By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

On Thursday, HaysMed had a Chamber in Hays ribbon cutting for its new hybrid operating room.

Both heart catheterization procedures and open heart surgeries can be performed in the new surgical suite.

With technological advances, doctors can perform more heart procedures without opening a patient's chest,&nbsp;Edward Herrman, president and CEO of HaysMed, said.

HaysMed did 1,600 cath lab procedures and 167 heart surgeries in 2024, Herrman said.

Dr. Niranjan Seshardi, interventional cardiologist, explained the functions of the operating room.&nbsp;

He said within the last 20 years, cardiac care has advanced to a "heart team approach." A surgeon and cardiologist treat a patient together.

"The patients benefit by having two sets of experts coming together and taking care of the patient," Seshardi said.

He said much of the new technology requires advanced imaging.

The lab can produce CT scans and other imaging that can be displayed on large screens throughout the OR. Using the new equipment, the doctors can use less contrast in imaging. Contrast can be harmful to people who have kidney issues.

The operating room also has a control room where various aspects of the patient's condition can be monitored. Then that information can be conveyed to the doctors in the operating room.

"Everybody is looking at a slightly different component as we're taking care of the patients, but we bring that all together in this hybrid OR suite,"&nbsp;Seshardi said.&nbsp;

Herrman said the hybrid operating room is essential to patient care and recruiting physicians to HaysMed.

"This is a big win for the Hays community as well as all of the western Kansas communities we serve," Herrman said.

Herrman said, unlike metropolitan areas, HaysMed's patients come from very far away, some coming in by helicopter.

One of the major donors to the project was the Bickle Family Foundation, which donated $1.5 million.

Don Bickle Jr. spoke on behalf of his family, saying, "Our father is and has been a strong supporter of HaysMed and the positive impact it has not only on Hays but western Kansas. Nothing would make him prouder than to see HaysMed grow and prosper."

He continued, "The new hybrid OR is a perfect example of what it takes to be on the cutting edge and offer top-notch care to our community."

The Dennis and Patricia Norris family, J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation, Robert E. and Patricia Schmidt Foundation, Hadley Foundation, Verlin and Elaine&nbsp;Pfannenstiel,&nbsp;and High Plains Farm Credit also were major contributors to the project. Total support through the Hays Medical Center Foundation was $4.2 million, Jeff Brull, foundation director, said.

Joe Jeter, Hadley Foundation president, on Thursday additionally announced the establishment of a $500,000 permananet endowment to be known as the Dr. Paul McRae Memorial Fund for Cardio-pulmonary Care.

The earnings from the endowment will be used to provide equipment, education, programming and other benefits for cardio-pulmonary care for patients at HaysMed.

McRae was a practicing veterinarian and rancher in Hays for many years. He died last year. He also served on the Hadley Hospital and Hadley Foundation boards.

"This is a wonderful place to receive the best medical care possible," Jeter said of HaysMed. "We are so proud of it, and we hope to continue to benefit it as best we can. Thank you to everyone in the community for what you do."

HaysMed celebrates opening of hybrid operating room

There will be a water outage for the majority of Ellis County Rural water district 1-C due to a leak that will be repaired on the main 6-inch line. 

The water outage is planned between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 2.

Water outage planned for Ellis County rural water district 1-C Wednesday

Free grant writing workshops offered by Heartland Community Foundation

&nbsp;Submit events to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:admin@hayspost.com">admin@hayspost.com</a>. Cover photo courtesy Pixabay

Special thanks to <a href="https://www.visithays.com/183/Events">The Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau</a> and<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/"> Fort Hays State University</a> for their contributions to the community calendar.

Community Calendar

Beginning March 31, 2025, the North side of 33rd St between Willow St and Vine St will be closed to through traffic for road replacement. Eastbound traffic in this area allowed only. It is anticipated that this shut down will be until June 2025 or until further notice. There will be no street parking permitted adjacent to the project during construction. The map provided shows the section of 33rd St. that will be under construction.

Motorists should use caution and allow more time for travel. The City of Hays regrets any inconvenience this may cause to the public. For questions, please contact the Project Contractor, Vogts-Parga Construction LLC, at 316-320-6650 or the Office of Project Management at 785-628-7350.

North side of 33rd St road closure between Willow St and Vine St

Fort Hays State University will host two distinguished scholars of history for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s 2025 Joseph and Rebecca Meyerhoff Lecture, “Territorial Expansion in Nazi Europe and the United States in the 19th and 20th Centuries.”

Between 1939 and 1945, as part of their efforts to eliminate Jews from the European continent, the Nazi dictatorship removed people from the Reich they considered unworthy of being citizens because they did not fit into their vision of the racial “national community.” They forcibly displaced Jews, whom they called “undesirables,” eastward into ghettos where conditions were extremely harsh, simultaneously expanding their borders to create “living space” for “racially pure” Germans.&nbsp; 

In a much different context, the democratic United States expanded its borders westward between the 19th and 20th centuries. To free up land for its growing population, the United States violently removed Indigenous peoples, whom some Americans perceived as incompatible with national and racial ideals.&nbsp; While these two histories are distinct, by discussing them together, we can learn new things about how and why they unfolded.

Join us with two major scholars of these topics in a program designed to illuminate some phenomena common to the persecution histories of those considered “others” in society, as well as what is unique in each of these experiences.

Territorial Expansion in Nazi Europe and the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries

Note: This program is free and open to the public, but registration for the on-campus and live-streamed events is required. To register, go to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.EWtdXdo3nx3t8ZlvSfKX0SCYs1MO-2BJ2YL2Y34Bu5516ha0AibfT0oomM5c-2FSwLJl-2F35tcZhrSxvNkpMeDXj0kA-3D-3DFiSy_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOVGO9PgXRvFvydDa-2BMPFF2dW6XjndnvwoW16xlQUdK8lftUDhnfQnhEGs4JNPs8evgO3rJY0OC1FQrdS4R3yckZiy5j7tZvp53IuRrZfvTXpiApO-2B5CYooKKsiv-2F-2FaFnLaTbbFk1g3qg5BBbEtlawH-2FJbBm8eewXj679ZEdd0GRKMvOdaqY0PKwepBl6vpdkw7KhmP3YQkReAWkEK0MTXN5ZLcBdBTU2DSxJR815vFsXnvXFVDf98PnvSZwCDQCAR">https://www.ushmm.org/events/meyerhoff-forthays</a>.

Two representatives from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies will also participate in three days of programming, including classroom visits and other university activities on the FHSU Campus. 

Museum Campus Outreach Program Officer Kierra Crago-Schneider, PhD and Laura Brade, PhD, the Museum’s Rosalyn Unger Director of Campus Outreach Programs,&nbsp;will join Boxer and Westermann for a series of additional lectures and discussions on campus and in the Hays community.

 The FHSU Department of History and Philosophy, FHSU’s Forsyth Library, the Hays Public Library, and the FHSU College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences are sponsors of event programming.&nbsp;

About the Joseph and Rebecca Meyerhoff Annual Lecture Series

The Meyerhoff Lecture Series is a Campus Outreach Program of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies, part of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The series was endowed by the Meyerhoff family in 1994 to honor excellence in research and foster the dissemination of scholarly work in Holocaust studies. Since 2020, the Meyerhoff Lecture has been held in partnership with a university on its campus as part of the Regional Programming Initiative. 

The mission of the Mandel Center is to ensure the long-term growth and vitality of Holocaust Studies. To do that, it is essential to provide opportunities for new generations of scholars. The vitality and the integrity of Holocaust Studies require openness, independence, and free inquiry so that new ideas are generated and tested through peer review and public debate. 

The opinions of scholars expressed before, during, or after their activities with the Mandel Center do not represent and are not endorsed by the Mandel Center or the Museum.

FHSU Lecture: Territorial expansion efforts in Nazi Europe, U.S. in 19th, 20th centuries

MUNJOR — The Munjor Knights of Columbus will sponsor a fish fry 5-7 p.m. Friday, April 11 at the Munjor school.

For more information, contact Tony Rohr at 785-650-1819

Fish fry April 11 sponsored by Munjor Knights of Columbus

TOPEKA&nbsp;– The Kansas Corporation Commission wants to remind utility customers that there are two important dates coming up that they should be aware of.&nbsp;

 First, the Cold Weather Rule ends on Monday, March 31. The Cold Weather Rule protects residential customers, served by Kansas Corporation Commission regulated utilities, from disconnection when temperatures are forecast to drop below 35 degrees.

In addition, Monday is the deadline to apply for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, known as LIEAP. Applications for the federally funded program must be received by the Kansas Department of Children and Families by 5 p.m. on Monday.&nbsp; Information about the program is available at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.dcf.ks.gov%2Fservices%2Fees%2FPages%2FEnergyAssistance.aspx%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01010195d3102f2b-30f65b62-192b-4182-962e-28f16fadf9ca-000000/moZZnwYAHHByZaQDKjApdWnTF2MTokg_ETYbB8J865I=398">https://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pages/EnergyAssistance.aspx</a>

When the Cold Weather Rule is in effect, regulated utilities are required to offer a 12-month payment plan upon request, even if a previous payment plan has been broken. When that protection ends on Monday, failure to make arrangements or failure to adhere to an already established payment plan could result in disconnection. 

Reconnection after March 31 may require past due balances be paid in full, depending on the utility's policy. That is why it is important to call now – while regulated utilities are still required to offer the Cold Weather Rule 12-month payment plan.

The KCC urges all customers facing financial difficulties to act now to stay connected. To find out more about utility assistance programs in your area, please contact your utility or the KCC Consumer Protection Office at 800-662-0027 or 785-271-3140.&nbsp;Utility assistance program information is also posted on the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Flinkprotect.cudasvc.com%2Furl%3Fa=https%253A%252F%252Fkcc.ks.gov%252Fpublic-affairs-and-consumer-protection%252Futility-weatherization-related-assistance-programs%253Futm_medium%253Demail%2526utm_source%253Dgovdelivery%26c=E%252C1%252CvE_twmaS8t9zcDwjcMo2NFeLHwp2aXyg_bmp0zEqR8JTemQklsbpQOjEho3O48NiOKNKDNkQz1HOXJfuWFnwUZnf_w9wqEcRfTsDLC7H0Q%252C%252C%26typo=1%26utm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01010195d3102f2b-30f65b62-192b-4182-962e-28f16fadf9ca-000000/Poigdlp3I5RuBREWjsAPjy1k-lesBx1axE-TTraOQUI=398">KCC’s website.</a>

It is important to note that the KCC does not regulate co-ops or municipal utilities, although many of those utilities also offer a cold weather payment plan. For a complete list of utilities regulated by the KCC visit:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/http:%2F%2Fkcc.ks.gov%2Fabout-us%2Fjurisdiction%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01010195d3102f2b-30f65b62-192b-4182-962e-28f16fadf9ca-000000/3B0Q3JkxB9oj8WfCHvBQ3Rn1FDi_zTa47n1o1rYRW2I=398">http://kcc.ks.gov/about-us/jurisdiction</a>

Cold Weather Rule, LIEAP application period end soon

Miles of Mercy fundraiser to benefit Hays Catholic youth trip

HOLY FAMILY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NOTES WEEK OF March 31 – April 4, 2025

THE SUCCESSES OF TOMORROW BEGIN TODAY, CATHOLIC EDUCATION IS A LIFETIME ADVANTAGE!

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS…. SCHOOLS YOU CAN BELIEVE IN!

--March 31 • Spring Music Concert for grades KP, K, 1st &amp; 2nd at 6:30 p.m. in the TMP-M Fieldhouse. • Tomorrow our Spring Dress Code resumes! Students may start wearing shorts again, or skirts without leggings underneath!&nbsp; • Happy Birthday to Nolan Roths, 2A, and Skip Mondero, 2B.

--April 1 • Spring Dress Code starts today. • We will have a Fire Drill after announcements. • 1A will have a special presentation about China at 10:30. • Happy Birthday to Cyrus Stremel, 1B.

--April 2 • Memorial of St. Francis of Paola, Hermit. Spirit Day. • Para Appreciation Day! We are grateful for all of our paras: Miss Shaylee, Ms. Brenda, Ms. Meg, Ms. Sara, Ms. Clara, Ms. Courtney, Mr. Danny, Mrs. Schulte, Mrs. Schrant, Miss Laken and Ms. Judy Flax! They are the teacher’s sidekicks, helping with duties, supervision, grading, scanning copies, and they help keep the day-to-day running smoothly! Be sure to thank them today!! • Famous Figures Preliminaries for 5th grade 8:45 a.m. in L.T. • There’s an all-school assembly starting at 2:00 in the L.T. about celebrating KS &amp; the Prairies. • &nbsp;Joyful Noise Choir meets at 2:45 p.m.&nbsp; • Happy Birthday to Miles Patterson, KB, Zander Seib, KA, &amp; Owen Kennedy, 5A.

--April 3 • TMP students will visit 4B today. • Sr. Rose Marie will visit 5th grade at 2:30 p.m.

--April 4 • Memorial of St. Isidore, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. • 2nd Grade Pajama Day for a feed the pig prize. • First Friday Prayer Circles this morning – teachers can take their attendance &amp; lunch count now and we’ll come over the intercom when it’s time for the students to head to their spots. • Stations of the Cross at 2:35 p.m. at IHM. • Students, next week is our Lenten Canned Food Drive! Go through your cabinets and pantry at home and see if you can find a few items to bring to school in a sack for the families in need! All items will be donated to the St. Joseph Food Pantry and Diaper Closet! • Greetings to Emery Knight, 3B, and Jude Wilkens, 1B, who will celebrate a birthday this weekend.

Holy Family Elementary School notes, March 31-April 4, 2025

NORTON — A project to resurface a 12-mile portion of I-70 in Thomas County is scheduled to begin on Monday, March 31.

The Kansas Department of Transportation project will involve a mill and overlay on both east and westbound lanes of I-70 starting near Exit 62 at Mingo and ending at the Logan County line. In addition to the mainline pavement, crews will also resurface the shoulders, ramps and crossovers located within the project limits.

Traffic through the work zone will be reduced to one lane with a decreased speed limit. Motorists should plan for minor travel delays and are reminded to stay alert and use caution in the construction area.

KDOT expects project work to be complete by the end of June, conditions permitting.

Venture Corp., of Great Bend, is the primary contractor with a total contract cost of approximately $9 million. For more information, please contact KDOT Area Construction Manager Todd Anderson at 785-953-6011 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:todd.anderson@ks.gov">todd.anderson@ks.gov</a>.

Resurfacing project to begin on I-70 in Thomas County

The Ellis County Sheriff has announced that blowing dust has reduced visibility on Old Highway 40 near Ellis.

Blowing dust has reduced visibility on U.S 40 near Ellis

Hays Police Department arrest log: March 23-29, 2025

Hays Police Department activity log: March 23-29, 2025

Hays High at Junction City Tuesday, April 1st – 4:00 p.m.&nbsp; Junction City, Kan. - Junction City High School

Radio: KFIX (96.9)&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KFIX">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video: Hays High Sports Network:&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.hudl.com/broadcast/embed/2324813">CLICK HERE TO WATCH $$</a>

Hays High (2-0) continues their early season road trips with a doubleheader in Junction City on Tuesday. The Bluejays (0-4) look for their first win of the season.

First pitch&nbsp; is set for 4:oo p.m. on the Hays High Sports Network.

🥎📹 Hays High at Junction City

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

A Hays man was arrested March 26 after allegedly punching a woman in the face.

Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said 48-year-old Timothy Michael Weatherbie allegedly struck a woman in the alley behind 20O block West Seventh Street.

According to witnesses, the incident happened after a verbal argument between the two subjects.

The woman sustained a laceration to her lip and potential bruising but declined medical treatment. According to Scheibler, the victim did not know Weatherbie.

Weatherbie&nbsp;was arrested on a battery charge.

Hays man arrested for alleged battery on woman

Hays Chief of Police Don Scheibler has announced the promotion of Tim Greenwood to deputy chief of police, effective immediately.&nbsp;

Greenwood brings more than 27 years of experience in law enforcement, all of it with the Hays Police Department. His service spans from patrol duties to advanced tactical leadership and department training.

“Tim Greenwood has consistently demonstrated strong leadership and a deep commitment to the community,” Scheibler said. “He has a wealth of experience and a proven track record of helping the department move forward.”

Greenwood began his career with the department as a patrol officer in 1998. He was promoted to sergeant in 2010 and served in that role until 2015.&nbsp;

He was then promoted to lieutenant, a position he held until his recent promotion. Greenwood has also served as the department’s training coordinator since 2013, overseeing officer development and continuing education.

In addition to his supervisory roles, Greenwood has long been involved with the department’s Special Situation Response Team. He served as SSRT Team Leader from 2005 to 2011 and has been the SSRT Commander since 2011.

“His experience in tactical leadership and training has been essential to the department’s readiness and performance,” Scheibler said. “We’re excited to have him step into this new role.”

Greenwood has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Fort Hays State University and has completed several professional development programs, including the Kansas University Certified Public Manager Program and the Kansas Police Administrator Seminar through Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center.&nbsp;

He is also a graduate of Leadership Hays.

Beyond his duties in the department, Greenwood is serving as president of the Kansas Peace Officers Association. He has been a member of the organization’s executive board since 2020 and previously served on its legislative committee.

“Tim’s leadership has earned him respect across the state,” Scheibler said. “His involvement at the state level has brought valuable insight to our department and reflects his ongoing commitment to the law enforcement profession.”

A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Greenwood’s background in public service extends beyond law enforcement and reflects his strong sense of duty.

Greenwood’s promotion follows the departure of former Deputy Chief Brian Dawson, who retired in March after more than 25 years of service to the city of Hays.&nbsp;

Greenwood will assume command responsibilities in his new role while continuing to support department training and strategic initiatives.

The deputy chief position serves as second-in-command of the Hays Police Department and is responsible for administrative oversight, operations coordination and departmental policy implementation.&nbsp;

“Tim is ready to take on this leadership role,” Scheibler said. “He knows our department, he understands our community, and he’s ready to help shape the future of public safety in Hays.”

For more information about the Hays Police Department or to view employment opportunities, visit <a href="http://haysusa.com">haysusa.com</a>.

New Deputy Chief of Police in Hays announced

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/category/obituaries">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/corrections-about-us">Click HERE for the Hays Post obituary policy.&nbsp;</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/45c326ac-a856-480a-b491-0312e5d43c5c">Find our obituary posting policy by clicking here.</a>

Recent obituaries and service times

The National Weather Service is calling for high winds and blowing dust this afternoon in Hays.

Low humidity also poses an increased risk for wildfires across western Kansas with a critical fire danger for southwest Kansas.

The high is forecast to be 78 on Tuesday in Hays, with a 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before 10 p.m. Tuesday.

More rain is forecast for Thursday through Friday night. Highs are forecast to drop into the 50s later in the week through the weekend.

High winds, blowing dust in forecast for today

Batman has been found and is safe, according to Ellis County Sheriff Scott Braun.

The Ellis County Sheriff’s Office requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Ellis County man.

The whereabouts of 81-year-old Roger Batman are unknown and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate him.

Batman is likely driving a silver 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 pickup truck bearing Kansas tag 9625ACG. He was last seen leaving his house in Hays on Monday at 5:00 p.m. He indicated to his wife that he intended to travel to Wichita, Kansas, though his direction and destination are unknown.

Batman is a white male who is 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs around 180 pounds. He has blue eyes and gray hair. He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and black jeans. Batman has diminished cognitive abilities and high blood pressure.

If you see Roger Batman, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about his whereabouts, call the Ellis County Dispatch at (785) 625-1011.

UPDATE: 81 year old Ellis County resident found safe

HAYS, Kan. – No. 26 Fort Hays State delivered a thrilling comeback victory on Tuesday afternoon at Larks Park, walking off Washburn 4-1 thanks to a three-run blast from Sebastian Burgos&nbsp;in the bottom of the ninth. It was the second time the Tigers used a ninth inning rally to beat the Ichabods. Two weeks ago in Topeka they scored five in the top of the ninth for a 7-5 comeback win.

Both starting pitchers were in command from the start. Cade Flaherty, making his first start since March 15 after an arm injury,&nbsp;scattered three hits over 5 2/3 innings, allowing just one run while striking out five. Washburn's Caleb Lunnon was even sharper, holding the Tigers to just one hit through seven scoreless frames while striking out five.

Washburn broke through in the top of the sixth. Cash Jay worked a leadoff walk, Hayden Priest laid down a well-executed sacrifice bunt, moving Jay into scoring position. With two outs, Jett Buck ripped a double down the right-field line to give the Ichabods a 1-0 lead.

Fort Hays State turned to its bullpen, bringing in Kaleb Carpenter, who got a key lineout to limit Washburn to just the one run. Carpenter tossed a scoreless seventh before Friday starter, Ty Riley&nbsp;came in relief in&nbsp;the eighth. He was able to retire six straight batters to keep the Tigers within a run.

Trey DeGarmo&nbsp;led off the bottom of the ninth with a five-pitch walk. Derek Woolwine followed with a sacrifice bunt with two stikes to advance DeGarmo to second. Brady Kreutzer&nbsp;worked a walk followed by an an opposite field single off the bat of Elliott Herrmann to tie the game 1-1. Sebastian Burgos then walked it off with a dramatic home run over the left field wall.

Riley (6-1) earned the win with two perfect innings of relief, striking out two. Tigers are now 22-8 overall and 17-4 in MIAA play. They host UC-Colorado Springs in a three-game non-conference series at Larks Park this weekend.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾ Burgos’ walk-off homer leads No. 26 Tigers to win over Washburn

The Fort Hays State women's basketball team remained in the Top 25 of both the WBCA and D2CSC Top 25 Polls to finish the 2024-25 season. FHSU ranked No. 12 in the WBCA Top 25 and No. 16 in the D2CSC Top 25. The Tigers had an overall record of 28-5 and advanced to the semifinals of the Central Regional in the NCAA Tournament.

Fort Hays State was among four teams from the Central Region to finish among the Top 20 of the WBCA poll. Pittsburg State, which went on to the national semifinals, finished at No. 2, while FHSU was No. 12, Concordia-St. Paul was No. 13, and Southwest Minnesota State was No. 15. All four were also among the Top 20 of the D2CSC Poll with Pittsburg State at No. 3, Southwest Minnesota State at No. 13, FHSU at No. 16, and Concordia-St. Paul at No. 17.Fort Hays State has now been listed in the top 25 121 times. FHSU is 185-48 when ranked and 131-28 when ranked inside the top 10.Below are the final WBCA and D2CSC Top 25 Polls.

WBCA Top 25 Poll - Final - March 31, 2025 Rank - School (final record) - Points - Prev 1 - Grand Valley State (20) (38-2) - 524 - 2 2 - Pittsburg State (33-4) - 474 - 7 3 - Union, TN (33-4) - 452 - 9 4 - Cal State Dominguez Hills (36-2) - 451 - 4 5 - Bentley (33-2) - 423 - 3 6 - Texas Woman's (1) (33-2) - 398 - 1 7 - Lubbock Christian (32-5) - 377 - 11 t8 - Ashland (32-4) - 375 - 5 9 - North Georgia (31-3) - 346 - 6 10 - Coker (29-6) - 296 - 21 11 - Gannon (28-7) - 286 - 19 12 - Fort Hays State (28-5) - 272 - 11 t13 - Concordia-St. Paul (29-3) - 268 - 8 14 - Texas-Tyler (25-5) - 242 - 10 15 - Southwest Minnesota State (28-5) - 215 - 18 16 - Embry-Riddle (27-5) - 211 - 13 17 - Alaska Anchorage (28-5) - 197 - 16 18 - Nova Southeastern (27-7) - 163 - 24 19 - Cal Poly Pomona (25-6) - 161 - 14 20 - Fairmont State (27-5) - 155 - 15 21 - Lewis (26-4) - 94 - 17 22t - Colorado Mesa (25-6) - 61 - 22 22t - Tampa (26-7) - 61 - 20 24 - Holy Family (26-7) - 44 - RV 25 - Point Loma Nazarene (25-6) - 39 - 23

Receiving votes:&nbsp;Indiana, PA (23-8) 36; Central Washington (23-8) 34; Minnesota State Mankato (25-8) 31; Azusa Pacific (22-7) 29; Seton Hill (24-7) 21; Edinboro (25-7) 16; Montana State Billings (25-8) 2.

D2CSC Top 25 Poll - Final - April 1, 2025 Rank - School&nbsp; - W-L - Pts. - Prev 1 - Grand Valley State (16) - 38-2 - 400 - 2 2 - Cal State-Dominguez Hills - 36-2 - 381 - 3 3 - Pittsburg State - 33-4 - 367 - 6 4 - Union - 33-4 - 356 - 9 5 - Lubbock Christian&nbsp;32-5 - 326 - 10 6 - Bentley&nbsp;33-2 - 323 - 4 7 - Coker - 29-7 - 290 - 17 8 - Gannon - 28-7 - 285 - 15 9 - Texas Woman's - 33-2 - 27 1 - 1 10 - Ashland - 32-4 - 244 - 7 11 - North Georgia - 31-3 - 236 - 5 12 - Nova Southeastern - 27-7 - 201 - 18 13 - Southwest Minnesota St. - 28-5 - 168 - RV 14 - Holy Family - 26-7 - 154 - 22 15 - Embry-Riddle - 27-5 - 143 - 11 16 - Fort Hays State - 28-5 - 124 - 16 17 - Concordia-St. Paul - 29-3 - 108 - 8 18 - Alaska-Anchorage - 28-5 - 102 - 21 19 - Indiana (Pa.) - 23-8 - 99 - NR 20 - Texas Tyler - 25-5 - 81 - 13 21 - Edinboro - 25-7 - 80 - 14 22 - Central Washington - 23-8 - 76 - NR 23 - Seton Hill - 24-7 - 63 - 23 24 - Cal Poly- Pomona - 25-6 - 59 - 12 25 - Daemen - 23-8 - 44 - 19

Receiving Votes:&nbsp;&nbsp;Minnesota State- Mankato (35); Northern Michigan (20); Carson Newman (19); Fairmont State (19); St. Anselm (17); West Texas A &amp; M (16); Chico State (16); Lewis (16); Tampa (14); Point Loma (13); Lee (10); Columbus State (7); Colorado Mesa (6); Missouri Western (5); Wayne State (2); Hillsdale (2); Anderson (1); Eastern New Mexico State (1).&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 FHSU women No. 12/16 in final national polls of 2024-25

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Fort Hays State Baseball moved back a couple of spots in the latest ABCA Division II Top 30 Poll, released on Tuesday (Apr. 1). The Tigers are No. 26 in the latest rankings, moving back a couple of spots after being ranked No. 24 last week.

The Tigers are coming off a 1-2 weekend in their road series at then No. 3 ranked Central Missouri. The Mules moved up to the No. 1 ranking in the nation this week and join the Tigers as the only two MIAA programs among the Top 30. Central Oklahoma and Pittsburg State are both receiving votes. All four teams have over 20 wins overall this season.

In the supplemental online D2Baseball Poll released on Monday (Mar. 31) this week, the Tigers were ranked No. 25. Central Missouri is No. 3 in that poll. The Tigers moved into the receiving votes section of the NCBWA Top 25 Poll released last week.

Since the Tigers took one of the three games in Warrensburg last weekend, they remain on top of the MIAA standings at 16-4. Central Missouri is currently 13-4 in the conference, 1.5 games back of FHSU. Central Oklahoma is two games back at 14-6 and Pittsburg State is 3.5 games back at 12-7.Fort Hays State hosts Washburn in a single MIAA game on Tuesday afternoon in Hays. The Tigers then have a three-game non-conference series scheduled against UC-Colorado Springs on the weekend in Hays.

ABCA Top 30 Poll for April 1, 2025. Rank - School - Record - Points 1 - Central Missouri - 22-7 - 267 2 - Angelo State (Texas) - 26-6 - 258 3 - Tampa (Fla.) - 25-6 - 255 4 - Minnesota State - 21-2 - 240 5 - Florida Southern - 24-7 - 235 6 - UT-Tyler - 28-9 - 218 7 - Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) - 26-6 - 216 8 - Young Harris (Ga.) - 24-9 - 209 9 - Catawba (N.C.) - 23-9 - 200 10 - West Chester (Pa.) - 22-5 - 190 11 - Davenport (Mich.) - 21-6 - 173 12 - Westmont (Calif.) - 25-8 - 163 13 - Carson-Newman (Tenn.) - 26-8 - 160 14 - Point Loma (Calif.) - 22-10 - 155 15 - North Greenville (S.C.) - 30-8 - 146 16 - Millersville (Pa.) - 21-4 - 137 17 - Delta State (Miss.) - 25-8 - 128 18 - East Stroudsburg (Pa.) - 20-6 - 120 19 - Grand Valley State (Mich.) - 20-8 -103 20 - Harding (Ark.) - 25-8 - 97 21 - St. Edward's (Texas) - 26-11 - 94 22 - North Georgia - 24-9 - 83 23 - Colorado Mesa - 22-8 - 74 24 - Rollins (Fla.) - 21-9 - 72 25 - Chico State (Calif.) - 18-11 - 63 26 - Fort Hays State (Kan.) - 21-8 - 46 27 - Seton Hill (Pa.) - 20-5 - 40 28 - Mount Olive (N.C.) - 20-13 - 22 29 - Francis Marion (S.C.) - 26-9 - 20 30 - Belmont Abbey (N.C.) - 24-11 - 9 30 - Cal State Monterey Bay 19-10 - 9 30 - Jefferson (Pa.) - 18-8 - 9

Receiving Votes:&nbsp;West Florida, Lander (S.C.), West Texas A&amp;M, Cal State San Bernardino, Cal State Dominguez Hills, Barton (N.C.), Central Oklahoma, Southern New Hampshire, Northwest Nazarene (Idaho), Regis (Colo.), Georgia Southwestern State, St. Mary's (Texas), Ashland (Ohio), Saginaw Valley State (Mich.), Lewis (Ill.), Valdosta State (Ga.), Goldey-Beacom (Del.), Bentley (Mass.), Pittsburg State (Kan.), Arkansas Monticello, Southern Arkansas, Augustana (S.D.), Shippensburg (Pa.), Frostburg State (Md.), Concord (W.V.).&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾ Tigers drop two spots in latest ABCA national rankings

Tuesday, April 1
 KAYS: Fort Hays State
BSB vs. Washburn, 3:40pm
 KFIX: Hays High SB (DH) at Junction City, 3:45pm
 KHAZ: TMP-Marian SB (DH) vs. Ellinwood, 3:45pm
 KAYS: Kansas City Royals at Milwaukee Brewers, 6:00pm (JIP)

Wednesday, April 2
 KAYS: Kansas City
Royals at Milwaukee Brewers, 11:30am KJLS: Tiger Talk, 12:15pm

Friday, April 4
 KAYS: Fort Hays State
SB vs. Northeastern State, 12:40pm
 KAYS: Kansas City Royals vs. Baltimore Orioles, 6:00pm (JIP)

Saturday, April 5
 KAYS: Kansas City
Royals vs. Baltimore Orioles, 2:30pm

Sunday, April 6
 KAYS: Kansas City
Royals vs. Baltimore Orioles, 12:30pm

🎧 Eagle Radio, Hull sports broadcast schedule

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Kris Bubic struck out eight in six shutout innings in his first start in nearly two years, and the Kansas City Royals spoiled Milwaukee's home opener with an 11-1 victory over the winless Brewers on Monday.

Maikel Garcia and Salvador Perez homered for the Royals. Jonathan India had three hits and drove in two runs one day after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/royals-jonathan-india-21ca211a9ceab0a802ad3e0161c98cd7">he was struck</a>&nbsp;on the left side of his face by a 98.9-mph pitch from Cleveland's Emmanuel Clase.

Bubic (1-0) allowed three hits and walked two in his first start since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/braves-royals-0901437988ea02e1d63792b0b8fcbcb7">April 15, 2023.</a>&nbsp;The 27-year-old left-hander had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/royals-kris-bubic-e784a60aeb5aa900ac518966b0a6446b">Tommy John surgery</a>&nbsp;later that month, and he filled a relief role in all 27 of his appearances last season, going 1-1 with a 2.67 ERA.

The two-time&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/milwaukee-brewers-984ada478789a7727c5f1333df7afddd">defending NL Central champion</a>&nbsp;Brewers are 0-4 for the first time since 2015, when they finished 68-94.

Garcia connected for a 428-foot drive to center on a 2-1 fastball from Elvin Rodriguez (0-1) in the second. Perez went deep on a 2-2 slider from Elvis Peguero in the seventh, sending a 418-foot drive just inside the left-field foul pole.

Brewers associate manager Rickie Weeks was ejected from the game by home plate umpire Brennan Miller after arguing a ball-strike call from the dugout in the seventh.

After India and Bobby Witt opened the game with back-to-back singles, Rodríguez retired the next two batters and seemed on the verge of getting out of the inning until Michael Massey ripped a 1-1 fastball that bounced over the left-field wall for a ground-rule RBI double. Hunter Renfroe followed with a two-run single.

The Brewers have been outscored 47-15 through their first four games. They opened their season by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/torpedo-bats-yankees-6ac6c797ea935941ed1c0d0e51a7d870">getting swept</a>&nbsp;in a three-game series at Yankee Stadium.

Right-hander Michael Lorenzen starts for the Royals as the three-game series continues Tuesday. The Brewers haven't announced their starting pitcher.

⚾ Bubic sparkles in first start since April 2023 as Royals trounce Brewers

Hays High swimming took third at Salina Central last week.&nbsp;

Lucy Tippy, Breckyn Wahlmeier, Jaylen Hughes and Izabel Schmidt combined to win the 200 yard medley relay in a time of 2:08.59. They won the event by nearly six seconds. The time was just under the qualifying standard for state.

That same foursome also won the 200 yard freestyle by nearly seven seconds. Their time was under the state qualifying time by four seconds.

Schmidt continued her decorated career with a 50 yard freestyle victory in a time of 25.33. Second place was 27.07. She also won the 100 yard butterfly by five and half seconds. Both of her events times are well under the state qualifying time.

Hughes and Tippy finshed third and fourth in the 200 yard individual medley.&nbsp;

Hughes was the winner of the 100 yard backstroke with a time of 1:07.39, the state qualifying time is set at 1:07.01. Her closest competitor finished with a time of 1:11.60.&nbsp;

🏊‍♀️ Hays High swimming third, claim five golds

HAYS, Kan. - The 24th-ranked Fort Hays State baseball team has moved up its scheduled first pitch against Washburn on Tuesday (April 1) to 2 p.m. due to potential severe weather later in the evening.

This is the second of three midweek games between the Tigers and Ichabods, with FHSU scoring five runs in the top of the ninth to win 7-5 on the road two weeks ago.

Fort Hays State enters the contest 21-8 overall and 16-4 in MIAA play, tied for first place in the loss column with No. 3 Central Missouri. The Ichabods are 17-15 overall and 10-10 in conference action.

Live video will be available via&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">The MIAA Network</a>&nbsp;on a pay-per-view basis, while live radio coverage will be available on&nbsp;<a href="https://kaysradio.com/">KAYS</a>&nbsp;with voice of the Tigers Gerard Wellbrock. Live stats will also be available&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sidearmstats/baseball/summary">online here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾ FHSU pushes up Tuesday start time

By: Sheldon Wickwar Special to the Hays Post

RPM Speedway hosted the 13th Annual Sunflower Classic with 144 race teams participating on Friday Night. John Martinez won the sport compact feature race, Zach Olmstead triumphed in the hobby stocks, Brandon Spanjer secured victory in the sport mods, Kyle Pfeifer emerged victorious in the stock cars, and Dakota Sproul dominated the modifieds.

One hundred and thirty-seven race teams checked into the RPM Speedway in Hays, Kansas, for the final night of the 2025 Sunflower Classic. Drivers and fans alike braved cold temperatures and strong northwest winds all night, but the racing action heated up quickly, with numerous close finishes all night long. Visiting victory lane were Connor Schwien in the sport compact, Blaine Walt in the sport mod, Dillon Richards in the hobby stock, Troy Burkhart in the stock car and Clay Money in the modified!

The sport compacts started the program off with one heat race won by John Martinez, their fifteen-lap main event featured a front row of Connor Schwien and Zack McLaughlin. Schwien took an early lead and never really looked back, in the closing moments Martinez made a push for the weekend sweep but was unable to pull it off. Connor Schwien picked up the win, second was John Martinez, third was Kyle Mortensen, fourth was Kaishen Brack and fifth was Brin McAtee. Hard charger in the event was John Martinez who gained five spots.

The sport mods ran second on the program, they ran three heat races won by Tyler Watts, Blaine Walt, and Douglas Beaman, their b-main was won by Connor Barnes. Their twenty-lap main event featured a front row of Tyler Watts and Blaine Walt, Watts held the advantage until right before halfway when Blaine Walt took over the race lead, a couple cautions in the second half kept Watts right on Walt’s tail but he was never able to get by.

Blaine Walt brought his Fury Chassis to victory lane for the first time in 2025, second was Tyler Watts, third was Riley Osantowski, fourth was Cody Gearhart and Brady Bencken finished fifth. Hard charger in the event was Carson Lang who gained thirteen spots, other nice runs included Jeff Ray up seven spots, Arie Schouten and Nick Hankins gained six spots each, Sam McCune and Dylan Cherry grabbed five spots each.

The stock cars ran the third main event of the evening, their three heat races were won by Brett Berry, Cole Czarneski, and Bobby Eubanks, rookie Hunter Smith won the b main. Their twenty-lap main event started with a front row of Johnny Yutterman and Kolby Stegman, quickly Jason Rogers and Troy Burkhart found their way to the front of the field, and the duo battled tightly throughout the contest. The veteran drivers raced each other cleanly, and on the final corner, Troy Burkhart powered through to win a drag race to the finish line, winning by less than eight-hundredths of a second. Troy Burkhart picked up his first win of 2025, second was David Murray Jr, third was Bobby Eubanks, fourth was Jason Rogers and fifth was Johnny Yutterman. Hard chargers in the event were Bobby Eubanks and Bill Brack who gained six spots each.

The modifieds ran the fourth main event of the evening, their heat races were won by Curtis Barnes, Greg Gustus and Clay Money, Dakota Sproul won the class’s b main. Their twenty-lap main event featured a front row of Greg Gustus and Tim Hamilton, Gustus fired off to the early lead, and Hamilton tried to keep pace. A few laps in, Clay Money and Tanner Black made runs to the lead battle, with Money and Gustus battling it out, Money got by and took his new Rage Chassis to victory lane for the first time in 2025, second was Tanner Black, third went to Greg Gustus, fourth was Jeremy Frenier and Friday Night’s feature winner Dakota Sproul, took home fifth place. Matt Bonine was the hard charger with nine spots gained, other nice runs included Dakota Sproul up eight spots, Colton Czapanskiy up seven spots, David Murray Jr and Jeremy Frenier up six spots each, and Dalton Bell gained five spots.

The hobby stocks finished the program out, they ran four heat races won by Dillon Thompson, Dillon Richards, Brayden Hurley, and Zach Olmstead. Dylan Bell and Levi Jones won the two b mains. Their twenty-lap main event started with a front row of Dillon Thompson and Cody Williams, the duo raced side-by-side throughout the feature, and late in the feature Dillon Richards brought himself into the battle. Williams led the first fifteen laps before Richards got by and held him off. Dillon Richards picked up his ninth win of the season so far in 2025, collecting several wins in Arizona during the IMCATV Winter Nationals, second was Cody Williams, third was Dylan Bell, fourth was Dillon Thompson and fifth was Dion Priddy. Hard charger in the event was Tylan Lambertus who gained fourteen spots, other nice runs included Trent Matson and Dylan Bell up ten spots each, Dillon Richards grabbed six spots, while Zach Olmstead, Terry Greuter and Cole Schulte all gained five spots each.

Racing action returns to the RPM Speedway on Saturday, April 12th! The next racing event in Western Kansas will be the High Limit Show in Dodge City, Saturday April 5th! Big names like Rico Abreu, Tyler Courtney, Brad Sweet and more will battle it out in Dodge City!

RPM Speedway: Sunflower Classic results

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Longtime manager Peter Vermes is out at Sporting Kansas City.

The MLS club announced Monday that it “mutually agreed to part ways” with Vermes after nearly two decades and with Sporting KC chasing its first win since mid-September of last season.

Kerry Zavagnin was appointed interim head coach.

Vermes became the club's technical director in 2006 before being elevated to head coach in 2009. The member of the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame ranks third on the all-time MLS list with 203 regular-season wins.

He is the only person to win the MLS Cup as a player and a coach with the same team — he led Kansas City to the 2000 title as a central defender, then coached the team to the 2013 championship.

“It would be hard to list all of the people I want to thank after 20 seasons in managerial positions at Sporting Kansas City,” Vermes said in a statement. “I am thankful to everyone, especially ownership for giving me the opportunity of being a steward of this club for the past two decades. I wish the club nothing but the best in the future.”

Vermes led the club to 11 playoff appearances and four first-place finishes in the regular season. The club also won U.S. Open Cup titles in 2012, 2015 and 2017. Last season, the team reached the U.S. Open Cup Final but finished with an 8-19-7 record for its third straight losing campaign.

Vermes' final game was Saturday, when Sporting KC fell 2–1 to FC Dallas for a fifth loss in their first six games of the 2025 season.

Peter Vermes is out as Sporting Kansas City manager after 16 years

JOHNSON COUNTY —A former Kansas high school Choir Director is going to prison for sex crimes.

On Friday, Judge Thomas Sutherland sentenced 35-year-old Micah Horton to 34-months for unlawful sexual relations, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.

After an investigation in March of 2024, Olathe Police arrested Horton who was&nbsp;the Choir Director at Olathe North High School. He pleaded guilty to three counts of unlawful sexual relations. 

Prison: Former Kan. school choir director admits to unlawful sexual relations 

BY&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/mike-catalini">MIKE CATALINI</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a feat of determination, New Jersey Democratic Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-cory-booker-senate-speech-4540f0c98e620b591bfbea8c1001419a">Cory Booker</a>&nbsp;held the Senate floor with a marathon speech that lasted all night and into Tuesday evening, setting a historic mark to show Democrats’ resistance to President Donald Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/trump-campaign-promise-tracker/">sweeping actions</a>.

Booker took to the Senate floor on Monday evening, saying he would remain there as long as he was “physically able.” More than 24 hours later, the 55-year-old senator, a former football tight end, was still going. It set the record for the longest continuous Senate floor speech in the chamber’s history, though Booker was assisted by fellow Democrats who gave him a break from speaking by asking him questions on the Senate floor.

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