By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Wellbrock family faced the inconceivable.

While his parents thought 3-year-old Matthew was quietly eating his lunch, the boy had snuck out of the house into the garage and been crushed between the garage door and a heavy truck tailgate.

Matthew was rushed to the hospital and had to be lifeflighted to a trauma center.

A friend brought the family a bag with simple items, which proved essential as they held vigil by little Matthew's bedside.

Tragically, Matthew did not survive his injuries.

However, as a memorial to their son, the Wellbrocks, in cooperation with Women Who Lead, created the Matthew's Gift program, which provides a bag of essential hygiene and comfort supplies to families whose loved ones have been transferred to other hospitals&nbsp;from HaysMed in an emergency.

Since the program began in 2019, hundreds of local families have received the bags and the aid they bring.

However, demand for the bags has been increasing, and Women Who Lead is searching to add to its list of sponsors or individual donors to continue the program.

Each bag and its contents cost $124.75. HaysMed distributed 137 bags in 2024. The hospital projects it will need 144 bags in 2025. Werth Wealth Management provides water, D &amp; L Body Shop provides playing cards, Golden Plains Credit Union provides a notepad and HaysMed provides some of the hygine items and phone chargers.&nbsp;

Nancy Jeter, a Women Who Lead board member, said the organization estimates the program will cost $14,000 per year moving forward.

Jeanna Wellbrock, Matthew's mother, said, "People don't realize when you just take off and leave what you don't have."

Jeanna had quickly packed a bag, but she wouldn't leave Matthew's side even to walk to the car or go to the cafeteria. An acquaintance from Wichita, an EMT, brought the family a bag of essentials—the bag that would ultimately be the model for Matthew's Gift.

"That bag showed up, and I remember pulling the toothbrush out and brushing my teeth for the first time in three days," she said. 

"I remember thinking, 'Well, that feels good.' I know that may seem so incredibly trivial, but it was just that little thing that made you feel a little more normal in a really unnormal situation."

The Wellbrocks have five other children besides Matthew. The children were in seventh grade, fourth grade, kindergarten plus 9-month-old twin girls, and the kids were at the hospital with their parents.

"There was this whole chaos going on, and there were people who were helping with the chaos, but there was something in that bag for everybody," she said. ...

"There was a deck of cards in there, and the kids sat in the waiting room and played slapjack," she said.

Her friend had packed the bag with Chex mix, which the kids ate. They loved going through the bag, and it was something to distract them.

"There was something for each of the kids so they didn't feel like they were lost in the chaos," she added.

Jeanna said working to launch Matthew's gift was a source of healing for her husband.

The Wellbrocks had twin daughters who were only 9 months old when Matthew died. They have no memory of Matthew. They know of him through what others have shared with them and the Matthew's Gift program.

"It's their connection to Matthew, whom they didn't know," she said. "It's helped all of us in a different way by keeping his memory alive, but also giving us a connection to something."

His mother said Matthew was the kind of kid who, even at 3, wanted to jump in and help, so she said it is very fitting that a program such as this bears his name.

"It doesn't matter if you are an older person or a younger person, everybody gets a bag who gets sent out," Jeanna said.

Women Who Lead regularly receive thank-you cards from people who have received the bags,&nbsp;but so do the Wellbrocks.

A father recently shared his experience with the program with Women Who Lead.

“When my newborn daughter was flown to Denver with an unknown heart defect, someone handed me Matthew’s Gift bag as I boarded the midnight flight out of Hays Regional with nothing but a change of clothes," he said.

"The snacks, water, toothbrush, and phone charger—basic travel stuff—became lifelines at 3 a.m. when I wouldn't leave her side, especially when I realized that bottle of water came from my local bank. Thank you to the sponsors of Matthew's Gift and to Women Who Lead for your continued support for families like mine in need."

Jeanna was most touched by a phone call she received from a friend. Her son was being flown out of Hays because he had an RSV infection.

"She called me from the parking lot as she was walking out to her car, " Jeanna said. "She was crying. She said, 'I wasn't expecting this, but I know everything is going to be OK. They handed me this, and for whatever reason, I know everything is going to be OK, now.'"

A mother who had a loved one flown out of Hays reached out to thank the Wellbrocks. She said she had to leave Hays right at supper time, and she had her small kids with her.

"They needed to eat, but I was not stopping," the woman told Jeanna.

"That saved having to run through a drive-through. Being able to hand that back to the other kids was huge," the woman told Jeanna.

Until you have gone through something like that, you don't realize how hard it is to pack and know exactly what you need,"&nbsp;Jeanna said.

"Having that thought process taken care of for you when your brain is all over the place is a huge relief. You're trying to process something so absolutely catastrophic."

Not everyone who has a loved one flown out of Hays is facing a life-or-death situation.

"For the people who are facing a life-or-death situation, they're in a place you can't even imagine being, because your brain won't let you go there until you have to," Jeanna said.

"They are being supported in a way you can't explain to someone who hasn't done it. ... Knowing there is that little bit of comfort. I don't know if that's the right word, because there's nothing comforting about your kid being put on a helicopter and flown out, but knowing there is the support."

"It's that little piece of home. It's holding on to your roots and knowing whatever happens, it's going to be OK," she said.

After learning about the Matthew's Gift program in Hays, members from other communities have asked about initiating similar programs at other hospitals, Jeanna said, spreading Matthew's love even further.

If you would like to donate to Matthew Gift, visit <a href="https://womenwholead.org/">womenwholead.org</a>&nbsp;and click on the "Directed Donation" button on the homepage. Check the Matthew Gift box under "Where do you want your donation directed?"

You can also send checks payable to Women Who Lead to&nbsp;PO Box 453, Hays, KS 67601, with "Matthew's Gift" in the description line. You can also email contact@womenwholead.org for more information on donating to the program or becoming a sponsor.

Each canvas bag contains the following: Bottled water Cheese crackers w/cheese Rice Crispy bars Pretzel crisps Cookies Cheez-It Crackers Animal crackers Hershey Kisses Breakfast bars Slim Jims Fruit snacks Hard Candy Mints Chewing gum Journal/unlined plain notebook Women Who Lead ink pen Note pad Colored pencils Adult coloring book Crossword puzzle book Sudoku puzzle book Word search book Mechanical pencil Deck of playing cards Toothbrush Toothpaste Mouthwash Deodorant Hand sanitizer Tissues Phone charger Plastic baggies Envelopes/inserts Fleece blanket $50 Visa gas card for gas/food, etc.

Matthew's Gift seeks funds to continue gift of comfort to families of critically ill

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

&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

WAKEENEY —&nbsp;The Hoxie Hotrodders are coming to show an outdoor movie at our location at the Trego SkyView Drive-In Theater in WaKeeney on Friday, July 25.

Mini car show, 1950s costume contest and a taste of a drive-in.&nbsp; This will be a small taste of what is to come. Join us with your own hot rod and dress the part.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Gates open at 7 p.m. Movie starts at dusk. Concessions will be available.&nbsp;

Suggested donation is $5 per person.&nbsp;

&nbsp;We are still raising funds for our big projector and bathrooms.&nbsp;

Hoxie Hotrodders, 'Grease' Friday night fundraiser at Trego SkyView Drive-In Theater

The Kansas Office of Veterans Services Office in partnership with the Garden City American Legion Post 9 invites all Veterans, military, and family members to attend the Garden City, Kansas Veterans Claims and Resource Fair at American Legion Post 9, 405 S. Main St., Garden City, Kansas on August 15-16, 2025. Benefits experts will offer on-site one-on-one assistance for claims, benefits, PACT Act issues and all Veteran benefits. No appointments are needed.

Accredited Veteran Service Representatives will be available to assist Veterans, active military members near their separation date, family members, and the public with all types of VA claims and benefits. KOVS Director Bill Turner said “These professionals are experts on State and Federal benefits available to Veterans and surviving spouses. We urge Veterans not to miss this opportunity to apply for benefits you have earned through your service to this country.”

“We also encourage community and business leaders to visit and learn about those benefits as well, in order to best support Veterans in your community,” Turner stated.

Some benefits include VA health care, service-connected claims, readjustment counseling information, Veteran Employment Services, and much more.

Attendees are strongly encouraged to bring discharge paperwork (DD-214) or claim file number, marriage certificate, and available medical records to help simplify the application for benefits. 


What: GARDEN CITY, KANSAS VETERAN CLAIMS AND RESOURCE FAIR When: 9:00am-6:00pm August 15, 2025 / 8:00am-Noon August 16, 2025 Where: American Legion Post 9, 405 S. Main St., Garden City, KS

NOTE: Final claim taken at 1700 August 15 / 1100 August 16. If Claim is already developed/ready to rate, must notify KOVS at 785.296.3977 by August 12

For questions or comments please contact Michelle Sweeney, Director of Public Affairs, at 785.940.1221 or michelle.sweeney@ks.gov

Garden City, Kansas veteran claims, resource fair

Ellis County Extension Master Gardeners

Saturday, July 26, from 7:30 a.m. until noon, Ellis County Extension Master Gardeners will demonstrate the dividing and planting of irises at the Downtown Market at the Pavilion, 10th and Main, Hays. 

Rhizomes will be available for a suggested donation of $1.00 each. The proceeds will benefit Ellis County Extension Master Gardeners.

Iris planting demonstration, plant sale Saturday at Downtown Hays Market by Ellis County Extension Master Gardeners

Government surplus commodities will be distributed in Hays at&nbsp;Unite Free Shelves (inside The Gamers Guild), 200 E. 8th Street in Hays, on Tuesday, July 29 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Commodities will be distributed on a first-come-first-serve basis until we run out.&nbsp;Doors will not open until 7:30 a.m.

To be eligible for commodities, your household's total monthly income must be below: $2,413&nbsp;Household of one $3,261&nbsp;&nbsp;Household of two $4,109&nbsp;Household of three $4,957&nbsp;&nbsp;Household of four $5,805&nbsp;&nbsp;Household of five $6,653&nbsp;Household of six $7,501&nbsp;Household of seven $8,349&nbsp;&nbsp;Household of eight

*Add&nbsp; $848&nbsp;for each additional family member after eight

Commodities included in this distribution are anticipated to be  kidney beans, dehydrated potatoes, instant milk, chicken breast, apple juice, crackers, chicken leg quarters, peanut butter, and cut beans.&nbsp;

Contact Brandon Nimz, Unite Ministry Leader with any questions at 785-259-2539.&nbsp;

****Future Anticipated Commodities Dates for 2025****

Future commodity distribution times will be posted at:&nbsp;(<a target="_blank" href="http://unitehays.com/index.php/hays-commodity-distribution/">https://unitehays.com/index.php/hays-commodity-distribution/</a>)

Government surplus commodities to be distributed Tuesday in Hays

Kansas State Department of Education

TOPEKA — The Kansas State Department of Education announces the participation of all Kansas school districts and many private schools in the National School Lunch and/or School Breakfast Program.

For Hays USD 489, find the free and reduced price lunch <a href="https://usd489nutritionservices.com/">application here</a>.

Local school officials have adopted the following household income guidelines for determining eligibility for Child Nutrition Program benefits:

Application forms and an informational letter to households are available from the school district or private school. Additional copies are available at the principal’s business office in each school. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year. An application for reduced price or free Child Nutrition Program benefits can’t be approved unless it contains complete eligibility information as indicated on the application and instructions.

Households receiving food assistance or Temporary Assistance to Families (TAF) will be notified that their children will be provided free benefits unless the household notifies the school that it chooses to decline benefits. Households receiving assistance under these programs should submit an application only if they aren’t notified of their eligibility by a specified date determined by the schools. If a household receiving food assistance, TAF or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) completes an application, the children’s names, the food assistance, TAF or FDPIR case number, as well as the signature of an adult household member, must be provided.

Participants in the special supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) or receiving certain Medicaid benefits may be eligible for reduced price or free benefits. Households with WIC participants should complete an application as described above.&nbsp; Households approved for program benefits based on Medicaid will be notified.

Households with children who are enrolled in the Head Start Program or the Migrant Education Program or who are considered homeless or runaway by the school district’s homeless liaison should contact the school for assistance in receiving benefits.

Foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a state child welfare agency or court are eligible for free meals regardless of income. The state must retain legal custody of a child. Households will be notified that the foster child(ren) will be provided free benefits unless the household notifies the school that it chooses to decline benefits.

 Free eligibility is NOT extended to other students in households with foster children, but households with a foster child(ren) can submit an application and list all household members including the foster child(ren). A foster family application could result in different eligibility for family members, such as the foster child(ren) free and the other students could be reduced or free or not eligible for benefits.

Households not receiving Food Assistance, TAF or FDPIR apply for benefits by completing one application for all children in the household. The application must list names of everyone in the household; the amount of income each household member now receives; source of income; the last four digits of the Social Security number of the household member who signs the application or a statement that the household member does not possess one; and the signature of an adult household member certifying that the information provided is correct. The information is confidential and will be used only for the purpose of determining eligibility. The eligibility status may be verified at any time during the school year by school or other program officials.

Under provisions of the reduced price and free benefit policy, the determining official will review applications and determine eligibility.&nbsp; Parents or guardians who are dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. Parents wishing to make a formal appeal may make a request either orally or in writing for a hearing on the decision.&nbsp; Contact the school district or private school for the name, address and phone number of the hearing official and information about the hearing procedures.

If a household member becomes unemployed or if household size changes, the household should contact the school. Such changes may make the child(ren) in the household eligible for reduced price or free benefits if the household income falls at or below the levels shown above.

Each school’s office and/or the district's/organization’s main office has a copy of the policy for reduced price and free benefits, which may be reviewed by any interested party.

Reduced price, free school meals available for Kansas students

Ellis Police Department school supply drive underway

COLBY — In November 2023, the Colby Community College Board of Trustees approved the Colby Commitment Scholarship to increase access to higher education for area high school students who qualify for free and reduced-price lunches.

In just three semesters, the scholarship has covered tuition, fees, and books for 598 juniors and seniors across CCC’s 14-county service area. Students have completed 6,082 credit hours, totaling $617,925.

“We are so thrilled to be able to offer this level of support to Northwest Kansas," said President Dr. Seth Carter. "It has been an institutional priority to continue to serve our service area and make education more accessible. The Colby Commitment Scholarship has enabled us to do that, and we are so excited that it is changing and improving lives.”

The scholarship is available during the fall 2025 semester. 

Eligible students attend high schools in the following counties: Cheyenne, Decatur, Gove, Graham, Logan, Norton, Phillips, Rawlins, Rooks, Sheridan, Sherman, Thomas, Trego, and Wallace. 

Students must meet the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) income guidelines to qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Additionally, all juniors and seniors from public, private, or homeschool programs in Thomas County qualify.

Students outside Thomas County who do not qualify for free or reduced lunch can still enroll in courses for just $50 per credit hour, which includes tuition, fees, and books.

For more information, students are encouraged to speak with their high school guidance counselor, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.colbycc.edu/commitmento">www.colbycc.edu/commitment</a>, or contact the Registrar's Office at 785-460-5509 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:registrar@colbycc.edu">registrar@colbycc.edu</a>.

Colby Community College Commitment Scholarship benefits almost 600 students

The Heartland Community Foundation is proud to announce the 2025–26 Youth Action Council members. 

This leadership and community engagement program brings together high school students from across Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties to learn about philanthropy, develop projects, and make a lasting impact in their communities.

The Youth Action Council empowers students to serve as ambassadors for youth voice and youth-led change. Members will meet monthly throughout the school year to discuss community needs, review grant applications, develop leadership skills, and launch local service projects.

This year’s council includes 41 students representing eight high schools from across the Heartland region. There are 14 new members and 27 returning members.

Heartland is excited to welcome this new and returning class of YAC members and looks forward to another great year of youth leadership, service, and impact across the region.

Learn more about the Youth Action Council at: https:<a href="https://heartlandcommunityfoundation.org/impact/heartland-community-foundation-youth-action-council/">//heartlandcommunityfoundation.org/impact/heartland-community-foundation-youth-action-council/</a>

Youth from Ellis, Rooks, Trego counties appointed to Youth Action Council for Heartland Community Foundation 

WAKEENEY — The Post Rock Leadership Institute is proud to announce the graduation of nineteen law enforcement professionals from the 10-11 Leadership Experience, an intensive, multi-month leadership development program designed specifically for current and emerging leaders in law enforcement.

The program equips participants to lead with purpose, authenticity, and integrity across all areas of life, including their agencies, families, and communities. Through a focus on resilience, emotional intelligence, relational leadership, and transformational change, the 10-11 Leadership Experience prepares leaders to thrive in complex and high-pressure environments.

Built on three core pillars—Self Mastery, Relationship Mastery, and Agency Mastery—the program combines interactive learning, peer collaboration, and real-world application. Graduates are prepared to build resilient teams, improve interagency cooperation, and foster positive workplace cultures.

“This experience is about more than leadership theory and best practices,” said Dr. Seth Kastle, CEO of the Post Rock Leadership Institute. “It’s about equipping officers to lead with clarity, purpose, and conviction so they can create lasting impact within their agencies and communities.”

The program was born out of a vision to strengthen leadership and retention across law enforcement in western Kansas.

 “Leadership is the foundation needed to build and maintain law enforcement careers,” said Travis Phillips, captain, Kansas Highway Patrol Troop D. “10-11 Leadership Experience brings it all together. Introducing leadership qualities to our officers is an investment in our agency’s future. The diversity in the individual experience of those attending and the course curriculum builds leadership qualities in officers’ lives at home, in their communities, and their law enforcement profession.”

The Post Rock Leadership Institute looks forward to continuing its mission of empowering leaders who serve with excellence, integrity, and heart.

· Deputy Alex Baker – Trego County Sheriff’s Office

· Corporal Brandon Bell – Hays Police Department

· Lieutenant Kelly Bradshaw – Fort Hays State University Police Department

· Deputy Darien Dilka - Gove County Sheriff

· Master Trooper Dustin Dusin – Kansas Highway Patrol

· Corporal Ethan Henderson - Hays Police Department

· Lieutenant Benjamin Kahle – Kansas Highway Patrol

· Undersheriff Liam Kieft – Trego County Sheriff’s Office

· Captain Travis Phillips – Kansas Highway Patrol

· Master Trooper Lexi Mangan – Kansas Highway Patrol

· Master Trooper Merl Ney – Kansas Highway Patrol

· Sergeant Kirt Nichols Jr. – Thomas County Sheriff’s Office

· Chief Terrence Pierce – Fort Hays State University Police Department

· Sergeant Alexander Riggins – Hill City Police Department

· Master Trooper Douglas Schulte – Kansas Highway Patrol

· Master Trooper Dusty Taul – Kansas Highway Patrol

· Sheriff Catlyn Wahrman – Rawlins County Sheriff’s Office

· Deputy Jamel Warren – U.S. Marshals Service

· Lieutenant James Wright – Kansas Highway Patrol

For more information on the 10-11 Leadership Experience or to apply for a future cohort, contact Dr. Seth Kastle at skastle@postrockleadership.org.

Area law enforcement officers graduate from Post Rock Leadership Institute

<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

Juan Olivares Herrera is back in custody as of Sunday afternoon after escpaing custody Saturday night.

Ellis County Sheriff Scott Braun reported at about 4 p.m. Sunday that Herrera was back in custody.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/2ffe4367-c193-42e2-9228-1c6c0a92e021">According to the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department, the inmate escaped from custody Saturday evening while being transported from Hays Medical Center.</a>

Herrera was being held on the following charges: domestic battery, aggravated robbery and disorderly conduct.

Suspect who escaped in Ellis County back in custody

Scammers are always “hiring” but don’t actually want to employ you. Instead, they want your money, personal information, or both. Here’s how to spot and avoid a job scam.

Scammy recruiters who claim to be recruiting for a big-name employer often reach out by email or text with a remote job offer — sometimes from a personal phone number or email account. You might get an email with an official-looking invitation for a virtual interview along with information about your job duties and job benefits.

Then they’ll move fast. Before you even interview, you might get an official-looking job offer along with paperwork that requires your personal financial information (supposedly for direct deposit). The recruiter will push for that information before they answer your questions about the job. In reality, there is no job and the “recruiter” is a scammer. Real employers won’t ask for that kind of information before they’ve actually interviewed and hired you.

How do you know if that job offer is a scam?

For more information on how to spot job scams, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams">ftc.gov/jobscams</a>.

FTC: Job scammers are looking to hire you

Reporter Cristina Janney speaks with Doug Williams of Grow Hays about housing on this episode of the Hays Post Podcast.

Please submit your questions for Doug for future interviews to&nbsp;hayspost@eaglemedia.com.

🎙 Post Podcast: Doug Williams of Grow Hays on housing

I try hard to color within the lines, not to run with scissors and overall just to keep my mouth shut. But sometimes I find myself posing the questions that everyone else wonders but is afraid to ask. Questions like “How do they get Teflon to stick to the skillets when they make them?” Or “Were there really flies and mosquitoes on the ark, and if so, why?” and “Why do states feel the need to have state symbols like state bird, state tree, etc.?”

Any Kansan worth their Wheaties knows that the Kansas state flower is the sunflower, and the Kansas state bird is the Western Meadow Lark. Most Kansans know that the Kansas state tree is the Cottonwood and many probably know that the state animal is the American Buffalo (Bison.) But how many of you knew that we also have a state insect, a state reptile, and yes, even a state amphibian, plus two state fossils?

Sometime in the mid-1970s, Jeff Woods, a 7th grader attending Edgewood Elementary in Coffeyville, evidentially decided we as a state were incomplete without a state insect, and suggested we give the honeybee that distinction. Called “white man’s flies” by the Indians, honeybees are thought to have been brought from Europe by the pilgrims and soon inhabited the entire United States. I have to admit that if we felt the need to have a state insect, we could NOT have done better than the honeybee, because life as we know it might not exist without them. The state legislature has the final say in such important matters, and in 1976 the honeybee became the Kansas state insect.

In the mid-1980s to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Kansas’s statehood, Larry Miller’s 6th grade class in Caldwell decided we also needed a state reptile and nominated the Ornate Box Turtle for the job. The Ornate Box Turtle is a dry land turtle which probably makes it the most visibly abundant turtle in Kansas. It’s found from the prairies in the west to the forests in the east. I have absolutely no idea what a state reptile has to do with celebrating our 125th anniversary as a state, but on April 14, 1986, Governor John Carlin signed a bill designating the Ornate Box Turtle as the Kansas state reptile.

In the spring of 1993, Alice Potts' 2nd grade class at Wichita’s OK Elementary School was studying animals with backbones, which somehow triggered them as a class to begin a campaign to make the Barred Tiger Salamander our state amphibian. When Potts’ class contacted their legislators, they were told it was too late to get a bill into the current legislative session and the project would have to wait a year. 

In the meantime, their zeal proved infectious and by the following school year the entire school plus parents were involved. A trip to the statehouse by Potts and a handful of students got Senate Bill 494 written and passed in the Senate. However, the bill ran into a little trouble in the House; it seems some Representatives felt there were more important legislative matters (go figure!) 

Never fear, though, as Senator Mike Harris came&nbsp;to the rescue and attached the salamander bill to another to insure its passage (now what’s that called…oh yeah - Pork!) On April 13, 1994, Gov. Joan Finney signed the bill designating the Barred Tiger Salamander the Kansas state amphibian.

In 2014, Gov. Sam Brownback signed a bill designating Tylosaurus, a giant marine predator, and Pteranodon, a giant, flying, cliff dweller, as co-state fossils. Amazingly, Kansas geological deposits have provided the most complete skeletal remains of both of these critters ever to be found.

In honor of the process that salvaged the salamander bill, maybe the Kansas Wildlife and Parks should capture one and name him or her Porky. Or maybe the process of attaching legislative bills to other bills should now be known as “salamandering.” 

Anyway, please excuse my cynicism and my disregard for pomp and ceremony. I guess if even one person is made to feel better about our state by having these symbols, then so-be-it. And maybe this will get more people Exploring Kansas Outdoors looking for Barred Tiger Salamanders and Pteranodon fossils!

Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Explore Kansas Outdoors: We have a state what?

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Growing up in Hays, Jennifer Goetz has spent the past 23 years providing&nbsp; child care, primarily to the community’s youngest children.

"I started working as a case manager for High Plains Mental Health Center for a little over a year before getting pregnant with my first child," Goetz said. "When I was on maternity leave, I didn't want to go back to work. I wanted to be able to stay home with my children."

Since then, Goetz has cared for five to six full-time children at a time, typically up to school age, while forming close bonds with their families. She often attends special moments outside of&nbsp; child care, such as weddings and birthday parties.

"I've gone to several of their baseball games this summer because they're always asking, 'Are you going to come to my game tonight?'" she said. "They've invited me on some family vacations without the parents knowing."

Goetz emphasized the value of home child care as an extension of the family and said strong communication with parents is key. She said the joy of her work continues well beyond her regular work hours.

Goetz said the child care industry has evolved since she began, with stricter state regulations and challenges in taking time off. While she receives some grant support, she often covers the cost of food and supplies out of pocket.

"Sometimes I have a group that loves to color and paint. Other times I have groups that are into playing with dinosaurs, cars or really into superhero dress up," she said.

Goetz said her&nbsp; child care group are frequent visitors to a nearby park, giving the children plenty of time to develop their gross motor skills.

Goetz’s two daughters grew up helping with the child care and remain close to the children, making goodbyes emotional for the entire family when the kids finally head off to school.

"Watching them grow and develop, knowing that you have a big part in that is really rewarding," Goetz said.

Goetz said she plans to continue providing child care as long as she is able and as long as there is still a need. Her advice for those entering the field: “Expect the unexpected.”

"I like to say every day is kind of the same but very different. You're working with children, so you don't know what you're going to get day to day," she said.

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