By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Monday's high temperature in Hays tied a record for the date.

The mercury reached to 85 degrees yesterday, tying the high of 85 degrees for March 9 set back in 1989.

The <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/325dedcd-fadf-4104-9546-cfc9d2165a42">three-day weather forecast for Hays</a> is calling for temperatures to be about 15 degrees cooler today and even cooler on Wednesday as a cold front moves through, then back up into the low 70s on Thursday.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701959478623.jpeg" alt="Photo by Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostMonday's high temperature in Hays tied a record for the date.The mercury reached to 85 degrees yesterday, tying the high of 85 degrees for March 9 set back in 1989.The <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/325dedcd-fadf-4104-9546-cfc9d2165a42">three-day weather forecast for Hays</a> is calling for temperatures to be about 15 degrees cooler today and even cooler on Wednesday as a cold front moves through, then back up into the low 70s on Thursday.&nbsp;

Monday's temperature in Hays ties record high 

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

One school closure in a small Kansas school district is a big decision. Two closures is almost unheard of. Yet that’s the position in which the USD 112 Central Plains Board of Education found itself over the past three years. In January 2023, the board voted to close Wilson High School. At a special meeting on Feb. 23, the board voted 5-1 to close Wilson Elementary at the close of the 2025-26 school year. During a special meeting at Central Plains Elementary School on Jan. 21, Superintendent Bobby Murphy laid the groundwork for the decision.

“In 2022-23, there were 87 K-6 students,” Murphy said of the school. “In 2023-24, there were 75 students K-6. In 2024-25, there were 69 students. And at the beginning of this year, there were 66 students K-6. When we came after Christmas break on Jan. 12, we had 58 students K-6. We’re anticipating being close to the 50 number next year for our school enrollment at Wilson Elementary. If we do drop to that 50 mark for K-6 enrollment, that will mean our K-6 population dropped by 37 students over this span. That is a 42 percent drop in K-6 students, resulting in an estimated revenue loss of over $200,000 in funding.”

Murphy said superintendents from surrounding districts have reported they are transporting 28-35 students from Wilson and Dorrance to their schools. That figure does not include families who transport their own students out of the district. Even after absorbing two positions at the school, Wilson Elementary is spending $250,000-300,000 more than it receives in state-aid revenue. Last year, Wilson Elementary spent just over $28,000 per student, while the state average is just under $18,000 per student.

Another issue at play is the state funding formula regarding education. In 2018 and 2019, the Kansas Supreme Court issued rulings in the&nbsp;Gannon v. Kansas&nbsp;case, which found the state’s education funding to be equitable but inadequate. That oversight ended in 2024, which will change how schools are funded in future years.

At the Jan. 16 meeting, Murphy reported that approximately 70 percent of participating residents in Wilson and Dorrance agreed to close Wilson Elementary so the district could begin the process of a land transfer with several other area districts. Wilson resident Michelle Brokes asked if the closure could be delayed until the end of the 2026-27 school year. Denise Schmidt said the closure of a school should not define a community.

“Let’s remember that a school does not define your community,” she said. “The people in your community define your community. If you want to look at the very best example of that, we should look at the community of Bushton. When the teachers, staff members, and students left in May 2019, they had no idea they wouldn’t be coming back in August 2019. That community didn’t fold up. They took initiative, they were resilient, as Kansas people are, and they have developed a strong, thriving community, even with a school closing.”

No direct action was taken on the closure during the Jan. 16 meeting, but the board reconvened for another special meeting on Feb. 23 inside the Central Plains High School gymnasium. Murphy outlined the state statute at play to close a school building.

“The board of education of any unified school district, by adoption of a resolution, may close any school building at any time the board determines the building should be closed for the improvement of a school system of a unified school district,” he told the board. “The board of education may close more than one school building in one resolution. A resolution adopted pursuant to this section shall require a majority vote of the members of the board of education, and shall require no other approval.”

KSA 72-1431 also outlines the appeal process for a closing resolution. The State Board of Education will hold an administrative review if five percent of the district’s registered voters express dissatisfaction with the resolution. The appeal must be made within 45 days of the approval of the resolution, and the State Board will have 45 days to issue a non-binding opinion advising the local board to modify or rescind the resolution.

&nbsp;“I would anticipate, with the administrative review and finding the declining enrollment numbers, factored with the amount of residents who are choosing to transport their elementary school students to other students, coupled with the state-provoked public school funding challenges that are coming up, I don’t see any way an administrative review team would deem a closing resolution in this situation as anything but reasonable,” Murphy said. “But that’s just my opinion.”

The board voted 5-1 that evening to close Wilson Elementary at the close of the 2025-26 school year. Board Member Kayla Cullens was the lone dissenting vote.

“When you lose a school, you’re not just losing a building,” Cullens said. “You lose families, you lose jobs, you lose the economic impacts it has on your community. By closing the elementary, that’s going to be two schools in three years on that community. That’s a tough hit.”

Board Member Allison Gonzalez was part of the majority that voted in favor of the closure.

“It’s not easy to sit here and make decisions like this, and talk about things like this,” she said. “I think we all recognize the choices carry weight and affect the families, students, and staff of our entire community. Most of the feedback I have received tells me the residents of the community, from Wilson and Dorrance both, support pursuing the land transfer. I’ve been hearing that since I got on the board.

“At the same time, the potential receiving districts have made it clear that before we can have any meaningful discussions about a land transfer, the elementary school has to first be closed. If we’re serious about moving forward and working toward a land transfer, we have to take the necessary first step. For that reason, I believe it’s appropriate to close the building, effective at the end of this school year, so the discussions can begin, and we can move forward with planning.”

The USD 112 Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting Monday night. While no action was taken on the closure, the board did hear from a handful of concerned residents.

The late Donley Bristow coached and taught in Wilson for several years before retiring in 2001. His wife, Linda, spoke of the impact Wilson schools have had on many generations.

“This building is in good shape, and you want to close it,” she said. “It’s something to think about, putting kids on a bus in the early morning –they have no time to play in the evenings if they are on a bus. This school has taught a lot of kids, and they’ve done very well.”

Roberta Meier was a vocal opponent against the closure of Wilson High School in 2023. She cited many volunteer and youth-based organizations in Wilson that impact surrounding communities.

“This is going hurt not only the Wilson community, but the surrounding ones, as these volunteers, with their generous, helping hands, possibly have to go somewhere else.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773108094087.jpeg" alt="USD 112 Board meeting from youtube channel" />
 <figcaption>USD 112 Board meeting from youtube channel</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostOne school closure in a small Kansas school district is a big decision. Two closures is almost unheard of. Yet that’s the position in which the USD 112 Central Plains Board of Education found itself over the past three years. In January 2023, the board voted to close Wilson High School. At a special meeting on Feb. 23, the board voted 5-1 to close Wilson Elementary at the close of the 2025-26 school year. During a special meeting at Central Plains Elementary School on Jan. 21, Superintendent Bobby Murphy laid the groundwork for the decision.“In 2022-23, there were 87 K-6 students,” Murphy said of the school. “In 2023-24, there were 75 students K-6. In 2024-25, there were 69 students. And at the beginning of this year, there were 66 students K-6. When we came after Christmas break on Jan. 12, we had 58 students K-6. We’re anticipating being close to the 50 number next year for our school enrollment at Wilson Elementary. If we do drop to that 50 mark for K-6 enrollment, that will mean our K-6 population dropped by 37 students over this span. That is a 42 percent drop in K-6 students, resulting in an estimated revenue loss of over $200,000 in funding.”Murphy said superintendents from surrounding districts have reported they are transporting 28-35 students from Wilson and Dorrance to their schools. That figure does not include families who transport their own students out of the district. Even after absorbing two positions at the school, Wilson Elementary is spending $250,000-300,000 more than it receives in state-aid revenue. Last year, Wilson Elementary spent just over $28,000 per student, while the state average is just under $18,000 per student.Another issue at play is the state funding formula regarding education. In 2018 and 2019, the Kansas Supreme Court issued rulings in the&nbsp;Gannon v. Kansas&nbsp;case, which found the state’s education funding to be equitable but inadequate. That oversight ended in 2024, which will change how schools are funded in future years.At the Jan. 16 meeting, Murphy reported that approximately 70 percent of participating residents in Wilson and Dorrance agreed to close Wilson Elementary so the district could begin the process of a land transfer with several other area districts. Wilson resident Michelle Brokes asked if the closure could be delayed until the end of the 2026-27 school year. Denise Schmidt said the closure of a school should not define a community.“Let’s remember that a school does not define your community,” she said. “The people in your community define your community. If you want to look at the very best example of that, we should look at the community of Bushton. When the teachers, staff members, and students left in May 2019, they had no idea they wouldn’t be coming back in August 2019. That community didn’t fold up. They took initiative, they were resilient, as Kansas people are, and they have developed a strong, thriving community, even with a school closing.”No direct action was taken on the closure during the Jan. 16 meeting, but the board reconvened for another special meeting on Feb. 23 inside the Central Plains High School gymnasium. Murphy outlined the state statute at play to close a school building.“The board of education of any unified school district, by adoption of a resolution, may close any school building at any time the board determines the building should be closed for the improvement of a school system of a unified school district,” he told the board. “The board of education may close more than one school building in one resolution. A resolution adopted pursuant to this section shall require a majority vote of the members of the board of education, and shall require no other approval.”KSA 72-1431 also outlines the appeal process for a closing resolution. The State Board of Education will hold an administrative review if five percent of the district’s registered voters express dissatisfaction with the resolution. The appeal must be made within 45 days of the approval of the resolution, and the State Board will have 45 days to issue a non-binding opinion advising the local board to modify or rescind the resolution.&nbsp;“I would anticipate, with the administrative review and finding the declining enrollment numbers, factored with the amount of residents who are choosing to transport their elementary school students to other students, coupled with the state-provoked public school funding challenges that are coming up, I don’t see any way an administrative review team would deem a closing resolution in this situation as anything but reasonable,” Murphy said. “But that’s just my opinion.”The board voted 5-1 that evening to close Wilson Elementary at the close of the 2025-26 school year. Board Member Kayla Cullens was the lone dissenting vote.“When you lose a school, you’re not just losing a building,” Cullens said. “You lose families, you lose jobs, you lose the economic impacts it has on your community. By closing the elementary, that’s going to be two schools in three years on that community. That’s a tough hit.”Board Member Allison Gonzalez was part of the majority that voted in favor of the closure.“It’s not easy to sit here and make decisions like this, and talk about things like this,” she said. “I think we all recognize the choices carry weight and affect the families, students, and staff of our entire community. Most of the feedback I have received tells me the residents of the community, from Wilson and Dorrance both, support pursuing the land transfer. I’ve been hearing that since I got on the board.“At the same time, the potential receiving districts have made it clear that before we can have any meaningful discussions about a land transfer, the elementary school has to first be closed. If we’re serious about moving forward and working toward a land transfer, we have to take the necessary first step. For that reason, I believe it’s appropriate to close the building, effective at the end of this school year, so the discussions can begin, and we can move forward with planning.”The USD 112 Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting Monday night. While no action was taken on the closure, the board did hear from a handful of concerned residents.The late Donley Bristow coached and taught in Wilson for several years before retiring in 2001. His wife, Linda, spoke of the impact Wilson schools have had on many generations.“This building is in good shape, and you want to close it,” she said. “It’s something to think about, putting kids on a bus in the early morning –they have no time to play in the evenings if they are on a bus. This school has taught a lot of kids, and they’ve done very well.”Roberta Meier was a vocal opponent against the closure of Wilson High School in 2023. She cited many volunteer and youth-based organizations in Wilson that impact surrounding communities.“This is going hurt not only the Wilson community, but the surrounding ones, as these volunteers, with their generous, helping hands, possibly have to go somewhere else.”

USD 112 board returns to normal schedule after vote to close Wilson school

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (AP) — Vice President JD Vance joined the grieving family of a Kentucky man who was the seventh U.S. service member to die in combat during the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/iran-war-israel-trump-khamenei-03-09-2026">Iran war</a>&nbsp;as his remains were brought back to the U.S. Monday evening.

The dignified transfer, a solemn event that honors U.S. service members killed in action, took place at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware for Army Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, of Glendale, Kentucky. He died Sunday after being wounded during a March 1 attack on the Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, a Pentagon statement said.

Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth saluted alongside high ranking military officials as the transfer case draped with the American flag was carried from the military aircraft and into an awaiting vehicle.

Mike Bell, retired pastor of Glendale Christian Church, said he’d known Pennington since he was a toddler and got a call from Pennington's father when the soldier was hurt.

“I talked to Tim Saturday morning, and he was doing a little better, and they were talking about maybe moving him to Germany,” Bell said. Tim Pennington called again that evening, Bell said, to ask for prayers as his son's condition was worsening, and then later told him the soldier had succumbed to his injuries.

“He was just a quiet person,” said Bell, noting that Pennington attended the church’s after-school program. “I mean, he never attracted attention because he was just steady doing what he needed to do to do it.”

Pennington was assigned to the 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command based at Fort Carson, Colorado.

The unit’s mission focused on “missile warning, GPS, and long-haul satellite communications,” according to their website.

“This just breaks my heart,” Keith Taul, judge-executive of Hardin County, where Pennington was from, said in a statement emailed to The Associated Press. “I have known the family for at least 30 years. I can’t imagine the pain and suffering they are experiencing.”

Glendale is an unincorporated town of about 300 residents south of the Hardin County seat of Elizabethtown.

In a statement posted on social media, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear called Pennington “a hero who sacrificed everything serving our country.”

The other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-military-deaths-0a3f1532ec1953d51898e5b5e2b625d6">six service members killed</a>&nbsp;since the conflict began on Feb. 28 were Army reservists killed in Kuwait when an Iranian drone struck an operations center at a civilian port.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Saturday joined grieving families at Dover Air Force Base at the dignified transfer for those six U.S. soldiers.

The dignified transfer is considered one of the most somber duties of any commander in chief. During his first term, Trump said bearing witness to the transfer was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/united-states-government-ae37de2f1c6b450ab60ce236c8f04450">“the toughest thing I have to do”</a>&nbsp;as president.

Pennington graduated in 2017 from Central Hardin High School, where he was enrolled in the automotive technology pathway, district spokesman John Wright told the AP. Former automotive tech instructor Tom Pitt, who taught Pennington in 2017 at Hardin County Early College and Career Center, called him “an American hero.”

“A lot of times as a teacher, you have students who are smart, you have students who are charismatic, who are likable, dare I say, enchanting,” said Pitt, who called Pennington Nate. “Rarely do you have students who are all of those. And Ben Pennington was all of those. He was basically the quintessential all-American.”

Photos on his and family members' Facebook pages show that Pennington achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in August 2017. His Eagle project was the demolition of some old baseball dugouts in Glendale, said Darin Life, former committee chairman for Troop 221.

“If you look up Eagle Scout, his picture’s probably there,” said Life, who knew Pennington throughout his scouting career. “He loved his country. I would have expected nothing less of him than to lose his life protecting his country.”

A month after his Eagle ceremony, Pennington posted a photo of himself taking the oath of enlistment. He entered the service as a unit supply specialist and was assigned to the Space and Missile Command on June 10, 2025, the Army said in a release.

Among his awards and decorations were the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

“The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command is deeply saddened by the loss of Sgt. Pennington,” said Lt. Gen. Sean A. Gainey, USASMDC commanding general. “He gave the ultimate sacrifice for the country he loved.”

Col. Michael F. Dyer, 1st Space Brigade commander, described Pennington as “a dedicated and experienced noncommissioned officer who led with strength, professionalism and sense of duty.”

Pennington will be posthumously promoted to staff sergeant, the Pentagon said.

Associated Press reporters Konstantin Toropin in Washington, Hallie Golden in Seattle and Adrian Sainz in Memphis, Tennessee, contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773082135316.png" alt="Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington" />
 <figcaption>Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington</figcaption>
 </figure>By ALLEN G. BREED and DYLAN LOVAN&nbsp;ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (AP) — Vice President JD Vance joined the grieving family of a Kentucky man who was the seventh U.S. service member to die in combat during the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/iran-war-israel-trump-khamenei-03-09-2026">Iran war</a>&nbsp;as his remains were brought back to the U.S. Monday evening.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a> attends the dignified transfer of Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, an Army Space and Missile Defense Command soldier killed in Operation Epic Fury. May God grant eternal rest to this American hero, be with his family, and forever bless the United States of America. <a href="https://t.co/mvdgIAIojg">pic.twitter.com/mvdgIAIojg</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2031180782518014446?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The dignified transfer, a solemn event that honors U.S. service members killed in action, took place at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware for Army Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, of Glendale, Kentucky. He died Sunday after being wounded during a March 1 attack on the Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, a Pentagon statement said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773139493230.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth saluted alongside high ranking military officials as the transfer case draped with the American flag was carried from the military aircraft and into an awaiting vehicle.Mike Bell, retired pastor of Glendale Christian Church, said he’d known Pennington since he was a toddler and got a call from Pennington's father when the soldier was hurt.“I talked to Tim Saturday morning, and he was doing a little better, and they were talking about maybe moving him to Germany,” Bell said. Tim Pennington called again that evening, Bell said, to ask for prayers as his son's condition was worsening, and then later told him the soldier had succumbed to his injuries.“He was just a quiet person,” said Bell, noting that Pennington attended the church’s after-school program. “I mean, he never attracted attention because he was just steady doing what he needed to do to do it.”<h2>State and local officials grieve</h2>Pennington was assigned to the 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command based at Fort Carson, Colorado.The unit’s mission focused on “missile warning, GPS, and long-haul satellite communications,” according to their website.“This just breaks my heart,” Keith Taul, judge-executive of Hardin County, where Pennington was from, said in a statement emailed to The Associated Press. “I have known the family for at least 30 years. I can’t imagine the pain and suffering they are experiencing.”Glendale is an unincorporated town of about 300 residents south of the Hardin County seat of Elizabethtown.In a statement posted on social media, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear called Pennington “a hero who sacrificed everything serving our country.”<h2>Six other soldiers killed</h2>The other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-military-deaths-0a3f1532ec1953d51898e5b5e2b625d6">six service members killed</a>&nbsp;since the conflict began on Feb. 28 were Army reservists killed in Kuwait when an Iranian drone struck an operations center at a civilian port.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Saturday joined grieving families at Dover Air Force Base at the dignified transfer for those six U.S. soldiers.The dignified transfer is considered one of the most somber duties of any commander in chief. During his first term, Trump said bearing witness to the transfer was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/united-states-government-ae37de2f1c6b450ab60ce236c8f04450">“the toughest thing I have to do”</a>&nbsp;as president.<h2>‘An American hero’</h2>Pennington graduated in 2017 from Central Hardin High School, where he was enrolled in the automotive technology pathway, district spokesman John Wright told the AP. Former automotive tech instructor Tom Pitt, who taught Pennington in 2017 at Hardin County Early College and Career Center, called him “an American hero.”“A lot of times as a teacher, you have students who are smart, you have students who are charismatic, who are likable, dare I say, enchanting,” said Pitt, who called Pennington Nate. “Rarely do you have students who are all of those. And Ben Pennington was all of those. He was basically the quintessential all-American.”Photos on his and family members' Facebook pages show that Pennington achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in August 2017. His Eagle project was the demolition of some old baseball dugouts in Glendale, said Darin Life, former committee chairman for Troop 221.“If you look up Eagle Scout, his picture’s probably there,” said Life, who knew Pennington throughout his scouting career. “He loved his country. I would have expected nothing less of him than to lose his life protecting his country.”<h2>Awards and decorations</h2>A month after his Eagle ceremony, Pennington posted a photo of himself taking the oath of enlistment. He entered the service as a unit supply specialist and was assigned to the Space and Missile Command on June 10, 2025, the Army said in a release.Among his awards and decorations were the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.“The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command is deeply saddened by the loss of Sgt. Pennington,” said Lt. Gen. Sean A. Gainey, USASMDC commanding general. “He gave the ultimate sacrifice for the country he loved.”Col. Michael F. Dyer, 1st Space Brigade commander, described Pennington as “a dedicated and experienced noncommissioned officer who led with strength, professionalism and sense of duty.”Pennington will be posthumously promoted to staff sergeant, the Pentagon said.___Associated Press reporters Konstantin Toropin in Washington, Hallie Golden in Seattle and Adrian Sainz in Memphis, Tennessee, contributed to this report.

🎥Dignified transfer for 7th US service member to die in Iran conflict

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Fort Hays State University is launching two new interdisciplinary degree programs to prepare students for careers in crime investigation and leadership roles within faith-based nonprofits.

FHSU will be offering a new Bachelor of Science in Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation, and a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Education and Community Engagement.

The Kansas Board of Regents recently approved both programs, and they will be offered in person and online this fall.

Financial forensics and fraud investigation program

Jessica Heronemus-Claiborn, an accounting lecturer at FHSU, said the financial forensics and fraud investigation program was developed in response to student interest and workforce demand.

The program combines accounting and criminal justice, with an emphasis on fraud examination rather than traditional forensic accounting.

"You need a very deep understanding of accounting to do fraud examination, which is multidisciplinary. It happens in management, law enforcement, attorneys, accountants and social workers. ...&nbsp; Fraud is in so many fields, so we opted to go in that direction," Heronemus said.

Each year, students switch between accounting and criminal justice because neither major fully aligns with their career goals. Others pursue a double major to bridge the gap, but doing so can extend the time required to earn a degree and increase their course load.

Heronemus said the idea dates back about 20 years but has been delayed several times.&nbsp;It was approved in February following a collaboration between the accounting and criminal justice faculty.

"The whole idea behind the multi-disciplinary program was not to take the same pie, being that group of students, and just divide it into more pieces, but to actually grow the pie and offer students something they're not currently being offered," she said.

The program includes about 24 to 27 hours of free electives within the 120-hour degree. Students will learn how to investigate employee theft, consumer fraud, corporate fraud and insurance fraud, as well as evidence handling and fraud prevention.

The only two new courses being offered in the program are financial statement fraud and interview and interrogation techniques.

"Half the degree is really housed [at the FHSU Criminal Justice Department]. It's a footprint between two departments, which is really unique in academia. Fort Hays has been really good at innovations," Heronemus said.

Heronemus said the program prepares students for careers with agencies such as the KBI, FBI, IRS, FDIC and Homeland Security, as well as roles as prosecutors and cybersecurity investigators.

"There's not another institution in Kansas that offers this. There are very few institutions nationally that offer it," Heronemus said.

The criminal justice program already provides internships and partnerships that allow students to gain experience with law enforcement agencies. Heronemus said the new program aims to offer similar opportunities.

She added that letters of support for the program came from state-level law enforcement and prosecutors. She said there is a nationwide need for financial forensics and fraud investigators, including professionals who can help prevent fraud before it occurs.

"Fraud can be tricky. You have to learn how to think like a criminal," Heronemus said. "People with these degrees go into organizations and help build systems that are resilient to prevent fraud from happening in the first place."

Religious education and community engagement program

FHSU philosophy assistant professor Sammuel Byer said the religious education and community engagement program was created to address a gap identified through the Kansas Board of Regents and student interest.&nbsp;

The program is designed to be interdisciplinary and career-focused, combining religious and philosophical studies with coursework in leadership, sociology, nonprofit management, grant writing and marketing.

"Since our [philosophy] faculty, just as a matter of luck, happens to have several people who focus on religion of various sorts, we thought we could put something together in this area," Byer said.

He emphasized the program is not a religious studies degree and does not prepare students to become pastors or priests. Instead, it is designed for practical roles in churches and religious nonprofits, including religious education, youth work, administration and community outreach.

"It's like non-denominational religious work," Byer said.

Byer said philosophy faculty already have expertise in several areas of religion, but need to incorporate other skills required for supporting roles within religious organizations.

This is where Byer said the program draws on other departments across campus to offer courses, including sociology classes that examine how nonprofits operate and receive funding from the state and federal levels.

"That's not anything I know, but there are two courses that teach how to navigate nonprofits and how they function," he said. "We have other possible sociology courses that are focused on grant writing. ... Those courses would help an individual be equipped to do that."

The program also includes marketing electives, which Byer said can help organizations with advertising and social media.

"Again, in philosophy, we are not equipped to train students how to do that, but the marketing department is entirely focused on that. They have several courses that would be good for it," he said.

Students will complete 27 credit hours of required courses and 39 total major core hours, with flexible electives based on their career interests. Byer said the program is open to students of all faith traditions, though current coursework is somewhat geared toward a Christian background due to regional demand.

Byer said there is a need for professionals in these roles within churches and nonprofits. He said demand is expected to grow based on data and conversations with religious leaders.

"What they told us was they have this issue where if, for example, the youth minister at this church leaves, they fear that it's going to take a long time to get somebody to do this position," Byer said. "There's a need for this labor, but there is a  shortage of individuals who are both qualified and willing to do it."

Depending on their location, students will complete a required internship with a local organization, as the course is also offered online.

Byer said the ideal student for the program is someone passionate about serving their faith community.

"We're excited to try this, and we're open to continuing to find ways to improve it for students and for the communities that they'll be serving," he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623104185951.jpeg" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostFort Hays State University is launching two new interdisciplinary degree programs to prepare students for careers in crime investigation and leadership roles within faith-based nonprofits.FHSU will be offering a new Bachelor of Science in Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation, and a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Education and Community Engagement.The Kansas Board of Regents recently approved both programs, and they will be offered in person and online this fall.Financial forensics and fraud investigation programJessica Heronemus-Claiborn, an accounting lecturer at FHSU, said the financial forensics and fraud investigation program was developed in response to student interest and workforce demand.The program combines accounting and criminal justice, with an emphasis on fraud examination rather than traditional forensic accounting."You need a very deep understanding of accounting to do fraud examination, which is multidisciplinary. It happens in management, law enforcement, attorneys, accountants and social workers. ...&nbsp; Fraud is in so many fields, so we opted to go in that direction," Heronemus said.Each year, students switch between accounting and criminal justice because neither major fully aligns with their career goals. Others pursue a double major to bridge the gap, but doing so can extend the time required to earn a degree and increase their course load.Heronemus said the idea dates back about 20 years but has been delayed several times.&nbsp;It was approved in February following a collaboration between the accounting and criminal justice faculty."The whole idea behind the multi-disciplinary program was not to take the same pie, being that group of students, and just divide it into more pieces, but to actually grow the pie and offer students something they're not currently being offered," she said.The program includes about 24 to 27 hours of free electives within the 120-hour degree. Students will learn how to investigate employee theft, consumer fraud, corporate fraud and insurance fraud, as well as evidence handling and fraud prevention.The only two new courses being offered in the program are financial statement fraud and interview and interrogation techniques."Half the degree is really housed [at the FHSU Criminal Justice Department]. It's a footprint between two departments, which is really unique in academia. Fort Hays has been really good at innovations," Heronemus said.Heronemus said the program prepares students for careers with agencies such as the KBI, FBI, IRS, FDIC and Homeland Security, as well as roles as prosecutors and cybersecurity investigators."There's not another institution in Kansas that offers this. There are very few institutions nationally that offer it," Heronemus said.The criminal justice program already provides internships and partnerships that allow students to gain experience with law enforcement agencies. Heronemus said the new program aims to offer similar opportunities.She added that letters of support for the program came from state-level law enforcement and prosecutors. She said there is a nationwide need for financial forensics and fraud investigators, including professionals who can help prevent fraud before it occurs."Fraud can be tricky. You have to learn how to think like a criminal," Heronemus said. "People with these degrees go into organizations and help build systems that are resilient to prevent fraud from happening in the first place."Religious education and community engagement programFHSU philosophy assistant professor Sammuel Byer said the religious education and community engagement program was created to address a gap identified through the Kansas Board of Regents and student interest.&nbsp;The program is designed to be interdisciplinary and career-focused, combining religious and philosophical studies with coursework in leadership, sociology, nonprofit management, grant writing and marketing."Since our [philosophy] faculty, just as a matter of luck, happens to have several people who focus on religion of various sorts, we thought we could put something together in this area," Byer said.He emphasized the program is not a religious studies degree and does not prepare students to become pastors or priests. Instead, it is designed for practical roles in churches and religious nonprofits, including religious education, youth work, administration and community outreach."It's like non-denominational religious work," Byer said.Byer said philosophy faculty already have expertise in several areas of religion, but need to incorporate other skills required for supporting roles within religious organizations.This is where Byer said the program draws on other departments across campus to offer courses, including sociology classes that examine how nonprofits operate and receive funding from the state and federal levels."That's not anything I know, but there are two courses that teach how to navigate nonprofits and how they function," he said. "We have other possible sociology courses that are focused on grant writing. ... Those courses would help an individual be equipped to do that."The program also includes marketing electives, which Byer said can help organizations with advertising and social media."Again, in philosophy, we are not equipped to train students how to do that, but the marketing department is entirely focused on that. They have several courses that would be good for it," he said.Students will complete 27 credit hours of required courses and 39 total major core hours, with flexible electives based on their career interests. Byer said the program is open to students of all faith traditions, though current coursework is somewhat geared toward a Christian background due to regional demand.Byer said there is a need for professionals in these roles within churches and nonprofits. He said demand is expected to grow based on data and conversations with religious leaders."What they told us was they have this issue where if, for example, the youth minister at this church leaves, they fear that it's going to take a long time to get somebody to do this position," Byer said. "There's a need for this labor, but there is a shortage of individuals who are both qualified and willing to do it."Depending on their location, students will complete a required internship with a local organization, as the course is also offered online.Byer said the ideal student for the program is someone passionate about serving their faith community."We're excited to try this, and we're open to continuing to find ways to improve it for students and for the communities that they'll be serving," he said.

FHSU to offer degrees in fraud investigation, religious education this fall

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky man who joined the Army straight out of high school is the seventh U.S. service member to die in combat during the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/iran-war-israel-trump-khamenei-03-09-2026">Iran war</a>, the Pentagon announced Monday.

Army Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, of Glendale, Kentucky, died Sunday after being wounded during a March 1 attack on the Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, a Pentagon statement said.

“I talked to Tim Saturday morning, and he was doing a little better, and they were talking about maybe moving him to Germany,” Bell said. But he said Tim Pennington called again that evening to ask for prayers as his son's condition was worsening, and then later told him the soldier had succumbed to his injuries.

“He was just a quiet person,” said Bell, noting that Pennington attended the church’s after-school program. “I mean, he never attracted attention because he was just steady doing what he needed to do to do it. Does that make sense?”

The unit’s mission focused on “missile warning, GPS, and long-haul satellite communications” according to their website.

“This just breaks my heart,” Keith Taul, judge-executive of Hardin County, where Pennington was from, said in a written statement emailed to The Associated Press. “I have known the family for at least 30 years. I can’t imagine the pain and suffering they are experiencing. To lose a single service member is just a devastating blow. But when it is one of our own, we grieve as a community.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Saturday had joined grieving families at Dover Air Force Base at the dignified transfer for those six U.S. soldiers.

The dignified transfer, a ritual that returns the remains of U.S. service members killed in action, is considered one of the most somber duties of any commander in chief. During his first term, Trump said bearing witness to the transfer was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/united-states-government-ae37de2f1c6b450ab60ce236c8f04450">“the toughest thing I have to do”</a>&nbsp;as president.

“A lot of times as a teacher, you have students who are smart, you have students who are charismatic, who are likable, dare I say, enchanting,” said Pitt, who added that Pennington — whom he called Nate — was a Boy Scout. “Rarely do you have students who are all of those. And Ben Pennington was all of those. He was basically the quintessential all-American.”

Pennington enlisted that year as a unit supply specialist, and was assigned to the space and missile command on June 10, 2025, the Army said in a release.

“The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command is deeply saddened by the loss of Sgt. Pennington,” said Lt. Gen. Sean A. Gainey, USASMDC commanding general. “He gave the ultimate sacrifice for the country he loved. That makes him nothing less than a hero, and he will always be remembered that way. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.”

Associated Press reporters Konstantin Toropin in Washington and Adrian Sainz in Memphis, Tennessee, contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773082135316.png" alt="Army Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington" />
 <figcaption>Army Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington</figcaption>
 </figure>ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky man who joined the Army straight out of high school is the seventh U.S. service member to die in combat during the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/iran-war-israel-trump-khamenei-03-09-2026">Iran war</a>, the Pentagon announced Monday.Army Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, of Glendale, Kentucky, died Sunday after being wounded during a March 1 attack on the Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, a Pentagon statement said.Mike Bell, retired pastor of Glendale Christian Church, said he’d known Pennington since he was a toddler and got a call from Pennington's father when the soldier was hurt.“I talked to Tim Saturday morning, and he was doing a little better, and they were talking about maybe moving him to Germany,” Bell said. But he said Tim Pennington called again that evening to ask for prayers as his son's condition was worsening, and then later told him the soldier had succumbed to his injuries.“He was just a quiet person,” said Bell, noting that Pennington attended the church’s after-school program. “I mean, he never attracted attention because he was just steady doing what he needed to do to do it. Does that make sense?”Pennington was assigned to the 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command based at Fort Carson, Colorado.The unit’s mission focused on “missile warning, GPS, and long-haul satellite communications” according to their website.“This just breaks my heart,” Keith Taul, judge-executive of Hardin County, where Pennington was from, said in a written statement emailed to The Associated Press. “I have known the family for at least 30 years. I can’t imagine the pain and suffering they are experiencing. To lose a single service member is just a devastating blow. But when it is one of our own, we grieve as a community.”Glendale is an unincorporated town of about 300 residents south of the Hardin County seat of Elizabethtown.In a statement posted on social media, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear called Pennington “a hero who sacrificed everything serving our country.”The other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-military-deaths-0a3f1532ec1953d51898e5b5e2b625d6">six service members killed</a>&nbsp;since the conflict began on Feb. 28 were Army reservists killed in Kuwait when an Iranian drone struck an operations center at a civilian port.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Saturday had joined grieving families at Dover Air Force Base at the dignified transfer for those six U.S. soldiers.The dignified transfer, a ritual that returns the remains of U.S. service members killed in action, is considered one of the most somber duties of any commander in chief. During his first term, Trump said bearing witness to the transfer was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/united-states-government-ae37de2f1c6b450ab60ce236c8f04450">“the toughest thing I have to do”</a>&nbsp;as president.Pennington graduated in 2017 from Central Hardin High School, where he was enrolled in the automotive technology pathway, district spokesman John Wright told the AP. Former automotive tech instructor Tom Pitt, who taught Pennington in 2017 at Hardin County Early College and Career Center, called him “an American hero.”“A lot of times as a teacher, you have students who are smart, you have students who are charismatic, who are likable, dare I say, enchanting,” said Pitt, who added that Pennington — whom he called Nate — was a Boy Scout. “Rarely do you have students who are all of those. And Ben Pennington was all of those. He was basically the quintessential all-American.”Pennington enlisted that year as a unit supply specialist, and was assigned to the space and missile command on June 10, 2025, the Army said in a release.Among his awards and decorations were the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.“The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command is deeply saddened by the loss of Sgt. Pennington,” said Lt. Gen. Sean A. Gainey, USASMDC commanding general. “He gave the ultimate sacrifice for the country he loved. That makes him nothing less than a hero, and he will always be remembered that way. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.”Col. Michael F. Dyer, 1st Space Brigade commander, described Pennington as “a dedicated and experienced noncommissioned officer who led with strength, professionalism and sense of duty.”Pennington will be posthumously promoted to staff sergeant, the Pentagon said.___Associated Press reporters Konstantin Toropin in Washington and Adrian Sainz in Memphis, Tennessee, contributed to this report.

Pentagon IDs 7th U.S. soldier to die in Iran conflict

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market careened through a manic Monday, going from a steep early loss to a solid gain as worries turned into hope that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-march-9-2026-b2aa51ef51d4b57103ffee0c95bc2ff7">war with Iran</a>&nbsp;may not last that long.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/markets-oil-iran-trump-war-brent-72e8c9a29c2ba1fd761ee968f3d4e553">Oil prices</a>&nbsp;whipped from nearly $120 per barrel, their highest since 2022, back toward $90.

The S&amp;P 500 dropped as much as 1.5% in the morning before flipping to a gain of 0.8%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average clawed back a plunge of nearly 900 points to rise 239 points, or 0.5%, while the Nasdaq composite climbed 1.4%.

They’re the latest hour-to-hour swings to pummel financial markets because of the uncertainty about just how high oil prices will go and how long they will stay there because of disruptions to the energy industry in the Middle East. Markets made their remarkable reversals during the last hour of Wall Street’s trading after President Donald Trump told CBS News that he thinks “the war is very complete, pretty much.”

That calmed worries that had built earlier in the morning, when the price for a barrel of Brent crude, the international standard, briefly touched $119.50. It hadn’t been that expensive since the summer of 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine.

If oil prices stay very high for very long, households’ budgets already stretched by high inflation could break under the pressure. Companies, meanwhile, would see their own bills jump for fuel and to stock items on their store shelves or in their data warehouses. It all raises the possibility of a worst-case scenario for the global economy, “stagflation,” where growth stagnates and inflation remains high.

Concerns have focused in particular on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-strait-hormuz-us-protests-persian-gulf-db7159d715453977279ab9cfd918e6e4">Strait of Hormuz</a>, a narrow waterway off Iran’s coast that a fifth of the world’s oil sails through on a typical day. Iran had earlier threatened to set fire to ships sailing the strait.

If the strait remains closed for only a few weeks, the price of oil could push to $150 per barrel of higher, according to oil and gas strategists at Macquarie Research.

But oil prices pared their gains through the day, initially on talk that seven of the world’s largest economies could coordinate moves to push back on the spikes. They then slid sharply after CBS News said Trump said of Iran that “if you look, they have nothing left. There’s nothing left in a military sense.”

Trump also added that when it comes to the Strait of Hormuz, he’s “thinking about taking it over,” according to CBS.

A barrel of Brent crude pulled back to settle at $98.96 in the afternoon and then kept falling afterward below $90. A barrel of benchmark U.S. crude touched $119.48 during the morning, then pulled back to settle at $94.77 and then sank toward $85.

The U.S. stock market has a history of bouncing back relatively quickly from past military conflicts, as long as oil prices don’t stay too high for too long. Some professional investors continue to suggest that drops in prices for stocks could ultimately offer opportunities to buy them at cheaper levels before they rise again.

“We continue to believe that the current acute shortage of oil will be reversed in the coming months as new supply comes online and oil should drop significantly,” according to Sameer Samana, head of global equities and real assets at Wells Fargo Investment Institute.

Even with all the recent swings in the market, the S&amp;P 500 index that sits at the heart of many 401(k) accounts is still within 3% of its record set in January.

All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 55.97 points to 6,795.99. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 239.25 to 47,740.80, and the Nasdaq composite gained 308.27 to 22,695.95.

To be sure, prices could reverse again in the coming days given all the uncertainties about the war. That's what happened through the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-oil-gold-iran-trump-25fd9bfa1b20549a6cbbdee61b2ea05f">huge swings</a>&nbsp;that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-iran-oil-trump-c9a42448cbc7afc35e959dd444614aa0">rocked</a>&nbsp;Wall Street&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-oil-iran-1f7bf89b783a9ba731f4b25564bf80f8">last week</a>.

In stock markets abroad, where economies are more dependent on the import of oil and natural gas, stocks fell sharply before Trump’s comments were published. South Korea’s Kospi sank 6%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 tumbled 5.2% and France’s CAC 40 dropped 1%.

Trump’s comments came after he said late Sunday that high oil prices at the moment were worth the cost.

“Short term oil prices, which will drop rapidly when the destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over, is a very small price to pay for U.S.A., and World, Safety and Peace,” he said in a posting on his social media network.

In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.10% from 4.15% late Friday.

Worries about high inflation and oil prices are pushing upward on Treasury yields, and the 10-year yield briefly rose above 4.20% early Monday.

But worries about a potentially slowing economy are pulling downward at the same time. On Friday, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-unemployment-economy-inflation-trump-tariffs-075a0d33e0794b7c93b9b8a7302dab98">discouragingly weak report on the U.S. job market</a>&nbsp;showed that employers cut more jobs last month than they added.

Yields then slid late in the day when oil prices eased.

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market careened through a manic Monday, going from a steep early loss to a solid gain as worries turned into hope that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-march-9-2026-b2aa51ef51d4b57103ffee0c95bc2ff7">war with Iran</a>&nbsp;may not last that long.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/markets-oil-iran-trump-war-brent-72e8c9a29c2ba1fd761ee968f3d4e553">Oil prices</a>&nbsp;whipped from nearly $120 per barrel, their highest since 2022, back toward $90.The S&amp;P 500 dropped as much as 1.5% in the morning before flipping to a gain of 0.8%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average clawed back a plunge of nearly 900 points to rise 239 points, or 0.5%, while the Nasdaq composite climbed 1.4%.They’re the latest hour-to-hour swings to pummel financial markets because of the uncertainty about just how high oil prices will go and how long they will stay there because of disruptions to the energy industry in the Middle East. Markets made their remarkable reversals during the last hour of Wall Street’s trading after President Donald Trump told CBS News that he thinks “the war is very complete, pretty much.”That calmed worries that had built earlier in the morning, when the price for a barrel of Brent crude, the international standard, briefly touched $119.50. It hadn’t been that expensive since the summer of 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine.If oil prices stay very high for very long, households’ budgets already stretched by high inflation could break under the pressure. Companies, meanwhile, would see their own bills jump for fuel and to stock items on their store shelves or in their data warehouses. It all raises the possibility of a worst-case scenario for the global economy, “stagflation,” where growth stagnates and inflation remains high.Concerns have focused in particular on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-strait-hormuz-us-protests-persian-gulf-db7159d715453977279ab9cfd918e6e4">Strait of Hormuz</a>, a narrow waterway off Iran’s coast that a fifth of the world’s oil sails through on a typical day. Iran had earlier threatened to set fire to ships sailing the strait.If the strait remains closed for only a few weeks, the price of oil could push to $150 per barrel of higher, according to oil and gas strategists at Macquarie Research.But oil prices pared their gains through the day, initially on talk that seven of the world’s largest economies could coordinate moves to push back on the spikes. They then slid sharply after CBS News said Trump said of Iran that “if you look, they have nothing left. There’s nothing left in a military sense.”Trump also added that when it comes to the Strait of Hormuz, he’s “thinking about taking it over,” according to CBS.A barrel of Brent crude pulled back to settle at $98.96 in the afternoon and then kept falling afterward below $90. A barrel of benchmark U.S. crude touched $119.48 during the morning, then pulled back to settle at $94.77 and then sank toward $85.The U.S. stock market has a history of bouncing back relatively quickly from past military conflicts, as long as oil prices don’t stay too high for too long. Some professional investors continue to suggest that drops in prices for stocks could ultimately offer opportunities to buy them at cheaper levels before they rise again.“We continue to believe that the current acute shortage of oil will be reversed in the coming months as new supply comes online and oil should drop significantly,” according to Sameer Samana, head of global equities and real assets at Wells Fargo Investment Institute.Even with all the recent swings in the market, the S&amp;P 500 index that sits at the heart of many 401(k) accounts is still within 3% of its record set in January.All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 55.97 points to 6,795.99. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 239.25 to 47,740.80, and the Nasdaq composite gained 308.27 to 22,695.95.To be sure, prices could reverse again in the coming days given all the uncertainties about the war. That's what happened through the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-oil-gold-iran-trump-25fd9bfa1b20549a6cbbdee61b2ea05f">huge swings</a>&nbsp;that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-iran-oil-trump-c9a42448cbc7afc35e959dd444614aa0">rocked</a>&nbsp;Wall Street&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-oil-iran-1f7bf89b783a9ba731f4b25564bf80f8">last week</a>.In stock markets abroad, where economies are more dependent on the import of oil and natural gas, stocks fell sharply before Trump’s comments were published. South Korea’s Kospi sank 6%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 tumbled 5.2% and France’s CAC 40 dropped 1%.Trump’s comments came after he said late Sunday that high oil prices at the moment were worth the cost.“Short term oil prices, which will drop rapidly when the destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over, is a very small price to pay for U.S.A., and World, Safety and Peace,” he said in a posting on his social media network.In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.10% from 4.15% late Friday.Worries about high inflation and oil prices are pushing upward on Treasury yields, and the 10-year yield briefly rose above 4.20% early Monday.But worries about a potentially slowing economy are pulling downward at the same time. On Friday, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-unemployment-economy-inflation-trump-tariffs-075a0d33e0794b7c93b9b8a7302dab98">discouragingly weak report on the U.S. job market</a>&nbsp;showed that employers cut more jobs last month than they added.Yields then slid late in the day when oil prices eased.___

US stocks erase big early loss and rise after oil prices drop

The Ellis County Commission will consider the final draft of a community improvement district for Stonewood Estates North Addition during its 8:30 a.m. meeting on Tuesday.

A community improvement district is a designated area where property owners agree to pay additional taxes or fees to fund road improvements. Subdivision roads in Ellis County are normally not maintained by the county.

The petition includes an estimate of $95 per lot, per month, based on a 10-year tax-exempt bond, for the initial improvements and maintenance.

If approved, homeowners can begin to gather signatures to move forward with an improvement district.

Commissioners will receive an update on a $50,000 Local Environmental Protection Program septic grant. The program has expanded eligibility requirements for households seeking financial assistance to repair or replace failing septic systems.

• Discuss a proposal for a trial tire amnesty day at the county landfill in June. • Consider appointing a new member to the Joint Planning Commission to fill a vacancy • Ellis County Historical Society update&nbsp; • CASA of the High Plains update • Consider approving the 2025 annual noxious weed eradication progress report and the 2026 noxious weed management plan

You can view the full agenda <a href="https://www.ellisco.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03102026-735">here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684183971486.png" alt="Ellis County" />
 <figcaption>Ellis County</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostThe Ellis County Commission will consider the final draft of a community improvement district for Stonewood Estates North Addition during its 8:30 a.m. meeting on Tuesday.A community improvement district is a designated area where property owners agree to pay additional taxes or fees to fund road improvements. Subdivision roads in Ellis County are normally not maintained by the county.The petition includes an estimate of $95 per lot, per month, based on a 10-year tax-exempt bond, for the initial improvements and maintenance.If approved, homeowners can begin to gather signatures to move forward with an improvement district.Septic system grant updateCommissioners will receive an update on a $50,000 Local Environmental Protection Program septic grant. The program has expanded eligibility requirements for households seeking financial assistance to repair or replace failing septic systems.Other business• Discuss a proposal for a trial tire amnesty day at the county landfill in June. • Consider appointing a new member to the Joint Planning Commission to fill a vacancy • Ellis County Historical Society update&nbsp; • CASA of the High Plains update • Consider approving the 2025 annual noxious weed eradication progress report and the 2026 noxious weed management planYou can view the full agenda <a href="https://www.ellisco.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03102026-735">here</a>.

Ellis County Commission to consider improvement district for Stonewood Estates North Addition

On Feb. 16, Ellis City Council passed Ordinance 1504, permitting the use of Electric Scooters and Electric Bicycles in the city of Ellis. 

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GMFzfPs2f/">In this post</a>, you will find the ordinance's full text, a quick breakdown of what is and isn't allowed by this ordinance and other regulations that were included in the ordinance.

• Operation of electric scooters and electric bicycles on any street, highway, sidewalk, or roadway and on designated bicycle and multi-use paths within the city of Ellis.

• Operators younger than 16 must wear helmets when operating an electric scooter or electric bicycle.

• Operators must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and operate in a safe manner that does not endanger others or property. Operators must also issue an audible signal before overtaking pedestrians on sidewalks.

• When operating on a roadway and traveling slower than traffic, riders must travel as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable.

• Electric scooters and electric bicycles may not be operated on streets with a speed limit of 40 mph or greater.

• Operating an electric scooter or electric bicycle between dusk or 9 p.m. (whichever is earlier) and sunrise, even if equipped with a headlight or reflectors.

• Operating an electric scooter or electric bicycle at speeds greater than 20 mph.

• Carrying more persons than the electric scooter or electric bicycle was designed for.

• Attaching yourself or your electric scooter or electric bicycle to another moving vehicle.

• Operating an electric scooter or electric bicycle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Electric scooters and electric bicycles may not be parked in a manner that blocks pedestrian travel or creates a traffic hazard.

• Electric scooters and electric bicycles may not be parked in areas such as bus stops, loading zones, handicapped parking spaces, curb ramps, driveways, parking spaces, traffic lanes or building entrances.

Our community members are encouraged to review the full text of the ordinance accompanying this post. The goal of this ordinance is to allow electric scooters and electric bicycles to be used while promoting safe operation for riders, pedestrians and motorists alike. Please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with these regulations before riding. Parents are also encouraged to review these rules with their children.

The Ellis Police Department’s top priority will always be the safety of children and our community, and that priority applies to this ordinance as well. Our approach will be education before enforcement. 

If you'd prefer to have a physical copy of this ordinance to keep for yourself instead of having to refer back to this post, please stop into the city offices at 815 Jefferson St., and we will make a copy of the ordinance for you. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773080213537.jpg" alt="Courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>Ellis Police DepartmentOn Feb. 16, Ellis City Council passed Ordinance 1504, permitting the use of Electric Scooters and Electric Bicycles in the city of Ellis. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GMFzfPs2f/">In this post</a>, you will find the ordinance's full text, a quick breakdown of what is and isn't allowed by this ordinance and other regulations that were included in the ordinance.What is allowed:• Operation of electric scooters and electric bicycles on any street, highway, sidewalk, or roadway and on designated bicycle and multi-use paths within the city of Ellis.Restrictions and requirements:• Operators younger than 16 must wear helmets when operating an electric scooter or electric bicycle.• Operators must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and operate in a safe manner that does not endanger others or property. Operators must also issue an audible signal before overtaking pedestrians on sidewalks.• When operating on a roadway and traveling slower than traffic, riders must travel as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable.• Electric scooters and electric bicycles may not be operated on streets with a speed limit of 40 mph or greater.What is not allowed:• Operating an electric scooter or electric bicycle between dusk or 9 p.m. (whichever is earlier) and sunrise, even if equipped with a headlight or reflectors.• Operating an electric scooter or electric bicycle at speeds greater than 20 mph.• Carrying more persons than the electric scooter or electric bicycle was designed for.• Attaching yourself or your electric scooter or electric bicycle to another moving vehicle.• Operating an electric scooter or electric bicycle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.Parking restrictions:• Electric scooters and electric bicycles may not be parked in a manner that blocks pedestrian travel or creates a traffic hazard.• Electric scooters and electric bicycles may not be parked in areas such as bus stops, loading zones, handicapped parking spaces, curb ramps, driveways, parking spaces, traffic lanes or building entrances.Our community members are encouraged to review the full text of the ordinance accompanying this post. The goal of this ordinance is to allow electric scooters and electric bicycles to be used while promoting safe operation for riders, pedestrians and motorists alike. Please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with these regulations before riding. Parents are also encouraged to review these rules with their children.The Ellis Police Department’s top priority will always be the safety of children and our community, and that priority applies to this ordinance as well. Our approach will be education before enforcement. If you'd prefer to have a physical copy of this ordinance to keep for yourself instead of having to refer back to this post, please stop into the city offices at 815 Jefferson St., and we will make a copy of the ordinance for you. -Chief Smith

Ellis Police Department highlights new ordinance for electric scooters, bikes

JEFFERSON COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal accident that occurred just before 9p.m. Sunday in Jefferson&nbsp; County.

The Patrol reported a&nbsp;Honda UTV and a Polaris UTV were eastbound side-by-side on Half Mound Road at Coal Creek Road approximately 4 and one half miles north of Valley Falls. A rear passenger in one of the vehicles exited the vehicle while it was in motion and was struck and killed by the other vehicle.

Check the Post for additional detail as they are released by the KHP.

JEFFERSON COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal accident that occurred just before 9p.m. Sunday in Jefferson&nbsp; County.The Patrol reported a&nbsp;Honda UTV and a Polaris UTV were eastbound side-by-side on Half Mound Road at Coal Creek Road approximately 4 and one half miles north of Valley Falls. A rear passenger in one of the vehicles exited the vehicle while it was in motion and was struck and killed by the other vehicle.Check the Post for additional detail as they are released by the KHP.

KHP: Passenger dead after exiting moving vehicle

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 school board will consider bids for property north of the Felten Elementary School.

The  7.23 acres were appraised at $630,000. Bids were due to the school district by March 4.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/909a410b-bf64-406d-a98b-01417d221495">The school board approved the sale of the land at its Dec. 15 meeting.</a>

The board reserved the right to reject any bids.

The board will also consider approving language updates to administrators' and directors' contracts and extensions to those contracts.

Superintendent Ron Wilson will give an update on the O'Loughlin Elementary School construction project.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762804711884.jpeg" alt="The Hays USD 489 school district is selling 7.23 acres of land north of the former Hays Middle School football field. File photo" />
 <figcaption>The Hays USD 489 school district is selling 7.23 acres of land north of the former Hays Middle School football field. File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays USD 489 school board will consider bids for property north of the Felten Elementary School.The 7.23 acres were appraised at $630,000. Bids were due to the school district by March 4.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/909a410b-bf64-406d-a98b-01417d221495">The school board approved the sale of the land at its Dec. 15 meeting.</a>The board reserved the right to reject any bids.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773082475963.png" alt="The Hays USD 489 school district is selling 7.23 acres of land north of the former Hays Middle School football field. Hays USD 489" />
 <figcaption>The Hays USD 489 school district is selling 7.23 acres of land north of the former Hays Middle School football field. Hays USD 489</figcaption>
 </figure>ContractsThe board will also consider approving language updates to administrators' and directors' contracts and extensions to those contracts.Superintendent Ron Wilson will give an update on the O'Loughlin Elementary School construction project.

Hays USD 489 board to discuss land sale

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military said it killed six men Sunday in a strike on an alleged drug-smuggling vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean as part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-venezuela-drug-cartels-military-timeline-91e242e5c56eec39b6b7d72bf55dbd2d">Trump administration’s campaign</a>&nbsp;against alleged traffickers.

Sunday's attack brought the death toll to at least 157 people since the Trump administration began targeting those it calls “narcoterrorists” in small vessels in early September.

As with most of the military’s statements on the more than 40 known strikes in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, U.S. Southern Command said it targeted alleged drug traffickers along known smuggling routes. The military did not provide evidence that the vessel was ferrying drugs. It posted a video on X that showed a small boat being blown up as it floated on the water.

President Donald Trump has said the U.S. is in “armed conflict” with cartels in Latin America and has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-drugs-venezuela-911-hegseth-3db3aafed492556bb9ca7de855c4849e">justified the attacks</a>&nbsp;as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States. But his administration has offered little evidence to support its claims of killing “narcoterrorists.”

In a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-latin-america-china-d1cbf9af62f10e0644770f2e2b2bd791">meeting with Latin American leaders</a>&nbsp;on Saturday, Trump encouraged them to join the U.S. in taking military action against drug-trafficking cartels and transnational gangs, which he said pose an “unacceptable threat” to the region's national security.

To that end, Ecuador and the United States conducted military operations this past week against organized crime groups in the South American country.

With Saturday's gathering, Trump aimed to demonstrate that he remains committed to focusing U.S. foreign policy on the Western Hemisphere, even while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-march-8-2026-f0b20dbffaea9351ae1e54183ffe53ff">waging a war</a>&nbsp;on Iran that has had repercussions across the Middle East.

Critics&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-boat-strikes-drugs-25000-lives-c6e4c750b0dc6f15d397d598c9bd169f">have questioned the overall legality</a>&nbsp;of the boat strikes as well as their effectiveness, in part because the fentanyl behind many fatal overdoses is typically trafficked to the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-drug-smuggling-cocaine-coast-guard-caribbean-e10930a4c7e48eeb23816867e7987bcc">over land from Mexico</a>, where it is produced with chemicals imported from China and India.

The boat strikes also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-venezuela-boat-strikes-trump-6eaa178757a39803f0d4b5324dd43c1f">drew intense criticism</a>&nbsp;following the revelation that the military killed survivors of the very first boat attack with a follow-up strike. The Trump administration and many Republican lawmakers said it was legal and necessary, while Democratic lawmakers and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boat-strikes-survivors-hegseth-72b0a498ca08615b2589c772a1d9e642">legal experts said</a>&nbsp;the killings were murder, if not a war crime.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military said it killed six men Sunday in a strike on an alleged drug-smuggling vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean as part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-venezuela-drug-cartels-military-timeline-91e242e5c56eec39b6b7d72bf55dbd2d">Trump administration’s campaign</a>&nbsp;against alleged traffickers.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">On March 8, at the direction of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SOUTHCOM?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SOUTHCOM</a> commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known… <a href="https://t.co/hIXMDeDKK5">pic.twitter.com/hIXMDeDKK5</a>&mdash; U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/Southcom/status/2030800534052196608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Sunday's attack brought the death toll to at least 157 people since the Trump administration began targeting those it calls “narcoterrorists” in small vessels in early September.As with most of the military’s statements on the more than 40 known strikes in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, U.S. Southern Command said it targeted alleged drug traffickers along known smuggling routes. The military did not provide evidence that the vessel was ferrying drugs. It posted a video on X that showed a small boat being blown up as it floated on the water.President Donald Trump has said the U.S. is in “armed conflict” with cartels in Latin America and has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-drugs-venezuela-911-hegseth-3db3aafed492556bb9ca7de855c4849e">justified the attacks</a>&nbsp;as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States. But his administration has offered little evidence to support its claims of killing “narcoterrorists.”In a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-latin-america-china-d1cbf9af62f10e0644770f2e2b2bd791">meeting with Latin American leaders</a>&nbsp;on Saturday, Trump encouraged them to join the U.S. in taking military action against drug-trafficking cartels and transnational gangs, which he said pose an “unacceptable threat” to the region's national security.To that end, Ecuador and the United States conducted military operations this past week against organized crime groups in the South American country.With Saturday's gathering, Trump aimed to demonstrate that he remains committed to focusing U.S. foreign policy on the Western Hemisphere, even while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-march-8-2026-f0b20dbffaea9351ae1e54183ffe53ff">waging a war</a>&nbsp;on Iran that has had repercussions across the Middle East.Critics&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-boat-strikes-drugs-25000-lives-c6e4c750b0dc6f15d397d598c9bd169f">have questioned the overall legality</a>&nbsp;of the boat strikes as well as their effectiveness, in part because the fentanyl behind many fatal overdoses is typically trafficked to the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-drug-smuggling-cocaine-coast-guard-caribbean-e10930a4c7e48eeb23816867e7987bcc">over land from Mexico</a>, where it is produced with chemicals imported from China and India.The boat strikes also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-venezuela-boat-strikes-trump-6eaa178757a39803f0d4b5324dd43c1f">drew intense criticism</a>&nbsp;following the revelation that the military killed survivors of the very first boat attack with a follow-up strike. The Trump administration and many Republican lawmakers said it was legal and necessary, while Democratic lawmakers and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boat-strikes-survivors-hegseth-72b0a498ca08615b2589c772a1d9e642">legal experts said</a>&nbsp;the killings were murder, if not a war crime.

🎥US military kills 6 in new strike on drug boat in the Eastern Pacific

Sculptor Pete Felten was remembered by the Hays community during his celebration of life on Sunday.

The event was at the Ellis County Historical Society and began with a public reception featuring Felten exhibits and displays. Attendees visited and reflected on Felten’s impact on Kansas.

Brenda Meder, former Hays Arts Council director, opened the tribute by reading several statements on Felten's passing, including remarks from&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/15976726-4296-4743-95e6-b30f1d0674c6">U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran</a>&nbsp;and Gov. Laura Kelly, <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/d978febe-e1d6-4305-8c11-24284affb882">who awarded Felten with a legacy award shortly before his death.</a>

"He was thoughtful, creative and technically very proficient," Meder said.

Felten died in February at Hays Medical Center, surrounded by family, friends and fellow artists. He was 92.

After graduating from Hays High School and serving four years in the U.S. Navy, Felten attended Fort Hays State University but left in 1957 to pursue sculpture, beginning a career that spanned almost 70 years.

His first commissioned work was a bust of Buffalo Bill Cody in 1961, placed in front of the Hays Public Library. His most prominent sculptures are the four eight-foot-tall limestone portraits of Amelia Earhart, William Allen White, Arthur Capper and Dwight Eisenhower in the Kansas Capitol rotunda.

Ellis County alone has about 30 public Felten sculptures. Hundreds of other works are in public and private collections across Kansas and beyond.

Bruce Burkholder, a close friend of Felten and a fellow artist, shared how he first met Felten and recounted a time when Felten intervened during his suicide attempt.

"In 1985, I was going through a personal time in my life. ... Pete came by and saw me with razorblades. He saved my life, and I want to make sure I give back to him," Burkholder said.

Jean Stramel, a friend and supporter of Felten’s work, described him as a historian and documentarian who photographed buildings, churches, schools, animals and events in Hays.

"He has photo albums full of all these pictures. These will either go to the Historical Society or into his archives," she said. "The process of sorting out his house has begun."

Stramel said Felten kept 66 photo albums dating from 1956 to 2018, some documenting trips he took, including one to California. She also shared how she met Felten and became involved in Hays’ local art scene.

Michael Jilg, a fellow Hays artist and friend, acknowledged Felten’s impact on the community and said he hopes the community will give back in return.

Contributions to the Felten Legacy Fund are accepted through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandCF?__cft__[0]=AZZi369okAhp8AG1kf7bR2tAIFfL9RB9jMd2xLEh5fR_ttlJBlztFKFJaNfctfGcMAxaOF4Fr6kCj2fK1584jfF_TnDX3uBNAgyMQ92oZQI6p2LUsSS09QGKVF3quj_fxEBzEUT1BCq_CxxFUgEdvbDNqOoxIn6fRewKGaps2sHZEA&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Heartland Community Foundation</a>. They will be used to turn Felten's Stone Gallery, 107 1/2 Sixth St., and workshop into a museum.

Upon his death, his gallery and workshop were willed to the Ellis County Historical Society.

Donate online here&nbsp;<a href="https://tinyurl.com/ywfpju6n?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBEycGozRlRTZG0yQ3ZLcGF1OHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR45AWgG02wsxKnzJyrFi4t5I3Jlvg7wevlbuGsD6jwDuJF3Zfz_5KrfxnS_nA_aem_9SeCaU-eivfC1Zsbt2NcAw" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/ywfpju6n</a>&nbsp;or mail your gift to PO Box 1673, Hays, KS, 67601. Please note “Pete Felten Legacy Fund” in the memo or Pete Felten Memorial.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773008588227.jpeg" alt="Attendees filling up two floors at the Ellis County Historical Society for artist Pete Felten's celebration of life. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Attendees filling up two floors at the Ellis County Historical Society for artist Pete Felten's celebration of life. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostSculptor Pete Felten was remembered by the Hays community during his celebration of life on Sunday.The event was at the Ellis County Historical Society and began with a public reception featuring Felten exhibits and displays. Attendees visited and reflected on Felten’s impact on Kansas.Brenda Meder, former Hays Arts Council director, opened the tribute by reading several statements on Felten's passing, including remarks from&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/15976726-4296-4743-95e6-b30f1d0674c6">U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran</a>&nbsp;and Gov. Laura Kelly, <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/d978febe-e1d6-4305-8c11-24284affb882">who awarded Felten with a legacy award shortly before his death.</a>"He was thoughtful, creative and technically very proficient," Meder said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770137535772.jpeg" alt="Pete Felten. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Pete Felten. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773008706149.jpeg" alt="The last buffalo carved by Pete Felten. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The last buffalo carved by Pete Felten. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773008731393.jpeg" alt="A sculpture piece created for the 75th anniversary of Washington Grade School in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A sculpture piece created for the 75th anniversary of Washington Grade School in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773008751527.jpeg" alt="Several art pieces belonging to Pete Felten on display at his celebration of life. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Several art pieces belonging to Pete Felten on display at his celebration of life. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Felten died in February at Hays Medical Center, surrounded by family, friends and fellow artists. He was 92.After graduating from Hays High School and serving four years in the U.S. Navy, Felten attended Fort Hays State University but left in 1957 to pursue sculpture, beginning a career that spanned almost 70 years.His first commissioned work was a bust of Buffalo Bill Cody in 1961, placed in front of the Hays Public Library. His most prominent sculptures are the four eight-foot-tall limestone portraits of Amelia Earhart, William Allen White, Arthur Capper and Dwight Eisenhower in the Kansas Capitol rotunda.Ellis County alone has about 30 public Felten sculptures. Hundreds of other works are in public and private collections across Kansas and beyond.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773008854137.jpeg" alt="Four small-sized statues of his well-known 2,000-pound statues of&nbsp;William Allen White,&nbsp;Arthur Capper,&nbsp;Amelia Earhart and&nbsp;Dwight Eisenhower at Topeka. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Four small-sized statues of his well-known 2,000-pound statues of&nbsp;William Allen White,&nbsp;Arthur Capper,&nbsp;Amelia Earhart and&nbsp;Dwight Eisenhower at Topeka. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773008822780.jpeg" alt="Several of Pete Felten's art pieces, including his first carving, an Abraham Lincoln portrait that he made in 1957. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Several of Pete Felten's art pieces, including his first carving, an Abraham Lincoln portrait that he made in 1957. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773008886812.jpeg" alt="Several replica art pieces made by Pete Felten that can be found in Kansas. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Several replica art pieces made by Pete Felten that can be found in Kansas. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773008906351.jpeg" alt="Pete Felten's 1978 Buffalo in Denim. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Pete Felten's 1978 Buffalo in Denim. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Bruce Burkholder, a close friend of Felten and a fellow artist, shared how he first met Felten and recounted a time when Felten intervened during his suicide attempt."In 1985, I was going through a personal time in my life. ... Pete came by and saw me with razorblades. He saved my life, and I want to make sure I give back to him," Burkholder said.Jean Stramel, a friend and supporter of Felten’s work, described him as a historian and documentarian who photographed buildings, churches, schools, animals and events in Hays."He has photo albums full of all these pictures. These will either go to the Historical Society or into his archives," she said. "The process of sorting out his house has begun."Stramel said Felten kept 66 photo albums dating from 1956 to 2018, some documenting trips he took, including one to California. She also shared how she met Felten and became involved in Hays’ local art scene.Michael Jilg, a fellow Hays artist and friend, acknowledged Felten’s impact on the community and said he hopes the community will give back in return.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773008993196.jpeg" alt="The Stone Gallery. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The Stone Gallery. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773009013715.jpeg" alt="Pete Felten's workshop and his father's office. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Pete Felten's workshop and his father's office. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Contributions to the Felten Legacy Fund are accepted through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandCF?__cft__[0]=AZZi369okAhp8AG1kf7bR2tAIFfL9RB9jMd2xLEh5fR_ttlJBlztFKFJaNfctfGcMAxaOF4Fr6kCj2fK1584jfF_TnDX3uBNAgyMQ92oZQI6p2LUsSS09QGKVF3quj_fxEBzEUT1BCq_CxxFUgEdvbDNqOoxIn6fRewKGaps2sHZEA&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Heartland Community Foundation</a>. They will be used to turn Felten's Stone Gallery, 107 1/2 Sixth St., and workshop into a museum.Upon his death, his gallery and workshop were willed to the Ellis County Historical Society.Donate online here&nbsp;<a href="https://tinyurl.com/ywfpju6n?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBEycGozRlRTZG0yQ3ZLcGF1OHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR45AWgG02wsxKnzJyrFi4t5I3Jlvg7wevlbuGsD6jwDuJF3Zfz_5KrfxnS_nA_aem_9SeCaU-eivfC1Zsbt2NcAw" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/ywfpju6n</a>&nbsp;or mail your gift to PO Box 1673, Hays, KS, 67601. Please note “Pete Felten Legacy Fund” in the memo or Pete Felten Memorial.Attendees were also welcome to an open house at the gallery and Felten's studio.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/f8028923-65bd-48c2-b29d-d2a1cb622950">SEE RELATED STORY: A legacy carved in stone: Hays community remembers artist Pete Felten</a>