By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Giant wild animals filled the sky during the Hays Prairie Winds Kite Show on Saturday and Sunday.

The event was at the Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex, organized by the Hays Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau and the Hays Recreation Commission.

Great American Kites &amp; Events of Missouri provided the kites of all shapes and sizes, accompanied by food trucks and family activities spread throughout the sports complex.

📷 Colorful kites soar over Hays at Prairie Winds Show

The Cheapo Depot furniture store, 1001 Vine, Hays, announced Friday via Facebook that it will permanently close its doors after 40 years in business.

We are closing our doors with so much thankfulness and gratitude!!

After more than 40 incredible years of serving Hays and the surrounding area as Furniture Kingdom and Cheapo Depo, we want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to all our loyal customers.

Your trust, support, and friendship have made our family furniture business a success for over four decades — and we are truly thankful and grateful for every memory shared along the way.

Thank you again for your loyalty and friendship.

Here’s to a FINAL CELEBRATION of Cheapo Depo of Hays’ LEGACY!

A note from Frank and Viv Kreutzer ...The King and Queen of Furniture!

We would like to take the time to thank all of our past customers for all the wonderful years we experienced during our years of owning Furniture Kingdom and Cheapo Depo.

It is because of you that our years in business were so successful. Thank you again.!! God Bless You! — Frank and Viv

I am so very thankful and grateful for the loyal customers who have walked through our doors over the years and made us a success.

We have come to consider so many of you as family, and I will always treasure the friendships that have grown along the way.

I’m especially grateful to the Hays community and surrounding areas for choosing us as your furniture and mattress store.

Your support has truly been a blessing in my life.

As I close this chapter, I will miss seeing so many familiar, friendly faces, but my heart is excited to see how God will use me for His glory in the days ahead.

May God’s blessings be upon you and your families always. — With heartfelt gratitude, Tina

Cheapo Depo furniture in Hays announces closure

LOGAN — At 6 a.m. on Friday, the Phillips County Sheriff's Office assisted the Federal Bureau of Investigation, according to a post on the sheriff's Facebook page.

A search warrant was executed in the 400 block of West Church Street, Logan. 

 This is an ongoing federal investigation allegedly involving victims across multiple states, according to the post.

FBI executes search warrant on Friday in Logan

At 8:48 a.m. Saturday, the Ellis Police Department was notified of a theft that occurred at Casey’s General Store, 213 Washington.

Employees alleged that two black males had entered Casey’s and were successful in stealing about $1,500 in cash from the store. 

An attempt to locate was broadcast, and two suspects were located outside Limon, Colorado and were identified as Dresean Holden, 20, of Flint Michigan, and Hakeem Black, 22, of Flint, Michigan.

Evidence was recovered from the suspects that allegedly linked them to several other thefts along the I-70 corridor in Kansas, according to the Ellis Police Department.

 Information on the suspects' identities has been provided to those agencies to further their investigations.

Arrest affidavits have been forwarded to the Ellis County Attorney’s Office for consideration of charges. 

"I’d like to thank Ellis County Communications, the Hays Police Department, and the Lincoln County Colorado Sheriff’s Office for their assistance with this case," Avery Smith, Ellis Police Chief, said in a news release.

No further information will be released at this time, as investigation is still ongoing.

Men arrested after theft at Ellis Casey's

Congratulations&nbsp;to Nancy Stramel and Ryan Sultzer from Hays, our latest finalists in the Lite Beer from Miller UTV Giveaway. 

Their names were selected as finalists at Stone House Spirit and Cigar in Hays on Friday.

Special thanks to Briney Motorsports, Advantage Glass Plus, Commercial Sign Company, and A &amp; A Coors Miller of Hays!

Your last chance to sign up to be a finalist will be on Friday at Elite Detailing.

The winner will be drawn at the Fort Hays State University football game on Saturday night.

13.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mark Hauptman – Briney Motorsports – 7-25-2025

14.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Rod Goetz – Briney Motorsports – 7-25-2025

15.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Chad McCarty – Discount Smokes – 8-1-2025

16.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Nolan Allen – Discount Smokes – 8-1-2025

17.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mark Coomes – Phillipsburg Rodeo – 8-1-2025

18.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Matt Van Allen – Phillipsburg Rodeo – 8-1-2025

19.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pierce Day – Ole 40 Express – 8-4-2025

20.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Shane Wilson – Ole 40 Express – 8-4-2025

21.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Lyn Klein – Auto Collision Specialists – 8-15-2025

22.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kyle Kirmer – Auto Collision Specialists – 8-15-2025

23.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Darin Myers – National Radio Day at Eagle – 8-20-2025

24.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;John Kaba – National Radio Day at Eagle – 8-20-2025

25.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Duane Lang – Kaiser Liquor – 8-22-2025

26.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Wanda Oborny – Kaiser Liquor – 8-22-2025

27.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;John Lonnon – Nate’s Liquor – 8-29-2025

28.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Shawn Summers – Nate’s Liquor – 8-29-2025

29.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Charles Ramsay – Mr. K’s Foodtown – 8-30-2025

30.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Marlena Dinkel – Mr. K’s Foodtown – 8-30-2025

31.&nbsp;&nbsp;Ryan Sultzer – Stone House Spirit &amp; Cigar – 9-5-2025

32.&nbsp;&nbsp;Nancy Stramel – Stone House Spirit &amp; Cigar – 9-5-2025

Stone House Spirit's finalists named for Lite Beer from Miller UTV Giveaway

The Ellis County Commission will have a public hearing before adopting the 2026 budget during its 8:30 a.m. meeting on Tuesday.

The hearing provides taxpayers with the chance to give input on the general fund and fire district, both of which exceed the revenue-neutral rate, as well as a proposed mill levy increase of 1.96 mills.

Personnel policy change for retiree insurance

The county will be asked to approve a personnel policy change regarding retiree health insurance, as mandated by a Kansas statute.

The law requires local governments that offer health insurance also to make the coverage available to retirees and their dependents, provided they apply within 30 days of retirement and meet other eligibility requirements. Coverage ends when the retiree reaches 65 years old.

New electronic health record for Ellis County Health Department

The county health department will request approval to purchase a new electronic health record system, replacing an outdated one. The five-year purchase price of about $77,100 will be prepaid using Workforce Development Grant funds.

A homeowner will request approval from the commission to use a county easement in Commerce Estates to build a private road that would provide access to his property. No county funds or assistance will be asked for.

You can view the full agenda <a href="https://www.ellisco.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09092025-696">here</a>.

Ellis County Commission sets 2026 budget hearing

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 school board will conduct budget and revenue-neutral rate hearings at 6:30 tonight at the Rockwell Administration Center.

The district will exceed its revenue-neutral rate.&nbsp;The USD 489's portion of the county valuation increased by about 1.4%.

The district is proposing a .447 mill increase in the tax levy for the supplemental general fund for the 2026 fiscal year.

Taxes on a home valued at $239,000 will increase by about $36 per year, based on the district's mill levy and the increased assessed valuation, according to the school district.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1ddb7029-9e09-4f6a-8c1f-c0c5f03f27ed">SEE RELATED STORY: Hays USD 489 proposes mill levy increase, sees special ed costs rise</a>

The board is also set to further discuss naming rights for school facilities.&nbsp;

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a90fb672-f7e5-4826-b5f3-1decd214e83c">SEE RELATED STORY: Hays USD 489 pauses Hays High football field naming rights donation discussion</a>

The school board put on hold a donation from Golden Belt Bank for the naming rights of the new Hays High football field.

The bank has offered a $200,000 donation for the naming rights. That offer expires Sept. 15.

Although some board members favored accepting the donation for the naming rights, other board members, including Board President Curt Vajnar, wanted the decision delayed.

The board will also consider a bid of $69,328 from KCAV for 55 presentation display panels for Hays Middle School.

USD 489 school board to consider budget; Hays High field naming

By JOHN P. TRETBAR Eagle Media

NYMEX crude drops to its lowest closing price since May 30. West Texas Intermediate crude dropped &nbsp;$1.61 to a settlement price of $61.87 per barrel. Futures prices in New York rebounded half a dollar or more on Monday, topping $62 by midday.

Kansas prices also reached three-month lows. Kansas Common crude is fetching $52 a barrel, the lowest price at CHS in McPherson since June 1.

The government reports an increase in US crude stockpiles of nearly 2.5 million barrels to 420.7 million. Stockpiles are about four percent below the five-year seasonal average.

The government added another half-million barrels to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The total is now up 25 million barrels or 6.6 percent from a year ago.

US crude-oil production topped 13.4 million barrels a day for the second week in a row. The Energy Information Administration says output of 13,423,000 barrels a day in the week through August 29th, down 16,000 barrels from the week before.

US crude output topped 13.5 million barrels per day in June for the first time this year. The government's monthly output report is up one percent from May and 2.5 percent higher than in June of 2024. Output in the top three states also advanced. Texas output rose 200,000 barrels a day(+0.2%) to just over 5.7 million.&nbsp; Production in New Mexico spiked 1.8 percent to 2.2 million barrels a day. Output in North Dakota rose nearly three percent to 1.15 million barrels per day.

US crude oil production through June surpassed 2.4 million barrels, averaging 13,389 barrels per day. Texas pumped nearly 5.7 million barrels per day in the first six months of the year. That's almost as much as the next 12 states combined, which produced a combined 5.8 million barrels per day.

Kansas output averaged 71,000 daily barrels in June, up 2,000 daily barrels or 0.7 percent from May. That's down 4.3 percent from June of last year. For the first six months of the year, Kansas has averaged 69-thousand barrels a day.

The US imported 6.7 million barrels a day last week, an increase of more than half a million daily barrels. The Energy Information Administration reports the four week average is up 4.4 percent from last year at this time.

The Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes is up two oil rigs but down one gas rig for a total of 537 active rigs across the US. The tally for horizontal rigs is down two. The report for Texas is up two while New Mexico is down two from a week ago.

The Kansas Rig Count from Independent Oil and Gas Service is up two rigs in eastern Kansas, but down one west of Wichita for a total of 18 active rotary drilling rigs.&nbsp; That tally is down 28 percent from a year ago.

Regulators report 54 new intent-to-drill notices in Kansas last month, down from 91 in July and 87 in August of last year. A Web site search at the KCC includes three intents in Stafford County in August and three in Haskell County.

Independent Oil and Gas Service reports 12 new well completions this week with seven in eastern Kansas and five west of Wichita including one in Finney County. That's 813 new well-completions so far this year, compared to 907 by this time last year.

Kansas regulators okayed nine drilling locations across the state. The four new permits in Western Kansas include one in Barton County. That's 487 new drilling permits so far this year, down from 685 a year ago.

The dramatic spike in US output over the last five years is driven almost entirely by ten counties. Between 2020 and 2024, crude oil production in the United States grew by nearly two million barrels a day. The government says 93% of that growth came in just ten counties in Texas and New Mexico. Production from the rest of the United States, including offshore output, grew by just 130,000 barrels a day.

Output in two counties, Lea and Eddy in New Mexico, grew by nearly a million barrels per day during those five years, more than half the growth reported nationwide. Eight additional counties in Texas account for 40% of national output growth.&nbsp;&nbsp;

News from the Oil Patch: Crude prices drop to 3-month lows

Ellis County Sheriff's activity log: Aug. 31-Sept. 6, 2025

Ellis County Jail bookings: Aug. 30-Sept. 6, 2025

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/category/obituaries">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.

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Recent obituaries and service times

Hays Catholic Schools (Thomas More Prep-Marian and Holy Family Elementary) will proudly celebrate the 100th anniversary of Homecoming this September, marking a century of tradition, community, and faith. The milestone event will honor generations of alumni, students, faculty, and families who have carried forward the spirit of Catholic education in Hays since 1908.

“This centennial celebration is not only about looking back at our history,” said Travis Grizzell, advancement director for Hays Catholic Schools, “it’s about giving thanks for the generations who built this community of faith and excellence, and recommitting ourselves to the future of Catholic education in Hays. The cornerstone represents the faith and commitment of those who literally laid the foundation for our beautiful building on this historic campus. The fact that Hays Catholic Schools is here 100 years later speaks volumes about our dedicated alumni and faith community.”

Homecoming Week Schedule of Events <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tmp-m.org/o/tmpm/page/homecoming">https://www.tmp-m.org/o/tmpm/page/homecoming</a>

Monday, Sep. 15 at&nbsp;9:30 a.m.&nbsp;– All-School Mass: Students, faculty, and staff gather for a Mass to open Homecoming week.

Tuesday, Sep. 16 – Float building Day: Each class gathers at its float construction site to prepare for Friday’s parade.

Wednesday, Sep. 17 – Halftime Rehearsal: Band and Homecoming royalty candidates rehearse at Fort Hays State University’s Lewis Field.

Thursday, Sep. 18 – A pep rally will be held at Al Billinger Fieldhouse&nbsp;at 2:30 p.m. to close the school day.&nbsp;Beginning at 7 p.m., a bonfire, blessing, and candidate introductions will take place on campus, with food trucks and snowcones available for students, families, and community members.

Friday, Sep. 19 – Morning: Alumni and guests are invited to tour the TMP-Marian campus.

10:00 a.m.: A Hays Chamber Ribbon Cutting ceremony will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the school’s cornerstone setting and the first Hays Catholic Schools Homecoming in 1925.

5:30 p.m.: Homecoming Parade, beginning at the TMP-Marian campus and traveling down Main Street. Parade entry form&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://form.jotform.com/251625567433157">https://form.jotform.com/251625567433157</a>

Evening: Halftime of the football game will feature the crowning of Homecoming royalty, recognition of Homecoming Grand Marshals, and presentation of the Point of Light Award and Distinguished Alumni Awards.

Saturday, Sep. 20 at 11 a.m.&nbsp;– Morning: A Mass for deceased alumni will be held in the Marian Chapel.

Noon: The traditional Dutch Lunch will be served in the TMP-Marian Dining Hall, offering fellowship and reunion among generations of alumni.

For more information, please contact the TMP-Marian Advancement Office at 785-625-9434 or advancement@tmpmarian.org.

Hays Catholic Schools to celebrate 100th anniversary of homecoming

Hays High School will celebrate its first homecoming in the new facility Sept. 22-27.

Theme: Down the Rabbit Hole (Alice in Wonderland)

Parade:&nbsp;Friday, Sept. 26, Line up: 4 p.m., Parade starts at 5 p.m. (Parade Application:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://forms.office.com/r/9NefGZ6HfM">https://forms.office.com/r/9NefGZ6HfM</a>)

Homecoming Assembly:&nbsp;Friday, Sept. 26, noon

Homecoming Game:&nbsp;OUR FOOTBALL STADIUM, vs. Garden City, 7 p.m., Coronation: Halftime

Homecoming Dance:&nbsp;Saturday Sept. 26, 8-10:30 p.m., cost: $10

Hays High to celebrate first homecoming in new school Sept. 22-27

Reach out to friends, family, classmates, and teammates and make plans to attend Fort Hays State University’s Homecoming!

Visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.7LNxDHQVpzCjONIZ4OYIqjnQfcs-2FPVg5bO-2FQFSxaOcioJBHNcJIdkiMuGXDWF7ZawFUG_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOS1G1YVlK0jBWCZJvNQL7smIRX-2FeRZYTIJSWfF5wfJ-2FbBIWv-2FSVU4K766OsVtESPsJxRmiZuON2k0Iygny8gg4P24tljKPDR-2BfvJWIEZfXIWJjdBZ96Mo5i7aXRV8W-2BDIwct34kkJWt-2FIzfrPjvtPhmT17GGa9LqSg0xwqbJMHhH0YjxuuGp1SyanhzAluBPk7KZ2y9c9SYICSZKDlBpGO3UN2Fz2P966mbN8WUaIBpXg7wnj6WoWf1zEYkNCOg9C">FHSUhomecoming.com</a>&nbsp;for additional information and to register for a variety of weekend events set for Friday, September 26, and Saturday, September 27.

Several Homecoming events require advanced registration, which closes September 12, so don’t delay. Take a look at the schedule below&nbsp;and contact the FHSU Alumni Office at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:alumni@fhsu.edu">alumni@fhsu.edu</a>&nbsp;or 785-628-4430 with any questions.

• Chamber Chat: Promoting FHSU Homecoming and Oktoberfest – FHSU Robbins Center, Eagle Communications Hall, 9 a.m.

Monday, September 22 – Saturday, September 27

• Online Homecoming –&nbsp;FHSU.edu/homecoming/online

• Royalty Meet and Greet and Treats – FHSU Quad, 11 a.m.

• Homecoming Golf Tournament* – Smoky Hill Country Club, Registration 8 a.m., Shotgun Start 9 a.m. (Registration Full) • Tiger Bonfire – FHSU Robbins Center, 7:30 p.m.

• FHSU Major Gift Announcement – FHSU Library Front Lawn, 9 a.m.. Alumni Award Recipients&nbsp;Meet and Greet – Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. • Oktoberfest – Hays Municipal Park, visit&nbsp;OktoberfestHays.com&nbsp;for details. • Half Century Club Social, Luncheon, and Induction* – Memorial Union, Ballroom, Social 11 a.m., Luncheon and Induction, 12 p.m. Price for luncheon is $25. • Campus Walking Tour – Gather in Memorial Union, Sunset Atrium, 1:30 p.m. • Class of 1965 and 1975 Optional Campus and Hays Bus Tour – Gather in Memorial Union, Sunset Atrium, 2 p.m. • Alumni and Friends Awards Banquet* – Memorial Union, Ballroom, Social 6 p.m., Dinner 7 p.m. Price for banquet is $30.

• Class of 1965 and 1975 Reunion Breakfast* – Memorial Union, Stouffer Lounge, 8:30 a.m. Price for breakfast is $20.

• Student Government Association Reunion Breakfast* – Memorial Union, Ballroom, 9 a.m. Price for breakfast is $20. • Campus Walking Tour – Gather in Memorial Union, Sunset Atrium, 9:30 a.m. • Oktoberfest – Hays Municipal Park, visit&nbsp;OktoberfestHays.com for details. • Parade – The Bricks in Downtown Hays, 11 a.m. • Student Government Association Come-and-Go Reunion Reception – Memorial Union, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. • Tiger Tailgate* – Lewis Field Stadium, East Lawn, 5 p.m. Price for the tailgate buffet is $20. • Sigma Sigma Sigma Reunion Tailgate* (Celebrating 100 Years at FHSU) – Lewis Field Stadium, East Lawn, 5 p.m. Price for the tailgate buffet is $20. • Football Game – Lewis Field Stadium, FHSU vs. Missouri Western, Pre-Game 6:30 p.m., Kickoff 7 p.m. Purchase game tickets from FHSU Athletics by phone at 785-628-4050, online at FHSUathletics.com, or at the gate.

*Denotes events that require advanced registration prior to September 12 by visiting&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.EWtdXdo3nx3t8ZlvSfKX0VaYir6tJ6nKlfv5tq3B579f2v-2FJqQC49eO0U0kTvvId9uKI_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOS1G1YVlK0jBWCZJvNQL7smIRX-2FeRZYTIJSWfF5wfJ-2FbBIWv-2FSVU4K766OsVtESPsJxRmiZuON2k0Iygny8gg4MhMai7NorDHVuBgq0ZLOn4It66-2BTYdo-2B5-2BXhOh9UtgpjeR6UxNbPtL46XWfFyuVBPOxAFNO1AbIMkbjWORqt1oN5syztueK-2BLp8SEbFCCW-2BO4ZBsYTBmJBFiK-2BFT98Xgue4gKLm4WoeEJ5j-2B4SwKF2OV-2FLujolcZuUo8pANeRL3">FHSUhomecoming.com</a>

Victor E. Apparel &amp; Gift Co. in the Memorial Union will be offering a 20% discount in-store on all regularly priced items the Friday and Saturday of Homecoming for Tiger fans looking for new FHSU apparel and memorabilia.

For questions, contact the FHSU Alumni Office at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:alumni@fhsu.edu">alumni@fhsu.edu</a>&nbsp;or 785-628-4430.

FHSU announces Homecoming 2025 activities, events

&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

Us 4 U, a student organization at Fort Hays State University, will host a “Prayer Service for Peace” at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, at the Methodist Campus Center, 507 Elm St.

Led by local religious leaders, the service will include reflections, scripture readings, prayers, and silent meditation. Together, we will light candles and pray for peace, justice, and unity around the world. 

Everyone is welcome to join this time of hope and reflection.

‘Prayer Service for Peace’ to be held at Methodist Campus Center

By&nbsp; LINN ANN HUNTINGTON Special to Hays Post

The Healing Hearts Grief Support Group will have a special guest speaker at its next meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18. 

The meeting will be in the new Hays Senior Center location inside the Schmidt Community Center, 2510 Canterbury Dr. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. Attendees are asked to use the south entrance. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Kenneth Windholz, a clinical psychotherapist, will speak on the topic “Visitation Dreams.” Windholz teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in the Psychology Department at Fort Hays State University. He has authored book chapters and articles on neuropsychology. He has served as the president of the Kansas Association of Masters in Psychology, is the current president of the NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Kansas Board of Directors, and serves as the faculty sponsor for NAMI on the FHSU campus.

Dr. Kate McGonigal, the Healing Hearts group facilitator, said Windholz’s appearance is a celebration of the “new beginning” for Healing Hearts. It did not meet while the Senior Center was relocating to its new home. The group will continue meeting at 6:30 the third Thursday night of each month in its new home, she said.

Healing Hearts is a grief support group for adults who have lost a loved one. McGonigal said, “We want anyone who is experiencing grief to join us for one meeting, or for however meetings they wish, as they navigate the road to coping with the death of someone they loved. We focus on healing and coping from close personal losses.”

McGonigal is an associate professor of sociology at Fort Hays State University, where she has taught since 2004. She teaches the Death &amp; Dying class at FHSU, with an emphasis on caregivers and caregiving.&nbsp;

More information about the Healing Hearts group is available by contacting her at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:klmcgonigal@fhsu.edu">klmcgonigal@fhsu.edu</a>.

Grief support group to have guest speaker Sept. 18

To celebrate the beautiful brand new Hays High Auditorium, all former HHS music students are invited to join in performing in an alumni choir, band, and orchestra concert on September 27. 

Previous directors Matt Rome, Johnny Matlock, Elise Peterson, and Joan Crull will join our current directors to conduct in this concert. 

Alumni sought for reunion concert to celebrate new Hays High auditorium

The Ellis County Ministerial Alliance will hold its first meeting of the fall at noon Wednesday, Sept. 10, at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, 2901 E. 13th, Hays.

Ellis County Ministerial Alliance to meet Sept 10

By LINN ANN HUNTINGTON Special to Hays Post

Kansans for Life is bringing a traveling memorial exhibit to Hays on Monday, Sept. 22, and is seeking volunteers to help with the event that day.

Father Andy Hammeke, chaplain at Comeau Catholic Campus Center in Hays, said in a news release that about 50 volunteers are needed. The exhibit, called “Aftermath,” will have 19,467 models of babies on display.

This was the number of babies aborted in Kansas in 2023, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Vital Statistics Report, which was published in December 2024, the most recent report available. This number represents a 58 percent increase from 2022 and a 148 percent increase from 2021, according to the report.

The exhibit will be on display at the Hays Downtown Pavilion, 117 E. 10th St., from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 22.

“Sometimes when we hear how many abortions have taken place, the&nbsp;number is hard to comprehend.&nbsp; But a good image can help make the numbers strike&nbsp;closer to home,” Hammeke said.&nbsp;“These won't be bloody images or images of dead babies.&nbsp; Simply lots and lots of baby&nbsp;models.”&nbsp;The exhibit is suitable for fifth graders and older, he said.

The exhibit will also provide pro-life information, including resources for women who have had an abortion. In addition to Hays, the exhibit will be traveling to 11 other Kansas cities.

According to the website, volunteers are needed to help set up and take down the exhibit, greet visitors, and staff the information table. Volunteers may get more information and sign up at <a href="https://aftermathks.com/">aftermathks.com</a>.

Kansans for Life seeks volunteers for event coming to Hays

Fort Hays State University Communications

The Kansas Wetlands Education Center’s (KWEC) 12th annual Butterfly Festival will be held on Saturday, September 20, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Each year, millions of monarch butterflies undertake their annual fall flight to Mexico. Nets and tags will be available during the event for those who want to capture and tag monarch butterflies.

Participants head out into the flower-filled fields and shelter belt around KWEC to capture monarchs, with tagging leaders stationed along the trail to help with the tagging process. For the past several years, monarchs tagged at the event were recovered at three Mexico roost sites.

On the way to Mexico, data collected from tagged monarchs helps support the research of Monarch Watch. Tagging helps answer questions about the origins of monarchs that reach Mexico, the timing and pace of migration, mortality during the migration, and changes in geographic distribution.

Egg. Larva. Pupa. Butterfly. That's magic!&nbsp;Steve Craig will have a butterfly magic show that makes learning this basic science fun using magic, puppets, and humor. The Butterfly Magic show is designed for family audiences - enjoy the metamorphosis at shows at 9:30, 10:30, and 11:15 a.m. Make sure to claim free tickets on your arrival at the festival.

Larned-based Kellie Honey Farm will be present with a demonstration hive on display in the exhibit hall to educate about the importance of honeybees.

Grassland Groupies, a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring the conservation of grassland ecosystems, will be at the festival. Depending on the availability of insects, they may have their Bumblebutt Petting Station, an all-male (so they won't sting), bumble bee interaction display, or a walk-in butterfly tent.

KWEC will also feature an invertebrate zoo, with giant walking stick insects, butterflies, caterpillars, chrysalises, fluorescing scorpions, a tarantula, and more.

Kids can make a butterfly tealight lantern at the craft station and a monarch butterfly rest stop to assist the butterflies migrating through your own backyard. Race through a pollinator obstacle course and earn a temporary butterfly tattoo. Use a sling shot to shoot seed bombs full of potential pollinator blooms out into our prairie and take home your own packet of seeds.

Explore the Melody Marsh, an interactive play area in the KWEC Pollinator Garden. The garden provides wildflower planting ideas to use at home and features a variety of native and adaptable plants that serve as hosts for different species of caterpillars and provide nectar sources for pollinators, including butterflies, birds, beetles, and more.

Pollinator seed packets will be available for free until they run out.

Partnering with the Kansas Wetlands Education Center and the annual Butterfly Festival, the Central Kansas Partnership's Suicide Prevention Task Force Walk and Remembrance Ceremony will occur early in the morning at 7:15 a.m. to ensure it is completed by the time the festival is set to begin.

Each individual will be able to write the loved one's name on a painted butterfly to stake in the ground during the festival for attendees to see. The task force will also have a booth during the festival, sharing information on suicide prevention.

For more information, contact KWEC at 1-877-243-9268 or visit: <a href="https://wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu/">wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu</a>.

Annual Butterfly Festival set for Sept. 20 at Kansas Wetlands Education Center 

FINNEY COUNTY: —A Garden City man’s fence-hopping escape plan fell flat after he was arrested for burglary over the weekend. 

Just before 10:30 p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the 1100 block of W. Campbell Street in Garden City for a reported burglary in progress, where a suspect broke into an apartment, stole property, and fled the scene, according to a media release from police.

The resident, who was not home at the time, witnessed the break-in remotely via a security camera and immediately called police. After arriving, Officers learned the suspect, identified as Victor Viurquez, 34, was actively jumping fences throughout the neighborhood to avoid being captured. 

After a brief search, Viurquez was located in a nearby alley and taken into custody. Viurquez is being held in the Finney County Jail on requested charges of Burglary, multiple counts of Criminal Trespass, and multiple counts of Criminal Damage. No injuries were reported, and the Finney County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol assisted with the incident. 

SW Kan. homeowner watched burglary remotely via a security camera

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a weekend manhunt in northeast Kansas.

Just after noon on Sept. 5, a sheriff's&nbsp;deputy on routine patrol in the vicinity of U.S. 36&nbsp; near Bittersweet,&nbsp; was alerted of a stolen vehicle out of Wisconsin, according to Brown County Sheriff John Merchant.

The deputy attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle and a short chase ensued.&nbsp; The vehicle traveled southout of Fairview and&nbsp; ended up in a soybean field just east of the Sac andFox Casino on Coyote between 130th and 140th Road.&nbsp;

 At this point the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle Dustin Hampton 40 of Prairie DuChein, Wisconsin, ran from the vehicle.&nbsp;

Several tracking dogs were brought in and located Hampton approximately 3/4 mile east of where his original location. No injuries were reported and once Hampton was located, he complied without incident.

The vehicle Hampton was driving, a 1983 Datsun pickup, had been reported stolen out of Rice, Wisconsin. Hampton is in custody on requested charges of Possession of Stolen Property, Criminal Damage to Property, Felony Flee to Elude and Obstruction.

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