The best candidate for Ellis County Clerk is Ms. Bobby Dreiling. I have known her for many years and had the opportunity to work with her when I was employed at Ellis County. In all my interactions with her, she always listened to my concerns and diligently investigated to find the answer. I also worked with her as I was an elected official. Twice I served as the Clerk for Ellis Township. I worked with her to save money for the county by consolidating the number of townships. This took a considerable amount of time but the savings warranted taking this action.

Prior to any election the machines are brought out and testing of the count is done to be sure everything is working properly. For many years I was a viewer to this process representing the Republican Party. I can attest that her and her staff were extremely professional in the process. They never rushed or took shortcuts.

Ms. Dreiling takes pride in her job and the security of the election process. I will be voting for her and recommend you do the same.

Reelect Bobby Dreiling to Ellis County Clerk.

William (Bill) Ring Retired Director: Ellis Co. Public Works

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698091063975.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>The best candidate for Ellis County Clerk is Ms. Bobby Dreiling. I have known her for many years and had the opportunity to work with her when I was employed at Ellis County. In all my interactions with her, she always listened to my concerns and diligently investigated to find the answer. I also worked with her as I was an elected official. Twice I served as the Clerk for Ellis Township. I worked with her to save money for the county by consolidating the number of townships. This took a considerable amount of time but the savings warranted taking this action.Prior to any election the machines are brought out and testing of the count is done to be sure everything is working properly. For many years I was a viewer to this process representing the Republican Party. I can attest that her and her staff were extremely professional in the process. They never rushed or took shortcuts.Ms. Dreiling takes pride in her job and the security of the election process. I will be voting for her and recommend you do the same.Reelect Bobby Dreiling to Ellis County Clerk.William (Bill) Ring Retired Director: Ellis Co. Public Works

Former Public Works director endorses County Clerk reelection

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/eagle-radio-auction-descriptions-of-items">Click here to get registered, view items and bid.</a>

1210 E 43rd St., Hays, KS 676017 85-628-2525 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bosmotorsports.com/">www.bosmotorsports.com</a>

2023&nbsp;Bobcat&nbsp;42" Zero-Turn Mower ZT2000

BOS Motorsports in Hays is your exclusive dealer of Bobcat residential and commercial mowers. This brand new Bobcat zero-turn, orange and white ZT2000 is a mower built to handle the toughest jobs. 

It offers a 42" mowing deck. the powerful Kawasaki FR651V engine provides 726 cc of power and the 3.8-gallon fuel tank keeps you mowing. 

The Hydro gear hydrostatic transaxes are designed for heavy-duty torque with productive ground speeds of up to 7mph. 

This Bobcat mower offers the High Back Spring suspension seat and a 7 gauge Tuf deck, plus their three-year/500-hour warranty.

BOS Motorsports services Bobcat mowers, sharpens blades and has accessories like bag kits, mulching kits and more.

Current Bid: $2,054 Retail Price: $5,419

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729114997590.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/eagle-radio-auction-descriptions-of-items">Click here to get registered, view items and bid.</a><h2>BOS Motorsports</h2>1210 E 43rd St., Hays, KS 676017 85-628-2525 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bosmotorsports.com/">www.bosmotorsports.com</a><h2>2023&nbsp;Bobcat&nbsp;42" Zero-Turn Mower ZT2000</h2>BOS Motorsports in Hays is your exclusive dealer of Bobcat residential and commercial mowers. This brand new Bobcat zero-turn, orange and white ZT2000 is a mower built to handle the toughest jobs. It offers a 42" mowing deck. the powerful Kawasaki FR651V engine provides 726 cc of power and the 3.8-gallon fuel tank keeps you mowing. The Hydro gear hydrostatic transaxes are designed for heavy-duty torque with productive ground speeds of up to 7mph. This Bobcat mower offers the High Back Spring suspension seat and a 7 gauge Tuf deck, plus their three-year/500-hour warranty.BOS Motorsports services Bobcat mowers, sharpens blades and has accessories like bag kits, mulching kits and more. MOW LIKE A PRO with Bobcat.Current Bid: $2,054 Retail Price: $5,419

Eagle Auction: Bobcat 42" Zero-Turn Mower

Editor’s note: This article is a personal account of lived experience with substance use, traumatic experiences and domestic violence. Help is always available by calling High Plains Mental Health Center at 1-800-432-0333, or by calling or texting 988. For support regarding domestic violence, contact Options at 1-800-794-4624.

By KALEY CONNER High Plains Mental Health Center

Recovery is a journey. And as Tara Rollins knows very well, that journey is never easy but is always worth it. And sometimes, the path toward wellness leads to unexpected and beautiful places.

Rollins, a certified peer mentor providing substance use disorder support at High Plains Mental Health Center, draws on her lived experiences to help relate to and support her clients who are also in recovery from addictions. She has been in recovery for several years, first helping to establish the first Oxford House recovery homes in Hays, and working at HPMHC for the past three years.

For Tara, an important part of her own recovery story has been finding the motivation to pay it forward by helping others who are facing the battle of addiction. Today, she’s a mental health professional and finds her greatest joy in being a mother to her three kids. Life is good, Rollins said, but it wasn’t always.

“I came back, helped start the women’s Oxford House, found a purpose, found a voice,” Rollins said. “It’s just been enlightening. I didn’t think I could have a life like that for so long. It’s like I was stuck in this sadness, and with these substances, too long.”

As a certified peer mentor, Rollins is a mental health professional who has lived experience with substance use and helps others who are struggling with similar issues. She serves as a role model and provides recovery support on an as-needed basis. In honor of National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, Tara is sharing her story of resilience and recovery.

Substance Use Disorders (SUD) are common in the United States, and can affect both adults and youth. A national survey conducted by the federal government in 2022 found 48.7 million people ages 12 and older had experienced SUD in the previous year. Alcohol-use disorder is the most common, affecting 29.5 million people, while 27.2 million people had drug use disorders. It is also common for substance use disorders to co-occur with mental illnesses, as individuals may be self-medicating to cover up distressing symptoms in the absence of professional treatment.

Like many individuals who eventually struggle with substance use, Rollins recognizes now that unresolved childhood trauma was a contributing factor. She moved to a new city in middle school and being very eager to make friends, soon connected with an older group of peers who “made poor decisions.” Tara just wanted to fit in, and remembers getting drunk for the first time at the age of 12.

“I strongly believe that the people you surround yourself with are a huge influence on your life in general,” Rollins said. “When you’re younger, you don’t always take things as seriously as you should. I definitely didn’t.”

She continued drinking and partying through high school, eventually dropping out after becoming pregnant with her first child at a young age. She would try several times to go back for her diploma, but as she continued her partying lifestyle, she recognizes that education was not yet her highest priority.

What happened next for Tara was absolutely devastating – her romantic relationship turned abusive, and for more than a year, she endured severe physical and emotional abuse. She was finally able to escape the dangerous situation, but carried significant psychological trauma forward with her. 

Soon after, she lost a long-time friend as a result poor decision making while under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

It was a dark time in her life, and that was when she first began “dabbling” with harder drugs in addition to the alcohol use. She reconnected with an old friend and thought she had finally found a healthy relationship, but ended up being introduced to opioid pills. She was immediately hooked.

“I knew that’s what I wanted was whatever that (pill) was,” Rollins said. “I was so relaxed, like this is amazing. I had not felt that good probably ever.”

As a professional, Rollins recently attended a national recovery conference and heard a nationally known speaker, Tony Hoffman, explain how opioids affect the mind and body. The drugs produce a euphoric effect, making them easily addictive and quickly leading to a lifestyle of seeking the next high.

“You have a baseline for your mood and below it is misery, and above that is the best you’ve ever felt,” Rollins said, noting opioids take people to their highest high. “When it’s not in your system anymore and when you’re not feeling great up here, you’re lower than your baseline … so you start to slip down a little bit which eventually takes you down into misery.”

Rollins was easily able to obtain black market opioid pills (even in small-town Kansas) buying from people who had physician prescriptions and sold the pills for extra money. Her tolerance grew, and so did her dependency. Still, Rollins was in denial and continued trying to justify her growing pill habit.

“It just felt like a vice. That’s what I told myself. Everybody has a vice, and this is mine,” Rollins said. “I’m totally functional. My life is good.”

She was able to function well at home and in society – as long as she had access to the drug. Then one day, she was out of pills and unable to obtain more as health care professionals nationwide began to sound the alarm on the growing opioid epidemic and prescribers began taking additional steps to limit and monitor pain pill access.

Rollins went into severe withdrawal effects – the worst pain she’d ever felt in her life – and ended up being hospitalized due to infections in her body that were caused by physical complications of detox. When she was discharged from the hospital, a physician prescribed her more opioid pain pills.

From there, it was a rapid downwards spiral. Her boyfriend was arrested, causing great financial strain for Tara and her children. She would eventually experiment with meth out of desperation, but that didn’t last long.

“I was so out of myself. I didn’t do meth for very long,” Rollins said. “I felt like it only took eight months to ruin my life. To really crash everything down, it took less than a year on meth.”

Relatives stepped in to care for her children, and Rollins became involved with the judicial system. She was on Corrections and in and out of county jail. Rollins knew she had hit rock bottom, and eventually she became determined to do whatever it took to get her life and her family back on track.

Eventually, she would enter the Ellis County Drug Court (now Recovery Court) in its early days and seek treatment at High Plains Mental Health Center to address the underlying trauma. She spent time at a recovery facility for women and returned home with a newfound sense of purpose.

“I hated it. I hated not seeing my babies. They were missing me, they didn’t know what was going on with me,” she said in a voice tight with emotion. “That was my biggest drive right there was all that pain. How could I do this to them? I was like I never, EVER want to do this again.”

She became involved with starting the first Oxford House recovery homes in Hays. She also became HPMHC’s first-ever peer mentor for substance use recovery and now serves alongside the treatment team of Ellis County Recovery Court. She finished her GED courses and earned a high school diploma. Today, she’s working to continue her education to further help those struggling with addiction.

It’s been a beautiful, full-circle journey, and every day Rollins is motivated by a desire to pay it forward and to help reach others who are trapped in the dark cycle of addiction. More than anything, she wants people to know there is help and there is hope – no one has to go through addiction and recovery alone.

Recovery looks different for everyone, Rollins said, noting that some may choose to participate in 12-step programs and daily support group meetings, while others lean into their personal faith or recovery-based Bible studies. It’s important and OK that every individual finds a recovery outlet that works for them and for their lifestyle – but it’s very important to make supportive connections, she said.

“If you don’t have an outlet to make connections with other people in the recovery community and you’re wanting to stay clean and sober, it’s going to be a lot harder for you because you can’t do it alone,” Rollins said. “It looks different to everybody. Not everybody’s recovery is the same.”

Help is available through a variety of local agencies and resources. High Plains Mental Health Center offers a comprehensive substance use disorder treatment program that may include therapy to address underlying trauma and build coping skills, Medication-Assisted Treatment for opioid and alcohol use disorders, and Rollins’ peer support program. A sliding fee scale is available, as well as funding from the Kansas SUD block grant to ensure cost is not a barrier to receiving care. Support is available 24/7 by calling HPMHC at 1-800-432-0333.

Rollins offers words of encouragement for individuals who are struggling with substance use.

“Reach out, go to Oxford, go to a meeting, come get services at High Plains or somewhere else. Find an area where you fit,” Rollins said. “But if you stay stuck in the same routine, you’re not going to move. You’ve got to take yourself out of this routine.”

For family members and friends concerned about a loved one’s substance use, Rollins says it sometimes may be helpful to reach out for professional support on behalf of that individual, because they aren’t always able to make the call.

“When you’re stuck in it, even if you think you know somebody that you could reach out to, that phone weighs 800 pounds to them mentally,” she said. “It is so hard for them to pick it up even though it’s in their hand.

“All we can do is say there is an alternative. There are people who can help guide you through it. You’re not alone.”

High Plains Mental Health Center is a licensed Community Mental Health Center and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic dedicated to the aggressive pursuit of providing a comprehensive mental health program to the residents of Northwest Kansas. Embodied in this pursuit are fundamental principles of establishing quality services as close to home as possible, at an affordable fee, and delivered in the least disruptive manner available. Such services will offer a continuum of care so that treatment can be

individualized, and our staff can respond quickly and compassionately to those reaching out to us. We’re Here for You!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729093341330.jpeg" alt="Tara Rollins (Courtesy photo)" />
 <figcaption>Tara Rollins (Courtesy photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>Editor’s note: This article is a personal account of lived experience with substance use, traumatic experiences and domestic violence. Help is always available by calling High Plains Mental Health Center at 1-800-432-0333, or by calling or texting 988. For support regarding domestic violence, contact Options at 1-800-794-4624.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578344475899.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By KALEY CONNER High Plains Mental Health CenterRecovery is a journey. And as Tara Rollins knows very well, that journey is never easy but is always worth it. And sometimes, the path toward wellness leads to unexpected and beautiful places.Rollins, a certified peer mentor providing substance use disorder support at High Plains Mental Health Center, draws on her lived experiences to help relate to and support her clients who are also in recovery from addictions. She has been in recovery for several years, first helping to establish the first Oxford House recovery homes in Hays, and working at HPMHC for the past three years.For Tara, an important part of her own recovery story has been finding the motivation to pay it forward by helping others who are facing the battle of addiction. Today, she’s a mental health professional and finds her greatest joy in being a mother to her three kids. Life is good, Rollins said, but it wasn’t always.“I came back, helped start the women’s Oxford House, found a purpose, found a voice,” Rollins said. “It’s just been enlightening. I didn’t think I could have a life like that for so long. It’s like I was stuck in this sadness, and with these substances, too long.”As a certified peer mentor, Rollins is a mental health professional who has lived experience with substance use and helps others who are struggling with similar issues. She serves as a role model and provides recovery support on an as-needed basis. In honor of National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, Tara is sharing her story of resilience and recovery.Substance Use Disorders (SUD) are common in the United States, and can affect both adults and youth. A national survey conducted by the federal government in 2022 found 48.7 million people ages 12 and older had experienced SUD in the previous year. Alcohol-use disorder is the most common, affecting 29.5 million people, while 27.2 million people had drug use disorders. It is also common for substance use disorders to co-occur with mental illnesses, as individuals may be self-medicating to cover up distressing symptoms in the absence of professional treatment.Like many individuals who eventually struggle with substance use, Rollins recognizes now that unresolved childhood trauma was a contributing factor. She moved to a new city in middle school and being very eager to make friends, soon connected with an older group of peers who “made poor decisions.” Tara just wanted to fit in, and remembers getting drunk for the first time at the age of 12.“I strongly believe that the people you surround yourself with are a huge influence on your life in general,” Rollins said. “When you’re younger, you don’t always take things as seriously as you should. I definitely didn’t.”She continued drinking and partying through high school, eventually dropping out after becoming pregnant with her first child at a young age. She would try several times to go back for her diploma, but as she continued her partying lifestyle, she recognizes that education was not yet her highest priority.What happened next for Tara was absolutely devastating – her romantic relationship turned abusive, and for more than a year, she endured severe physical and emotional abuse. She was finally able to escape the dangerous situation, but carried significant psychological trauma forward with her. Soon after, she lost a long-time friend as a result poor decision making while under the influence of alcohol and drugs.It was a dark time in her life, and that was when she first began “dabbling” with harder drugs in addition to the alcohol use. She reconnected with an old friend and thought she had finally found a healthy relationship, but ended up being introduced to opioid pills. She was immediately hooked.“I knew that’s what I wanted was whatever that (pill) was,” Rollins said. “I was so relaxed, like this is amazing. I had not felt that good probably ever.”As a professional, Rollins recently attended a national recovery conference and heard a nationally known speaker, Tony Hoffman, explain how opioids affect the mind and body. The drugs produce a euphoric effect, making them easily addictive and quickly leading to a lifestyle of seeking the next high.“You have a baseline for your mood and below it is misery, and above that is the best you’ve ever felt,” Rollins said, noting opioids take people to their highest high. “When it’s not in your system anymore and when you’re not feeling great up here, you’re lower than your baseline … so you start to slip down a little bit which eventually takes you down into misery.”Rollins was easily able to obtain black market opioid pills (even in small-town Kansas) buying from people who had physician prescriptions and sold the pills for extra money. Her tolerance grew, and so did her dependency. Still, Rollins was in denial and continued trying to justify her growing pill habit.“It just felt like a vice. That’s what I told myself. Everybody has a vice, and this is mine,” Rollins said. “I’m totally functional. My life is good.”She was able to function well at home and in society – as long as she had access to the drug. Then one day, she was out of pills and unable to obtain more as health care professionals nationwide began to sound the alarm on the growing opioid epidemic and prescribers began taking additional steps to limit and monitor pain pill access.Rollins went into severe withdrawal effects – the worst pain she’d ever felt in her life – and ended up being hospitalized due to infections in her body that were caused by physical complications of detox. When she was discharged from the hospital, a physician prescribed her more opioid pain pills.From there, it was a rapid downwards spiral. Her boyfriend was arrested, causing great financial strain for Tara and her children. She would eventually experiment with meth out of desperation, but that didn’t last long.“I was so out of myself. I didn’t do meth for very long,” Rollins said. “I felt like it only took eight months to ruin my life. To really crash everything down, it took less than a year on meth.”Relatives stepped in to care for her children, and Rollins became involved with the judicial system. She was on Corrections and in and out of county jail. Rollins knew she had hit rock bottom, and eventually she became determined to do whatever it took to get her life and her family back on track.Eventually, she would enter the Ellis County Drug Court (now Recovery Court) in its early days and seek treatment at High Plains Mental Health Center to address the underlying trauma. She spent time at a recovery facility for women and returned home with a newfound sense of purpose.“I hated it. I hated not seeing my babies. They were missing me, they didn’t know what was going on with me,” she said in a voice tight with emotion. “That was my biggest drive right there was all that pain. How could I do this to them? I was like I never, EVER want to do this again.”She became involved with starting the first Oxford House recovery homes in Hays. She also became HPMHC’s first-ever peer mentor for substance use recovery and now serves alongside the treatment team of Ellis County Recovery Court. She finished her GED courses and earned a high school diploma. Today, she’s working to continue her education to further help those struggling with addiction.It’s been a beautiful, full-circle journey, and every day Rollins is motivated by a desire to pay it forward and to help reach others who are trapped in the dark cycle of addiction. More than anything, she wants people to know there is help and there is hope – no one has to go through addiction and recovery alone.Recovery looks different for everyone, Rollins said, noting that some may choose to participate in 12-step programs and daily support group meetings, while others lean into their personal faith or recovery-based Bible studies. It’s important and OK that every individual finds a recovery outlet that works for them and for their lifestyle – but it’s very important to make supportive connections, she said.“If you don’t have an outlet to make connections with other people in the recovery community and you’re wanting to stay clean and sober, it’s going to be a lot harder for you because you can’t do it alone,” Rollins said. “It looks different to everybody. Not everybody’s recovery is the same.”Help is available through a variety of local agencies and resources. High Plains Mental Health Center offers a comprehensive substance use disorder treatment program that may include therapy to address underlying trauma and build coping skills, Medication-Assisted Treatment for opioid and alcohol use disorders, and Rollins’ peer support program. A sliding fee scale is available, as well as funding from the Kansas SUD block grant to ensure cost is not a barrier to receiving care. Support is available 24/7 by calling HPMHC at 1-800-432-0333.Rollins offers words of encouragement for individuals who are struggling with substance use.“Reach out, go to Oxford, go to a meeting, come get services at High Plains or somewhere else. Find an area where you fit,” Rollins said. “But if you stay stuck in the same routine, you’re not going to move. You’ve got to take yourself out of this routine.”For family members and friends concerned about a loved one’s substance use, Rollins says it sometimes may be helpful to reach out for professional support on behalf of that individual, because they aren’t always able to make the call.“When you’re stuck in it, even if you think you know somebody that you could reach out to, that phone weighs 800 pounds to them mentally,” she said. “It is so hard for them to pick it up even though it’s in their hand.“All we can do is say there is an alternative. There are people who can help guide you through it. You’re not alone.”High Plains Mental Health Center is a licensed Community Mental Health Center and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic dedicated to the aggressive pursuit of providing a comprehensive mental health program to the residents of Northwest Kansas. Embodied in this pursuit are fundamental principles of establishing quality services as close to home as possible, at an affordable fee, and delivered in the least disruptive manner available. Such services will offer a continuum of care so that treatment can beindividualized, and our staff can respond quickly and compassionately to those reaching out to us. We’re Here for You!

High Plains Mental Health Center: Recovery is a journey

The Chamber in Hays, Kansas, is excited to invite the public to the 2024 Business and Career Expo, presented by Hess Services, on Oct. 22, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Ellis County Fairgrounds Unrein Building, located at 1344 Fairground Rd.

This new annual event will showcase our participating business community’s diverse talents, services, and products.

Attendees can connect with professionals from various industries, explore new business offerings, and take advantage of exclusive deals.

The Expo will also feature free samples, networking opportunities, and prize drawings, providing a unique chance to experience what local businesses and organizations offer.

“The Business and Career Expo is a fantastic opportunity for the public to see the variety of industries that drive our community’s economy,” said Sarah Wasinger, President and CEO of The Chamber in Hays, Kansas. “It’s also a great way for businesses to connect with potential customers, showcase their services, and network with other professionals.”

"The Business and Career Expo is more than just an event—it’s a way for our Chamber members to actively engage with the community. It’s a chance to highlight innovation and hard work that goes into building a thriving business community here in Ellis County. Whether you’re a business looking to connect with potential clients or a community member exploring new services and products, there’s something here for everyone."

The event will include a High School and College Career Expo from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., allowing students to explore career paths and interact with local businesses.

"We’re particularly excited about the High School and College Career Expo portion of the day," Wasinger said. "Introducing students to potential career paths in their own community is incredibly important. It gives them the chance to see the opportunities available right here at home and to start thinking about their future in a more concrete way as workforce retention, recruitment and development are one of The Chamber’s primary goals."

The public portion of the Expo will run from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a cash bar available throughout the evening.

"Networking is a critical part of fostering a strong business community," Wasinger said. "This Expo provides the perfect environment for local businesses to not only meet potential customers but also form connections with fellow professionals. These interactions help strengthen our local economy and create long-term partnerships that benefit all while driving local commerce this holiday shopping season."

For more information, please contact The Chamber in Hays at (785) 628-8201.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1580316763283.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedThe Chamber in Hays, Kansas, is excited to invite the public to the 2024 Business and Career Expo, presented by Hess Services, on Oct. 22, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Ellis County Fairgrounds Unrein Building, located at 1344 Fairground Rd.This new annual event will showcase our participating business community’s diverse talents, services, and products.Attendees can connect with professionals from various industries, explore new business offerings, and take advantage of exclusive deals.The Expo will also feature free samples, networking opportunities, and prize drawings, providing a unique chance to experience what local businesses and organizations offer.“The Business and Career Expo is a fantastic opportunity for the public to see the variety of industries that drive our community’s economy,” said Sarah Wasinger, President and CEO of The Chamber in Hays, Kansas. “It’s also a great way for businesses to connect with potential customers, showcase their services, and network with other professionals.”"The Business and Career Expo is more than just an event—it’s a way for our Chamber members to actively engage with the community. It’s a chance to highlight innovation and hard work that goes into building a thriving business community here in Ellis County. Whether you’re a business looking to connect with potential clients or a community member exploring new services and products, there’s something here for everyone."The event will include a High School and College Career Expo from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., allowing students to explore career paths and interact with local businesses."We’re particularly excited about the High School and College Career Expo portion of the day," Wasinger said. "Introducing students to potential career paths in their own community is incredibly important. It gives them the chance to see the opportunities available right here at home and to start thinking about their future in a more concrete way as workforce retention, recruitment and development are one of The Chamber’s primary goals."The public portion of the Expo will run from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a cash bar available throughout the evening.Other refreshments will be provided."Networking is a critical part of fostering a strong business community," Wasinger said. "This Expo provides the perfect environment for local businesses to not only meet potential customers but also form connections with fellow professionals. These interactions help strengthen our local economy and create long-term partnerships that benefit all while driving local commerce this holiday shopping season."For more information, please contact The Chamber in Hays at (785) 628-8201.

The Chamber to host 2024 Business and Career Expo

IpX and Fort Hays State University are proud to announce a new strategic alliance set to redefine the integration of academia and industry, focusing on driving sustainable growth and innovation.

This new partnership brings IpX and FHSU together to build educational programs on the cutting edge of operations and production management and elevate and highlight the skills of the future workforce with digital credentials.

These programs will equip students with the skills and knowledge crucial for the future workforce of manufacturing in all industries. With Credly badging, this partnership will recognize the transferrable skills and achievements of those who obtain IpX’s industry-standard CM2 certifications and allow learners to earn university-endorsed continuing education units and apply those certifications toward undergraduate and graduate programs at Fort Hays State University through the credit for prior learning process.

If completed within the past three years, CM2-CORE and CM2-PRO certification holders may receive up to six hours of undergraduate degree-seeking credit&nbsp;or&nbsp;up to three hours of graduate degree-seeking credit, depending on their needs. Learners who achieve these certifications are also eligible for a digital badge, a digital credential to showcase their expertise.

"Our alliance with IpX is a momentous step in expanding our horizons,” FHSU President Tisa Mason said. “We are not just aiming to foster academic excellence but also to integrate this excellence with real-world industry demands. This partnership represents a convergence of academic rigor and industry relevance, poised to create a transformative educational experience."

“At IpX, our True North model aligns strategic goals with actionable results, said Joseph Anderson, IpX CEO. “Partnering with FHSU is a testament to this ethos. We see this collaboration as an opportunity to bring a fresh, industry-focused perspective to academic programs. Our aim is to bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace, ensuring that graduates are not just academically proficient but also industry ready.”

Further plans are in the works to develop and deliver additional industry certifications, workforce training, professional development, and programming that enhances economic and community development in rural areas, particularly in the skilled trades, providing an opportunity to enhance programming at FHSU’s affiliated tech campuses, Fort Hays Tech – Northwest (Goodland) and Fort Hays Tech – Northcentral (Hays and Beloit).

To learn more about this partnership or the CM2 certification programs, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.EWtdXdo3nx3t8ZlvSfKX0S4ZI2pU3KjrYdbCPzIZwkQ1-2FQC2LdEwlpDqOAbXclNQWiDYkEn-2FdTKOSBdkAHnYhQ-3D-3D94RS_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOYhZjMCUYS19ORJGaZXesUzB-2BuFaKaiOQ29nva5mE-2Fy5RDtJwSweRmEQZ5BBsECKQUXam4lJSwcuHvmMyzzJxa3MVFDjyghbULVWL8Ru3UwJoEKBl-2F83AoU26Kkqn7dF-2Ba5bHcOYqTGR2okkwQI75Emx1IcxhLeBW5iIFdvKJA402tSLmWnxcxLM0fPWLZ1VqKAhyOzWVYEaMk2hRT4fplT6T6LA24qBeJRDzN5FHx8LeKhexRU-2B-2BCBGJXY84DUJN">IpX and CM2 Certification.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729089381704.png" alt="IpX and Fort Hays State University announce a new strategic alliance. Courtesy photo&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>IpX and Fort Hays State University announce a new strategic alliance. Courtesy photo&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University RelationsIpX and Fort Hays State University are proud to announce a new strategic alliance set to redefine the integration of academia and industry, focusing on driving sustainable growth and innovation.This new partnership brings IpX and FHSU together to build educational programs on the cutting edge of operations and production management and elevate and highlight the skills of the future workforce with digital credentials.These programs will equip students with the skills and knowledge crucial for the future workforce of manufacturing in all industries. With Credly badging, this partnership will recognize the transferrable skills and achievements of those who obtain IpX’s industry-standard CM2 certifications and allow learners to earn university-endorsed continuing education units and apply those certifications toward undergraduate and graduate programs at Fort Hays State University through the credit for prior learning process.If completed within the past three years, CM2-CORE and CM2-PRO certification holders may receive up to six hours of undergraduate degree-seeking credit&nbsp;or&nbsp;up to three hours of graduate degree-seeking credit, depending on their needs. Learners who achieve these certifications are also eligible for a digital badge, a digital credential to showcase their expertise."Our alliance with IpX is a momentous step in expanding our horizons,” FHSU President Tisa Mason said. “We are not just aiming to foster academic excellence but also to integrate this excellence with real-world industry demands. This partnership represents a convergence of academic rigor and industry relevance, poised to create a transformative educational experience."“At IpX, our True North model aligns strategic goals with actionable results, said Joseph Anderson, IpX CEO. “Partnering with FHSU is a testament to this ethos. We see this collaboration as an opportunity to bring a fresh, industry-focused perspective to academic programs. Our aim is to bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace, ensuring that graduates are not just academically proficient but also industry ready.”Further plans are in the works to develop and deliver additional industry certifications, workforce training, professional development, and programming that enhances economic and community development in rural areas, particularly in the skilled trades, providing an opportunity to enhance programming at FHSU’s affiliated tech campuses, Fort Hays Tech – Northwest (Goodland) and Fort Hays Tech – Northcentral (Hays and Beloit).To learn more about this partnership or the CM2 certification programs, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.EWtdXdo3nx3t8ZlvSfKX0S4ZI2pU3KjrYdbCPzIZwkQ1-2FQC2LdEwlpDqOAbXclNQWiDYkEn-2FdTKOSBdkAHnYhQ-3D-3D94RS_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOYhZjMCUYS19ORJGaZXesUzB-2BuFaKaiOQ29nva5mE-2Fy5RDtJwSweRmEQZ5BBsECKQUXam4lJSwcuHvmMyzzJxa3MVFDjyghbULVWL8Ru3UwJoEKBl-2F83AoU26Kkqn7dF-2Ba5bHcOYqTGR2okkwQI75Emx1IcxhLeBW5iIFdvKJA402tSLmWnxcxLM0fPWLZ1VqKAhyOzWVYEaMk2hRT4fplT6T6LA24qBeJRDzN5FHx8LeKhexRU-2B-2BCBGJXY84DUJN">IpX and CM2 Certification.</a>

IpX and Fort Hays State University forge strategic alliance

Autumn is my favorite season for many reasons. After a long, hot, summer of pulling weeds, watering gardens, and picking and processing harvests, it’s nice to kick back and enjoy what remains of blooms and fruits. Lazy buzzing bees and floating butterflies sipping end of season nectar add music and dance to the ambience. More than anything is the knowledge that brilliant orange, yellow, and scarlet leaves will soon fall and with each plop to earth remind me my days are numbered as well. Such knowledge adds urgency to memory making and powerful appreciation for here and now.

Last weekend was a full-on face plant into such emotion. For 35 years, our family has joined friends for an annual wild game feed at Cedar Bluff Lake. Place is important. It gained importance as the site of my parents first dates back in the 50s. Decades later it was my husband’s summer office where he protected Kansas resources and saw people at their very best as they enjoyed nature’s bounty and occasionally at their worst when drownings and accidents occurred. Our family swam, fished, and rock hunted at this largest body of water in northwest Kansas. I’ve explored its history and imagined Fremont camping along the Smoky Hill River near what is today Page Creek. Adding these intense reflections to the fact our family is shrinking—grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins have passed--makes gatherings at this familiar site tug heartstrings even more.

These wild game feeds play a critical role in treasured reminiscences. We’ve watched dating individuals evolve into long-married couples. We’ve seen one another’s children grow from infants to parents themselves. Now we enjoy laughter and antics of grandkids playing in the same spots their parents did. Over time, we’ve observed one another’s cooking skills refine and develop to the point some have become gourmet cooks. One miracle worker makes duck and twice-baked deer steak melt in our mouths. Another created fish tacos paired with fresh from the garden pico de gallo that rank among the best I’ve eaten. Who can resist bacon wrapped dove breasts? In the past, friends treated attendees to mystery meats that open mouths and minds to delicacies such as bobcat, rattlesnake, and snapping turtle. We’ve learned those curious and patient enough can turn any wild meat into food to tempt the most finicky eater.

Eating wild game and sides is the bonus. The relationships these hunters, fisherman, and families have built over decades support them through life’s biggest losses and changes. The kids and grands all sport heads full of hair, unwrinkled skin, and lithe muscles. Those who started this annual gathering, like changing leaves, reveal silver in their hair and beards or a few shiny bald spots. None has dodged smile lines and crow’s feet. As outdoor folk, they move easier than most, but when you look close, you note an accommodation or two as they get on and off the ground. No one complains because each appreciates rising on this side of the grass to enjoy another game feed.

What started as a way to empty freezers before the new hunting season began evolved into an autumn tradition that celebrates more than food. The grandkids offer new blood and the hope they continue gathering at Cedar Bluff to celebrate their game harvests and relationships that grew out of a love of nature.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728584664328.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN MADORINAutumn is my favorite season for many reasons. After a long, hot, summer of pulling weeds, watering gardens, and picking and processing harvests, it’s nice to kick back and enjoy what remains of blooms and fruits. Lazy buzzing bees and floating butterflies sipping end of season nectar add music and dance to the ambience. More than anything is the knowledge that brilliant orange, yellow, and scarlet leaves will soon fall and with each plop to earth remind me my days are numbered as well. Such knowledge adds urgency to memory making and powerful appreciation for here and now.Last weekend was a full-on face plant into such emotion. For 35 years, our family has joined friends for an annual wild game feed at Cedar Bluff Lake. Place is important. It gained importance as the site of my parents first dates back in the 50s. Decades later it was my husband’s summer office where he protected Kansas resources and saw people at their very best as they enjoyed nature’s bounty and occasionally at their worst when drownings and accidents occurred. Our family swam, fished, and rock hunted at this largest body of water in northwest Kansas. I’ve explored its history and imagined Fremont camping along the Smoky Hill River near what is today Page Creek. Adding these intense reflections to the fact our family is shrinking—grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins have passed--makes gatherings at this familiar site tug heartstrings even more.These wild game feeds play a critical role in treasured reminiscences. We’ve watched dating individuals evolve into long-married couples. We’ve seen one another’s children grow from infants to parents themselves. Now we enjoy laughter and antics of grandkids playing in the same spots their parents did. Over time, we’ve observed one another’s cooking skills refine and develop to the point some have become gourmet cooks. One miracle worker makes duck and twice-baked deer steak melt in our mouths. Another created fish tacos paired with fresh from the garden pico de gallo that rank among the best I’ve eaten. Who can resist bacon wrapped dove breasts? In the past, friends treated attendees to mystery meats that open mouths and minds to delicacies such as bobcat, rattlesnake, and snapping turtle. We’ve learned those curious and patient enough can turn any wild meat into food to tempt the most finicky eater.Eating wild game and sides is the bonus. The relationships these hunters, fisherman, and families have built over decades support them through life’s biggest losses and changes. The kids and grands all sport heads full of hair, unwrinkled skin, and lithe muscles. Those who started this annual gathering, like changing leaves, reveal silver in their hair and beards or a few shiny bald spots. None has dodged smile lines and crow’s feet. As outdoor folk, they move easier than most, but when you look close, you note an accommodation or two as they get on and off the ground. No one complains because each appreciates rising on this side of the grass to enjoy another game feed.What started as a way to empty freezers before the new hunting season began evolved into an autumn tradition that celebrates more than food. The grandkids offer new blood and the hope they continue gathering at Cedar Bluff to celebrate their game harvests and relationships that grew out of a love of nature.

MADORIN: Leaves Keep Turning and Falling

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729091701999.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Three-day weather outlook

It’s
a celebration for all ages—and the entire community is invited! The Hays
Symphony will be presenting its annual Children’s Halloween Concert, “¡Fiesta
Mexicana!,” on Sunday, October 27, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. in FHSU’s Beach/Schmidt
Performing Arts Center. 

Featured
for the Halloween Concert this year are the vibrant sounds of Mexico with music
by composers Moncayo, Elizondo, and Márquez. This colorful musical lineup
honors Mexico’s rich cultural heritage and Day of the Dead festivities.

In
José Pablo Moncayo's Huapango,
listeners will feel the swirling joy and pride of Mexico's famous fandango, a style of musical composition
that practically invites concert attendees directly to the dance floor.

The
energy continues with José Elizondo's Estampas
Mexicanas, a lively parade of simple folk-like tunes and rhythms. The piece
is a statement which celebrates life and all of its colors! Elizondo's
"Atardecer Tapatío" (from Danzas
Latinoamericanas) draws motifs from Mexican jarabe folk-dance music and the
sound of mariachi bands. It is a tribute to the composer’s homeland.

Finally,
attendees hear one of the most famous orchestral Mexican contemporary classical
music compositions with Arturo Márquez's Danzón
No. 2. Inspired by a visit to a ballroom in Veracruz, the wild danzón will
close out the concert with thrilling push, pull, and pulse.

Before
the concert, parents are encouraged to bring their children in costume to
participate in a series of hands-on music activities starting at 1:15 p.m. All
pre-concert activities will begin in the FHSU Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts
Center lobby. 

Youth
concert-goers can try their hand at violin, viola, cello, and bass in the
String Instrument Petting Zoo led by USD 489 teachers. They can also explore
the other side of the orchestra and Meet the Woodwinds and Brass Families. In
addition, FHSU’s National Association for Music Education (NAfME) students will
assist children in themed Día de Muertos arts and crafts. Hays Public Library
staff will lead a Musical Storytime. For photo opportunities, there will be a
booth curated with fun Día de Muertos, Halloween, and fall-themed props. 

Like
in years past, children dressed in the Halloween spirit will be invited to join
in the Halloween Costume Parade just before the concert where they will march
behind brass players leading the parade. 

Following
the concert, the Hays Symphony will be offering free trick-or-treat bags to the
first 250 children who came for the afternoon pre-concert activities. The
trick-or-treat bags are sponsored by a generous donation from Werth Wealth
Management. 

“¡Fiesta
Mexicana!” marks the eighth year that the Hays Symphony has put on the
Children’s Halloween Concert, an event which invites young people to explore
hands-on the world of orchestral music through an afternoon of family friendly
activities. It’s one of the musicians’ favorite concerts of the year because
they get to share their love of music along with the spooky season, and the
orchestra is eager to see the concert hall full of spirit again this year. 

Attendees
can reserve free tickets for concerts in advance on the symphony’s website at <a href="https://www.hayssymphony.org">https://www.hayssymphony.org</a> where they can also make
donations to sustain free classical music in the Hays community.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729091960188.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedIt’s
a celebration for all ages—and the entire community is invited! The Hays
Symphony will be presenting its annual Children’s Halloween Concert, “¡Fiesta
Mexicana!,” on Sunday, October 27, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. in FHSU’s Beach/Schmidt
Performing Arts Center. Featured
for the Halloween Concert this year are the vibrant sounds of Mexico with music
by composers Moncayo, Elizondo, and Márquez. This colorful musical lineup
honors Mexico’s rich cultural heritage and Day of the Dead festivities.In
José Pablo Moncayo's Huapango,
listeners will feel the swirling joy and pride of Mexico's famous fandango, a style of musical composition
that practically invites concert attendees directly to the dance floor.The
energy continues with José Elizondo's Estampas
Mexicanas, a lively parade of simple folk-like tunes and rhythms. The piece
is a statement which celebrates life and all of its colors! Elizondo's
"Atardecer Tapatío" (from Danzas
Latinoamericanas) draws motifs from Mexican jarabe folk-dance music and the
sound of mariachi bands. It is a tribute to the composer’s homeland.Finally,
attendees hear one of the most famous orchestral Mexican contemporary classical
music compositions with Arturo Márquez's Danzón
No. 2. Inspired by a visit to a ballroom in Veracruz, the wild danzón will
close out the concert with thrilling push, pull, and pulse.Before
the concert, parents are encouraged to bring their children in costume to
participate in a series of hands-on music activities starting at 1:15 p.m. All
pre-concert activities will begin in the FHSU Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts
Center lobby. Youth
concert-goers can try their hand at violin, viola, cello, and bass in the
String Instrument Petting Zoo led by USD 489 teachers. They can also explore
the other side of the orchestra and Meet the Woodwinds and Brass Families. In
addition, FHSU’s National Association for Music Education (NAfME) students will
assist children in themed Día de Muertos arts and crafts. Hays Public Library
staff will lead a Musical Storytime. For photo opportunities, there will be a
booth curated with fun Día de Muertos, Halloween, and fall-themed props. Like
in years past, children dressed in the Halloween spirit will be invited to join
in the Halloween Costume Parade just before the concert where they will march
behind brass players leading the parade. Following
the concert, the Hays Symphony will be offering free trick-or-treat bags to the
first 250 children who came for the afternoon pre-concert activities. The
trick-or-treat bags are sponsored by a generous donation from Werth Wealth
Management. “¡Fiesta
Mexicana!” marks the eighth year that the Hays Symphony has put on the
Children’s Halloween Concert, an event which invites young people to explore
hands-on the world of orchestral music through an afternoon of family friendly
activities. It’s one of the musicians’ favorite concerts of the year because
they get to share their love of music along with the spooky season, and the
orchestra is eager to see the concert hall full of spirit again this year. Attendees
can reserve free tickets for concerts in advance on the symphony’s website at <a href="https://www.hayssymphony.org">https://www.hayssymphony.org</a> where they can also make
donations to sustain free classical music in the Hays community.

Hays Symphony celebrates Day of the Dead for annual Children’s Halloween Concert

The TUMBLEBUG is truly a one man (timesaving) machine. It requires no winches, no ropes, no hydraulics, it's "self loading", quality built and ready for the big bales.

The loading action is UNBELIEVABLE until you have seen it perform. Back up to the bale, flip the switch, the brake action does the trick.

 You can see a video of the Tumblebug and how it works above. weight: 500 lbs. (approx) / Length: 144" / Between the Wheels: 82" / Electric Brakes / Cradle &amp; Tongue: Tubular Steel 2" Ball Coupler / Complete Wiring Kit for Towing Service. SAVE TIME, LABOR AND HAY.... THE TUMBLEBUG WAY!

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GghtY5eA9f8?si=hS8MdPi1phPJ97HX" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729103125868.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/eagle-radio-auction-descriptions-of-items">Click here to get registered, view items and bid.</a><h2>Better Built Trailers</h2>I-70 Exit 93Grainfield, KS785-673-5100<h2>Tumblebug Hay Dolly</h2>The TUMBLEBUG is truly a one man (timesaving) machine. It requires no winches, no ropes, no hydraulics, it's "self loading", quality built and ready for the big bales.The loading action is UNBELIEVABLE until you have seen it perform. Back up to the bale, flip the switch, the brake action does the trick. You can see a video of the Tumblebug and how it works above. weight: 500 lbs. (approx) / Length: 144" / Between the Wheels: 82" / Electric Brakes / Cradle &amp; Tongue: Tubular Steel 2" Ball Coupler / Complete Wiring Kit for Towing Service. SAVE TIME, LABOR AND HAY.... THE TUMBLEBUG WAY!Retail Price: $3,200

Eagle Auction: Tumblebug Hay Dolly

On Sunday, the Defender Kansas Oz Chapter presented Trooper Budke with a ballistic vest that was made for his K-9 partner, Igor, Highway Patrol Trooper Tod said via his Facebook page.

The vest was donated by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/k9friendsofvest?__cft__[0]=AZXoiWdJqI1fcVYgBTykfw_iw1tEA3E0Rg6BMh0xdU6z_KqFn8pLggtoJF-AgKzJTgf4iHF0S9RExHM8DHkrwft5mUCfb-dC8CNGzIKjyt4onW92esPLph-pb_RFj4dDJ6n8WRFmbxK3_TS0_r3yYMCCQnIKC0oYGt5shMcpHSTAIso9Y_Q4rrbXuPq31iCHZcYWAMeHQTNQlE2n72mkHhT_&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Friends of the K9 Vest, Midwest</a>.

They chose Igor after hearing about him getting hurt in the line of duty last winter in a crash. 

Thanks to everyone one involved, Trooper Budke felt very honored, Tooper Tod said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729094522826.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>On Sunday, the Defender Kansas Oz Chapter presented Trooper Budke with a ballistic vest that was made for his K-9 partner, Igor, Highway Patrol Trooper Tod said via his Facebook page.The vest was donated by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/k9friendsofvest?__cft__[0]=AZXoiWdJqI1fcVYgBTykfw_iw1tEA3E0Rg6BMh0xdU6z_KqFn8pLggtoJF-AgKzJTgf4iHF0S9RExHM8DHkrwft5mUCfb-dC8CNGzIKjyt4onW92esPLph-pb_RFj4dDJ6n8WRFmbxK3_TS0_r3yYMCCQnIKC0oYGt5shMcpHSTAIso9Y_Q4rrbXuPq31iCHZcYWAMeHQTNQlE2n72mkHhT_&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Friends of the K9 Vest, Midwest</a>.They chose Igor after hearing about him getting hurt in the line of duty last winter in a crash. Thanks to everyone one involved, Trooper Budke felt very honored, Tooper Tod said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729094369479.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729094396028.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729094422910.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729094446926.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729094468510.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729094495376.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729094549728.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729094573960.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>

Trooper K-9 receives ballistic vest after crash recovery

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

A Hays man who is accused of murder in the drug overdose
death of his infant son was back in court Tuesday, asking that the charges
against him be thrown out.

According to court filings, Abraham Duran Leon, 29, Hays,
filed five motions in the three current cases he has pending in Ellis County District
Court.

The most recent charge is murder following the April 2024 incident
that led to the death of his son. Leon also faces drug possession, criminal
damage to property and interference charges.

All five motions were filed pro se, or on his own, without a
lawyer.

Leon argued in his motions that his right to due process was
violated because court paperwork was not&nbsp;filed on time. He also argued his Fifth, Sixth and Eighth Amendments were violated during the process.

He claimed the judge should dismiss the charges against
him because he believes several of his rights have been violated.

Among the complaints Leon discussed was a bond he felt was “excessive.”

District Court Judge Glenn Braun dismissed or ruled that all
five filings by Leon were inappropriate.

Braun called Leon a “safety risk to the community” and said
a $500,000 bond is “more than reasonable” in a murder case.

Leon also claimed his court-appointed attorneys had not
raised the issues he did with the court, which was grounds for the charges' dismissal. 

His first court-appointed attorney, Cheryl Stewart, withdrew
from the case, and Leon, in his motions, claimed his most recent attorneys, Christopher
Rohr and Cassy Zeigler, were not adequately representing him, and he wanted
them withdrawn from the case as well.

He said they failed to mention the rights violations he claimed he had experienced in the case, which is grounds for dismissal.

Braun told Leon the court is running out of attorneys to
represent him in a murder trial, and just because he disagrees with the
advice of counsel does not mean he has to have a new attorney appointed to his
case.



"We all want to do what we want to do, even if it's not in
our best interest," Braun said. "But that's not the standard we use…for
withdrawal of counsel."



Zeigler was representing Leon in the drug and criminal
damage to property case. Rohr was recently appointed to represent him in the
murder case.

Braun assigned Rohr and Zeigler as co-counsels in all three
cases.

Braun also cautioned Leon not to continue to file pro se
motions and instead work with his attorneys. 

“You can discuss with your attorneys whether they believe
motions such as suppression of evidence (and)) motion to dismiss should be
filed and pursued,” Braun said. “Those are strategies that they basically have
the decision-making authority on. So, visit with them about that.”

The preliminary hearing in all three cases is scheduled for
Nov. 13 in front of Braun.

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostA Hays man who is accused of murder in the drug overdose
death of his infant son was back in court Tuesday, asking that the charges
against him be thrown out.According to court filings, Abraham Duran Leon, 29, Hays,
filed five motions in the three current cases he has pending in Ellis County District
Court.The most recent charge is murder following the April 2024 incident
that led to the death of his son. Leon also faces drug possession, criminal
damage to property and interference charges.All five motions were filed pro se, or on his own, without a
lawyer.Leon argued in his motions that his right to due process was
violated because court paperwork was not&nbsp;filed on time. He also argued his Fifth, Sixth and Eighth Amendments were violated during the process.He claimed the judge should dismiss the charges against
him because he believes several of his rights have been violated.Among the complaints Leon discussed was a bond he felt was “excessive.”District Court Judge Glenn Braun dismissed or ruled that all
five filings by Leon were inappropriate.Braun called Leon a “safety risk to the community” and said
a $500,000 bond is “more than reasonable” in a murder case.Leon also claimed his court-appointed attorneys had not
raised the issues he did with the court, which was grounds for the charges' dismissal. His first court-appointed attorney, Cheryl Stewart, withdrew
from the case, and Leon, in his motions, claimed his most recent attorneys, Christopher
Rohr and Cassy Zeigler, were not adequately representing him, and he wanted
them withdrawn from the case as well.He said they failed to mention the rights violations he claimed he had experienced in the case, which is grounds for dismissal.Braun told Leon the court is running out of attorneys to
represent him in a murder trial, and just because he disagrees with the
advice of counsel does not mean he has to have a new attorney appointed to his
case.

"We all want to do what we want to do, even if it's not in
our best interest," Braun said. "But that's not the standard we use…for
withdrawal of counsel."

Zeigler was representing Leon in the drug and criminal
damage to property case. Rohr was recently appointed to represent him in the
murder case.Braun assigned Rohr and Zeigler as co-counsels in all three
cases.Braun also cautioned Leon not to continue to file pro se
motions and instead work with his attorneys. “You can discuss with your attorneys whether they believe
motions such as suppression of evidence (and)) motion to dismiss should be
filed and pursued,” Braun said. “Those are strategies that they basically have
the decision-making authority on. So, visit with them about that.”The preliminary hearing in all three cases is scheduled for
Nov. 13 in front of Braun.

Judge denies motion to dismiss murder charge in Hays baby's death; case continues next month

The Hays Police Department responded to 56 incidents Oct. 6-12, 2024, according to the HPD activity log.

Hays Police DepartmentThe Hays Police Department responded to 56 incidents Oct. 6-12, 2024, according to the HPD activity log.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729087483118.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729087494271.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Hays Police Department activity log, Oct. 6-12, 2024

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702995961939.png" alt="File photo/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>File photo/Hays Post</figcaption>
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 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729087117782.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Hays Police Department arrest log, Oct. 6-12, 2024

The Ellis County Historical Society and the Sesquicentennial Action Committee (SAC) invite community members to submit artwork to market the year-long celebration of the Volga Germans settling in Western Kansas.

Beginning in 2026, a series of community events hosted throughout Western Kansas will be held to celebrate the arrival of the original Germans from Russian who settled the area, often referred to in this region as Volga Germans.

Events will include masses at local churches, community picnics, parade, presentations and learning experiences, and a variety of publications and media to help celebrate the 150 years of history.

The theme selected by SAC is “Unsere Leute 150 Years Unser Heimat”, which translates into “Our People 150 Years Our Home.”

Artwork submissions can be submitted in any format, whether hand-drawn or computer generated, to director@echshays.org or mailed to 100 W. 7th St. Please include your contact information for the artist.

Submissions are due by Monday, December 16th. Artwork will be reviewed by SAC, and the top five pieces will be revealed to the community for a final vote and selection. The committee will work with the winning artist to produce the final version of the logo that

will be used in conjunction with the celebrations. Artwork submitted is agreed to become the official property of SAC, and no funds will be provided for the artwork.

Community members are welcome and encouraged to join the SAC planning efforts. Meeting times are available on the website.

For more information contact Amanda Rupp at director@echshays.org or by calling (785) 628-2624

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714164805938.jpeg" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Submitted&nbsp;The Ellis County Historical Society and the Sesquicentennial Action Committee (SAC) invite community members to submit artwork to market the year-long celebration of the Volga Germans settling in Western Kansas.Beginning in 2026, a series of community events hosted throughout Western Kansas will be held to celebrate the arrival of the original Germans from Russian who settled the area, often referred to in this region as Volga Germans.Events will include masses at local churches, community picnics, parade, presentations and learning experiences, and a variety of publications and media to help celebrate the 150 years of history.The theme selected by SAC is “Unsere Leute 150 Years Unser Heimat”, which translates into “Our People 150 Years Our Home.”Artwork submissions can be submitted in any format, whether hand-drawn or computer generated, to director@echshays.org or mailed to 100 W. 7th St. Please include your contact information for the artist.Submissions are due by Monday, December 16th. Artwork will be reviewed by SAC, and the top five pieces will be revealed to the community for a final vote and selection. The committee will work with the winning artist to produce the final version of the logo thatwill be used in conjunction with the celebrations. Artwork submitted is agreed to become the official property of SAC, and no funds will be provided for the artwork.Community members are welcome and encouraged to join the SAC planning efforts. Meeting times are available on the website.For more information contact Amanda Rupp at director@echshays.org or by calling (785) 628-2624

Creative heritage logo competition unveiled

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

The Hays City Commission will discuss The Grove project, employee health insurance and transient guest tax rates on Thursday.

Sporer Land Development offered the lowest bid of $3,027,348 for various infrastructure improvements in The Grove housing development project.

Driggs Design Group also prepared a $100,438 contract for engineering services, including inspections and testing.

Grow Hays, the developer, submitted an application for economic incentives and requested the city finance $825,000 in RHID-eligible costs.

The commission will review the 2025 renewal rates from Blue Cross Blue Shield.

The renewal shows a 12.79% increase. Despite this, the city's annual growth remains below the national average.

The commission will discuss the insurance plan and the $625 employer contribution to employees' health savings accounts (HSA).

A charter ordinance will be presented to the city to raise the transient guest tax rate by 1.25%, bringing it to 8.25%.

The increase would support the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau, generating about $250,000 in additional annual revenue.

The complete Oct. 17 agenda is available <a href="https://ks-hays.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10172024-1507">here</a>.

The meeting starts at 4 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584721067731.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostThe Hays City Commission will discuss The Grove project, employee health insurance and transient guest tax rates on Thursday.<h2>Grove Development project</h2>Sporer Land Development offered the lowest bid of $3,027,348 for various infrastructure improvements in The Grove housing development project.Driggs Design Group also prepared a $100,438 contract for engineering services, including inspections and testing.Grow Hays, the developer, submitted an application for economic incentives and requested the city finance $825,000 in RHID-eligible costs.<h2>Health insurance for city employees</h2>The commission will review the 2025 renewal rates from Blue Cross Blue Shield.The renewal shows a 12.79% increase. Despite this, the city's annual growth remains below the national average.The commission will discuss the insurance plan and the $625 employer contribution to employees' health savings accounts (HSA).<h2>Transient guest tax rates</h2>A charter ordinance will be presented to the city to raise the transient guest tax rate by 1.25%, bringing it to 8.25%.The increase would support the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau, generating about $250,000 in additional annual revenue.The complete Oct. 17 agenda is available <a href="https://ks-hays.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10172024-1507">here</a>.The meeting starts at 4 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.

Hays City Commission to discuss Grove housing development

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Volunteers across Hays knocked on doors to collect food for Tuesday night's Community Assistance Center Trick-or-Treat So Others Can Eat food drive.

Theresa Hill, Community Assistance Center director, said Tuesday's event is the agency's largest food drive of the year.

Hill said last year, the drive yielded 12,000 items of food. To meet an increased demand for food, organizers were hoping for as many as 20,000 items this year.

Food prices are on the rise, which has increased demand. The pantry shelves were almost bare before Tuesday night's drive.

The pantry has had to use cash donations to supplement food donations.&nbsp;

Hill said she spent $900 on food last week, which only lasted a week.

"It's expensive," Hill said. "Everything has doubled in price. It's crazy. Or tripled in price."

Local EMTs will sponsor another food drive in November, and Hill said she hopes the two drives will supply the pantry until spring.

The pantry accepts food and monetary donations throughout the year.

To receive food from the pantry, you must be an Ellis County resident. A utility bill or lease can prove residency. You also need to provide proof of income for everyone in your household.

The center is now taking registrations for Christmas boxes. The applications are due Nov. 4.

The <a href="https://hayscac.com/">Community Assistance Center</a>, 1108 Oak, is open 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Many community groups and individuals volunteered to both collect food as well as sort food at the center on Tuesday.

Hays High DECA has been a long-time sponsor of the event.

Girl Scout Troop 10088 was among the groups going door-to-door to collect donations. The elementary school girls skipped from house to house, sometimes holding hands.

The Scouts eagerly took turns ringing doorbells and waited with great anticipation to see if someone would open the door.

Disappointed that they had to go home, some girls remarked at the end of their four blocks of collection, "We're done already?"

Girl Scouts from across the Hays also collected from other areas of the city.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729040444484.jpeg" alt="Girl Scouts in Troop 10088 collect food from a Hays resident during the Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat food drive for the Community Assistance Center on Tuesday. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Girl Scouts in Troop 10088 collect food from a Hays resident during the Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat food drive for the Community Assistance Center on Tuesday. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostVolunteers across Hays knocked on doors to collect food for Tuesday night's Community Assistance Center Trick-or-Treat So Others Can Eat food drive.Theresa Hill, Community Assistance Center director, said Tuesday's event is the agency's largest food drive of the year.Hill said last year, the drive yielded 12,000 items of food. To meet an increased demand for food, organizers were hoping for as many as 20,000 items this year.Food prices are on the rise, which has increased demand. The pantry shelves were almost bare before Tuesday night's drive.The pantry has had to use cash donations to supplement food donations.&nbsp;Hill said she spent $900 on food last week, which only lasted a week."It's expensive," Hill said. "Everything has doubled in price. It's crazy. Or tripled in price."Local EMTs will sponsor another food drive in November, and Hill said she hopes the two drives will supply the pantry until spring.The pantry accepts food and monetary donations throughout the year.To receive food from the pantry, you must be an Ellis County resident. A utility bill or lease can prove residency. You also need to provide proof of income for everyone in your household.The center is now taking registrations for Christmas boxes. The applications are due Nov. 4.The <a href="https://hayscac.com/">Community Assistance Center</a>, 1108 Oak, is open 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.Many community groups and individuals volunteered to both collect food as well as sort food at the center on Tuesday.Hays High DECA has been a long-time sponsor of the event.Girl Scout Troop 10088 was among the groups going door-to-door to collect donations. The elementary school girls skipped from house to house, sometimes holding hands.The Scouts eagerly took turns ringing doorbells and waited with great anticipation to see if someone would open the door.Disappointed that they had to go home, some girls remarked at the end of their four blocks of collection, "We're done already?"Girl Scouts from across the Hays also collected from other areas of the city.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729040518069.jpeg" alt="Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729040722485.jpeg" alt="Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729040917263.jpeg" alt="A Hays resident stops for a photo with Troop 10088 Girl Scouts, who were collecting food during Trick or Treat So Others Can for the Community Assistance Center.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A Hays resident stops for a photo with Troop 10088 Girl Scouts, who were collecting food during Trick or Treat So Others Can for the Community Assistance Center.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729040955965.jpeg" alt="Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729040998082.jpeg" alt="Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729041039781.jpeg" alt="Volunteers sort and count food items at the Community Assistance Center Tuesday night.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Volunteers sort and count food items at the Community Assistance Center Tuesday night.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729041144984.jpeg" alt="Volunteers sort and count food items at the Community Assistance Center Tuesday night.&nbsp;&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Volunteers sort and count food items at the Community Assistance Center Tuesday night.&nbsp;&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729041185998.jpeg" alt="Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729041291511.jpeg" alt="Cathy Van Doren, volunteer, sorts food at the Community Assistance Center Tuesday night. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Cathy Van Doren, volunteer, sorts food at the Community Assistance Center Tuesday night. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729041529292.jpeg" alt="The shelves at the Community Assitance were almost bare Tuesday before food stated to be stocked from the Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat food drive. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The shelves at the Community Assitance were almost bare Tuesday before food stated to be stocked from the Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat food drive. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>

Trick-or-Trick So Others Can Eat fills empty shelves at food pantry

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Some of Kansas’ largest cities are struggling to gain full returns on tax increment financing districts meant to help bolster development activity and property values, a recent state&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslpa.gov/audit-report-library/estimating-the-economic-impacts-of-tax-increment-financing-districts/" target="_blank">audit</a>&nbsp;found.

<a href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/taxes-and-financing/tif/" target="_blank">TIF districts</a>, as they are called, are intended to fund real estate projects that otherwise wouldn’t exist. The idea is that the development will increase property values in the designated district, resulting in higher property tax collections that are used to pay off the bonds that financed the project.

State auditors surveyed six TIF districts from Kansas’ largest cities and found that half did not recover their costs in a timely manner. Most experienced construction delays and recorded increased crime rates after development finished. At least one city calculated its TIF collection incorrectly.

Auditors presented their findings to legislators at an Oct. 7 committee hearing. Most of the districts surveyed saw benefits, but whether those benefits were worth the investment is subjective, the audit found.

Two cities, Wichita and Topeka, aren’t likely to recover the costs of three projects through TIF revenue by the end of the districts’ lifetimes.

In Topeka, the general fund is covering an estimated 40% of the city costs associated with the College Hill TIF project, the audit found. In Wichita, two projects have experienced construction delays and the projects haven’t generated as much TIF revenue as anticipated. One of those projects, the Douglas and Hillside TIF district, was $1.8 million behind on debt service payments as of 2022, but the city said the debt will be fully financed by 2027, according to the audit. The other project, the Ken Mar TIF district, was $420,000 behind on payments as of 2022 and developers have been tied up in litigation with the city.

“If a city cannot pay off debt obligations on time, then its overall cost from the TIF project may increase as it accrues additional interest,” according to the audit. “The use of other city funds to help cover shortfalls may leave less funding for other purposes.”

Lawmakers expressed frustrations with the lack of comprehensive statewide data measuring the success of economic initiatives and said they’d like to see the Kansas Department of Commerce take up the task to enhance transparency. State law doesn’t currently have any data collection or goal requirements for TIF districts, the audit found.

Sen. Mike Thompson, a Republican who represents parts of Johnson and Wyandotte counties, said he’s in favor of a database that includes a measurement of the burden TIF districts impose on taxpayers to help in local government decision-making.

“It would be nice if we asked the commerce department to include this so when we’re looking at our various communities it becomes much easier for our budget people to see what kind of burden we’re putting on the taxpayers,” Thompson said.

Stan Longhofer, a Wichita State University professor and finance director for the&nbsp;<a href="https://realestate.wichita.edu/" target="_blank">WSU Center for Real Estate</a>, said TIF districts work well when a locale, a neighborhood or a piece of property is in decline or on the verge of decline.

When property values in an area are stagnated or flat, and a developer can’t make a project viable, TIF fills the gaps. Longhofer believes redevelopment projects are the most appropriate contenders for TIF districts, but redevelopment isn’t a requirement under Kansas’ TIF statute.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729002086557.jpeg" alt="Sen. Mike Thompson, a Shawnee Republican, wants the Kansas Department of Commerce to track the success of economic initiatives like tax increment financing districts to evaluate the full burden on taxpayers. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Mike Thompson, a Shawnee Republican, wants the Kansas Department of Commerce to track the success of economic initiatives like tax increment financing districts to evaluate the full burden on taxpayers. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Some of Kansas’ largest cities are struggling to gain full returns on tax increment financing districts meant to help bolster development activity and property values, a recent state&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslpa.gov/audit-report-library/estimating-the-economic-impacts-of-tax-increment-financing-districts/" target="_blank">audit</a>&nbsp;found.<a href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/taxes-and-financing/tif/" target="_blank">TIF districts</a>, as they are called, are intended to fund real estate projects that otherwise wouldn’t exist. The idea is that the development will increase property values in the designated district, resulting in higher property tax collections that are used to pay off the bonds that financed the project.State auditors surveyed six TIF districts from Kansas’ largest cities and found that half did not recover their costs in a timely manner. Most experienced construction delays and recorded increased crime rates after development finished. At least one city calculated its TIF collection incorrectly.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1934986616&color=ff5500"></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/kansas-reflector-podcast" title="Reflector Podcast" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Reflector Podcast</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/kansas-reflector-podcast/2024-10-14-podcast" title="Kansas legislators question effectiveness of TIF districts" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Kansas legislators question effectiveness of TIF districts</a></div></div>Auditors presented their findings to legislators at an Oct. 7 committee hearing. Most of the districts surveyed saw benefits, but whether those benefits were worth the investment is subjective, the audit found.Two cities, Wichita and Topeka, aren’t likely to recover the costs of three projects through TIF revenue by the end of the districts’ lifetimes.In Topeka, the general fund is covering an estimated 40% of the city costs associated with the College Hill TIF project, the audit found. In Wichita, two projects have experienced construction delays and the projects haven’t generated as much TIF revenue as anticipated. One of those projects, the Douglas and Hillside TIF district, was $1.8 million behind on debt service payments as of 2022, but the city said the debt will be fully financed by 2027, according to the audit. The other project, the Ken Mar TIF district, was $420,000 behind on payments as of 2022 and developers have been tied up in litigation with the city.“If a city cannot pay off debt obligations on time, then its overall cost from the TIF project may increase as it accrues additional interest,” according to the audit. “The use of other city funds to help cover shortfalls may leave less funding for other purposes.”Lawmakers expressed frustrations with the lack of comprehensive statewide data measuring the success of economic initiatives and said they’d like to see the Kansas Department of Commerce take up the task to enhance transparency. State law doesn’t currently have any data collection or goal requirements for TIF districts, the audit found.Sen. Mike Thompson, a Republican who represents parts of Johnson and Wyandotte counties, said he’s in favor of a database that includes a measurement of the burden TIF districts impose on taxpayers to help in local government decision-making.“It would be nice if we asked the commerce department to include this so when we’re looking at our various communities it becomes much easier for our budget people to see what kind of burden we’re putting on the taxpayers,” Thompson said.Stan Longhofer, a Wichita State University professor and finance director for the&nbsp;<a href="https://realestate.wichita.edu/" target="_blank">WSU Center for Real Estate</a>, said TIF districts work well when a locale, a neighborhood or a piece of property is in decline or on the verge of decline.When property values in an area are stagnated or flat, and a developer can’t make a project viable, TIF fills the gaps. Longhofer believes redevelopment projects are the most appropriate contenders for TIF districts, but redevelopment isn’t a requirement under Kansas’ TIF statute.“If it’s a green field development, it shouldn’t be a TIF,” he said.The nature of TIF districts and their “but for” standard, which refers to the idea that a development wouldn’t occur but for incentives, made it difficult for auditors to gauge the full success of the districts surveyed. It’s difficult to know for certain whether property values surrounding a TIF district increased because of the district or because of other factors, Longhofer said.“It relies almost entirely on what-ifs,” he said.