By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Hundreds of athletes from across the Sunflower State will gather in Hays this week as the city hosts the Special Olympics Kansas State Basketball and Cheerleading Tournament.

The two-day event will be on Friday and Saturday in Hays and Manhattan, following qualifying competitions across the state.

Brent Kaiser, director of competitions and training, said about 562 athletes and 121 coaches are expected to participate in Hays alone.

"It's a big-time event. Teams from all over the state come to compete," Kaiser said.

A total of 120 teams will compete in Hays and Manhattan. You can find the basketball and cheerleading tournament schedule for both locations&nbsp;<a href="https://soks.org/sports/state-competitions/state-basketball-and-cheerleading/">here</a>.

In Hays, games and events will be at Gross Memorial Coliseum, Cunningham Hall, the Hays Recreation Commission and the Ellis County Fairgrounds.

Friday begins with a traditional opening ceremony at 9 a.m. in the coliseum before athletes move into the first competition: individual skills.

"The individual skills competition alone is three different activities. It's the wall pass, spot shot and a 10-meter dribble," Kaiser said. "We have a separate competition that is also part of the skills competition, but it's called the speed dribble competition."

Tournament games will begin at 12:30 p.m. in multiple gyms at Fort Hays State University’s Cunningham Hall and the Hays Recreation Commission, with the tourney resuming at 9 a.m. Saturday at both locations.

Friday ends with a banquet at 5 p.m. and a dance at 7 p.m. at the Ellis County Fairgrounds.

Saturday will also feature the cheerleading competition at 8:30 a.m. in the coliseum. Team basketball is set for 9:30 a.m.

Ten cheerleading teams will perform two cheers during the competition and will be judged by the FHSU cheer team. Both basketball players and cheerleaders will compete for medals.

Concessions will be available during competitions.

"We encourage people from the community to come out and loudly cheer on our athletes. There is no entry fee to any of the competitions. It's free for everyone," Kaiser said.

The Special Olympics Kansas State Basketball Tournament in Hays began in 1976. Kaiser said the event began shortly after Gross Memorial Coliseum opened in 1973 and has since served as the competition's primary venue.

"This is our longest-standing event in one location, and it's important to us. It's a huge part of what we do, and hosting it here in Hays is a huge tradition," he said.

In the tournament's first year, 38 teams participated. Today, the event has grown significantly, with 50 teams competing in Hays, including 19 from out of town. Some of the tournament's longest-tenured athletes are from Hays.

Originally, the entire state tournament was at a single location. In 2018, Kaiser said organizers split it into two sites to accommodate growing participation and increased demand for hotel space.

Kaiser said this year also marks the celebration of one of the tournament’s longest and most dedicated supporters: the Knights of Columbus.

"For those 50 years, the Knights of Columbus has been a huge sponsor and supporter of the event," he said. "The Knights of Columbus do Tootsie Roll drives all over the state. Those support our state basketball competitions and provide this opportunity for our athletes relatively free of charge."

Kaiser said the Knights of Columbus also advocate for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Kansas, in addition to their fundraising efforts.

Most basketball teams competing in Hays are from western Kansas, while others are traveling from communities as far as Salina, McPherson, Pittsburg and the Wichita area. Each team will receive snacks and meals from local businesses to support visiting athletes.

A newer addition to the annual event is health screenings through its Healthy Athletes program. Kaiser said athletes’ participation in the tournament offers several benefits.

"All of our opportunities and competitions provide a chance for athletes to learn teamwork skills, decision making, leadership and goal setting, along with developing self-confidence," he said.

Kaiser said 200 volunteers are required for the two-day event, and more are still needed, such as referees.

Volunteers ages 12 to 15 may participate with adult supervision, while those 16 and older can volunteer independently.&nbsp;

You can register to volunteer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.givepulse.com/event/722639-2026-state-basketball-and-cheerleading-hays">here</a>.

"These are real athletes. They practice a lot at a high level, and I hope attendees can see the joy that our athletes bring and the excitement this opportunity brings them when they come out to these competitions," Kaiser said.

You can find more information on the Special Olympics Kansas <a href="https://soks.org/sports/state-competitions/state-basketball-and-cheerleading/">website</a>.

Hays to host 50th Special Olympics Kansas State Basketball, Cheerleading Tournament

Ellis County Jail bookings: March 8-14, 2026

Ellis County Sheriff's activity log: March 8-14, 2026

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Recent obituaries, how to submit an obituary

On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, Becky Kiser, news reporter, talks with Jessica Phelan, assistant professor in the Fort Hays State University Department of Health and Human Performance, about the five "Blue Zones" around the world and the "Plant Slant" in healthy diets of long-lived people.

🎙 Post Podcast: 'Blue Zones' and their 'Plant Slants' 

WAKEENEY — Western Cooperative Electric proudly announces that Trustee Marvin&nbsp; Keller has received the Director Gold Renewal Certificate (DGR) from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

The Director Gold credential recognizes electric cooperative board members who demonstrate an ongoing commitment to continuing education and professional development.

The renewal designation is awarded to directors who continue to expand their knowledge of the electric utility industry, cooperative governance, and emerging issues that impact electric cooperatives and the members they serve.

The Director Gold program is designed for cooperative directors who strive to stay informed and effective in their leadership roles. By maintaining this credential, recipients reinforce their status as part of a distinguished group of experienced and well-educated cooperative leaders dedicated to the long-term success of their organizations.

“Continuing education is an important part of strong cooperative leadership,” Western Cooperative Electric CEO/GM Nolan Numrich said, “Trustees who actively pursue learning opportunities help ensure that our cooperative remains well-governed and prepared to meet the evolving needs of our membership.”

Western Cooperative Electric congratulates Keller on achieving the Director Gold Renewal Certificate and applauds his dedication to continuing education and his ongoing commitment to serving the members of Western Cooperative Electric.

Western Cooperative Electric Trustee earns Director Gold Renewal Certificate

On Thursday, March 19 at 6 p.m., Tracy King, MSN, APRN, WHNP-BC, will host a free community event called "Midlife Hits Different: Let's Talk About It" at BriefSpace, 219 W. 10th Street, Hays.&nbsp;

The event is open to women in the community and seating is limited to 12 to facilitate a truly intimate experience.

Register at <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/midlife-hits-different-lets-talk-about-it-tickets-1984701556783">Midlife Hits Different</a>.&nbsp;

The conversation will focus on what actually happens to women's bodies, hormones and health during midlife — and why so many women feel dismissed, confused or brushed off by the traditional healthcare system when they try to get answers.

"Women are not declining. They are recalibrating," said King. "But when your body stops making sense and your doctor tells you everything looks normal, that's not a diagnosis — that's a dismissal. This conversation exists to change that."

King is a women's health nurse practitioner with over 25 years of clinical experience across hospital systems, academic institutions and private practice. She recently relocated to Hays and is partnering with Grow Hays and BriefSpace to build a presence in the community.

The March 19 event is the first in what King plans to become a recurring series, with upcoming conversations planned for Las Vegas, Denver and Tallahassee later this spring.

About Tracy King, MSN, APARN, WHNP-BC

Tracy King is a board-certified Women's Health Nurse Practioner, midlife recalibration specialist and founder of HER Slayground and HER Rebirth Studio. With a career spannning&nbsp;hospital systems, academic institutions and private practice across multiple states, she specializes in helping women navigate perimenopause, menopause, hormonal health and identify transitions in midlife. She holds licensure in Kansas, Nevada Colorado, Florida and Ohio and sees patients via telehealth.

'Midlife Hits Different: Let's Talk About It' hosted by Hays nurse practitioner

By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension District

Crabgrass preventers are another name for preemergence herbicides that prevent crabgrass seeds from developing into mature plants. Many people have a somewhat foggy idea of how they work and assume they kill the weed seed.&nbsp; Such is not the case. They do not kill the seed or even keep the seed from germinating but rather kill the young plant after it germinates.&nbsp; Therefore, they do not prevent germination but prevent emergence.&nbsp;

Crabgrass preventers are just that – preventers. With few exceptions they have no effect on existing crabgrass plants, so they must be applied before germination. Additionally, preventers do not last forever once applied to the soil. Microorganisms and natural processes begin to gradually break them down soon after they are applied. 

If some products are applied too early, they may have lost much of their strength by the time they are needed. Most crabgrass preventers are fairly ineffective after about 60 days, but there is considerable variation among products.

For most of Kansas, crabgrass typically begins to germinate around May 1 or a little later. April 15 is normally a good target date for applying preventer because it gives active ingredients time to evenly disperse in the soil before crabgrass germination starts.&nbsp; Even better, base timing on the bloom of ornamental plants. The Eastern Redbud tree is a good choice for this purpose. When the trees in your area approach full bloom, apply crabgrass preventer. A follow-up application will be needed about eight weeks later unless you are using Dimension or Barricade.&nbsp;

Dimension and Barricade are the only two products that give season-long control of crabgrass from a single application. In fact, they can be applied earlier than April 15 and still have sufficient residual strength to last the season. Barricade can even be applied in late fall for crabgrass control the next season.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Dimension can be applied as early as March 1. Because of the added flexibility in timing, these products are favorites of lawn care companies who have many customers to service in the spring. Though Dimension is usually not applied as early as Barricade, it is the herbicide of choice if it must be applied later than recommended. It is the exception to the rule that preemergence herbicides do not kill existing weeds. Dimension can kill crabgrass as long as it is young (two- to three-leaf stage). 

Dimension is also the best choice if treating a lawn that was planted late last fall. Normally, a preemergence herbicide is not recommended unless the lawn has been mowed two to four times. But Dimension is kind to young tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, and Kentucky bluegrass seedlings and some formulations can be applied as early as two weeks after the first sign of germination. However, read the label of the specific product you wish to use to ensure that this use is allowed. 

Lawns established in the fall can be safely treated with Dimension the following spring even if they have not been mowed.

Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

BOOR: Crabgrass preventers kill young plants, not seeds

<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

Fort Hays Tech NC March Mania Bracket Challenge

GOVE COUNTY —Three people were injured in separate accident blamed on the high winds on Sunday afternoon in northwest Kansas.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Just after 1:30p.m., a 2022 Chevy Silverado driven by Stephen Blackwell, 78, Cortez, Colorado, was eastbound on Interstate 70 one mile east of Kansas 216, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol. Due to strong winds the vehicle's trailer began to rollover. The driver attempted corrective action. The trailer broke loose from the pickup.&nbsp; The trailer and began to spin. The pickup entered the median and rolled. Trailer came to rest in the driving lane.

EMS transported the Blackwell and a passenger Melba Blackwell, 77, Cortez, Colorado, to the Logan County Health Center. They were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Just after 2p.m., a 2022 Freightliner semi driven by&nbsp; Reynol&nbsp;Garcia, 48, Kansas City, Misouri, was westbound on Interstate 70 one&nbsp;mile east of Voda Road in Trego County. The driver lost control due to the high winds in the area. The semi spun clockwise and overturned.&nbsp;

EMS transported the driver to Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

3 hospitalized after I-70 accidents due to strong wind gusts

FHSU University Communications&nbsp;

GREAT BEND — Fort Hays State University’s Kansas Wetlands Education Center (KWEC) will host a variety of free daily hands-on activities each afternoon of Spring Break, March 16-20, providing a chance for people to get out and explore the diversity of the wetlands.

A different activity will take place from 1-4 p.m. each day. The event is informal, come-and-go, and no registration is required. Activities are geared toward school-aged children. After enjoying the hands-on activities, visitors can check out the center’s interactive exhibit hall, classroom with live animals, 16-minute video about Cheyenne Bottoms, and walk the nature trail. They can also grab a map and take a self-guided tour of the wetlands.

Monday, March 16 – All About That Bass

Get ready for a fintastic fishy adventure! Students will discover how awesome fish features, like cool mouths, speedy tails, and wiggly body shapes, help them survive and thrive. Then it’s time to get crafty and create their very own paper fish with fun adaptations of their choice.

Tuesday, March 17 – Terrariums To Go

Ever want to have your own pocket-sized world? Well, now you can. Learn what goes into creating a perfect habitat for living creatures, and put it into practice by making your very own terrarium to take home and enjoy your own little world.

Wednesday, March 18 – Bioluminescent Beetles: Fantastic Fireflies

Fireflies, lightning bugs, glowworms, blinkies, moon bugs, golden sparklers, marsh flickers; no matter what you call them, these bioluminescent beetles have a unique way of capturing our attention. Flash on over to learn more about these insects. We will learn about how and why they glow at night and craft a paper lantern inspired by fireflies for you to take home with you.

Thursday, March 19 – Cheyenne Bottoms Buffet&nbsp;

As many as 41 species of shorebirds migrate to Cheyenne Bottoms each year. With so many migrants, you might be wondering how all of these birds find enough food to eat.&nbsp;Migrate out to the Kansas Wetlands Education Center to learn about microhabitats as well as how these shorebirds eat.&nbsp;In addition, we will be making a flapping bird for you to take home.

Friday, March 20 – A Wild Introduction to Field Journaling

Did you know some of history’s most groundbreaking ideas, expeditions, and discoveries began in the pages of a field journal? Such as Charles Darwin's sketches from the Galapagos Islands and Lewis and Clark's charts from their expedition. So, let’s get started on your very own field journal. Together, you will learn tricks and tips to not only draw your observations but also write about and understand what they mean. Afterwards, we will put your skills to the test with a walk through our very own KWEC trail.

Can't join us in person or want a teaser of the activity? At 10 a.m. each day, tune in to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.EWtdXdo3nx3t8ZlvSfKX0d6l0qajQc2cNPx9eB-2BHhpm5IMZ-2B8g1sy0eqGIkhgPELV8VeFlGkoKFvhBqsB6fHoA-3D-3DR9bt_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfO6ME-2BMd-2FBoxlb3lCwFaJfE6IOBtuQ2h5h0k-2Fn60B0dBy5L1xpsH6WiPySQkzcTJHJjYJFDosaEsYaS0nXHb4DaYA2iBOf6cDjAEHZmA-2B0dGDJJ4YcJcOwzWPq0-2BTDSAEUHoPHZQRTKD2Jy-2B5mKGB3rlMTq2LR4yWBqDzOQG5D4VawnBHt2IwTEg72ILrjt8Vst3gTaqUrHLlN2-2By-2BFLt-2B6-2B-2FCySRN4YFJKa6s1y0gdfKhLxC8eC15ye5B5Ajg0wjQ">https://www.facebook.com/wetlandscenter</a>&nbsp;for a chance to meet the staff member presenting that day and a story that fits the theme of the afternoon activity.

KWEC is located at Cheyenne Bottoms, 10 miles northeast of Great Bend, on K-156 Highway. For more information, call 877-243-9268 or visit <a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.7LNxDHQVpzCjONIZ4OYIqiohrCVEzT-2Bu22yVklcaqOvmZGt05-2BeOL3r-2Flc3NH2OV7rO5_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfO6ME-2BMd-2FBoxlb3lCwFaJfE6IOBtuQ2h5h0k-2Fn60B0dBy5L1xpsH6WiPySQkzcTJHJjYJFDosaEsYaS0nXHb4DaXHdGcAyXWeLnPAZIoj6SavGEGAyE-2BfnujAqTEanhiR9FAnTKxWiWbxD3DBoMf8y9Y0F35UzD82IURDz4tKwwM-2BABb3LG5eq-2FAzWOidK1zsK2JMrzEISe1-2FrehOgcJZAlmyhjp0VOqBOuMlB7sxuDiTKz6S0ZXrDdd-2BIsnn1evWG">wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu</a>.

Spring break activities at FHSU Kansas Wetlands Education Center   

WICHITA — The American Red Cross urges donors to help the national blood&nbsp;supply recover from a severe blood shortage and empower their health by making an appointment&nbsp;to give blood or platelets in March.

 As a thank-you for helping save lives, successful donations will&nbsp;receive free A1C testing, commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes, in March (one result per&nbsp;calendar year).

New Red Cross data reveals 1 in 5 blood donors have elevated A1C levels — a sign that prediabetes&nbsp;and diabetes are prevalent among adults in generally good health.&nbsp;

The findings are based on the first year of free A1C screening offered by the Red Cross, which provided results to more than 920,000 blood&nbsp;donors nationwide over three testing periods in 2025.

&nbsp;Among donors with elevated A1C&nbsp;levels, 80% had readings indicating prediabetes — a condition that can often be reversed through lifestyle&nbsp;changes such as a balanced diet and regular exercise.

“Too many people still face gaps in access to preventive care, and the Red Cross is proud to help close&nbsp;them by giving our 2.5 million blood and platelet donors easy access to essential health information, like&nbsp;their blood sugar levels,” said Dr. Courtney Lawrence, Red Cross medical director. “By giving blood and&nbsp;downloading our Blood Donor App, individuals can be informed and empowered to better&nbsp;manage and advocate for their health.”

The A1C test does not require fasting and provides an average blood sugar level over the past&nbsp;three months.

&nbsp;Visit <a href="https://www.redcrossblood.org/">RedCrossBlood.org</a>, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App or call 1-800-RED&nbsp;CROSS to schedule your March donation appointment.

&nbsp;All who come to give blood, platelets or&nbsp;plasma March 1-31, 2026, will also receive a $15 Amazon Gift Card by email.&nbsp;See <a href="https://www.redcrossblood.org/local-homepage/events/march.html">RedCrossBlood.org/March</a> for details.

Donating blood in March is part of Red Cross Month, a national campaign that encourages people to&nbsp;deliver support when help can’t wait by also making a financial donation, volunteering or taking a&nbsp;lifesaving skills class.

Millions of U.S. adults are living with undiagnosed prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes, which are often&nbsp;preventable and in many cases, reversible. These conditions often develop silently, though if untreated,&nbsp;they can lead to serious health complications such as stroke, heart disease and kidney failure.

Early detection isn’t just good for long-term health — it’s also a warning for people’s wallets.

An American Diabetes Association study found that, while people with prediabetes typically incur a few&nbsp;hundred dollars in additional medical costs each year, those with blood sugar levels that have progressed&nbsp;to the diabetic range could face several thousand dollars more in annual expenses — as much as 25&nbsp;times higher.

How to Find Out Your A1C from the Red Cross

After making a successful blood, platelet or plasma donation in March, donors can access their&nbsp;A1C result within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal&nbsp;at RedCrossBlood.org. Anyone with an elevated A1C level is encouraged to consult their health care&nbsp;provider.

In addition, donors can access and track their blood pressure, hemoglobin, pulse and body temperature,&nbsp;which are taken during each donation’s mini-physical to ensure they’re healthy enough to give.

How Blood Donation Can Help Bridge Health Care Gaps

As the nation’s largest blood supplier, the Red Cross is uniquely positioned to help bridge existing health&nbsp;care gaps by providing blood donors with critical health insights. Through the Red Cross Blood Donor&nbsp;App and online donor portal, donors can track their results and share them with their health care&nbsp;provider.

These efforts are part of the broader Red Cross mission, which has supported the health of communities&nbsp;for 145 years. 

Today in Kansas, this work includes installing free smoke alarms in neighborhoods at high&nbsp;risk for home fires, providing basic health and mental health services to disaster survivors, and supporting the well-being of military families, veterans and their caregivers.

Q: Why is the Red Cross testing blood, platelet and plasma donors’ A1C levels?

A: The Red Cross values the health and well-being of blood donors. By providing this vital health insight,&nbsp;the Red Cross is helping to bridge existing care gaps and empower donors to take an important&nbsp;step toward preventative care and lifesaving intervention.

Q: Should I fast to receive the A1C test on my blood donation?

A: No, the A1C test does not require individuals to fast. This is noteworthy because eating a nutritious&nbsp;meal prior to blood donation is important.

Q: Can I donate blood if I have prediabetes or diabetes?

A: People with prediabetes or diabetes are generally eligible to donate blood, platelets and plasma if they&nbsp;are feeling well on the day of their donation. In most situations, the type of medication donors take to&nbsp;manage their diabetes does not disqualify them from donating blood.

Q: Can I donate blood while taking GLP-1 medication?

A: In most situations, the type of medication you take to manage your diabetes or insulin&nbsp;resistance won't disqualify you from donating blood. Whether you take insulin injections like Apidra or&nbsp;Humalog, an injected diabetes medication like Ozempic or Mounjaro, or oral medications like metformin,&nbsp;you are still eligible to donate if you are feeling well on the day of your donation.

Red Cross offers free A1C testing; 1 in 5 donors prediabetic, diabetic 

WHEATLAND — Wheatland High School drama class will present "The Butler Did It," a comedy/murder mystery by Tim Kelly in conjunction with Concord Theatricals.

The play is a parody of familiar mysteries. Several detective writers are invited to Ravenswood Manor on Turkey Island. While they impersonate their fictional characters, they are surprised by a real murder. Now they must use all their resourcefulness to find the killer loose on Turkey Island.

Please join us for laughs at Wheatland High School Sunday, April 12.&nbsp;

 The matinee is a 2 p.m.&nbsp;Dinner theater seating begins at 5 p.m., with curtain up at 6 p.m.

&nbsp;Once again, we will feature a delicious meal created by Christy Rathgeber. This year's menu: brisket, cheesy potatoes, vegetable and dinner roll. FACS class will provide a delicious dessert.

Matinee tickets are $12 and can be purchased at the door or in advance.

Dinner theater tickets are $20 and must be purchased by Monday, March 30, for an accurate meal count. 

Actors will have tickets for purchase. They may also be purchased by emailing Carolyn Nelson at cnelson@thunderhawks.org or Jim Shaw at jshaw@thunderhawks.org.

Sponsorships are available and welcome.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Wheatland High School to present comedy/murder mystery, dinner theater

COLBY — Western Plains Arts Association (WPAA) sponsors the Queen City Jazz Band at the Goodland High School Auditorium in Goodland at 3:00 p.m. central (2:00 p.m. Mountain time) on Sunday, March 22.

This traditional jazz band was founded in Denver more than 60 years ago and is recognized across the nation for playing outstanding traditional, Dixieland, gospel and spiritual music. The group has also toured widely across Europe.

Admission to this show is with a WPAA season ticket or an individual program ticket which may be purchased at the door. 

Thank you to the area sponsors, especially the Sherman County Community Foundation and the Dane Hansen Foundation, and in part by the state of Kansas through the Kansas Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Queen City Jazz Band to perform in Goodland March 22

DORRANCE — The Dorrance American Legion Post 334 will host a steak feed Saturday, March 21.

Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. with the meal at 6:30 p.m.

12 or 6-ounce ribeye steak with baked potato, corn, green beans, tea or water, and a big selection of desserts will be served. Cold beer and mixed drinks will be available.

Call-in and carry-out orders are available by phoning 785-666-4275.&nbsp;

Proceeds benefit the Dorrance American Legion Post 334.

Dorance steak feed to benefit American Legion Post 334 

&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

FHSU University Communications

GREAT BEND — Cheyenne Bottoms, located on the Central Flyway, a bird migration route that connects Canada to South America, is an ideal place to witness the spring migration of many bird species. 

Seventy percent of all the different shorebird species in North America have been recorded at Cheyenne Bottoms, and late March through early May is prime time to view the birds using the local wetlands for rest and fuel.

This spring, the Kansas Wetlands Education Center is offering 2-hour birdwatching van tours through the Cheyenne Bottoms wetlands.&nbsp;Bird communities can change quickly from day to day during the spring, but the migration usually peaks around the last two weeks of April through the first two weeks of May.&nbsp;

Birdwatchers will get the chance to see a variety of wetland birds during the tours, including ducks, such as Blue-winged Teal, Cinnamon Teal, and Gadwall; shorebirds, such as Long-billed dowitchers, Least sandpipers, Willets, Black-necked stilts, and American avocets; wading birds, such as Great blue herons, Black-crowned night herons, and Snowy Egrets; and other wetland specialist birds, such as American white pelicans, Double-crested cormorants, and Pied-billed grebes.

Saturday, March 21 Saturday, March 28 Saturday, April 18 Monday, April 27 Wednesday, April 29 Saturday, May 9 Saturday, March 28

Time:&nbsp;9–11 a.m. Cost:&nbsp;$5 per person Ages:&nbsp;12 and older Registration:&nbsp;Pre-registration required Capacity:&nbsp;Limited to 11 participants Pre-register for the tours by calling KWEC at 877-243-9268.

Kansas Wetlands Education Center, affiliated with FHSU’s Werth College of Science, Technology and Mathematics, is located 10 miles northeast of Great Bend at the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area. 

More information can be found at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.7LNxDHQVpzCjONIZ4OYIqiohrCVEzT-2Bu22yVklcaqOvmZGt05-2BeOL3r-2Flc3NH2OVG0lv_jsop8PIMT7gxIIR3VBIav8lOuFYBpuHbZjyafuuURjtbMxTr6o-2BCULFYMWFiG8W3FriW2HKWCsmar-2F80lP7v1vq52wJw6YLOXDmCmHbeaROFack9jVp1Qhk-2F6TWh58l5uHAgwtF6DnCPaQD6CREfcGUfXb8G-2B2IKrjxz8DhEkrVoG6hDQrGzuLgkxopxqTdHAsIbYS4XpEeihm3izgkPb4ysmOZp6ovBxyz-2BwbMGrJJx0kHMMYLQcsm2VmElT4vAHWMPF8BMT6iqGiERauIQy5XsHZeUasZu8y4xg10KV0DZDhwutrPCuGeaPq2V-2BTkIqpwEQf0wvorT08R3kYnKhZ7RfvzgWzAWd98eAJOjAZqUd8JDrsQ-2F22u-2Bg3jNbpY0">wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu</a>.

Kansas Wetlands Education Center to host spring Bird Migration Tours

WICHITA — Harsh winter weather&nbsp;impacted&nbsp;many communities in February, disrupting blood drive collections&nbsp;and scheduled&nbsp;donation routines.&nbsp;With spring just around the corner, all who are eligible are encouraged to make an appointment to give blood&nbsp;or platelets&nbsp;during&nbsp;Red Cross Month&nbsp;this March.&nbsp;

The Red Cross will perform free A1C testing on successful blood, platelet and plasma donations made March 1-31 (one result per calendar year).&nbsp;Plus, those who come to give&nbsp;March 1-31, will receive a $15 Amazon Gift Card by email.&nbsp;Details can be found at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJwsy7Gu4yAQheGngQ4LxhjGBcVt_BrRAOPYWghZsBLt268S3fY7588BMFntJAfj_Wy8dxrkEXbImpZ1txw1Z2cJd4JoZ9Jk3OKiPINbo0baZ1pd5Jsx2WhtAJfEwupxZv5z_lWVzsJ9KL96XNa4e6_6jo8yfQZZwnFdzyHmHwGbgO39fk-dc-ptjFhay1PrdwFbaYmKOlrlJ91ZwMYvflxDwFapp2M6rlpk5XyS6lyYBqszhy_cfkHMP2BnbVD2cNC_8WzjElYz3Qt_j1NqVY6rM9dPjIgL-QWUWzEpq6NTq0VQs-Xsl-Q9YpKvAP8DAAD__-3MZHg">RedCrossBlood.org/March</a>.&nbsp;

March is Red Cross Month; blood donations needed

TMP-Marian Sports Booster Club presents 'Dueling Pianos' fundraiser March 28

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/mark-scolforo">MARK SCOLFORO</a>

A woman raising two children was among the six U.S. service members killed last week when a refueling plane involved in the war with Iran&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-iran-tanker-aircraft-crash-iraq-kc135-c337359a58be6280dc96fdbf1cb48a5b">crashed</a>&nbsp;in western Iraq.

Tech Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, hailed from a large family in Bardstown, Kentucky, and was “very, very” proud of her military career, her husband Gregory Pruitt said Sunday.

“I’ll give you something brief -– in a word, radiant,” he said on a phone interview, trying to hold back tears. “If there was a light in the room, she was it.”

Survivors include the couple’s 3-year-old daughter and Sgt. Pruitt’s stepson.

Most recently, she had served with the 99th Air Refueling Squadron from Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base in Birmingham, Alabama. She was an assistant flight chief of operations and was an instructor in operating the boom of a KC-135.

Pruitt joined the military nine years ago and had previously deployed overseas three times. She had nearly 900 combat flight hours and two associate degrees from the Community College of the Air Force.

The U.S. military late Saturday identified Pruitt and the other five crash victims, three connected to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, and Sumpter Smith; the other three were out of an Ohio Air National Guard base in Columbus.

“To lose a member of the Air Force family is excruciatingly painful, especially to those who know them as son, daughter, brother, sister, spouse, mom, or dad,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Ed Szczepanik, commander of the 6th Air Refueling Wing, in a news release. “To lose them at the same time is unimaginable.”

Maj. Gen. Matthew S. Woodruff, the Ohio adjutant general, called the three from Columbus “remarkable Airmen whose service and commitment embodied the very best of our Ohio National Guard. Their impact on their teammates and our mission will not be forgotten.”

The aircraft was in “friendly” airspace, supporting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-iran-tanker-aircraft-crash-iraq-kc135-c337359a58be6280dc96fdbf1cb48a5b">operations</a>&nbsp;against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/iran">Iran</a>, when an unspecified incident involving another aircraft occurred on Thursday, according to U.S. Central Command. The other plane landed safety, U.S. military officials said. The crash is being investigated.

The KC-135 aircraft refuels other planes in midair, allowing them to fly longer distances and sustain operations without landing. The plane also can be used to transport wounded personnel and conduct surveillance missions, according to military experts.

The Congressional Research Service says the Air Force last year had 376 KC-135s, including 151 on active duty, 163 in the Air National Guard and 62 in the Air Force Reserve. It has been in service for more than 60 years.

Maj. John A. “Alex” Klinner, 33, had just been promoted to major in January and had been deployed less than a week when the crash occurred, his brother-in-law said.

The pilot left behind three small children: 7-month-old twins and a 2-year-old son, according to his brother-in-law, James Harrill.

Klinner was a graduate of Auburn University and an eight-year U.S. Air Force veteran from Birmingham, Alabama. He had just moved with his family into a new home, his wife Libby Klinner said in an Instagram post mourning his death.

He was the chief of squadron standards and evaluations at the Birmingham air base.

An outdoorsman who enjoyed hiking, Klinner was also ready to help others. When Harrill last saw him in January, Klinner had shoveled Harrill’s vehicle out of the snow during a family wedding.

“Alex was one of those guys that had this steady command about him,” said Harrill, of Atlanta, who helped set up a GoFundMe site for Klinner’s family. “He was literally one of the most kindest, giving people.”

Libby Klinner said in a post that her heart is broken for their children, who will grow up not knowing their father.

“They won’t get to see firsthand the way he would jump up to help in any way he could,” she wrote. “They won’t see how goofy and funny he was. They won’t witness his selflessness, the way he thought about everyone else before himself. They won’t get to feel the deep love he had for them.”

He deployed four times since 2019 and had put in 362 combat hours and 181 combat support hours.

Tech Sgt. Tyler Simmons, 28, served with the Ohio Air National Guard’s 166th Air Refueling Squadron as a boom operator responsible for transferring fuel from the tanker to the receiving aircraft, according to his Air Force biography.

His mother, Cheryl Simmons, said Saturday that she was making funeral plans for her son, who lived in Columbus.

In a statement obtained by WCMH-TV in Columbus, Tyler Simmons’ family said it was saddened beyond measure to hear of the fatal crash.

“Tyler’s smile could light up any room, his strong presence would fill it. His parents, grandparents, family and friends are grief stricken for the loss of life,” they said.

Simmons joined the Air Force in 2017 and earned an associate degree from the Community College of the Air Force. He became a refueling specialist in 2022 and was made a technical sergeant in 2023. He deployed three times in the past decade and had 230 combat hours.

Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, was a pilot with the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, serving as its chief of current operations. She was responsible for the flying hour program and managing daily flight scheduling, among other duties.

Savino, from Covington, Washington, was a product of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Central Washington University, earning an active duty commission in 2017.

She served at bases in Georgia and Mississippi and had more than 300 combat hours. She was made captain in 2021.

A captain with more than 2,000 flight hours

Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, was an instructor pilot for the KC135R Stratotanker with 19 years of service, according to the Ohio National Guard.

A resident of Stoutsville, Ohio, Koval was an aircraft commander with the 121st Air Refueling Wing out of Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus. The military said he had trained pilots in air refueling, aeromedical, cargo and passenger operations.

A statement from the U.S. government said Koval was from Mooresville, Indiana.

Koval had a bachelor’s degree in aviation operations from Purdue University and deployed five times in the past 12 years. His assignments included stops in Indiana, Ohio, Alabama, Texas an Oklahoma.

Koval had more than 2,000 flight hours, including 443 in combat, the Ohio Guard said. He was promoted to captain in 2022.

Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, was in the military for a decade after getting a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Cincinnati. He enlisted in the Ohio Air National Guard in 2015, with deployments in 2015 and this year.

Angst was a KC-135R pilot with the 166th Air Refueling Squadron and lived in Columbus. A statement about his death from the federal government indicated he was from Wilmington, Ohio.

He had 880 flight hours, including 67 combat hours. Angst was promoted to captain in November.

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