By BECKY KISER Hays Post

In her second term as governor and final 18 months in public office, Gov. Laura Kelly has elevated water in Kansas to her highest priority, her "North Star."

"All the other issues are important as well," she said in an interview with Hays Post, "but if we don't do something about water, none of that will matter in the long run."

Some areas of western Kansas dependent on the Ogallala Aquifer have <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/bf6fe01e-4e25-4800-baa9-da74384387eb">fewer than 25 years of usable water left</a>, according to the Kansas Geological Survey.

More than 150 communities are at or above the acceptable nitrate levels in their drinking water.

In the past legislative session, Kelly signed a bipartisan bill creating the Water Program Task Force. A <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/7d27068a-02af-4a1e-b0bb-825c4ca501ab">ceremonial signing of House Bill 2172 was in Hays </a>on July 9 in recognition of the city's long-time leadership in water conservation programs and practices.

The new <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnipVdorz2Y">task force met for the first time</a>&nbsp;on July 21 in Topeka. It is charged with developing a long-term sustainable strategy for dealing with water that also includes a dedicated funding source.

Kelly plans to spend her political capital to tackle a politically charged issue.

"This is certainly not the first time we've talked about water in Kansas," she said. "There have been many other sophisticated, thoughtful water plans put into place over the years by previous administrations. 

"But none of them really got implemented in a long-term way that makes a consistent difference. Part of that is because it is so incredibly controversial in many ways. ... You've got different sides of the state with different water issues that need different kinds of solutions and interventions. And there are so many stakeholders."

There are approximately 20 state entities involved in water regulations. That's too many, Kelly said.&nbsp;

"It's going to be painful for some people. It will be political, and it will be controversial. But it's absolutely essential we have those conversations and make those decisions going forward," she said.

The governor, who is not a member of the task force, wants to see a more efficient and streamlined process of dealing with water management in Kansas.

She likens the idea to the state's comprehensive highway program created almost 40 years ago.

"Just like roads and bridges, water is not something you can fund on a year-in and year-out basis. It's got to be a long-term guaranteed funding structure so that projects that overlap a budget year can be funded and carried through," Kelly said.

It is up to the task force to research funding possibilities, she said, and then to come up with recommendations to present to the legislature.

Members of the task force include area state representatives Rep. Jim Minnix, R-Scott City, and Ken Rahjes, R-Agra. Minnix is a co-chair along with&nbsp;Sen. Kenny Titus, R-Wamego.

Last week's inaugural meeting agenda was intentionally broad in scope with an overview of water management, funding and planning in Kansas. The presentations then focused on evaluating future and current risks to groundwater and surface water quantity.&nbsp;

"I'm encouraged by the progress that we've made and what is to come,"&nbsp;Kelly said.&nbsp;"Now is the time to follow through and deliver a safe and resilient water supply for the generations of Kansans to come."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Future of water is Kansas governor's 'North Star' 

OVERLAND PARK – With the intention of elevating Kansas as a destination for trails&nbsp;and outdoor connection, Kansas Trails, Inc. (KTI), has launched as the first statewide&nbsp;nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting, supporting, and empowering the vibrant&nbsp;trail community across the state.

Ellis County trails include Dr. Howard Reynolds Nature Trail at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History in Hays, and the Ellis Schoenthaler Memorial Walking Trail.

Designed to serve every trail organization, city, steward, and volunteer in Kansas, KTI aims&nbsp;to provide trail maps, expert resources, technical assistance, advocacy and support to help&nbsp;ensure Kansas trails are accessible, sustainable and thriving both now and for future&nbsp;generations.

“Kansas Trails, Inc., is here to empower everyone who loves, builds, and maintains trails,”&nbsp;said Mike Scanlon, KTI Executive Director. “We commit ourselves to developing and&nbsp;supporting trail systems that enrich public health, fuel local economies, and preserve the&nbsp;natural and cultural heritage of this state.”

As a central hub for trail enthusiasts, KTI offers an array of services and resources,&nbsp;including:

• Interactive maps to help Kansans discover trails (See KTI’s Kansas trail map);

• technical assistance and resources for communities and organizations to plan,&nbsp;design and construct sustainable trails;

• promotional assistance to help spread the word about trail events across the state&nbsp;and inspire more people to explore and take advantage of the benefits of connecting&nbsp;with the outdoors;

• networking and membership opportunities to help build and foster a statewide&nbsp;community of trail advocates (Become a member);

• advocacy and support to ensure Kansas trails are accessible, sustainable, and wellmaintained.

As part of its mission to connect and empower trail users, builders and communities, KTI&nbsp;recently launched its Trail.Talk.Tuesday free webinar series. The hour-long webinars, which&nbsp;started July 8, are scheduled for noon on the second Tuesday of each month through&nbsp;January 2026.

With topics ranging from planning, building and maintaining trails, to&nbsp;exploring and celebrating Kansas’ thriving trail network, the series has something for&nbsp;everyone who has a passion for trails. Register here for the next session on Aug. 12.

KTI also works in close partnership with state and local agencies to underscore the&nbsp;importance of trails in boosting outdoor recreation, rural revitalization, tourism, and&nbsp;community well-being.

“In every trail we support, every community we empower, and every mile we map, we carry&nbsp;forward the belief that Kansas belongs to all who walk it – now and for generations to&nbsp;come,” Scanlon said.

Born from a virtual roundtable of local leaders, nonprofits, and state agencies, KTI grew into&nbsp;a grassroots coalition. With startup funding from Sunflower Foundation, a statewide health&nbsp;philanthropy serving all of Kansas, KTI became an established nonprofit and was granted&nbsp;501(c)(3) status by the Internal Revenue Service.

The organization is governed by a board of directors consisting of dedicated trail advocates,&nbsp;community leaders and outdoor enthusiasts from across Kansas.

For more information, visit <a href="https://kstrails.org/">www.kstrails.org</a>.

Kansas Trails, Inc., is a statewide nonprofit organization created to serve as a unified voice for Kansas trails, providing communities and volunteers with comprehensive trail support and membership opportunities to foster a strong, connected trail network across the state.

Two Ellis County locations included in new trails organization

WILSON&nbsp;STATE PARK — Lovegrass Music Festival FAQ and festival information. Please read!

Every motorized vehicle that enters Wilson State Park needs a daily vehicle permit ($5 per day). That can be obtained at the Park office, at the entrance of the park. The office closes at 6:00 p.m. -&nbsp; if you arrive later, please purchase a day pass at the self-pay station. You can pick up the pass in advance at any state park, or online.&nbsp;

Parking is extremely limited near the festival grounds so please carpool, walk, or bike to the festival area!&nbsp; Parking areas will be marked and staff will assist you to Day Parking. It is essential you do not obstruct the flow of traffic and be COMPLETELY pulled off of the pavement if you do park.&nbsp; Parking is permitted on any areas of grass that have been mowed.&nbsp; Please plan to walk a distance, as there is no parking directly on the festival grounds, except handicapped parking.&nbsp; Please have your handicap placard displayed for parking attendants to recognize and direct you accordingly.

Day Parking will not be allowed in the Buffalograss or Big Bluestem areas, as these are reserved for those who are camping in these areas.&nbsp; You will not be allowed in these areas without a Campground Vehicle Permit.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Everyone must enter and exit through the designated gate.&nbsp; Please stay out of areas fenced off in orange.&nbsp; We will have an increased presence of staff and security placed throughout the festival grounds, in CREW shirts to assist if you have questions or concerns.&nbsp;&nbsp;

If you are planning on bringing a new canopy, grill, or other apparatus, please leave the box at home or pack it back in the box to return home. The park dumpsters fill quickly, so please try to keep litter to a minimum.&nbsp; Kans for Kids, a fundraiser for childhood cancer, will have aluminum can recycling containers around the festival grounds.&nbsp; Please no glass or breakable containers in the festival grounds or near the water.&nbsp; Let’s all do our part to keep the park beautiful.&nbsp;

You may bring food and beverages into the festival area.&nbsp; Please no large coolers, as space is limited. We ask that you refrain from single-use plastic water bottles to minimize trash and promote sustainability.&nbsp; A filtered water station will be available to refill water bottles near the activity tent.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Food vendors will be available on the festival grounds on Friday and Saturday.&nbsp; The nearby marina offers snacks, beverages, and grocery items as does Knothead’s Baitshop, located just outside the park.&nbsp; Dining and grocery options can also be found in the nearby towns of Lucas, Wilson, and Dorrance.

Limited Lovegrass Festival merchandise will be available on-site for sale each evening from 5-11 p.m. (We accept Cash, Venmo and PayPal.&nbsp; We can also accept GooglePay, ApplePay, and Credit Cards ONLY if you have a smartphone to scan a QR code for checkout). &nbsp; We will also be hosting a 50/50 raffle which is CASH ONLY, so please plan accordingly, and GOOD LUCK!

Pets are NOT allowed in the festival area.&nbsp; Unless your animal meets the ADA definition of a SERVICE ANIMAL, do not bring them onto the festival grounds.&nbsp; Under Title II and Title III of the ADA, a service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Pets are allowed in the other areas of Wilson State Park, but must be restrained by a camper, kennel, hand-held leash, or tether, no more than 10 feet in length.&nbsp;

Thank you in advance for reviewing all of the Wilson State Park and Lovegrass Music Festival Association rules and regulations on our website at <a target="_blank" href="https://lovegrassmusicfestival.com/so/4ePXDgVK7/c?w=PCAGl9XBnKQfWUr97REj0YeND1_GTkZ_uSq9LguzdvE.eyJ1IjoiaHR0cDovL3d3dy5sb3ZlZ3Jhc3NtdXNpY2Zlc3RpdmFsLmNvbSIsInIiOiIxMzM2N2I4NS0yNTQ2LTRkOTAtODM2NS05OWEyMzEzMWY5ODMiLCJtIjoibWFpbCIsImMiOiIwYjg3MTdiNC1kNWZlLTQzZjQtOWI4Ni1hODQzMDBiNDNlNGUifQ">www.lovegrassmusicfestival.com</a>/experience before attending. Be sure and follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lovegrassmusicfestival">Facebook</a> for updates as the festival nears.

<a href="https://www.lovegrassmusicfestival.com/register?utm_campaign=ed61931f-08e9-4fd0-8ff4-79d4c445824e&amp;utm_source=so&amp;utm_medium=mail&amp;cid=0b8717b4-d5fe-43f4-9b86-a84300b43e4e">Register here for tickets</a>.&nbsp;

Information for Lovegrass Music Festival Aug. 7-9 at Wilson State Park

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TOPEKA –The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded a boil water advisory for the Russell Co RWD 3 public water supply system located in Russell County. The advisory was issued because of a waterline break resulting in a loss of pressure in the distribution system.&nbsp; Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.&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.

Laboratory testing of drinking water samples collected from the Russell Co RWD 3 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: 620-653-2649 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/1/0100019860c6f070-a7e3a835-d7ad-417a-9e32-46ea285cc065-000000/j6NqiHmXNfcJKl3IwCvh5mEVtN_DkcirANRxZu_-qtk=416">https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/468/Disruption-in-Water-Service</a>.

Boil water advisory rescinded for Russell RWD 3, Russell County

FHSU crime log: July 25-31, 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

KANSAS CITY – Ryan Vavricka from the Greater Kansas City office of New York Life, with offices in Ness City, has been listed on the 2025 Forbes Top Financial Security Professionals Best-in-State list. The individuals named to this list of distinguished professionals were chosen based on many criteria considered by an independent research firm.

A New York Life agent for 18 years, Vavricka received this recognition for helping his clients in a world in which wealth preservation and protection matter more than ever.

Vavricka has two B.B.A degrees from Fort Hays State University. His office is in Ness City, and he and his family are residents of Manhattan. He has multiple designations, including the CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP®, and CAP®.&nbsp;

“We are honored that Ryan appears on this prestigious list,” said Blake McKinney, managing partner of the Greater Kansas City general office. “New York Life has known for quite some time what a valuable asset Ryan has been to our family and to many families and businesses in our community.”

Ness City agent named to financial security professional best-in-state list

Note: This Fact Sheet has been updated July 25 by adding to the section on “No Tax on Car Loan Interest” new language describing the requirement for “Final assembly in the United States.”&nbsp;

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Below are descriptions of new provisions from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4, 2025, as Public Law 119-21, that go into effect for 2025.

If a qualifying vehicle loan is later refinanced, interest paid on the refinanced amount is generally eligible for the deduction.

IRS: One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Tax deductions for working Americans, seniors

Locals often overlook the charms of their own hometowns. I’d guess all Kansans share this guilt, me included. After several out-of-town road trips, I analyzed our village’s charms which involve more than a Christmas City of the High Plains promotion.

WaKeeney is worth a day trip and maybe an overnight stay. Start with Santa’s Village and snap a photo to reflect on small-town Christmas fun. This Main Street location leads to worthwhile stops nearby. To satisfy hunger, hit the Western Kansas Saloon for historic ambience including tin ceilings, western murals, wood floors, good food, and service.

Next door, visit Gibson’s Drug which sells medicine for what ails you, but it’s so much more. It reminds me of Grandma’s dime store with toys, household, school and office supplies, candy, greeting cards, floral arrangements, and best of all an old-fashioned soda fountain with sodas, malts, or flavored cokes.

Just north, find The Eagles Nest—a ceramic and wood working shop. Glaze a mug or trinket box or select a unique gift for someone special. Our oldest grand and I recently spent two hours creating family heirlooms.

After a paint session, cross the street to explore Queen of Stars quilt store. Quilting friends stop in regularly to purchase fabrics, talk shop, or sew in the company of like-minded souls. The building is worth a visit for sure.

Not far away, enjoy a nostalgic tour of the Trego County courthouse. The lighting and vintage woodwork link visitors to those who came before us. A peek in each office offers views of officials hard at work serving Trego County.

Pop down the west staircase and wonder whose hands that rail guided over past decades. Outside, head to the northwest corner of the square while looking for resident squirrels and birds that call this block home. Morning or evening arrivals can view one of several local buzzard flocks roosting on the water tower. Their presence inspires the annual Buzzard Bash.

Across the street, enjoy Mayberry-style shopping at Moeder Meats, Keyser Hardware, Hometown Bakery, and the recently reopened antique store. Speaking of vintage, check out the façade of the Kelly Theatre to see what changes lie in wait. While walking this street, you follow the steps of Milburn Stone of Gunsmoke fame who performed a vaudeville routine on the Kelly stage.

At the corner, turn west to sip The Well’s excellent coffee. A few steps further offers city hall, another WaKeeney architectural treasure.

South is local gold. Malay’s offers picnic basket supplies that include freshly cut fruits and veggies, deli salads, deviled eggs, lunch meats, cheeses, and homemade desserts. Before checking out, add love with a fresh bouquet. On a practical note, purchase hunting and fishing licenses before getting outdoorsy at Cedar Bluff Reservoir.

For in town picknickers, choose a park. I love the pool park where ample shade cools gramma while grandkids check out their options. To exercise dogs, head toward I-70 on Highway 283. Once there, explore local&nbsp;history, including a vintage jet, or refresh yourself at Rosie’s Bar and Grill or the nearby Brazen Bull. Go whole hog Laura Ingalls Wilder and sleep in a Conestoga.

These are only a few possibilities. A visit here is a Where’s Waldo search for charming overnight rentals, Shiloh’s stellar vineyard, wildflower loops, great fishing, car races, auctions, western and paleontological history in every direction, and welcoming locals to help tick items off your bucket list. 

I may live here, but it’s fun to play visitor.

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

MADORIN: The not a road trip

<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

&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

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ELLSWORTH – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will host a free four-hour public tour of a wild horse off-range pasture in Ellsworth, Saturday, August 9.

The purpose of the tour is to allow public access to the private facility and learn more about BLM’s wild horse and burro management responsibilities. 

Tour attendees will have the opportunity to view more than 220 horses roaming approximately 1,700 acres of grassland in central Kansas. These animals were gathered from overpopulated herds on western public rangelands as part of BLM’s mission to protect and manage America’s wild horse and burro herds. 

The off-range pasture, known as Svaty Ranch, is a private ranch under contract with the government to feed and care for federally protected wild horses in a natural free-roaming environment. 

No registration is needed, and parking is available on site. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Cameras and video recorders are welcomed and encouraged. Other personal items may also be brought along, including non-alcoholic drinks in sealable containers. Attendees are advised to dress appropriately for the summer season. Restrooms will be available.

Event Details Tour time: 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. Address and directions: Svaty Ranch, 1016 Avenue J, Ellsworth, KS 67439. From I-70 proceed south on Highway 14 into and through the town of Ellsworth (main street), cross the river bridge and take an immediate right onto Avenue K. Take Avenue K and proceed west for 3 miles, at the "T" intersection stay right at the intersection and go 1/2-mile north, bear left for 3/4 of a mile. Then, the corrals are on the left at 1016 Avenue J.

The BLM manages and protects wild horses and burros across 175 herd management areas spanning 25.5 million acres in 10 western states, aiming to maintain healthy herds and rangelands. With few natural predators, herds can double in size every four to five years, leading to overpopulation that threatens the land, wildlife and other authorized uses. 

As of March 2025, the on-range population was estimated at 73,130, far exceeding the appropriate management level of 25,556. To achieve balance on the range, BLM gathers and removes excess animals, placing many into private care through adoption or sale, while unadopted animals are provided space on contracted pastures like the Svaty Ranch for long-term care. Approximately 62,853 animals are in off-range corrals and pastures as of June 2025. 

For more information, please contact the Wild Horse and Burro Program National Information Center at 866-468-7826 or email wildhorse@blm.gov.&nbsp;

Free tour of wild horse off-range pasture in Ellsworth offered by Bureau of Land Management

Fort Hays State University Sigma Chi's first annual Back to School Bash on Thursday, Aug. 21,&nbsp; features an outdoor concert with Logan Mize as the headliner. 

The concert starts at 6 p.m. in the FHSU quad, and will be open to students and the general public for a $5 admission charge per head. This concert will be a dry event.

For more information, contact Hunter at htaphorn24@gmail.com.

Logan Mize featured at FHSU Sigma Chi Back to School Bash on Aug. 21 

Kansas Department of Health and Environment

TOPEKA –The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the Russell County Rural Water District 3 public water supply system located in Russell County.

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

The advisory took effect on July 28 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 waterline break resulting in a loss of pressure in the distribution system.&nbsp; Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.&nbsp;

For consumer questions, please contact the water system at 620-653-2649, 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/1/0100019852f13906-7103a035-e9e9-4412-a2b9-b37f6c5b5ce2-000000/B7Jukr0PIg60Xj1doyrzAzUe7uUS_PICua6dDa8wKXQ=415">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 Russell County Rural Water District 3

July 31, 2025 is a fifth Thursday; therefore, there won't be a Hays City Commission work session that day.&nbsp;

No Hays City Commission work session this week

Beginning Monday, July 28, the 13th Street intersection in the 1300 block of Walnut in Hays, will be closed to traffic for pavement repairs.

 Work is anticipated to be completed by Friday, August 1, 2025, weather permitting. Traffic control will be set in areas of work being completed. 

The City of Hays regrets any inconvenience this may cause to the public. If there are any questions, please call the Public Works Department at 785-628-7350.

13th Street intersection at Walnut to close for pavement repairs starting Monday in Hays

As a valued contributing partner, Kansas Black Farmers Association will have events this weekend as part of the Nicodemus Homecoming Emancipation Celebration with events centered on agriculture, health and community. 

 While Homecoming is organized and hosted by NHEC, the farmer's association is excited to be part of the weekend’s programming.

Saturday, July 26 – 5K Run/Walk and pancake breakfast A fun, family-friendly race followed by a free pancake breakfast sponsored by the association and Lehi Mills.

Check-in: 7:30 a.m. &nbsp;Race Start: 8 a.m. &nbsp;Breakfast: 8:30 a.m.

 Free online registration through July 25

 $25 on-site registration (waiver required)

 Donations support the farmer's association programs.

Learn more: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kbfa.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExWmZXR1lyMUU4d3VEb0taTgEemkxhoCKzOWG6JdSuFMiOe4rpCw3L9EMXZxpk3msFKNrC63JcuR-jbUD2mwA_aem_o2-IQSLeOy6Ii5ytn5lchg&amp;h=AT3kS6qwt5JknlWUfYO4kN_LLOJoX38xyhHBSdHy22fBKFb5i50JZeDvh5A9jKxldcYVk3MyyvmpUa_bZx0zUWRk3VI1oE7D9gPEJUndJ2FUI-52miM8k0MRL1ttUofbtd7b9wjxGSYrIBqsuNlYcQ&amp;__tn__=-UK-y-R&amp;c[0]=AT1hOkzCfFmdJKX4cYAyZm163Ip4kSSI3FOBBUz4R1x-ZcaqJF4xEW1kgW7BJs2cu8cYIQlURBIoRFJUdLkpI6-pjnqUY6wjjkzFTK3vT-F9IFg0w352c4lvzEVAxSmVRiL6RWN1HwY9iuABK2ys6V4yPIGTFb8GflMkHH71b_rGbNgjSNggncApYAJYGfL_hgyKq7U96bk1cgXE1RxGTWs" target="_blank">www.kbfa.org</a>

Kansas Black Farmers Association set events during Nicodemus Homecoming this weekend

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

Tickets will be on sale Saturday in downtown Hays during Bazaar on the Bricks from 7:30 a.m. to noon or until sell out.

The Women Who Lead booth will be across the street from Diamond R Jewelers, between Eighth and Ninth streets.

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.

If any tickets remain, 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 Saturday at Bazaar on Bricks

Washington, D.C.&nbsp;— For 150 years, Presidents, Administrations, and White House Staff have longed for a large event space on the White House complex that can hold substantially more guests than currently allowed. 

President Donald J. Trump has expressed his commitment to solving this problem on behalf of future Administrations and the American people.

The White House is one of the most beautiful and historic buildings in the world, yet the White House is currently unable to host major functions honoring world leaders and other countries without having to install a large and unsightly tent approximately 100 yards away from the main building entrance. 

The White House State Ballroom will be a much-needed and exquisite addition of approximately 90,000 total square feet of innately designed and carefully crafted space, with a seated capacity of 650 people — a significant increase from the 200-person seated capacity in the East Room of the White House.

In recent weeks, President Trump has held several meetings with members of the White House Staff, the National Park Service, the White House Military Office, and the United States Secret Service to discuss design features and planning.&nbsp;President Trump has chosen McCrery Architects as lead architect, which is well-known for their classical architectural design and based in our nation’s capital. 

CEO Jim McCrery said: “Presidents in the modern era have faced challenges hosting major events at the White House because it has been untouched since President Harry Truman. I am honored that President Trump has entrusted me to help bring this beautiful and necessary renovation to The People’s House, while preserving the elegance of its classical design and historical importance.”

The construction team will be headed by Clark Construction, and the engineering team will be led by AECOM.&nbsp;The project will begin in September 2025, and it is expected to be completed long before the end of President Trump’s term.&nbsp;

President Trump, and other patriot donors, have generously committed to donating the funds necessary to build this approximately $200 million dollar structure. The United States Secret Service will provide the necessary security enhancements and modifications.&nbsp;

The White House Ballroom will be substantially separated from the main building of the White House, but at the same time, it’s theme and architectural heritage will be almost identical. The site of the new ballroom will be where the small, heavily changed, and reconstructed East Wing currently sits. 

The East Wing was constructed in 1902 and has been renovated and changed many times, with a second story added in 1942.

&nbsp;The White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles said the following: “President Trump is a builder at heart and has an extraordinary eye for detail. The President and the Trump White House are fully committed to working with the appropriate organizations to preserving the special history of the White House while building a beautiful ballroom that can be enjoyed by future Administrations and generations of Americans to come.”&nbsp;

See images of White House plans for new $200M ballroom

By JOSH FUNK AP Transportation Writer

Long-standing concerns about military helicopters flying in crowded airspace and worries over short staffing among federal aviation workers emerged Thursday as key factors in investigators' inquiry into the fatal midair crash between an Army helicopter and a commercial airliner earlier this year.

During the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/midair-collision-ntsb-washington-dc-army-helicopter-40f94a495e2e60b9adc5b9a49cce6437">second of three days of witness testimony and public inquiry</a>&nbsp;by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-crash-investigation-american-airlines-helicopter-ntsb-b78bce07efa055aa6f9c04e580ffe24e">National Transportation Safety Board</a>&nbsp;into the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-crash-62adba7fb1f546b4cf1716e42b86482b#:~:text=a%20military%20helicopter.-,ARLINGTON%2C%20Va.,in%20almost%20a%20quarter%20century.">January midair crash</a>&nbsp;over the Potomac River, the board focused on air traffic control.

The NTSB heard Thursday that it was common for pilots to ask to use visual separation — basically relying on their eyesight — just as the Army Black Hawk’s pilot agreed to do the night of the crash. FAA officials also said controllers relied heavily on pilots using visual separation as a way to manage the complex airspace with so many helicopters flying around Washington D.C.

But Rick Dressler, an official with medevac operator Metro Aviation, told the board it is difficult to identify other aircraft in the night sky around Ronald Reagan National Airport, especially if an onboard locator system was switched off, as Army choppers routinely did.

Dressler said that he and other civilian helicopter pilots have long been concerned about military helicopters flying around Reagan airport.

“I don’t like saying this. I’ll say it again on the record," Dressler, a former Army aviator and retired Air Force officer, said. “I’m speaking for my group there. We we are all very uncomfortable when those two units are operating.”

The Department of Defense referred questions about Thursday’s testimony to the Army, who did not immediately respond.

The Air Force also did not immediately respond to questions about Dressler’s remarks.

The American Airlines jet arrived from Wichita, Kansas, carrying, among others,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-plane-collision-victims-ee829891574aa35a30d8262b7e07e638">a group of elite young figure skaters</a>, their parents and coaches, and four union steamfitters from the Washington area.

The collision was the nation’s deadliest plane crash since November 2001 and was the first in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/air-india-crash-aviation-safety-76215f9d429274f3b5089e81baa97d6a">string of crashes</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/airline-flight-military-bomber-north-dakota-d4fb212c7875e89b2e9c7ec29709d74d">near misses</a>&nbsp;this year, despite statistics that still show flying remains the safest form of transportation.

It’s too early for the board to identify what exactly caused the crash. The board’s final report won’t be released until sometime next year.

James Jarvis helped evaluate Reagan airport operations for several years. During a 2022 evaluation, he said the airport was so far out of compliance on more than 33 items that the audit was stopped to help the facility identify where to improve.

Jarvis said that he was concerned about staffing levels, particularly the lack of support staff who helped air traffic controllers focus on what they needed to. And he said controller staffing levels were always on the low side.

"At one point I was told to quit bringing it up,” said Jarvis who works for FAA contractor Leidos.

In response to Jarvis' comments, the FAA said in a statement that it has “supercharged the air traffic controller hiring pipeline – shaving months off the process and incentivizing new recruits with bonuses, which resulted in the busiest July in FAA Academy’s history.”

Communications on board the helicopter moments before the collision were released as part of the board's investigation.

The Black Hawk pilots told the control tower twice that they had the passenger plane in sight and would maintain proper distance. But when the controller instructed the pilots to “pass behind” the jet, the crew didn’t hear that instruction because the helicopter's microphone key was pressed at that moment.

Just before the collision the helicopter's instructor pilot asked the pilot to come left. But it wasn’t clear if the pilot had time to maneuver before the crash.

“Kinda come left for me ma'am,” the instructor said.

Bryan Lehman, who has worked for the FAA for more than 35 years, said during Thursday's hearings that the agency must do better at listening to safety concerns.

Lehman, who works at a regional radar facility that directs planes into the D.C. area, said he sent a detailed memo in 2023 urging the FAA to reduce flights coming in and out of Reagan airport. But Lehman said the issue was dropped.

At several points throughout the hearing, NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy reminded FAA and Army witnesses that they are covered by whistleblower protections and shouldn’t be disciplined for anything they say.

But just before lunch on Thursday, she ordered a change in seating arrangements after a supervisor elbowed an FAA employee in midsentence during testimony, prompting that person to stop speaking.

“We want people to be fully transparent and feel safe in providing us answers. So we’re going to switch the panelists. I’m not going to put up with that,” Homendy said.

On the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/midair-collision-ntsb-washington-dc-army-helicopter-40f94a495e2e60b9adc5b9a49cce6437">first day of hearings Wednesday, investigators</a>&nbsp;highlighted the warnings about helicopter traffic that the Federal Aviation Administration received years before the tragedy over the Potomac River.

Homendy urged the FAA to “Fix it. Do better” at the end of a fiery exchange when she highlighted the warnings the agency ignored years earlier. She also suggested the Army adopt a formal policy making it clear that helicopter pilots should never fly under landing planes because pilots told investigators they were doing that routinely.

“Every sign was there that there was a safety risk and the tower was telling you that,” Homendy said.

But there were 21 bureaucratic steps the tower had to follow to get a change made and after the accident the FAA transferred managers out of the tower instead of acknowledging that they had been warned.

“What you did is you transferred people out instead of taking ownership over the fact that everybody in FAA in the tower was saying there was a problem,” Homendy said. “But you guys are pointing out, ‘Welp, our bureaucratic process. Somebody should have brought it up at some other symposium.’ Are you kidding me? 67 people are dead. How do you explain that?”

Ben Shtuhl, whose longtime girlfriend Melissa Nicandri was on the passenger jet, hopes the hearings will lead to accountability and meaningful reforms. But he sensed a lack of urgency, particularly from the FAA.

“We would think with a catastrophe like this that it would be kind of all hands on deck and that they would try to break the red tape and try to be proactive,” Shtuhl said.

Concern about distances between planes and helicopters

John Cox, an aviation safety expert and retired airline pilot, said the hearings are headed in the right direction to determine what happened and to prevent similar accidents.

His main concerns focus on the Black Hawk helicopter, including why it was above the 200-feet (61 meters) elevation limit for that particular helicopter route. Another question is why the Black Hawk wasn’t closer to the east bank of the Potomac River, where it would have been further away from landing airplanes.

“I’ve passed helicopters underneath me over the east bank of the Potomac a lot of times,” said Cox, who flew commercial airliners for 25 years. “And there’s always been plenty of separation. It’s not a lot because the space is so constrained. But you’re dealing with professional pilots and it’s not been a problem.”

Investigators said Wednesday the flight data recorder showed the helicopter was actually 80 feet to 100 feet (24 to 30 meters) higher than the barometric altimeter the pilots relied upon showed they were flying.

What NTSB heard in day 2 of hearings on fatal crash involving jet from Kansas

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas lawmakers killed diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, practices in all forms of state government, including universities, after slipping a provision into the state&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb125/" target="_blank">budget</a>.

Ahead of the Aug. 1 deadline to abide by the provision, Kansas Secretary of Administration Adam Proffitt confirmed Tuesday that all state agencies, universities and contracts have eliminated positions, mandates, programs, activities, training requirements, grants and contracts related to DEI.

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