By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Irreplaceable. That is the word that local artist Michael Jilg used to describe Hays Arts Council Executive Director Brenda Meder.

"I've never heard a bad word about Brenda, except that she talks too fast," Jilg said. ... "It's all about the artists."

Meder, 68, has been the director of the arts council for 35 years. She will be retiring as of Aug. 31. Her retirement reception is from 6:30 to 9:30 tonight at the Hays Arts Center during the fall art walk.

Jilg said Meder has been a tremendous cultural and financial asset to the community. She brings people to downtown Hays, and they shop, eat and spend money, Jilg said. She walks up and down the street during the art walks and talks to business owners.

"She does that just because it's good for the arts and artists," he said.

Jilg, who has known Meder for 35 years, said she could set an exhibit like no one else. He has a downtown studio near the arts council and said Meder often works until 10 at night when she is setting up a show.&nbsp;

"I know she can't ride a unicycle," he said.

The one time Meder did not personally set a show, she had tried to ride a unicycle at a family reunion and broke her wrist. She was in a cast, so she asked Jilg for help.&nbsp;

"I had everything laid out before I hung it, and she came in and said, 'That's not bad, except for this, and then she changed everything — every piece I had put out, and it was better."

Meder's love of the arts started early, but her passion did not lie in the visual arts. She fell in love with being in front of an audience, whether that be acting a scene for a forensics tournament, playing clarinet or cheerleading during Friday night football.

Her clarinet still sits on the top shelf of the closet, with dry corks and cracked pads, but still too treasured to part with, Meder said.

Victoria High School did not have a theater program, except for a junior play, which was staged to raise money for prom. She landed the role of Emmy Fry in "A Feudin' Over Yonder: A Hillbilly Farce."

Victoria High did have a competitive forensics and speech program.

"Wow, I get to act in these amazing scenes that we weren't going to perform in plays at little Victoria High School. We're not going to do Tennessee Williams, William Inge or Shakespeare or whatever it might be, but I can do these things at the forensics competitions," she said.

She continued to pursue theater as she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in communications from Fort Hays State University.

She landed roles as Blanche in "Streetcar Named Desire," Kate in "Taming of the Shrew," the narrator in "Agnes of God," and the "Belle of Amherst," a one-woman piece based on the life of Emily Dickinson.

She organized "Nutcracker" productions, which involved dozens of local dancers and local choreographers. She directed "Cabaret" at FHSU, "Evita," "Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat" for Hays High, and "Midsummer Night's Dream."

Meder said she has missed acting and directing, but through her work at the Hays Arts Center, she has remained involved in the performing arts.

Although Meder did not create the Famous Figures competition for fifth-grade students in Ellis County, she has helped it grow and flourish.

The competition involves students from Ellis County public and private schools portraying in costume famous people from the present and the past.

The competition culminates with finalists performing at the Beach Schmidt Performing Arts Center in front of their classmates, members of the public and judges.

She said she adores the kids, especially those she works with through Famous Figures.

"I know they are all nervous little Nellies, so I expend every ounce of emotional energy I can on them that day because it's about them," she said. "So I'm exhausted when that's finished, because I want everyone to be excited. I want those kids to feel they are taken care of, that they are stars."

Meder's youngest son, Heath, who portrayed Robert E. Lee, participated in Famous Figures when he was in fifth grade, and Meder's grandchildren, Olivia and Harlo, will have opportunities to create their own Famous Figures characters this year.

Meder may have never made it to Broadway, but no matter what she was attacking, she said she brought the same intensity to that production or project.

"Is what you're doing the thing that is really important? Is that what feeds your soul? Is that what needs to be done?" Meder said. "Or are you looking for fame and fortune?

"No, it's the thing. As long as the thing is part of who and what I am and it's appreciated by people, that can be just as satisfying," she said.

Meder was working as an administrative assistant at the Chamber in Hays when she was hired as the executive director of the arts council.

"It was really a situation of vocation meeting advocation," she said.

She pulled together her administrative skills, creative eye, energy and performing talents to make projects that had started small big.

The art walks were one of those projects. The Hays Arts Council Spring Art Walk had existed for a number of years, and the community had just launched a fall art walk when Meder became executive director, but Meder grew those events and expanded the art walks to a quarterly event.

When the art walks began, art was hosted in several Hays galleries or key businesses. Meder is a native of Victoria, a small town, and was not a visual artist or collector. Growing up, she hadn't had much exposure to the visual arts in rural Kansas. She wanted to expand the events to be more inclusive of the entire community.

"I was trying to be as enthusiastic and vociferous as a person can be in trying to spread the word, 'Hey, the arts are for everyone,'" she said. "There are so many ways that arts and creativity can be part of our lives.&nbsp;

She laughed. She said of the art walks, "Bring the baby stroller. You don't have to get a babysitter. Kids are great. Groovy!"

Meder said it is impossible to choose a favorite artist with whom she has worked. However, she said she enjoyed curating the 50th anniversary show for the arts council, which included 50 works by 50 artists, all of whom had connections to the arts council.

She also organized three floral shows, which featured live flower arrangements paired with floral art pieces.

She was also proud of "She Is," which was an art exhibition focused on the female form.

"There are a whole bunch of things that have resonated in different ways," she said. "The arts are about emotion and connection. Not only does the viewing public have that, but the artists have that, and someone like me from the outside who is putting it together.

"That is the role of art — to allow people to feel and to think and to be inspired," she said.

Meder has invested a lot of energy and passion into inspiring youth. In addition to expanding the Famous Figures program, she has also carried on the tradition of the Creative Writing Awards for youth, summer art classes and annual visits by performing artists to local schools.

So much can be learned through performing arts, Meder said.

When the performing duo Jay and Leslie visit the elementary school, even kindergarteners gain a grasp of square roots, she said.

"The arts bring you in," she said. "They get you engaged. I want to pay attention because this is fun. In the process, the learning is amazing."

Although Meder will be stepping down as executive director, she will continue to coordinate the arts council's youth program for the next year from a home office.&nbsp;

Other notable achievements included a community screening in 2017 of the Swiss film "Quiet America," which was about Hays, and the placement of the art center's mural by&nbsp;Dennis Schiel in the state capitol.

She was also awarded an arts advocacy award earlier this year.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/9110fa85-1b9f-4baa-b545-6e1bf3cf7d5d">SEE RELATED STORY: Hays woman named a 2025 Governor's Art Awards Winner</a>

Meder said the most difficult aspect of her job has been being selective of her projects.

"I want to do everything," she said. "Anytime I hear about a cool project, I say, 'I want to do that.' ... I'm my own worst enemy."

She added, "It's always been important to me that sense of responsibility you have to maintain the standards that came before you. Don't forget, when I first came here, the founders were still alive."

People worked very hard to establish the arts council, the oldest continuing operating organization of its kind in Kansas, Meder said. She wanted those people to be able to continue to have pride in what they built.

"Bringing more people around to the idea that [the arts] are here for everyone. Just like sports, you don't have to be a professional athlete or coach to go to a professional football game," she said.

"So why do you think you have to be a professional artist or have taken an art history class or been to a ton of museums to go out on an art walk? No! It's the power of art to bring the community together to influence and impact our lives, even if the arts aren't our lives."

Kathleen Kuchar, local artist, who called Meder an icon, echoed Meder's own words, saying she has made the arts available to everyone through creative programming.

"If I made a list of her contributions, it would be in the thousands, not hundreds!" said Kuchar, who has known Meder for 35 years. "She has created an amazing website, organized amazing exhibitions, written grants, and has made sure everyone has had a taste of what the arts can do to enhance everyone's lives. Does she ever sleep? Her wheels are always turning!"

Kuchar said she was grateful for Meder's contributions to her artistic career. The highlight was when she offered her a retrospective in 2018. 

Kuchar illustrated a children's book, "Millie's Garden" written by Dr. Joyce Frey, and Meder asked to have an exhibition of the original artwork on Halloween. Dr. Joyce read the book to the children, and it was a day to remember, Kuchar said.

Meder was insistent&nbsp;the original illustrations find a permanent home. They line the walls of the new day care facility north of HaysMed for children and adults to enjoy for years to come, Kuchar said.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/751fb956-d414-4d9a-9e09-5ab9848ffdf4">The arts council has hired a new executive director,&nbsp;Chandler Reich, a FHSU graduate and the former executive director of the Grassroots Art Center in Lucas.</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/43928746-4857-4b13-a0fb-8406ac9b7bc3">The Hays Arts Council is also in the midst of $3 million capital campaign to renovate and expand the arts center.</a>

As Meder prepares to depart, Brittney Squire,&nbsp;Hays Arts Council president, said her legacy at the arts council is enduring.

"Her energy is infectious, and it’s been a joy to work alongside someone so passionate and skilled. I’m grateful for her decades of dedication in shaping HAC into such a vibrant hub for the arts in Hays," Squire said.

Meder said she is excited about the renovation project, which will connect the current arts center to the former Madd Matter building and the art center annex, all of which the council owns.

She said the center is overdue for maintenance and upgrades.

"By and large, this is the same space it was 40 years ago," Meder said.

Besides assisting with the youth programs, Meder will continue to help with the county spelling, announcing FHSU graduation and Oktoberfest.&nbsp;

Meder said she spends many, many hours at the art center, admittedly at her choosing, so she is looking forward to a few weird little things that are part of everyday life.

"I might plant flowers, because I will be around to water them," she said, "or maybe I'll paint a room in my house."

NWester: From hillbilly farce to cultural force, Hays Arts Council director ready to retire

Kansas Department of Health and Environment

TOPEKA –The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded a boil water advisory for the Countryside Estates Mobile Home Park, Hays, public water supply system located in Ellis County. 

The advisory was issued because of a loss of pressure due to water main breaks. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.&nbsp;

Laboratory testing of drinking water samples collected from the Countryside Estates Mobile Home Park indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved. &nbsp;

Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind notice following testing at a certified laboratory.

For consumer questions, please contact the water system at: 308-629-7874 or you may call KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit our webpage:&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/1/01000198d25f9524-f7654a83-a856-44b0-9b2b-8b9023b12a28-000000/MnWJRWFVuA6x_VD3vR714V82LXQUmM4s0Vzpn-nFI7M=419">https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/468/Disruption-in-Water-Service</a>.

Boil Water Advisory rescinded for Hays' Countryside Estates mobile home park

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

After 25 impactful years, HaysMed is retiring its traditional drive-thru flu shot clinic and launching a more flexible, integrated approach to community health. Starting this fall, flu shots will be offered during its monthly blood screening events- providing a convenient, one-stop opportunity for preventive care.

 The decision to discontinue the drive-thru format comes in response to changing community needs and increased access to free flu shots at local pharmacies such as Walgreens, Walmart, and Dillon’s. While the HaysMed drive-thru clinic once served nearly 4,000 individuals annually, recent participation has dropped below 1,500. This new format allows the hospital to better align with current trends and improve accessibility for the community.

Participants can now receive a free flu shot, participate in blood screening lab draws, or do both- all in one visit. Flu shots will be available on the following Saturdays from 6:30 a.m. – 10:00a.m. at Entrance B (Miller Pavillion), using parking Lot B on September 6, October 4, or November 1, 2025.

Children’s flu shots will be administered in the same area as adult vaccinations to simplify the experience for families. To help with flow and minimize wait times, participants may choose to go directly to the flu shot station or begin with blood screening.

Since its inception, HaysMed has proudly administered 69,802 flu shots to the community. In 2024 alone, the hospital provided 1,300 adult and 378 pediatric vaccines free of charge, thanks to the support of the HaysMed Foundation.

The HaysMed flu shot events have also supported local families through food donations. In 2024, participants donated 583 pounds of canned food to the Community Assistance Center. Since 2007, the hospital collected a total of 26,854 pounds- nearly 13.5 tons of food! 

All attendees are encourage to bring a non-perishable food item to continue this tradition of giving back.

Watch the HaysMed 2025 Flu Shot video&nbsp;below about this change.

HaysMed is thrilled to continue partnering with Fort Hays State University and Fort Hays North Central Tech nursing students, who will assist with flu shot administration. Their involvement ensures hands-on learning and reflects the spirit of community collaboration.

· Free flu shots available for individuals 6 months and older

· Participants may choose to receive a flu shot, participate in blood screening lab draws, or both

· Consent forms available at&nbsp;<a href="https://haysmedfoundation.org/flu/">haysmedfoundation.org/flu</a> – please complete, print, and bring a signed copy for each person being vaccinated

· Short-sleeved shirts recommended for ease of vaccination

· Egg-free vaccines will not be available; individuals with egg allergies should consult their healthcare provider

· High-dose flu vaccines for those 65+ will not be offered at these events

For more information about blood screenings, visit the most recent <a href="https://www.haysmed.com/august-volunteer-community-blood-screenings/">monthly blood screenings article</a>. For flu shot updates, maps, and logistics, visit <a href="https://haysmedfoundation.org/flu/">haysmedfoundation.org/flu/</a>.

Together, HaysMed is working to keep the community healthy, strong, and connected- now in a format that’s more convenient than ever.

HaysMed announces new format for 2025 free Community Flu Shot Event

National Down Syndrome Society&nbsp;&nbsp;

NEW YORK — Brinn Dimitt of Hays will appear in the bright&nbsp;lights of Times Square on Saturday, September 6, as part of the annual National Down Syndrome&nbsp;Society (NDSS) Times Square video presentation.

The one-hour video of 500+ photographs&nbsp;includes children, teens, and adults with Down syndrome from all 50 states and 11 countries.

These collective images highlight individuals with Down syndrome in the most visible way – on&nbsp;two screens in the heart of Times Square.

The photo of Brinn was selected from more than 2,600 entries in the NDSS worldwide call for&nbsp;photos. Her photo will be shown on two Jumbotron screens thanks to the support of&nbsp;ClearChannel Outdoor. The two screens are above Dos Caminos restaurant in Father Duffy&nbsp;Square. The presentation will be livestreamed on the NDSS Facebook page from 9:30-10:30 a.m. ET on September 6.

The Times Square Video Presentation kicks off the New York City Buddy Walk® which takes place&nbsp;at the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park. This flagship Buddy Walk® has taken place in New&nbsp;York City since 1995 as part of the National Buddy Walk® Program. Over 150 Buddy Walk® events&nbsp;are held in communities across the country and select international locations.

&nbsp;For more&nbsp;information about the New York City Buddy Walk® on September 6 or the National Buddy Walk®&nbsp;Program, please visit <a href="https://ndss.org/">www.ndss.org</a>.

Roosevelt Elementary student to be featured in Times Square video presentation

Sunflower Electric Power Corporation

Hays-based Sunflower Electric Power Corporation is pleased to announce board leadership changes and&nbsp;new board appointments. 

Josh Young, representing Wheatland Electric Cooperative, and Nick Zerr, representing&nbsp;Western Cooperative Electric, were elected as directors on the Sunflower board of directors. John Sullivan, also from&nbsp;Wheatland, and Terry Hobbs, from Western, were selected to serve as alternate directors. In addition, Kenny Wehkamp,&nbsp;the board director representing Victory Electric Cooperative, was elected chairman of the board.

Each of Sunflower’s six member cooperatives—Lane-Scott Electric Cooperative, Pioneer Electric Cooperative, Victory&nbsp;Electric Cooperative, Western Cooperative Electric, Wheatland Electric Cooperative, and Prairie Land Electric&nbsp;Cooperative—have two representatives elected by local distribution cooperative members. 

Sunflower’s board meets&nbsp;monthly to strategize on the current and future operation of Sunflower and the best approaches to continue providing&nbsp;its members with reliable wholesale energy at the lowest possible cost.

Young, a Wheatland board member since 2020 and current vice president of its board, previously&nbsp;served as Sunflower’s alternate director. He succeeds Wes Campbell, who served as a Sunflower&nbsp;director for ten years and was chairman at the time of his retirement earlier this year. A lifelong&nbsp;resident of western Kansas, Young brings a strong background in agriculture, banking, and community&nbsp;leadership.&nbsp;

“I’m honored to have been selected to serve on the Sunflower board,” Young said. “This opportunity&nbsp;“I’m honored to have been selected to serve on the Sunflower board,” Young said. “This opportunity&nbsp;represents both a privilege and a responsibility, and I am grateful. I look forward to working alongside&nbsp;fellow board members to support Sunflower’s vision and contribute to its continued success.”

Currently serving as president of the Western board, Zerr succeeds Frank Joy, who held a Sunflower board seat for 16 years. A resident of Gove, Zerr has a background in healthcare, farming, ranching, and rural real estate and has served on several local boards and organizations.&nbsp;

Sullivan, a member of the Wheatland board since 2011, is the chief financial officer of the Great Bend Cooperative Association and has more than three decades of experience in the grain cooperative sector. He succeeds Young in the alternate director role.&nbsp;

“Serving as an alternate on the Sunflower board is a great opportunity to broaden my understanding of how the generation side of the cooperative supports distribution,” Sullivan said. “I look forward to building new connections and gaining deeper insight into the electric cooperative world.”&nbsp;

Also named an alternate director, Hobbs, has served on the Western board since 1993 and currently holds the vice president position. He has long been a strong supporter of electric cooperative values and industry advancement. &nbsp;

“It is important for a board to be fair and balanced and to analyze the data to ensure the right decisions are being made for the members we represent,” Hobbs said. “I have always considered it an honor to represent the members of Western Co-op and look forward to continuing in those efforts at Sunflower.”&nbsp;

Wehkamp, the Sunflower board director representing Victory since 2017, was elected board chairman in May. He previously served as alternate director between 2011-2017 and has been a board trustee at Victory since 1997. A farmer from Cimarron, Wehkamp brings nearly three decades of cooperative leadership experience to his newly appointed chairman role.&nbsp;

“I’m honored to serve as chairman of the Sunflower board of directors,” Wehkamp said. “It’s a privilege to work collaboratively alongside my fellow board directors and company leadership as we continue to support the evolving needs of Sunflower’s member systems and the rural Kansas communities they serve. I will build on the solid foundation laid by past board leadership to support long-term electric reliability, affordable rates, and forward-thinking energy solutions.”&nbsp;

Sunflower is proud to welcome its newest directors, alternate directors, and board chairman. Their diverse professional backgrounds—spanning agriculture, finance, healthcare, education, and public service—enhance the board’s ability to navigate challenges and seize opportunities in today’s rapidly evolving energy landscape. 

Together, this team of proven leaders will help guide Sunflower’s strategic direction, ensuring our member cooperatives and the communities they serve continue to benefit from safe, reliable, and cost-effective electricity for years to come.

Sunflower Electric elects new board leaders and directors 

<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

The Yuengling Flight golf cart makes an appearance tonight at 7 at the new Local country bar, 109 W. 7th, Hays.

Register to become one of two instant finalists, courtesy of A&amp;A Coors-Yuengling.&nbsp;

Lokal welcomes a live band, Sunset Sinners, and their new hit song "2 Beers."

Cover just 5 for 21 and over; $10 for 18 to 20.

Enter to be finalist for Yuengling Flight golf cart at Lokal tonight

The Lite Beer from Miller UTV Giveaway will be at Kaiser Liquor's east location with registration available at both stores today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Stop by to register to become a finalist for a CF Moto U Force 4 seat UTV.&nbsp;

Specials include: Coors, Coors Light and Miller Lite 30-pack - $24.75 Elijah Craig Hays America Select Bourbon - $69.99 Knob Creek Hays America Select Bourbon - $49.99

Stop in all week and ask about hard to get bourbons like EH Taylor, Weller 107 and Blantons.

Kaiser Liquor thanks all their great customers for 40 great years of business.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Become Miller Lite UTV giveaway finalist today at Kaiser Liquor

Karen Runnion, the sister of Kelvin Bullock, said he was last seen in Hays and urged farmers to check fields, unused barns and wooded areas because he is homeless.

Runnion said that Bullock also goes by the names of KB and Pud.&nbsp;

Hays man still missing

Kat's Hallmark announced today via Facebook that it will be closing in early 2026.

We absolutely love our community and have truly cherished our time 𝘋𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘴. Creating a warm and welcoming gift boutique in the historic JC Penney’s building has been a dream come true!

&nbsp;After 𝟏𝟎 𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 of sharing Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments, greeting cards, treasured gifts and home décor with our customers, friends and family, we will be closing our doors in early 2026. This decision comes from what is best for our family, as life—and the industry we’ve been blessed to be a part of—continues to take new turns.&nbsp;&nbsp;

So what does this mean for you? It means we’re going to make this holiday season one to remember! We’re bringing in lots of fun, trendy new gift lines along with the timeless favorites we’ve all grown to love.

We are beyond excited to enjoy these next few months with you — our wonderful community that has supported us every step of the way.

Kat's Hallmark announces it will close in 2026

&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

Free Community Shred Day offered by Bank of Hays

Hays High Sept. 4 soccer game cancelled

The Hays City Commission and the Russell City Council will have a joint meeting at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 27 at the Russell City Hall, 133 W. Eighth St., Russell.

The topic of discussion will be the joint development of the R9 water supply.

Hays, Russell city leaders to discuss R9 development Aug. 27 in Russell

Hungry for bierocks? Place your order with the Cancer Council of Ellis County for their BIEROCK FUNDRAISER until Monday, September 1, 2025. These delicious bierocks are made by Cervs on Main Street. 

To place your order call the Cancer Council at 785-625-6653 or mail your order to 701 Riley St., Hays KS 67601. 

Orders must be paid for at time of order. 

Pick up will be Thursday, September 18, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the south side of Main Street Cervs, 1601 Main Street.

Cost is $30 for ½ dozen or $50 for a dozen; with cheese $35 for ½ dozen or $60 for a dozen.

The Cancer Council of Ellis County is a local organization that has been helping Ellis County residents dealing with cancer for 39 years.

Bierocks fundraiser underway for Cancer Council of Ellis County

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the Countryside Estates MHP, Hays KS public water supply system located in Ellis County.

This advisory does not affect customers who receive water from the City of Hays or the Ellis County Rural Water public water supplies.

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

The advisory took effect on August 20, 2025 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 of a loss of pressure due to water main breaks. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.&nbsp;

Regardless of whether the public water supplier or Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) 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 308-629-7874, or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:

<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/1/01000198c7cf103e-b5dd857c-0c66-491f-97af-6acfb416de7f-000000/K-ttGxp_qLoiwLVNNGSosH35J2YOwLctNbOZJYIYxBE=419">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 Countryside Mobile Home Estates in Hays

Kansas Department of Health and Environment&nbsp;

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded a boil water advisory for the City of Smith Center public water supply system located in Smith County. 

The advisory was issued because of a loss of pressure. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

Laboratory testing of drinking water samples collected from the City of Smith Center indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved. &nbsp;

For consumer questions, please contact the water system at: 785-282-3812 or you may call KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit our webpage:&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/1/01000198c7d5cfe1-90876970-fc05-4764-9a29-d719ffec7777-000000/4h5BJoIFe_zZg571dAAEBXrYQlO7Ky8M127R5fpYU-0=419">https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/468/Disruption-in-Water-Service</a>.

Boil Water Advisory for Smith Center rescinded

LOGAN — The 47th annual Logan Labor Day Celebration will take place Sunday, August 31, 2025, at the Logan Golf Course, located 1.25 miles east of Logan on Highway 9. 

Sponsored by the Hansen Museum with funds from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, this family-friendly tradition is free and open to all.

Festivities kick off at 10:00 a.m. with the Dane G. Bales Jr. Memorial Car Show, a community favorite since 1998. This year’s featured vehicle is Michael Ghumm’s stunning 1955 Pontiac Chieftain. Arrive before 4:00 p.m. to admire everything from sleek classic coupes and muscle cars to antique pickups and eye-catching hot rods.

Sand Volleyball Tournament – Gather your friends for some friendly competition! Teams must include three men and three women, all 16 years or older. First-place winners receive 50% of the purse plus t-shirts; second place earns meal tickets and t-shirts; third place takes home t-shirts. Register online at hansenmuseum.org/labor-day-celebration or on-site by 10:30 a.m. the day of the event. The tournament begins at 11:00 a.m.

Family Fun All Day – From 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., kids can bounce, climb, and race on the inflatable obstacle course, take a turn on the 9-hole mini golf course, or enjoy the bouncy house. At 2:00 p.m., the Siruta Pedal Pullers State-Sanctioned Kid’s Tractor Pull begins—winners advance to compete at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson.

Food &amp; Refreshments – Satisfy your appetite with tasty offerings from the Logan Junior Class Food Booth, The Corn Kettle, and Buck’s Snow Shack—serving lunch, supper, and snacks in between.

Museum Exhibit: ASTRONAUT – The Hansen Museum will be open from 1:00 to 5:30 p.m., offering the perfect afternoon break from the Labor Day Celebration. Festivities at the golf course slow down between 4:00 and 5:30 p.m., making it a great time to stop by and experience ASTRONAUT—an interactive, hands-on exhibit where you can train for space travel, “launch” into orbit, and explore life aboard the International Space Station. Free and fully accessible, this exhibition is a must-see for all ages.

Evening Entertainment &amp; Fireworks – At 5:30 p.m., the stage comes alive with the high-energy sounds of The Innocence from Kearney, Nebraska. Their diverse playlist ranges from Van Morrison’s Brown Eyed Girl to Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk, offering something for every musical taste and keeping the crowd entertained right up until sunset. The evening wraps up with a spectacular fireworks display by Rainbow Fireworks of Inman, Kansas—lighting up the night sky for miles.

Join us for a day full of cars, competition, family fun, great food, live music, and fireworks at the 47th Annual Logan Labor Day Celebration. 

For more information, call the Hansen Museum at 785-689-4846 or visit www.hansenmuseum.org. 

Admission is always free thanks to the generous support of the Dane G. Hansen Foundation.

Logan hosts 47th-annual Labor Day celebration August 31

By MORGAN LEE and AUDREY McAVOY Associated Press

An apparent accident at a dairy in a rural&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/farming-">farming</a>&nbsp;community in Colorado involving exposure to gas killed six people, including a high school student, authorities said Thursday.

Investigators are looking into what kind of gases may have played a role in the deaths Wednesday at Prospect Valley Dairy in Keenesburg, about 35 miles (55 kilometers) northeast of Denver. Crews recovered the bodies in a confined space at the dairy, the Southeast Weld Fire Protection District said.

“We are investigating these deaths as the possible consequence of gas exposure in a confined space,” said Jolene Weiner, chief deputy coroner for Weld County.

The identities of those who died, all Hispanic males, were being withheld pending notification of the families, Weiner said. A local school district said a high school student was among those who died.

Weld County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Melissa Chesmore said her agency didn't find anything indicating a crime took place.

“It looks like an accident,” she said, declining to elaborate or say where exactly the bodies were found, referring questions to occupational safety regulators.

Chauntra Rideaux, a U.S. Department of Labor spokesperson, said in an email that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was investigating. The farm is a member of the Dairy Farmers of America, the group said.

"We are deeply saddened by this incident, and our thoughts and most sincere condolences go out to the friends and families of the deceased. At this early stage, we have no further details,” the farmer-owned cooperative said in a statement.

County tax records say the property is owned by Prospect Valley Dairy LLC and list a Bakersfield, California, address for the owners. Phone messages left for a number at the California address were not immediately returned.

Weld County is a major agricultural producer. Three-quarters of its land is devoted to farming and raising livestock. It's Colorado's leading dairy producer and the state's biggest source of beef cattle, grain and sugar beets.

Census data from 2020 shows 30% of the county was Hispanic or Latino, compared to 22% for the state overall.

Local

Region

Sports

Announcements