By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

More than 6,100 rubber ducks peddled their way to the finish line for a $10,000 prize at the tenth-annual Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ellis County Duck Derby.

The main events on Wednesday at the Hays Aquatic Park also included a Duck Dash for kids with prizes for the top 20 and a cardboard boat regatta for businesses.

The winners of the grand prize and nine other prizes were announced Wednesday and were published today on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AyVaDr62q/">Big Brothers Big Sisters Facebook page</a>:

First - Brett Zollinger&nbsp;- $10,000 grand prize Second - Kerry Wasinger - one night stay-cation in a spa cabin Third - Kalin LaBarge - Apple iPad Fourth - Curt &amp; Jeanna Wellbrock - two round-trip airline tickets Fifth - Gary Short - iRobot Roomba Sixth - Bryan Phillips - Napoleon Travel Q Grill and $200 gift card from Bigg E Meats Seventh - Mike Koerner - two GA Fort Hays State University all-sport tickets for 2025 to 2026 season Eighth - Kathy Rupp - Ray-Ban sunglasses and Shoeless Joe vintage baseball glove Ninth prize - Darrell Seibel - $300 gift card from Walmart 10th prize - JoAnne Berens - Breathe Coffee House gift basket Last place duck - Christa Language - duck bluetooth shower speaker

Zollinger said half of the $10,000 award will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ellis County.

High Plains Baptist Church&nbsp;received the Spirit Award and the 2025 Forward Always Cardboard Regatta - Race for a Cause Champion Award, taking first place.

The Hays Water Resource Department received the Best in Show award and the Big Brothers Big Sisters match team received the Titanic Award.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ellis County has made 160 matches so far this year with individuals or families who provide support and mentorship. 34 children are on a waiting list for their match.

For more information on Big Brothers Big Sisters, visit its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansasbigs.org/">website</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/EllisCoBigs">Facebook page</a>.

The Local Food Truck was at the race, donating 10% of sales. All proceeds from the Duck Derby will go towards&nbsp;Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters.

📷 UPDATED: Big Brothers Big Sisters Duck Derby awards $10,000 grand prize

Kansas Department of Health and Environment

TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the City of Bunker Hill public water supply system located in Russell County.

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

The advisory took effect on August 7 and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. 

KDHE officials issued the advisory because the city cannot currently maintain the minimum required chlorine residual due to an equipment malfunction. Failure to maintain required chlorine residual levels may put the system at risk for bacterial contamination.&nbsp;

Regardless of whether the public water supplier or Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

For consumer questions, please contact the water system at 785-324-0187, or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kdhe.ks.gov%2F468%2FDisruption-in-Water-Service%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01000198866eb699-91059f6d-714c-40dc-a9e2-9ae7ad45c5e4-000000/aVlpUXP4H9xS0ZuVrbIVFgUf4DmGd1qNh7XicgLXPLs=417">https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/468/Disruption-in-Water-Service</a>

Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety &amp; lodging program at&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kda.fsl@ks.gov">kda.fsl@ks.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 785-564-6767.

Boil Water Advisory issued for Bunker Hill by KS Dept. of Health and Environment

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Three Hays women were arrested after a verbal dispute escalated into a physical altercation.

Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said 22-year-old&nbsp;Jade Danese Sellers, 24-year-old&nbsp;Arrianna Marie Patterson and 40-year-old&nbsp;Jennifer Lyn Haney were charged with alleged disorderly conduct after a brawl broke out.

Scheibler said the incident took place at 1:46 a.m. July 27 in the 700 block of Park St., where officers on patrol observed a verbal argument escalate into an alleged fight.

Scheibler said there were five to seven people at the scene, but the alleged physical altercation&nbsp;that led to three arrests mainly involved two women. All parties knew each other.

No injuries were reported. All three were booked into the Ellis County Jail.

Three Hays women arrested after alleged street fight 

A Hays man allegedly threatened his girlfriend with a knife during a domestic dispute while a child was present in the home.

Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said 38-year-old James Edward Foster of Hays was arrested for alleged aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, endangering a child and domestic battery.

Scheibler said the incident occured at 11:56 p.m. on July 24 in the 1900 block of MacArthur St., where officers responded to a report that Foster had allegedly pulled a knife on his girlfriend during an argument and made threatening gestures.

Scheibler said the woman and the child were not injured. Officers allegedly found additional weapons at the scene: a short-barreled AR-15 rifle and a handgun.

Foster was booked into the Ellis County Jail on July 25.

Hays man arrested for allegedly threatening woman with knife

HAYS, Kan. (Aug. 7, 2025) — The Hays Police Department is issuing a public safety alert regarding a significant increase in scams that coerce residents into sending money through Bitcoin Automated Teller Machines (BTMs).

These sophisticated schemes, often involving impersonation of government officials or trusted entities, have resulted in substantial financial losses for victims nationwide, and Hays is not immune.

"Let me be absolutely clear: no legitimate government agency, law enforcement, or utility company will ever demand payment through a Bitcoin ATM, gift card, or wire transfer,” said Hays Chief of Police Don Scheibler. “If someone tells you to use one of these machines to pay a fine, resolve an issue, or protect your money, it is a scam. Hang up immediately and verify the request through official channels."

Scammers typically initiate contact through unexpected phone calls, text messages, or email, often creating a high-pressure, urgent scenario.

They may pose as IRS agents threatening arrest for unpaid taxes, law enforcement officials claiming involvement in money laundering, or tech support representatives warning of compromised bank accounts.

The common thread is the demand for immediate payment via a Bitcoin ATM, often directing victims to specific locations and providing QR codes to facilitate the transfer of funds directly to the scammer's digital wallet.

"These criminals exploit fear and a sense of urgency," Scheibler said. "They will keep you on the phone, preventing you from seeking advice from family or friends, and pressure you into withdrawing large sums of cash. Once that cash is deposited into a Bitcoin ATM and converted to cryptocurrency, it is almost impossible to retrieve."

The financial toll of these scams is alarming.

Nationally, fraud losses involving Bitcoin ATMs have surged, increasing nearly tenfold from 2020 to 2023, and exceeding $65 million in tracking the first half of 2024 alone, according to the latest information available.

The median loss reported by individuals who used BTMs in these scams was a staggering $10,000.

Individuals aged 60 and over are disproportionately affected, accounting for approximately $46 million, or 71%, of reported BTM-related losses in the first half of this year.

Broader cryptocurrency investment fraud schemes have led to billions of dollars in losses annually.

The difficulty in recovering funds stems from the inherent nature of cryptocurrency transactions.

Once funds are transferred via a BTM, the transaction is irreversible.

The decentralized and often anonymous nature of blockchain technology, coupled with the international reach of these criminal networks, makes tracing and recovering stolen funds exceptionally challenging for law enforcement.

Scammers frequently disperse stolen cryptocurrency across numerous digital wallets to obscure their tracks, further complicating recovery efforts.

Further, victims are often re-victimized by "recovery scams," fraudulent services that promise to retrieve lost cryptocurrency for an upfront fee, only to steal more money.

The Hays Police Department urges all residents to remain vigilant and follow these critical prevention tips:

· Never respond to unsolicited calls, texts, or emails demanding immediate payment, especially if they involve Bitcoin ATMs, gift cards, or wire transfers.

· Always verify requests independently. If you receive a suspicious call from an alleged government agency or business, hang up and call them back using a phone number found on their official website or a trusted bill, not one provided by the caller.

· Slow down. Scammers rely on panic. Take time to think and discuss the situation with a trusted family member or friend.

· Understand that legitimate entities will never demand payment in cryptocurrency.

If you believe you have been targeted by a Bitcoin ATM scam or any other financial fraud, please contact the Hays Police Department immediately at (785) 625-1030.

You can also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.

Hays Police Department warns residents targeted by Bitcoin ATM scams

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The Ellis County Commission will honor High Plains Mental Health's funding request of about $378,600.

The Ellis County Commission reviewed the third draft of the 2026 budget. Commissioner Nathan Leiker suggested several adjustments to funding for outside agencies requesting assistance.

"I would like to fund [High Plains Mental Health] at the full level, but the additional $76,000 would be from all sales tax and not property tax," Leiker said.

High Plains Mental Health's request is a significant increase from last year’s $299,975, with the additional funds designated for its <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c63c3c89-fd3c-4923-8d01-509e92168ce0">Crisis Intervention Center</a>.

Leiker also said he wanted to reevaluate the county’s scholarship program, which was initially established to support county employees and local students.

"A lot of the students are not employee-related. There's some, but I think we're kind of missing our target, and maybe we need to hit the pause on the scholarship, reevaluate and utilize some of those funds," he said.

Leiker proposed reducing the scholarship program’s funding from $20,000 to $10,000 and reallocating that $10,000 to DSNWK, meeting its original $250,000 request.

Commissioner Michael Berges said the program supports retention efforts and should not be fully cut in 2026. Commissioner Neal Younger supported a reduction in scholarship funding until next year’s budget.

Grow Hays and Ellis County Historical Society

Younger proposed reducing Grow Hays’ funding from $165,000 to $160,000 and reallocating the $5,000 to the Ellis County Historical Society, increasing its total to $115,000.

The following are additional funding allocations and changes discussed for the 2026 budget:

• DSNWK KidLink to receive $120,000 • ACCESS Transportation to receive $50,000 • Hays Humane Society to receive $2,600 • Ellis County Conservation District to receive $72,646, an increase from $65,750 • United Way of Ellis County to receive $2,500 (reduced at a previous meeting) • Ameritown was removed from the 2026 budget

Darin Myers, county administrator, said AmeriTown could either seek funding through the county’s contingency fund or submit a request to the Ellis County Care Council.

ACCESS Transportation also requested $82,000 from the City of Hays to help offset the loss of state funding, but the city has yet to decide. The service offers public transportation primarily to low-income, elderly and disabled individuals.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1c896b49-4c58-4425-a998-474c7c4b6da4">SEE RELATED STORY: ACCESS Public Transportation faces 2026 budget shortfall&nbsp;</a>

Myers said the total outside agency funding in the budget amounts to $1,256,548, a $797 decrease from the previous draft.

The current draft has a 1.84 mill levy increase, from 35.99 mills to 37.83. mills.

The mill levy increase includes the commissioners' request to add 1 mill ($542,695), which will replace the expected revenue decrease of the Oil and Gas Depletion fund ($425,865) in future years.

The proposed budget also includes a $200,000 increase in interest revenue. That will help reduce the overall mill levy by one-third of a mill for 2026.

Berges suggested slightly lowering the increase to align with the amount previously transferred from the oil depletion fund, but the commission ultimately agreed to keep the full 1 mill increase.

Final changes can be made by Aug. 12, with the public hearing set for Sept. 9.

The commission continued its discussion on capital improvement projects, including the possibility of issuing a bond to fund more than $9.75 million in facility upgrades.

"This allows us to do some projects without using property taxes," Berges said.

Myers said that if the sales tax is not renewed in 2030, the county would have to increase property taxes by 7 to 8 mills to cover bond payments.

"What's nice about the sales taxes is that the majority... is paid by people traveling in and out of Ellis County, not necessarily Ellis County residents," he said.

The commission reviewed photos of the EMS and fire station facilities in the city of Ellis, which are experiencing water damage, mold risks and limited space. Repairs and upgrades are estimated to cost $2 million.

The following are other projects and estimates that the commission discussed:

•&nbsp;Sheriff’s Office and Communications Department Renovation, estimated budget of $3 million •&nbsp;Administrative Building 110 fan coil units, estimated at&nbsp;$1.25 million •&nbsp;Courthouse HVAC replacement, estimated at $3.5 million •&nbsp;Landfill Transfer Station Expansion •&nbsp;Storage Building at Public Works

Berges said the projects will need to be carefully prioritized in the years ahead and noted the courthouse HVAC system experienced issues over the weekend.

Ellis County Commission readjusts 2026 funding; discuss 1 mill tax hike

It is time for judicial reform in Kansas. 

Here is what is happening: Gov. Laura Kelly just chose her appointee for the state Supreme Court. Her choice was limited to a recommended three from a panel of mostly attorneys, the Supreme Court Nominating Commission. Never heard of this commission? Have no idea who sits on it? You are not alone.

The truth is that these advisers are&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://americansforprosperity.org/takebackthebench/">unelected political insiders</a>&nbsp;who meet behind closed doors. Often they are left-leaning trial attorneys. As a result, the commission usually selects nominees that are beholden to a certain party line, ideology, or to litigators themselves.

Kansas is the only state in the whole country that gives unelected attorneys majority control over judicial picks — and it is not working for us.

The state Supreme Court is the highest court in Kansas. Its decisions set binding legal precedent lower courts must follow. Trusting so few, unaccountable people to choose justices virtually guarantees that special interests will be the only voices that will be listened to by the state Supreme Court.

Justices’ decisions have ramifications for residents, families, businesses, schools, the entire economy, and more. With such an enormous reach into our daily lives, Kansans should expect more transparency in the process — especially since our state Supreme Court is one of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/03/18/plan-to-elect-kansas-supreme-court-justices-scrutinized-by-critics-including-courts-former-chief/#:~:text=Track%20record,largely%20the%20same%2C%20he%20said.">most</a>&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/03/18/plan-to-elect-kansas-supreme-court-justices-scrutinized-by-critics-including-courts-former-chief/#:~:text=Track%20record,largely%20the%20same%2C%20he%20said.">overturned</a>&nbsp;in the country.

The fact that our justices frequently misinterpret the law creates continuous uncertainty for state lawmakers, businesses, and citizens. The court often gets it wrong because the process for picking justices is wrong. The entire system must be reformed to put more power into the hand of the people.

In August 2026, voters will have the chance to do just that by voting for a ballot initiative, Question 1, that would amend the state constitution to allow direct elections of state Supreme Court justices.

Currently 22 states, from Texas to Pennsylvania and Oregon to Alabama, allow voters to choose who sits on the state Supreme Court. Another 18 states have judicial nominations similar to the federal model, where elected officials control the nomination of Supreme Court judges and voters, in turn, can hold those elected officials accountable for their choices.

It is time Kansas join the majority. It is time that we, not an unelected panel of special interest lawyers, get to decide who sits on the state Supreme Court.

Some opponents of Question 1 will point out Kansans are able to vote whether a justice&nbsp;stays&nbsp;on the court. That is true. After a justice's first full year in office, he or she must stand for a retention vote. If the justice earns a majority of the vote, they get to remain in office for another&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kscourts.gov/About-the-Courts/Supreme-Court#:~:text=Kansas%20Supreme%20Court&amp;text=After%20a%20justice's%20first%20full,a%20term%20of%20six%20years.">six years</a>.

But just because this claim is true, does not make the system sound.

Retention votes are an insufficient check on unaccountable judges. In fact, since&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li_2014/b2013_14/committees/misc/ctte_h_jud_1_20130122_02_other.pdf">99%</a>&nbsp;of judges are retained, these votes are a little like a dictator claiming they held “free elections.” In systems like that, voters do not really have a voice.

That is true in Kansas today as well. At no point do we have an opportunity to have a say in who the judge is. Giving us that voice is the only true reform that will remove special interests from our selection system.

It is time that Kansas stops bypassing the will of the people. It is time the governor stops giving power to select lawyers, and it is time we stop letting political insiders influence our state Supreme Court.

In August 2026, vote “yes” on Question 1.

State Representative Barb Wasinger (R-Hays) District 111

LETTER: It’s time for direct elections for the state Supreme Court

Following a recent water main break at the intersection of Sixth and Main, the City of Hays has finalized a repair plan and will begin work on Thursday, Aug. 7.

Repairs to the damaged infrastructure and the roadway are expected to take up to two weeks.

During the repair period, the intersection of Sixth and Main will be closed.

Main Street will be closed near the intersection, and the 100 block of West Sixth Street will also be inaccessible to through traffic.

Traffic signs will be placed to alert motorists of the closures and direct them to alternate routes.

"We appreciate the community's patience as we work to repair the damage," said Director of Water Resources Jeff Crispin. "Our crews will be working diligently to restore the infrastructure and the roadway as quickly and safely as possible."

The project will address the damage to both the underground infrastructure and the street surface caused by the break.

The City of Hays reminds all residents and visitors to exercise caution when traveling near the construction zone and to follow all posted detour signs. For updates follow the City of Hays on Facebook, Instagram, X, Bluesky, Nextdoor, TikTok and LinkedIn, or visit HaysUSA.com.

Repairs to Hays' Main St. following water main leak begin today

Everyone wants a place to call “home,” but being able to use that term hasn’t been easy for some people in western Kansas.

Tiger Media Network’s documentary, “The Cost of a Dream,” explores housing concerns in Hays through the eyes of local residents, city officials and community leaders. TMN is the student-produced convergent media hub at Fort Hays State University.

Produced by TMN’s summer internship team of Kyson Evans, Katie Kuhlman and Taylor Thompson, the documentary sheds light on the challenges of finding affordable, family-friendly housing.

The film offers an in-depth look at how housing insecurity affects cities like Hays, contributing to a rise in housing instability and even homelessness for working families, single parents and vulnerable populations. It also examines potential solutions and efforts being made to address the issues.

“Coming from the capital city of Topeka, city development isn’t something you often think about — it just happens around you,” Evans said. “But in a smaller town like Hays, you really see how interconnected everything is. Everyone is part of a larger web, working toward the same goal. That kind of collaboration was something special and worth documenting.”

Working on the summer project gave the producers a new perspective on how deeply housing issues affect entire communities — not just individuals.

“This documentary is important to me because it helps bring awareness to the housing issues that often go unnoticed,” Thompson said. “By sharing these stories, we hope to start conversations and inspire real change in communities like Hays.”

Evans and Thompson had prior experience with documentary filmmaking from the Advanced Video course at FHSU, but this was the first project of this scale for the group.

“Overall, this was a one-of-a-kind experience that pushed me out of my comfort zone,” Kuhlman said. “It allowed me to try something completely new and explore a different direction in my career that I hadn’t considered before.”

“The Cost of a Dream” will premiere at 6 p.m. Aug. 7, on the Tiger <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33a-opih-uA">Media Network YouTube channel</a>.

The documentary is the third long-form feature produced by TMN summer interns during the last three summers.

“This year’s summer documentary is a bit different than the last two,” said Nick Schwien, director of Tiger Media Network. “This one is a bit more localized and focuses on an issue that is relevant to many in Hays. Through the roughly eight weeks of work, the students conducted multiple interviews and worked as a team in a real-world environment. 

"Our ability to provide learning opportunities like these have helped students stand out in the job market when applying for employment after graduation. Kyson, Katie and Taylor took on a tough topic and worked hard to produce a quality product.”

Additional videos and information can be found on the documentary's website: https://www.thecostofadreamfilm.info/.

Kyson Evans is a senior from Topeka studying Information Networking and Telecommunications: Digital Media Production and Journalism.

Taylor Thompson is a senior from Leavenworth studying Information Networking and Telecommunications: Digital Media Production and Journalism.

Katie Kuhlman is a senior from Great Bend studying Applied Business Studies: Marketing.

Trio produces documentary on housing in Hays; premieres Thursday

SHERIDAN COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 9:30p.m. Wednesday in Sheridan County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Chevy Colorado driven by&nbsp; Erik Favio&nbsp; Santamaria Cornelio, 39, Hoxie, was eastbound on U.S. 24 at County Road 40.

The pickup traveled off the&nbsp; roadway to the south and began sliding sideways. The vehicle jumped County Rd 40 W and began rolling sideways into a field. It rolled multiple times and the driver was ejected.

&nbsp;EMS transported Santamaria Cornelio to AmberMed Hospital in Hoxie for treatment of serious injuries. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP&gt;

NW Kan. man hospitalized after violent rollover accident

&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

Herzogfest weekend is August 8 and 9 in Victoria. On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Becky Kiser talks with Brenton Hoffman, committee president and vice-president Jennifer Bernes about the German-themed event.&nbsp;

🎙Celebrate Herzogfest in Victoria this weekend

Beginning Tuesday, 13th Street east of Canterbury Drive in Hays will return to one-way traffic - westbound ONLY - for a mill and overlay of roadway until further notice. 

We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Public Works office at 785-628-7350.

13th St. east of Canterbury in Hays returns to 1-way traffic Tuesday

HOXIE – The Main Street Arts Council is excited to announce the final performances of the 2025 Main Street Summer Theater Festival, which will take place in Oakley on August 8 and 9. 

These performances of Disney’s Dare to Dream Jr. will bring the festival’s incredible run to a close after an amazing summer of inspiring youth theater across northwest Kansas.

The Main Street Summer Theater Festival has been a celebration of local talent, with performances in six different towns, all showcasing the creativity and hard work of young performers. Oakley will host the last two performances, giving attendees one final chance to experience this magical production of Disney’s Dare to Dream Jr., featuring beloved songs from Encanto, Frozen II, Coco, and more.

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

In addition to the festival’s final performances, we are also thrilled to announce a special Broadway guest performance by Desi Oakley, a Wichita native and renowned Broadway performer. Desi will be performing live in Hoxie on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, as part of the festival’s 10th-anniversary celebration.

Desi Oakley has an extensive Broadway career, having starred in productions such as Wicked, Waitress, and Chicago. Her concert will offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the talent of this Broadway star in a local, intimate setting.

Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. Hoxie High School Auditorium, 1625 Queen Ave., Hoxie

We invite everyone to attend both the final festival performances in Oakley and Desi Oakley’s Broadway concert to celebrate the culmination of this incredible summer of youth theater and professional talent.

For more information about the festival, tickets for the remaining performances, or to reserve your seat for Desi Oakley’s concert, visit <a href="https://www.mainstreetartscouncil.com/msstf2025">www.mainstreetartscouncil.com/msstf2025</a>.

Final summer theater performances in Oakley, Broadway guest Desi Oakley in Hoxie

Aug. 9-10 Shady Bend 2-Day Golf Tournament;&nbsp;Shady Bend Golf Course, Osborne;&nbsp;9:00 a.m. 4-Man Scramble. To enter call or text Eric Mans at 785-346-4654

Aug. 12 Mommy &amp; Me Tea;&nbsp;Second Street Café, 715 N. 2nd St, Natoma; 6:00 p.m.; Come on in for an elegant, fun and fanciful tea party; Call 785-346-4772

Aug. 16 See You at the Library;&nbsp;Osborne Public Library, 325 W. Main St., Osborne; BRAVE Books See You at the Library Story Hour 11:00 a.m.

Families will gather in libraries across the country for this nationwide event to celebrate faith, freedom, and the power of storytelling. Together, we’ll rediscover what libraries are meant to be: places that spark imagination, shape character, and speak truth to the next generation. We’ll read books that inspire faith and conviction Spark meaningful conversations And build community with families who care about what really matters Bring your kids. Invite your friends. Let’s fill the library with stories and values that matter.

Aug. 20 Dinner Club at the Second Street Café;&nbsp;Second Street Café, 715 N. 2nd St., Natoma;&nbsp;Enjoy a 7-course meal every third Wednesday at 7:00 at the Second Street Cafe Dinner Club; For more information call 785-346-4772

A super fun day for the whole family in Alton. Starting at 7:00 a.m. at the Front Porch Event Center for coffee and rolls followed by a full day – car and bike shows, cake and pie contests, parade, free watermelon, money dig, food stands, Bull City Olympics, water balloon volleyball, bouncy houses, jam sessions, drawings, Jamie Campbell, comedian, Bull City Newlywed Game, cornhole tournament…it all ends with a free street dance featuring Kill Creek Rising! For more information, check out the Alton Jubilee Facebook page.

Aug. 24 Community Church Service in the Park;&nbsp;10:30 a.m. at the Alton City Park; Sponsored by Mt. Ayr Friends Church and Alton United Methodist Church

Aug. 24 2-Person Golf Tournament;&nbsp;Downs Golf Course, KS-181, Downs;&nbsp;9:00 a.m.; Hosted by Knights of Columbus; Contact Brady Cline at 785-545-6183

Aug. 30 Natoma City Wide Garage Sale, Natoma

August events for Osborne County

2025 Alton Jubilee set for Aug. 23-24

COLBY — The Colby Community College men's basketball team will host their 27th annual Golf Tournament and Sponsor Appreciation event on Friday, August 29 at Meadow Lake Golf Course. All proceeds will be used to support the program.

Registration for the four-person scramble begins at 8 a.m., with a tee time of 9 a.m. Participants are asked to make their own cart arrangements. The entry fee is $300 per team and includes a sack lunch on the course. After golfing, participants and season sponsors will have dinner and an opportunity to meet the 2025-26 men's basketball team.

For more information on being a season sponsor or to register for the golf tournament, scan the QR code or contact Coach Jerrod Stanford at 620-385-0273.

Colby Community College men's basketball team hosts golf tourney Aug. 29

 3rd-annual women's self-defense workshop set in Hays

HARVEY COUNTY—&nbsp;Matthew Ratzlaff, 38, of Burrton, entered guilty pleas Wednesday in Harvey County District Court to Kidnapping and 2 counts of Aggravated Indecent Solicitation of a Child involving sexual crimes against a child under the age of 10, according to&nbsp; Harvey County Attorney Heather L. Figger.

At the time of the offenses, Ratzlaff was on post-release supervision. His guilty pleas mark a significant step toward justice for the victim and community.

Sentencing is scheduled to take place before Judge Nancy Parrish on October 8. 

Ratzlaff faces a potential prison sentence of 283 to 315 months in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections, followed by lifetime post-release supervision. He will also be subject to lifetime registration as a sex offender.

“This case is a painful reminder of the seriousness of crimes against children,” said County Attorney Heather L. Figger. “We are committed to holding offenders accountable and pursuing justice for the most vulnerable members of our community.”

Kan. felon on parole admits to sex crimes with child under age 10

JACKSON COUNTY– Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas man on multiple allegations after a high-speed chase.

Just after 2a.m. on August, 5, a Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to stop a 2018 Chevy Silverado heading north on U.S. Highway 75 near 134th Road for allegedly committing traffic infractions, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 The vehicle failed to stop and a pursuit ensued northbound on U.S. Hwy 75. The suspect vehicle allegedly exceeded over 100mph.  At one point, a Jackson County Deputy performed a tactical vehicle intervention which temporarily disabled the suspect vehicle. The suspect allegedly ran motorists off the road way during the pursuit. The suspect vehicle eventually came to a stop near 278th Road on U.S. Hwy 75. 

 The driver, 35-year-old Michael Andrew Richardson of Topeka was arrested and taken into custody.  Richardson was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges that include two counts of aggravated battery on law enforcement, two counts of aggravated assault on law enforcement, two counts battery on law enforcement, battery on a corrections officer, one count of aggravated assault, felony criminal damage to property, flee and eluding law enforcement by reckless driving, driving under the influence and felony interference with law enforcement.

Sheriff: Kansas driver ran vehicles off the road during 100mph chase

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has instructed the Commerce Department to change the way&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-census-bureau">the Census Bureau</a>&nbsp;collects data, seeking to exclude immigrants who are in the United States illegally, he said Thursday.

The census' data collections will be based on “modern day facts and figures and, importantly, using the results and information gained from the Presidential Election of 2024,” the Republican president said on his social media platform, an indication he might try to inject his politics into survey work that measures everything from child poverty to business operations.

Trump stressed that as part of the changes people in “our Country illegally” will be excluded from census counts.

His Truth Social post fits into an overall pattern in which he has tried to reshape basic measures of how U.S. society is faring to his liking, a process that ranges from monthly jobs figures to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/redistricting">how congressional districts are drawn</a>&nbsp;going into the 2026 midterm elections. But there could be legal challenges if he were to reshape the census, which also guides the distribution of $2.8 trillion in federal funds to the states for roads, health care and other programs.

In a 2019 decision, the Supreme Court effectively blocked Trump from adding&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/united-states-government-9ea2d39220e14e4e80979a68effa93cd">a citizenship question</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-us-supreme-court-courts-supreme-courts-ap-top-news-9193a30c38c345a88997020b6b958d9f">the 2020 census</a>. The 14th Amendment says that “the whole number of persons in each state” should be counted for the numbers used for apportionment, the process of allocating congressional seats and Electoral College votes among the states based on population.

The last time the census included a question about citizenship was in 1950, and the Census Bureau’s own experts had predicted that millions of Hispanics and immigrants would go uncounted if the census asked everyone if he or she is an American citizen.

Changes to the census could also play into the efforts by Trump to urge several Republican-led states, including Texas, to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/redistricting-texas-california-house-map-trump-0f5f79185bbeeba8c2ff9999f48e5867">redraw their congressional maps</a>&nbsp;ahead of schedule in ways that would favor GOP candidates.

Redistricting typically occurs once every 10 years following the census, as states adjust district boundaries based on population changes, often gaining or losing seats in the process.

Despite Texas having redrawn its maps just a few years ago, Trump is pressuring Republicans in the state to redistrict again, claiming they are “entitled” to five additional Republican seats. Texas Republicans have cited population growth as justification for redrawing the congressional map.

Trump’s team is also engaged in similar redistricting discussions in other GOP-controlled states, including Missouri and Indiana.

Last Friday, Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jobs-firing-f00e9bf96d0110519be9bf4f3ec89195">fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-erika-mcentarfer-bls-fired-by-trump-ae0b3ac36971070265dedf16223ddfd1">Erika McEntarfer</a>, after standard revisions to the monthly jobs report showed that employers added 258,000 fewer jobs than previously reported in May and June. The revisions suggested that hiring has severely weakened under Trump, undermining his claims of an economic boom.

The White House insists that the problem was the size of the revisions and that it wants accurate numbers.

Trump's census posting raised the question as to whether he would embark on a mid-decade census, or simply change the standards for 2030 or change how the estimates operate between censuses. It was unclear what his changes would be.

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