By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Fort Hays Tech North Central celebrated its new Hansen Construction Career Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday.

The almost 30,000 square-foot facility will expand access to high-demand career training in construction, electrical technology, plumbing and heating, and commercial driving.

"With those four programs, we've served 130 students each year in the past and will now be able to serve 260 students,"&nbsp;Eric Burks, Fort Hays Tech North Central president, said.

The center includes three industry-grade workshop labs, interactive classrooms and training environments that mirror real-world job sites across two floors.

Burks said the building represents confidence in students, the college and Kansas’ workforce.

The $9.1 million project has secured $8.2 million to date, including a $1 million gift from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation.

Doug Albin, a trustee of the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, said the foundation receives many worthy requests, but not all can be approved.

"Sometimes we have a hard time deciding when we're looking at grants, which ones we want to fund and which ones we don't," Albin said. "This was a pretty easy one."

Albin said the decision was driven by the project’s economic impact and the ongoing shortage of plumbers and electricians.

 Gary Shorman, board chairman for the Schmidt Foundation,  added while the building itself is impressive, the true value lies in the students who will go on to make a difference.

Fort Hays Tech North Central student Cooper Hosman gave his impression of the center so far.

"One of my favorite things about it is the lab we're standing in right now. For example, we were able to learn how to operate a scissor lift last week, and I would not have been able to do that in the old building," Hosman said.

Lt. Gov. David Toland also spoke, saying Kansas has attracted $30 billion in private investment during the last seven years. He said the state is in need of more skilled tradespeople, housing units, commercial strip centers and industrial buildings.

"It's an urgent matter that we train up our young people and keep them in Kansas to be a part of this renaissance that's occurring in our state," he said.

Bob Becker, chairman of the North Central Tech Board of Trustees, said while board members have changed over the years, the vision of adding new campus buildings has remained the same.

"The mission of the board, in many ways, is to create a learning environment that is conducive to developing qualified, skilled and career-oriented individuals," he said. "With the creation of the Hansen Construction Career Center, we believe we have further enhanced our mission."

Attendees were allowed to tour the facility and meet the faculty after the ceremony. Fort Hays State University President Tisa Mason was unable to attend the event.

Fort Hays Tech North Central celebrates new construction career center

Big Creek 4-H Club met Jan. 4 at Gorham Senior Center. Newly elected president Katie H led a room full of 4-Hers in a lively and productive first meeting of the new year.

A fun and educational Clover Bud activity followed, with first-time officers doing a great job with their meeting responsibilities. The members brainstormed ideas for an upcoming club lock-in.

Some exciting upcoming events for the club include the Favorite Food Show on Jan. 18. The next Big Creek 4-H Club meeting will be held on February 1st at Gorham Senior Center.

Big Creek 4-H monthly update

On Feb. 15, the WPAA will present Magicians Pomeroy and Lamb at 3 p.m. at Oakley High School. &nbsp;

The Conjurors invite guests to the world of the impossible - a place where limitations have yet to be created and amazing memories are waiting to be made. From captivating stories, incredible magic, large illusions, and breathtaking demonstrations of mind control, this show guarantees an adventure that will amaze all ages.

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 Logan County Community Foundation, Dane G Hansen Foundation. Sponsored in part by the state of Kansas through the Kansas Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.

My earliest memories are being on and around a stage. I was mesmerized by every aspect and element of performing. Every show is a journey filled with magic, wonder, enchantment and story telling.

Magic allows us to experience the impossible. Together we will create moments and memories that will be remembered long after the lights dim and the curtains close.

Magicians Pomeroy, Lamb set for Oakley High School

Fort Hays State University has been awarded the Community Engagement Classification by the American Council of Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.&nbsp;

Becky Kiser, news reporter, talks about the designation with Dr. Lori Kniffin, the Omer G. Voss Distinguished Professor of Leadership and the director of Civic Learning and Engagement on this episode of the Hays Post Podcast.

🎙Post Podcast: FHSU earns Community Engagement Classification

After more than four decades of service, Lawrence "Jug" Younger's legacy endures in the Hays Police Department he helped build and the officers he shaped.

Younger passed away peacefully on Tuesday at Hays Medical Center, surrounded by family and friends.

Younger was born July 17, 1938, in Hays to Lawrence Sr. and Anna Younger. Growing up with four sisters, Younger loved fishing at Big Creek and shooting his BB gun.

Younger was essentially born into the Hays Police Department, as his father served as chief of police from 1950 to 1955, according to current Chief Don Scheibler.

As a high school freshman at age 14, Younger met his future wife, Louise Walburn. The couple married on May 19, 1957, in Great Bend, and later raised five children and served as surrogate parents to many others over the years.

Younger began his career with the Hays Police Department on Feb. 3, 1958, rising through the ranks before being named chief of police in 1982 after 24 years of service. He led the department from 1982 to 2002, making him the longest-serving chief in its history.

Scheibler was hired by Younger in 1993 and served under him for the remainder of Younger’s law enforcement career.

"His life was dedicated to protecting this community," Scheibler said.

Younger’s leadership led to the creation of several specialized units that remain active today, such as the Hays Police Special Situation Response Team, the Ellis County Drug Enforcement Unit and the bike patrol.

"His fingerprint is all over the Hays Police Department. For 20 years, he was chief. He was leading, guiding and directing us," Scheibler said.

Scheibler said many officers hired under Younger later advanced into leadership positions across Kansas law enforcement, including serving as lieutenants and captains with the Kansas Highway Patrol.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5abb4af0-7321-4b8c-b418-d359a0a15076">One example is retired KHP Captain and WaKeeney Police Chief Travis Phillips</a>, who began his law enforcement career with the Hays Police Department on Sept. 3, 1991. He joined the KHP in 1994 and <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4e1d5776-6025-414c-a751-577ec164a0bc">became WaKeeney chief in 2025</a>.

"He gave me my first chance to make a difference. ... I was always really impressed with his presence," Phillips said.

Phillips described Younger as a hands-on leader who led by example. He recalls times when Younger showed up during large parties near the Fort Hays State University campus to help disperse crowds before anyone was hurt.

"It was neat that the chief of police actually came down to help because you wouldn't expect that out of somebody in his position," Phillips said.

Phillips said Younger was consistently supportive and taught him lessons that he still carries with him today in his role as chief.

Scheibler said, "Time and time again, people that he hired went on to be very successful. The foundation he set with everyone about having a strong work ethic and putting in the time and effort was instrumental in our success."

Former Hays police officer and KHP Lt. Dennis Dinkel said Younger set high standards and was a strong supporter of the officers who served under him.

"Chief Younger had your back. If somebody said something that wasn't true, he was the first one to stand there and back you up," Dinkel said.

Younger hired Dinkel in 1992, and he served under Younger until joining the KHP in 2001.

"That department laid a great foundation for anybody who started their law enforcement career there. Younger taught you to do it the right way," Dinkel said.

Scheibler said Younger was straightforward and tough but deeply cared for his officers and the community. After Younger retired, Jim Brown succeeded him as chief, followed later by Scheibler.

"Once I became chief, he and I began to have conversations as a friend and a mentor," Scheibler said. "He listened to me and gave me ideas... more often than not, he'd tell me to suck it up because that's what you signed up for."

"He was a shining example of how to be a chief of police, but also how to be a husband."

Hays Police Lt. Brandon Wright said he was the last officer&nbsp;Younger hired in September 2001. Wright worked with him for only about a month. Wright said their connection later centered on a shared interest in police pistol competitions, which Younger was passionate about.

"He knows I'm a shooter. Every time we crossed paths, we'd always talk about whether I'm still shooting, if I've gone to any competitions lately, and about the department's team," Wright said.

Former Ellis County Sheriff Ed Harbin worked alongside Younger from about 1980 until his retirement, spanning more than two decades.

"We worked together when we needed to. Neither one of us would turn each other down if we needed help or assistance," Harbin said.

Harbin said they didn’t always agree, but he still regarded Younger as a great asset to law enforcement and someone you could have a cup of coffee with. He remembers his grin and sense of humor the most.

"He was kind of like a fishing buddy at times," Harbin said.

Phillips, Dinkel, Harbin and Wright said one of the last times they saw Younger was when they gathered to honor <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/828772e4-ab2d-416f-a5cb-bd6631c6d836">the passing of Scott Heimann in the fall 2025</a>.

During his retirement, Younger spent much of his time working on projects in and around the home and enjoying time with his children, their spouses, and his 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Younger was also a member of the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police and the Kansas Peace Officers Association.

"I will always be grateful for his passion for law enforcement, commitment to protecting his community, and the sacrifice that not only he made, but his family has made as well—a lifetime of sacrifice in serving the community. We should recognize that and we should be grateful for that," Scheibler said.

Younger's funeral service will be at 11 a.m. today at the First United Methodist Church in Hays. <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1cde5b3d-e39a-4c05-a12f-e87186648f58">You can read the full obituary here.</a>

Local law enforcement reflect on former Hays Police Chief's legacy

LINCOLN COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 9:30p.m. Friday in Lincoln County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Chevy Camaro driven by Natina L.&nbsp;Mitchell, 28, Thedford, Nebraska, was westbound on Interstate 70 near the&nbsp;Beverly,&nbsp;Carneiro exit.&nbsp; The Camaro rear-ended a 2002 Chevy Silverado driven by Aaron M. Gray, 48, Russell.&nbsp; Both vehicles then pulled off onto the right shoulder.

EMS transported&nbsp; Gray and a passenger in the pickup Deanna J. Gray, 54, Russell, to the Ellsworth County Medical Center.&nbsp; Mitchell was not injured. All three were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Kansas couple hospitalized after I-70 rear-end crash

Lions provide usable eyeglasses to Children and Adults throughout the World.

On Saturday, Feb. 14, we will be sorting used eyeglasses, determining their prescriptions and PREPARING THEM FOR MISSION TRIPS.

The Public is invited to attend to watch, learn or help.

We will be at STEM, (the old Hays Daily newspaper building, south side entrance), 507 Main, Ste D, from 10 to 4 on Saturday the 14th.

For more information, please call Lion Jim Huenergarde, Hays Lions Club, VP KLSF,

Hays lions club to host recycling used glasses Feb. 14

By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension District

North Central and North West Extension Districts and counties of K-State Research and Extension again will be hosting an ONLINE agronomy series, “Crop Talk”, slated to begin Tuesday, February 10 through Tuesday, March 10, which will highlight several topics important to crop producers.  These will be on Tuesdays and each session will be held from Noon to 1:00 p.m. CST. 

In the NC and NW agronomy focused areas, the meetings will feature presentations and comments by K-State Extension faculty to enhance management strategies utilized by crop producers. 

Our KSU extension team has vast experience in crop production and we’re here to help solve and prevent production problems with reliable information. 

Planned topics of discussion include Understanding Flex Leases; Available Soil Water at Planting and Related Management; Wheat conditions and Breeding efforts on Mosaic Viruses; Fungicide Applications in Corn and Sorghum and Insects to watch for in the Field. 

There will also be time for questions between Kansas crop producers and extension specialists at each of the sessions. 

You register once and get information for all five webinars. The Zoom and YouTube links will be emailed out after you register and on the day of the webinar. Register online at <a href="https://www.wkrec.org/events/croptalk/">www.bit.ly/KSUCropTalk</a> or call your local Extension Office.&nbsp;Once you register, a link to the online sessions will be emailed to you.

&nbsp;CCA credits have been applied for with one credit for each session. 

For more information about the ONLINE KSU Extension NW and NC Agronomy Series, contact your local County or District Extension Office. The Cottonwood Extension District office in Great Bend can be reached at 620-793-1910 and in Hays at 7856-628-9430.

Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

'Crop Talk' sessions available online for area farmers in Feb., March

<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

Glassman Corporation is seeking an experienced Commercial Sheetmetal Installer to join our growing HVAC &amp; Plumbing team in Hays, KS. 

This position works directly under a Foreman-level leader and plays a critical role in delivering high-quality commercial and light industrial HVAC installations. 

The ideal candidate takes pride in craftsmanship, works efficiently in a team environment, and understands the importance of proper duct installation and insulation.

Position Overview As a Commercial Sheetmetal Installer at Glassman Corporation, you will be responsible for installing HVAC systems in accordance with project plans, codes, and company standards.

This role requires hands-on field experience, attention to detail, and the ability to support the Foreman while maintaining productivity and quality on job sites. Travel is required during the work week.

&nbsp;Key Responsibilities (not limited to):

Build your future with&nbsp; Glassman Corporation!&nbsp; Equal Opportunity Employer Apply today at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.glassmancorp.com/careers">www.glassmancorp.com/careers</a>

🏀📺 REPLAY: Hays High goes on the road to defeat Dodge City

A Hays City Commission retreat will be held on Saturday, February 7,&nbsp; at The Oread Hotel (Cottonwood Room), 1200 Oread Avenue, Lawrence, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Hays city commissioners to hold retreat in Lawrence Saturday

A Prescribed Burn meeting is scheduled to be held on Feb. 26 starting at 9 a.m. and running until 11. The program will be held at the Agriculture Research Station at 1232 240th&nbsp;Ave. in Hays.

1. Benefits of prescribed burning 2. Planning a safe burn 3. Burn Safely (PBA option) 4. Protect your homes and community

Speakers will include Keith Harmony, K-State Rangeland Specialist, Dennis Carlson, Hays Fire Chief Ryan Hagans, and Shawna Hartman.

Breakfast will be provided for program attendees. 

While this is a free program to attend an RSVP is requested by Monday, Feb. 23 for an accurate meal count. Please contact Alicia Boor at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:aboor@ksu.edu">aboor@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;, or call her office at 620-793-1910 to RSVP.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Prescribed burn meeting set for Feb. 26 in Hays 

&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

To ensure the health and safety of our community, HaysMed is implementing visitor restrictions due to increased local spread of influenza, according to a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1476857071110421&amp;set=a.747486360714166">Facebook post</a>.

At this time, HaysMed kindly requests that visitors who are feeling unwell or are under the age of 12 refrain from visiting. To assist in safeguarding everyone, signage and stations with hand sanitizer and masks are available at all entrances.

Additionally, surgical masks must be worn by all visitors and associates in the following units: Intensive Care Unit (ICU), The Birth Center/NICU, and&nbsp; Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute.

HaysMed is closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as necessary. Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to keeping our community safe.&nbsp; &nbsp;

HaysMed implements visitor restrictions due to local spread of flu

Catholic Charities of Northern Kansas

Catholic Charities of Northern Kansas will mark the one-year anniversary of its Hays Thrift Store with a community celebration on Wednesday, February 11, at 1011 Centennial Blvd. in Hays. The store will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the anniversary event.

The community is invited to stop by for free popcorn from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., along with 50 percent off all winter clothing and shoes throughout the day. Shoppers who make a $5 purchase will also receive a complimentary Catholic Charities Thrift Store tote bag. Popcorn and tote bags are available while supplies last.

Since opening in February 2025, the Hays Thrift Store has served as a reliable source of affordable, quality secondhand goods—from clothing and shoes to small appliances and home decor. The store also plays a vital role in sustaining Catholic Charities’ mission to serve&nbsp;all&nbsp;people in need across northern Kansas.&nbsp;

“Our goal is to make basic necessities more accessible to families who need a little extra help,” said Megan Robl, executive director of Catholic Charities of Northern Kansas. “The store provides an option that’s not only affordable but also dignified.”

Conveniently located on the same site as Catholic Charities’ Hays office, the thrift store allows clients who already visit for food boxes, diapers, or hygiene kits to access household goods without needing to travel elsewhere. Individuals and families who meet income guidelines can receive clothing vouchers—typically two pairs of pants and two shirts for each family member every other month—with additional support available for needs such as winter coats or work clothing.

“When you shop here, you’re shopping with a purpose,” said Shannon Werth, Hays Thrift Store manager. “Your money goes right back into helping people in need. No matter where you are in life, you are welcome here.”

&nbsp;The Hays Thrift Store is open to the public and offers a wide variety of gently used items at affordable prices. Donations are carefully sorted by volunteers to ensure only quality, gently used items are offered, with all items priced affordably. 

Every purchase helps fund essential Catholic Charities programs, including housing and utility assistance, food distribution, pregnancy and adoption services, and affordable mental health counseling—making a lasting impact.

&nbsp;The store is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.&nbsp;

For more information about Catholic Charities Hays Thrift Store, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.ccnks.org/haysthriftstore">www.ccnks.org/haysthriftstore</a>

Hays Thrift Store celebrates 1-year anniversary Feb. 11

Hays Community Theatre has announced auditions for “The Shady Caper at Golden Acres,” an original comedy written by HCT board member and Hays High School theatre director Bill Gasper.

The action of the play, which is scheduled to take place on Friday and Saturday, April 24 and 25, and 2 p.m. on April 26, takes place in the retirement community of Golden Acres, where residents get tricked into a money-making scam dreamed up by the activities director and her inept boyfriend. In the end, they are caught, but not before a series of twists and turns.

To help people determine if the play is for them, a copy of the script can be found here: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iiIe-mAIjZxFVZICy1NTm_wymLZQm5af/view">https://tinyurl.com/Shady-Caper-Golden-Acres-Final</a>

“It’s a fun play that I wrote quite a few years ago,” Gasper said. “When Hays Community Theatre expressed an interest in producing it, I pulled it off the shelf, reworked it, and presented it to a few people to read. It was met with positive reviews, so I’m excited to get things rolling.”

The cast is composed of eight women and six men. Eight people (three men, five women) will play Golden Acre residents. Four people (two men, two women) will play facility employees and the mother of a resident, and two teens (one male and one female) will play the grandchildren of one of the residents.

“With 14 people in the cast, it’s a great opportunity for people to get involved – whether they’ve been a part of productions in the past or want to get involved for the first time,” Gasper said.

Auditions have been scheduled for 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 16, and Tuesday, Feb. 17. Auditions will consist of a cold read of a short monologue or “sides” provided at auditions. 

Interested actors can sign up for a 10-minute audition time here: <a href="https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/393379640036/false#/invitation">https://signup.com/go/JbOMrDu</a>.

Those with questions are encouraged to contact Gasper at bgasper56@gmail.com

Hays Community Theatre seeks actors for original comedy

What better way to begin celebrating Volga German heritage than around the table? The Ellis County community is invited to launch the sesquicentennial celebration with a series of cooking demonstrations highlighting treasured Volga German food traditions passed down through generations.&nbsp;

The Sesquicentennial Cooking Demo Series will be held on&nbsp;Feb. 4, Feb. 18, and Feb. 25, each beginning at&nbsp;6 p.m.&nbsp;in the&nbsp;Gallery Room at the Hays Public Library.&nbsp;

Food has always been at the heart of Volga German families, with recipes carefully shared, adapted, and loved over time. These demonstrations celebrate those traditions and the stories behind them.&nbsp;

The series begins on&nbsp;Feb. 4&nbsp;with&nbsp;Earl Legleiter, who will share his family’s recipe for&nbsp;Mahogany Cake, a longtime favorite. Recipes will be provided, and yes—there will be samples.&nbsp;

Each session offers a chance to learn, taste, and connect with the rich culinary heritage that helped shape Volga German communities in western Kansas.&nbsp;

All are welcome to attend and take part in this flavorful start to the Sesquicentennial celebration.&nbsp;

For more information, contact the Ellis County Historical Society at 785-628-2624.&nbsp;

Sesquicentennial cooking demos kick off today for Volga German heritage celebration 

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/dee-ann-durbin">DEE-ANN DURBIN</a> Associated Press

Pizza Hut plans to close 250 U.S. restaurants in the first half of this year as its parent company&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pizza-hut-yum-brands-sale-review-ba818d29eb38fd91af5bed8a8d8ea59c">considers a sale</a>&nbsp;of the chain.

Yum Brands said Wednesday it’s targeting underperforming Pizza Hut restaurants in its system. Pizza Hut has more than 6,000 locations in the U.S.

Louisville, Kentucky-based Yum Brands said in November it was conducting a formal review of options for Pizza Hut, which has struggled with outdated stores and growing competition. The chain’s U.S. same-store sales, or sales at locations open at least a year, fell 5% last year, Yum said.

Rival Domino’s, the world’s largest pizza company, hasn’t yet released its full-year earnings, but its U.S. same-store sales were up 2.7% in the first nine months of last year.

Internationally, Pizza Hut’s results have been stronger. International same-store sales were up 1% last year, with growth in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America, Yum said. China is Pizza Hut’s second-largest market outside the U.S., accounting for 19% of sales.

Yum CEO Chris Turner said Wednesday that the company plans to complete its review of options for Pizza Hut this year. He declined to share further updates on the process.

Pizza Hut ended 2025 with 19,974 stores globally, which was 251 fewer than it had the previous year. Pizza Hut opened nearly 1,200 stores across 65 countries last year, but closures outpaced that. Yum said Wednesday that Pizza Hut plans more global openings in 2026 but it didn’t give details.

Pizza Hut was founded in 1958 in Wichita, Kansas. PepsiCo acquired the chain in 1977 but spun off its restaurant division — which became Yum Brands — in 1997. Yum Brands also owns KFC, Taco Bell and Habit Burger &amp; Grill.

Why Pizza Hut is closing hundreds of locations across the US

RENO COUNTY —Two people died in an accident just after 10a.m. Saturday in Reno County.

According to the Reno County Sheriff's Office, preliminary information indicates that a silver Jeep Liberty was North bound on Kansas 14 Highway one half mile north of US 50.&nbsp; The Jeep and southbound&nbsp; Chevy Malibu&nbsp; were involved in a collision. Both drivers were pronounced deceased by emergency medical personnel.

A passenger from one of the vehicles was transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. The sheriff's office did not have details on the condition of the passenger early Saturday afternoon.

The cause of the crash remains under active investigation.&nbsp; The sheriff's office did not release the names of the victims.

2 dead, 1 injured in 2-vehicle Kansas crash

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/marysanchez/">Mary Sanchez</a>

The images have become ubiquitous in the Trump administration’s campaign for mass deportations of immigrants.

Masked agents, swathed in tactical gear and carrying semiautomatic firearms, menace protesters with chemical sprays and smash car windows while dragging immigrants from their vehicles.

Critics label the aggressive actions by unidentifiable agents as a calculated effort by the Department of Homeland Security to send a paramilitary force into select American cities.

But the cheapest and most basic part of federal agents’ gear — face coverings of knit and cloth masks — is the focus of legislation at the federal level, in statehouses and smaller municipalities across the nation, including in Jackson County.

“We’re going to have to deal with the issue before the issue deals with us,” said Jackson County Legislature Chair Manny Abarca IV.

Abarca introduced a proposal requiring law enforcement to keep their faces and badges visible and is backing an amendment narrowing the focus to federal agents conducting immigration enforcement within the county.

County legislators are scheduled to hear public comments at 3 p.m. on Feb. 9.

The Jackson County ordinance mirrors efforts nationally, carving out exceptions for SWAT and other specialty teams, undercover work and the use of helmets with shields for officer safety. Those efforts have gained momentum since the recent shooting deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Macklin Good during an ongoing immigration enforcement crackdown in Minneapolis.

Supporters believe mask bans will help deescalate tensions between the community and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement by ensuring that immigration agents are identifiable and accountable.

Decades of social science research supports the contention that masking a person can facilitate aggressive behavior. Outcomes have been studied with children, in law enforcement, in the military and in conflicts around the world.

Homeland Security is pushing back against local and state bans.

Primarily, the government cites the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution, which guards against state laws that conflict with federal.

Legal experts disagree on the legality of banning mask-wearing by law enforcement.

They are split on whether the Supremacy Clause is a full shield for an immigration agent’s use of masks while detaining immigrants.

In Jackson County, legal counsel is continuing to study the issue, acknowledging that this is a new type of law.

National policing agencies are also weighing in, at times moderating prior messaging. They seek to strike a balance between maintaining public trust by having officers identifiable and supporting officer safety in an era of doxing.

Municipal police have long worked to differentiate themselves from federal immigration agents. They emphasize that members of immigrant communities can be perpetrators of crime, witnesses or victims. Maintaining trust and relationships is imperative.

Police departments have a tradition of requiring identifiable uniforms, badges and having the officer’s name prominently displayed.

<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2026-02-02/jackson-county-sheriff-mask-ban-ice" target="_blank">Jackson County Sheriff Darryl Forté</a>&nbsp;believes the proposed ordinance is unenforceable.

Forté is concerned about scenarios where his deputies would be required to issue citations to federal agents. He doesn’t want deputies accused of interfering with federal investigations, noting “it could create a situation where both deputies and federal agents attempt to detain one another, leading to a dangerous confrontation.”

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theiacp.org/resources/document/face-coverings-and-police-community-engagement" target="_blank">International Association of Chiefs of Police</a>&nbsp;recently issued a statement underscoring that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility.

The organization cautioned officers during COVID to be aware of the impact of masks, noting that facial coverings, even surgical ones for health reasons, can be intimidating and diminish transparency to the public.

The organization hasn’t backed off from that stance.

“The use of face coverings and the absence of visible identification during enforcement operations can create confusion, fear and mistrust among community members and responding agencies, potentially increasing operational risks and eroding public confidence,” a recent statement read.

But the association is also addressing doxing fears and suggests substituting officer names in some cases for alphanumeric codes or badge numbers.

In late January, the association&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theiacp.org/news/official-statements/iacp-calls-on-white-house-to-convene-joint-federal-state-local-discussion" target="_blank">asked the White House to convene&nbsp;</a>national, state and local policing representatives for policy discussions to find “a constructive path forward.”

Democrats, in recent budget talks, demanded that immigration agents stop masking in exchange for votes to end a partial federal government shutdown.

U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri quickly replied to the demand in a video posted on social media.

“There is no way in hell we’re going to let Democrats kneecap law enforcement and stop deportations in exchange for funding DHS,” Schmitt said.

Public trust balanced against threat of doxing&nbsp;&nbsp;

In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/washington-state-senate-passes-mask-ban-to-curb-federal-immigration-enforcement-tactics" target="_blank">Washington state</a>, proposed legislation to ban law enforcement’s use of masks has passed out of the Senate. Washington is among at least six states that have or are considering banning masks for law enforcement, including Massachusetts, New York, Illinois, Tennessee and Michigan.&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/01/29/kansas-democrats-tout-bill-requiring-ice-to-display-ids-shed-masks-and-forego-warrantless-searches/" target="_blank">A mask ban is included in a Democrat-backed measure in the Republican-controlled Kansas House.</a>

California was the first state to pass a law in 2025. The No Secret Police Act bans the use of face masks by law enforcement in California. Exceptions include health considerations, such as a face covering to protect officers against fumes or dangerous chemicals.

The California measure was quickly challenged in November 2025 with a lawsuit by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice.

The federal government said the California law is unconstitutional, anti-cop and a danger to law enforcement.

DHS stresses that agents clearly identify themselves as police, usually by their vests, which are marked “ICE/ERO” or “Homeland Security.”

“The sanctuary politicians of California want to make it easier for violent political extremists to target our brave men and women of federal law enforcement for enforcing immigration laws and keeping the American people safe,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.

“This demonization is going to get somebody killed.”

Threats to public officials, both elected and law enforcement, were underscored with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/pr/two-kansans-indicted-making-threats-against-federal-officials-separate-unrelated" target="_blank">two indictments returned by a federal grand jury in late January.</a>

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