By BECKY KISER Hays Post

The debate over whether to allow backyard chickens in Hays ended quietly Thursday.

After a short discussion, Mayor Sandy Jacobs said there was no consensus among the commissioners on moving forward with a proposed ordinance allowing up to five hens in a fenced-in coop structure.

Vice-Mayor Mason Ruder was concerned about how close a chicken coop could legally be next to another resident's property and spoke of the potential odor. He also didn't want Community Service Officers having to spend their time investigating complaints.

Commissioners Shaun Musil and Reese Barrick, who both grew up around chickens, also talked about the odor if the hens were not properly cared for.&nbsp;

There was no one in the audience to add comment about the issue.

Several commissioners said they'd recently received a large number of negative emails about the proposal.

An online&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1be40fc1-300e-4f4a-b2b6-ba3b586694bb">public opinion survey</a>&nbsp;received almost 1,900 responses. Results indicated 58% supported the initiative, 40% opposed it and 2% had no opinion.&nbsp;The city also&nbsp;received 94 written correspondences, with&nbsp;77% supportive of&nbsp;the policy.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Jeff Boyle, director of parks, presented a review of the amenities in major <a href="https://www.haysusa.com/268/Park-Locations-Features">Hays parks</a> and the future financial considerations for maintenance and upkeep.

"We're fighting the battle to keep everything in as good shape as we can, and we'll eventually lose that battle," Boyle said of the Bickle Schmidt Sports Complex.

The same could be said for all the city's biggest parks.

Boyle praised the many local service groups that financially sponsor individual parks and/or playground equipment, which helps spread the city's dollars further.&nbsp;

There are several funding mechanisms for the parks, from the city itself, sales taxes and a 2002 mill levy increase, to donations from local groups as well as businesses and individuals.&nbsp;

A 2004 park master plan concentrated on improvements in the four quadrants of town at Massey, Sunrise, Aubel-Bickle and Seven Hills parks.&nbsp;

The ARC Park, located at 3300 Hillcrest, is the newest and most popular park in Hays, attracting both out-of-town visitors and local residents to its accessible play equipment and splash pad.

Because of its popularity, lifetimes of the equipment and other structures are not expected to be as long as average and will have to be replaced sooner, Boyle said.

"Within the special parks fund, we'll start losing financial ground in 2032 and won't be able to fund everything we currently have in all the parks," Boyle said.

During the nearly one-hour discussion, commissioners discussed various options. 

Those included the premise that not all parks and green spaces require the same amenities, reducing amenities in some areas, transitioning to more affordable amenities, and focusing on maintaining existing amenities rather than adding new ones.&nbsp;

Commissioner Alaina Moore said the city should sustain the parks it has and not close any.&nbsp;

Although he didn't advocate for it, Musil asked about the possibility of a one-mill increase in the parks mill levy.&nbsp;

Toby Dougherty, city manager, said one mill would raise an additional $340,000.

Jacobs suggested getting the public's input on what they want to see in the parks' growth and maintenance.&nbsp;

Access public transportation funding request

The commission had a second look at the draft 2026 budget.

Discussion focused on the new request from Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas for another $107,673, in addition to the $82,500 included in the CARE Council's recommended distributions, to help fund the ACCESS public transportation program.

DSNWK is also&nbsp;requesting an&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/fbac2993-56a7-4ebb-b494-5a194944d2c2" target="_blank">allocation increase from Ellis County</a>.

Jerry Michaud, DSNWK executive director, earlier said the Kansas Department of Transportation has provided some funding for 2026, but it falls short. The&nbsp;gap is about $161,000.

"That increased request from DSNWK is not in our budget today, " said Jacobs.

Dougherty said the city tries not to spend all its general fund money, and a buffer is available if the commission desires to use it.&nbsp;

Barrick said, "If they have to ask for that much money, it behooves us to work with them to look for efficiencies (in their operation)."

Commissioner Musil asked for further details on some smaller budget line items that had increased dramatically from 2025. Most of the higher costs were due to inflation, with some attributed to the cost of new software training.

"This is a focused budget. We're doing well," Ruder said.&nbsp;

The proposed mill levy would remain at 25 mills for the 17th consecutive year.&nbsp;

The draft 2026 budget is available online at <a href="https://www.haysusa.com/DocumentCenter/View/8179/2026-BUDGET-WORKBOOK?bidId=#:~:text=The%20highlights%20of%20the%202026%20Budget%20are%20as%20follows%3A&amp;text=It%20is%20anticipated%20that%20the,approved%20by%20voters%20in%202020.">haysusa.com</a>.

Musil said he's recently seen a lot of false comments on social media about city operations and its budget. 

"We're very transparent, and we're all open. We're here to answer your questions."

At the end of the meeting, Barrick asked for a future work session discussion about fireworks in Hays. 

"We're all getting a lot of negative emails about the noise and mess of fireworks," he said. "Hays allows selling and discharge for three days while surrounding communities only allow one day."

A 20-minute special session was called related to the financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts or individual proprietorships.&nbsp;

Despite poll, no backyard chickens allowed in Hays

HOXIE – The Main Street Arts Council (MSAC) invites the public to join them this weekend as they continue their production schedule of the annual Main Street Summer Theater Festival with performances in Colby.

“Local youth from across northwest Kansas have been hard at work rehearsing for their performances of Disney’s Dare to Dream Jr., and we invite you to join us in celebrating their incredible talent!” said MSAC Executive Director Karl Pratt.

This year’s festival features the same production, Disney’s Dare to Dream Jr., performed by young actors from six different communities, each bringing its own interpretation to the musical revue. The show, which includes songs from Encanto, Coco, Frozen, and more, celebrates dreams, teamwork, and creativity.

Colby: Friday, July 18 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 19 at 3 p.m., Heartland Christian School, 1995 W 4th St., Colby.

Quinter: Friday, July 25 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 26 at 3 p.m., Quinter Elementary School, 601 Gove St., Quinter.

Oakley: Friday, Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 9 at 3 p.m., Oakley High School Auditorium, 118 W 7th St., Oakley.

“Each performance is an opportunity to support our talented youth performers who have poured their hearts into bringing this magical show to life. We invite everyone to attend and help us celebrate the creativity and passion that defines our community,” noted Pratt.

For more information about the festival, including additional performance details, tickets, and ways to support the event, visit <a href="https://www.mainstreetartscouncil.com/msstf2025">www.mainstreetartscouncil.com/msstf2025</a> or contact mainstreetartscouncil@gmail.com.

Learn more at <a href="https://www.mainstreetartscouncil.com/">www.mainstreetartscouncil.com</a>.

Main Street Summer Theater Festival continues with performances in Colby, Quinter, Oakley

The Hays Public Library will host a program about the creation of eight Catholic parishes in Ellis and Rush Counties in the late 1800s. Father Reggie Urban will give the presentation on Thursday, July 24 at 6 p.m.

In 1876, Father Valentine Sommereisen, a German-speaking priest from France, arrived in Hays just as waves of Volga-German immigrants were settling in the region. In only 19 months, he founded eight Catholic parishes within a half-hour of Hays, spanning Ellis and Rush counties. Join us as we explore his remarkable legacy, the growth of these early faith communities, and the enduring cultural impact of the Volga-German settlers in western Kansas.

Father Urban is a semi-retired priest of the Dodge City Diocese living in Hays. Both sides of his Volga-German ancestry settled in the Pfeifer area. Since living in Hays, he has learned some interesting things about the Catholic priest from France who founded parishes in Hays, Catherine, Victoria, Pfeifer, Liebenthal, Rush Center, Munjor, and Schoenchen.

You can find out more about this and other library programs at <a href="https://hayslibrary.org/">https://hayslibrary.org/&nbsp;</a>or by calling 785-625-9014.

Father Valentine, Eight Parishes presentation at Hays Public Library

Become an instant finalist in the Miller Lite UTV Giveaway from A&amp;A Coors-Miller and Briney Motorsports of Hays. Sign up Friday at the Ellis County Fair.

The UTV also will be at Doghouse Liquor on Saturday.

Register for a 4-seat CF-Moto U-Force 1000 valued at $20,000.&nbsp;

Additional thanks to Advantage Glass Plus and Commercial Sign of Hays.

Keep listening and reading the Hays Post all summer long for your chance to become a finalist.

The UTV will be given away at a Fort Hays State University football game on Saturday, Sept. 13.

Watch the Hays Post for finalist announcements.

Become Miller Lite UTV giveaway finalist tonight at Ellis County Fair!

The Women Who Lead still has raffle tickets left for its 31 Days of Cash drawing in August.&nbsp;

Tickets are $25 each. A maximum of 500 tickets will be sold.

A drawing will be conducted each day in August. 

Prizes will be $75 each day Aug. 1-15 $125 each day Aug. 16-28 $250 on Aug. 29 $500 on Aug. 30 $1,000 on Aug 31

All proceeds from the raffle will support scholarships for women in Ellis County pursuing post-secondary education.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/eb1eab34-3efe-439b-b038-a0dc1afb6465">This spring, Women Who Lead awarded eight $1,000 scholarships.</a> Help us continue to support women's education in 2026 with your generous donation and maybe win some cash in the process.

Tickets can be purchased from Renee Moritz at the Bank of Hays, by calling Moritz at 785-650-1095 or emailing rmoritz@bankofhays.com.

You can also purchase tickets at the Eagle Radio Media Center, 2300 Hall St., Hays. Ask for Scarlett Deutscher or Cristina Janney. You may also contact Janney at crisksu@gmail.com or 785-301-2077.

Tickets on sale for Women Who Lead raffle; funds support scholarships

&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

Volunteer needed for final cleanup at Grinnell

The Hays Youth Advisory Leadership Board is sponsoring a Cruise Main Street event Friday, June 18, beginning at 9 p.m. in the Chestnut Street District of downtown Hays.

There is no charge to participate or attend.

It's a nostalgic celebration of car culture for all ages!

For more information contact Mario Hernandez, board member, at 785-365-9216.

Cruise downtown Hays Main Street Friday with the Youth Leadership Advisory Board

Join our new Hays Post Newsletter and receive the top news stories from your community every morning in your email inbox plus one-click access to the latest obituaries.&nbsp;

Sign up for free Hays Post Newsletter

City of Hays The city of Hays will begin asphalt sealcoating work on select streets starting this month, weather permitting.

Sealcoating protects and extends the life of pavement while improving safety and appearance.

During the project, affected areas will be temporarily closed or reduced to one lane. All vehicles must be moved by the dates noted on contractor notices to avoid towing.

Residents are encouraged to follow all posted signage and use caution while the sealcoat cures. The full project map and details are available at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.haysusa.com/155/Project-Management">HaysUSA.com</a>.

Please note that weather conditions could delay the schedule.

This important preventative maintenance is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to maintain road quality.

The city appreciates the community’s patience and cooperation.

Questions may be directed to the City of Hays Public Works Department at 785-628-7350.

Sealcoating project set to begin as early as today

The Heartland Community Foundation invites all interested residents, leaders, and community stakeholders to two upcoming Strategic Doing meetings in Trego and Rooks counties. These collaborative gatherings are designed to bring people together to address local opportunities and challenges through a practical, action-oriented approach. 

Plainville Thursday, July 17 at 5:30 p.m. at Plainville Senior Center Topic: The Future of Redbud Village and Estates

 Redbud Village and Estates has served as a vital provider of long-term care and employment since 1963. As the facility undergoes a cultural and operational renewal, the time is right for the community to consider its future direction. This session will focus on sustaining and strengthening Redbud for future generations.

 “For decades, Redbud has provided essential services in our area,” said Deanna Hammerschmidt, Heartland’s Rooks County director. “We’re asking our neighbors to join us, share their ideas, and help shape a strong path forward.” 

WaKeeney Wednesday, July 23 at 7:00 p.m. at Western Kansas Electric Cooperative Community Room Topic: Exploring Opportunities for WaKeeney and Trego County

 This broader session will highlight current projects in the area and invite residents to contribute ideas and feedback.&nbsp;Participants will help identify actionable next steps to ensure continued community vitality.

&nbsp;“Strategic Doing goes beyond just sharing ideas—it’s focused on taking action,” said Savannah Downing, Heartland’s Trego County director. “We’re inviting our community members in WaKeeney to come together and be part of creating real solutions.”

Both meetings use the Strategic Doing model, a guided process that helps communities form collaborative groups, develop practical solutions, and build momentum through measurable steps. 

Participation is also part of the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, which encourages long-term, collaborative thinking by offering additional grant opportunities to communities that actively engage in this process. 

No RSVP is required. Refreshments will be provided at both events. All are welcome. 

For more information: Plainville meeting: Contact Deanna Hammerschmidt at 785-621-4090 or visit www.heartlandcf.org. WaKeeney meeting: Contact Savannah Downing at 785-743-3270 or email savannah@gscf.org.&nbsp;

Strategic Doings in Plainville, WaKeeney hosted by Heartland Community Foundation 

EMPORIA — Dallas Trinity Rain Nowlin of Victoria was one of over 500 students who graduated from Emporia State University in May 2025.

Nowlin graduated with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies .

Victoria student graduates from Emporia State University

Kansas Department of Transportation

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Transportation expresses its appreciation for employees celebrating state service anniversaries in August. KDOT is proud to acknowledge them for the long-term dedication they have provided to the state of Kansas. Listed below are the employees and their hometowns.&nbsp;

David Dye, Equipment Operator Specialist,&nbsp;Meade

Kevin Walters, Equipment Operator Specialist,&nbsp;Manhattan

Rick Barezinsky, Assistant Bureau Chief of Materials,&nbsp;Scranton Shawn Denny, Highway Maintenance Superintendent,&nbsp;Garnett Jeff Stewart, District Three Engineer,&nbsp;Norton

Chris Bortz, Assistant Bureau Chief,&nbsp;Topeka Kerry Bramhall, Engineering Technician Senior,&nbsp;Vermillion Kelly Cook, Equipment Operator Specialist,&nbsp;Peabody Klete Hackney, Maintenance Supervisor,&nbsp;Coldwater Thomas Valadez, Engineering Technician Senior,&nbsp;Andover

Jeffrey Bagley, Equipment Operator Specialist,&nbsp;Hill City Brett Carlson, Equipment Operator Specialist,&nbsp;Bison Patrick Foster, Engineering Technician Senior,&nbsp;Kansas City Michael Freeland, Engineering Technician Senior,&nbsp;Lawrence Eric Lentz, Equipment Operator,&nbsp;Oskaloosa Pamela Murray-Anderson, Senior Director of Administration,&nbsp;Topeka Jason Nichols, Highway Maintenance Supervisor,&nbsp;Eureka Jon Sherwood, Operator Senior,&nbsp;Leroy Debbie Tanking, Road Design Bureau Chief,&nbsp;Topeka

Robert Jones III, Highway Maintenance Supervisor,&nbsp;Newton Bruce Larsen, Equipment Operator Senior,&nbsp;Lincoln&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Area KDOT employees celebrate service anniversaries

On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Becky Kiser talks with Adam Kober, a former Hays Mason, about the upcoming free health and cancer screening outreach in Hays.&nbsp;

The walk-in clinic is a collaboration between the University of Kansas Cancer Center and the Masonic Cancer Alliance.

It will be held 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 26&nbsp; at the First United Methodist Church, 305 W. 7th.&nbsp;

Screenings will be available for prostate cancer, skin cancer and colorectal cancer. Information will be available about tobacco cessation.&nbsp;

No appointment is necessary and all ages are welcome.&nbsp;

🎙 Post Podcast: Free health, cancer screening clinic in Hays

Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas&nbsp;

Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK) has been awarded $162,000 through the Community Service Program (CSP) Tax Credits through the Kansas Department of Commerce at the 50% rate. The tax credits are available to donors on a first come, first served basis and are expected to go quickly.

Tax credits are an incentive for donors to give to charity and non profit organizations. Any tax credit issued by DSNWK that exceeds the state tax liability of the donor is refunded to the taxpayer. “The donor can use the tax credit against their unpaid Kansas state taxes, or receive the credit back as a refund,” said Jerry Michaud, president/CEO of DSNWK.

Businesses and individuals subject to Kansas income tax are eligible to receive a tax credit through this program. Donors giving at least $250 to DSNWK may qualify for a 50% tax credit. For example, a donor making a $1,000 gift receives a $500 tax credit when they file their state taxes, making the net cost to the donor only $500.

“We are very thankful and excited to once again have the opportunity to offer these tax credits for donors,” said Michaud. “These donations will be used for essential improvements and upgrades to accessibility, safety, security, and capacity needs in DSNWK locations. These improvements not only provide a better quality of life for those we serve, but also ensure our service settings are efficient and sustainable.”

DSNWK’s goal is to improve the accessibility, safety, security, and capacity needs through upgrades to developmental centers and group homes, which serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in the 18 northwest Kansas counties.

The CSP Tax Credits provide an opportunity for non-profit organizations and public healthcare entities to improve their ability to undertake major capital campaigns involving community service, non-governmental crime prevention, youth apprenticeship and technical training, and healthcare services. Awarded nonprofits were chosen through a competitive application process. This year approximately $4.1 million in funding was awarded to 30 organizations across the state.

If you or your business are interested in donating to DSNWK and to receive tax credits, please reach out to the DSNWK Major Gift and Planned Giving Officer at 785-625-5678.

DSNWK is a 501(c)3 nonprofit serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities from the counties of Cheyenne, Decatur, Ellis, Gove, Graham, Logan, Norton, Osborne, Phillips, Rawlins, Rooks, Russell, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Thomas, Trego and Wallace.

DSNWK Awarded Community Service Tax Credits

By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension District

This article is the first in a multi-week series on wheat streak mosaic complex management to address the 2025 outbreak by Kelsey Andersen Onofre, K-State Extension Wheat Pathologist.

Wheat streak mosaic complex devastated many wheat fields across central and western Kansas in 2025. The conditions that favored this outbreak were covered in a previous article in May – <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/59aa6873-dfac-4aac-8980-981117dda37b">High levels of wheat streak mosaic virus in parts of KS</a>.

Wheat streak mosaic complex consists of a complex of three viruses: wheat streak mosaic virus, Triticum mosaic virus, and High Plains wheat mosaic virus. When two or more of these viruses are present in the same field, yield losses can be synergistic. 

As a reminder, the wheat streak mosaic complex of viruses is vectored by the tiny wheat curl mite. We know that mite populations were very high in the state at the end of the 2025 season. Research has reported that up to 500 curl mites can be found on a single healthy wheat head, which can conservatively translate to more than 1 billion mites per acre.

Curl mites can only survive ~4 days without a living host, so when the wheat crop dries down, mites will work their way to the top of plants and assume an “upright posture” to help them disperse by wind. Curl mites don’t fly, and they walk very slowly, so dispersal by wind is their only way to move in the landscape. 

The period when mites are migrating off the mature wheat crop has been referred to as the “mite rain” period, as billions of mites are showering down in the landscape. When conditions are very windy, mites can be passively dispersed more than 10 miles. The highest risk place for curl mites to survive the summer is volunteer wheat that is present at or around harvest.

Conditions that favor grain shattering, such as preharvest hail or harvest delays due to windy storms (such as much of the 2025 Kansas wheat harvest), can increase the presence of pre-harvest volunteers. 

If mites are allowed to survive on this volunteer wheat or alternative hosts until the fall-established wheat crop is planted, there is a high likelihood of another outbreak in 2026. As a reminder, there are no recommended insecticides for wheat curl mite management.

Volunteer wheat control will be essential in 2025

There are two critical periods for volunteer control: immediately after harvest and prior to fall planting. Volunteer wheat present at harvest is the perfect place for populations of curl mites to migrate as the crop dries down. Controlling this volunteer wheat as soon as possible will help dilute the mite populations heading into the remaining summer months. The second most critical window is pre-planting, as mites present at this time will migrate directly to the 2026 crop.

We are expanding the recommendation for volunteer wheat control to include regional recommendations for wheat-free windows (Figure 2).&nbsp;These windows include periods 30 days prior to the start of the optimal winter wheat planting window by zone in Kansas. 

As the wheat curl mite is a community pest, coordinated breaks in volunteer wheat will have the highest likelihood of lowering local and statewide mite levels moving into our 2025 optimal planting date periods.

 Volunteer wheat that emerges after the fall crop is already established poses a lower risk as a green bridge and can be thought of in a similar way as the fall crop. Fall wheat planted early during wheat-free windows risks bridging wheat curl mite to the fall-established crop.

Here are some important considerations for achieving success with wheat-free windows:

· All volunteer wheat should be terminated and completely dead prior to the start of your regional wheat-free window.

· Where possible, the fall wheat crop should not be planted until the end of the wheat-free window.

· Other winter cereals (such as rye and triticale) should not be planted during this period as they can serve as a “bridge” for the curl mites to fall-established wheat

· A regional “break” in the volunteer wheat green bridge will allow for wheat curl mites to die off prior to the start of the optimal wheat planting window.

· Volunteer wheat that emerges after this period is of less concern, as it will be emerging at a similar time as the fall-established winter wheat crop.

· Success is dependent on coordinated efforts in communities.

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.

CAMPBELL: Wheat streak mosaic complex management

<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

Sign up from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at American Shooters in Hays to become a finalist for a&nbsp;Yuengling Flight Golf Cart from our friends at A &amp; A in Hays.

The Yuengling Flight Golf Cart, which is worth $10,000, will be given away at this year’s OKTOBERFEST 2025!

Special thanks to our sponsors: A &amp; A Coors Yuengling.

Keep listening to Eagle Radio and reading the Hays Post all summer long for your chance to become a finalist. Watch the Hays Post for announcement of finalists.

Enter to be finalist for Yuengling Flight Golf Cart today at American Shooters in Hays

MIAMI (AP) — Kyle Stowers hit a two-run walk-off homer in the 10th inning and finished with three hits as the Miami Marlins defeated the Kansas City Royals 8-7 on Friday night.

Stowers had already tied a Marlins franchise record with his fourth home run in two games when he hit a three-run shot in the first inning. After Miami had built — then squandered — a 5-0 lead, the first-time All-Star followed with the biggest swing of the game against Carlos Estévez (4-3) that sent the winning shot 394 feet to right field.

Stowers went 3 for 5 and reached base in his first two at-bats to extend his on-base streak to 10 plate appearances, also tying a club record.

Adam Frazier entered as a pinch-hitter in the 10th and drove in automatic runner Jonathan India and Bobby Witt Jr, who had reached on an infield single. Frazier doubled to right off Lake Bachar (5-0) to give Kansas City the lead entering the bottom half.

In the Marlins' 10th, Agustín Ramírez drove in automatic runner Derek Hill with a single before Stowers' walk-off.

Kansas City had erased a five-run deficit with a four-run fourth against Sandy Alcantara, the 2022 Cy Young Award winner who hasn’t quite returned to form since missing the 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery.

Alcantara gave up hits to three of the first four batters he faced in the inning. John Rave then went deep off the Marlins veteran for his first major league home run, pulling his team within a run.

Rave hit the tying homer in the ninth off Calvin Faucher to send the game to extra innings.

Stowers' walk-off in the 10th was the second walk-off homer of his career.

Miami has seven walk-off victories this season.

RHP Michael Wacha (4-9, 3.74) starts the second game of the series for the Royals against Marlins RHP Cal Quantrill (3-8, 5.62).

⚾Kyle Stowers hits 2-run walk-off homer in 10th to give the Marlins an 8-7 win over the Royals

🎥 Meet the Larks Trent Baker

🎥 Meet the Larks Thomas Lyssy

KAYS - (1400/94.3) KFIX - (96.9) KHAZ - (99.5) KJLS - (103.3) KKQY - (101.9)&nbsp; &nbsp;

Saturday, July 19
 KAYS: Kansas City
Royals at Miami Marlins, 2:30pm

Sunday, July 20
 KAYS: Kansas City
Royals at Miami Marlins, 12:00pm

🎧 Eagle Radio, Hull sports broadcast schedule

🎥 Meet the Larks Taber Stokes

🎥 Meet the Larks Seth Lee

Friday, July 18
 KAYS: Kansas City
Royals at Miami Marlins, 5:30pm

🎥 Meet the Larks Paul Smith

HAMILTON, Ontario - Former Fort Hays State running back Shane Watts was signed by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL), announced on July 16, 2025. Watts played four years at Fort Hays State and wrapped his collegiate career with All-America honors as one of the top running backs in NCAA Division II in 2024.

Watts was an All-America Second Team selection in 2024 by three separate organizations, including the D2CCA, Associated Press (AP), and Don Hansen Football Committee. He was also named to the D2Football.com Elite 100 Team. He was an All-MIAA First Team selection as an all-purpose back, finishing the year with 1,303 rushing yards and 449 receiving yards for 1,752 all-purpose yards. He scored 17 touchdowns for the season, including 13 rushing and four receiving.

By the end of the 2024 season, Watts ranked fourth nationally in all-purpose yards per game (160.8), fourth in total rushing yards, sixth in rushing yards per game (118.5), seventh in scoring (9.3 points per game), and eighth in total touchdowns. He became the first FHSU player in program history to rush for 200 or more yards in consecutive games, going for 201 against Missouri Southern on October 26 and then 250 against Emporia State on November 2.

Watts spent the first two years of his collegiate career as a defensive back with the Tigers, recording 14 tackles, before transitioning to the offensive side of the ball as a running back in 2023. In his two years as a running back, Watts produced a total of 1,979 rushing yards and 606 receiving yards with 23 total touchdowns.

Watts is the second senior from the 2024 FHSU roster to sign with a Canadian Football League team in 2025. Wide receiver Jayden Horace signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders back in April.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are currently in the middle of their 2025 regular season schedule, which began back on June 7. They are 3-2 overall through five games.

🏈 Shane Watts signed by CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats

🎥 Meet the Larks Nolan Wilson

Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) resident Adan Morales Jr., 54, died Friday, July 18, 2025. Morales was found unresponsive in his cell on July 1, 2025. Staff began life-saving measures immediately and continued after emergency medical services arrived. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later died. The cause of death is pending the results of an independent autopsy.

Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the KDOC, the death is investigated by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The investigation is ongoing.

Morales was serving a 276-month sentence for one conviction of rape of a child under 14 years of age, and one conviction of breach of privacy in Finney County, Kansas.

The Hutchinson Correctional Facility is the state’s third-largest facility. It serves only adult males and has a capacity of 1,788 residents.

Hutchinson correctional facility resident death reported

By&nbsp;NICOLAS FIERRO Salina Post

The Salina Police Department has sent out a Crimestoppers release to the public, as they are seeking tips regarding an unknown suspect(s) who allegedly stole more than $6,000 worth of tools from a work trailer.

According to SPD, between 2 p.m. on Friday, July 4, and 7 a.m. on Monday, July 7, a construction trailer was allegedly burglarized. An employee of Schwerdtfager Masonry reported that a trailer belonging to their business had several items removed in the 3800 block of S. 9th.

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