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Photo gallery: FrostFest parade

By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER Hays Post

LIBERAL - Hays High continued their early season play with their first conference games of the season, traveling to Liberal on Tuesday

GIRLS: #8-5A Hays 77, #6-6A Liberal 50 Liberal was the first team to put Hays into a deficit scoring the first two points of the game on a pair of free throws. It was the only time the Indians trailed on their way to a 77-50 win. Hays scored the next eight points to lead 8-2. Liberal responded with five straight points but never took the lead.

The Indians went on a 15-2 first quarter run to push their advantage to 23-9 with two minutes left in the first quarter. Hays led 25-12 at the first quarter break then added the first two points of the second quarter to lead by 15.

Liberal slowly chipped away at the lead and closed within five before Hays led 38-31 at halftime.

Hays was never threatened in the second half outscoring Liberal by 20. A 12-2 third quarter run built the Indian advantage to 22 with 1:20 left. Hays led 59-42 after three quarter then outscored Liberal 18-8 in the fourth for the 77-50 win.

Zoe Winter led the Indians with a season high 13 points. Shamari Lewis led Liberal at 19 points.

The Indians are 4-0, 1-0. Liberal drops to 2-1, 0-1. Hays has won 12 straight Western Athletic Conference games. The 77 points is the most scored by Hays since 73 points in 2019.

Jenna Schmeidler 8; Annie Humphrey 3; Katie Linenberger 10; Molly Martin 9; Kenlee Winter 10; Morgan Armbruster 0; Jaysa Roa 3; Kinslee Newell 0; Riley Dreher 5; Lynsi Kanak 8; Molly Buckles 9; Zoe Winter 13; Liz Cunningham 0; Rylen Harrington 0.

BOYS: Hays 70, Liberal 34 Hays scored the first seven points of the game and never trailed on their way to a 70-34 win on the road over Liberal.

The Redskins never got closer than three at 7-4. A 10-3 run midway through first quarter put the Indians up 17-7 with a minute left in the quarter.

Hays led 19-8 after one quarter and scored the first four points of the second for a 23-8 advantage. The Indians led by 17 twice in the second quarter. The second time was 29-12 with 5:00 left before halftime. The Indians though didn't score for the next four minutes.&nbsp;

Their defense though gave up just five points in that same stretch. Hays led 36-20 at halftime after a 7-4 spurt to end the half.

Hays was never threatened in the second half. The Indians outscored Liberal 24-7 in the third quarter. They hit five of eight threes in that stretch.

The continuous clock fourth quarter saw Hays empty their bench and win 70-34.

Hays was led by the 17 of Dawson Ruder who has scored in double figures in all four games. The Indians are 3-1, 1-0. Liberal drops to 1-2, 0-1.

The Indians play at home on Friday against Junction City.

Carter Lan 4; Johnny Cano 10; Trace Jacobs 6; Cooper Lindenmeyer 2; Brogan Albers 0; Trey Oakley 3; Tiger Johnson 14; Brody Harmoney 2; Izaac Fox 7; Noah Smalley 0; Brecken Otte 2; Dawson Ruder 17; Alex Loving 4.

By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER Hays PostLIBERAL - Hays High continued their early season play with their first conference games of the season, traveling to Liberal on TuesdayGIRLS: #8-5A Hays 77, #6-6A Liberal 50 Liberal was the first team to put Hays into a deficit scoring the first two points of the game on a pair of free throws. It was the only time the Indians trailed on their way to a 77-50 win. Hays scored the next eight points to lead 8-2. Liberal responded with five straight points but never took the lead.The Indians went on a 15-2 first quarter run to push their advantage to 23-9 with two minutes left in the first quarter. Hays led 25-12 at the first quarter break then added the first two points of the second quarter to lead by 15.Liberal slowly chipped away at the lead and closed within five before Hays led 38-31 at halftime.Highlights<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1980059415&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/hhs-wbkb-highlights-vs-liberal-dec-10th-224" title="HHS WBKB Highlights Vs Liberal (Dec 10th 224)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">HHS WBKB Highlights Vs Liberal (Dec 10th 224)</a></div></div>Hays was never threatened in the second half outscoring Liberal by 20. A 12-2 third quarter run built the Indian advantage to 22 with 1:20 left. Hays led 59-42 after three quarter then outscored Liberal 18-8 in the fourth for the 77-50 win.Coach Len Melvin<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1980058387&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/len-melvin-postgame-interview-vs-liberal-dec-10th-24" title="Len Melvin Postgame Interview Vs Liberal (Dec 10th 24)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Len Melvin Postgame Interview Vs Liberal (Dec 10th 24)</a></div></div>Zoe Winter led the Indians with a season high 13 points. Shamari Lewis led Liberal at 19 points.The Indians are 4-0, 1-0. Liberal drops to 2-1, 0-1. Hays has won 12 straight Western Athletic Conference games. The 77 points is the most scored by Hays since 73 points in 2019.Jenna Schmeidler 8; Annie Humphrey 3; Katie Linenberger 10; Molly Martin 9; Kenlee Winter 10; Morgan Armbruster 0; Jaysa Roa 3; Kinslee Newell 0; Riley Dreher 5; Lynsi Kanak 8; Molly Buckles 9; Zoe Winter 13; Liz Cunningham 0; Rylen Harrington 0.BOYS: Hays 70, Liberal 34 Hays scored the first seven points of the game and never trailed on their way to a 70-34 win on the road over Liberal.The Redskins never got closer than three at 7-4. A 10-3 run midway through first quarter put the Indians up 17-7 with a minute left in the quarter.Hays led 19-8 after one quarter and scored the first four points of the second for a 23-8 advantage. The Indians led by 17 twice in the second quarter. The second time was 29-12 with 5:00 left before halftime. The Indians though didn't score for the next four minutes.&nbsp;Their defense though gave up just five points in that same stretch. Hays led 36-20 at halftime after a 7-4 spurt to end the half.Highlights<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1980062355&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/hhs-mbkb-highlights-vs-liberal-dec-10th-24" title="HHS MBKB Highlights Vs Liberal (Dec 10th 24)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">HHS MBKB Highlights Vs Liberal (Dec 10th 24)</a></div></div>Hays was never threatened in the second half. The Indians outscored Liberal 24-7 in the third quarter. They hit five of eight threes in that stretch.The continuous clock fourth quarter saw Hays empty their bench and win 70-34.Coach Sean Dreiling<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1980062815&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/sean-drieiling-postgame-interview-vs-liberal-dec-10th-24" title="Sean Drieiling Postgame Interview Vs Liberal (Dec 10th 24)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Sean Drieiling Postgame Interview Vs Liberal (Dec 10th 24)</a></div></div>Hays was led by the 17 of Dawson Ruder who has scored in double figures in all four games. The Indians are 3-1, 1-0. Liberal drops to 1-2, 0-1.The Indians play at home on Friday against Junction City.Carter Lan 4; Johnny Cano 10; Trace Jacobs 6; Cooper Lindenmeyer 2; Brogan Albers 0; Trey Oakley 3; Tiger Johnson 14; Brody Harmoney 2; Izaac Fox 7; Noah Smalley 0; Brecken Otte 2; Dawson Ruder 17; Alex Loving 4.

🏀 Hays sweeps WAC openers in Liberal

The Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association has released its first set of regular-season rankings.

Class 5A Boys: 1. Goddard 2. Blue Valley SW 3. Bishop Carroll 4. Basehor-Linwood 5. St. Thomas Aquinas 6. Andover 7. Valley Center 8. Lansing 9. Salina Central 10. Newton

175 -&nbsp;4. Johnny Rigler, Jr., Hays 190 - 4. Dalton Meyers, Sr. , Hays (No. 10 all-class)

Class 5A Girls 1. Basehor-Linwood 2. Shawnee Heights 3. Newton 4. Bonner Springs 5. Pittsburg 6. Topeka Seaman 7. Hays 8. Blue Valley Southwest 9. Emporia 10. Great Bend

125 - 5. Reese Vehige, Jr., Hays 135 - 2. Tionna Napue, Sr., Hays (8th all-class) 145 - 2. Timber Lovewell, So., Hays 155 -&nbsp;4. Lexi Barnett, Jr., Hays

Class 3-2-1A Boys 1. Hoxie 2. Phillipsburg 3. Norton 4. Russell 5. Council Grove 6. Atchison County 7. Beloit 8. Bluestem 9. West Franklin 10. Herington

106 1. Kaleb Keiswetter, So., Norton &nbsp;5. Xzander Donner, Fr., Russell &nbsp;6. Gunenr Wente, Jr., Hoxie

113 1. Tate Blackwill, Sr., Quinter (9th all-class) 2. Xzephren Donner, Jr., Russell (6th all-class at 106)

120 1. Ian Giancola, Jr., Hoxie (3rd all-class)

132 2. Kaden Sisson, Sr., Phillipsburg 6. Ayston Kats, Jr., Norton 138 5. Hunter Sisson, Sr., Phillipsburg 6. Ashtron Wynn, Jr., Trego

144 1. Brennen Pfannenstiel, Sr., Norton 2. Seth Keeten, Sr., Phillipsburg 5. Giovanny Gomez, Sr., Hoxie

150 1. Cole Keeten, Sr., Phillipsburg

157 2. Blake Buresch, Sr., Phillipsburg 5. Jaxson Smith, Fr., Hill City 6. Emerson Lowry, Sr., Stockton

165 1. Duncan Bell, Sr. Hoxie (8th all-class) 2. Teagen Pfeifer, Sr., Russell

175 1. Easton Nickelson, Sr., Hoxie (6th all-class) 2. Brayden Suchy, Sr., Russell 3. Dayton Stephens, Sr., Hill City 4. Kayden Hudson, St., Phillipsburg 6. Kaiden Schultze, Jr., Osborne

190 1. Samuel Watkins, Sr., Hoxie (2nd all-class)

285 1. Kharson Montgomery, Jr., Smith Center (6th all-class) 2. Corbin Puga, Sr. Norton (3rd all class)

Class 3-2-1A Girls 1. Oakley 2. Russell 3. Plainville 4. Norton 5. Larned 6. Stockton 7. Ellinwood 8. Lakin 9. Hoisington 10. Douglass

100 1. Carolina Northrup, Jr., Stockton (7th all-class) 3. Allison Quintana, So., Norton 5. Stephanie King, So., Russell

105 2. Keleigh Ochoa, Fr., Smith Center (9th all-class) 4. Kya Bell, Fr., Hill City 5. Madison Rayburn, So., Russell

125 3. Josie Bell, So., Hoxie (9th all-class) 4. Taryn Beiker, Jr., Plainville 6. Chaysei Bachman, So., Russell

130 1. Ashlyn Hahn, Sr., Stockton 2. Averie Counts, Fr., Russell 4. Annika Dietz, So. Trego 6. Isabella Garrity, Sr., Norton

135 3. Kinsey Zorn, So., Russell 6. Cheyenne Knoll, Jr., Osborne

140 2. Ella Normandin, Sr., Plainville &nbsp;4. Halle Pfannenstiel, Fr., Norton &nbsp;6. Maleah Vine, Sr., Ellis

145 1. Jaden Ney, Sr., Russell (1st all-class) 2. Zoe Brown, Sr., Plainville (6th all-class)

155 3. Lillian Garcia, So., Plainville 5. Jonna Ebner, Jr., Phillipsburg

190 2. Caydence Carter, So., Plainville 3. Cadence Greesen, Jr., Norton 5. Kaitlyn McCreery, Fr., Phillipsburg

235 5. Rivver Long, Sr., Stockton 6. Adriana Winters, So., Norton

<figure>
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 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Hays PostThe Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association has released its first set of regular-season rankings.Area tanked teams and wrestlers include:Class 5A Boys: 1. Goddard 2. Blue Valley SW 3. Bishop Carroll 4. Basehor-Linwood 5. St. Thomas Aquinas 6. Andover 7. Valley Center 8. Lansing 9. Salina Central 10. Newton175 -&nbsp;4. Johnny Rigler, Jr., Hays 190 - 4. Dalton Meyers, Sr. , Hays (No. 10 all-class)Class 5A Girls 1. Basehor-Linwood 2. Shawnee Heights 3. Newton 4. Bonner Springs 5. Pittsburg 6. Topeka Seaman 7. Hays 8. Blue Valley Southwest 9. Emporia 10. Great Bend125 - 5. Reese Vehige, Jr., Hays 135 - 2. Tionna Napue, Sr., Hays (8th all-class) 145 - 2. Timber Lovewell, So., Hays 155 -&nbsp;4. Lexi Barnett, Jr., HaysClass 3-2-1A Boys 1. Hoxie 2. Phillipsburg 3. Norton 4. Russell 5. Council Grove 6. Atchison County 7. Beloit 8. Bluestem 9. West Franklin 10. Herington106 1. Kaleb Keiswetter, So., Norton &nbsp;5. Xzander Donner, Fr., Russell &nbsp;6. Gunenr Wente, Jr., Hoxie113 1. Tate Blackwill, Sr., Quinter (9th all-class) 2. Xzephren Donner, Jr., Russell (6th all-class at 106)120 1. Ian Giancola, Jr., Hoxie (3rd all-class)126 3. Kash Schlitz, Sr., Hoxie 132 2. Kaden Sisson, Sr., Phillipsburg 6. Ayston Kats, Jr., Norton 138 5. Hunter Sisson, Sr., Phillipsburg 6. Ashtron Wynn, Jr., Trego 144 1. Brennen Pfannenstiel, Sr., Norton 2. Seth Keeten, Sr., Phillipsburg 5. Giovanny Gomez, Sr., Hoxie 150 1. Cole Keeten, Sr., Phillipsburg 157 2. Blake Buresch, Sr., Phillipsburg 5. Jaxson Smith, Fr., Hill City 6. Emerson Lowry, Sr., Stockton 165 1. Duncan Bell, Sr. Hoxie (8th all-class) 2. Teagen Pfeifer, Sr., Russell 175 1. Easton Nickelson, Sr., Hoxie (6th all-class) 2. Brayden Suchy, Sr., Russell 3. Dayton Stephens, Sr., Hill City 4. Kayden Hudson, St., Phillipsburg 6. Kaiden Schultze, Jr., Osborne 190 1. Samuel Watkins, Sr., Hoxie (2nd all-class) 215 3. Colton Stover, Sr., Norton 285 1. Kharson Montgomery, Jr., Smith Center (6th all-class) 2. Corbin Puga, Sr. Norton (3rd all class)Class 3-2-1A Girls 1. Oakley 2. Russell 3. Plainville 4. Norton 5. Larned 6. Stockton 7. Ellinwood 8. Lakin 9. Hoisington 10. Douglass100 1. Carolina Northrup, Jr., Stockton (7th all-class) 3. Allison Quintana, So., Norton 5. Stephanie King, So., Russell 105 2. Keleigh Ochoa, Fr., Smith Center (9th all-class) 4. Kya Bell, Fr., Hill City 5. Madison Rayburn, So., Russell 110 3. Kia Mader, Jr., Ellis 115 3. Mya Trevino, Jr., Russell 125 3. Josie Bell, So., Hoxie (9th all-class) 4. Taryn Beiker, Jr., Plainville 6. Chaysei Bachman, So., Russell 130 1. Ashlyn Hahn, Sr., Stockton 2. Averie Counts, Fr., Russell 4. Annika Dietz, So. Trego 6. Isabella Garrity, Sr., Norton 135 3. Kinsey Zorn, So., Russell 6. Cheyenne Knoll, Jr., Osborne 140 2. Ella Normandin, Sr., Plainville &nbsp;4. Halle Pfannenstiel, Fr., Norton &nbsp;6. Maleah Vine, Sr., Ellis 145 1. Jaden Ney, Sr., Russell (1st all-class) 2. Zoe Brown, Sr., Plainville (6th all-class) 155 3. Lillian Garcia, So., Plainville 5. Jonna Ebner, Jr., Phillipsburg 190 2. Caydence Carter, So., Plainville 3. Cadence Greesen, Jr., Norton 5. Kaitlyn McCreery, Fr., Phillipsburg 235 5. Rivver Long, Sr., Stockton 6. Adriana Winters, So., Norton

🤼 Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association rankings (Dec. 10)

ALTOONA, Pa. (AP) — The man accused of killing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-shooting-79a9710978fc7adbb23d3fed4ea2f70d">UnitedHealthcare’s CEO</a>&nbsp;struggled with deputies and shouted while being led into court Tuesday as new details emerged about his possible motivation behind the ambush.

In his first public words since a five-day search ended with his arrest at a McDonald's in Pennsylvania,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-shooting-luigi-mangione-10ee2f70cd843a27940a9cf1a06edf55">Luigi Nicholas Mangione</a>&nbsp;emerged from a patrol car shouting about an “insult to the intelligence of the American people” while deputies pushed him inside a courthouse.

The 26-year-old Ivy League graduate from a prominent Maryland real estate family is fighting attempts to extradite him to New York so that he can face a murder charge in the Manhattan killing of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-healthcare-ceo-new-york-shooting-brian-thompson-8a130e64bcab749d1a085f5a34ab8254">Brian Thompson</a>, who led the United States’ largest medical insurance company.

A law enforcement bulletin obtained by The Associated Press said that at the time of his arrest, Mangione was carrying a handwritten document expressing anger with what he called “parasitic” health insurance companies and a disdain for corporate greed and power.

He wrote that the U.S. has the most expensive health care system in the world and that profits of major corporations continue to rise while “our life expectancy” does not, according to the bulletin.

In social media posts, Mangione called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ted-kaczynski-unabomber-dies-federal-prison-95fdd4f398fbfe20aaadf5d53a91dc26">“Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski</a>&nbsp;— who carried out a series of bombings while railing against modern society and technology — a “political revolutionary,” according to the police bulletin.

Mangione remained jailed in Pennsylvania, where he was initially charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police.

Manhattan prosecutors were beginning to take steps to bring Mangione to New York, but at a brief hearing Tuesday, defense lawyer Thomas Dickey said his client will not waive extradition and instead wants a hearing on the issue. Mangione was denied bail after prosecutors said he was too dangerous to be released.

He mostly stared straight ahead at the hearing, occasionally looking at papers, rocking in his chair or looking back at the gallery. At one point, he began to speak to respond to the court discussion but was quieted by his lawyer.

“You can’t rush to judgment in this case or any case,” Dickey said afterward. “He’s presumed innocent. Let’s not forget that.”

Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 230 miles (about 370 kilometers) west of New York City, after a McDonald’s customer recognized him and notified an employee, authorities said.

Images of Mangione released Tuesday by Pennsylvania State Police showed him pulling down his mask in the corner of the McDonald's while holding what appeared to be hash browns and wearing a winter jacket and beanie. In another photo from a holding cell, he stood unsmiling with rumpled hair.

New York police officials have said Mangione was carrying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ghost-guns-unitedhealthcare-ceo-1e3b449dd9ed5fabeb2ad592fde91575">a gun</a>&nbsp;like the one used to kill Thompson and the same fake ID the shooter had used to check into a New York hostel, along with a passport and other fraudulent IDs.

A law enforcement official who wasn’t authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity said a three-page, handwritten document found with Mangione included a line in which he claimed to have acted alone.

“To the Feds, I’ll keep this short, because I do respect what you do for our country. To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly that I wasn’t working with anyone,” the document said, according to the official.

It also said, “I do apologize for any strife or traumas but it had to be done. Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming.”

Thompson, 50, was killed last Wednesday as he walked alone to a Manhattan hotel for an investor conference. From surveillance video, New York investigators determined the shooter quickly fled the city, likely by bus.

Mangione was born into a life of country clubs and privilege. His grandfather was a self-made real estate developer and philanthropist.

Valedictorian at his elite Baltimore prep school, he went on to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science in 2020 from the University of Pennsylvania, a spokesperson said.

“Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest,” Mangione’s family said in a statement posted on social media late Monday by his cousin, Maryland Del. Nino Mangione. “We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.”

From January to June 2022, Luigi Mangione lived at Surfbreak, a “co-living” space at the edge of touristy Waikiki in Honolulu.

Like other residents of the shared penthouse catering to remote workers, Mangione underwent a background check, said Josiah Ryan, a spokesperson for owner and founder R.J. Martin.

“Luigi was just widely considered to be a great guy. There were no complaints,” Ryan said. "There was no sign that might point to these alleged crimes they’re saying he committed.”

At Surfbreak, Martin learned Mangione had severe back pain from childhood that interfered with many aspects of his life, from surfing to romance, Ryan said.

Mangione left Surfbreak to get surgery on the mainland, Ryan said, then later returned to Honolulu and rented an apartment.

Martin stopped hearing from Mangione six months to a year ago.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-shooting-suspect-c68d0328f278d85fcf201ae89f634098">Manhattan police have obtained a warrant</a>&nbsp;for the arrest of 26-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-shooting-79a9710978fc7adbb23d3fed4ea2f70d">Luigi Nicholas Mangione</a>, suspect in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-suspect-ceo-assassin-shooter-b5ff640798d799271ddd8db9f3d2a20e">killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-healthcare-ceo-new-york-shooting-brian-thompson-8a130e64bcab749d1a085f5a34ab8254">Brian Thompson</a>. Mangione was arrested at a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-updates-day-7#00000193-b150-dbf5-a1ff-f57178a60000">McDonald’s</a>&nbsp;in Altoona, Pennsylvania, while carrying a gun, mask and writings linking him to the ambush.

Mangione is being&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-updates-day-7#00000193-b15e-dcc6-afb7-bd5f33e10000">held without bail</a>&nbsp;in Pennsylvania on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Late Monday, Manhattan prosecutors charged him with five counts, including murder, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a forged instrument.

The White House condemns the ‘horrific’ killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says “violence to combat any sort of corporate greed is unacceptable” and the White House will “continue to condemn any form of violence.”

She declined to comment on the investigation into the Dec. 4 shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson or reports that writings belonging to the suspect, Luigi Mangione, said insurance companies care more about profits than their customers.

“This is horrific,” Jean-Pierre said of the fatal shooting of Thompson as he walked in Manhattan.

He didn’t appear to say anything as deputies led him to a waiting car outside.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul issues a statement on the shooting

“I’m deeply grateful to the men and women of law enforcement whose efforts to solve the horrific murder of Brian Thompson led to the arrest of a suspect in Pennsylvania,” Gov. Hochul said in the statement. “I am coordinating with the District Attorney’s Office and will sign a request for a governor’s warrant to ensure this individual is tried and held accountable. Public safety is my top priority and I’ll do everything in my power to keep the streets of New York safe.”

From wealth and success to murder suspect, the life of Luigi Mangione took a hard turn

Luigi Nicholas Mangione, the suspect in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/manhattan-shooting-death-daa1e8c8c05606197a5bd2e0242f1683">the fatal shooting of a healthcare executive</a>&nbsp;in New York City, apparently was living a charmed life: the grandson of a wealthy real estate developer, valedictorian of his elite Baltimore prep school and with degrees from one of the nation’s top private universities.

Friends at an exclusive co-living space at the edge of touristy Waikiki in Hawaii where the 26-year-old Mangione once lived widely considered him a “great guy,” and pictures on his social media accounts show a fit, smiling, handsome young man on beaches and at parties.

Now, investigators in New York and Pennsylvania are working to piece together why Mangione may have diverged from this path to make the violent and radical decision to gun down&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-healthcare-ceo-new-york-shooting-brian-thompson-8a130e64bcab749d1a085f5a34ab8254">UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson</a>&nbsp;in a brazen attack on a Manhattan street.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-suspect-ceo-assassin-shooter-b5ff640798d799271ddd8db9f3d2a20e">The killing</a>&nbsp;sparked widespread discussions about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-shooting-delay-deny-defend-depose-ee73ceb19f361835c654f04a3b88c50c">corporate greed,</a>&nbsp;unfairness in the medical insurance industry and even inspired folk-hero sentiment toward his killer.

▶ Read more about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-shooting-luigi-mangione-10ee2f70cd843a27940a9cf1a06edf55">Luigi Mangione</a>

Pennsylvania prosecutor will work with NY officials to return suspect

Peter Weeks, the Blair County district attorney, says he’ll work with New York officials to try to return suspect Luigi Mangione there to face charges.

Weeks said the New York charges are “more serious” than in Blair County.

“We believe their charges take precedent,” Weeks said, promising to do what’s needed to accommodate New York’s prosecution first.

Weeks spoke to reporters after a brief hearing at which a defense lawyer said Mangione will fight extradition. The defense asked for a hearing on the issue. In the meantime, Mangione will be detained at a state prison in western Pennsylvania.

What New York officials will do to bring Mangione back there

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office said Tuesday it will seek a Governor’s warrant to secure Mangione’s extradition to Manhattan.

Under state law, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul can issue a warrant of arrest demanding Mangione’s return to the state. Such a warrant must recite the facts necessary to the validity of its issuance and be sealed with the state seal. It would then be presented to law enforcement in Pennsylvania to expedite Mangione’s return to New York.

District attorney says Mangione contesting extradition will create ‘extra hoops’ to jump through

But Blair County District Attorney Peter Weeks says it won’t be a substantial barrier to returning Mangione to New York.

He noted that defendants contest extradition “all the time,” including in simple retail theft cases.

In court, Mangione said he understood his rights

Dickey, his defense lawyer, questioned whether the second-degree murder charge filed in New York might be eligible for bail under Pennsylvania law, but prosecutors raised concerns about both public safety and Mangione being a potential flight risk, and the judge denied it.

Mangione will continue to be housed at a state prison in Huntingdon.

Defense lawyer Thomas Dickey told the court Mangione wants a hearing on the extradition issue

He has 14 days to challenge the detention.

Prosecutors, meanwhile, have a month to seek a governor’s warrant out of New York.

Mangione, wearing an orange jumpsuit, mostly stared straight ahead at the hearing, occasionally consulting papers, rocking in his chair, or looking back at the gallery.

At one point, he began to speak to respond to the court discussion, but was quieted by his lawyer.

Suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO is contesting his extradition back to New York

Luigi Mangione, 26, has also been denied bail at a brief court hearing in western Pennsylvania. He has 14 days to challenge the bail decision.

An account on X that appears to belong to Mangione was still up as of Tuesday

That’s with some intervention from owner Elon Musk.

The account, which hasn’t posted since June, was briefly suspended by X. But after a user inquired about it in a post Monday, Musk responded “This happened without my knowledge. Looking into it.” The account was later reinstated.

Other social media companies such as Meta have removed his accounts. According to X rules, the platform removes “any accounts maintained by individual perpetrators of terrorist, violent extremist, or mass violent attacks, as well as any accounts glorifying the perpetrator(s), or dedicated to sharing manifestos and/or third party links where related content is hosted.”

Mangione is not accused of perpetrating a terrorist or mass attack — he has been charged with murder — and his account doesn’t appear to share any writings about the case.

Mangione shouted and struggled with officers as he arrived in court

He shouted something that was partly unintelligible, but referred to an “insult to the intelligence of the American people.”

He’s there for an arraignment on local charges stemming from his arrest Monday.

Mangione arrives at court in Pennsylvania

He was dressed in an orange jumpsuit as officers led him from a vehicle into the courthouse.

Local defense lawyer Thomas Dickey is expected to represent the 26-year-old at a Tuesday afternoon hearing at the Blair County Courthouse. Dickey declined comment before the hearing.

Mangione could have the Pennsylvania charges read aloud to him and may be asked to enter a plea.

They include possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. In New York, he was charged late Monday with murder in the death of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-shooting-79a9710978fc7adbb23d3fed4ea2f70d">UnitedHealthcare’s CEO</a>&nbsp;Brian Thompson.

Bulletin says Mangione likely motivated by anger toward ‘parasitic’ health insurance companies

Mangione likely was motivated by his anger with what he called “parasitic” health insurance companies and a disdain with corporate greed, said a a law enforcement bulletin obtained by The Associated Press.

He wrote that the U.S. has the most expensive healthcare system in the world and that the profits of major corporations continue to rise while “our life expectancy” does not, according to the bulletin, based on a review of the suspect’s hand-written notes and social media postings.

He appeared to view the targeted killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO as a symbolic takedown, asserting in his note that he is the “first to face it with such brutal honesty,” the bulletin said.

Mangione called “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski a “political revolutionary” and may have found inspiration from the man who carried out a series of bombings while railing against modern society and technology, the document said.

Police say they found ‘written admissions about the crime’ in Luigi Mangione’s belongings

A felony warrant filed in New York cites Altoona Officer Christy Wasser as saying she found the writings along with a semi-automatic pistol and an apparent silencer.

The filing echoes earlier statements from NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny who said Mangione had a three-page, handwritten document that shows “some ill will toward corporate America.”

Mangione is now charged in Pennsylvania with being a fugitive of justice.

McDonald’s customer: ‘My one friend thought he looked like the shooter’

A customer at the McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where Mangione was arrested said one of his friends had commented beforehand that the man looked like the suspect wanted for the shooting in New York City.

“It started out almost a little bit like a joke, my one friend thought he looked like the shooter,” said the customer, who declined to give his full name, on Tuesday.

“It wasn’t really a joke, but we laughed about it,” he added.

Manhattan prosecutors have obtained a warrant for Mangione’s arrest

The warrant on murder and other charges is a step that could help expedite his extradition from Pennsylvania.

In court papers made public Tuesday, a New York City police detective reiterated key findings in the investigation he said tied Mangione to the killing, including surveillance footage and a fake ID he used to check into a Manhattan hostel on Nov. 24.

Police officers in Altoona, Pennsylvania, found that ID when they arrested Mangione on Monday.

Mangione is being held without bail in Pennsylvania on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Late Monday, Manhattan prosecutors charged him with five counts, including murder, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a forged instrument.

Mangione doesn’t yet have a lawyer who can speak on his behalf, court officials said.

Suspect in killing of insurance CEO struggles, shouts entering court

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Hays Police officers took a man into custody on Friday in Hays after he threatened the officers with a knife.

Police were contacted by High Plains Mental Health Center staff at about 9 a.m. on Friday. The staff at High Plains said a 20-year-old man was in crisis and he had become physical with his father, Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said.

Scheibler said the man left the building but returned and began banging on the door.

When officers arrived on the scene, staff told them the man had a knife, and he said he wanted to "commit suicide by cop," Scheibler said.

When the officers tried to approach the man, he pulled a knife on the officers, Scheibler said.

Initially, the man would not comply with the officers. The officers attempted to de-escalate the situation, according to Scheibler.

The man dropped the knife and ran from the scene, Scheibler said.

After a brief foot chase, the man was taken into custody.

He was arrested on charges of domestic battery, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and interference with a law enforcement officer.&nbsp;

The man was referred for a mental health evaluation and treatment.

The man's name was not released because of his mental health status.

Scheibler praised the officers for their actions to disarm the suspect peacefully.

"I am glad that it worked out OK, and I am grateful for the officer's professionalism," Scheibler said.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostHays Police officers took a man into custody on Friday in Hays after he threatened the officers with a knife.Police were contacted by High Plains Mental Health Center staff at about 9 a.m. on Friday. The staff at High Plains said a 20-year-old man was in crisis and he had become physical with his father, Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said.Scheibler said the man left the building but returned and began banging on the door.When officers arrived on the scene, staff told them the man had a knife, and he said he wanted to "commit suicide by cop," Scheibler said.When the officers tried to approach the man, he pulled a knife on the officers, Scheibler said.Initially, the man would not comply with the officers. The officers attempted to de-escalate the situation, according to Scheibler.The man dropped the knife and ran from the scene, Scheibler said.After a brief foot chase, the man was taken into custody.He was arrested on charges of domestic battery, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and interference with a law enforcement officer.&nbsp;The man was referred for a mental health evaluation and treatment.The man's name was not released because of his mental health status.Scheibler praised the officers for their actions to disarm the suspect peacefully."I am glad that it worked out OK, and I am grateful for the officer's professionalism," Scheibler said.

Hays police officers disarm man with knife 

The Kansas Basketball Coaches Association has released their first regular season rankings for 2024-25.

The Hays High girls' move up one spot to No. 8 in Class 5A. Hoxie is third and Smith ninth in 2A.

The Plainville boys are ranked ninth in 2A. LaCrosse is 10th in 1A Division 1.

6A Girls &nbsp;1. Blue Valley North &nbsp;2. Washburn Rural &nbsp;3. Wichita Heights &nbsp;4. Shawnee Mission Northwest &nbsp;5. Shawnee Mission South &nbsp;6. Liberal &nbsp;7. Wichita West &nbsp;8. Lawrence &nbsp;9. Olathe South &nbsp;10. Wichita South

5A Girls 1. Topeka Seaman 2. St. Thomas Aquinas 3. St. James Academy 4. Andover 5. Maize South 6. Bishop Carroll 7. Kansas City Piper 8. Hays 9. Andover Central 10. Shawnee Heights

4A Girls 1. Wellington 2. Bishop Miege 3. Topeka Hayden 4. Clay Center 5. McPherson 6. Wamego 7. Andale 8. Ottawa 9. Eudora 10. Rock Creek&nbsp;&nbsp;

3A Girls 1. Hesston 2. Silver Lake 3. Halstead 4. Cheney 5. Haven 6. Goodland 7. Beloit 8. Osage City 9. Girard 10. Nemaha Central

2A Girls&nbsp; 1. St. Mary’s Colgan&nbsp; 2. Hillsboro &nbsp; 3. Hoxie&nbsp; 4. Valley Heights&nbsp; 5. Eureka&nbsp; 6. Rossville&nbsp; 7. Wichita County&nbsp; 8. Moundridge&nbsp; 9. Smith Center&nbsp; 10. Doniphan West&nbsp;

1A Div. 1 Girls 1. Little River&nbsp; 2. Centralia&nbsp; 3. Clifton Clyde&nbsp; 4. St. John - Hudson&nbsp; 5. South Gray &nbsp; 6. Central Plains&nbsp; 7. Rawlins County&nbsp; 8. Olpe&nbsp; 9. Frankfort&nbsp; 10. Spearville&nbsp;

1A Div. 2 Girls 1. Hanover 2. Lebo 3. Wallace County 4. St. John’s-Beloit/Tipton 5. Bucklin 6. Marias des Cygnes Valley 7. Ingalls 8. South Haven 9. Attica 10. Central Christian&nbsp;

6A Boys &nbsp;1. Shawnee Mission Northwest &nbsp;2. Wichita Heights &nbsp;3. Mill Valley &nbsp;4. Olathe North &nbsp;5.&nbsp; Wichita Northwest &nbsp;6. Shawnee Mission South &nbsp;7. Blue Valley Northwest &nbsp;8. Blue Valley North &nbsp;9. Olathe South &nbsp;10. Junction City

5A Boys &nbsp;1. Kapaun Mt. Carmel &nbsp;2. Highland Park &nbsp;3. Shawnee Heights &nbsp;4. Great Bend &nbsp;5. Kansas City - Piper &nbsp;6.&nbsp; St. Thomas Aquinas &nbsp;7. Basehor - Linwood &nbsp;8. Topeka West &nbsp;9. Maize South &nbsp;10. Andover

4A Boys &nbsp;1. McPherson &nbsp;2. Baldwin &nbsp;3. Ottawa &nbsp;4. Rock Creek &nbsp;5. Bishop Miege &nbsp;6. Fort Scott &nbsp;7. Abilene &nbsp;8. Hugoton &nbsp;9. Pratt &nbsp;10. Eudora

3A Boys 1. Wichita Collegiate 2. Goodland 3. Hesston 4. Cheney 5. Lakin 6. Wellsville 7. Beloit 8. Southeast of Saline 9. Holcomb 10. Burlington&nbsp;&nbsp;

2A Boys &nbsp;1. Moundridge 2. Sterling 3. St. Mary’s Colgan 4. Salina-Sacred Heart 5. Medicine Lodge 6. Conway Springs 7. Valley Falls 8. Bennington 9. Plainville 10. Hillsboro

1A Div. 1 Boys 1. South Gray 2. South Central 3. Lawrence-Bishop Seabury 4. Oxford 5. Macksville 6. Central Plains 7. Olpe 8. Central Burden 9. Clifton-Clyde 10. La Crosse

1A Div. 2 Boys &nbsp;1. Cunningham 2. Axtell 3. Dighton 4. Elyria Christian 5. Weskan 6. Hanover 7. Northern Valley 8. Bucklin 9. Logan-Palco 10. Lebo&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712064660369.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Hays PostThe Kansas Basketball Coaches Association has released their first regular season rankings for 2024-25.The Hays High girls' move up one spot to No. 8 in Class 5A. Hoxie is third and Smith ninth in 2A.The Plainville boys are ranked ninth in 2A. LaCrosse is 10th in 1A Division 1.6A Girls &nbsp;1. Blue Valley North &nbsp;2. Washburn Rural &nbsp;3. Wichita Heights &nbsp;4. Shawnee Mission Northwest &nbsp;5. Shawnee Mission South &nbsp;6. Liberal &nbsp;7. Wichita West &nbsp;8. Lawrence &nbsp;9. Olathe South &nbsp;10. Wichita South5A Girls 1. Topeka Seaman 2. St. Thomas Aquinas 3. St. James Academy 4. Andover 5. Maize South 6. Bishop Carroll 7. Kansas City Piper 8. Hays 9. Andover Central 10. Shawnee Heights4A Girls 1. Wellington 2. Bishop Miege 3. Topeka Hayden 4. Clay Center 5. McPherson 6. Wamego 7. Andale 8. Ottawa 9. Eudora 10. Rock Creek&nbsp;&nbsp;3A Girls 1. Hesston 2. Silver Lake 3. Halstead 4. Cheney 5. Haven 6. Goodland 7. Beloit 8. Osage City 9. Girard 10. Nemaha Central2A Girls&nbsp; 1. St. Mary’s Colgan&nbsp; 2. Hillsboro &nbsp; 3. Hoxie&nbsp; 4. Valley Heights&nbsp; 5. Eureka&nbsp; 6. Rossville&nbsp; 7. Wichita County&nbsp; 8. Moundridge&nbsp; 9. Smith Center&nbsp; 10. Doniphan West&nbsp; 1A Div. 1 Girls 1. Little River&nbsp; 2. Centralia&nbsp; 3. Clifton Clyde&nbsp; 4. St. John - Hudson&nbsp; 5. South Gray &nbsp; 6. Central Plains&nbsp; 7. Rawlins County&nbsp; 8. Olpe&nbsp; 9. Frankfort&nbsp; 10. Spearville&nbsp;1A Div. 2 Girls 1. Hanover 2. Lebo 3. Wallace County 4. St. John’s-Beloit/Tipton 5. Bucklin 6. Marias des Cygnes Valley 7. Ingalls 8. South Haven 9. Attica 10. Central Christian&nbsp;6A Boys &nbsp;1. Shawnee Mission Northwest &nbsp;2. Wichita Heights &nbsp;3. Mill Valley &nbsp;4. Olathe North &nbsp;5.&nbsp; Wichita Northwest &nbsp;6. Shawnee Mission South &nbsp;7. Blue Valley Northwest &nbsp;8. Blue Valley North &nbsp;9. Olathe South &nbsp;10. Junction City 5A Boys &nbsp;1. Kapaun Mt. Carmel &nbsp;2. Highland Park &nbsp;3. Shawnee Heights &nbsp;4. Great Bend &nbsp;5. Kansas City - Piper &nbsp;6.&nbsp; St. Thomas Aquinas &nbsp;7. Basehor - Linwood &nbsp;8. Topeka West &nbsp;9. Maize South &nbsp;10. Andover 4A Boys &nbsp;1. McPherson &nbsp;2. Baldwin &nbsp;3. Ottawa &nbsp;4. Rock Creek &nbsp;5. Bishop Miege &nbsp;6. Fort Scott &nbsp;7. Abilene &nbsp;8. Hugoton &nbsp;9. Pratt &nbsp;10. Eudora 3A Boys 1. Wichita Collegiate 2. Goodland 3. Hesston 4. Cheney 5. Lakin 6. Wellsville 7. Beloit 8. Southeast of Saline 9. Holcomb 10. Burlington&nbsp;&nbsp; 2A Boys &nbsp;1. Moundridge 2. Sterling 3. St. Mary’s Colgan 4. Salina-Sacred Heart 5. Medicine Lodge 6. Conway Springs 7. Valley Falls 8. Bennington 9. Plainville 10. Hillsboro 1A Div. 1 Boys 1. South Gray 2. South Central 3. Lawrence-Bishop Seabury 4. Oxford 5. Macksville 6. Central Plains 7. Olpe 8. Central Burden 9. Clifton-Clyde 10. La Crosse 1A Div. 2 Boys &nbsp;1. Cunningham 2. Axtell 3. Dighton 4. Elyria Christian 5. Weskan 6. Hanover 7. Northern Valley 8. Bucklin 9. Logan-Palco 10. Lebo&nbsp;

🏀 Kansas Basketball Coaches Association rankings (Dec. 10)

Hays High's Ian McGuire and Dalton Meyers have been named to the Kansas Football Coaches Association 5A All-State football team and Tony Crough has been named 5A Coach of the Year.

McGuire played five positions on offense this past season and is listed as an athlete on the All-State team. He rushed for 890 yards on 163 carries with eight touchdowns. McGuire had five receptions for 271 yards and a touchdown. He moved to quarterback in the 5A sub-state and state title games and passed completed 6-of-14 passes for 81 yards, two touchdowns an one interception.

Meyers had 79 tackles and four sacks from his linebacker position along with 10 tackles for loss, three interceptions, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

Crough adds the KFCA Coach of the Year honor to his Sports in Kansas 5A Coach of the Year honor he received over the weekend.

HHS defensive coordinator Kip Keeley was named 5A Assistant Coach of the Year.

Note: To be considered for the KFCA all-state team, a school's coach must be a member of the KFCA and a senior.

Hays PostHays High's Ian McGuire and Dalton Meyers have been named to the Kansas Football Coaches Association 5A All-State football team and Tony Crough has been named 5A Coach of the Year.McGuire played five positions on offense this past season and is listed as an athlete on the All-State team. He rushed for 890 yards on 163 carries with eight touchdowns. McGuire had five receptions for 271 yards and a touchdown. He moved to quarterback in the 5A sub-state and state title games and passed completed 6-of-14 passes for 81 yards, two touchdowns an one interception.Meyers had 79 tackles and four sacks from his linebacker position along with 10 tackles for loss, three interceptions, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.Crough adds the KFCA Coach of the Year honor to his Sports in Kansas 5A Coach of the Year honor he received over the weekend.HHS defensive coordinator Kip Keeley was named 5A Assistant Coach of the Year.Note: To be considered for the KFCA all-state team, a school's coach must be a member of the KFCA and a senior.

🏈 HHS' McGuire, Meyers, Crough, Keeley honored by the KFCA

A Grow Hays Year in Review luncheon last week highlighted the housing growth in Ellis County last year.

Doug Williams, executive director of Grow Hays, discussed some notable housing additions in the works and other economic indicators during the meeting with local leaders at Brief Space.

Williams said his predictions for housing for 2024 were off.

He estimated Ellis would have 20 single-family home starts, but there were 15. He estimated there would be more than 40 starts for multi-family housing units, but Ellis County had none.

In 2023, Ellis County had 29 single-family home starts, so housing development is down over the prior year.

Williams predicted single-family home prices would remain stable in 2024, depending on the price range. They increased.

Williams once thought a house in Ellis County selling for more than $500,000 would be very rare. However, numerous homes have now sold for more than $1 million.&nbsp;

He also predicted rents would remain stable or slightly rise. Rents have continued to rise, and the rental supply remains very tight, Williams said.

Williams highlighted multiple housing projects that are in the works.

All of the homes in phases one and two of Heart of America Tallgrass, 54 homes, are built and sold.

Six homes are under construction on Wheatland Drive and another six will be started soon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667693163285.jpeg" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="Grow Hays year in review: Housing still key to growth" 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=u2p5x-1766871-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=315" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostA Grow Hays Year in Review luncheon last week highlighted the housing growth in Ellis County last year.Doug Williams, executive director of Grow Hays, discussed some notable housing additions in the works and other economic indicators during the meeting with local leaders at Brief Space.Williams said his predictions for housing for 2024 were off.He estimated Ellis would have 20 single-family home starts, but there were 15. He estimated there would be more than 40 starts for multi-family housing units, but Ellis County had none.In 2023, Ellis County had 29 single-family home starts, so housing development is down over the prior year.Williams predicted single-family home prices would remain stable in 2024, depending on the price range. They increased.Williams once thought a house in Ellis County selling for more than $500,000 would be very rare. However, numerous homes have now sold for more than $1 million.&nbsp;He also predicted rents would remain stable or slightly rise. Rents have continued to rise, and the rental supply remains very tight, Williams said.Williams highlighted multiple housing projects that are in the works.<h2>Tallgrass Addition</h2>All of the homes in phases one and two of Heart of America Tallgrass, 54 homes, are built and sold.Six homes are under construction on Wheatland Drive and another six will be started soon.The majority of the homes have been sold to first-time home buyers, and 16 more have been sold to families new to Hays."Once a family buys a home and puts down roots, they're more likely to stay," Williams said. "One of the things this housing development is doing is keeping people here."Williams expected more Tallgrass buyers to be upsizing or downsizing, but few of the buyers fell into that category.Thirty-six homes in phase one were limited to a $225,000 maximum sale price, and the next 18 to a $235,000 maximum sale price. Developers bought some homes, but the maximum sale price was only subject to the first sale.Because the lots are larger, the sale prices for the homes on Wheatland Drive will be above the minimum in the first two phases.Heart of America is working to develop phase four of the Tallgrass Addition, which includes 21 acres north of the existing development.The city of Hays has agreed to bond the first three phases of the addition so that the developer can proceed to invest in the fourth phase.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/70507513-a0c4-489b-86c5-f7edf0fdf753">The developer is in the process of rezoning and platting 101 lots in the fourth phase.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733437807491.png" alt="Tallgrass Addition phase four" />
 <figcaption>Tallgrass Addition phase four</figcaption>
 </figure>A new&nbsp;Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID) will be used for the fourth phase.&nbsp;If approved, the district will capture the incremental real property taxes, less the state's 1.5 mills and 20 mill school levy, for up to 25 years.Williams credited Heart of America as well as the city in making Hays a leader in housing in the state.<h2>Michael Graham projects</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733439021108.png" alt="20th and Walnut apartments site" />
 <figcaption>20th and Walnut apartments site</figcaption>
 </figure>Hays developer Michael Graham is planning to build 48 apartments on the site of the former railroad depot parking lot at 10th and Walnut in downtown Hays.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/dc0fb523-b96d-42bb-b65a-55221db96969">The city has also approved an incentive district for that development.&nbsp;</a>The district is expected to generate about $1.1 million of revenue during its maximum 25-year term. The revenue would reimburse the developer for an estimated $692,000 in RHID-eligible project costs on a pay-as-you-go basis.Construction of the first 24 units in the development will begin this spring.&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1cf1f167-3d2b-4a78-9fe7-240b64b595ae">The Hays USD 489 school board has also agreed to enter into a contract with Graham&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1cf1f167-3d2b-4a78-9fe7-240b64b595ae" target="_blank">to purchase Lincoln Elementary School.&nbsp;</a>The school will close as new elementary school space comes online&nbsp;as part of bond-funded projects.&nbsp;Graham hopes to renovate the building into 26 to 28 one- and two-bedroom apartments. He also plans to build more housing on the land adjacent to the school.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733437701777.png" alt="Proposed DP Management&nbsp; apartment complex" />
 <figcaption>Proposed DP Management&nbsp; apartment complex</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Victory Village</h2><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/e533b2e3-4579-4f87-a183-e605e9b45f54">DP Management is seeking a state grant to help finance development of&nbsp;a 136-unit apartment complex in Hays at&nbsp;at Wheatland Avenue and East 22nd Street.</a>Forty-eight of the one, two and three-bedroom units would be market-rate housing, while 88 units would be low-income housing.The city has submitted a letter of support for the grant, and the developer is waiting to see if it is approved.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733440520698.jpeg" alt="Ellis lots" />
 <figcaption>Ellis lots</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Ellis development</h2>Dan Hess has finished the construction of infrastructure for 12 lots in south Ellis on Maple. Developers have pulled eight permits to construct homes on those lots."We are excited to have activity in Ellis, which hasn't had activity in a long time," Williams said. "The school district enrollment shows they haven't had that activity."Work is being done on the expansion of the Knight's Addition in Victoria."We have people who want to be over there, but we just don't have additional lots," Williams said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733440608165.jpeg" alt="Ongoing work on the Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center at the Grove. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Ongoing work on the Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center at the Grove. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The Grove</h2><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/52b97519-b934-46eb-bdf3-8bd246bf2675">Construction of the&nbsp;Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center at the Grove. is underway and should be completed in 2025.</a>&nbsp;Multiple donors have been given to support the community center, but Williams said Grow Hays is short of the funding needed for the project. It is still seeking donations.Work just started on the streets. Housing construction could begin as soon as this summer.Grow Hays had planned 50 patio homes, eight duplexes and six plexes on the corner.Grow Hays was able to purchase an additional single-family 2-acre lot that faces Canterbury.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733440569777.jpeg" alt="Grove villas" />
 <figcaption>Grove villas</figcaption>
 </figure>Considering the number of multi-family units proposed in Hays, Grow Hays is now proposing a grouping of two-bedroom, two-bathroom, two-car garage villas for the additional property.The homes would be about 1,100 square feet with a shared courtyard and be offered at a lower price point than the patio homes, Williams said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733439488106.jpeg" alt="MicroFactory in Hays" />
 <figcaption>MicroFactory in Hays</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>MicroFactory</h2><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/086b27b6-fc06-490d-91ed-833bbf3e82cd">The MicroFactory, which was completed last March, is still empty.</a>The MicroFactory, 3000 Ninth in Hays, is meant to be a space manufacturers can rent for a lower-than-market rate as they launch new businesses or product lines.The $4.5 million, 30,000-square-foot facility was constructed with help from the Kansas Department of Commerce and was supposed to bring new jobs into Hays.Williams said it is Grow Hays' sore toe."We're disappointed we haven't got anyone in there yet," Williams said. "We've had a few people we have determined who would not be a good fit that had interest."It is being marketed locally, regionally and nationally.Williams compared the MicroFactory to the co-working Brief Space. He said it took awhile for people to understand and buy into the concept."This is a kind of co-working space for manufacturers," he said.Williams said Hays is primarily a white-collar community and needs to grow its manufacturing base."I don't know when we say we gotta do something else?" he said. "At this point, we are committed to the people who put up the money for it, both the state and the Schmidt Foundation and Patterson Family Foundation, to try to fulfill the vision of what this facility can be.""I'm still confident we can get it done. It's just been slow. We were hoping we would open the door, and we'd have all these people flocking in, and it hasn't quite worked like that," Williams said.<h2>Retail</h2>Williams said Hays has not done a good job of promoting retail over the last 20 to 25 years.Retail matters in Hays because the city, Ellis County, and Hays USD 489 all use sales tax as a funding source."We are a retail trade center," Williams said. "People come here to shop. When they come here to shop, they eat lunch. They may stay here overnight. That contributes."He said robust retail is also a quality-of-life issue.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733504474517.jpeg" alt="Proposed site of the Grow Hays shopping center development." />
 <figcaption>Proposed site of the Grow Hays shopping center development.</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/68c83702-3486-4109-b74f-2a7ee851a4fe">The state of Kansas awarded Grow Hays $4.475 million to establish a retail development north of Interstate 70 in Hays.</a>The proposed development would be on 9.1 acres directly north of Home Depot. Grow Hays intends to develop a 60,000—to 70,000-square-foot shopping center.&nbsp;Williams said retail development can be challenging because the rents don't match the construction or land costs. This project seeks to remedy some of those issues.Williams said he hopes Grow Hays can start the retail development in 2025.