By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

The Hays Police Department conducted a multi-day active shooter training to prepare officers for high-stress situations.

On Tuesday, Hays police officers were at the permanently closed AMC movie theater,&nbsp;2918 Vine St. On Wednesday, multiple agencies trained at Roosevelt Elementary,&nbsp;2000 MacArthur Road. Hays police officers will be training at the AMC theater again today.

Det. David Gillian is leading the training sessions and said each setting offers different obstacles and challenges that responding officers may encounter.

"The main objective is to ensure that officers are appropriately trained and know how to appropriately respond to an active shooter event," Gillian said.

Gillian told the officers on Wednesday as they debriefed after running a scenario, "We pray that this doesn't happen."

The Hays Police Department worked alongside the city of Ellis Police Department, Victoria Police Department, Fort Hays State University Police, the Ellis County Sheriff's Office and the Department of Wildlife and Parks.

"These events are rapidly evolving. They offer challenges in themselves for one agency to go to, and now you start compiling all the different agencies within Ellis County that would likely respond to, you've got a lot of different moving parts," Gillian said. "It's crucial to train in that type of environment."

Gillian said the training consisted of firing blanks and included actors, some of whom were school staff members.

This is the second year of multi-agency training, following last year's training at Wilson Elementary School.

🎙 📷 Hays police, local agencies train for active shooter response

&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

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 Friday 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

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

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland encourages jobseekers and employers searching for available talent to take part in this month’s Virtual Statewide Job Fair, hosted by&nbsp;KANSASWORKS, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 16.

“Over the last six years, Kansas has become a hot spot for new and expanding businesses — and that means our career opportunities are not just growing, they’re booming,”&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “It’s our diligent and hardworking workforce that draws notable companies to Kansas — and now, with a wide array of opportunities across the state, there is a career path for every Kansan.”

The Virtual Job Fair format allows anyone searching for a new job to fill out applications, chat live and interview virtually with participating employers.

This month’s Virtual Statewide Job Fair portal features helpful information such as a jobseeker training video, a list of participating employers and channels for attendees to register and log in. Jobseekers are encouraged to dress professionally, as they might be asked to engage in an interview.

Candidates can participate through any digital device. Any individual with a disability may request accommodations by contacting their nearest workforce center at 877-509-6757 prior to the event.

Registration is required to participate in virtual job fairs, regardless of previous participation. To register, click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fapp.premiervirtual.com%2Fevents%2Fb4daf857-385f-4588-bff0-3708ada08f3d%2Fkansasworks-virtual-statewide-job-fair-july-16th,-2025%2Fattendee/1/01010197f0a98fde-5ece3302-bb3d-46f5-927b-3772cd7e586a-000000/w_R7V4jiNqhMZx9967mChXW34f-zKEcrGS6giDjB6c8=413">here</a>.

 Virtual Statewide Job Fair is Wednesday; open to jobseekers, employers

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 

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Ellisjrfreefair">Ellis Jr. Free Fair</a>

93rd annual Ellis Jr. Free Fair runs July 22-26 

Palco to celebrate Christmas in July at McKenna Youth & Activity Center

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

An Albuquerque man was arrested after allegedly stealing a vehicle and driving it to Hays.

Hays Deputy Police Chief Tim Greenwood said 19-year-old Benjamin Lawrence Belson allegedly stole a 2017 blue Volkswagen Jetta from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Greenwood said at 6:52 p.m. July 7, after the owner tracked the vehicle to Walmart, officers found the alleged stolen car. Belson was arrested inside the store on requested charges of possession of stolen property and marijuana.

Greenwood said Albuquerque authorities are investigating the alleged theft.

Albuquerque man arrested in Hays for alleged stolen car

Kansas Department of Transportation

ELLIS COUNTY — The Kansas Department of Transportation will begin a bridge repair project along I-70 in Ellis County the week of July 21.

Crews will be making repairs to the undersides of the bridges carrying both eastbound and westbound I-70 over Old Highway 40 near Walker in Ellis County. 

During the work, traffic on Old Highway 40 will be reduced to one lane and directed by a temporary traffic signal. Minor delays, not exceeding 15 minutes, may be possible.

Intermittent lane closures will also be in effect on I-70 during daylight hours. Lane closure information will be available on KDOT’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/http:%2F%2Fwww.kandrive.gov%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0101019814aa6950-9041dd1e-ceda-4414-b37e-a13c220990e5-000000/T6XQcQzoOfoGpnvgsPqIV6AqjG9I0T_nef_J7rK6TkM=414">KanDrive</a>&nbsp;site and the Northwest Kansas KDOT&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FNWKansasKDOT%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0101019814aa6950-9041dd1e-ceda-4414-b37e-a13c220990e5-000000/0BGiG5tTgp3n9bOMAvsuikgW4dhtYUgwvC6ze6zOiN0=414">Facebook</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fx.com%2FNWKansasKDOT%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0101019814aa6950-9041dd1e-ceda-4414-b37e-a13c220990e5-000000/QbALb0h1r8QuKgBoWzKV4835U8McB3PpDdMhWZQFKwI=414">X</a>&nbsp;pages.

Wildcat Construction, of Wichita, is the primary contractor for the $426,000 project. Work is expected to be completed by the end of September, conditions permitting.

For more information, please contact KDOT Area Engineer Kevin Zimmer at 785-261-6132 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kevin.zimmer@ks.gov">kevin.zimmer@ks.gov</a>.

I-70 bridge near Walker to be repaired starting Monday

FHSU crime log: July 11-17, 2025

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

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

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

Recent obituaries and service times

GOODLAND—A Colorado man was injured at 12:14 p.m. Wednesday on Interstate 70 near Goodland when the&nbsp;Winnebago he was driving went off the road.

A 2005&nbsp;Winnebago driven by 57-year-old&nbsp;Sean Corbin&nbsp;Richardson of&nbsp;Arvada, Colorado, was westbound on I-70 about 9 miles west of Goodland. The vehicle left the roadway for an unknown reason, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol report.

The vehicle traveled in the median, returned to the roadway, crossed both westbound lanes, and then continued into the north ditch. The vehicle came to rest on its wheels in the north ditch facing westbound, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol report.

Richardson was taken to&nbsp;Goodland Regional Medical Center with suspected serious injuries, the report said. He was not wearing a seatbelt, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol report.

Man injured in I-70 accident near Goodland

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

A cool front brought cooler temperatures and some welcome rain to Hays Wednesday.

The official overnight rain amount from the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town was 0.63 inches. A little less - 0.45 inches - was measured at the Eagle Media Center, 2300 Hall Street.

It's been a dry July in Hays with 0.85 inches of rain so far. The cumulative average for the month is 3.33 inches.

Wednesday's high was 90 degrees after several days of temperatures near the century mark.&nbsp;

Thursday's daytime high is expected to be even cooler at 79 degrees. The three-day weather forecast calls for more rain Friday with highs moving back up into the upper 90s.

Cool front brings overnight rain and cooler day to Hays

The estimated cost to remodel the law enforcement center in Hays is $3 million.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/382c7a91-48de-48d8-97cc-fae13f56bf8b">With the Hays Police Department relocating to its own building</a>, the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office plans to reconfigure the space for its operations. Some funds have already been set aside for the project.

The Ellis County Commission discussed about $9.75 million in capital improvement projects during its Tuesday meeting, including plans to remodel the EMS facility in the city of Ellis.

"There are several ways we could fund this over the next couple of years until the other bond expires in 2030, which then one could offset the other and have minimal impact as we move from 2030 to 2040," Darin Myers, county administrator, said.

Ellis County’s only bond is a 10-year bond that will be paid off in 2030, funded by sales tax dollars, not property taxes.

The commission would need to hold three public meetings to approve the bond, with terms ranging from 10 years for about $609,000 to 30 years for about $320,000.

The current EMS building in the city of Ellis, built in 1970, has drainage problems, is outdated and too small to accommodate newer trucks, Myers said.

Williams Spurgeon Kuhl &amp; Freshnock Architects prepared a preliminary design for a new facility with an estimated cost of $2 million. Previous grant attempts were unsuccessful.

The commission plans to work with the city of Ellis to gather input and explore possible financial support.

About 110 fan coil units in the administrative building require replacement at an estimated cost of $1.25 million, which is higher than initially expected. The courthouse HVAC system also requires replacement due to its inefficiency.

"If it gets below 10 degrees, it becomes less efficient and doesn't produce heat," Myers said. "Then we have to shut the courthouse down for multiple days because there's not enough heat."

Myers said maintaining the aging system costs over $200,000 a year, with replacement estimated at $3.5 million.

Commissioner Michael Berges emphasized the importance of addressing the HVAC system proactively to prevent it from becoming a future burden.

Ellis County law enforcement center remodel estimated to cost $3 million

A hip-jutting, bold-shouldered posture made famous by actor James Dean, a flick of a hand through hair, extended eye contact, and a lingering second glance signals human interest in romance. Researchers have written entire books about body language people use when they want to hook up. Not surprisingly, other species’ signals read just as obviously.

In this region, we watch the spring strut where male turkeys fan tails and rattle feathers to attract hens. In more remote locales, we might spy male prairie chickens dancing and booming to catch the eye and ear of their ladylove. We laugh at rabbits coyly hopping over and around one another when they seek a mate. Sitting outside on a summer eve, we hear nearby frogs trilling and croaking love songs to woo female amphibians.

On warm June and July nights, love is everywhere, even, I learned, among fireflies flitting about my backyard. Years ago, I discovered these insects’ blinkers flash in search of romance. These enthralling light--then dark--then light beacons have everything to do with reproduction and nothing to do with my delight in their strobe effect. Focused research helped me understand how fireflies control their lights.

Scientists explain that this insect’s ability to glow involves the chemical nitric oxide, which coincidentally helps control human heartbeats and memories. It’s interesting that a chemical that brightens a summer night also has something to do with maintaining brain cells that replay recollections of times past. Humans may not glow and flash as fireflies do, but the elemental bond they share with this charming insect plays a critical role in both creatures’ well-being, though for entirely different purposes.

It also intrigued me to learn that the two hundred species of fireflies each have unique signals that differentiate them from other varieties of the species. Their specifically designed flashes attract appropriate mates. This is critical, considering the short span nature offers them to find partners. Those fleeting flickers are nature’s way to guarantee a favorite summertime insect continues to exist.

 In addition to discovering fireflies use blinking backsides to seek love, I also learned they spend two years in a larval state. In sharp contrast to this long incubation, they exist for two weeks in their beetle/firefly stage. During this brief 14-day period, they mate and lay eggs, according to a Tufts University study.

Two weeks is not much time to find a partner and start a family. Learning this makes me feel guilty for the years I collected fireflies in glass jars to admire in a dark bedroom and for the summers I encouraged our daughters to also enjoy this childhood ritual. Though we released our insects the following morning, we reduced their opportunities to produce offspring.

This information created a new resolve at this house. Those glowing bugs can have their whole beetle stage to find love and produce more blinking nighttime wonders. I won’t interfere in their romances. However, knowing such facts makes me blush to think I’m invading their privacy when I watch their summer light shows.

Karen Madorin is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and sixth-generation Kansan.

MADORIN: Let those fireflies blink—They’re on a mission

A Wichita man was arrested following an almost weeklong string of crimes from Hays Medical Center to Hays Municipal Park.

Hays Deputy Police Chief Tim Greenwood said 30-year-old Thomas Clay Bradford was reported in the backyard of a home at 11:15 p.m. July 3 in the 2900 block of Roosevelt.

Officers responding to the scene found Bradford, who claimed to own the property. Greenwood said Bradford ignored officers’ commands and allegedly tried to flee before being taken into custody.

He was charged with criminal trespass, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, interference with law enforcement and driving under the influence.

Greemwood said Bradford had allegedly driven to the scene.

At 4:43 a.m. July 5, Greenwood said Bradford entered HaysMed, 2220 Canterbury Drive, and allegedly snuck into a patient’s room, where he undressed to take a shower.

Security asked him to leave before they called the police. Bradford was taken to the Ellis County Jail and was held for six hours, Greenwood said.

At 8:55 a.m. July 8, Greenwood said Bradford allegedly tried to enter two occupied vehicles at Hays Municipal Park, 100 Main St. Both drivers drove off, and one reported Bradford to police.

According to Greenwood, the charges from July 5 and 8 were combined into a single affidavit, which was then forwarded to the Ellis County Attorney's Office.

The combined charges from the two incidents include two counts of aggravated burglary, one count of burglary, two counts of THC possession and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Wichita man arrested in Hays after weeklong crime spree

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

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Fort Hays State Men's Basketball team had two individuals receive NABC academic recognition for the 2024-25 season. Kyle Grill and Kaleb Hammeke were named to the NABC Honors Court on Thursday (July 17).

The NABC Honors Court includes individuals who have reached their junior, senior or graduate student years academically, while holding a GPA of 3.2 or higher.

Kyle Grill, 3.82 - Management Kaleb Hammeke, 3.36 – MBA (grad school)

"Education is one of the NABC's five core values, and we are proud to recognize the academic accomplishments of these programs and individual student-athletes across our sport," said NABC Executive Director Craig Robinson. "The dedication and hard work of these athletes, along with their coaches and support staff members who prioritize academic success, deserves to be widely celebrated."

🏀 FHSU's Grill and Hammeke named to NABC Honors Court

DALLAS (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice was sentenced to 30 days in jail on Thursday after authorities said he and another speeding driver caused a chain-reaction crash that left multiple people injured on a Dallas highway last year.

The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office said Rice pleaded guilty to two third-degree felony charges of collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury in the March 30, 2024, crash. As part of a plea agreement, Rice was sentenced to five years of deferred probation and 30 days in jail as a condition of his probation, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said he was also required to pay the victims for their out-of-pocket medical expenses, which totaled about $115,000.

Rice was driving a Lamborghini Urus SUV at 119 mph (191 kph) when he made “multiple aggressive maneuvers around traffic” and struck other vehicles, prosecutors said. Prosecutors said that after the crash, Rice failed to check on the welfare of those in the other vehicles and fled on foot.

The news release from prosecutors included a statement from Rice that was released by his attorney. Rice said in the statement that he’s had “a lot of sleepless nights thinking about the damages that my actions caused, and I will continue working within my means to make sure that everyone impacted will be made whole.”

🏈 Chiefs WR Rashee Rice sentenced to 30 days in jail over Dallas high-speed crash

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Three players – Brendan Hausen, Max Jones and David N’Guessan – were selected to the 2024-25 National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Honors Court in announcement by the organization on Thursday (July 17).

The NABC Honors Court is bestowed upon juniors, seniors and/or graduate students who post a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 or higher in a given academic year.

N’Guessan earned the honor for the third consecutive season. He was also named to the 2025 Winter Academic All-Big 12. It was the first NABC honors for Hausen and Jones.

In addition to head coach Jerome Tang and Chief of Staff Marco Borne, several individuals play a pivotal role in support of the team’s academic success, including Senior Associate AD Kristin Waller, academic counselor Jamie Cherry and the staff in the Evans Student-Athlete Success Program.

🏀 Trio of Wildcats selected to NABC Honors Court

🎥 Meet the Larks Nick Gray

🎥 Meet the Larks Lorenzo Rios

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

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

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

HAYS
– One night after clinching a tie of the Rocky Mountain Baseball League title,
the Hays Larks wrapped up the outright championship with a 5-3 win over the
Liberal Bee Jays at Larks Park.

Brady
Kreutzer had two hits and drove in three runs as the Larks (25-4-1, 17-4 RMBL) won their 10th straight overall and 12th straight at home. They have now won
the RMBL title each of the last three seasons and for the fifth tie in six years.

Kreutzer
tied the game with a two-run homer in the fourth. After Liberal  (15-17, 10-13 RMBL) scored a run in the fifth, the Larks answered with two in
the bottom of the inning to take the lead for good.

CJ Reid led off the frame with a solo home run to
center. Dylan LaRue drove in the go-ahead run on a fly out to center which
scored Lane Sparks from third. 

Kreutzer added an insurance run in the bottom of
the eighth on a single to center which scored Thomas Lyssy.

Trent
Baker (1-0), the third of five Larks pitchers on the night, put up 1 2/3 scoreless innings
of relief and picked up the win. Julio Ramos struck out five in two scoreless
innings to close and game and picked up the save.

Starter
Dalton Campbell allowed two runs on six hits with five strikeouts over the
first four innings. 

The
Larks stole six more bases Wednesday and had 13 stolen bases in the two-game series
with the Bee Jays.

After
an off day Thursday, the Larks begin their final home weekend series of the
season Friday with the first of three league games against the Denver Cougars.
It’s Pack the Pantry weekend with fans encouraged to bring a non-perishable
food item to each of the three games. Admission to Friday’s game is free
courtesy of the PIT, R5 Roofing, Heartland Credit Union and OPI.

⚾ Kreutzer drives in three as Larks clinch outright RMBL title

The Hays Larks close out their season series with the Liberal BeeJays Wednesday at Larks Park.&nbsp;

The first pitch is set for 7 p.m. from Larks Park.

You can catch on the action on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@hayslarksbaseball/streams">Larks YouTube channel.</a>

Hays Larks baseball on HaysPost.com is courtesy of the Hays
Larks. The broadcast is produced by the Hays Larks

⚾🎥 WATCH LIVE Hays Larks close out series with Liberal

WASHINGTON (AP) — Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials will be given access to the personal data of the nation’s 79 million Medicaid enrollees, including home addresses and ethnicities, to track down immigrants who may not be living legally in the United States, according to an agreement obtained by The Associated Press.

The information will give ICE officials the ability to find “the location of aliens” across the country, says the agreement signed Monday between the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Department of Homeland Security. The agreement has not been announced publicly.

The extraordinary disclosure of millions of such personal health data to deportation officials is the latest escalation in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, which has repeatedly tested legal boundaries in its effort to arrest&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ice-deportations-protests-65fa8d64ea12a78a0ee0ebeea008ee4d">3,000 people daily</a>.

Lawmakers and some CMS officials have challenged the legality of deportation officials’ access to some states’ Medicaid enrollee data. It's a move, first reported by the AP last month, that Health and Human Services officials said was aimed at rooting out people enrolled in the program improperly.

But the latest data-sharing agreement makes clear what ICE officials intend to do with the health data.

“ICE will use the CMS data to allow ICE to receive identity and location information on aliens identified by ICE,” the agreement says.

Such disclosures, even if not acted upon, could cause widespread alarm among people seeking emergency medical help for themselves or their children. Other efforts to crack down on illegal immigration have made schools, churches, courthouses and other everyday places feel perilous to immigrants and even U.S. citizens who fear getting caught up in a raid.

HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon would not respond to the latest agreement. It is unclear, though, whether Homeland Security has yet accessed the information. The department’s assistant secretary, Tricia McLaughlin, said in an emailed statement that the two agencies “are exploring an initiative to ensure that illegal aliens are not receiving Medicaid benefits that are meant for law-abiding Americans.”

The database will reveal to ICE officials the names, addresses, birth dates, ethnic and racial information, as well as Social Security numbers for all people enrolled in Medicaid. The state and federally funded program provides health care coverage program for the poorest of people, including millions of children.

The agreement does not allow ICE officials to download the data. Instead, they will be allowed to access it for a limited period from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, until Sept. 9.

“They are trying to turn us into immigration agents,” said a CMS official did not have permission to speak to the media and insisted on anonymity.

Immigrants who are not living in the U.S. legally, as well as some lawfully present immigrants, are not allowed to enroll in the Medicaid program that provides nearly-free coverage for health services. Medicaid is a jointly funded program between states and the federal government.

But federal law requires all states to offer emergency Medicaid, a temporary coverage that pays only for lifesaving services in emergency rooms to anyone, including non-U.S. citizens. Emergency Medicaid is often used by immigrants, including those who are lawfully present and those who are not.

Many people sign up for emergency Medicaid in their most desperate moments, said Hannah Katch, a previous adviser at CMS during the Biden administration.

“It’s unthinkable that CMS would violate the trust of Medicaid enrollees in this way,” Katch said. She said the personally identifiable information of enrollees has not been historically shared outside of the agency unless for law enforcement purposes to investigate waste, fraud or abuse of the program.

Trump team has pursued information aggressively

Trump officials last month demanded that the federal health agency’s staffers release personally identifiable information on millions of Medicaid enrollees from seven states that permit non-U.S. citizens to enroll in their full Medicaid programs.

The states launched these programs during the Biden administration and said they would not bill the federal government to cover the health care costs of those immigrants. All the states — California, New York, Washington, Oregon, Illinois, Minnesota and Colorado — have Democratic governors.

That data sharing with DHS officials prompted widespread backlash from lawmakers and governors. Twenty states have since sued over the move, alleging it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-medicaid-immigrant-california-161f7e1b9087512d674258f32f822878">violated federal health privacy laws</a>.

CMS officials previously fought and failed to stop the data sharing that is now at the center of the lawsuits. On Monday, CMS officials were once again debating whether they should provide DHS access, citing concerns about the ongoing litigation.

Local

Region

Sports

Announcements