By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 school board approved two capital purchases linked to the bond projects Monday night.

The board approved the purchase of furniture for Hays Middle School from Circadia for $181,236 and a bid to remove playground equipment from the now-closed Lincoln Elementary School from&nbsp;Aspire 2 Play for $32,832.

Board members Allen Park and Derek Yarmer voted against the expenditures.

Yarmer said he wanted large purchases brought to the board during the meeting before it is set to be approved.&nbsp;

Superintendent Ron Wilson said the items needed to be purchased promptly so the school could be opened to students on time.

He added the price is not going to change if the board waits to vote on the purchase.

Park asked why the wooden cabinets had not been repurposed from Lincoln Elementary School.

Board member Jayme Goetz said the cabinets from Lincoln were custom-built for that space and would not fit in the Hays Middle School.

Park also asked why the lunch tables were not reused.&nbsp;

HMS Principal Tom Albers said the tables were old, required repairs and the school district couldn't get parts for them anymore. He said they also were not ideal for the larger middle school students.

Park asked if the furniture was bid. Chris Hipp, assistant superintendent for business services, said the furniture was being purchased through the state bid program.

Yarmer said he thought the purchase should be made from bond funds and not capital outlay. Wilson said the purchase has been part of the capital outlay plan for at least three years.

Yarmer said he thought the district was spending too much to remove the playground equipment from the former Lincoln school. The equipment will be stored and then installed at the former middle school, which will open as Felten Elementary School next fall.

Park wanted to know why the district staff were not removing and storing the equipment.

Wilson said the district staff does not have time to move the equipment. The school district also does not have a certified playground inspector on staff. The district's inspector retired, and a new staff member is being trained.

Park said, "I think we are being frivolous with our money."

Hipp said the district approached two local businesses, but both of them were too busy to take the job.

The board also approved the purchase of 37 Dell desktop computers&nbsp;for support staff for $37,684.

The board also heard a report on the enrollment.

The Hays USD 489 enrollment remains flat for the 2025-26 school year.&nbsp;

The enrollment numbers as of the Sept. 20 count date were a full-time equivalent of 3,150 students. Last school year, the audited enrollment was 3,159 students. Enrollment has fluctuated little during the last three years, with an enrollment of 3,144 students in fiscal year 2023.

Hipp said, "We have had more ups than downs, which has been very favorable compared to much of the state."

Wilson said the district has seen an increase in the number of students receiving free and reduced-price lunches. The district receives additional funding to support these at-risk students.

Hays USD 489 votes to purchase furniture for Hays Middle School

The five candidates for Hays USD 489 were interviewed by the Hays Post. Their responses are being presented in a question-and-answer format. The other candidates running include: Kelly Ancar, Ken Brooks, Craig Pallister and Meagan Zampieri-Lillpopp.

Three seats are available on the board. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Age: 60 Occupation: Business owner, rancher and retired teacher.

What do you think qualifies you to run for the school board?

I taught for 31 years in USD 489. I am a Kansas Teacher of the Year. I have won numerous awards in the ag teaching profession, as well. I've lived here for 35 years. I'm a business owner, which relates back to the tax stuff.

Do you have a child or grandchild currently attending Hays USD 489 schools or did any of your children attend in the past?

I have three kids who have gone through USD 489. I have two currently in USD 489. I have one grandchild who is a little over 2, and one coming in four weeks.

Why are you running for reelection?

To keep the good things that we have going, we now have nice facilities. I want to see them finished.&nbsp;It's a quality school facility-wise. I think the teachers are there and I want to see it continue on.

Do you support the district's five-year capital improvement plan? If not, is there anything that you would change about it?

Yeah, I support it because I voted on everything. I would like to see a 10-year plan, because now we are at the point where all these turfs that we have laid down have eight-year guarantees.

If they all come due or need to be replaced at the same time, that's going to be a big deal. I would hope we can stagger them so that we can replace two fields, two fields, two fields, because that's going to be $700,000, probably three-quarters of a million dollars a pop.

There's the football field, softball field, baseball field, the middle school football and soccer field and practice field. Five years is good. I think 10 years is better, business-wise. I think it's better planning.

The big conversation is going to happen with the committee on the naming rights. It depends on what the committee wants to come up with. If we name some things, I sure hope that money gets earmarked for replacing stuff, just not in the general fund. We decide what we need at the time. I think that's a wiser vision.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/aefb9f40-2e86-4bb2-976e-2f731e7ce14f">The district allowed an offer from Golden Belt Bank for $200,000 for naming rights for the Hays High football field to expire. A committee is being formed to further explore the issue.</a>

Do you support the plans for the remaining bond projects? If not, is there anything that you would change about those projects?

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/7b175c88-0297-4573-a357-7f54d01571ee">Not unless we have a plumbing issue like we had at O'Loughlin Elementary School. </a>

The nice thing that we've heard is they're going to run the scope up and down [the sewage pipes at the Hays Middle School and the former high school], because that was an expensive fix. He said $600 to $1,000 to scope that whole thing.

When you start cutting concrete out to put in pipes, that's expensive fast. Everything so far has been pretty nice. I hope we have enough dollars in that pond to finish and finish strong. When we're done, they should be nice.

How would you view your role as a school board member, oversight with administrators and teachers handling day-to-day operations, or the board manages all aspects of operations?

This is my vision of a board member. We're going to vote and discuss items brought to the school board meeting that the administration and our leaders think are important.

I also don't mind being a sounding board for concerned people. But I think that there's a chain of command. Once they've gone that way, and they're frustrated, I don't mind listening to them. 

I've gotten emails. I've gotten phone calls. I get it. Some people feel more comfortable coming to me. [Board member] Jayme [Goetz] gets them because she taught there. I understand that.

That's a fine line when you listen. Do you react? You can always call the superintendent. There's always more than one side of the story. If you just&nbsp;jump, maybe you would have jumped differently if you knew both sides of the realm.

Do you think the district is adequately managing its budget? If not, what would you change or cut?

I think we're doing good. When we have to raise the mill levies [because] of the economy and prices of things, it's a little tough to do to people who are on fixed incomes. People's salaries aren't rising. I don't think they're jumping as fast as that is.

It's a double-edged sword. If we don't give teachers raises, do we keep all our good teachers, or can they go somewhere else? 

Do we recruit, or do we get new ones and good ones that come in if you don't have competitive salaries? The only way to get a competitive salaries ... that's the majority of the money. We've given some nice raises here in the past.

That's a fine line. Do you not give a raise sometimes? I don't know. If you want that budget to stay the same or level out on the mill levy, then you have to. That's one that you have to weigh as it goes.

If we stay where we're at, you know the amount of kids in some of these classrooms needs not to be 23, 24, 25 kids at the second, third and fourth-grade levels.&nbsp;

Would you like to see class sizes reduced?

Especially since we've now incorporated some kids with higher academic disciplines, as we have integrated kids with disabilities.&nbsp;

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/cedda027-aca8-4d80-bcba-bc6115762b77">Westside students are now integrated.</a> They all deserve an education, but they don't require the same amount of time and focus as other students.

&nbsp;I hope the budget and our money needs for facilities should decline greatly now. We don't need a new roofs, and AC should all be taken care of.

Are there any policies that you think should be changed? How would you change those policies if you had the ability?

The district policies that I've ever had questions about, I've asked about on the board.

The last one I wanted to know was how we hired people, and so that was brought to the board, step by step, how interviews are going, and how we pick. Resume background checks, to the whole ball of wax, that was interesting to know.

Another one would be the transportation before we did the lease program. Some of those vehicles were scary when I was driving. I mean, they were just old.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/37908b9e-982b-42eb-becc-c7409b030396">SEE RELATED STORY: Hays USD 489 BOE approves fleet plan contract with Enterprise</a>

Do you feel comfortable with the lease program?&nbsp;

I surely do. There's less risk of our kids breaking down somewhere on the road. We're a different critter than Salina or Wichita. We have many long road trips. 

I'm going to go to Liberal next Thursday to watch my kid. I mean, that's a long ride and we played basketball down there in January. You've still got a kid hanging out there somewhere in the middle of nowhere if it's cold.

The [vehicles] have to be a lot more dependable. And if it's the same dollars as we were doing before, this is much wiser. Yeah, why not?

If they're going to do all our foresight of selling and merchandising for top dollar, we can't get that for those vehicles. We can't do what Enterprise does, nor do we have the time.

Is there anything else that you would like to add?

I'm proud of what we've done since I've been on the school board. <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4d8f0a7f-c22c-4d18-8223-e9589f05ad06">The resource officer who came in for the 2023-24 year </a>... I was very proud of. That was a push that I had something to do with. I've been pushing for the second one.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/18ea67f1-ebbb-4724-8255-f5e086cfd7ae">SEE RELATED STORY: New school resource officer announced for Hays High School</a>

This world is getting crazier all the time. I want our kids to be safe. And if my spouse was a teacher who works there, I would want them to be safe too. I think knowing there is an obstacle at a known target, I think that detours or at least gives our kids a better chance. I will continue to push for a second resource officer.

That probably ties back to your budget, because that's a costly critter.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b8de0496-38a0-459d-813c-fbb70028b4c8">I'm pretty proud of what we did on the laptop deal for the high school kids.</a> Instead of going with the first recommendation, we did a lot of research and found&nbsp;nobody's recommending that for kids moving on. Just because we do it at the elementary, doesn't mean we shouldn't educate our kids on something new and different that prepares them for post-secondary education.

As told to Cristina Janney/Hays Post

Hays USD candidate Q&A: Curt Vajnar

Forbes&nbsp;has released its highly anticipated Best-In-State Wealth Advisor List for 2025, and Tim Werth, founder and managing partner of Werth Wealth Management, LLC, has been honored as the&nbsp;#1 wealth advisor in Kansas. At the national level, Tim has been distinguished by&nbsp;Barron’s Advisor&nbsp;on the 2025 Top 100 Independent Advisors. In a further testament to the organization’s excellence, Werth Wealth Management, LLC has also been recognized as a&nbsp;Best-In-State Wealth Management Team.

The&nbsp;Forbes&nbsp;rankings, developed in collaboration with SHOOK Research, use&nbsp;client impact as a factor to highlight experienced financial professionals nationwide.&nbsp;Barron’s&nbsp;publishes their advisor rankings each year in an effort to spotlight the nation’s best financial advisors.&nbsp; Both rankings utilize an in-depth methodology including a combination of qualitative and quantitative assessments.

“As the President of Raymond James Financial Services, I personally congratulate Tim and the team members of Werth Wealth Management, LLC,” said Shannon Reid. “Tim has a long-standing history of client commitment, a proven record of success for clients, and is a highly respected and trusted leader in our industry.”

Tim Werth reflected on the recognition, stating:

“I’m certainly pleased to be recognized by&nbsp;Forbes. This recognition does not happen without surrounding yourself with a team that brings a wealth of competence, integrity, and a laser focus on taking care of our clients and implementing prudent wealth management strategies. I’m fortunate to lead a team that exemplifies the highest standards of professionalism and personal accountability.

“Our wealth management strategies and caring culture have produced many long-term relationships. While we serve clients across the country, the majority of those we are privileged to work with live in Kansas—most in our own backyard. We’re proud of our roots and grateful for the trust and confidence that’s been placed in us over the decades. We’ve never forgotten that our firm was built on serving hard-working families, and that mindset remains the cornerstone today.”

Werth Wealth Management&nbsp;specializes in comprehensive wealth management and financial planning strategies for individuals, families, business owners, physicians, foundations, and trusts. The firm operates offices in&nbsp;Hays&nbsp;and&nbsp;Leawood, Kansas, and can be reached at 1200 Main St. Floor 6 in Hays or 785-628-1712.

Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Werth Wealth Management is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services. 2025 Forbes America's Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams, developed by Shook Research, is based on the period from 3/31/2023 to 3/31/2024 and was released on 1/9/2025. Approximately 11,674 team nominations were received and 5,331 advisor teams won. Neither Raymond James nor any of its advisors pay a fee in exchange for this award. More:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.eFvOwUj1XLyK9VM-2Fd2OaCmD425Rw4WLj7-2Fea5eMJu7I-3Dz8Zk_ai5o7a2ztpywqx-2FSZEU1mC0k3plQ2hEmdQsqZCH-2FtSbSauz5CcYpHe7spQkrAj9odNU1U-2BAA2UloKmQEoqaP5nBl2FvHCqUzAiwfzyVG5EC2fRGC8bIjFlqeGwZxmuQEBzMt1q8KoZLW8z-2F-2Fqyjykqyr-2FYEpegaT4elRddROydSSBNCYrx8LmVXTdVVzHCQc3lC31bcTEbkU-2Fg8JPHtWl1oepBFMwiqIQYSH2wQtkoyrDkyXsldYVTu1JiyEJhuDgrWRc667CwWN0FF2IlzacCdexZ4edqVWCv0vlpONoTVFHn8TeQeunn4RMbVUFgDunoFj9I3dcvSPU-2BO-2Bq1nHvSK-2Bz0ySrVo6BOPaAvmR-2BEKAsPSRseEA1fDJhfIVa72c97HyWF1Fdt8HPvgrn-2B-2F6tQ-3D-3D">https://bit.ly/4a7VisT</a>.

Please see&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.eFvOwUj1XLyK9VM-2Fd2OaCuhn4V63QL2Pe1a51-2B781aE-3D4bev_ai5o7a2ztpywqx-2FSZEU1mC0k3plQ2hEmdQsqZCH-2FtSbSauz5CcYpHe7spQkrAj9odNU1U-2BAA2UloKmQEoqaP5nBl2FvHCqUzAiwfzyVG5EC2fRGC8bIjFlqeGwZxmuQEBzMt1q8KoZLW8z-2F-2Fqyjykqyr-2FYEpegaT4elRddROydSSBNCYrx8LmVXTdVVzHCQc3lC31bcTEbkU-2Fg8JPHtWl-2BdBSKnpir0YJgE3Sbq6Hv5K7ctW7M-2ByoXwAV8TufMbQkmsDIwF0AOldVgVzn-2BU396GR7uscuH7bsjYruX87raK75WiENFaCPdNwnunrbo4-2FZR0i-2B3g73bFYTsB-2FRet1fGw8FyFDyGLmEMpZ9Y6kjGJKTRXe4AGV-2B42pkZqfso848TItSvBsVbmqjSaQWjvdVw-3D-3D">https://bit.ly/40mwRVe</a>&nbsp;for more info. 2025 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, developed by Shook Research, is based on the period from 6/30/2023 to 6/30/2024 and was released on 4/8/2025. 48,944 nominations were received and 9,722 advisors won. Neither Raymond James nor any of its advisors pay a fee in exchange for this award. More:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.eFvOwUj1XLyK9VM-2Fd2OaCi7XoFiLrMKjWVTTyV54gnw-3D889A_ai5o7a2ztpywqx-2FSZEU1mC0k3plQ2hEmdQsqZCH-2FtSbSauz5CcYpHe7spQkrAj9odNU1U-2BAA2UloKmQEoqaP5nBl2FvHCqUzAiwfzyVG5EC2fRGC8bIjFlqeGwZxmuQEBzMt1q8KoZLW8z-2F-2Fqyjykqyr-2FYEpegaT4elRddROydSSBNCYrx8LmVXTdVVzHCQc3lC31bcTEbkU-2Fg8JPHtWlzCPnQaYZmNMfv7A7oREEqA6t7CgwOMGKLc5UWv7CEjM9vbSQq72y0JRueol48NPJ1yQ29CRtKaRa0lpQnPZxND-2FdtEL-2FojtoUbjsCXyf9fXhv2W-2FRlb3SPlmwwTWU5LKJKFCbwNE-2FIfIUaBb1biddhPe5yLNX3gPfv9E4yA-2BdDZHMT9zaprZT-2FK7nQXw0mDZQ-3D-3D">https://bit.ly/3E2gIf4</a>. Please see&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.eFvOwUj1XLyK9VM-2Fd2OaCh6z-2FYF8AaOql-2F3BJNewKNd9TUR4A411hVcysh-2BYr44rBaHd52vN3sccs4-2B1VpjDoA-3D-3DLEhJ_ai5o7a2ztpywqx-2FSZEU1mC0k3plQ2hEmdQsqZCH-2FtSbSauz5CcYpHe7spQkrAj9odNU1U-2BAA2UloKmQEoqaP5nBl2FvHCqUzAiwfzyVG5EC2fRGC8bIjFlqeGwZxmuQEBzMt1q8KoZLW8z-2F-2Fqyjykqyr-2FYEpegaT4elRddROydSSBNCYrx8LmVXTdVVzHCQc3lC31bcTEbkU-2Fg8JPHtWl4hA4IQyOnYkkTdSHDqL-2FNssYyAf2Ts-2BZlrxrr4rjddkBu-2FjWzfLooQAnLdD1WZ0BNcOR6j7QmUOME8BP4MsXu8OKLJaMzi2I71C3S4j5P5iahUGsm7-2FskUNutSDO9J4owFVo8fMcIAa0eadROQxeS6Df9-2FHlRLPtSpoFEBNowPpuWwNrdYLez2Bg0aRyNFkjw-3D-3D">https://www.forbes.com/best-in-state-wealth-advisors</a>&nbsp;for more info. Barron’s Top 100 Independent Advisors 2025, is based on the period from 6/30/2024 to 6/30/2025 and was released on 9/15/2025. Of 625 considered, 100 won. Neither Raymond James nor any of its advisors pay a fee in exchange for this award. More:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.eFvOwUj1XLyK9VM-2Fd2OaCiJrRDq-2BqzV5q1x7II55jfPgrr-2Bvrh1rnddbKXdaJZF1jU6Y-2FxRt-2FrAlqbURKhDQloaQHGmR9PSUE1bi8rtYJUOD3gPHU1VscSXCHtMfvmhAiESVFhWhCqC3PAk-2Bglcv-2F88fas6KKeYHmZIilXgPnTHGAje14I-2BjoPAPOA9pePelUMtuPTjOSDAgjbL3T3x-2Bmmo-2FALW13YjlJ4Opdgza9H3v5axNrHw1U4uTsNF7k-2F1JmxK2QKhOvQjYUfcLG4w3CXpLkyOyaL3QFw4zVCYHZsHjEMlnacZ8JkjgPmDi2RrDJDFZx1-2FsALBSw0v6GuF9Lg-3D-3DSFO1_ai5o7a2ztpywqx-2FSZEU1mC0k3plQ2hEmdQsqZCH-2FtSbSauz5CcYpHe7spQkrAj9odNU1U-2BAA2UloKmQEoqaP5nBl2FvHCqUzAiwfzyVG5EC2fRGC8bIjFlqeGwZxmuQEBzMt1q8KoZLW8z-2F-2Fqyjykqyr-2FYEpegaT4elRddROydSSBNCYrx8LmVXTdVVzHCQc3lC31bcTEbkU-2Fg8JPHtWl7vBMA2fIfAEnL8AatBHVvApilZmxtMxy7vpp6QMhsOwUot-2Bn1YYDxL-2FEFp12HWx1-2Fjj91nNN5CUS5khVV2-2FDA37TV9zcGEPX8gtiftfZDa6bSjrRHu9KF7PidhXXXnR-2FuaK1AZA80WPsgQbbiGXPeHgSESRInm6SXsWS8Lfubt5YROMZnSOE7tabnDMKhkvjA-3D-3D">https://bit.ly/3IiJGcN</a>

Werth Wealth Management honored as best-in-state Wealth Management Teams

By MICHELLE BERAN Cottonwood Extension District

I love to cook but some weeks it is overwhelming to put together nutritious meals; and it’s just my husband and I these days! An article from K-State Extension shares how meal prepping can be a valuable tool to save time, reduce food waste, and meet nutritional goals. It is, however, about finding a system that works for your lifestyle.

Chelsea King, a nutrition, food safety and health agent with K-State Extension’s office in Johnson County, says successful meal prepping starts with a solid plan.

“Often, people feel overwhelmed because they try to create brand-new meals every time they cook,” King said. “Instead, start with go-to recipes that you and your family already enjoy. Once you have those, it becomes easier to build a meal plan around them.”

King encourages home cooks to try one new recipe each week to gradually expand their menus. And don't forget to plan for snacks.

“Snacks are one of those things that are easy to overlook,” she said. “It’s tempting to grab a bag of chips, but with a little prep, you can have nutritious options like energy bites or cut-up fruits and vegetables ready to go.”

Before heading to the grocery store, King suggests checking your pantry, refrigerator and freezer.

“One of the biggest money wasters is buying items you already have,” she said. “Taking inventory before you shop not only saves money, it helps reduce food waste.”

King also recommends eating seasonally. “Seasonal produce is often more nutritious and flavorful,” she said. “It’s usually harvested at its peak and may have been picked just a day or two before you buy it at the farmers market.”

Batch cooking is another time-saver. “If you're making rice, cook extra,” she said. “Roast more vegetables than you need for one meal, and use the leftovers in salads or breakfasts. It saves both time and energy.”

While meal prepping often conjures images of spending an entire Sunday cooking, King says it doesn’t have to be all or nothing.

“If one big prep day doesn’t work for you, break it into smaller sessions during the week,” she said. “Do what fits your schedule, whether that’s prepping every few days or just washing and chopping produce ahead of time.”

Food safety is a key part of any meal prep plan. King emphasizes the importance of clean workspaces, proper handwashing and using food-safe containers, especially for freezing meals.

“Don’t use old yogurt containers for freezer storage — they’re not designed for those temperatures,” she said. “Use freezer-safe containers and always label and date what you store.”

Meal prepping also helps in those inevitable life moments — a late meeting, traffic delay, or a sick child.

“Having emergency meals in the freezer keeps you from relying on expensive fast food,” King said. “It helps you stick to your nutrition goals and saves money.”

“Meal-prepping isn’t a one-size-fits all,” she adds. “Find what works best for you and your family. Start small and focus on preparing meals for one or two days, then add more based on your comfort and needs.”

“The overall goal of meal prepping is to be more efficient in the kitchen, meaning less time spent in the kitchen, and to have nutritious homemade meals all week long.”

Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness!

Michelle Beran is a Family and Community Wellness Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other K-State Extension resources, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton Office at 620-793-1910.

BERAN: Find a meal prepping system that works for your lifestyle 

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Three-day weather outlook

The Hays Post has launched an exciting new product to help you find businesses in your community.

The Hays Place tab, which can be found as a dropdown menu on the Hays Post, is a new video directory of places to shop, play and find services in Hays and the surrounding area.

See videos on featured businesses, find links to websites and Facebook pages for your favorite Hays haunts, and find hours and other key information to connect with businesses.

Hays businesses that wish to purchase a listing on the directory can contact Jordan Schaeffer at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&amp;sca_esv=aebc663c531febdd&amp;rls=en&amp;sxsrf=AHTn8zrmZbrAzvKjxVChGRNtowTajxHLQA:1741210424019&amp;q=eagle+media+hays+phone+number&amp;spell=1&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj587Wm8vOLAxX6HDQIHU-zKIkQBSgAegQICxAB&amp;biw=1750&amp;bih=918&amp;dpr=1#">785-301-2211</a>&nbsp;or your local Eagle marketing representative.

Hays USD 489 school board to hear enrollment report

By JOHN P. TRETBAR Eagle Media

US operators return to the record books. June output topped 13.6 million barrels a day according to the latest government updates. Crude output this week came close to another record.&nbsp; At 13,639,000 barrels a day, this is the second-highest weekly average ever. The first week in December of last year was 2,000 barrels a day higher.

The Kansas Geological Survey reports monthly output in June dropped slightly across Kansas. The average for the first six months of the year is 70,135 barrels per day. The average for all of last year was over 73-thousand daily barrels. Ellis County is the top producer with 5,417 barrels per day through June of this year. Last year's tally in Ellis County was about 200 barrels higher. Haskell County is number two with 4,767 barrels per day. Finney County is third with 4,132 barrels a day. Barton County produced 3,780 barrels a day, which is down about 60 daily barrels from the total from last year. Russell County pumped 3,317 barrels a day, compared to 35-hundred last year. Stafford County produced 2,430 barrels a day. Crude output nationwide in June was the best on record, at over 13.6 million barrels a day.

The top operators list in Western Kansas from Independent Oil and Gas Service includes some familiar names. for the first three quarters of the year, Merit Energy is the top operator, followed by Berexco, Shakespeare Oil, Murfin Drilling and American Warrior. The next five start with Ritchie Exploration, followed by Mull Drilling, Darrah Oil, Mai Oil, Carmen Schmitt, Patterson Energy, Downing-Nelson and Grand Mesa.

The state adds 14 new drilling permits this week, with nine in eastern Kansas and five west of Wichita, including one in Ellis County. Regulators have approved 537 new drilling permits this year, compared to 839 by this time last year.

Operators completed 15 wells across the Sunflower State, six of them east of Wichita and nine in Western Kansas. Independent Oil and Gas Service reports 877 completed wells so far this year, compared to over a thousand a year ago. Drilling activity in Kansas has declined by an average of 36% compared to the same period last year.

The Kansas Rig Count from Independent Oil and Gas Service is unchanged statewide after increasing by one in eastern Kansas and dropping by one west of Wichita. The tally is down nearly 50 percent from a year ago. Drilling was underway or about to begin on leases in Ellis, Russell and Haskell counties.

The Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes shows an increase of two gas rigs, but a decrease of four oil rigs, for a total of 547 active drilling rigs. Texas is down six rigs and Oklahoma is down three. New Mexico increased by four rigs.

The Strategic Petroleum Reserve added 300,000 barrels this week to bring the total to 407 million barrels. That's up more than 24 million barrels from a year ago and nearly 43-million barrels higher than in April of last year when refill operations resumed.

Commercial crude inventories rose by 3.7 million barrels to just over 420 million as of October 3.&nbsp; Stockpiles are about four percent below the five-year average for this time of year.

Inventories of regular gasoline are down for the week. The five-year average is down nearly three percent from last year.&nbsp; Diesel stockpiles are also lower.

Crude imports increased by more than half a million barrels a day, rising to 6.4 million barrels this week.&nbsp; Exports dropped by about 150,000 barrels a day to just under four million barrels a day.

For the last ten years or so, so-called Big Oil has been promising high returns to stockholders in order to keep their business. Now falling oil prices are prompting cuts, and new debt, to keep that support. The five biggest oil majors are cutting costs, cutting jobs and cutting share buybacks to make the payouts sustainable. According to a report from Reuters, those payments have topped $100 million a year since 2022, and many companies are increasingly borrowing funds to pay for it.

Americans are changing the way they heat their homes. The Energy Information Administration reports an increasing share of US households are using electricity for heating. Natural Gas remains the most common, but 42% of US homes last year used electricity as their main space-heating fuel. Natural Gas accounts for 47% of American households.

News from the Oil Patch: US output sets another record; Kansas slides

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Recent obituaries and service times

HOXIE — The Main Street Arts Council (MSAC) is proud to announce the launch of the Northwest Kansas Regional Community Choir, a new musical ensemble open to youth (grades 7–12) and adults from across northwest Kansas.

The choir, under the direction of Kathryn Tremblay of Hoxie, aims to bring together singers of all ages to celebrate the joy of music and community through regular rehearsals and performances.

“Our organization has received tremendous interest from community members asking for more opportunities for adults and youth to participate in the arts,” said Karl Pratt, executive director of the Main Street Arts Council. “We were thrilled by the response to our recent survey, with nearly 50 individuals expressing excitement and potential interest in being part of a regional choir. We’re eager to make that vision a reality.”

Rehearsals &amp; Membership Details

Rehearsals for the Northwest Kansas Regional Community Choir will begin Sunday, Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. in the Hoxie High School Choir Room. Regular rehearsals will be held on Sundays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. through May 2026, with concerts to be scheduled in January and May.

A nominal seasonal participant fee assists with program costs:

No audition is required—just a passion for singing and community involvement.

The goal is to create an inclusive, welcoming environment for singers from across the region. Whether you’ve sung in choirs before or are simply looking for a new way to share your love of music, this ensemble is for you.

For more information about joining the choir, visit <a href="https://www.mainstreetartscouncil.com/choir">www.mainstreetartscouncil.com/choir </a>or contact mainstreetartscouncil@gmail.com.

About the Main Street Arts Council

The Main Street Arts Council is an organization dedicated to promoting the arts, encouraging creativity, serving the arts community, and acting as an advocate for the arts. We strive to be a model organization for the Northwest Kansas region by ensuring access to the arts for all ages, encouraging a community passion for the arts and successfully supporting, partnering, and collaborating with others committed to the arts. Learn more at www.mainstreetartscouncil.com.

New Northwest Kansas Community Choir organized; singers sought now 

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Fort Hays State University came alive with Latin traditions and flavors on Thursday as it celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month.

Hosted by FHSU Hispanic American Leadership Organization, the evening showcased Latin culture through food, music and activities.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed annually from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 in the United States to recognize the contributions and impact of Hispanic Americans.

Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Belize, Mexico and Chile are the Latin American countries celebrating their independence during the month.

The FHSU Government Association handed out candy and shared information on the rich history of Latino presence in America. According to their booth, Latino roots in the U.S. date back centuries, long before Spain colonized what is now part of the United States.

Through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the subsequent Treaty of Paris, which followed the Mexican-American and Spanish-American wars, the United States gained territories in the Southwest and Puerto Rico.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 60 million Latinos reside in the United States, accounting for 18.9% of the nation’s population.

📷 Photo gallery: FHSU Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration 2025

&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

STOCKTON — The Stockton FFA will be holding their annual Goblin's Glory Halloween extravaganza on Sat., Oct. 25 at the Stockton High School gyms.

The events will start with a soup supper at 6 p.m. followed by the kids costume contest at 6:30 p.m. for ages 6 and younger and 7 to 12. Games and bingo will also begin at 6:30 p.m. with the merchandise auction starting at 7 p.m.

The Goblin's Glory King and Queen crowning is at 8 p.m.

Stockton FFA Goblin's Glory Halloween extravaganza is Oct. 25

A  taco/nacho bar fundraiser for the Hays Buffaloes Special Olympics basketball team and Lakin Eckroat (for Special Olympics bowling) to go to USA Games in Minneapolis, Minnesota in June of 2026 will be held on Monday, Oct. 20 at Thirsty's The Venue, 2704 Vine, Hays.

Tickets are being sold for $12 and can be purchased from myself by emailing me Activities Director Tiffany Schulte at tschulte@arcofcentralplains.org, Facebook Messenger (Buffalo Adventures page), or calling 785-639-4181.

 The ticket covers the taco/nacho bar and there are set times every 20 minutes starting at 5 p.m. and ending at 7:40 p.m. 

There will also be raffle prizes on display on the stage at Thirsty's starting Oct. 13 and those tickets are $10 each. No need to be present to win. There will be a live drawing on Oct. 20 at 7:50 p.m. on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ARCACTIVITIES">Buffalo Adventures</a> Facebook page.

This fundraiser is supporting the Hays Buffaloes Special Olympics basketball team and Lakin Eckroat (for Special Olympics bowling)&nbsp;

These athletes have been working very hard to prepare for the trip. They practice every week and have been helping with fundraising. Most of them have never been to USA Games and are very excited for the opportunity. 

This is the first time ever that an entire Hays team gets to participate. Special Olympics holds this event every four years.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fundraiser for Hays Buffaloes headed to Special Olympics USA Games 2026

Our strength lies in our shared commitment: that by giving a little, we can do a lot for those in need.&nbsp;

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming 100 Who Care, Ellis County meeting on&nbsp;Tuesday, October 14. This month, we will be hearing from these three wonderful nonprofits making a difference in our community:&nbsp;&nbsp;

• Big Brothers Big Sisters:&nbsp;Focused on fostering meaningful one-to-one mentoring relationships that unlock the potential and promise of our youth. Their impactful work not only transforms lives but also strengthens families and creates brighter futures. We are fortunate to have this valuable program right here in Ellis County.

• Jana’s Campaign:&nbsp;Committed to preventing gender and relationship violence through early education and awareness. What started as a local initiative in Ellis County has grown into a vital nationwide service that saves lives, empowers individuals, and builds safer, healthier communities.

• First Call for Help:&nbsp;Dedicated to alleviating the effects of poverty by connecting individuals and families with essential resources and support during times of crisis. Their efforts bring hope, stability, and practical solutions to members of Ellis County, helping to strengthen our community as a whole.

A special thank you goes out to our Fort Hays State University Leadership 310 team — Landon, Abigail, Sierra, and Hunter — as well as our current steering team members, Jack, Jessie, and Brandy. The LDRS 310 class focuses on developing leadership skills through hands-on community engagement, and our 100 Who Care program is proud to serve as a real-world platform where these emerging leaders can apply their learning to support and strengthen Ellis County.

Thanks to our generous sponsors, snacks and beverages will be provided by&nbsp;POPt Popcorn&nbsp;and&nbsp;A&amp;A Coors, meeting space is graciously hosted by the&nbsp;Sternberg Museum.&nbsp; If you are unable to attend, please feel free to drop off your donation at Wayne Voss State Farm, 2707 Vine St., Ste 13, Hays. Notify Brandy ahead of time with your voting preference, and she will be happy to vote by proxy on your behalf.&nbsp;

At&nbsp;100 Who Care,&nbsp;Ellis County, we come together because we believe in the power of collective giving to create real, positive change in our community. Please consider inviting a friend to join us as we strive to grow our membership beyond 100 and make an even greater impact.

Finally, stay tuned for some exciting news — we will be launching an online payment platform early in 2026 to make giving even easier!&nbsp;Thank you for your continued passion and support.&nbsp;

Generosity is the heartbeat of 100 Who Care — where every gift counts, every member matters, and every cause benefits.&nbsp;&nbsp;We look forward to seeing you on October 14!

Public invited to 100 Who Care, Ellis County meeting on Oct. 14 in Hays

Disabled American Veterans Chapter 18 is now offering services in Ellis County and surrounding areas through its new office at Hays First United Methodist Church, 302 W. Eighth St., Room 205, and it is now seeing clients.

Chris Deitering, department service officer, will help to expand access to resources for injured veterans by providing free assistance to veterans and their families, including help with VA and federal claims, survivor and burial benefits, membership assistance, and disaster relief, a news release said.

Deitering’s office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

According to the news release, “The DAV is a nonprofit that remains committed to the nation's injured heroes and former federal employees of all generations to ensure they are not alone on their road to recovery by aiding service members in the transition to civilian life, fighting for their rights on Capitol Hill, and funding rehabilitation programs.”

Disabled American Veterans has new office in Hays church

Thomas More Prep-Marian Parents Teachers Friends Soup Supper is Sunday, October 26 from 4-7 p.m.&nbsp; We will have chili, green bean dumpling soup, sandwiches and cinnamon rolls.&nbsp;Carry out is available. 

It is a free will offering with proceeds to support classroom and student scholarships.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Thomas More Prep-Marian PTF Soup Supper fundraiser is Oct. 26

The Hays Public Library is hosting a special book talk with Kansas author George Frazier, as he discusses his latest release,&nbsp;Riverine Dreams: Away to the Glorious and Forgotten Grassland Rivers of America, published by the University of Chicago Press.

The event is set for 2:00 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 11, in the HPL Kansas Room.

Prepare for tales of strange riverine forests left over from the ice age, leviathan fish migrations, modern grizzlies roaming the plains, endangered plants as rare as mastodon ivory, an audacious plan to return 10,000 bison to a Great Plains biosphere reserve, and of course, river otter mayhem.

If you thought you knew about the wild lands of Kansas and the surrounding states, get ready for some surprises. Grassland rivers are the most unheralded gems of the entire American backcountry, and Frazier will tell us about the “Grassland River revival” he discovered while exploring eight of the wildest stretches of rivers that remain.

The Hays Public Library is coordinating with Russell Specialty Books and Gifts for this event.

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