The City of Hays is launching the installation of a new&nbsp;advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system&nbsp;for its water utility. This upgrade will replace every residential and commercial water meter in Hays with technology capable of wirelessly sending usage data to the Department of Water Resources.

SEE RELATED HAYS POST NEWS STORY: <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/292e6398-09de-4575-8f00-59772bbb0c0c">Hays City Commission approves $4.5M water meter replacement projec</a>t

“It’s our goal to enhance accuracy in water usage reporting, detect leaks more swiftly, and offer better customer service,” said&nbsp;Jeff Crispin, City of Hays director of Water Resources. “This advanced metering technology demonstrates our commitment to providing forward-thinking solutions for our community.”

“Our priority is to keep the public informed at every step,” Crispin added. “Residents are encouraged to contact us with any questions or feedback they may have.”

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work to enhance our community’s water infrastructure.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719328646306.jpeg" alt="New Hays water meter. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>New Hays water meter. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>City of HaysThe City of Hays is launching the installation of a new&nbsp;advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system&nbsp;for its water utility. This upgrade will replace every residential and commercial water meter in Hays with technology capable of wirelessly sending usage data to the Department of Water Resources.SEE RELATED HAYS POST NEWS STORY: <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/292e6398-09de-4575-8f00-59772bbb0c0c">Hays City Commission approves $4.5M water meter replacement projec</a>t“It’s our goal to enhance accuracy in water usage reporting, detect leaks more swiftly, and offer better customer service,” said&nbsp;Jeff Crispin, City of Hays director of Water Resources. “This advanced metering technology demonstrates our commitment to providing forward-thinking solutions for our community.”What to Expect<ul>
 <li>Installation starts this week and will take up to&nbsp;six months&nbsp;to complete.</li><li>Postcards&nbsp;with more information will be sent to all properties in the city.</li><li>Door hangers&nbsp;will be left at your property’s main entrance once the upgrade is finished.</li>
 </ul>Additional Assurances<ul>
 <li>Your&nbsp;drinking water remains safe&nbsp;throughout the process.</li><li>Project updates&nbsp;will be available at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://watersmarthays.com/">WaterSmartHays.com</a>.</li>
 </ul>“Our priority is to keep the public informed at every step,” Crispin added. “Residents are encouraged to contact us with any questions or feedback they may have.”For Questions or Feedback<ul>
 <li>Call the City of Hays Water Resources Department: 785-628-7380</li><li>Visit:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://watersmarthays.com/">WaterSmartHays.com</a></li>
 </ul>Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work to enhance our community’s water infrastructure.

New water metering system installation begins in Hays

NEW YORK (AP) — A grassroots organization is encouraging U.S. residents not to spend any money Friday as an act of “economic resistance” to protest what the group's founder sees as the malign&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trumps-cabinet-wealth-billionaires-0d5147df74c7f0a851df296aeab2e164">influence of billionaires</a>, big corporations and both major political parties on the lives of working Americans.

The People's Union USA calls the 24 hours of spending abstinence set to start at midnight an “economic blackout,” a term that has since been shared and debated on social media. The activist movement said it also plans to promote weeklong consumer boycotts of particular companies, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/walmart-dei-inclusion-diversity-34b06922e60e5116fe198696201ce4d9">Walmart</a>&nbsp;and Amazon.

Other activists, faith-based leaders and consumers already are organizing boycotts&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/black-consumers-dei-buying-guide-naacp-34664d8af92e2dc1ba787a498348b7a4">to protest companies</a>&nbsp;that have scaled back their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and to oppose President Donald Trump's moves to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-dei-executive-order-diversity-inclusion-f67ea86032986084dd71c5aa0c6b8d1d">abolish all federal DEI programs and policies</a>. Some faith leaders are encouraging their congregations to refrain from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/target-diversity-equity-inclusion-minneapolis-civil-rights-850701b0126bd9417dd488c72f5f8a81">shopping at Target</a>, one of the companies backing off DEI efforts, during the 40 days of Lent that begin Wednesday.

Here are some details about the various events and experts' thoughts on whether having consumers keep their wallets closed is an effective tool for influencing the positions corporations take.

Who's behind the ‘24-hour Economic Blackout?’

The People's Union USA, which takes credit for initiating the no-spend day, was founded by John Schwarz, a meditation teacher who lives near the Chicago area, according to his social media accounts.

The organization's website said it's not tied to a political party but stands for all people. Requests for comment sent to the group's email address this week did not receive a reply.

The planned blackout is scheduled to run from 12 a.m. EST through 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday. The activist group advised customers to abstain from making any purchases, whether in store or online, but particularly not from big retailers or chains. It wants participants to avoid fast food and filling their car gas tanks, and says shoppers with emergencies or in need of essentials should support a local small business and try not to use a credit or debit card.

People's Union plans another broad-based economic blackout on March 28, but it's also organizing boycotts targeting specific retailers — Walmart and Amazon — as well as global food giants Nestle and General Mills. For the boycott against Amazon, the organization is encouraging people to refrain from buying anything from Whole Foods, which the e-commerce company owns.

There are a number of boycotts being planned, particularly aimed at Target. The discounter, which has backed diversity and inclusion efforts aimed at uplifting Black and LGBTQ+ people in the past, announced in January&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/target-dei-supreme-court-diversity-7f068dfee61a68a9a1f82b94e135b323">it was rolling back its DEI initiatives.</a>

A labor advocacy group called We Are Somebody, led by Nina Turner, launched a boycott of Target on February 1 to coincide with Black History Month.

Meanwhile, an Atlanta-area pastor, the Rev. Jamal Bryant, organized a website called targetfast.org to recruit Christians for a a 40-day Target boycott starting March 5, which marks Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Other faith leaders have endorsed the protest.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, founder and president of the National Action Network, a civil rights organization, announced in late January it would identify two companies in the next 90 days that will be boycotted for abandoning their diversity, equity and inclusion pledges. The organization formed a commission to identify potential candidates.

"Donald Trump can cut federal DEI programs to the bone, he can claw back federal money to expand diversity, but he cannot tell us what grocery store we shop at,” Sharpton said in a statement posted on the National Action Network's website.

Some retailers may feel a slight pinch from Friday's broad “blackout,” which is taking place in a tough economic environment, experts said. Renewed inflation worries and Trump's threat of tariffs on imported goods already have had an effect on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-confidence-conference-board-economy-spending-4ec3430138e6d872a6dae273e212edd1">consumer sentiment</a>.

“The (market share) pie is just so big,” Marshal Cohen, chief retail advisor at market research firm Circana, said. “You can’t afford to have your slices get smaller. Consumers are spending more money on food. And that means there’s more pressure on general merchandise or discretionary products.”

Still, Cohen thinks the overall impact may be limited, with any meaningful sales declines more likely to surface in liberal-leaning coastal regions and big cities.

Anna Tuchman, a marketing professor at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, said she thinks the economic blackout will likely make a dent in daily retail sales but won't be sustainable.

“I think this is an opportunity for consumers to show that they have a voice on a single day," she said. ”I think it’s unlikely that we would see long-run sustained decreases in economic activity supported by this boycott.”

Other boycotts have produced different results.

Target saw a drop in sales in the spring and summer quarter of 2023 that the discounter attributed in part to customer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-target-swimsuits-transgender-pride-collection-892500330955">backlash over a collection</a>&nbsp;honoring LGBTQ+ communities for Pride Month. As a result, Target&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/target-lgbtq-pride-667ab2f6545645f5f86ca76394e531d6">didn’t carry Pride</a>&nbsp;merchandise in all of its stores the following year.

Tuchman studied the impact of a&nbsp;<a href="https://he%20ceo%20of%20food%20company%20goya%20is%20facing%20an%20uproar%20over%20his%20praise%20for%20president%20donald%20trump/">boycott against Goya Foods</a>&nbsp;during the summer of 2020 after the company's CEO praised Trump. But her study, based on sales from research firm Numerator, found the brand&nbsp;<a href="https://insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu/article/company-boycott-buycott-impact">saw a sales increase</a>&nbsp;driven by first-time Goya buyers who were disproportionately from heavily Republican areas.

However, the revenue bump proved temporary; Goya had no detectable sales increase after three weeks, Tuchman said.

It was a different story for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bud-light-beer-dylan-mulvaney-transgender-d489fb60d04ebd02486f80169cfc4474">Bud Light</a>, which spent decades as America’s bestselling beer. Sales plummeted in 2023 after the brand sent a commemorative can to a transgender influencer. Bud Light’s sales still haven’t fully recovered, according to alcohol consulting company Bump Williams.

Tuchman thinks a reason is because there were plenty of other beers that the brand’s mostly conservative customer base could buy to replace Bud Light.

Afya Evans, a political and image consultant in Atlanta, said she would make a point of shopping on Friday but will focus on small businesses and Black-owned brands.

Evans is aware of other boycotts but she said she liked this one because she believes it could have some effect on sales.

“It’s a broader thing,” she said. “We want to see what the impact is. Let everybody participate. And plan from there.”

AP Business Writer Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740689484081.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — A grassroots organization is encouraging U.S. residents not to spend any money Friday as an act of “economic resistance” to protest what the group's founder sees as the malign&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trumps-cabinet-wealth-billionaires-0d5147df74c7f0a851df296aeab2e164">influence of billionaires</a>, big corporations and both major political parties on the lives of working Americans.The People's Union USA calls the 24 hours of spending abstinence set to start at midnight an “economic blackout,” a term that has since been shared and debated on social media. The activist movement said it also plans to promote weeklong consumer boycotts of particular companies, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/walmart-dei-inclusion-diversity-34b06922e60e5116fe198696201ce4d9">Walmart</a>&nbsp;and Amazon.Other activists, faith-based leaders and consumers already are organizing boycotts&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/black-consumers-dei-buying-guide-naacp-34664d8af92e2dc1ba787a498348b7a4">to protest companies</a>&nbsp;that have scaled back their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and to oppose President Donald Trump's moves to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-dei-executive-order-diversity-inclusion-f67ea86032986084dd71c5aa0c6b8d1d">abolish all federal DEI programs and policies</a>. Some faith leaders are encouraging their congregations to refrain from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/target-diversity-equity-inclusion-minneapolis-civil-rights-850701b0126bd9417dd488c72f5f8a81">shopping at Target</a>, one of the companies backing off DEI efforts, during the 40 days of Lent that begin Wednesday.Here are some details about the various events and experts' thoughts on whether having consumers keep their wallets closed is an effective tool for influencing the positions corporations take.<h2>Who's behind the ‘24-hour Economic Blackout?’</h2>The People's Union USA, which takes credit for initiating the no-spend day, was founded by John Schwarz, a meditation teacher who lives near the Chicago area, according to his social media accounts.The organization's website said it's not tied to a political party but stands for all people. Requests for comment sent to the group's email address this week did not receive a reply.The planned blackout is scheduled to run from 12 a.m. EST through 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday. The activist group advised customers to abstain from making any purchases, whether in store or online, but particularly not from big retailers or chains. It wants participants to avoid fast food and filling their car gas tanks, and says shoppers with emergencies or in need of essentials should support a local small business and try not to use a credit or debit card.People's Union plans another broad-based economic blackout on March 28, but it's also organizing boycotts targeting specific retailers — Walmart and Amazon — as well as global food giants Nestle and General Mills. For the boycott against Amazon, the organization is encouraging people to refrain from buying anything from Whole Foods, which the e-commerce company owns.<h2>What other boycotts are being planned?</h2>There are a number of boycotts being planned, particularly aimed at Target. The discounter, which has backed diversity and inclusion efforts aimed at uplifting Black and LGBTQ+ people in the past, announced in January&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/target-dei-supreme-court-diversity-7f068dfee61a68a9a1f82b94e135b323">it was rolling back its DEI initiatives.</a>A labor advocacy group called We Are Somebody, led by Nina Turner, launched a boycott of Target on February 1 to coincide with Black History Month.Meanwhile, an Atlanta-area pastor, the Rev. Jamal Bryant, organized a website called targetfast.org to recruit Christians for a a 40-day Target boycott starting March 5, which marks Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Other faith leaders have endorsed the protest.The Rev. Al Sharpton, founder and president of the National Action Network, a civil rights organization, announced in late January it would identify two companies in the next 90 days that will be boycotted for abandoning their diversity, equity and inclusion pledges. The organization formed a commission to identify potential candidates."Donald Trump can cut federal DEI programs to the bone, he can claw back federal money to expand diversity, but he cannot tell us what grocery store we shop at,” Sharpton said in a statement posted on the National Action Network's website.<h2>Will the events have any impact?</h2>Some retailers may feel a slight pinch from Friday's broad “blackout,” which is taking place in a tough economic environment, experts said. Renewed inflation worries and Trump's threat of tariffs on imported goods already have had an effect on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-confidence-conference-board-economy-spending-4ec3430138e6d872a6dae273e212edd1">consumer sentiment</a>.“The (market share) pie is just so big,” Marshal Cohen, chief retail advisor at market research firm Circana, said. “You can’t afford to have your slices get smaller. Consumers are spending more money on food. And that means there’s more pressure on general merchandise or discretionary products.”Still, Cohen thinks the overall impact may be limited, with any meaningful sales declines more likely to surface in liberal-leaning coastal regions and big cities.Anna Tuchman, a marketing professor at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, said she thinks the economic blackout will likely make a dent in daily retail sales but won't be sustainable.“I think this is an opportunity for consumers to show that they have a voice on a single day," she said. ”I think it’s unlikely that we would see long-run sustained decreases in economic activity supported by this boycott.”Other boycotts have produced different results.Target saw a drop in sales in the spring and summer quarter of 2023 that the discounter attributed in part to customer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-target-swimsuits-transgender-pride-collection-892500330955">backlash over a collection</a>&nbsp;honoring LGBTQ+ communities for Pride Month. As a result, Target&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/target-lgbtq-pride-667ab2f6545645f5f86ca76394e531d6">didn’t carry Pride</a>&nbsp;merchandise in all of its stores the following year.Tuchman studied the impact of a&nbsp;<a href="https://he%20ceo%20of%20food%20company%20goya%20is%20facing%20an%20uproar%20over%20his%20praise%20for%20president%20donald%20trump/">boycott against Goya Foods</a>&nbsp;during the summer of 2020 after the company's CEO praised Trump. But her study, based on sales from research firm Numerator, found the brand&nbsp;<a href="https://insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu/article/company-boycott-buycott-impact">saw a sales increase</a>&nbsp;driven by first-time Goya buyers who were disproportionately from heavily Republican areas.However, the revenue bump proved temporary; Goya had no detectable sales increase after three weeks, Tuchman said.It was a different story for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bud-light-beer-dylan-mulvaney-transgender-d489fb60d04ebd02486f80169cfc4474">Bud Light</a>, which spent decades as America’s bestselling beer. Sales plummeted in 2023 after the brand sent a commemorative can to a transgender influencer. Bud Light’s sales still haven’t fully recovered, according to alcohol consulting company Bump Williams.Tuchman thinks a reason is because there were plenty of other beers that the brand’s mostly conservative customer base could buy to replace Bud Light.Afya Evans, a political and image consultant in Atlanta, said she would make a point of shopping on Friday but will focus on small businesses and Black-owned brands.Evans is aware of other boycotts but she said she liked this one because she believes it could have some effect on sales.“It’s a broader thing,” she said. “We want to see what the impact is. Let everybody participate. And plan from there.”___AP Business Writer Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit contributed to this report.

Economic Blackout: Will a 24-hour boycott make a difference?

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

HAYS -&nbsp;The TMP Marian Monarchs split a home doubleheader in the first round of the 2A Sublette sub-state Thursday with the Lady Monarchs taking down Medicine Lodge to advance to semifinals, while the Monarch boys come up short in overtime, ending their season.&nbsp;

GIRLS: TMP 51, Medicine Lodge 26 The Monarchs Brooke Koenigsman scored 12 of her game high 23 points in the first quarter and TMP held the Indians to just two points in the third quarter in a 51-26 TMP victory.

Koenigsman drained back-to-back three pointers to open the game and then added a three point play for a 9-0 lead.

Shyanne Yost added back-to-back field goals as the Monarchs built a 14-4 lead early in the first quarter.

A third Koenigsman three pointer gave TMP (13-9) the 16-6 through the first quarter.

The Monarchs struggled in the second quarter, and were outscored 7-2 in the frame but still led at halftime 20-13.

TMP found their offense rhythm in the second half and outscored the Indians 12-2 in the third quarter as they held on to t0 a 32-15 through three quarters.

The Monarchs continued to stretch the lead in the fourth quarter on their way to the 51-26 victory.

Gracyn Schippers added six rebounds and six blocked shots on top of her six points.

The Monarchs will take on either No. 1 seed Wichita County or the No. 16 seed Sublette next week.

BOYS: Medicine Lodge 52, TMP 51 The Indians rallied from down double-digits in the first half as they knocked off the Monarchs 52-51 in overtime.

TMP (12-10) broke onto the scoreboard early and often in the first quarter as Ty Schmeidler 11 of his game-high 23 point and the Monarches led 17-8 after the first quarter.

It was more of the same in the second quarter, with the Monarchs connecting on three more three pointers giving them six first half threes for a 35-31 lead heading into the &nbsp;break.

Grants Nehls opened the final quarter with a field goal in the paint putting TMP up 38-37.

But Nehls got a technical and fouled out of the game. That allowed Medicine Lodge to score eight straight and take a 39-38 lead.&nbsp;

But a technical, on Keveon Ruiz for the Indians allowed the Monarchs to retake the lead at 40-39.

He also fouled out of the game with under four minutes left in the game.

In the final quarter the Monarchs Caden Dinkel hit his third three pointer of the night with just over three and a half minutes to play in the game put gave TMP a four-point lead but &nbsp;they could not secure the lead at the free throw line and the game went to overtime.

In the extra period TMP was just two-for-six at the line and with eight seconds left and a two-point TMP lead, Medicine Lodge’s Maverick Inslee hit second second three pointer of the game putting the Indians ahead 52-51.

TMP had time for one more possession but could not get off a shot at the end of the overtime and fall by one.

Ty Schmeilder led all scorers with 21. His second straight 20 point game.

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostHAYS -&nbsp;The TMP Marian Monarchs split a home doubleheader in the first round of the 2A Sublette sub-state Thursday with the Lady Monarchs taking down Medicine Lodge to advance to semifinals, while the Monarch boys come up short in overtime, ending their season.&nbsp;GIRLS: TMP 51, Medicine Lodge 26 The Monarchs Brooke Koenigsman scored 12 of her game high 23 points in the first quarter and TMP held the Indians to just two points in the third quarter in a 51-26 TMP victory.<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/2043843576&color=%23234c77&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/john-linn-postgame-interview-vs-medicine-lodge-feb-27th-25" title="John Linn Postgame Interview vs Medicine Lodge (Feb 27th 25)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">John Linn Postgame Interview vs Medicine Lodge (Feb 27th 25)</a></div></div>Koenigsman drained back-to-back three pointers to open the game and then added a three point play for a 9-0 lead.Shyanne Yost added back-to-back field goals as the Monarchs built a 14-4 lead early in the first quarter.A third Koenigsman three pointer gave TMP (13-9) the 16-6 through the first quarter.The Monarchs struggled in the second quarter, and were outscored 7-2 in the frame but still led at halftime 20-13.TMP found their offense rhythm in the second half and outscored the Indians 12-2 in the third quarter as they held on to t0 a 32-15 through three quarters.The Monarchs continued to stretch the lead in the fourth quarter on their way to the 51-26 victory.<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/2043844688&color=%232d2d2d&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-wbkb-highlights-vs-2" title="TMP WBKB Highlights vs Medicine Lodge (Feb 27th 25)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">TMP WBKB Highlights vs Medicine Lodge (Feb 27th 25)</a></div></div>Gracyn Schippers added six rebounds and six blocked shots on top of her six points.The Monarchs will take on either No. 1 seed Wichita County or the No. 16 seed Sublette next week.BOYS: Medicine Lodge 52, TMP 51 The Indians rallied from down double-digits in the first half as they knocked off the Monarchs 52-51 in overtime.<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/2043842348&color=%23234c77&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/bill-meagher-postgame-interview-vs-medicine-lodge-feb-27th-25" title="Bill Meagher Postgame Interview vs Medicine Lodge (Feb 27th 25)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Bill Meagher Postgame Interview vs Medicine Lodge (Feb 27th 25)</a></div></div>TMP (12-10) broke onto the scoreboard early and often in the first quarter as Ty Schmeidler 11 of his game-high 23 point and the Monarches led 17-8 after the first quarter.It was more of the same in the second quarter, with the Monarchs connecting on three more three pointers giving them six first half threes for a 35-31 lead heading into the &nbsp;break.Grants Nehls opened the final quarter with a field goal in the paint putting TMP up 38-37.But Nehls got a technical and fouled out of the game. That allowed Medicine Lodge to score eight straight and take a 39-38 lead.&nbsp;But a technical, on Keveon Ruiz for the Indians allowed the Monarchs to retake the lead at 40-39.He also fouled out of the game with under four minutes left in the game.In the final quarter the Monarchs Caden Dinkel hit his third three pointer of the night with just over three and a half minutes to play in the game put gave TMP a four-point lead but &nbsp;they could not secure the lead at the free throw line and the game went to overtime.In the extra period TMP was just two-for-six at the line and with eight seconds left and a two-point TMP lead, Medicine Lodge’s Maverick Inslee hit second second three pointer of the game putting the Indians ahead 52-51.<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/2043844140&color=%23234c77&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-mbkb-highlights-vs-3" title="TMP MBKB Highlights vs Medicine Lodge (Feb 27th 25)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">TMP MBKB Highlights vs Medicine Lodge (Feb 27th 25)</a></div></div>TMP had time for one more possession but could not get off a shot at the end of the overtime and fall by one.Ty Schmeilder led all scorers with 21. His second straight 20 point game.

🏀 TMP girls advance to sub-state semis; boys fall in overtime

On Thursday afternoon, the City of Hutchinson held a briefing to bring people up to date on the situation on South Main Street.&nbsp;&nbsp;

According to public works director Cecil Weible the evacuation zone is down to an area between avenue d and avenue f and between Washington Street and Walnut Street.&nbsp; They are estimating that it will take approximately two weeks for completion.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

At the present time, five businesses are affected and Evergy says that they have twenty customers without electric service.&nbsp;

As of Wednesday, the Hutchinson Fire Department was cleared from the scene and no longer has a presence at the scene.&nbsp; The fire department and&nbsp;Kansas Gas will meet business owners that have not been allowed into their buildings to be escorted by a firefighter and a KGS employee to get important documents that they may need.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

When asked, that policy was put in place by kgs and the fire department because there is still gas coming out of the ground.&nbsp;&nbsp;

KGS replaced 100-feet of gas line from the east to west under main street.&nbsp; The evacuation zone has been minimized to Main Street between Avenue D and to just north of Avenue F and from Walnut Street and Washington Street.&nbsp;

The city said that they will continue to provide updates as they become available.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

MARC JACOBS Hutch Post&nbsp;On Thursday afternoon, the City of Hutchinson held a briefing to bring people up to date on the situation on South Main Street.&nbsp;&nbsp;According to public works director Cecil Weible the evacuation zone is down to an area between avenue d and avenue f and between Washington Street and Walnut Street.&nbsp; They are estimating that it will take approximately two weeks for completion.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At the present time, five businesses are affected and Evergy says that they have twenty customers without electric service.&nbsp;As of Wednesday, the Hutchinson Fire Department was cleared from the scene and no longer has a presence at the scene.&nbsp; The fire department and&nbsp;Kansas Gas will meet business owners that have not been allowed into their buildings to be escorted by a firefighter and a KGS employee to get important documents that they may need.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FHutchPost%2Fvideos%2F592229953812951%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>When asked, that policy was put in place by kgs and the fire department because there is still gas coming out of the ground.&nbsp;&nbsp;KGS replaced 100-feet of gas line from the east to west under main street.&nbsp; The evacuation zone has been minimized to Main Street between Avenue D and to just north of Avenue F and from Walnut Street and Washington Street.&nbsp;The city said that they will continue to provide updates as they become available.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

🎥City update after gas explosion in Hutchinson

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Oscar-winner&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/gene-hackman">Gene Hackman</a>, his wife and one of their dogs were apparently dead for some time before a maintenance worker discovered their bodies at the couple's Santa Fe home, investigators said.

Hackman, 95, was found dead Wednesday in an entryway, and his 65-year-old wife, Betsy Arakawa, was found in a bathroom next to a space heater, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office detectives wrote in a search warrant affidavit. There was an open prescription bottle and pills scattered on a countertop near Arakawa.

Denise Avila, a sheriff's office spokesperson, said there was no indication they had been shot or had any wounds.

The New Mexico Gas Co. tested the gas lines in and around the home after the bodies were discovered, according to the warrant. At the time, it didn’t find any signs of problems and the Fire Department found no signs of a carbon monoxide leak or poisoning. A detective wrote that there were no obvious signs of a gas leak, but he noted that people exposed to gas leaks or carbon monoxide might not show signs of poisoning.

The gruff but beloved Hackman was among the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gene-hackman-obituary-dies-a76fbe0cd6594393acaeea1c2710706d">most accomplished actors</a>&nbsp;of his generation, appearing as villains, heroes and antiheroes in dozens of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gene-hackman-notable-film-roles-1890bba6ab8e42029365f98dd5715c3a">dramas, comedies and action films</a>&nbsp;from the 1960s until his retirement in the early 2000s.

“He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gene-hackman-actor-appreciation-d58ad4491bbe11be4750fe6661947c48">brilliant acting career</a>, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa," his daughters and granddaughter said in a statement Thursday. “We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”

Worker found bodies of Hackman and his wife

According to the search warrant affidavit, a maintenance worker reported that the home’s front door was open when he arrived to do routine work Wednesday, and he called police after finding the bodies.

But in a 911 call, the maintenance worker said he was unable to get inside when the operator asked whether the people in the house were breathing.

“I have no idea,” the subdivision’s caretaker said. “I am not inside the house. It’s closed. It’s locked. I can’t go in. But I can see she’s laying down on the floor from the window.”

He and another worker later told authorities that they rarely saw the homeowners and their last contact with them had been about two weeks ago.

Hackman appeared to have fallen, a deputy observed. A cane was nearby.

A dead German shepherd was found in a bathroom closet near Arakawa, police said. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said during a press conference Thursday that the dog was found in a kennel. Two healthy dogs were found on the property — one inside and one outside.

“There was no indication of a struggle," Mendoza said. “There was no indication of anything that was missing from the home or disturbed, you know, that would be indication that there was a crime that had occurred.”

Results of autopsies conducted on both bodies are not available yet, sheriff’s officials said, noting that carbon monoxide and toxicology test results are pending.

The search warrant affidavit suggests that police appear to have a working theory that “some kind of gas poisoning” happened, but that they don't know yet and aren’t ruling anything out, Loyola Marymount University law professor Laurie Levenson said.

“They don’t have clear evidence that it’s any type of homicide, but they’re asking for blunt instruments or other weapons that could be used,” said Levenson, who has no connection to the investigation. “It doesn’t also look like some kind of planned double-suicide.”

William &amp; Mary Law School professor Jeffrey Bellin said the request for a search warrant was somewhat unusual because investigators who file one usually believe a specific crime was committed. In this case, no alleged crime was mentioned, Bellin said.

Police tend to overstate what they know, but this is the opposite, said Bellin, who also isn't tied to the investigation.

“It just struck me as very careful in a way that search warrant affidavits often are not,” he said.

Hackman routinely showed up on Hollywood lists of greatest American actors of the 20th century. He could play virtually any kind of role, from comic book villain Lex Luthor in “Superman” to a coach finding redemption in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gene-hackman-sports-hoosiers-7bcee7d0694f1daee94057ac7ec33430">sentimental favorite “Hoosiers.”</a>

Hackman was a five-time Oscar nominee who won best actor in a leading role for “The French Connection” in 1972 and best actor in a supporting role for “Unforgiven” two decades later. His death comes just four days before this year’s ceremony.

Tributes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gene-hackman-dies-reaction-tribute-39bdbad1428a2fb9cb61c9e916283816">quickly poured in</a>&nbsp;from Hollywood.

“There was no finer actor than Gene," actor-director Clint Eastwood, Hackman’s “Unforgiven” co-star, said in a statement. “Intense and instinctive. Never a false note. He was also a dear friend whom I will miss very much.”

Hackman met Arakawa, a classically trained pianist who grew up in Hawaii, when she was working part-time at a California gym in the mid-1980s. They soon moved in together and relocated to Santa Fe by the end of the decade.

Their Southwestern-style ranch on Old Sunset Trail sits on a hill in a gated community with views of the Rocky Mountains. The sprawling four-bedroom home on 6 acres (2.4 hectares) was built in 1997 and had an estimated market value of a little over $4 million, according to Santa Fe County property tax records.

Hackman and his wife also owned a more modest home next door.

Hackman also co-wrote three novels, starting with the swashbuckler, “Wake of the Perdido Star,” with Daniel Lenihan in 1999, according to publisher Simon &amp; Schuster. He then penned two by himself, concluding with “Pursuit" in 2013, about a female police officer on the tail of a predator.

In his first couple of decades in New Mexico, Hackman was often seen around the historic state capital, known as an artist enclave, tourism destination and retreat for celebrities.

He served on the board of trustees for the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum from 1997-2004, the museum said in a statement.

In recent years, he was far less visible, though even the most mundane outings caught the attention of the press. There were articles about him attending a show at a performing arts center in 2018, as well as pumping gas, doing yard work and getting a chicken sandwich at Wendy's in 2023.

Aside from appearances at awards shows, he was rarely seen in the Hollywood social circuit and retired from acting about 20 years ago. His was the rare Hollywood retirement that actually lasted.

Hackman had three children from a previous marriage. He and Arakawa had no children together but were known for having German shepherds.

This story was updated to correct Arakawa's age. Authorities initially listed her as 63 years old, but records show she was 65. It was also corrected to show that Hackman spoke to Empire magazine in 2009, not 2020.

Melley reported from London. Associated Press writers Felicia Fonseca in Flagstaff, Arizona; Andrew Dalton in Los Angeles; Jacques Billeaud in Phoenix; Mead Gruver in Cheyenne, Wyoming; John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio; Sylvia Hui in London and Hallie Golden in Seattle contributed.

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Oscar-winner&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/gene-hackman">Gene Hackman</a>, his wife and their dog were found dead in different rooms of their Santa Fe home and had apparently been dead for some time, according to investigators.

Hackman, 95, was found dead Wednesday in a mudroom and his 63-year-old wife, Betsy Arakawa, was found dead in a bathroom next to a space heater, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office detectives wrote in a search warrant. There was an open prescription bottle and pills scattered on a countertop near Arakawa.

Denise Avila, a sheriff's office spokesperson, said there was no indication that any of them had been shot or had other types of wounds.

The New Mexico Gas Co. is working with the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department in the investigation, spokesperson Tim Korte told The Associated Press.

The utility tested the gas lines in and around the home after the bodies were discovered, according to the warrant. At the time, it didn't find any signs of problems. A detective noted that people exposed to gas leaks or carbon monoxide may not show signs of poisoning, but also noted there were no obvious signs of a gas leak.

The Associated Press left email and phone messages Thursday for sheriff’s officials seeking more details. A spokesperson for the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, which runs the state’s medical examiner operations, declined to comment on whether the cause and manner of deaths had been determined.

A worker reported that the home's front door was open when he arrived for routine maintenance and that he called police after finding the bodies. Two workers told police that they rarely saw the homeowners and that their last contact with them had been about two weeks earlier.

A dead German shepherd was found in a bathroom closet near Arakawa, police said. Two healthy dogs were found on the property.

The gruff-but-beloved&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gene-hackman-obituary-dies-a76fbe0cd6594393acaeea1c2710706d">Hackman was among the best actors</a>&nbsp;of his generation, appearing as villains, heroes and antiheroes in dozens of dramas, comedies and action films from the 1960s until his retirement in the early 2000s.

He routinely showed up on Hollywood list of greatest American actors of the 20th century. He could play virtually&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gene-hackman-notable-film-roles-1890bba6ab8e42029365f98dd5715c3a">any kind of role</a>, from comic book villain Lex Luthor in “Superman” to a coach finding redemption in the sentimental favorite “Hoosiers.”

Hackman was a five-time Oscar nominee who won for “The French Connection” in 1972 and “Unforgiven” two decades later. His death comes just four days before this year’s ceremony.

“The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity," director Francis Ford Coppola posted on Instagram.

Hackman met Arakawa, a classically trained pianist who grew up in Hawaii, when she was working part-time at a California gym in the mid-1980s, the New York Times reported in 1989. They soon moved in together, and by the end of the decade had decamped to Santa Fe.

Their Southwestern-style ranch on Old Sunset Trail sits on a hill in a gated community with views of the Rocky Mountains. The 8,700 square-foot (808 square-meter), four-bedroom home on six acres was built in 1997 and had an estimated market value of a little over $4 million, according to Santa Fe County property tax records.

Hackman and his wife also owned a more modest 2,000 square-foot (186 square-meter) home next door that was built in 2000.

In his first couple decades in New Mexico, Hackman was often seen around the historic state capital, which known as an artist enclave, tourism destination and retreat for celebrities.

He served as a board member of the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in the 1990s, according to the local paper, The New Mexican.

In recent years, he was far less visible, though even the most mundane outings caught the attention of the press. The Independent wrote about him attending a show at the Lensic Performing Arts Center in 2018. The New York Post reported on him pumping gas, doing yard work and getting a chicken sandwich at Wendy's in 2023.

Hackman told the film magazine&nbsp;<a href="https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/gene-hackman-archive-interview-retirement-acting-novels/">Empire</a>&nbsp;in 2020 that he and Arakawa liked to watch DVDs she rented.

"We like simple stories that some of the little low-budget films manage to produce,” he said.

An email sent to his publicist was not immediately returned early Thursday.