By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

A long-abandoned downtown building has been transformed into a new event center in the heart of Hays.

Cassidy Sowers, general manager of Gella’s Diner and LB Brewing, said the space is designed to meet the demand for a larger venue downtown.

"It was technically a historical building, so we couldn't completely redo it," Sowers said. "We kind of brought old history back to life and added some modern touches to it."

The venue, 121 E. 11th St., was created from a vacant building next to the diner, which Sowers said now includes a state-of-the-art catering kitchen, bar and other amenities.

The room includes a projector and can hold up to 126 people with seating for 92, accommodating events such as business meetings, Christmas parties, small weddings, wedding receptions and celebrations of life.

Renovations began more than a year ago. Sowers said it is now available for booking, with reservations taken at 785-621-2739.

The Chamber in Hays will host <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/24032430886448819">a grand opening and ribbon-cutting</a> for the event center at 3 p.m. Sept. 4.

"We're eager to get this place going," Sowers said.

Sowers said culinary students from Fort Hays Tech North Central are already using the kitchen for classes conducted Mondays through Wednesdays.

In addition to the new space next door, Gella’s has renovated a smaller banquet room called The Nook to host smaller gatherings when the larger room is booked.

The Nook features a modern design with a TV and plug-ins for work meetings or small parties, and seating for up to 36 guests.&nbsp;Sowers said the smaller room can be reserved but is also available for everyday diners.

"I just want to get people in here. I want them to see it because it's a drastic change. It's a night-and-day difference," Sowers said.

The kitchen in the larger event venue will handle catering for off-site events, with a new menu to be introduced. Sowers said everything was made possible by the team she is a part of.

You can visit the diner's website <a href="https://www.lbbrewing.com/">here</a> and follow them on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LbBrewing">Facebook</a>.

New event center in downtown Hays open for booking

Kansas Department of Transportation

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

Phillipsburg resident among KDOT employees celebrating service anniversaries

MANHATTAN — More than 220 high school students from across the State of Kansas participated in the 2025 session of the American Legion Boys State of Kansas (ALBSK), held June 1-7 at Kansas State University in Manhattan. This was the program’s 33rd consecutive session at KSU and 87th overall. 

The objective of the ALBSK is to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to community, state and nation. 

Kansas Boys State provides a relevant, interactive, problem-solving experience in leadership and teamwork that develops self-identity, promotes mutual respect and instills civic responsibility. Boys State is a “learning by doing” political exercise that simulates elections, political parties and government at the state, county and local levels, providing opportunities to lead under pressure, showcasing character and working effectively within a team. It’s also an opportunity to gain pride and respect for government and the price paid by members of the military to preserve democracy.&nbsp;

Kansas Boys State has announced the following awards and honors from the week (all cities and high&nbsp;schools in Kansas unless noted):

• Advisor of the Year — James Snyder, Ozawkie, served as a KBS medical advisor and is the&nbsp;chair of the American Legion Department of Kansas Boys State Committee.

• Experienced Counselor of the Year (three or more years on staff) — Jordin Myers, Hays, served&nbsp;as head counselor of information technology. Myers was a 2021 and 2022 KBS delegate, and a&nbsp;2023 graduate of Hays High School.

• New Counselor of the Year (one or two years on staff) — Declan Wilson, Olathe, served as a&nbsp;city counselor. Wilson was a 2024 KBS delegate and a 2025 graduate of Olathe North High&nbsp;School.

&nbsp;Jared Tucker, Fall River, and a senior at West Elk High School in Howard, was named the American Legion Department of Kansas winner of the Samsung American Legion Scholarship. As the State of Kansas winner, Tucker receives a $1,250 scholarship, and his application moves on to the national level where he could receive a $5,000 award as a national runner-up or a $10,000 award as a national scholar. The national awards are expected to be announced in October.&nbsp;

Conner Harris, Arkansas City, and a senior at Arkansas City High School, was named winner of the $1,000 American Legion Boys State of Kansas Executive Director Scholarship. The winner of the scholarship, as selected by the KBS executive director, is presented to a Kansas Boys State delegate who demonstrated exceptional understanding of the KBS principles. The scholarship is designed to recognize individuals who are committed to applying the knowledge and leadership skills gained from Boys State in their schools and communities.&nbsp;

Gabriel Kumar, Lawrence, a senior at Veritas Christian School in Lawrence, received the William “Bill” F. Stahl Outstanding Justice Award, given to the outstanding member of the Boys State of Kansas Supreme Court as voted on by his Supreme Court peers. The award is presented in recognition of outstanding commitment to justice under the law and dedicated service to Boys State of Kansas. Stahl, of Junction City, passed away in September 2015 and was a longtime supporter of the ALBSK.&nbsp;

Winston Mays, Topeka, a senior at Washburn Rural High School, was named the Outstanding Senator, while Tristan Jenkins, Olathe, a senior at Olathe South High School, was named the Outstanding State Representative (Jenkins was also elected to represent Kansas Boys State at Boys Nation this summer).

The 88th session of the American Legion Boys State of Kansas is scheduled to be held the week of Sunday, May 31, through Saturday, June 6, 2026, again at Kansas State University. For information on becoming a delegate (applications are now open for high school sophomores and juniors during the 2025-26 academic year), nominating a delegate or sponsoring a delegate, visit <a href="https://ksbstate.org/">https://ksbstate.org</a>.

Hays, Otis attendees earn awards at Boys State of Kansas 2025 session

By ALEXANDRA MIDDLEWOOD Insight Kansas

For more than 160 years, mail-in voting has been a fixture of American democracy—especially in Kansas. 

During the Civil War, Union soldiers stationed far from home were granted the right to vote by mail, a practice that laid the foundation for absentee voting as we know it. Kansas, in fact, was among the earliest adopters of mail-in voting for non-military, allowing railroad workers to vote absentee as early as 1901.

Today, however, that legacy is under pressure. 

Starting in 2026, Kansas voters will face one of the shortest mail-in voting windows in the country. A new law, passed by the Republican-majority legislature, eliminated the three-day grace period that previously allowed ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted if they arrived shortly after. Now, all mail ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day to be valid.

Supporters of the change argue it will increase confidence in election results by ensuring a uniform deadline. Critics, however, see it as a step backward—one that risks disenfranchising rural voters, seniors, and college students who rely on the mail to participate in elections.

The grace period, enacted in 2017, was a bipartisan response to slow postal delivery, especially in rural areas. 

Data from the Kansas Secretary of State’s office shows that in the 2024 election, about 2,800 ballots arrived after Election Day. Of those, only about 75% of those were counted, with the remainder rejected due to missing postmarks or arriving beyond the grace period deadline. 

The impact was even more pronounced in the 2024 primary, when approximately 1,000 Kansans (2% of voters) were effectively disenfranchised. Their ballots, mailed on time, failed to reach election offices by the cutoff and were discarded, despite voters having followed the rules. At first glance, 2% might seem insignificant, but it’s more than enough to sway an election. In fact, it is far larger than the margin of victory in the 2018 Republican gubernatorial primary and comes close to the margin in the 2022 general election for governor.

These numbers underscore the real-world consequences of tightening mail-in voting rules, especially for voters who do everything right but are let down by slow delivery. 

Yet despite these setbacks, the push to restrict mail-in voting continues to gain traction nationally, often driven by voices that have repeatedly cast doubt on democratic institutions—frequently under the guise of protecting election integrity. President Trump recently vowed to “lead a movement” to end mail-in ballots ahead of the 2026 midterms, describing them as “corrupt” and alleging “massive fraud”—despite lack of evidence to support these claims. These remarks echo long-standing skepticism towards mail voting, even as courts, election officials, and independent experts continue to affirm security and reliability. 

The push to restrict mail-in voting is not new, but its intensity has escalated, placing states like Kansas at the center of the national conversation about access, trust, and the future of democratic participation.

Kansans themselves appear to support keeping mail-in voting accessible. According to the 2024 Kansas Speaks survey conducted by the Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State&nbsp;University, a minority of respondents (23%) expressed support for ending mail-in voting options. Even fewer (11.6%) think voter fraud is a routine problem in Kansas.

The move to curtail mail-in voting in Kansas is not just a policy change—it’s a philosophical one. It signals a departure from a long-standing tradition of making voting easier for those who cannot be physically present at the polls. From Civil War soldiers to modern-day students and retirees, mail-in voting has served as a vital tool for civic participation.

As the 2026 midterms approach and calls to eliminate mail-in ballots echo from the nation’s capitol, Kansans—both voters and lawmakers alike—face a pivotal choice: whether to uphold a long-standing democratic tradition or allow it to be quietly dismantled.

The debate is not merely about deadlines and delivery speeds, it’s about the kind of democracy Kansans want to preserve. Will it be one that adapts to the needs of its citizens, or one that narrows the path to the ballot box?

In the end, the question isn’t whether mail-in voting is convenient. It’s whether it’s essential. History suggests it is.&nbsp;

Alexandra Middlewood, PhD, is an associate professor and chair of the Political Science Department at Wichita State University.

Insight Kansas: Kansas mail-in voting faces historic crossroads

<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

Family Worship: Things to Expect in the Last Days - Acts 2:16-21

TOPEKA — Thousands of vehicles will travel the Kansas roadways during the Labor Day weekend. Many families will head out for the long weekend as summer ends and the school year begins. 

Kids Kansas, which is sponsored by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), State Farm Insurance and the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), want to encourage families to buckle up and drive safely to protect their most important cargo, their families.

This year, from Aug. 25 through Sept. 7, a safety belt awareness campaign called “Bucks for Buckles” will be held in 41 cities across Kansas. 

Local volunteers will distribute dollar bills to drivers&nbsp;who have all occupants buckled up securely in their vehicles. Those riding unrestrained will receive educational materials about the effectiveness of seat belts and child safety seats in saving lives and reducing injuries.

“No one can predict when they will be involved in a motor vehicle crash, yet almost all of us will be involved in a crash in our lifetime. In 2024, 339 people lost their lives on Kansas roadways, and approximately 30 percent were unbuckled*,”&nbsp;Cherie Sage, state director for Safe Kids Kansas, said.&nbsp;“The single most effective means of protecting the lives of you and your passengers is wearing seat belts and using appropriate child safety seats every time you ride in the vehicle – even short distances.”

According to the 2023 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Seat Belt Use Survey, 85 percent of Kansans surveyed were wearing their seat belts, compared to the national average of 90 percent.&nbsp;Kansas saw a nearly 2 percent decline in seat belt usage from 2022 to 2023. 

Seat belts save more than 15,000 lives yearly and are the best defense against drunk, aggressive and distracted drivers.

“Seat belts reduce your chances of serious injury from a vehicle crash by as much as 50 percent,”&nbsp;Sage said. “It’s such a simple thing, so take your life into your own hands and buckle up.”

For more information about safety belts or child safety seat use, call 785-296-1223 or visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/http:%2F%2Fwww.safekidskansas.org%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01000198ce022938-2410be80-610e-4929-a157-45831b53c6fa-000000/UwaEc_JNfkhNS1V1y8Zv33zPX_VWWrKNg4qi9KTk_Gs=419">SafeKidsKansas.org</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/http:%2F%2Fwww.safekids.org%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01000198ce022938-2410be80-610e-4929-a157-45831b53c6fa-000000/bdxL4SCr0ME5jGR5XL5ivRa18i_7noOoAbXZOsFU7y4=419">SafeKids.org</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/http:%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsafekidskansas%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01000198ce022938-2410be80-610e-4929-a157-45831b53c6fa-000000/_5seDkT5N-Y-FHo_YmtdbKYBUuBFDuMlF6LUoS4rHYc=419">Facebook.com/safekidskansas</a>.

Bucks rewarded to drivers who buckle up

By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension District

As we move into the latter part of the growing season, it is time to consider late summer and fall pests as well as your plans for next year. 

Both stable and horn fly populations tend to decline over the dry, hot part of summer but can resurge in late summer into fall if sufficient rainfall occurs. 

Horn flies are found on the back and belly of the animals and stay constantly associated with the cattle host making topical insecticides (pour-ons, sprays and ear tags) effective control methods, with appropriate rotation. 

Stable flies in contrast feed preferentially on the legs of the animal for a short period of time (2-4 minutes), 1-2 times a day. This low contact time with the host makes chemical control difficult to achieve. Decaying hay and plant material are a primary breeding for stable flies; pay special attention to hay bale and feed wastage and surrounding crop fields.

House fly populations will continue to increase through the summer and can be a significant problem for feedlots and dairies. 

Minimize feed wastage spilled over bunkers and keep pens well scraped, paying special attention to areas around feed bunkers, water stations and under fence lines. Baits and traps can be useful against house flies; make sure the traps are placed away from buildings such as offices as they will attract flies to the location. 

Fall can also see face flies trying to enter barns and buildings for a place to overwinter. Sealing off cracks and crevices can remove these overwintering spots. If a second fall fly population boom occurs, any early season on-animal interventions applied are unlikely to still be effective this late in the season. If reapplying products within the same season, do not change insecticide group.

Larvae of the cattle grub should be treated in fall or early winter using oral medications or pour-ons. Treatment should not be carried out in January or February due to the potential for severe reactions. 

Lice populations also tend to thrive in cooler weather, watch out for patches of hair loss and rubbing, indicative of lice problems. Part the hair, especially along the neck and back of the animal and look for small cream insects about 1/16th of an inch. If large numbers of lice are observed, pour-on treatments can effectively treat lice infestation. Treatment must be repeated after two weeks to target any nits that were not killed after the first treatment.

Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

BOOR: Late summer, early fall pests for feedlots, dairies

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Scammers posing as government agencies or well-known businesses are increasingly going after retirees’ life savings. They weave a web of lies about some bogus crisis. Then they trick older adults into giving them tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The scams start with lies designed to create a sense of urgency and fear.

• Lie #1: Someone is using your accounts.&nbsp;Scammers pretend to be a bank employee with a warning about suspicious account activity. Or claim to be an Amazon rep following up on potentially fraudulent purchases. • Lie #2: Your information is being used to commit crimes.&nbsp;Scammers might say they're with the government and tell their target that their Social Security number is linked to serious crimes. • Lie #3: There’s a security problem with your computer.&nbsp;This lie might start with a computer security alert that warns of a hacked computer with a phone number to call for help.

Once they’ve convinced their mark that this crisis is real, they make empty promises and offer fake “help.” They say the only way to get out of the situation is to follow their very specific instructions — which always involve moving money. They tell their target that doing so will protect the money in their accounts or clear their name. Some say they're helping catch the “real” criminals.

A new FTC data spotlight report,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/data-visualizations/data-spotlight">False alarm, real scam: how scammers are stealing older adults’ life savings</a>, shows that reports of losses to business and government imposters filed by older adults (60+) are soaring. Many reported losing tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars. In fact, reported losses of over $100,000 increased nearly sevenfold from 2020 to 2024.

How can you protect yourself from a business or government imposter scam?

Government agencies will never threaten you, and they’ll never tell you to transfer your money to “protect it,” deposit cash into Bitcoin ATMs, or hand off stacks of cash or gold to a courier. That’s a scam. Report it to the FTC at&nbsp;<a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>.

For more advice, check out&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/how-avoid-imposter-scams">How To Avoid Imposter Scams</a>.

FTC: Business and government impersonators go after older adults’ life savings

On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Becky Kiser talks about understanding pre-diabetes with Jessica Phelan, Fort Hays State University Department of Health and Human Performance assistant professor.

🎙 Post Podcast: Understanding pre-diabetes

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Fort Hays State University broke ground on expanding Stroup Hall to address the growing need for Kansas health care workers.

FHSU President Tisa Mason introduced speakers at the ceremony for the $15.4 million project that will add 30,000 square feet to the nursing building.

"This commitment to education and health care lays the foundation for a brighter future and in some cases, the very survival of our rural communities," Mason said.

Stroup Hall opened in 1981 and has played a vital role in nursing education as the demand for health care professionals in rural areas continues to grow.

The project will unite the Departments of Nursing and Allied Health under one roof, placing Allied Health on the second floor and providing state-of-the-art spaces for learning and training.

FHSU Nursing Chairwoman Jenny Manry and Allied Health Chairwoman Christa Beiker said the expansion will allow the two departments to collaborate more closely in training the next generation of students, including those studying from home.

"[Our new hybrid program] strengthens our ability to prepare highly qualified nurses, while ensuring that rural communities throughout Kansas have access to health care professionals they urgently need," Manry said.

"We want them to get out there, hit the ground running, and be successful and competent out in the clinical environment," Beiker said. "A lot of our students stay at the hospitals where they need to go for clinicals. They're filling those voids."

Mason said enrollment in the nursing program is expected to grow by more than 65% and in medical diagnostic imaging by more than 40% with the expansion.

The project, funded by the Kansas Legislature, will include simulation labs, updated classrooms and hands-on training opportunities, with completion expected in December 2026, Mason said.

Jeff Briggs, dean of FHSU’s College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, said Sen. Jerry Moran helped secure $3 million in federal funding.

"Their support signifies their commitment to not only our students but also the hospitals, the clinics and care facilities here in western Kansas and throughout the state," Briggs said.

At the ceremony, Sen. Rick Billinger said the day was not only about breaking ground but about planting seeds of service, while highlighting the critical role of nurses.

"Together, we are building more than a facility. We are building a legacy," Billinger said.

In a previous interview with FHSU Alumni Director Kim Cebula, Briggs said annual admissions to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program have grown from 60 to 80 students in 15 years.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/830b6fd6-d1e7-4180-a549-41470fa3cf76">SEE RELATED STORY: FHSU to expand Stroup Hall, nursing program for students</a>

Briggs recognized the support of Hays Medical Center, several critical access hospitals, and nearby technical and community colleges.

You can follow the FHSU <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NursingFHSU">Department of Nursing</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FHSUAlliedHealth/">Department of Allied Health</a> on Facebook.

FHSU Stroup Hall breaks ground to expand nursing program

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

&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

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

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

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri.

&nbsp;Just after 4p.m. Saturday, patrol officers were dispatched to the 1700 block of East 12th Terrace in Kansas City on a shots fired call for service, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

 While in route the call was upgraded to a shooting. Additional call notes indicated someone had possibly been stabbed, as well. When officers arrived they were directed to an apartment building within the complex. As they entered an apartment they located a man suffering from unknown bodily trauma.

KCFD EMS responded and pronounced the victim deceased at the scene. Two additional victims were located on scene. A man suffering from a gun shot wound. A boy was suffering from head trauma by unknown means.&nbsp; 

Both transported to a local hospital with non life threatening injuries. While on scene officers learned a fourth victim was at a local hospital. A private vehicle transported a woman to the hospital for treatment of a stab wound. She was listed in serious condition, according to DiMartino.

This is being investigated as a homicide and there is no one in custody.&nbsp; &nbsp;Preliminary information revealed a possible altercation between several individuals. Detectives and crime scene personnel were on scene canvassing for witnesses, evidence, and surveillance footage.

1 dead, 3 injured including a juvenile in fight at KC apartment 

By&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/john-hanna">JOHN HANNA</a> Associated Press

As California and Texas scramble to redraw U.S. House maps before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-big-bill-midterm-election-republican-23652b22f1d760f5e3254ad4c3b642e6">2026 midterm elections,</a>&nbsp;the race is underlining redistricting’s big role in determining political power.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-redistricting-congressional-map-882eae23a280a68dd6e0fc5a3bf11a0d">Texas took action</a>&nbsp;after President Donald Trump directed Republican-controlled states to change where the district lines are drawn based on where the population is likely to vote Republican — a practice known as partisan gerrymandering.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-texas-redistricting-congressional-map-4c22e21d5d4022d33a257045693b6fd4">California Democrats</a>&nbsp;on Thursday approved their redrawn congressional map in response.

Midterm elections often go against the president’s party. Trump is trying to avoid a repeat of the 2018 midterms, when the GOP yielded control during his first presidency to a Democratic majority that stymied his agenda and twice impeached him.

Early Saturday, the GOP-controlled state Senate approved the new maps over Democratic opposition, meaning they now go before Republican Gov. Greg Abbott for his signature. The governor has vowed to sign off on the newly drawn congressional districts soon. The maps were drawn so Republicans could potentially pick up five seats in Congress.

The maps OK'd by the California Legislature were drawn so Democrats could add five seats. California voters will decide in a November special election whether to approve the maps.

Kansas Republicans haven’t ruled out redistricting

Republican state Senate President Ty Masterson didn’t rule out trying to redraw the state’s four congressional districts, one of which is held by the state's sole Democrat House representative.

The Legislature's GOP-supermajority could do so early next year, which would put the new lines in place before the June 1 candidate filing deadline.

Each decade, the Census Bureau collects population data that is used to divvy up the 435 U.S. House seats proportionally among the 50 states. States that grew relative to others might gain a House seat at the expense of states in which populations stagnated or declined.

California and Texas, with the highest populations, have the highest number of representatives of all states.

Most states use their own rules and procedures to create the districts represented by each House member. The states with the lowest population numbers receive only one representative, which means the entire state is a single congressional district.

Americans can find their representative and see a map of their district on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative" target="_blank">U.S. House website</a>.

The word&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gerrymandering-texas-congress-redistricting-0c751f48a7757fc11214472944670413">“gerrymander” was coined in America over 200 years ago</a>&nbsp;as an unflattering means of describing political manipulation in legislative mapmaking.

In states where lawmakers make the maps: If a political party controls a state’s legislature and governor’s office — or has such a large legislative majority that it can override vetoes — it can effectively draw districts to its advantage.

One common method of gerrymandering is for a majority political party to draw maps that pack voters who support the opposing party into a few districts, thus allowing the majority party to win a greater number of surrounding districts.

Another method is for the majority party to dilute the power of an opposing party’s voters by spreading them among multiple districts.

By the first midterm elections after the most recent population count, each state is ready with its district maps, but those districts don’t always hold. Courts can find that the political lines are unconstitutional.

While some states have their own limitations, there is no national impediment to a state trying to redraw districts in the middle of the decade. The U.S. Supreme Court in 2019 ruled that the Constitution does not prohibit partisan gerrymandering to increase a party’s clout, only gerrymandering that’s explicitly done by race.

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