By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Two members of the governing bodies of Hays and Russell were children in elementary and middle school in 1995 when the towns jointly purchased the <a href="https://www.agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/division-of-water-resources/water-appropriation/change-applications/hays-change">R9 Ranch</a> in Edwards County as a long-term water supply.

City officials are now concerned about the future of water in the area for their own young children.

"We're in a multi-generational battle that we started decades ago," said Mason Ruder, Hays vice-mayor.&nbsp;

City leadership from both towns met in Russell City Hall Wednesday evening for a comprehensive update on the R9 project.&nbsp;

The project aims to ensure water sustainability, addressing urgent needs created by current inadequate and drought-susceptible water sources for both cities.

The state Water Transfer Act must be triggered to allow the conveyance of water more than 70 miles across Kansas. It will be the first time it is enacted for such a long distance.

The towns' water rights are currently for irrigation. Another approval process will change them to municipal use.

Legal wrangling with WaterPACK (Water Protection Association of Central Kansas), the Edwards County Commission and the Edwards County Planning Commission, which oppose the pipeline, has been underway for almost 10 years.

"We haven't lost anything substantive in this. We've won at every step of the process," said Toby Dougherty, Hays city manager. "The opponents in this have succeeded in weaponizing the legal and judicial system against Hays and Russell."

To date, regulatory costs amount to $10 million. The overall project cost is estimated at $144.9 million.

Reports from Hays' John Braun, project manager, and Matt Gallagher from Burns McDonnell engineering indicate the pipeline design is wrapping up, and right-of-way permits are being sought.

"We're going to have a project that's ready to bid on early next year," Dougherty said.

"At that point, it's just a matter of waiting for the transfer application to get approved. We're waiting on some litigation to finalize."

Sandy Jacobs, Hays mayor, said, "We've done everything by the book, by the statute."

"We just have to be confident that the system is going to prevail and allow us to use our water we bought 30 years ago," Dougherty said.&nbsp;

"Drought is going to happen...so we want to get shovels turning as quickly as possible as soon as we get regulatory approval," he said.

The U.S. Drought Monitor recently removed Ellis and Russell counties from all drought declarations. 

However, Hays remains an inch behind normal for the year-to-date, according to Thursday's official rainfall report from the K-State Agricultural Research Center. 

Russell recently lost its surface water source and is in a S<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/848f9503-4f0d-4d1d-92af-6639003b4aac">tage II water warning</a>.

Both towns have aggressive water conservation plans in place.

"This is about sustainability and survival," said Alaina Cunningham, Hays city commissioner, "and without it, we don't survive."

R9 water pipeline project should be out to bid early next year despite litigation

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

RUSSELL — The City of Russell and Russell County are working closely with Housing Opportunities, Inc. (HOI), to provide 24 two-bedroom, one-bathroom duplex units for residents aged 55 and older. This project has income restrictions in order to qualify. Flintwood will also include a community room, offering a shared space for social activities and events that will be available to tenants.

Housing Opportunities, Inc. is a nonprofit organization committed to providing safe, affordable, quality housing to families and individuals across Kansas. With a focus on addressing housing shortages in rural communities, the organization specializes in creating homes that support long-term stability and well-being for residents.

Flintwood is funded through Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and HOME Funds provided by the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC). HOI will serve as both the owner and property manager of the development.

Construction at Flintwood is moving right along! Siding, windows, and roofing are nearly complete, and crews have started interior work. The street and cul de sac groundwork will start in the coming weeks.

If you’re interested in making Flintwood your future home, <a href="https://www.housingopportunities.net/">Housing Opportunities, Inc.</a>, Great Bend, is now building a waiting list for applications. We’ll begin processing applications in October.

To join the wait list or to learn more, please contact Housing Opportunities, Inc. at 620-792-3299.

We’re excited to see this project coming together and look forward to welcoming residents 55+ into their new homes soon!

New affordable housing development underway in Russell

Sunflower Electric Power Corporation

Sunflower Electric Power Corporation is pleased to announce the promotions of Katelyn Dickinson to manager of human resources and Shelbi Wiles to manager of communications. Both bring a strong history of leadership, innovation, and dedication to Sunflower’s mission of empowering employees and powering members.

In her new role, Dickinson will continue leading the day-to-day operations of the human resources team, including business partnerships, employee relations, talent acquisition, compensation, benefits, and compliance. Her steady leadership and collaboration efforts guided the human resources team through a period of transition, and she consistently models Sunflower’s core values of treating others exceptionally well and delivering world-class service.

With more than a decade of human resources experience across multiple industries, Dickinson has a proven record of developing people and processes. She joined Sunflower in November 2020 as a human resources administrator and was quickly promoted to human resources supervisor.

A native of Hays, she earned a bachelor of science in business administration from Kansas State University. Dickinson and her husband live in the Hays area with their two children, Stetson and Jolee.

Wiles, promoted to manager of communications, will manage the development of Sunflower’s corporate communications. She’ll serve as the company’s official spokesperson, lead crisis communications efforts, and oversee media relations, digital strategies, and stakeholder communications to strengthen Sunflower’s reputation and visibility.

She joined Sunflower in 2022 as a project portfolio specialist and was promoted to marketing and communications supervisor in 2024. Wiles’ leadership in empowering her team and encouraging innovation has been instrumental in guiding the communications department through the successful launch of Sunflower’s refreshed brand and logo.

A Beloit native, Wiles holds a bachelor of science in tourism and hospitality management with a minor in organizational leadership, as well as a master’s certificate in project management from Wichita State University. She resides in Hays with her fiancé, Alex.

“Shelbi and Katelyn have both shown exceptional leadership and dedication to Sunflower’s mission,” said Steve Epperson, Sunflower’s chief executive officer. “Their promotions recognize their achievements and the important role they will play in strengthening our organization and supporting the success of our employees and members.

Sunflower Electric announces promotions 

By TISA MASON Fort Hays State University President

What inspires me, as the president of Fort Hays State University, is the impact of our students, faculty, and staff. What I love about Elle Hutchinson’s story is how it embodies the essential traits we relish at FHSU. Elle is a determined contender, an inspired innovator, and a caring individual. Elle’s journey in higher education has been nothing short of remarkable.

Elle shared that Fort Hays State University (FHSU) was the perfect fit for her when choosing a university. Growing up near Hays and engaging with FHSU alumni allowed her to appreciate the institution's value. Elle shared with me that the decision was ultimately grounded in affordability, the transferability of her credits from Barton Community College (BCC), and her desire to remain close to family.

Elle graduated with her associate’s degree from BCC, graduating with highest honors, just a week before she walked across the stage at Great Bend High School, a unique achievement that pushed the boundaries of what she thought was possible.

Like FHSU, BCC is very student-focused. When the leadership at BCC learned about Elle pursuing her high school diploma and her associate's degree simultaneously, they worked with Elle to create and promote a program designed to facilitate an academic pathway for other high school students. That spirit of innovation, of always blazing a new path, is precisely what FHSU is all about.

The challenge of pursuing two degrees simultaneously truly motivated Elle. She wanted to challenge herself, push beyond conventional boundaries, and set an exemplary trajectory for her educational experience. Hearing how other high school students benefited from the initiative Elle helped establish strengthened her resolve and motivated her to keep moving forward.

Managing coursework from two institutions (Great Bend High School and BCC) came with several obstacles. “I encountered skepticism from peers and guidance counselors who doubted my ability to succeed. However, this motivated me to seek assistance from those who believed in my potential. I found that surrounding myself with encouraging support systems was crucial.”

Maintaining balance among the demands of work, academics, and personal life is another skill Elle developed. Balancing her commitments meant focusing weekdays primarily on work and studies. This sometimes involved finding creative ways to integrate schoolwork into her social time, ensuring she could enjoy life while fulfilling her responsibilities. Through it all, Elle’s priority was always to remain close to family and friends.

Elle carried that philosophy with her to FHSU, where she served on the Student Government Association, holding several leadership roles, and as a student assistant in the Office of Student Fiscal Services. While at FHSU, she majored in Business Education – Corporate Communications. She chose this major for its versatility in the real world, plus its helpfulness in pursuing a legal career.

“Law has long been a field I aspired to enter, primarily due to its versatility and my passion for helping others. An attorney can do almost anything; they are not confined to just practicing law. Additionally, there is a lot of variety within the practice of law,” Elle shared

Elle is interested in agricultural law. Last summer, she interned at Bauer &amp; Pike Law Firm in Great Bend, which solidified her interest in the legal field and introduced her to the complexity and balance built into our legal system. She also benefited greatly from this real-world learning experience and from the dedicated mentorship she received.

Another pivotal experience for Elle was her employment as a student worker in the Student Fiscal Services office at FHSU. “I engaged with a team that shared professional guidance, and we became lifelong friends.” Working in Student Fiscal Services opened Ellie’s eyes to the available financial resources available to help keep the Fort Hays State experience affordable. She learned about many different scholarships that helped reduce the cost of tuition for her at FHSU. She also gained a heightened awareness of the financial resources that exist to make the next step in her academic career, law school, more affordable.

Staying focused on her academic and career goals often required establishing a balance in the demands for her time to ensure she still maintained a social life, which always remained important to her. “I believe that healthy interaction with friends can enhance productivity. Though I prioritized homework, I ensured that I scheduled social activities to maintain my mental health. This kept me motivated. There were many times when I had to make a tough decision to stay in and study rather than go out. You have to be willing to make sacrifices.”

Elle credits her achievements to her family. “They supported me through the good, the bad, and the ugly. I cannot imagine trying to do all of this without such amazing parents, support systems, and role models.”

Elle credits her remarkable success to her father, Shawn Hutchinson; her mother, Jamie Hutchinson; her BCC advisor, Karen Kratzer; the student fiscal services staff; and Dr. Wendy Rohleder-Sook, FHSU chairman of the department of communication studies, law, and political science. She is also grateful for the mentorship of Judge Charles Pike (Great Bend Municipal judge) and Julie Carroll, attorneys at the Bauer and Pike Law firm, where she interned last summer.

With her current studies completed, including a FHSU bachelor's degree earned with honors, she is taking a gap year before pursuing law school. In the interim, she is working in her family-owned small business, Satellite Pros &amp; Central Plains Security, and has recently accepted a position as a media consultant for Barton County.

As we celebrate Elle’s achievements, let us also recognize the spirit of those who support our students, from faculty to family. Together, we forge paths for the future, inspired by stories like Elle’s that remind us of the impact we can have in our communities. 

Here’s to Elle and all our students who strive for greatness, shaped by their experiences and determination, while driven to serve the greater good!

Three-day weather outlook

The Lite Beer from Miller UTV Giveaway will be at Nate's Liquor, located just off 13th and Vine, Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Stop by to register to become a finalist for a CF Moto U Force 4 seat UTV from A&amp;A Coors-Miller and Briney Motorsports.&nbsp;

Friday-only specials at Nate's include Miller Lite 18-pack cans or bottles for just $18.49. 30-packs are $25.99. 24-pack 16-ounce cans are $27.99.

Check out the many more storewide specials!

Become a Miller Lite UTV giveaway finalist today at Nate's Liquor

Welcome to Breit Advanced Practice Clinic, your trusted APRN Practice Clinic&nbsp;&nbsp;

Comprehensive Care for Your Podiatry, Dermatology, and Joint Needs&nbsp;

At our APRN practice clinic, we provide personalized care and expert services to help you live a healthier, more comfortable life. With a focus on podiatry, minor dermatology, and cortisone injections for shoulder and knee pain, we are here to address your specific healthcare needs with precision and compassion.&nbsp;

Foot&nbsp; Health: Your feet are the foundation of your mobility. Our podiatry services are designed to diagnose, treat, and manage various conditions affecting this crucial area of your body. Whether you’re dealing with plantar fasciitis,&nbsp; or other common issues, we offer solutions tailored to your needs.&nbsp;

Preventative Care: Regular visits to our clinic can help prevent long-term foot complications. We recommend proactive measures to keep you on your feet and moving comfortably.&nbsp;

Skin Health Matters: Your skin deserves expert care, and our clinic offers minor dermatology services to address small-scale skin concerns.&nbsp; Providing safe and effective dermatological care for benign skin conditions.&nbsp;

Quick and Efficient Treatments: We understand how inconvenient skin issues can be, which is why our services focus on fast and reliable solutions. Let us help you regain confidence in your skin.&nbsp;

Shoulder and Knee Relief: Joint pain can severely impact your daily activities and quality of life. Our cortisone injections for shoulders and knees are designed to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and restore mobility in these critical areas.&nbsp;

If you’re ready to take control of your health, don’t wait any longer. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and discover the difference personalized care can make. Whether you’re seeking relief from joint pain, expert podiatry services, or solutions for minor dermatology concerns, we’re here to support you every step of the way.&nbsp;

Your journey to better health starts here. Visit us today and experience care that truly makes a difference!&nbsp;

🎙 SPONSORED: Care for podiatry, dermatology, joints at Breit Advanced Practice Clinic 

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Hays hit a high of 71 Wednesday, according to the K-State Ag Research Center.

Hays received .3 inches of rain as of 9 a.m. today. Hays has received 2.90 inches in the month of August. The low for Wednesday was 60.

On average, Hays receives 3.01 inches of rain in August and 17.70 inches of moisture by the end of August. Hays has received&nbsp;16.41 inches of precipitation year to date.

The forecast for today is a slight chance of showers with patchy fog, with a high of 72 and a low of 60. Winds are expected to be around 8 mph.

More patchy fog is expected Friday, with a high of 77, and a chance of storms and showers going into the weekend.

Hays receives more rain; fog expected Friday 

FHSU crime log: Aug. 22-28, 2025

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Representatives of judicial districts from across the state gathered in Hays on Tuesday and Wednesday for a mental health summit.

Seventy percent of people who are incarcerated in the United States have a mental illness or substance abuse problem or both.

The Hon. Steven Leifman from Florida told the group, "We should create specialty courts for the 30% of people who don't have mental illness or substance abuse."

There are 19 times more people who have mental illnesses in jails and prisons than in civil treatment programs.

He said the people who do have mental illness and substance abuse issues should be placed in therapeutic situations.

Leifman said the United States is failing at dealing with people who have mental illness, and it is costing taxpayers millions of dollars to run a broken system.

The United States has 4% of the world's population and 25% of the incarcerated people, resulting in $1 trillion in direct and indirect costs per year.&nbsp;

Leifman had the opportunity to visit&nbsp;Trieste, Italy, where he said the community is doing it right.

They virtually have no homelessness. They have few, if any, people with serious mental illness in jails. They have few, if any, people with serious mental illness in their forensic hospitals, and they have very few people in their civil hospitals," he said.

Last year, out of 40,000 patients, they only filed 100 cases for civil commitment.

"We do that every day in Miami," he said.

"First, they don't define people by their mental illnesses," he said. "You're not the crazy guy that lives down the street. You are John Smith, who just happens to have a mental illness. Just like you might be John Smith, who just happens to have heart disease or cancer."

When someone has a mental health episode, a doctor immediately goes to that person's home and begins treatment immediately. If the person can't stay at home, they find them housing and assign them three case managers, so they are covered 24 hours until they are stable. They are placed on medication and monitored, but not hospitalized.

As soon as the person begins to recover, they start to try to give them their lives back.

Instead of a state hospital, they have a supportive employment program that includes a radio station, a restaurant and a chic clothing manufacturing operation.

"You walk around the campus, and you don't know the difference between the staff and the patients," he said.

"They have a reason to get up every single day and participate,"&nbsp;Leifman said.

"It is a truly remarkable system of care that actually promotes recovery, and there's absolutely no reason why we can't scale that type of system here in the United States. Today, in the United States, we basically do the opposite," he said.

People remain on the streets, sometimes psychotic, for decades.

"We have been so bad about it that the courts have ruled that the way we do it is basically unconstitutional, enormously unsuccessful and enormously expensive without any positive measurable outcomes," he said.

He said the earlier we treat mental illness, the better the outcomes will be.

He called the treatment of people with serious mental illnesses within the judicial system the greatest public policy failure.

"The fact that we have applied the criminal justice model to a disease as opposed to a population health model explains why we have failed so miserably,"&nbsp;Leifman said.

Leifman's first experience with the mental health system was when he was 17 and working as an intern for a state senator's office.

He was sent to the state mental hospital to investigate claims that a young man was being mistreated.

He found the man tied in four-point restraints, screaming and moaning and about 100 pounds overweight from being injected with Thorazine.

In reading his file and talking to staff, he learned the young man was not psychotic, but autistic. In the basement, he also saw naked men covered in their own feces being hosed down like they were animals in a zoo.

The state senator's office was able to get the young man with autism placed in a group home. However, thewhat&nbsp;

Eventually, Leifman became a judge in Miami.

The city went from having one wing on one floor of the jail dedicated to people who had mental illness to&nbsp;having three dedicated floors to house people who had mental illness.

"When I became a judge, I had no idea that I was becoming the gatekeeper to the largest psychiatric facility in the state of Florida, the Dade County Jail," he said.

Seventy to 80% of the inmates have a mental health diagnosis and are in immediate need of treatment, he said.

Leifman was eventually given a special assignment to work on mental health issues within the Florida court system. He found the state was spending a third of its mental health budget, $250 million, to restore competency to 2,500 to 3,000 people, when about 160,000 people at the time of their arrest needed acute mental health care and weren't getting it.

After spending so many resources on this small population, either the charges were dropped, they were given credit for time served and were released, or they received probation.

They ended up back on the streets, often psychotic, with no access to treatment, and were sometimes rearrested before they made it out of the parking lot.

Leifman shared the story of Tristan Murphy, who suffered from schizophrenia. He wasn't violent, but had good and bad days, depending on whether he took his medication.

One day, he drove his truck into a pond near the sheriff's office. He was arrested and convicted of felony littering.

He was placed on a work detail while incarcerated. His bunkmates noted he was deteriorating mentally. However, corrections officers continued to give him access to tools, including a chainsaw for his work detail. One day, he took a chainsaw to his neck, ending his life.

Leifman said he was no threat to anyone other than himself. He should never have been arrested. He should have been diverted into treatment, Leifman said.

The governor of Florida, a few weeks ago, signed the Tristin Murphy Act, which expands the Miami mental health diversion program statewide.

"We shouldn't need that kind of horror to get the attention of policymakers," he said, "because we all know that the way we handle individuals with these illnesses is wrong and doesn't really work."

He said people who have mental illnesses are less dangerous than the general population and a lot less dangerous than the general population when they are on medication. They are more likely to be the victims of violent crime than the perpetrators.

"We also know that recovery rates for people with mental illness, in many cases, are much better than heart disease and diabetes,"&nbsp;Leifman said. "These are not terminal illnesses. They are treatable illnesses."

People with schizophrenia have higher rates of heart disease and cancer because untreated schizophrenia results in a depletion of the brain chemical dopamine.&nbsp;

They feel awful,&nbsp;Leifman said, so they often chain smoke because the nicotine helps cognition and helps them feel better.

When these people end up in jail, not only do taxpayers have to pay for treatment of the mental illness, but also severe physical health concerns as a result of the mental illness going untreated, Leifman said.

"The good news is that this is a very fixable system," he said.

The judicial system and mental health systems were developed when the most acutely ill were still in state hospitals. The community mental health systems were designed to handle people who have moderate mental illness,&nbsp;Leifman said.

The hospitals were shut down. The U.S. adopted the war on crime and sentencing guidelines and drastically cut funds for low-income housing, and the population of the acute mentally ill was thrown into communities that were not prepared for them, he said.

"Instead of blaming themselves for not developing an appropriate system of care, we end up blaming this population, and we use the justice system to punish them, and that has not worked out too well," Leifman said.

He said our society would never allow people to be treated in primary care as we treat people with mental illnesses.&nbsp;

"If you threw people who had primary care illnesses out of hospitals in the middle of the night like we do people with mental illnesses, you'd get arrested," he said.

&nbsp;Leifman said this is a national issue that needs national money, but the solutions can start at the local level.

"Each community needs to take a good, hard look at how they are doing things, and develop collaborative agreements to alter and restructure how we approach this population," he said.

Miami put to gether a two-part approach, pre-arrest and post-arrest.

This included Crisis Intervention Teams, which include specially trained law enforcement officers to respond when someone is having a mental health episode. This often has resulted in people being diverted into treatment instead of arrest&nbsp;

In 10 years, two Crisis Intervention Teams responded to more than 105,000 calls and made fewer than 200 arrests.

Overall arrests plummeted. Dade County closed one of its jails, saving $168 million. Police shootings almost stopped.

The post-arrest program eliminated many of the time-consuming competency evaluations in favor of bringing these individuals into treatment as soon as possible.

Assisted Outpatient Treatment programs were created, also known as AOT. Hays has had an AOT program since 2022.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/8abbbbb5-b093-4c36-bc34-50be0815125d">SEE RELATED STORY: Ellis County mental health court pilot sees success in first year.</a>

And peers were enlisted to help people navigate the system and encourage work toward recovery.

Recidivism rates for misdemeanor cases decreased from 75% to 20% for individuals participating in these programs. The treatment model proved so effective that it was expanded to include nonviolent felony cases. Recidivism rates decreased from 75% to 6%.

Continuing care was still needed for individuals with the most acute illnesses, so Dade County recently passed a bond issue to build a facility for these individuals based on the Trieste model.

It offers wrap-around services, including crisis stabilization, primary care, a dental clinic, a podiatry clinic, an eye clinic, short-term residential care, tattoo removal, a day program, a supportive employment program, a computer lab, a GED program, and a courtroom that can handle both civil and criminal cases onsite.

"Not one person, not one party, not one institution created this mess. Not one person, party or institution will fix it. It takes all of us in this room to start looking at our systems and determine how there is a better way to run this system," Leifman said.

Kansas judicial summit in Hays focuses on treatment over incarceration

&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

Economic impact of Heart of America Housing Incentive District lunch Sept. 9

Due to the observance of the Labor Day on Monday, September 1, 2025, refuse/recycling route collection schedules will be altered as follows:&nbsp;

Monday, September 1, 2025 and Tuesday, September 2, 2025 will be collected on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.&nbsp;

There will be no changes to Wednesday, September 3, Thursday, September 4, and Friday, September 5 routes.&nbsp;

Although collections may not occur on your normal day, collections will be completed by the week’s end. It is anticipated that heavy volumes of refuse/recyclables will be encountered around the holidays.&nbsp;

Please make sure your polycarts and recyclables are out by 7:00 a.m., and keep in mind that the trucks have no set time schedule.&nbsp;

City of Hays customers that may have any questions regarding this notice should contact the Solid Waste Division of the Public Works Department at 785-628-7350.

No trash/recycling collection in Hays on Labor Day

Check out the new Hays High School during Friday's tours, ribbon cutting

Schoenchen Community Center&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 4-7 p.m.

Sauerkraut Soup, Green Bean Dumpling Soup Noodles, Ham &amp; Beans, German Sausage Homemade Bread Pies, Kuchens &amp; Cakes Tea or Coffee

Sponsored by the St. Anthony Altar Society&nbsp;

Fundraiser for the St Anthony Park and Playground

50/50 RAFFLE (Need not be present to win)

German Feast fundraiser for St. Anthony Park, playground in Schoenchen

Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States, the tenth leading cause of death in Kansas, and the second leading cause of death of Kansans ages 10-44, yet suicide can be prevented. 

Volunteers from Hays and the surrounding area are joining the thousands of people who are gathering this season in towns across the United States to promote suicide prevention and change the conversation around mental health. 

The annual Hays area Out of the Darkness Community Walk, hosted by the Greater Kansas Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13 at North Frontier Park in Hays.

This gathering will support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s education, research and support for survivors of suicide loss. In addition to raising awareness and funds to fight suicide, the walks give those who attend a chance to connect with others and know they are not alone, whether they walk in memory or in support of a loved one or in honor of their own mental health journey. 

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is a leader in the fight against suicide — we save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.

“Suicide touches one in five families in the United States on average, and the data shows that suicide rates are higher in rural areas," said Leigha Dobson, Hays walk chairwoman and AFSP Greater Kansas board member.

 "We hope that by connecting with one another, we will draw attention to this issue and keep other families from experiencing a suicide loss. Our goal is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. Together, we can encourage those who struggle to seek help and remember they’re not alone.

“We had more than 70 people walk with us last year, and this year, we’re hoping twice that will walk with us towards a future without suicide," Dobson also said.

The Hays area Out of the Darkness Community Walk is just one of the hundreds of events being held nationwide this year. To join this event or make a donation, visit <a href="https://afspwalks.donordrive.com/Hays">afsp.org/hays</a>.

Volunteers in Hays to walk to fight suicide during National Suicide Prevention Month 

Join our new Hays Post Newsletter and receive the top news stories from your community every morning in your email inbox plus one-click access to the latest obituaries.&nbsp;

Sign up for free Hays Post Newsletter

City of Hays offices will be closed on Monday, September 1, 2025, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Hays city offices closed Monday for Labor Day holiday

How to keep wealth local with Heartland Community Foundation

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;has revoked Secret Service protection for former Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>, a senior White House official said on Friday.

Former vice presidents typically get federal government protection for six months after leaving office, while ex-presidents do so for life. But then-President Joe Biden quietly signed a directive that had extended protection for Harris beyond the traditional six months, according to another person familiar with the matter. The people insisted on anonymity to discuss a matter not made public.

Trump, a Republican,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-day-trump-harris-white-house-83c8e246ab97f5b97be45cdc156af4e2">defeated Harris</a>, a Democrat, in the presidential election last year.

The move to drop Harris' Secret Service protection comes as the former vice president, who became the Democratic nominee last summer after a chaotic series of events that led to Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-drops-out-2024-election-ddffde72838370032bdcff946cfc2ce6">dropping out of the contest</a>, is about to embark on a book tour for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-memoir-107-days-presidential-campaign-88b2b68dc8b9f191d79fc6b582a7828a">her memoir</a>, titled “107 Days.” The tour has 15 stops, including visits abroad to London and Toronto. The book, which refers to the historically short length of her presidential campaign, will be released Sept. 23, and the tour begins the following day.

It is not unusual for Secret Service protection to continue well beyond the statutory six-month window, particularly when former officials face credible and ongoing threats. But Trump’s moves have stood out both for timing and for targets.

During Trump's second presidency, he repeatedly has cut off security for figures who have fallen from favor, including his onetime national security adviser&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tom-cotton-john-bolton-trump-security-detail-388ab588a7fdc7c73e30fa5a1194a5b4">John Bolton</a>&nbsp;and members of Biden’s family, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-trump-secret-service-ashley-50eba3fcd1ef9d2580fb4bc464d229f6">the former president’s adult children</a>. The decision to strip Harris of protection is certain to raise alarms among security experts who view continuity of protection as essential in a polarized climate.

A senior Trump administration official said an executive memorandum was issued Thursday to the Department of Homeland Security ending Harris' security detail and security services. Those had been extended from six to 18 months by the Biden administration, so they would have ended in July 2026, but now they will be terminated on Monday.

While she lost to Trump last November, Harris is seen as a potential candidate for 2028, and she has already announced she&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-california-governor-2026-eeea5d7315d65cebb50692c5311379fb">will not run for California governor</a>&nbsp;in 2026. Harris is also a former senator, California attorney general and San Francisco district attorney.

Last year was a particularly politically charged environment with Trump facing two assassination attempts, and the Secret Service played a crucial role in protecting the now-president.

Local

Region

Sports

Announcements