JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Just after 11:30a.m. October 11, a Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a Mitsubishi Galant for allegedly speeding on 150th Road near Q. Road in rural Jackson County, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 During the traffic stop the deputy discovered items believed to be illegal contraband.  The driver, Adam David Pace, 47, of Robertsdale, Arizona, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail for possession of opiates, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, possession of depressants and hallucinogenic drugs. He is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697288956839.png" alt="Pace-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Pace-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.Just after 11:30a.m. October 11, a Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a Mitsubishi Galant for allegedly speeding on 150th Road near Q. Road in rural Jackson County, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. During the traffic stop the deputy discovered items believed to be illegal contraband. The driver, Adam David Pace, 47, of Robertsdale, Arizona, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail for possession of opiates, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, possession of depressants and hallucinogenic drugs. He is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

Arizona man caught transporting drugs in Kansas

In honor of International Day of the Girl, First Lady Jill Biden celebrated 15 young women leaders, selected by the White House Gender Policy Council, who are leading change and shaping a brighter future in their communities across the United States. &nbsp;

As an educator for more than 30 years, Dr. Biden has continued to be a champion for young people at home and abroad.

Together with the White House Gender Policy Council, Dr. Biden hosted the first-ever “Girls Leading Change” celebration at the White House to recognize the profound impact young women are having on their communities and their efforts strengthening our country for generations to come.&nbsp;

“It is my honor to celebrate this exceptional group of “Girls Leading Change” at the White House,” said First Lady Jill Biden. “These young women are protecting and preserving the earth, writing and sharing stories that change minds, and turning their pain into purpose. Together, they represent the potential of young people across the country, and it is my hope that others can learn from the power of their innovation, strength, and hope.”

In addition, the Biden-Harris Administration&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/10/11/fact-sheet-white-house-celebrates-international-day-of-the-girl-and-announces-new-actions-to-support-youth-in-the-u-s-and-abroad/" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;a series of new actions that build on the Administration’s investment in young people and expand opportunities for women and girls at home and abroad.

Since day one in office, the Administration has been committed to ensuring women and girls have the opportunities and resources they need to ensure their safety, education, health, and wellbeing.

(Montgomery, Alabama) Breanna and Brooke Bennett, age 16, are dedicated to ending period poverty and ensuring everyone has access to the menstrual supplies they need. When they were 12 years old, Breanna and Brooke were inspired to give period supplies to girls in a public housing project in Montgomery, Alabama, kicking off what became their organization, Women in Training, through which they have distributed more than 30,000 kits with sanitary pads and toiletries. Breanna and Brooke have also successfully advocated for the passage of HB 50, a state law in Alabama that provides funds for school staff to provide sanitary pads to students in need. They are committed to building on that success and eliminating period poverty at the national level.

Jazmin Cazares, age 18, is a leading activist for gun violence prevention at the state and national level. After her sister Jackie was killed in the shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, Jazmin spent her senior year of high school traveling across the country and sharing Jackie’s story. Jazmin spoke alongside March for Our Lives leaders at the Texas State Capitol and testified before lawmakers. There, she called for tighter background checks, extreme risk protection order laws, and for lawmakers to “do something” to prevent future mass shootings. Jazmin plans to obtain a master’s degree in psychology and to continue fighting for her sister’s legacy.

Mona Cho (Redondo Beach, California)

Mona Cho, age 15, is dedicated to combatting online harassment and abuse and the harm it poses to youth and teens. She serves on the Beach Cities Health District’s Youth Advisory Council and is also part of the District’s newly created Youth Health &amp; Safety Committee, where she leads a team of five students in a campaign to spread awareness on how to stay safe on social media, and to prioritize mental health online. As part of this work, she created a short film that follows real-life stories of the impact of damaged digital footprints. Through the Plan USA Youth Leadership Academy, she leads the Digital Online Safety and Empowerment Initiative. Mona hopes to continue deploying film as a tool to promote online safety and call for change.

Julia Garnett (Hendersonville, Tennessee)&nbsp;

Julia Garnett, age 17, is dedicated to fighting against book bans and promoting educational freedom in public school and county public libraries. In her school district, she advocated successfully for student representation on book review committees and served on her own high school’s committee. At the national level, Julia has provided testimony before Congress on book bans and volunteers with Student Advocates for Speech, a partnership with the National Coalition Against Censorship. She is an organizer and leader on multiple issues, planned a Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, led a student walkout in protest of gun violence, and served as the President of her school’s Gay-Straight Alliance. Julia is committed to ensuring that youth grow up free from censorship, with access to books that fully represent the diversity of their communities and the world.

Logan Hennes, age 16, is committed to combatting antisemitism in communities across the country. Through the American Jewish Committee, Logan has created and taken on a leadership role in supporting students like herself who are working to address antisemitism in their schools and communities, such as Logan’s community in New York City. As the leader of her high school’s Jewish Affinity Group, she has hosted speakers to raise awareness of rising antisemitism and supported her peers in similar organizing and advocacy work across other communities and issues. Logan plans to pursue a career in international relations and U.S. foreign policy.

Anja Herrman (River Forest, Illinois)&nbsp;

Anja Herrman, age 17, is a disability rights activist and advocate for equity and inclusion. She has led grassroots disability advocacy work, including as a member of the Personal Protective Equipment for People with Disabilities (PPE4PWD Coalition), which helped secure personal protective equipment for people with disabilities during the COVID–19 pandemic. Since 2021, she has served as the youngest appointed member of the Village of River Forest’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Group. Anja is emerging as a national leader through her research, speaking engagements, and publications. She authored a white paper that highlights the need for school shooting plans that account for the safety of students with disabilities through a fellowship program at the Disability EmpowHer Network.

Leela Marie Hidier (Yarmouth, Maine)&nbsp;

&nbsp;Leela Marie Hidier, age 18, is a climate social justice advocate and published author. Her award-winning debut novel, Changes in the Weather, features four teenagers displaced by climate change in the U.S., coming of age in a world and time of uncertainty. Leela Marie has been invited to read from her work and speak at community centers, schools, climate conferences, the Maine State House, and across her state. Currently on a gap year, she is working in the nonprofit sector in Maine before beginning college next year. She aspires to become an educator, and to continue using art as a form of activism

Elisa Martinez (Las Vegas, Nevada)

Elisa Martinez, age 17, is an organizer dedicated to civic engagement, particularly within the Latino community. She founded her school’s Latino Student Union and mobilizes students on issues such as climate justice and gun violence prevention. Elisa volunteers as a poll worker to assist Spanishspeaking voters and ensure they understand their rights. After losing her friend to a fentanyl overdose, Elisa has spoken out about beating the opioid crisis and has joined the Trial by Peers program to advocate for juveniles in the criminal justice system. Elisa hopes to become a public defender.

Gabriella Nakai (Phoenix, Arizona)

Gabriella Nakai, age 17, is a Navajo and Choctaw leader dedicated to furthering food security and sustainability, indigenous sovereignty, and youth advocacy. For her work in growing sustainable, heirloom Native produce and promoting seed saving and propagation, Gabriella was honored by the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute as a 2023 Champion for Change. Gabriella works with Native American Connections on addressing youth homelessness and mental health in Phoenix. She founded the Native American club at her school, is a leader in her student government, and hopes to continue serving her tribal community through nonprofit work.

Zahra Rahimi (Alexandria, Virginia)

Zahra Rahimi, age 17, arrived in the U.S. four years ago from Afghanistan, and has since dedicated herself to supporting refugee resettlement in her local community, including access to English as a Second Language services in Alexandria schools. As student representative to the Alexandria City Board of Education, Zahra organized cultural events and staff trainings to ensure the school was prepared to receive new refugee families from Afghanistan. Zahra partnered with Northern Virginia Resettling Afghan Families Together to establish a special literacy program to support her largely female middle and high school peers who were reading below a second-grade level. In addition to her refugee resettlement efforts, Zahra is a passionate advocate for advancing women’s rights globally, especially in areas of conflict.

Gitanjali Rao (Highlands Ranch, Colorado)

Gitanjali Rao, age 17, is a freshman at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is a scientist and inventor whose groundbreaking lead contamination detection tool won her an EPA Presidential Award and America’s Top Young Scientist by Discovery Education/3M. Her book Young Innovator’s Guide to STEM, which offers a prescriptive five-step innovation process, is used as a STEM curriculum globally in selected schools. Time Magazine’s first-ever Kid of the Year, Gitanjali is committed to not only continuing her career as a scientist and inventor, but expanding her STEM education initiative, which has already touched more than 80,000 elementary, middle, and high school students.

Avery Turner (Colorado Springs, Colorado)

Avery Turner, age 17, is a high school senior and calls herself a “seasoned mover,” having moved 10 times before her father recently retired from the Air Force. Avery is committed to supporting military teens, and currently serves as the Director of Programs at Bloom, an organization started by military teens dedicated to promoting their belonging within the military community and amplifying their voices. A prolific writer, as well as a nationally-ranked competitive springboard diver, Avery writes about her experiences trying to find her place in the ever-changing landscape of military teen life in the hopes of providing connection and community.

Sandra Ukah, age 18, a freshman at the University of Florida, is committed to civic education and community organizing. She was co-founder and co-president of Seminole High School’s Black Student Union, the first Black Student Union (BSU) in Seminole County, and she later consulted with district members to establish BSU chapters in all of the county’s high schools. Sandra served on her city’s Youth Council for two years and became president, during which time she launched an initiative on civic education to teach her community about the role of local government, host voter registration drives, and connect government to the community. Sandra hopes to work in civil rights and constitutional law.

Rania Zuri (Morgantown, West Virginia)

Rania Zuri, age 18, is a third-generation West Virginian and the founder and CEO of The LiTEArary Society, a nonprofit organization focused on ending “book deserts” for disadvantaged preschool children. Since Rania founded the organization at 13 years old, it has grown to donate books to over 28,000 preschool children in federal Head Start programs across all 50 states. The organization has received funding and partnerships from Pilot Pens, Hershey’s, Scholastic, Starbucks, and others. Rania plans to continue this work with the belief in the power of reading to transform lives.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697055879681.png" alt="Together with the White House Gender Policy Council, Dr. Biden hosted the first-ever “Girls Leading Change” celebration.-photo courtesy teenvogue.com via the White House" />
 <figcaption>Together with the White House Gender Policy Council, Dr. Biden hosted the first-ever “Girls Leading Change” celebration.-photo courtesy teenvogue.com via the White House</figcaption>
 </figure>In honor of International Day of the Girl, First Lady Jill Biden celebrated 15 young women leaders, selected by the White House Gender Policy Council, who are leading change and shaping a brighter future in their communities across the United States. &nbsp;<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2QG8X9RMygQ?si=L-5Kv7O_9oJJEvmz&amp;start=190" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>As an educator for more than 30 years, Dr. Biden has continued to be a champion for young people at home and abroad.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">First Lady Jill Biden hosts the first-ever “Girls Leading Change” celebration at the White House to recognize the profound impact young women are having on their communities across the country. <a href="https://t.co/QY2nwstdw0">pic.twitter.com/QY2nwstdw0</a>&mdash; Vanessa Valdivia (@vvaldivia46) <a href="https://twitter.com/vvaldivia46/status/1712199490474586532?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Together with the White House Gender Policy Council, Dr. Biden hosted the first-ever “Girls Leading Change” celebration at the White House to recognize the profound impact young women are having on their communities and their efforts strengthening our country for generations to come.&nbsp;“It is my honor to celebrate this exceptional group of “Girls Leading Change” at the White House,” said First Lady Jill Biden. “These young women are protecting and preserving the earth, writing and sharing stories that change minds, and turning their pain into purpose. Together, they represent the potential of young people across the country, and it is my hope that others can learn from the power of their innovation, strength, and hope.”In addition, the Biden-Harris Administration&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/10/11/fact-sheet-white-house-celebrates-international-day-of-the-girl-and-announces-new-actions-to-support-youth-in-the-u-s-and-abroad/" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;a series of new actions that build on the Administration’s investment in young people and expand opportunities for women and girls at home and abroad. Since day one in office, the Administration has been committed to ensuring women and girls have the opportunities and resources they need to ensure their safety, education, health, and wellbeing.2023 Girl Leading Change HonoreesBreanna &amp; Brooke Bennett (Montgomery, Alabama) Breanna and Brooke Bennett, age 16, are dedicated to ending period poverty and ensuring everyone has access to the menstrual supplies they need. When they were 12 years old, Breanna and Brooke were inspired to give period supplies to girls in a public housing project in Montgomery, Alabama, kicking off what became their organization, Women in Training, through which they have distributed more than 30,000 kits with sanitary pads and toiletries. Breanna and Brooke have also successfully advocated for the passage of HB 50, a state law in Alabama that provides funds for school staff to provide sanitary pads to students in need. They are committed to building on that success and eliminating period poverty at the national level.Jazmin Cazares (Uvalde, Texas) Jazmin Cazares, age 18, is a leading activist for gun violence prevention at the state and national level. After her sister Jackie was killed in the shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, Jazmin spent her senior year of high school traveling across the country and sharing Jackie’s story. Jazmin spoke alongside March for Our Lives leaders at the Texas State Capitol and testified before lawmakers. There, she called for tighter background checks, extreme risk protection order laws, and for lawmakers to “do something” to prevent future mass shootings. Jazmin plans to obtain a master’s degree in psychology and to continue fighting for her sister’s legacy.Mona Cho (Redondo Beach, California) Mona Cho, age 15, is dedicated to combatting online harassment and abuse and the harm it poses to youth and teens. She serves on the Beach Cities Health District’s Youth Advisory Council and is also part of the District’s newly created Youth Health &amp; Safety Committee, where she leads a team of five students in a campaign to spread awareness on how to stay safe on social media, and to prioritize mental health online. As part of this work, she created a short film that follows real-life stories of the impact of damaged digital footprints. Through the Plan USA Youth Leadership Academy, she leads the Digital Online Safety and Empowerment Initiative. Mona hopes to continue deploying film as a tool to promote online safety and call for change.Julia Garnett (Hendersonville, Tennessee)&nbsp; Julia Garnett, age 17, is dedicated to fighting against book bans and promoting educational freedom in public school and county public libraries. In her school district, she advocated successfully for student representation on book review committees and served on her own high school’s committee. At the national level, Julia has provided testimony before Congress on book bans and volunteers with Student Advocates for Speech, a partnership with the National Coalition Against Censorship. She is an organizer and leader on multiple issues, planned a Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, led a student walkout in protest of gun violence, and served as the President of her school’s Gay-Straight Alliance. Julia is committed to ensuring that youth grow up free from censorship, with access to books that fully represent the diversity of their communities and the world.Logan Hennes (New York, New York) Logan Hennes, age 16, is committed to combatting antisemitism in communities across the country. Through the American Jewish Committee, Logan has created and taken on a leadership role in supporting students like herself who are working to address antisemitism in their schools and communities, such as Logan’s community in New York City. As the leader of her high school’s Jewish Affinity Group, she has hosted speakers to raise awareness of rising antisemitism and supported her peers in similar organizing and advocacy work across other communities and issues. Logan plans to pursue a career in international relations and U.S. foreign policy.Anja Herrman (River Forest, Illinois)&nbsp; Anja Herrman, age 17, is a disability rights activist and advocate for equity and inclusion. She has led grassroots disability advocacy work, including as a member of the Personal Protective Equipment for People with Disabilities (PPE4PWD Coalition), which helped secure personal protective equipment for people with disabilities during the COVID–19 pandemic. Since 2021, she has served as the youngest appointed member of the Village of River Forest’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Group. Anja is emerging as a national leader through her research, speaking engagements, and publications. She authored a white paper that highlights the need for school shooting plans that account for the safety of students with disabilities through a fellowship program at the Disability EmpowHer Network.Leela Marie Hidier (Yarmouth, Maine)&nbsp;&nbsp;Leela Marie Hidier, age 18, is a climate social justice advocate and published author. Her award-winning debut novel, Changes in the Weather, features four teenagers displaced by climate change in the U.S., coming of age in a world and time of uncertainty. Leela Marie has been invited to read from her work and speak at community centers, schools, climate conferences, the Maine State House, and across her state. Currently on a gap year, she is working in the nonprofit sector in Maine before beginning college next year. She aspires to become an educator, and to continue using art as a form of activismElisa Martinez (Las Vegas, Nevada) Elisa Martinez, age 17, is an organizer dedicated to civic engagement, particularly within the Latino community. She founded her school’s Latino Student Union and mobilizes students on issues such as climate justice and gun violence prevention. Elisa volunteers as a poll worker to assist Spanishspeaking voters and ensure they understand their rights. After losing her friend to a fentanyl overdose, Elisa has spoken out about beating the opioid crisis and has joined the Trial by Peers program to advocate for juveniles in the criminal justice system. Elisa hopes to become a public defender.Gabriella Nakai (Phoenix, Arizona)Gabriella Nakai, age 17, is a Navajo and Choctaw leader dedicated to furthering food security and sustainability, indigenous sovereignty, and youth advocacy. For her work in growing sustainable, heirloom Native produce and promoting seed saving and propagation, Gabriella was honored by the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute as a 2023 Champion for Change. Gabriella works with Native American Connections on addressing youth homelessness and mental health in Phoenix. She founded the Native American club at her school, is a leader in her student government, and hopes to continue serving her tribal community through nonprofit work.Zahra Rahimi (Alexandria, Virginia)Zahra Rahimi, age 17, arrived in the U.S. four years ago from Afghanistan, and has since dedicated herself to supporting refugee resettlement in her local community, including access to English as a Second Language services in Alexandria schools. As student representative to the Alexandria City Board of Education, Zahra organized cultural events and staff trainings to ensure the school was prepared to receive new refugee families from Afghanistan. Zahra partnered with Northern Virginia Resettling Afghan Families Together to establish a special literacy program to support her largely female middle and high school peers who were reading below a second-grade level. In addition to her refugee resettlement efforts, Zahra is a passionate advocate for advancing women’s rights globally, especially in areas of conflict.Gitanjali Rao (Highlands Ranch, Colorado)Gitanjali Rao, age 17, is a freshman at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is a scientist and inventor whose groundbreaking lead contamination detection tool won her an EPA Presidential Award and America’s Top Young Scientist by Discovery Education/3M. Her book Young Innovator’s Guide to STEM, which offers a prescriptive five-step innovation process, is used as a STEM curriculum globally in selected schools. Time Magazine’s first-ever Kid of the Year, Gitanjali is committed to not only continuing her career as a scientist and inventor, but expanding her STEM education initiative, which has already touched more than 80,000 elementary, middle, and high school students.Avery Turner (Colorado Springs, Colorado) Avery Turner, age 17, is a high school senior and calls herself a “seasoned mover,” having moved 10 times before her father recently retired from the Air Force. Avery is committed to supporting military teens, and currently serves as the Director of Programs at Bloom, an organization started by military teens dedicated to promoting their belonging within the military community and amplifying their voices. A prolific writer, as well as a nationally-ranked competitive springboard diver, Avery writes about her experiences trying to find her place in the ever-changing landscape of military teen life in the hopes of providing connection and community.Sandra Ukah (Lake Mary, Florida) Sandra Ukah, age 18, a freshman at the University of Florida, is committed to civic education and community organizing. She was co-founder and co-president of Seminole High School’s Black Student Union, the first Black Student Union (BSU) in Seminole County, and she later consulted with district members to establish BSU chapters in all of the county’s high schools. Sandra served on her city’s Youth Council for two years and became president, during which time she launched an initiative on civic education to teach her community about the role of local government, host voter registration drives, and connect government to the community. Sandra hopes to work in civil rights and constitutional law.Rania Zuri (Morgantown, West Virginia)Rania Zuri, age 18, is a third-generation West Virginian and the founder and CEO of The LiTEArary Society, a nonprofit organization focused on ending “book deserts” for disadvantaged preschool children. Since Rania founded the organization at 13 years old, it has grown to donate books to over 28,000 preschool children in federal Head Start programs across all 50 states. The organization has received funding and partnerships from Pilot Pens, Hershey’s, Scholastic, Starbucks, and others. Rania plans to continue this work with the belief in the power of reading to transform lives.

🎥 First lady announced “Girls Leading Change” honorees

Nebraska-Kearney 2-4 (2-4 MIAA) at Fort Hays State 4-2 (3-2 MIAA) Saturday, October 14 – 1:00 p.m. Hays, Kan. – Lewis Field Radio:&nbsp;KJLS (103.3)&nbsp;<a href="https://mix103fm.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video:&nbsp;The MIAA Network&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>

Fort Hays State hosts Nebraska-Kearney in the seventh week of the 2023 football season on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Lewis Field in Hays. The Tigers enter at 4-2 overall and 3-2 in the MIAA, while the Lopers are 2-4 both overall and in MIAA play.

This will be the 69th meeting all-time between the Tigers and Lopers, which dates back to 1926. UNK holds a slight advantage 35-32-1, but FHSU is 9-1 in the last 10 meetings. FHSU had a nine-game win streak over UNK from 2012-2021, but it was snapped last year in Kearney when a No. 23 ranked Loper squad turned away the Tigers 38-20. It was the first win for UNK in MIAA play against the Tigers. Fort Hays State has won five straight over UNK in Hays, including a thrilling come-from-behind 42-35 win in the last meeting in Hays back on Homecoming in 2021.

Fort Hays State has won two in a row entering Saturday. They have averaged 53 points in those two wins after a 71-3 win over Lincoln on Homecoming and then a 35-22 win last week at Missouri Southern. The Tigers have elevated their rushing attack over the last two weeks, averaging 217.5 yards on the ground in the two wins. FHSU moved the ball well in both contests, averaging 8.18 yards per play in the pair of wins.

Nebraska-Kearney is coming off a 38-14 loss at nationally ranked Central Missouri last week. The Lopers have wins over Northeastern State and Washburn, both at home this year, but sit at 0-3 in road games. Two of their three road games were against nationally ranked opponents and the other was a close three-point loss at Central Oklahoma in the season opener. The Lopers are in their first season under head coach Ryan Held after going 8-3 overall last year and tying for third in the MIAA. Quarterback TJ Davis is the top offensive threat for UNK with 1,126 passing yards and a team-best 369 rushing yards.

Fort Hays State owns the 13th-best passing offense in NCAA Division II, averaging 284.2 yards per game. Quarterback Jack Dawson&nbsp;ranks 20th&nbsp;in NCAA Division II for passing yards with 1,522 and he is 16th&nbsp;in passing touchdowns with 14. Three of his receiving targets are among the top 15 in the MIAA in receiving yards per game, which includes Trevor Watts&nbsp;(60.7), Hayden Horace&nbsp;(58.8), and Bryson Smith&nbsp;(56.5). In the ground game, Shane Watts&nbsp;leads the Tigers with 234 yards, coming off a career-best 96 yards last week at Missouri Southern.

Defensively, the Tigers lead the MIAA in total defense at 275 yards per game and scoring defense at 16.5 points allowed per game. The Tigers have 10 interceptions this season, which ranks 11th&nbsp;in NCAA Division II, distributed among eight players led by Makel Williams&nbsp;with two. John Johnson&nbsp;leads the Tigers in tackles with 45, Jason Wallace&nbsp;leads in sacks with 2.0, and Parrish Terry&nbsp;leads in tackles for loss with 6.0.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697137182739.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsNebraska-Kearney 2-4 (2-4 MIAA) at Fort Hays State 4-2 (3-2 MIAA) Saturday, October 14 – 1:00 p.m. Hays, Kan. – Lewis Field Radio:&nbsp;KJLS (103.3)&nbsp;<a href="https://mix103fm.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video:&nbsp;The MIAA Network&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a> Fort Hays State hosts Nebraska-Kearney in the seventh week of the 2023 football season on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Lewis Field in Hays. The Tigers enter at 4-2 overall and 3-2 in the MIAA, while the Lopers are 2-4 both overall and in MIAA play.This will be the 69th meeting all-time between the Tigers and Lopers, which dates back to 1926. UNK holds a slight advantage 35-32-1, but FHSU is 9-1 in the last 10 meetings. FHSU had a nine-game win streak over UNK from 2012-2021, but it was snapped last year in Kearney when a No. 23 ranked Loper squad turned away the Tigers 38-20. It was the first win for UNK in MIAA play against the Tigers. Fort Hays State has won five straight over UNK in Hays, including a thrilling come-from-behind 42-35 win in the last meeting in Hays back on Homecoming in 2021.Fort Hays State has won two in a row entering Saturday. They have averaged 53 points in those two wins after a 71-3 win over Lincoln on Homecoming and then a 35-22 win last week at Missouri Southern. The Tigers have elevated their rushing attack over the last two weeks, averaging 217.5 yards on the ground in the two wins. FHSU moved the ball well in both contests, averaging 8.18 yards per play in the pair of wins.Nebraska-Kearney is coming off a 38-14 loss at nationally ranked Central Missouri last week. The Lopers have wins over Northeastern State and Washburn, both at home this year, but sit at 0-3 in road games. Two of their three road games were against nationally ranked opponents and the other was a close three-point loss at Central Oklahoma in the season opener. The Lopers are in their first season under head coach Ryan Held after going 8-3 overall last year and tying for third in the MIAA. Quarterback TJ Davis is the top offensive threat for UNK with 1,126 passing yards and a team-best 369 rushing yards.Fort Hays State owns the 13th-best passing offense in NCAA Division II, averaging 284.2 yards per game. Quarterback Jack Dawson&nbsp;ranks 20th&nbsp;in NCAA Division II for passing yards with 1,522 and he is 16th&nbsp;in passing touchdowns with 14. Three of his receiving targets are among the top 15 in the MIAA in receiving yards per game, which includes Trevor Watts&nbsp;(60.7), Hayden Horace&nbsp;(58.8), and Bryson Smith&nbsp;(56.5). In the ground game, Shane Watts&nbsp;leads the Tigers with 234 yards, coming off a career-best 96 yards last week at Missouri Southern.Defensively, the Tigers lead the MIAA in total defense at 275 yards per game and scoring defense at 16.5 points allowed per game. The Tigers have 10 interceptions this season, which ranks 11th&nbsp;in NCAA Division II, distributed among eight players led by Makel Williams&nbsp;with two. John Johnson&nbsp;leads the Tigers in tackles with 45, Jason Wallace&nbsp;leads in sacks with 2.0, and Parrish Terry&nbsp;leads in tackles for loss with 6.0.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏈🎙️ LISTEN - Tigers set to face Nebraska-Kearney Saturday in Hays

Twila Marie (Keas) Sander, of Stockton, Kansas, passed away on October 10, 2023, at the Rooks County Health Center in Plainville, Kansas, at the age of 82. Twila was born at home in Stockton, Kansas on February 26, 1941, to Chester Leo and Laura Bell (Turnbull) Keas. Twila came into this world in the middle of a blizzard and remained her own force of nature throughout her lifetime.

She met her best friend for life, Alice Ann (Maddy) Lee, while only a baby at the Main Street Christian Church. The two shared many adventures, tears, and laughter during their lifetime, with the last one being when Twila left this world peacefully with Alice Ann by her side.

Twila lived life to the fullest. While growing up, she enjoyed travelling with her family, spending time with friends, and going to the movies. Twila was an avid swimmer and spent each moment she could at Webster Lake. When Alice Ann couldn’t swim, Twila would pull her out in the spillway on an innertube, so she didn’t have to miss the fun! Twila was athletic and loved sports. The boys’ basketball coach insisted she practice with his team since she was the best free throw shooter the school had. He told her more than once that he would have disguised her as a boy and put her on the team if he could have gotten away with it.

While attending Stockton High School, Twila held the record for the number of words per minute she could type. She typed so fast that she would have to pause to wait for the typewriter to catch up with her. After graduating in 1959, Twila took a position as secretary for Warren Harding at the Rooks County Extension Office. Warren would invite people to the office to observe how fast she could type. He often joked that Twila could type as fast as she could talk!

Twila later became an entrepreneur, opening Prime Time Video on Main Street in Stockton. When the video industry evolved, Twila evolved with it and later sold electronics and computers. Although she never attended college herself, she taught computer classes for Colby Community College as well as private classes at her store.

Twila loved her family and she loved Stockton. While her children were growing up, she was a room mother and volunteered at many school and community activities. She helped organize the first Pride Committee to beautify the city and served on the Chamber of Commerce. Twila served three terms as a city commissioner. However, she is probably best known for her involvement with the Rooks County Free Fair. She wore many hats at the fair. She was a 4-H leader and helped her children and many others with 4-H fair projects throughout the year. She also served alongside her husband, Freeman, who was fair board president, put on the largest free fair in Kansas.

After retiring, Twila was never one to pass up looking for a bargain at Walmart. She enjoyed crocheting hats for cancer patients, tending her flower garden, and visiting with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchild. Twila was a good friend to all that knew her. Although she will leave us with many memories, it is her strength, quick wit, and wisdom that she imparted to us that we will cherish the most.

Twila is survived by her children, Aronda Strutt of Stockton, Kansas, Kris Strutt of Wichita, Kansas, Clint (Angela) Strutt of Mons, Belgium, Charlie (Marsha) Sander of Stockton, Kansas, and Brian (Trish) Sander of Plainville, Kansas; eight grandchildren, Blake Marie Martinez (Josiah), Connor Divine, Ethan Divine, Callan Wells, Keith Sander (Jane), Dalton Sander, Colton Sander, and Kyler Sander; great-grandson, William Rain Sander; many nieces and nephews; and her lifelong friend and partner in crime, Alice Ann Lee.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Freeman Sander; infant brothers Harold Keas and Doyle Keas; siblings, Warden Keas, Wilber Keas, Thelma Ross, and Clio Carson; and granddaughter, Eden Strutt.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 16, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., at the funeral home in Stockton. Inurnment will follow at the Stockton Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Rooks County Health Center or St. Jude Hospital and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 N 1st Stockton, KS 67669.

To&nbsp;<a href="http://plumeroverlease-funeral-home-stockton-inc.tributestore.com/?oId=29503895&amp;tag=&amp;tn=V2MSticky|FreeTreeTestFC&amp;otv=Frazer_MS2_Cont&amp;source=tco_description&amp;_cdx=GA1.1.1115152002.1681661103:GS1.1.1697289885.115.0.1697289889.56.0.0&amp;mtph=1">send flowers</a>&nbsp;to the family or&nbsp;<a href="http://plumeroverlease-funeral-home-stockton-inc.tributestore.com/memorial-tree?oId=29503895&amp;tag=&amp;source=tco_description&amp;_cdx=GA1.1.1115152002.1681661103:GS1.1.1697289885.115.0.1697289889.56.0.0&amp;mtph=1">plant a tree</a>&nbsp;in memory of Twila, please&nbsp;<a href="http://plumeroverlease-funeral-home-stockton-inc.tributestore.com/?oId=29503895&amp;tag=&amp;tn=V2MSticky|FreeTreeTestFC&amp;otv=Frazer_MS2_Cont&amp;source=tco_description&amp;_cdx=GA1.1.1115152002.1681661103:GS1.1.1697289885.115.0.1697289889.56.0.0&amp;mtph=1">visit our floral store.</a>

<h2>Twila Marie Sander, Stockton</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697289981591.png" alt="Twila Marie Sander" />
 <figcaption>Twila Marie Sander</figcaption>
 </figure>February 26, 1941 - October 10, 2023Twila Marie (Keas) Sander, of Stockton, Kansas, passed away on October 10, 2023, at the Rooks County Health Center in Plainville, Kansas, at the age of 82. Twila was born at home in Stockton, Kansas on February 26, 1941, to Chester Leo and Laura Bell (Turnbull) Keas. Twila came into this world in the middle of a blizzard and remained her own force of nature throughout her lifetime.She met her best friend for life, Alice Ann (Maddy) Lee, while only a baby at the Main Street Christian Church. The two shared many adventures, tears, and laughter during their lifetime, with the last one being when Twila left this world peacefully with Alice Ann by her side.Twila lived life to the fullest. While growing up, she enjoyed travelling with her family, spending time with friends, and going to the movies. Twila was an avid swimmer and spent each moment she could at Webster Lake. When Alice Ann couldn’t swim, Twila would pull her out in the spillway on an innertube, so she didn’t have to miss the fun! Twila was athletic and loved sports. The boys’ basketball coach insisted she practice with his team since she was the best free throw shooter the school had. He told her more than once that he would have disguised her as a boy and put her on the team if he could have gotten away with it.While attending Stockton High School, Twila held the record for the number of words per minute she could type. She typed so fast that she would have to pause to wait for the typewriter to catch up with her. After graduating in 1959, Twila took a position as secretary for Warren Harding at the Rooks County Extension Office. Warren would invite people to the office to observe how fast she could type. He often joked that Twila could type as fast as she could talk!Twila later became an entrepreneur, opening Prime Time Video on Main Street in Stockton. When the video industry evolved, Twila evolved with it and later sold electronics and computers. Although she never attended college herself, she taught computer classes for Colby Community College as well as private classes at her store.Twila loved her family and she loved Stockton. While her children were growing up, she was a room mother and volunteered at many school and community activities. She helped organize the first Pride Committee to beautify the city and served on the Chamber of Commerce. Twila served three terms as a city commissioner. However, she is probably best known for her involvement with the Rooks County Free Fair. She wore many hats at the fair. She was a 4-H leader and helped her children and many others with 4-H fair projects throughout the year. She also served alongside her husband, Freeman, who was fair board president, put on the largest free fair in Kansas.After retiring, Twila was never one to pass up looking for a bargain at Walmart. She enjoyed crocheting hats for cancer patients, tending her flower garden, and visiting with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchild. Twila was a good friend to all that knew her. Although she will leave us with many memories, it is her strength, quick wit, and wisdom that she imparted to us that we will cherish the most.Twila is survived by her children, Aronda Strutt of Stockton, Kansas, Kris Strutt of Wichita, Kansas, Clint (Angela) Strutt of Mons, Belgium, Charlie (Marsha) Sander of Stockton, Kansas, and Brian (Trish) Sander of Plainville, Kansas; eight grandchildren, Blake Marie Martinez (Josiah), Connor Divine, Ethan Divine, Callan Wells, Keith Sander (Jane), Dalton Sander, Colton Sander, and Kyler Sander; great-grandson, William Rain Sander; many nieces and nephews; and her lifelong friend and partner in crime, Alice Ann Lee.She was preceded in death by her husband, Freeman Sander; infant brothers Harold Keas and Doyle Keas; siblings, Warden Keas, Wilber Keas, Thelma Ross, and Clio Carson; and granddaughter, Eden Strutt.A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 16, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., at the funeral home in Stockton. Inurnment will follow at the Stockton Cemetery.Memorials are suggested to the Rooks County Health Center or St. Jude Hospital and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 N 1st Stockton, KS 67669.To&nbsp;<a href="http://plumeroverlease-funeral-home-stockton-inc.tributestore.com/?oId=29503895&amp;tag=&amp;tn=V2MSticky|FreeTreeTestFC&amp;otv=Frazer_MS2_Cont&amp;source=tco_description&amp;_cdx=GA1.1.1115152002.1681661103:GS1.1.1697289885.115.0.1697289889.56.0.0&amp;mtph=1">send flowers</a>&nbsp;to the family or&nbsp;<a href="http://plumeroverlease-funeral-home-stockton-inc.tributestore.com/memorial-tree?oId=29503895&amp;tag=&amp;source=tco_description&amp;_cdx=GA1.1.1115152002.1681661103:GS1.1.1697289885.115.0.1697289889.56.0.0&amp;mtph=1">plant a tree</a>&nbsp;in memory of Twila, please&nbsp;<a href="http://plumeroverlease-funeral-home-stockton-inc.tributestore.com/?oId=29503895&amp;tag=&amp;tn=V2MSticky|FreeTreeTestFC&amp;otv=Frazer_MS2_Cont&amp;source=tco_description&amp;_cdx=GA1.1.1115152002.1681661103:GS1.1.1697289885.115.0.1697289889.56.0.0&amp;mtph=1">visit our floral store.</a>

Twila Marie Sander

Threzia Lyin (Terri) Ziegler, age 56, died at her home in Collyer, Kansas on September 9, 2023.&nbsp; She was born on January 19, 1967, in WaKeeney, Kansas, the daughter of Louis P. and Margaret N. (Kelsey) Ziegler.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A graveside memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at the St. Michael Cemetery in Collyer, Kansas.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Trego County Historical Society or “SNARR, International” c/o Amy Keller.&nbsp; Donations may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N. 12th Street, WaKeeney, KS 67672

<h2>Threzia Lyin (Terri) Ziegler, Collyer</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698098406204.png" alt="Threzia Lyin (Terri) Ziegler" />
 <figcaption>Threzia Lyin (Terri) Ziegler</figcaption>
 </figure>January 19, 1967 - September 9, 2023Threzia Lyin (Terri) Ziegler, age 56, died at her home in Collyer, Kansas on September 9, 2023.&nbsp; She was born on January 19, 1967, in WaKeeney, Kansas, the daughter of Louis P. and Margaret N. (Kelsey) Ziegler.&nbsp;&nbsp;A graveside memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at the St. Michael Cemetery in Collyer, Kansas.Memorial contributions may be given to the Trego County Historical Society or “SNARR, International” c/o Amy Keller.&nbsp; Donations may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N. 12th Street, WaKeeney, KS 67672

Threzia Lyin (Terri) Ziegler

Retta Elaine Thrall, age 93, died Thursday, October 12, 2023, at Pioneer Manor in Hugoton, Kansas. She was born January 2, 1930, on the family farm northeast of Rolla in Morton County, Kansas. She is the daughter of Vernie Wilson and Farry May (Mangels) Dickenson.

Retta attended grade school in Rolla and graduated from Rolla High School in 1948. She then graduated from Wichita School of Cosmetology. 

She returned to Morton County and lived 15 miles south of Rolla on the family farm. She worked as a bookkeeper for C.R.I. Feeders. 

Retta was a member of Rolla United Methodist Church, UMW, and Home Builders Extension Club.

Retta is survived by her sons, Lynn Eugene Thrall and wife, Valerie of Elkhart, and Dennis Mark Thrall and wife, Rhonda of Guymon, Oklahoma; daughters, Gayle Elaine Otis and husband, Dave of Ulysses, and Diana Lou Bressler and husband, Kent of Sylvan Grove; grandchildren, Cassie Thrall, Jesse Drew, Beau Bressler, Chrystal Thrall, Dee Bressler Gasper, Tarah Thrall Rupke, Clayton Thrall, Lyndie Thrall Garnett, and Corrie Thrall Miller; and great-grandchildren, Aaron Apelu, Austin Apelu, Tyson Apelu, Adrian Gomez, Jordyn Miller, Jaxon Miller, Jereme Drew, Everlee Rupke, Lucas Garnett, Drew Gasper, Maggie Bressler, Hayden Drew, and Harlow Drew.

Retta is preceded in death by her parents, Vernie and Farry Dickenson; husband, Harold Thrall; and two grandchildren, JoAnn Drew and Jereme Drew.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 21, 2023, at 2:00 p.m., at Rolla Methodist Church in Rolla with Reverend Wesley Young officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date. 

Memorial contributions may be given to Rolla Methodist Church or Rolla Hope in care of Garnand Funeral Home, P.O. Box 854, Elkhart, KS 67950. 

Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<h2>Retta Elaine Thrall</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697289652479.png" alt="Retta Elaine Thrall" />
 <figcaption>Retta Elaine Thrall</figcaption>
 </figure>January 2, 1930 - October 12, 2023Retta Elaine Thrall, age 93, died Thursday, October 12, 2023, at Pioneer Manor in Hugoton, Kansas. She was born January 2, 1930, on the family farm northeast of Rolla in Morton County, Kansas. She is the daughter of Vernie Wilson and Farry May (Mangels) Dickenson.Retta attended grade school in Rolla and graduated from Rolla High School in 1948. She then graduated from Wichita School of Cosmetology. She returned to Morton County and lived 15 miles south of Rolla on the family farm. She worked as a bookkeeper for C.R.I. Feeders. Retta was a member of Rolla United Methodist Church, UMW, and Home Builders Extension Club.Retta is survived by her sons, Lynn Eugene Thrall and wife, Valerie of Elkhart, and Dennis Mark Thrall and wife, Rhonda of Guymon, Oklahoma; daughters, Gayle Elaine Otis and husband, Dave of Ulysses, and Diana Lou Bressler and husband, Kent of Sylvan Grove; grandchildren, Cassie Thrall, Jesse Drew, Beau Bressler, Chrystal Thrall, Dee Bressler Gasper, Tarah Thrall Rupke, Clayton Thrall, Lyndie Thrall Garnett, and Corrie Thrall Miller; and great-grandchildren, Aaron Apelu, Austin Apelu, Tyson Apelu, Adrian Gomez, Jordyn Miller, Jaxon Miller, Jereme Drew, Everlee Rupke, Lucas Garnett, Drew Gasper, Maggie Bressler, Hayden Drew, and Harlow Drew.Retta is preceded in death by her parents, Vernie and Farry Dickenson; husband, Harold Thrall; and two grandchildren, JoAnn Drew and Jereme Drew.A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 21, 2023, at 2:00 p.m., at Rolla Methodist Church in Rolla with Reverend Wesley Young officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be given to Rolla Methodist Church or Rolla Hope in care of Garnand Funeral Home, P.O. Box 854, Elkhart, KS 67950. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Retta Elaine Thrall

JOHNSON COUNTY&nbsp; —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal hit-and-run are asking the public for assistance in locating a white Truck Tractor with silver tank trailer, according to the Overland Park Police Department.

 This vehicle was involved in the fatality hit-and-run October 9 on Interstate 435 at Metcalf Avenue.

&nbsp;The vehicle pulled over and stopped westbound Interstate 435 in the area of Antioch Road.  After a brief time, the driver continued westbound&nbsp; and then exited to southbound Interstate 35. 

Police are continuing to track the movements through the use of cameras.  Any help identifying this vehicle with markings or company names email: pdtrafficunit@opkansas.org&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697226335288.png" alt="Photo Overland Park Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Overland Park Police</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY&nbsp; —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal hit-and-run are asking the public for assistance in locating a white Truck Tractor with silver tank trailer, according to the Overland Park Police Department. This vehicle was involved in the fatality hit-and-run October 9 on Interstate 435 at Metcalf Avenue.&nbsp;The vehicle pulled over and stopped westbound Interstate 435 in the area of Antioch Road. After a brief time, the driver continued westbound&nbsp; and then exited to southbound Interstate 35. Police are continuing to track the movements through the use of cameras. Any help identifying this vehicle with markings or company names email: pdtrafficunit@opkansas.org&nbsp;

Police looking for semi involved in fatal Kan. hit-and-run

PLAINVILLE — Congratulations to Jessie Tien, the occupational therapist at Rooks County Health Center, on being selected as a NextGen Under 30 awardee in the healthcare category.

NextGen Under 30 “recognizes and encourages the next generation of innovative, creative, and inspiring individuals who push the boundaries in demonstrating talent, drive and service to their communities.” Award winners are selected based upon their participation in and contribution to their communities. A panel of respected business and civic leaders serve as judges.

Recently, Tien had the opportunity to join other exceptional winners on a “Day at the Capitol” in Topeka, where she met with Lieutenant Governor David Toland and retired Kansas State Senator Tom Hawk, who were among those highlighting her achievements. She will formally be presented the award on October 20 at a special dinner ceremony in Wichita.

Asked to comment on the award, Tien said, “I am honored to be recognized as one of the exceptional young leaders of Kansas and strive to increase access to specialty therapy services offered in western Kansas. I am incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to continue employment at RCH while completing a virtual hand therapy fellowship to help me achieve these goals.”

Tien was born in Hays but is now a Plainville resident along with her husband Brady and their one-year-old daughter Charlotte.

The NextGen Under 30 mission is to identify and honor very talented young adults and to encourage them to follow their lifetime family and career goals in Kansas. For more information about NextGen Under 30, go to <a href="https://nextgenunder30ks.com/">https://nextgenunder30ks.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697033430959.jpeg" alt="Jessie Tien (Courtesy photo0" />
 <figcaption>Jessie Tien (Courtesy photo0</figcaption>
 </figure>RCHCPLAINVILLE — Congratulations to Jessie Tien, the occupational therapist at Rooks County Health Center, on being selected as a NextGen Under 30 awardee in the healthcare category.NextGen Under 30 “recognizes and encourages the next generation of innovative, creative, and inspiring individuals who push the boundaries in demonstrating talent, drive and service to their communities.” Award winners are selected based upon their participation in and contribution to their communities. A panel of respected business and civic leaders serve as judges.Recently, Tien had the opportunity to join other exceptional winners on a “Day at the Capitol” in Topeka, where she met with Lieutenant Governor David Toland and retired Kansas State Senator Tom Hawk, who were among those highlighting her achievements. She will formally be presented the award on October 20 at a special dinner ceremony in Wichita.Asked to comment on the award, Tien said, “I am honored to be recognized as one of the exceptional young leaders of Kansas and strive to increase access to specialty therapy services offered in western Kansas. I am incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to continue employment at RCH while completing a virtual hand therapy fellowship to help me achieve these goals.”Tien was born in Hays but is now a Plainville resident along with her husband Brady and their one-year-old daughter Charlotte.The NextGen Under 30 mission is to identify and honor very talented young adults and to encourage them to follow their lifetime family and career goals in Kansas. For more information about NextGen Under 30, go to <a href="https://nextgenunder30ks.com/">https://nextgenunder30ks.com</a>.

Rooks County Health Center occupational therapist receives statewide award

WAKEENEY — The Smoky Hill Trail Annual Conference is just around the corner on October 20, 21, and 22.&nbsp; The conference will be held at the Trego County Historical Society Museum, 128 N. 13th Street, WaKeeney. 

On Friday, October 20, there will be a bus tour of Trego County beginning at 1:00 pm. A “meet and greet” will follow at the Commercial Building at the Trego County Fairgrounds, 13th and Russell Avenue, WaKeeney, at 4:00 pm.

Saturday, October 21, will feature speakers throughout the day, beginning at 8:30 am. The speakers and their topics include: "A Window into Time," by Garrett Seuser; "The Cartographic Roots of Colorado," by Wes Brown; "The French on the Smoky Hill in the 18th Century,” by Wade Davis; "Railroaded: The Industry that Shaped Kansas," by Leo Oliva; and "Silas Stillman Soule: From Coal Creek to Sand Creek," by Byron Strom.

The evening features a banquet at 6:00 p.m. with special speaker, Chris Herriage, discussing “Today’s Archaeology, Tomorrow’s Trails.”

Sunday, October 22, begins with coffee at 8:30 a.m. and features two more speakers beginning at 9:00 a.m. Don Rowlinson will discuss “The History of Trego County Agriculture: Before and After the Sod Busters” and Wade Davis will discuss "Smoky Hill Thompson: A Life Wild and Perilous." 

The conference will close by 12:00 noon on Sunday.

For more information about the conference, check out the Smoky Hill Trail Association website at <a href="https://www.smokyhilltrail.com/">www.smokyhilltrail.com</a>

<a href="https://www.smokyhilltrail.com/"></a>. You can register for the conference online at the Smoky Hill Trail Association website. Registrations are due by October 9. This is also a great time to become a member of the association. Register for the conference and join the association all at one time.

 Please direct any questions to smokyhilltrailassn@gmail.com, tregohistorical@ruraltel.net, or 785-743-2964.

Don't miss your chance to learn more about our amazing local Western history!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1696018325827.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedWAKEENEY — The Smoky Hill Trail Annual Conference is just around the corner on October 20, 21, and 22.&nbsp; The conference will be held at the Trego County Historical Society Museum, 128 N. 13th Street, WaKeeney. On Friday, October 20, there will be a bus tour of Trego County beginning at 1:00 pm. A “meet and greet” will follow at the Commercial Building at the Trego County Fairgrounds, 13th and Russell Avenue, WaKeeney, at 4:00 pm.Saturday, October 21, will feature speakers throughout the day, beginning at 8:30 am. The speakers and their topics include: "A Window into Time," by Garrett Seuser; "The Cartographic Roots of Colorado," by Wes Brown; "The French on the Smoky Hill in the 18th Century,” by Wade Davis; "Railroaded: The Industry that Shaped Kansas," by Leo Oliva; and "Silas Stillman Soule: From Coal Creek to Sand Creek," by Byron Strom.The evening features a banquet at 6:00 p.m. with special speaker, Chris Herriage, discussing “Today’s Archaeology, Tomorrow’s Trails.”Sunday, October 22, begins with coffee at 8:30 a.m. and features two more speakers beginning at 9:00 a.m. Don Rowlinson will discuss “The History of Trego County Agriculture: Before and After the Sod Busters” and Wade Davis will discuss "Smoky Hill Thompson: A Life Wild and Perilous." The conference will close by 12:00 noon on Sunday.For more information about the conference, check out the Smoky Hill Trail Association website at <a href="https://www.smokyhilltrail.com/">www.smokyhilltrail.com</a><a href="https://www.smokyhilltrail.com/"></a>. You can register for the conference online at the Smoky Hill Trail Association website. Registrations are due by October 9. This is also a great time to become a member of the association. Register for the conference and join the association all at one time. Please direct any questions to smokyhilltrailassn@gmail.com, tregohistorical@ruraltel.net, or 785-743-2964.Don't miss your chance to learn more about our amazing local Western history!

WaKeeney to host Smoky Hill Trail Association annual conference Oct. 20-22

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Fort Hays State women's soccer team improved their record to 9-1-3, 5-0-1 in conference play on Friday after defeating Northeastern State 2-0 on the road. Northeastern State's record moved to 3-6-4, 1-4-1 in MIAA action after the loss. 

The Tigers now sit one win behind the RiverHawks in the all-time series with a record of 5-6-1 against NSU. Friday's 2-0 served to be the largest margin of victory for FHSU over Northeastern State in the series history.

The first period of Friday's match was a defensive battle with only a combined eight shots on goal. Fort Hays State was outshot 7-6 by the RiverHawks through the first 45 minutes of play. Hannah Mares&nbsp;recorded two shots in the period with one on goal. Northeastern State had two players shoot multiple shots on goal in the first frame.

The tide turned in the second period where the Fort Hays State defense did not allow a single NSU shot. Isabel Robben&nbsp;was solid in goal for the Tigers with six saves, all in the first period. FHSU stated five shots in the second period, netting two of the five. Sullivan Kelly&nbsp;broke the scoreless tie in the 68' off an assist from Jersey Garoutte. Allison Worley&nbsp;sealed the game with the second goal in the 82'. The goal by Worley notched her tenth point recorded on the season.

After wins by Washburn and Central Missouri on Friday there remains a three-way tie for first place in the MIAA conference.

The Tigers will take the pitch again on Sunday against the Rogers State Hillcats at 1 p.m. The match will be held in Claremore, Okla. at Soldier Field.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697252699112.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State's Jersey Garoutte (25) defends Central Oklahoma's Stormie Ransey (8) in an NCAA soccer match in Hays, Kan., Sunday, October 8, 2023. (FHSU Athletics photo/Coryn Hahn)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State's Jersey Garoutte (25) defends Central Oklahoma's Stormie Ransey (8) in an NCAA soccer match in Hays, Kan., Sunday, October 8, 2023. (FHSU Athletics photo/Coryn Hahn)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsTAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Fort Hays State women's soccer team improved their record to 9-1-3, 5-0-1 in conference play on Friday after defeating Northeastern State 2-0 on the road. Northeastern State's record moved to 3-6-4, 1-4-1 in MIAA action after the loss. The Tigers now sit one win behind the RiverHawks in the all-time series with a record of 5-6-1 against NSU. Friday's 2-0 served to be the largest margin of victory for FHSU over Northeastern State in the series history.The first period of Friday's match was a defensive battle with only a combined eight shots on goal. Fort Hays State was outshot 7-6 by the RiverHawks through the first 45 minutes of play. Hannah Mares&nbsp;recorded two shots in the period with one on goal. Northeastern State had two players shoot multiple shots on goal in the first frame.The tide turned in the second period where the Fort Hays State defense did not allow a single NSU shot. Isabel Robben&nbsp;was solid in goal for the Tigers with six saves, all in the first period. FHSU stated five shots in the second period, netting two of the five. Sullivan Kelly&nbsp;broke the scoreless tie in the 68' off an assist from Jersey Garoutte. Allison Worley&nbsp;sealed the game with the second goal in the 82'. The goal by Worley notched her tenth point recorded on the season.After wins by Washburn and Central Missouri on Friday there remains a three-way tie for first place in the MIAA conference.The Tigers will take the pitch again on Sunday against the Rogers State Hillcats at 1 p.m. The match will be held in Claremore, Okla. at Soldier Field.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚽ Tiger women pickup road win over RiverHawks

TOPEKA —As tens of thousands of Muslims demonstrated Friday across the Middle East and in the United States in support of the Palestinians and against the intensifying Israeli bombardment of Gaza, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation&nbsp; issued a statement.

"In the past few days this war has intensified, creating tensions around the world. Hamas founder Khaled Mashal recently issued a statement declaring Friday, October 13, the “Friday of Al-Aqsa Flood” or a day of general mobilization."

"Many refer to Khaled Mashal’s statement as a call for a “global day of jihad.” Jihad is a term often used by militants when referring to a holy war or religious struggle."

"At the KBI, we are aggressively monitoring these events as they unfold and are in constant communication with federal, state and local law enforcement partners in Kansas."

"Presently, there are no credible threats to our state. We will continue working with all levels of law enforcement as our top priority is the safety and security of Kansans.We ask everyone to remain vigilant, and report any suspicious or concerning activity to local law enforcement and to the KBI by<a href="https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar?fbclid=IwAR26eefFmiRJMHndYUYtoVNaNYvSJ0nniu4yA05YL6_MM6G-pdp3Srb9Wus"> clicking here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696679013332.png" alt="Palestinians wave their national flag and celebrate by a destroyed Israeli tank at the Gaza Strip fence east of Khan Younis on Saturday, Oct. 7, . (AP Photo/Yousef Masoud)" />
 <figcaption>Palestinians wave their national flag and celebrate by a destroyed Israeli tank at the Gaza Strip fence east of Khan Younis on Saturday, Oct. 7, . (AP Photo/Yousef Masoud)</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —As tens of thousands of Muslims demonstrated Friday across the Middle East and in the United States in support of the Palestinians and against the intensifying Israeli bombardment of Gaza, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation&nbsp; issued a statement."In the past few days this war has intensified, creating tensions around the world. Hamas founder Khaled Mashal recently issued a statement declaring Friday, October 13, the “Friday of Al-Aqsa Flood” or a day of general mobilization.""Many refer to Khaled Mashal’s statement as a call for a “global day of jihad.” Jihad is a term often used by militants when referring to a holy war or religious struggle.""At the KBI, we are aggressively monitoring these events as they unfold and are in constant communication with federal, state and local law enforcement partners in Kansas.""Presently, there are no credible threats to our state. We will continue working with all levels of law enforcement as our top priority is the safety and security of Kansans.We ask everyone to remain vigilant, and report any suspicious or concerning activity to local law enforcement and to the KBI by<a href="https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar?fbclid=IwAR26eefFmiRJMHndYUYtoVNaNYvSJ0nniu4yA05YL6_MM6G-pdp3Srb9Wus"> clicking here</a>.

KBI monitoring threats in Kan. after terror chief calls for protests

&nbsp; HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State Athletics will welcome eight new members into the Tiger Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday, October 28, 2023. The inductees going into the Hall of Fame this year include Dale Votapka (Wrestling, 1959-60), Jim Beltch (Wrestling, 1958-62), Steve Boehmer (Track &amp; Field/Cross Country, 1967-71), Richard &amp; Tawnita Augustine (Women's Gymnastics, 1981-90), Daniel Traffas (Baseball, 1994-95), Shawn Behr (Football, 1994-95), Jamie (Heiman) Dreher (Women's Basketball, 1999-2003), and Tyrone Shephard (Men's Basketball, 2004-06).

The induction ceremony will take place the morning of Saturday, October 28 inside the Memorial Union on the campus of Fort Hays State University. Registration for the invitation only event begins at 8 AM and the ceremony begins at 9 AM. The new Hall of Fame class will then be recognized publicly at halftime of the Fort Hays State vs. Central Oklahoma football game, which begins at 1:00 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Dale Votapka (Wrestling, 1958-60) A native of Oberlin, Kansas, Dale Votapka was a two-time NAIA All-America performer at Fort Hays State in wrestling. He was the first All-America performer in the program's history, placing third nationally at 115 pounds in 1959. He then finished as national runner-up at 115 pounds in 1960. His national title match in 1960 was against Gray Simons of Lock Haven, who is mentioned among the all-time wrestling greats in the United States as a four-time NAIA national champ, three-time NCAA champ, and two-time Olympian. Prior to enrolling at FHSU, Votapka served in the Navy and was on the All-Navy Wrestling Team in both 1956 and 1957. He placed fifth in the 1956 U.S. Olympic Trials. Once Votapka completed his tour of duty in the Navy, he attended FHSU. He was the Missouri Valley AAU champion three times. Votapka was elected to the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 1984. He officiated wrestling at the high school level for 23 years, including 10 consecutive state championship tournaments. Votapka passed away in 2007.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Jim Beltch (Wrestling, 1958-62) A native of Goodland, Kansas, Jim Beltch was a two-time NAIA All-America performer at Fort Hays State in wrestling. He wrestled for four years at FHSU from 1958-62. He was the second All-America performer in program history at FHSU, placing third nationally at 115 pounds in 1961 and was national runner-up at 115 pounds in 1962. He gave FHSU a four-year run of having an All-America performer at 115 pounds, following Dale Votapka who was the program's first All-America performer with the same progression of national placements in 1959 and 1960 (3rd and 2nd). His national title match in 1962 was against Gray Simons of Lock Haven, who is mentioned among the all-time wrestling greats in the United States as a four-time NAIA national champ, three-time NCAA national champ, and two-time Olympian. Beltch was a four-time Missouri Valley AAU champion. He went on to coach in Kansas for 33 years, which included stops at Atwood Junior High School, Wellington High School, and Lawrence High School. He also served as a referee for 35 years at the youth, high school, and junior college levels. He was inducted into the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 2018.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Steve Boehmer (Track &amp; Field, 1967-71) A native of Bern, Kansas, Steve Boehmer was the indoor 1,000-yard run national champion in 1971, running the distance in a time of 2:14, which gained him NAIA All-America honors. He was a member of the 1969 FHSU National Championship Cross Country team and contributed to a second-place team finish at nationals in 1970. Boehmer was the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference champion in the 880-yard run in 1969. He was a member of the 2-mile relay team that finished second at the NAIA Indoor Championships in 1968. He was a member of a distance medley relay team that went undefeated at the Texas, Kansas, and Drake Relays.

Richard &amp; Tawnita Augustine (Women's Gymnastics, 1981-90) Richard and Tawnita Augustine served as coaches of the Fort Hays State women's gymnastics team from 1981 to 1990 and took over the head coaching role in 1983. The program had great success, producing eight All-America performers including Vicki (Thom) Smith, Amy Richardson, Shae Donham, Rena Lucke, Cary Hertel, Lisa Fenton, Carol Anne Leslie, and Jacque Douglas. They guided the program to Top-5 finishes in the NAIA five times (1982, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988). Within their time coaching the Tigers, they helped transition the program from the NAIA to NCAA Division II. The program competed in both NAIA and NCAA Division II in 1988. The sport of gymnastics was strong in Kansas when they started with the program, but over time the shrinking number of local high school programs led to the need to recruit the entire nation. The Augustines reached out far and wide to build FHSU into a national championship contender by the mid-1980s with athletes from all over the United States including Hawaii, New York, Alaska, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Maryland, Texas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, and Kansas. By the last year of the program in 1990, FHSU was the only school remaining in Kansas with a women's team.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Daniel Traffas (Baseball, 1994-95) A native of Sharon, Kansas, Daniel Traffas was a pitcher at Fort Hays State for two seasons. He was the 1995 Mile High Intercollegiate Baseball League Pitcher of the Year as a senior, posting an 8-3 record with a 2.47 ERA. He made 12 starts that season and threw eight complete games. Three of those complete games were shutouts, with the last coming in the Mile High Intercollegiate Baseball League Tournament championship game that the Tigers won 4-0 over Mesa State at Larks Park to end a 34-13 season. Traffas struck out 65 batters in 76.2 innings of work and held opponents to a .213 batting average for the season. Traffas finished with a career record of 14-4 overall, which included a 6-1 campaign his junior year when he had 61 strikeouts in 52.1 innings of work and a 3.44 ERA. His .777 career win percentage at FHSU is still among the Top 10 in program history and his eight complete games in 1995 is tied for the most by a Tiger pitcher in a season since 1980. Traffas ranks seventh in career strikeouts per innings pitched rate (0.98). His 2.86 career ERA is ninth in program history, but best for the program since 1980.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Shawn Behr (Football, 1994-95) A native of Great Bend, Kan., Shawn Behr was an AP All-America First Team selection at quarterback during his senior year of 1995. That year he set a new single-season passing yards record at FHSU with 3,497, completing 211 of 365 attempts, helping FHSU to an 8-2-2 record overall and a tie for the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference title with Western State, both at 6-0-1 after tying in the regular season finale in Gunnison. His passing yards record stood for 15 years until 2010. He also set the school record for passing touchdowns in a season with 34, which stood for 24 years until 2019. Behr led NCAA Division II in passing yards for the regular season in 1995 with 3,158. He helped the Tigers rank as high as No. 18 in the nation that year, make an apperance in the NCAA Division II Playoffs, and tie the school record for wins in a season at the time. The 1995 season was the only year Behr was the Tigers' starting quarterback after serving as a back up to Dustin McEwen in 1994. Behr threw for over 300 yards in a game six times in 1995, with a season-high of 390 against New Mexico Highlands on 24 completions. Even with just his one year as a starter, Behr ranked third on FHSU's career passing yards (3,550) list at the end of his career, only behind Robert Long (7,002) and Dustin McEwen (5,718). Following his years at FHSU, Behr went on to play professionally in the World League of Professional Football for the Helsinki Roosters.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Jamie (Heiman) Dreher (Women's Basketball, 1999-2003) A native of Baileyville, Kansas, Jamie Heiman was a three-time all-conference performer in women's basketball at Fort Hays State, playing from 1999-2003. She ranks seventh on the all-time scoring list at FHSU with 1,492 points, but ranked fifth when she completed her career. She was twice an All-RMAC East Division Second Team selection as a sophomore and junior before earning First Team honors as a senior. She averaged double figures in scoring all four years, finishing with a career average of 13.2 per game. She made 108 starts in 113 career games played. A 15.3 points per game and 8.4 rebounds per game average were her highest single-season averages for each category, occurring during her junior year. She scored at least 388 points and pulled down at least 200 rebounds in each of her last three seasons. She ranks fifth all-time in rebounds at FHSU with 841, sixth in field goals made with 555, sixth in free throws made with 361, and seventh in blocked shots with 121. Heiman was also rock-solid in the classroom, named the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Student-Athlete of the Year for Fort Hays State University in 2001-02 and she twice earned CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team honors.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Tyrone Shephard (Men's Basketball, 2004-06) A native of Seattle, Washington, Tyrone Shephard was the 2005-06 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Player of the Year in a season where he helped Fort Hays State to a 27-4 overall record. The team reached the No. 1 ranking in the NABC Top 25 Poll and made it to the semifinals of the NCAA Central Regional. He was also an All-America Third Team selection that year by Daktronics and Division II Bulletin. He helped the Tigers go near-perfect in conference play with an 18-1 record in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and had an 18-game win streak that season. Shephard was a two-time All-RMAC selection, earning second-team honors in his junior year of 2004-05 before the first-team and conference player of the year honors in 2005-06. Shephard led a very balanced team in scoring his senior year at 13.8 points per game, shooting 47.3 percent overall, 43.3 percent from beyond the 3-point line, and 78 percent at the free-throw line, reaching double figures in scoring 20 times that season with 32 being his top scoring mark of the season. Shephard also led the Tigers in scoring his junior year at 13.9 points per game and scored a total of 816 points over his two years at FHSU. Shephard went on to play professionally in Mexico for two years following his time at FHSU.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697216122602.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU Athletics&nbsp; HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State Athletics will welcome eight new members into the Tiger Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday, October 28, 2023. The inductees going into the Hall of Fame this year include Dale Votapka (Wrestling, 1959-60), Jim Beltch (Wrestling, 1958-62), Steve Boehmer (Track &amp; Field/Cross Country, 1967-71), Richard &amp; Tawnita Augustine (Women's Gymnastics, 1981-90), Daniel Traffas (Baseball, 1994-95), Shawn Behr (Football, 1994-95), Jamie (Heiman) Dreher (Women's Basketball, 1999-2003), and Tyrone Shephard (Men's Basketball, 2004-06).The induction ceremony will take place the morning of Saturday, October 28 inside the Memorial Union on the campus of Fort Hays State University. Registration for the invitation only event begins at 8 AM and the ceremony begins at 9 AM. The new Hall of Fame class will then be recognized publicly at halftime of the Fort Hays State vs. Central Oklahoma football game, which begins at 1:00 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;Dale Votapka (Wrestling, 1958-60) A native of Oberlin, Kansas, Dale Votapka was a two-time NAIA All-America performer at Fort Hays State in wrestling. He was the first All-America performer in the program's history, placing third nationally at 115 pounds in 1959. He then finished as national runner-up at 115 pounds in 1960. His national title match in 1960 was against Gray Simons of Lock Haven, who is mentioned among the all-time wrestling greats in the United States as a four-time NAIA national champ, three-time NCAA champ, and two-time Olympian. Prior to enrolling at FHSU, Votapka served in the Navy and was on the All-Navy Wrestling Team in both 1956 and 1957. He placed fifth in the 1956 U.S. Olympic Trials. Once Votapka completed his tour of duty in the Navy, he attended FHSU. He was the Missouri Valley AAU champion three times. Votapka was elected to the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 1984. He officiated wrestling at the high school level for 23 years, including 10 consecutive state championship tournaments. Votapka passed away in 2007.&nbsp;&nbsp;Jim Beltch (Wrestling, 1958-62) A native of Goodland, Kansas, Jim Beltch was a two-time NAIA All-America performer at Fort Hays State in wrestling. He wrestled for four years at FHSU from 1958-62. He was the second All-America performer in program history at FHSU, placing third nationally at 115 pounds in 1961 and was national runner-up at 115 pounds in 1962. He gave FHSU a four-year run of having an All-America performer at 115 pounds, following Dale Votapka who was the program's first All-America performer with the same progression of national placements in 1959 and 1960 (3rd and 2nd). His national title match in 1962 was against Gray Simons of Lock Haven, who is mentioned among the all-time wrestling greats in the United States as a four-time NAIA national champ, three-time NCAA national champ, and two-time Olympian. Beltch was a four-time Missouri Valley AAU champion. He went on to coach in Kansas for 33 years, which included stops at Atwood Junior High School, Wellington High School, and Lawrence High School. He also served as a referee for 35 years at the youth, high school, and junior college levels. He was inducted into the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 2018.&nbsp;&nbsp;Steve Boehmer (Track &amp; Field, 1967-71) A native of Bern, Kansas, Steve Boehmer was the indoor 1,000-yard run national champion in 1971, running the distance in a time of 2:14, which gained him NAIA All-America honors. He was a member of the 1969 FHSU National Championship Cross Country team and contributed to a second-place team finish at nationals in 1970. Boehmer was the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference champion in the 880-yard run in 1969. He was a member of the 2-mile relay team that finished second at the NAIA Indoor Championships in 1968. He was a member of a distance medley relay team that went undefeated at the Texas, Kansas, and Drake Relays.Richard &amp; Tawnita Augustine (Women's Gymnastics, 1981-90) Richard and Tawnita Augustine served as coaches of the Fort Hays State women's gymnastics team from 1981 to 1990 and took over the head coaching role in 1983. The program had great success, producing eight All-America performers including Vicki (Thom) Smith, Amy Richardson, Shae Donham, Rena Lucke, Cary Hertel, Lisa Fenton, Carol Anne Leslie, and Jacque Douglas. They guided the program to Top-5 finishes in the NAIA five times (1982, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988). Within their time coaching the Tigers, they helped transition the program from the NAIA to NCAA Division II. The program competed in both NAIA and NCAA Division II in 1988. The sport of gymnastics was strong in Kansas when they started with the program, but over time the shrinking number of local high school programs led to the need to recruit the entire nation. The Augustines reached out far and wide to build FHSU into a national championship contender by the mid-1980s with athletes from all over the United States including Hawaii, New York, Alaska, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Maryland, Texas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, and Kansas. By the last year of the program in 1990, FHSU was the only school remaining in Kansas with a women's team.&nbsp;&nbsp;Daniel Traffas (Baseball, 1994-95) A native of Sharon, Kansas, Daniel Traffas was a pitcher at Fort Hays State for two seasons. He was the 1995 Mile High Intercollegiate Baseball League Pitcher of the Year as a senior, posting an 8-3 record with a 2.47 ERA. He made 12 starts that season and threw eight complete games. Three of those complete games were shutouts, with the last coming in the Mile High Intercollegiate Baseball League Tournament championship game that the Tigers won 4-0 over Mesa State at Larks Park to end a 34-13 season. Traffas struck out 65 batters in 76.2 innings of work and held opponents to a .213 batting average for the season. Traffas finished with a career record of 14-4 overall, which included a 6-1 campaign his junior year when he had 61 strikeouts in 52.1 innings of work and a 3.44 ERA. His .777 career win percentage at FHSU is still among the Top 10 in program history and his eight complete games in 1995 is tied for the most by a Tiger pitcher in a season since 1980. Traffas ranks seventh in career strikeouts per innings pitched rate (0.98). His 2.86 career ERA is ninth in program history, but best for the program since 1980.&nbsp;&nbsp;Shawn Behr (Football, 1994-95) A native of Great Bend, Kan., Shawn Behr was an AP All-America First Team selection at quarterback during his senior year of 1995. That year he set a new single-season passing yards record at FHSU with 3,497, completing 211 of 365 attempts, helping FHSU to an 8-2-2 record overall and a tie for the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference title with Western State, both at 6-0-1 after tying in the regular season finale in Gunnison. His passing yards record stood for 15 years until 2010. He also set the school record for passing touchdowns in a season with 34, which stood for 24 years until 2019. Behr led NCAA Division II in passing yards for the regular season in 1995 with 3,158. He helped the Tigers rank as high as No. 18 in the nation that year, make an apperance in the NCAA Division II Playoffs, and tie the school record for wins in a season at the time. The 1995 season was the only year Behr was the Tigers' starting quarterback after serving as a back up to Dustin McEwen in 1994. Behr threw for over 300 yards in a game six times in 1995, with a season-high of 390 against New Mexico Highlands on 24 completions. Even with just his one year as a starter, Behr ranked third on FHSU's career passing yards (3,550) list at the end of his career, only behind Robert Long (7,002) and Dustin McEwen (5,718). Following his years at FHSU, Behr went on to play professionally in the World League of Professional Football for the Helsinki Roosters.&nbsp;&nbsp;Jamie (Heiman) Dreher (Women's Basketball, 1999-2003) A native of Baileyville, Kansas, Jamie Heiman was a three-time all-conference performer in women's basketball at Fort Hays State, playing from 1999-2003. She ranks seventh on the all-time scoring list at FHSU with 1,492 points, but ranked fifth when she completed her career. She was twice an All-RMAC East Division Second Team selection as a sophomore and junior before earning First Team honors as a senior. She averaged double figures in scoring all four years, finishing with a career average of 13.2 per game. She made 108 starts in 113 career games played. A 15.3 points per game and 8.4 rebounds per game average were her highest single-season averages for each category, occurring during her junior year. She scored at least 388 points and pulled down at least 200 rebounds in each of her last three seasons. She ranks fifth all-time in rebounds at FHSU with 841, sixth in field goals made with 555, sixth in free throws made with 361, and seventh in blocked shots with 121. Heiman was also rock-solid in the classroom, named the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Student-Athlete of the Year for Fort Hays State University in 2001-02 and she twice earned CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team honors.&nbsp;&nbsp;Tyrone Shephard (Men's Basketball, 2004-06) A native of Seattle, Washington, Tyrone Shephard was the 2005-06 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Player of the Year in a season where he helped Fort Hays State to a 27-4 overall record. The team reached the No. 1 ranking in the NABC Top 25 Poll and made it to the semifinals of the NCAA Central Regional. He was also an All-America Third Team selection that year by Daktronics and Division II Bulletin. He helped the Tigers go near-perfect in conference play with an 18-1 record in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and had an 18-game win streak that season. Shephard was a two-time All-RMAC selection, earning second-team honors in his junior year of 2004-05 before the first-team and conference player of the year honors in 2005-06. Shephard led a very balanced team in scoring his senior year at 13.8 points per game, shooting 47.3 percent overall, 43.3 percent from beyond the 3-point line, and 78 percent at the free-throw line, reaching double figures in scoring 20 times that season with 32 being his top scoring mark of the season. Shephard also led the Tigers in scoring his junior year at 13.9 points per game and scored a total of 816 points over his two years at FHSU. Shephard went on to play professionally in Mexico for two years following his time at FHSU.&nbsp;&nbsp;

FHSU Athletics announces 2023 Hall of Fame inductees

A familiar name is at the top of the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll as Kansas was chosen to win the 2023-24 regular season title in a vote of the Conference’s head coaches. In 28 seasons, KU has been picked outright or tied for first in 20 preseason ledgers and won or shared the regular season championship in 21 years. A coaches’ preseason poll was not conducted in the Big 12’s first season of 1996-97.

This season marks the first for the Conference to compete with 14 teams. The Jayhawks were the top pick on 12 ballots and totaled 168 points. New&nbsp; Conference member Houston received the other two first-place votes and compiled 153 points. Texas (third), Baylor (fourth) and TCU (fifth) rounded out the top five. The remaining spots were Kansas State (sixth), Iowa State (seventh), Texas Tech (eighth), West Virginia (ninth), Oklahoma State (10th), Cincinnati (11th), Oklahoma (12th), BYU (13th) and UCF (14th).

The Big 12 placed seven of 10 teams in the 2023 NCAA Tournament and captured consecutive national championships in 2021 (Baylor) and 2022 (Kansas). Conference teams played in four consecutive Final Fours from 2018-2022, including three straight national championship games (2019, 2021, 2022).

Head coaches and student-athletes from each team will appear at the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tipoff, presented by Old Trapper in Kansas City, Missouri on Wednesday, October 18. Interviews with Kris Budden, Fran Fraschilla and Hannah Wing will air on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ from 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. CT. A feed of head coaches’ press conferences will be available on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ from 9:10 - 10:50 a.m. CT and 1:30-3:25 p.m. CT. The regular season will start on Monday, November 6 with a full slate of non-conference games.

2023-24 Big 12 Preseason Poll 1. Kansas (12)&nbsp;&nbsp;168 2. Houston (2) 153 3. Texas 143 4. Baylor 137 5. TCU 113 6. Kansas State 106 7. Iowa State 95 8. Texas Tech 80 9. West Virginia 70 10. Oklahoma State 57 11. Cincinnati 55 12. Oklahoma 54 13. BYU 29 14. UCF 14&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own team.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697217964177.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Big 12A familiar name is at the top of the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll as Kansas was chosen to win the 2023-24 regular season title in a vote of the Conference’s head coaches. In 28 seasons, KU has been picked outright or tied for first in 20 preseason ledgers and won or shared the regular season championship in 21 years. A coaches’ preseason poll was not conducted in the Big 12’s first season of 1996-97.This season marks the first for the Conference to compete with 14 teams. The Jayhawks were the top pick on 12 ballots and totaled 168 points. New&nbsp; Conference member Houston received the other two first-place votes and compiled 153 points. Texas (third), Baylor (fourth) and TCU (fifth) rounded out the top five. The remaining spots were Kansas State (sixth), Iowa State (seventh), Texas Tech (eighth), West Virginia (ninth), Oklahoma State (10th), Cincinnati (11th), Oklahoma (12th), BYU (13th) and UCF (14th).The Big 12 placed seven of 10 teams in the 2023 NCAA Tournament and captured consecutive national championships in 2021 (Baylor) and 2022 (Kansas). Conference teams played in four consecutive Final Fours from 2018-2022, including three straight national championship games (2019, 2021, 2022).Head coaches and student-athletes from each team will appear at the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tipoff, presented by Old Trapper in Kansas City, Missouri on Wednesday, October 18. Interviews with Kris Budden, Fran Fraschilla and Hannah Wing will air on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ from 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. CT. A feed of head coaches’ press conferences will be available on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ from 9:10 - 10:50 a.m. CT and 1:30-3:25 p.m. CT. The regular season will start on Monday, November 6 with a full slate of non-conference games.2023-24 Big 12 Preseason Poll 1. Kansas (12)&nbsp;&nbsp;168 2. Houston (2) 153 3. Texas 143 4. Baylor 137 5. TCU 113 6. Kansas State 106 7. Iowa State 95 8. Texas Tech 80 9. West Virginia 70 10. Oklahoma State 57 11. Cincinnati 55 12. Oklahoma 54 13. BYU 29 14. UCF 14&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own team.

🏀 Kansas picked to win 2023-24 Big 12 men's title

On Wednesday, October 18 Cottonwood Extension District will be hosting a free coyote trapping and predator calling program by Wildlife Specialist Drew Ricketts starting at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at Hays Agricultural Research Center auditorium, 1232 240th Avenue, Hays. 

During his program, he will discuss coyote biology, helping people to better understand their movements, vocalizations, and diet among other topics. He will also discuss tips and methods on trapping and calling coyotes including the proper use of mouth and electronic calls. 

If you need further information call 785-628-9430. 

If you enjoy the outdoors, or more specifically enjoy hunting coyotes, don’t miss out on this event! All interested people are invited to attend.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697207210774.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Cottonwood ExtensionOn Wednesday, October 18 Cottonwood Extension District will be hosting a free coyote trapping and predator calling program by Wildlife Specialist Drew Ricketts starting at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at Hays Agricultural Research Center auditorium, 1232 240th Avenue, Hays. During his program, he will discuss coyote biology, helping people to better understand their movements, vocalizations, and diet among other topics. He will also discuss tips and methods on trapping and calling coyotes including the proper use of mouth and electronic calls. If you need further information call 785-628-9430. If you enjoy the outdoors, or more specifically enjoy hunting coyotes, don’t miss out on this event! All interested people are invited to attend.

Coyote program scheduled for Ellis County

David Ross Hinman, 68, died September 26, 2023, at Clara Barton Hospital, Hoisington, Kansas. &nbsp;He was born October 7, 1954, in Winfield, Kansas, the son of Wilbur “Jack” and Wilma Fern (Billings) Hinman. &nbsp;

He then served during the Vietnam War in United States Navy as a aviation ordnance man.

On January 18, 1992, he married Laree Rose Radenberg in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 

They moved back to Kansas in 2003 and David worked for Oneok and in the oil field driving water and tank trucks for Ellinwood Tank Service and Paul’s Oilfield Service. 

Driving was not only his job but his hobby, as he loved all things with a motor. He would drag race and was a member of the NHRA. He loved his vintage hot rods and would often take them to shows. David also loved animals but he mostly loved spoiling his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Laree Hinman of the home; son, Steven Hinman and wife Sarah of Hoisington; daughter, Melony Johnson of Clarksville, Tennessee; and grandchildren Jackson Hinman and Kathryn Titsworth of Hoisington and Ian and Tyler Durant of Clarksville, Tennessee; &nbsp;siblings, Michael Hinman and wife Connie of Lawtey, Florida, Steve Hinman and wife Debbie of Moore, Oklahoma, Janet Winters and husband Mike of Wetumka, Oklahoma, Carol Peek and husband Stuart of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and many nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place, and a memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 18th, 2024, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home Chapel.&nbsp;

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to David Hinman Memorial Fund, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, P.O. Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of&nbsp;David Ross Hinman, please&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.bryantfh.net/obituary/david-hinman/flowers?campaign=obituaryThemed-flowers-textLink-obitText">click here to visit our Sympathy Store</a>.

<h2>David Ross Hinman</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697204044735.jpeg" alt="David Ross Hinman" />
 <figcaption>David Ross Hinman</figcaption>
 </figure>October 7, 1954 - September 26, 2023David Ross Hinman, 68, died September 26, 2023, at Clara Barton Hospital, Hoisington, Kansas. &nbsp;He was born October 7, 1954, in Winfield, Kansas, the son of Wilbur “Jack” and Wilma Fern (Billings) Hinman. &nbsp;He then served during the Vietnam War in United States Navy as a aviation ordnance man.On January 18, 1992, he married Laree Rose Radenberg in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They moved back to Kansas in 2003 and David worked for Oneok and in the oil field driving water and tank trucks for Ellinwood Tank Service and Paul’s Oilfield Service. Driving was not only his job but his hobby, as he loved all things with a motor. He would drag race and was a member of the NHRA. He loved his vintage hot rods and would often take them to shows. David also loved animals but he mostly loved spoiling his grandchildren.He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Laree Hinman of the home; son, Steven Hinman and wife Sarah of Hoisington; daughter, Melony Johnson of Clarksville, Tennessee; and grandchildren Jackson Hinman and Kathryn Titsworth of Hoisington and Ian and Tyler Durant of Clarksville, Tennessee; &nbsp;siblings, Michael Hinman and wife Connie of Lawtey, Florida, Steve Hinman and wife Debbie of Moore, Oklahoma, Janet Winters and husband Mike of Wetumka, Oklahoma, Carol Peek and husband Stuart of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and many nieces and nephews.Cremation has taken place, and a memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 18th, 2024, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home Chapel.&nbsp;In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to David Hinman Memorial Fund, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, P.O. Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of&nbsp;David Ross Hinman, please&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.bryantfh.net/obituary/david-hinman/flowers?campaign=obituaryThemed-flowers-textLink-obitText">click here to visit our Sympathy Store</a>.

David Ross Hinman

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. and Qatar have reached an agreement that the Qataris will not act on any request from Tehran for the time being to access $6 billion in Iranian funds that were unblocked as part of a prisoner swap last month, a U.S. official said Thursday.

The move, which stops short of a full refreezing of Iranian funds in Qatar's banking system, follows the deadly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/israel-hamas-war-live-updates">attacks by Hamas on Israel</a>&nbsp;and continued Republican criticism of the Biden administration’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-prisoner-swap-sanctions-assets-4e1fa477f8e6af45fb764acd259c2f1a">deal with Iran</a>, in which $6 billion was unfrozen in exchange for the release of five detained Americans. The official who outlined the understanding between the U.S. and Qatar was not authorized to comment and spoke on condition of anonymity.

U.S. officials have strenuously pushed back against the criticism, noting that the money had yet to be spent by Iran and can only be used for humanitarian needs.

“None of the funds that have now gone to Qatar have actually been spent or accessed in any way by Iran,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Israel on Thursday when asked about the funds. “Indeed, funds from that account are overseen by the Treasury Department, can only be dispensed for humanitarian goods — food, medicine, medical equipment — and never touch Iranian hands.”

The White House has said it has yet to uncover information that Iran was directly involved in the multipronged Hamas operation — the biggest attack on Israel in decades. Even so, Iran is the principal financial and military sponsor of Hamas. U.S. officials have said their intelligence does not show a direct role by Iran and have not pointed blame at Tehran.

As Israel prepares to escalate retaliatory action against Hamas militants for the weekend attacks, the White House announced the U.S. government will begin evacuation flights on Friday for Americans who want to leave Israel.

In a deliberate show of support for Israel, a U.S. official confirmed that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin plans to visit on Friday, following Thursday's visit by Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Austin is expected to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to determine what additional military aid is needed in the war with Hamas, said the U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive travel details

Speaking to reporters in Brussels on Thursday, Austin said the U.S. is “working urgently to get Israel what it needs to defend itself, including munitions and our iron Dome interceptor interceptors.”

The White House confirmed that the death toll in the fighting now includes at least 27 Americans, while 14 more U.S. citizens in Israel remain unaccounted for. The White House has said a “handful” of Americans are among the dozens of people that Hamas took hostage.

U.S. officials estimate 160,000-170,000 Americans are in Israel, as residents, tourists or in some other capacity. An estimated 500 to 600 American citizens are in Gaza, including people who have been working as humanitarian workers or visiting relatives. Israel has sealed its crossing out of Gaza as part of a harsh siege on the territory since Saturday's Hamas attacks. And Gaza’s sole crossing point with Egypt was forced to close after Israeli airstrikes hit nearby.

The U.S. government is arranging for at least four charter flights a day out of Israel, according to people familiar with the planning.

The State Department said it expects to facilitate the departure of thousands of U.S. citizens per week from Israel. The overall security situation, availability and reliability of commercial transportation, and U.S. citizen demand will all influence the duration of this departure assistance. The department asked U.S. citizens in need of evacuation assistance to complete the crisis intake form at&nbsp;<a href="http://travel.state.gov/">travel.state.gov</a>.

There are still some commercial carriers flying in and out of Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport, and ground routes are open to leave Israel. White House officials, however, have voiced concern that those options may not be feasible or affordable for some Americans in Israel who want to leave.

Blinken visited Israel on Thursday to meet with Netanyahu and Israeli citizens. He was joined by the deputy special representative for hostage affairs, Steve Gillen, who will stay in Israel to to support the efforts to free the hostages.

Blinken said Americans would continue pushing regional countries for a safe passage in and out of Gaza, which could help the hundreds of American civilians trapped in the blockaded enclave.

Israeli defense officials have yet to order a ground invasion of the pummeled territory, but have been planning for the possibility. The military has called over 300,000 reservists into action in preparation.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who joined from Air Force Two en route to Las Vegas met on Thursday with senior administration officials to discuss efforts to safeguard the U.S., including Jewish, Arab and Muslim communities, following the Hamas attacks in Israel.

Biden administration officials have been speaking with lawmakers about the contours of a supplemental aid package as it continues to determine Israel’s needs.

Some key Republicans, including House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, have advocated for a larger package that would lump in funding for Ukraine, Taiwan and border security along with Israel aid, and the White House has started to prepare such a package, according to an official familiar with the deliberations. The person was granted anonymity to speak about private conversations, and no final decisions have been made on a supplemental package.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697159427463.png" alt="The White House has said it has yet to uncover information that Iran was directly involved in the multipronged Hamas operation- President Biden meeting with the national security team on Thursday-White House Photo" />
 <figcaption>The White House has said it has yet to uncover information that Iran was directly involved in the multipronged Hamas operation- President Biden meeting with the national security team on Thursday-White House Photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. and Qatar have reached an agreement that the Qataris will not act on any request from Tehran for the time being to access $6 billion in Iranian funds that were unblocked as part of a prisoner swap last month, a U.S. official said Thursday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We&#39;re calling on Joe Biden to IMMEDIATELY freeze the $6B he signed over to Iran. Iran has bankrolled Hamas and helped them plan their barbaric attacks on Israel. The president should have NEVER brokered billion-dollar deals with rogue nations like Iran. <a href="https://t.co/HPAKjUHbWl">https://t.co/HPAKjUHbWl</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1711797706476183970?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">One month ago, Joe Biden paid a $6 BILLION ransom to Iran—the leading state sponsor of terrorism in the world. Now Iran-backed Hamas terrorists are slaughtering innocent Israeli citizens. The Biden administration should IMMEDIATELY freeze these funds.&mdash; Rep. Jake LaTurner (@RepLaTurner) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepLaTurner/status/1712215925527662782?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The move, which stops short of a full refreezing of Iranian funds in Qatar's banking system, follows the deadly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/israel-hamas-war-live-updates">attacks by Hamas on Israel</a>&nbsp;and continued Republican criticism of the Biden administration’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-prisoner-swap-sanctions-assets-4e1fa477f8e6af45fb764acd259c2f1a">deal with Iran</a>, in which $6 billion was unfrozen in exchange for the release of five detained Americans. The official who outlined the understanding between the U.S. and Qatar was not authorized to comment and spoke on condition of anonymity.U.S. officials have strenuously pushed back against the criticism, noting that the money had yet to be spent by Iran and can only be used for humanitarian needs.“None of the funds that have now gone to Qatar have actually been spent or accessed in any way by Iran,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Israel on Thursday when asked about the funds. “Indeed, funds from that account are overseen by the Treasury Department, can only be dispensed for humanitarian goods — food, medicine, medical equipment — and never touch Iranian hands.”The White House has said it has yet to uncover information that Iran was directly involved in the multipronged Hamas operation — the biggest attack on Israel in decades. Even so, Iran is the principal financial and military sponsor of Hamas. U.S. officials have said their intelligence does not show a direct role by Iran and have not pointed blame at Tehran.As Israel prepares to escalate retaliatory action against Hamas militants for the weekend attacks, the White House announced the U.S. government will begin evacuation flights on Friday for Americans who want to leave Israel.In a deliberate show of support for Israel, a U.S. official confirmed that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin plans to visit on Friday, following Thursday's visit by Secretary of State Antony Blinken.Austin is expected to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to determine what additional military aid is needed in the war with Hamas, said the U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive travel detailsSpeaking to reporters in Brussels on Thursday, Austin said the U.S. is “working urgently to get Israel what it needs to defend itself, including munitions and our iron Dome interceptor interceptors.”The White House confirmed that the death toll in the fighting now includes at least 27 Americans, while 14 more U.S. citizens in Israel remain unaccounted for. The White House has said a “handful” of Americans are among the dozens of people that Hamas took hostage.U.S. officials estimate 160,000-170,000 Americans are in Israel, as residents, tourists or in some other capacity. An estimated 500 to 600 American citizens are in Gaza, including people who have been working as humanitarian workers or visiting relatives. Israel has sealed its crossing out of Gaza as part of a harsh siege on the territory since Saturday's Hamas attacks. And Gaza’s sole crossing point with Egypt was forced to close after Israeli airstrikes hit nearby.The U.S. government is arranging for at least four charter flights a day out of Israel, according to people familiar with the planning.The State Department said it expects to facilitate the departure of thousands of U.S. citizens per week from Israel. The overall security situation, availability and reliability of commercial transportation, and U.S. citizen demand will all influence the duration of this departure assistance. The department asked U.S. citizens in need of evacuation assistance to complete the crisis intake form at&nbsp;<a href="http://travel.state.gov/">travel.state.gov</a>.There are still some commercial carriers flying in and out of Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport, and ground routes are open to leave Israel. White House officials, however, have voiced concern that those options may not be feasible or affordable for some Americans in Israel who want to leave.Blinken visited Israel on Thursday to meet with Netanyahu and Israeli citizens. He was joined by the deputy special representative for hostage affairs, Steve Gillen, who will stay in Israel to to support the efforts to free the hostages.Blinken said Americans would continue pushing regional countries for a safe passage in and out of Gaza, which could help the hundreds of American civilians trapped in the blockaded enclave.Israeli defense officials have yet to order a ground invasion of the pummeled territory, but have been planning for the possibility. The military has called over 300,000 reservists into action in preparation.Meanwhile, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who joined from Air Force Two en route to Las Vegas met on Thursday with senior administration officials to discuss efforts to safeguard the U.S., including Jewish, Arab and Muslim communities, following the Hamas attacks in Israel.Biden administration officials have been speaking with lawmakers about the contours of a supplemental aid package as it continues to determine Israel’s needs.Some key Republicans, including House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, have advocated for a larger package that would lump in funding for Ukraine, Taiwan and border security along with Israel aid, and the White House has started to prepare such a package, according to an official familiar with the deliberations. The person was granted anonymity to speak about private conversations, and no final decisions have been made on a supplemental package.

Kan. lawmakers demand: U.S.denies Iran access to $6 Billion in prisoner swap

WICHITA (AP) — A rare&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ring-of-fire-eclipse-what-to-know-df2bd3b1d69854421f241bf9b49cf123">“ring of fire” eclipse of the sun</a>&nbsp;cuts across the Americas on Saturday, stretching from Oregon to Brazil.

For the small towns and cities along its narrow path, there was a mix of excitement, worries about the weather and concerns they'd be overwhelmed by visitors flocking to see the celestial event, also called an annular solar eclipse.

Unlike a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/11d5c10bf3be44c994eedab6e39f4e6f">total solar eclipse</a>, the moon doesn’t completely cover the sun during a ring of fire eclipse. When the moon lines up between Earth and the sun, it leaves a bright, blazing border.

Saturday’s path: Oregon, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Texas in the U.S., with a sliver of California, Arizona and Colorado. Next: Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Brazil. Much of the rest of the Western Hemisphere gets a partial eclipse.

Viewing all depends on clear skies — part of the U.S. path could see clouds. NASA and other groups planned to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlY79zjud-Q&amp;ab_channel=NASA">livestream it</a>.

With a chance of rain in its forecast, the small town of Reedsport near Oregon's Pacific Coast moved its eclipse festival inside so that a bounce house and games wouldn’t get soaked in the mud.

"But we’re still hoping that we might get a glimpse of it,” said city official Rosa Solano.

Weather was less of a concern in tiny Baker, Nevada, where the population hovers around 100. Inn and general store owner Liz Woolsey made T-shirts and planned a slate of activities including a drum circle and a dance party. Her seven rooms have been booked for over a year.

“For a little place, we’re putting on a good show," said Woolsey, who became an eclipse enthusiast after seeing the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/11d5c10bf3be44c994eedab6e39f4e6f">2017 total solar eclipse</a>&nbsp;that swept the U.S. from coast to coast.

Tens of thousands could get a double treat in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For the city's annual air balloon fiesta, which ends this weekend, hundreds of colorful hot air balloons lift off around dawn, hours before the eclipse briefly dims the skies.

Colombia’s Tatacoa desert was playing host to astronomers helping a group of visually impaired people experience the eclipse through raised maps and temperature changes as the moon blots out the sun.

At the Cancun Planetarium, young visitors built box projectors to indirectly and safely view the ring of fire. The ancient Maya — who called eclipses “broken sun” — may have used dark volcanic glass to protect their eyes, said archeologist Arturo Montero of Tepeyac University in Mexico City.

Towns and national parks in the path braced for a huge throngs. Officials in Oregon's Klamath County urged residents to stock up on groceries and fill their gas tanks in case traffic backs up on its two-lane highways. Utah's Bryce Canyon expected Saturday to be the park's busiest day of the year, spokesperson Peter Densmore said. Brazil's Pedra da Boca state park, known for its rocky outcrops for climbing and rappelling was also expecting crowds.

The entire eclipse — from the moment the moon starts to obscure the sun until it’s back to normal — is 2 1/2 to three hours at any given spot. The ring of fire portion lasts from three to five minutes, depending on location.

Next April, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/where-to-see-2024-total-solar-eclipse-113061a08d63e579c698017312f7eea0">total solar eclipse</a>&nbsp;will crisscross the U.S. in the opposite direction. That one will begin in Mexico and go from Texas to New England before ending in eastern Canada.

The next ring of fire eclipse is in October next year at the southernmost tip of South America. Antarctica gets one in 2026. It will be 2039 before another ring of fire is visible in the U.S., and Alaska will be the only state in its direct path.

WICHITA (AP) — A rare&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ring-of-fire-eclipse-what-to-know-df2bd3b1d69854421f241bf9b49cf123">“ring of fire” eclipse of the sun</a>&nbsp;cuts across the Americas on Saturday, stretching from Oregon to Brazil.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A partial solar eclipse of the sun will occur late this morning across southwest KS. The obscuration of the sun by the moon will be anywhere between 70% at Hays to around 80% at Elkhart. Maximum eclipse of the sun across all of southwest KS will occur at 11:43 AM CDT. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://t.co/tHdzv2o4cn">pic.twitter.com/tHdzv2o4cn</a>&mdash; NWS Dodge City (@NWSDodgeCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSDodgeCity/status/1713160279167746121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>For the small towns and cities along its narrow path, there was a mix of excitement, worries about the weather and concerns they'd be overwhelmed by visitors flocking to see the celestial event, also called an annular solar eclipse.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Here&#39;s some additional information on the solar eclipse that will take place on Saturday. Additional safety info can be found here: <a href="https://t.co/1A6W8Iyjta">https://t.co/1A6W8Iyjta</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://t.co/iVJSCzgU15">pic.twitter.com/iVJSCzgU15</a>&mdash; NWS Wichita (@NWSWichita) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSWichita/status/1712999444734709954?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Unlike a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/11d5c10bf3be44c994eedab6e39f4e6f">total solar eclipse</a>, the moon doesn’t completely cover the sun during a ring of fire eclipse. When the moon lines up between Earth and the sun, it leaves a bright, blazing border.Saturday’s path: Oregon, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Texas in the U.S., with a sliver of California, Arizona and Colorado. Next: Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Brazil. Much of the rest of the Western Hemisphere gets a partial eclipse.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">As expected, we&#39;re waking up to widespread clouds across eastern Kansas this morning. This will unfortunately spoil our viewing of today&#39;s annular solar eclipse. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://t.co/UGGJt2DVSF">pic.twitter.com/UGGJt2DVSF</a>&mdash; NWS Topeka (@NWSTopeka) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSTopeka/status/1713189464254849381?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Viewing all depends on clear skies — part of the U.S. path could see clouds. NASA and other groups planned to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlY79zjud-Q&amp;ab_channel=NASA">livestream it</a>.With a chance of rain in its forecast, the small town of Reedsport near Oregon's Pacific Coast moved its eclipse festival inside so that a bounce house and games wouldn’t get soaked in the mud."But we’re still hoping that we might get a glimpse of it,” said city official Rosa Solano.Weather was less of a concern in tiny Baker, Nevada, where the population hovers around 100. Inn and general store owner Liz Woolsey made T-shirts and planned a slate of activities including a drum circle and a dance party. Her seven rooms have been booked for over a year.“For a little place, we’re putting on a good show," said Woolsey, who became an eclipse enthusiast after seeing the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/11d5c10bf3be44c994eedab6e39f4e6f">2017 total solar eclipse</a>&nbsp;that swept the U.S. from coast to coast.Tens of thousands could get a double treat in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For the city's annual air balloon fiesta, which ends this weekend, hundreds of colorful hot air balloons lift off around dawn, hours before the eclipse briefly dims the skies.Colombia’s Tatacoa desert was playing host to astronomers helping a group of visually impaired people experience the eclipse through raised maps and temperature changes as the moon blots out the sun.At the Cancun Planetarium, young visitors built box projectors to indirectly and safely view the ring of fire. The ancient Maya — who called eclipses “broken sun” — may have used dark volcanic glass to protect their eyes, said archeologist Arturo Montero of Tepeyac University in Mexico City.Towns and national parks in the path braced for a huge throngs. Officials in Oregon's Klamath County urged residents to stock up on groceries and fill their gas tanks in case traffic backs up on its two-lane highways. Utah's Bryce Canyon expected Saturday to be the park's busiest day of the year, spokesperson Peter Densmore said. Brazil's Pedra da Boca state park, known for its rocky outcrops for climbing and rappelling was also expecting crowds.The entire eclipse — from the moment the moon starts to obscure the sun until it’s back to normal — is 2 1/2 to three hours at any given spot. The ring of fire portion lasts from three to five minutes, depending on location.Next April, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/where-to-see-2024-total-solar-eclipse-113061a08d63e579c698017312f7eea0">total solar eclipse</a>&nbsp;will crisscross the U.S. in the opposite direction. That one will begin in Mexico and go from Texas to New England before ending in eastern Canada.The next ring of fire eclipse is in October next year at the southernmost tip of South America. Antarctica gets one in 2026. It will be 2039 before another ring of fire is visible in the U.S., and Alaska will be the only state in its direct path.

Rare 'ring of fire' solar eclipse Saturday

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services celebrated its 40th anniversary during a ceremony Friday in downtown Hays.

The ceremony included a prayer, reading of a proclamation by Hays Mayor Shaun Musil, a tree-lighting and unveiling of a commemorative quilt.

Options began with a group of volunteers from Goodland, Colby and Hays who were trying to rescue women from abusive relationships, often taking them into their own homes.

In 1983, volunteers from those three communities joined to form the Northwest Kansas Shelter, which is now Options.

"For 40 years now, we've been growing," Meagan Zampieri-Lillpopp, director of client services, said on the Post Podcast. "The more people seem to find out about us, the more we seem to be needed, which is frankly horrible and I don't really like that.

"I would like us to get so big that we work ourselves out of a job."

The celebration coincided with the annual Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697037393162.jpeg" alt="A participant in the Options 40th-anniversary celebration on Friday reads a silent witness display. The banner tells the story of a person who lost their life at the hands of their abuser.&nbsp; Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>A participant in the Options 40th-anniversary celebration on Friday reads a silent witness display. The banner tells the story of a person who lost their life at the hands of their abuser.&nbsp; Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="Options celebrates 40 years" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src=https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=3uta6-14c99e3-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=f6f6f6&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=315 loading="lazy"></iframe>

</div>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostOptions Domestic and Sexual Violence Services celebrated its 40th anniversary during a ceremony Friday in downtown Hays.The ceremony included a prayer, reading of a proclamation by Hays Mayor Shaun Musil, a tree-lighting and unveiling of a commemorative quilt.Options began with a group of volunteers from Goodland, Colby and Hays who were trying to rescue women from abusive relationships, often taking them into their own homes.In 1983, volunteers from those three communities joined to form the Northwest Kansas Shelter, which is now Options.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697035963231.jpeg" alt="Community members donated blocks for a quilt to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Options. The quilt was unveiled at a celebration on Friday in Hays.&nbsp;Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Community members donated blocks for a quilt to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Options. The quilt was unveiled at a celebration on Friday in Hays.&nbsp;Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>"For 40 years now, we've been growing," Meagan Zampieri-Lillpopp, director of client services, said on the Post Podcast. "The more people seem to find out about us, the more we seem to be needed, which is frankly horrible and I don't really like that."I would like us to get so big that we work ourselves out of a job."The celebration coincided with the annual Domestic Violence Awareness Month."Domestic Violence Awareness Month is about making the rest of the world a little bit safer for people who might not realize they're being abused, who might not have any examples of healthy relationships to see and who may not think they have anyone to turn to,"&nbsp;Zampieri-Lillpopp said.Options is encouraging people to light purple light bulbs in their homes, put an Options sign in their yard or wear purple during the month of October.Zampieri-Lillpopp said this lets people who are experiencing relationship violence know you are a safe person they can turn to.Allies can refer domestic violence victims to Options, which can help victims with safety planning and hopefully help them find a way out,&nbsp;Zampieri-Lillpopp said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697037221988.jpeg" alt="Options supporters light a purple tree to show solidarity with victims of domestic violence Friday in Hays. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Options supporters light a purple tree to show solidarity with victims of domestic violence Friday in Hays. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>You can walk into an Options office at 2716 Plaza, Hays, or&nbsp;1480 W. Fourth, Colby.&nbsp; You can call Options 24-hour helpline at 1-800-794-4624 or text HOPE to 847411.A live chat option or a virtual video conference with an advocate is available on the Options website at&nbsp;<a href="https://help4abuse.org/">https://help4abuse.org/</a>.The website has a safe escape button that will allow you to quickly close out of the website and erase your cookies so anyone who is on the computer after you will not be able to see that you have been on the website.Options has a free app for Android and Apple devices called "My Mobile Options."You can donate to help the Options online at&nbsp;<a href="https://help4abuse.org/donate/">https://help4abuse.org/donate/</a>.&nbsp; Donations can also be mailed to&nbsp;2716 Plaza, Hays, KS 67601.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697037283805.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>In light of Options' 40th anniversary, businesses in Hays are encouraged to donate $400 each to the organization as part of a "$400 at 40 campaign."Options has the following remaining events to honor Domestic Violence Awareness Month.• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday — Paint the Town Purple, art therapy event, Colby Community College Student Union • 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday —&nbsp; Paint the Town Purple, art therapy event, Union Pacific Park in Downtown Hays Oct. 19 - Wear Purple Day — Show your support for survivors of domestic violence by wearing purpleCut it Out training will be offered on Monday in Hays. It teaches salon staff to recognize signs of abuse and gives them tips on how to talk to their customers about getting help. See the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OptionsHays">Options Facebook page</a> to sign up.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697037541749.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697037603446.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>