Voter turnout Register voters-20,483 Voted as of Election Day-4,620 Voter turnout-22.56%

All precincts reporting. W=Winner pending canvass.

Hays City Commission 2 four-year terms; 1 two-year term Reese Barrick-1137 Shaun Musil-1772-W David Vilaysing-1340-W Candace (CJ) Hathaway-467 Sandy Jacobs-1542-W Samuel Allen-165 Justin Choitz-204 Kelly Ancar-744 David Koshiol-1277

See the Hays Post for a story on this race on Wednesday.

Hays USD 489 3 at-large positions Ken Brooks-1948-W Curt C. Vajnar-2531-W Craig Pallister-1948-W Meagan Zampieri-Lillpopp-1294 Kelly Ancar-1603

Ellis City Mayor 1 position Devin D. Henderson-111 Martin V. LaBarge-209-W

Ellis City Treasurer 1 position Amanda M. Shannon-378-W

Ellis City Councilmember 3 at large&nbsp;positions John A. Walz-315-W David R. McDaniel-250-W Kevin LaBarge-275-W

Schoenchen Mayor 1 position Kevin Bieker-32-W

Schoenchen City Councilmember 5&nbsp;Positions Jim Mowry-29-W

Victoria City Mayor 1 position John Schulte-178-W

Victoria Councilmember 3 positions Ryan Lichter-155-W Matthew L Sander-170-W

USD 432-Victoria 3 District at-Large positions Shanna Dinkel-201-W Jacob Hunter-101 Connie Braun-216-W Jeanna Wellbrock-96 Jennifer Berens-188-W

USD 388-Ellis 3 at large positions 1 unexpired term (2 years) NO CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT

Big Creek Improvement District 3 Director&nbsp;positions Duane F. Kuhn-41-W Keith Schmidt-25 Larry Leiker-39-W Casey F Herrman-29-W

Munjor Improvement District 3 Director&nbsp;positions Darold F Younker-20-W

Prairie Acres Improvement District 3&nbsp;Director positions Shane Gregg-14-W Kevin Zimmer-20-W Bradley Stewart-15-W Bill Wierman-1

Suburban Estates Improvement District 3&nbsp;Director positions NO CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT

Cottonwood Extension District No. 17 2 board positions Donna Maskus-3259-W Dinah Newman-1834-W

Write-in candidates will be calculated starting on Wednesday, and winners will be announced as soon as they become available.

The canvass to certify the official election results will be at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, at the Ellis County Administration Center in the county commission meeting room.

Election results 2025: Final results pending canvas

By BECKY KISER&nbsp; Hays Post

Incumbents Shaun Musil, a Nex-Tech employee, and Sandy Jacobs, a retired banker, were the top two vote-getters for the Hays City Commission, according to the unofficial results from Tuesday's local election.&nbsp;

The third open seat will go to newcomer David Vilaysing. A retired officer with the Hays Police Department and owner of DXI Training Solutions for first responders, Vilaysing beat out the remaining candidates, including incumbent Reese Barrick.

Musil and Jacobs will serve four-year terms while Vilaysing will serve a two-year term.

The trio will be sworn into office during the first regular commission meeting in January when the governing body will also be reorganized.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Choitz, Allen and Ancar did not actively campaign for a seat.&nbsp;

The balloting still must be canvassed by the Ellis County Commission. Voter turnout was 22.56%.

2 incumbents, 1 newcomer elected to Hays City Commission 

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Two incumbents and a former school board member were elected to the Hays USD 489 school board on Tuesday.

Curt Vajnar, the current president of the board, was re-elected, receiving the most votes—2,531.

Vajnar is a former ag teacher at Hays High School. This will be his second four-year term.

Ken Brooks and Craig Pallister tied with 1,948 votes each.&nbsp;

Brooks, an incumbent and the current vice president of the board, will be serving his second four-year term. Brooks is a loss control safety specialist for Insurance Planning.

Pallister is a retired educator who served as principal of Hays Middle School for 21 years. He served four years on the school board, but narrowly lost re-election to the board two years ago behind Jayme Goetz.

Meagan Zampieir-Lillpopp lost her bid for re-election, receiving 1,294 votes. Kelly Ancar rounded out the slate of candidates, receiving 1,603 votes.

All three winning candidates focused their comments on completing the bond projects.&nbsp;

The district opened a new high school building in August. A renovation and addition have been completed at Roosevelt Elementary School.

Work is underway to renovate the former high school building into a middle school. Students will move into that space in January. Work is ongoing on a renovation and expansion of O'Loughlin Elementary School.

Once the current middle school is vacated, work will begin to renovate it into a four-section elementary school.

Vajnar said, "I just want to get the bond issue stuff completed and on budget. ... I just want to make sure we continue on doing a good job educating our youth. That's why I ran, making sure we have a good education system for kids who come through our school system."

Ken Brooks said, "I hope to keep us on track as we finish the bond project, and I am excited about what the next four years are going to bring. I hope I can continue serving as I have."

"I want to thank Curt and Craig, and I also want to thank Meagan [Zampieri-Lillpopp] for four great years of service," Brooks said.

Pallister said he looked forward to rejoining the board and also hoped to work toward finishing the bond projects.

The candidates will begin their new terms in January.

Results will not be final until canvassing at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12. The canvass will be in the county commission meeting room at the Ellis County Administration Building.

The canvass includes consideration of any provisional ballots, as well as any eligible mail-in ballots received within the next three days.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/27dd42ff-4f55-4a66-8957-7259a3e90c28">See the full election results here.</a>

3 veterans elected to Hays USD 489 school board

The women’s ministry at Hays First United Methodist Church, 305 W. Seventh St., will host its annual fall fundraiser from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8.

The United Women in Faith (UWF) Peddler’s Soup Luncheon and Bake Sale will feature homemade chili, hamburger vegetable soup, and chicken noodle soup; relishes; pie; and a beverage.

Tickets, which will be available at the door, will be $10 for adults and $5 for children younger than 10 years of age.

Soup pre-sales in quart and pint jars will be available that morning. Soup pre-orders may be submitted to Debra at (785) 623-1554 or to the church office, (785) 625-3408.

Baked goods will also be sold at the luncheon. According to a news release, proceeds will go to UWF missions and local charities.

Hays Methodist women to host fall fundraiser Nov. 8

<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

By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension District

Nominate a deserving Kansas producer or landowner for the&nbsp;2025 Kansas Bankers Association Conservation Awards Program. This year, the Kansas Bankers Association, K-State Research and Extension, and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks have announced six award categories:&nbsp;&nbsp;

This program aims to stimulate a greater interest in conserving Kansas's agricultural and natural resources by recognizing farmers and landowners who have made outstanding progress in practicing conservation on their farms. 

In 2024, 110 Kansas producers and landowners were recognized through this program.

Submit your nomination to the Cottonwood Extension office in Great Bend for Barton County residents as soon as possible. 

A committee of conservation professionals will submit the names of the selected recipients to the K-State Agronomy Extension office (or KDWPT for Wildlife Award) by December 5, 2025.

For more information, see:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.agronomy.k-state.edu/extension/kansas-bankers-award/">https://www.agronomy.k-state.edu/extension/kansas-bankers-award/</a>.

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

BOOR: Nominations open for 2025 Conservation Awards Program

Ellis County Jail bookings: Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2025

Ellis County Sheriff's activity log: Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2025

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/522d9bc7-8664-49c5-aba6-3242dc805e2a">FIND FOOD PANTRIES IN ELLIS COUNTY HERE</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/f164f668-bb65-4763-88e9-50c2e763d898">The White House announced on Monday that it will allow the USDA to use all of the SNAP contingency funds to pay part of food benefits for November.</a>

In October, the USDA announced a pause in benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps, due to the government shutdown.

Both SNAP recipients and community food pantries have been preparing for a pause in benefits.

Theresa Hill, executive director of the Community Assistance Center in Hays, said the pantry is well-stocked at this time. The annual Trick-or-Treat So Others Can Eat in October is one of the pantry's largest donation drives of the year.

Hill said the center also receives more food donations during the holidays.

However, Hill and others said that pressure on local pantries has already been on the rise due to the increasing cost of food.

Macey Pfeifer, First Call for Help director, said she saw an increase in food, rent and utility requests in October ahead of the benefit lapse.

"I think there had been talk about pausing SNAP in early to mid-October, and I think that really scared people," Pfeifer said. "Our food was flying off the shelves at the beginning of he month and mid-month."

She said First Call restocked its food pantry three times in October.

"It's been a huge expense," she said. "Thankfully, we have had great donors and people bringing stuff in to us, too."

Pfeifer said First Call for Help has also received a couple of grants this year that have helped keep the pantry full.

As of last week, Pfeifer said the pantry was well-stocked, but the agency always welcomes donations. She said the pantry has had a high demand for canned vegetables, canned beans, soup and boxes of cereal.

The Hays Post asked Pfeifer what it means for a family to miss a month's worth of food assistance.

"I think they probably won't be eating unless they come to a food bank," she said. "We have a lot of families here who rely on SNAP benefits, and I think it's a very scary time for them because they really do count on that money.

"It's not that they don't work. There are a lot of people who receive SNAP who are employed. Maybe they are minimum wage [earners] or are single moms or single dads.

"It probably means that they are going to eat less or they'll have to miss a meal here or there," she said.

Pfeifer said a family came in a couple of weeks ago seeking rental assistance. She said the parents were missing meals to feed their kids. That family had discussed moving one of their children to live with a different family member because they couldn't afford to feed them.

To access resources through First Call for Help, you must live in Ellis County. You must present an ID on your first visit. You can use a driver's license or a government-issued ID card. No proof of income is required for assistance with food or hygiene items. You can access resources every 30 days.

Pfeifer said she thought the community as a whole would see more evictions and people needing more help with other bills, in addition to food, because people will be using that money for food.

Renee Michaud, director of the St. Joseph's Food Pantry in Hays, said she was unsure how the delays in SNAP benefits would affect the food pantry.

"It is hard to know how that impact will come, even if it will come at all," she said, "but we will do the best we can to meet the need that comes. Hopefully, the government shutdown won't last that much longer."

Michaud said she has seen a slight increase—about 10%—in food needs due to other factors, including inflation.

"We made it through COVID. I'm sure we'll find a way to make it through this, too," she said.

St. Joseph's Food Pantry is open from 9 a.m. to noon on the first and third Saturdays of the month. To qualify for assistance, you need to be a resident of Ellis County, but you do not need to show proof of income.

Ellis County food pantries readying for food needs in light of SNAP delays

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>

How to submit an obituary to the Hays Post

Please email obituaries to haysobits@eaglemedia.com.

Please allow up to 24 hours from the submission of the obituary for it to be posted on the Hays Post.&nbsp;

If you have questions, please contact Scarlett Deutscher at 785-301-2211.&nbsp;

If you have an issue outside of business hours or your obit has not been published within 24 hours, please email <a href="mailto:hayspost@eaglemedia.com" target="_blank">hayspost@eaglemedia.com</a> or call Cristina Janney, Hays Post editor, at 785-301-2077.&nbsp;

Recent obituaries, how to submit an obituary

Cub Scout pancake feed set for Saturday at First Presbyterian Church

&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

First Call for Help,&nbsp;&nbsp;607 E. 13th,&nbsp; 785-623-2800 &nbsp;Accessible 8 a.m.-noon and 1-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday&nbsp; Food pantry/box distribution-One per family every 30 days, ID required Meals on Wheels-Elderly or disabled individuals-call for more information

Catholic Charities, 1011 Centennial Blvd., 785-625-2644 &nbsp;Accessible 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday&nbsp; &nbsp;Food box distribution-One per family per month Some paperwork required

St. Joseph Food Bank,&nbsp;&nbsp;210 W 13th, 785-625-7356 Distribution-First and third Saturday of every month, 9 a.m.-noon (Kennedy building, back entrance) Serving everyone, basic household information needed

&nbsp;Community Assistance Center,&nbsp;208 E. 12th, 785-625-9110 Accessible 8:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. Monday-Friday,&nbsp; Serving Ellis County residents, proof of income and residency (utility bill or lease)

&nbsp;FHSU Tiger Pantry - Located in Memorial Union-Chestnut Room Accessible 9:30-11:30 a.m.&nbsp;Monday-Friday and 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Friday Fresh fruit and vegetables when available. Serving students, faculty and staff at Fort Hays State University

&nbsp;Unite Ministry,&nbsp;&nbsp;The Gamer's Guild,&nbsp;&nbsp;200 E. Eighth,&nbsp; 785-259-2539 &nbsp;Accessible 5 to 10 p.m. Monday-Friday and 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday&nbsp; &nbsp;Food pantry and free store

&nbsp;Ellis County Health Department-NOT AVAILABLE DURING FEDERAL SHUTDOWN &nbsp;WIC (Women Infants and Children) ONLY-Income and other requirements

North Oak Community Church, 3000 Oak, 785-628-8887 Accessible 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m.-noon Friday. PLEASE CALL FIRST

New Life Center,&nbsp;1701 E. 22nd, 785-625-5528 Accessible 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday&nbsp; PLEASE CALL FIRST

Hays High School,&nbsp; counseling office, 785-623-2600 Accessible Monday-Friday during school hours Serving students and their families in need Hays Middle School, Donna Lubers,&nbsp; 785-623-2450 Accessible Monday-Friday during school hours Serving students and their families in need PLEASE CALL FIRST

St. Fidelis Church,&nbsp;601 10th, 785-735-2777 Serving area parishes and transients&nbsp; PLEASE CALL FIRST

Ellis Nutrition Center,&nbsp;103 W. Eighth, 785-726-1278 Accessible Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday Serving USD 388 School District and the surrounding area Home deliveries for elderly/disabled. Call NWKS Area Agency on Aging&nbsp;

Ellis Food Pantry,&nbsp;103 W. Eighth, 785-726-1278 Accessible either the first or last day of the month, call to confirm

First Call for Help,&nbsp;607 E. 13th, 785-623-2800 Accesible de lunes a viernes de 8:00 a. m. a 12:00 p. m. y de 1:00 p. m. a 4:30 p. m. Distribución de cajas/despensas de alimentos: una por familia cada 30 días, se requiere identificación

Catholic Charities, 1011 Centennial Blvd., 785-625-2644&nbsp;&nbsp; Accesible de lunes a jueves de 8:00 a 17:00 horas Distribución de cajas de alimentos: una por familia por mes Se requiere algo de papeleo

Banco de alimentos&nbsp;de&nbsp;St. Joseph, 210 W 13th, 785-625-7356 Renee Michaud Distribución: 1.er y 3.er sábado de cada mes, de 9:00 a. m. a 12:00 p. m. (edificio Kennedy, entrada trasera) Al servicio de todos, se necesita información básica del hogar.

Community Assistance Center,&nbsp;208 E. 12th, 785-625-9110 Theresa Hill Accesible de lunes a viernes, de 8:30 a. m. a 12:30 p. m. Sirviendo a los residentes del condado de Ellis, comprobante de ingresos y residencia (factura de servicios públicos o contrato de arrendamiento)

Despensa Tiger de FHSU - ubicada en&nbsp;Sala Memorial Union-Chestnut,&nbsp;Accesible de lunes a viernes de 9:30 a. m. a 11:30 a. m. y de 3:30 p. m. a 5:30 p. m. Viernes Frutas y verduras frescas cuando estén disponibles. Al servicio de estudiantes, profesores y personal de la Universidad Estatal de Fort Hays

Unite Ministry,&nbsp;The Gamer's Guild, 200 E. 8th, 785-259-2539 Accesible de lunes a viernes de 17:00 a 22:00 horas y sábados y domingos de 14:00 a 22:00 horas. Despensa de alimentos y tienda gratuita

Departamento de Salud del Condado de Ellis -&nbsp;NO DISPONIBLE DURANTE EL CIERRE DEL GOBIERNO FEDERAL WIC (Mujeres, bebés y niños) SOLAMENTE - Requisitos de ingresos y otros

North Oak Community Church,&nbsp;3000 Oak, 785-628-8887 Accesible de lunes a jueves de 9:00 a 15:00 horas; viernes de 9:00 a 12:00 horas POR FAVOR LLAME PRIMERO

New Life Center,&nbsp;1701 E. 22nd, 785-625-5528 Accesible de lunes a jueves de 10:00 a 17:00 horas POR FAVOR LLAME PRIMERO

Hays High School,&nbsp; counseling office, 785-623-2600 Accesible de lunes a viernes durante el horario escolar Sirviendo a los estudiantes y sus familias necesitadas

Hays Middle School,&nbsp;Donna Lubers,&nbsp; 785-623-2450 Accesible de lunes a viernes durante el horario escolar Sirviendo a los estudiantes de HMS y sus familias necesitadas&nbsp; &nbsp;POR FAVOR LLAME PRIMERO

St. Fidelis Church,&nbsp;601 10th, 785-735-2777 Sirviendo parroquias y transeúntes del área POR FAVOR LLAME PRIMERO

Ellis Nutrition Center,&nbsp;103 W. 8th, 785-726-1278 Accesible de lunes a martes, jueves y viernes. Sirviendo al Distrito Escolar 388 y sus alrededores&nbsp; Entregas a domicilio para personas mayores o discapacitadas. Llame a la Agencia del Área sobre el Envejecimiento de NWKS&nbsp;

Ellis Food Pantry,&nbsp;103 W. 8th, 785-726-1278 Accesible Ya sea el primer o último día del mes, llame para confirmar

Food pantries in Ellis County; bancos de alimentos en el condado de Ellis

Hays Coat Drive giveaway set for Saturday

DORRANCE — The Dorrance American Legion Post 334 will host a steak feed Saturday, Nov. 8.

Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. with the meal at 6 :30 p.m.

12 or 6-ounce ribeye steak with baked potato, corn, green beans, tea or water and a big selection of desserts will be served.&nbsp;

Cold beer and mixed drinks will be available.

Proceeds benefit the Dorrance American Legion Post 334.

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Dorrance American Legion steak feed Nov. 8

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

The Ellis County Commission will consider appointing a delegate to represent the county at the Kansas County Association Multiline Pool during its meeting at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.

County officials from across Kansas will gather Dec. 9-11 in Wichita for a series of educational sessions and workshops.

Because the Kansas Association of Counties Conference overlaps with the regularly scheduled county commission meeting, a cancellation notice will be issued since all three commissioners plan to attend the event.

The commission will also hear the introduction of new and promoted employees at its meeting.

You can view the full agenda <a href="https://www.ellisco.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11042025-708">here</a>.

Ellis County Commission to attend state association of counties conference

Nov. 1 Osborne Gift Fair, Sims Event Center, 109 W. Main St., Osborne. Join us for all your Christmas needs!

The Craft Basket, Alton Community Room, 618 Mill St., Alton Unique, handmade gifts for everyone. Dates: Nov. 1-Dec. 21 Fridays &amp; Saturdays 9-5 Sundays 1-5. After Christmas Clearance Sale Dec. 27 9-5

Nov. 8 Hunters Feed at the Front Porch Event Center &amp; Bakery, 602 Mill St., Alton. After a day of hunting and/or shopping at the Mill Street Market, join us at the Front Porch Event Center for a delicious meal! The menu is Brisket, Au Gratin Potatoes, Dinner Roll, Coleslaw, Corn on the Cob, and Pumpkin Pie!

Mill Street Market in Alton. A unique craft show located all over downtown Alton! Join us from 9-2 for all your Christmas shopping!

Nov. 11 Mommy &amp; Me Tea, 715 N. Second St., Natoma. Come on in for an elegant, fun and fanciful Tea Party! Every Second Tuesday at 6 P.M. Call 785-346-4772 for more information.

Veterans Day Salute, Natoma Elementary School, 610 3rd St., Natoma. Join us at 10:15 for a beautiful tribute to our veterans!

Nov. 15 Alice in Wonderland Tea Party and Play, Osborne High School, 219 N. 2nd St., Osborne. Visit Wonderland for a day! Join us for a tea party in the Old Gym at 6 PM on November 15th before our rendition of Alice in Wonderland at 7! Ticket (with VIP seating and tea party) $20* *RSVP to the high school office ( 785-346-2143) before November 1st! or Ticket at the gate $8 per adult and $5 per student. We hope to see you there!

Nov. 19 Dinner Club at the Second St. Café, 715 N. 2nd St., Natoma. Enjoy a 7-course meal every 3rd Wednesday at 7:00 at the Second Street Cafe Dinner Club! For more information call 785-346-4772.

Nov. 29 Downs Holiday Gift Fair, Lakeside Gym, 1306 N. Morgan, Downs. Join us at the Lakeside Gym from 9:00 AM-2:00 PM!

November events in Osborne County

November 2025 community events in Hays

By LINN ANN HUNTINGTON Special to Hays Post

First Call for Help of Ellis County is planning its annual “Homes 4 The Holidays Carnival Night” for children.

 While the event is especially geared for ages 2 to 12, “any ages are welcome as we will have games and concessions, too,” said Macey Pfeifer, First Call’s executive director.

The fundraising event will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the Hays Recreation Commission, 1105 Canterbury Dr. The night will also include inflatables and raffle prizes, Pfeifer said.

The cost is $10 per wristband or a maximum cost of $25 for families with three or more children. Only cash and Venmo will be accepted for payment. Concessions will be available for purchase.

 All participants must wear socks, Pfeifer said. Socks will be available for purchase for those who forget to wear them.

“Proceeds from this event will directly support individuals and families in securing safe, stable housing by covering the first month’s rent and/or deposit costs.&nbsp;Many people are currently living in unsafe or unhealthy conditions but are unable to move simply because they can’t afford the upfront costs required,” Pfeifer said.

“Our goal is to be a helping hand—removing that financial barrier and ensuring those in need have the opportunity to transition into a safer, more livable home where they can begin to rebuild and thrive.”

Helping with the event is a team of Leadership 310 students from Fort Hays State University. They are Mika Zimmerman, Hays junior; Matthew Berner, Hays junior; Thomas Pendergast, Hays sophomore; Anthony Arial, Hays junior; and Sabrina Adkins, Hays junior.

Pfeifer said, “Home 4 The Holidays Carnival Night is the perfect family-friendly event that won’t break the bank—especially for those with multiple children. But it’s more than just games, prizes, and memories—it’s a night that gives back.

“Your attendance helps support families in need by providing safe, livable housing and covering first month’s rent and deposit, giving them the stability they need to focus on building a better future. Come for the fun--stay for the impact.”

First Call schedules annual carnival night for children

RENO COUNTY —Voters in Hutchinson overwhelmingly rejected USD 308's $109 million dollar bond issue for facility upgrades, a middle school redesign and athletic field relocation.&nbsp;If approved, the district’s mill levy would have risen from about 52 to 57 mills, according to the school district.

Voters in Russell, Wellington, Rock Hills and St. John Hudson also rejected school bond issues on Tuesday.

Voters in Oakley, Goodland, Arkansas City and Mulvane all approved their school bond issues.

Voters reject $109M bond issue in Hutchinson

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations including homicide after a standoff at a home in Kansas City, Kansas.

Just after 8:30a.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to an armed disturbance at a home in the 1400 block of Oakland Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release.

The reporting party told officers an armed subject entered his home and was inside holding his adult son against his will at gunpoint. 

Police negotiators were able to have the victim released from the residence. Just before 2 p.m. the Kansas City, Kansas polic Special Operations Unit made entry in the residence and took the suspect into custody without incident. The suspect is being held on numerous requested felony charges and was wanted in connection with a homicide from Kansas City, Missouri.

Murder suspect arrested after standoff at Kansas home

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats dominated the first major Election Day since President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;returned to the White House.

And while a debate about the future of the Democratic Party may have only just begun, there are signs that the economy — specifically, Trump’s inability to deliver the economic turnaround he promised last fall — may be a real problem for Trump’s GOP heading into next year’s higher-stakes midterm elections.

Democrats on Tuesday won governor’s races in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virginia-first-female-governor-earlesears-spanberger-01f9854a94fdab6e5719096664ee9be1">Virginia</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mikie-sherrill-jack-ciattarelli-new-jersey-governor-44af948914dd2c6fbe7bb0687c54f99d">New Jersey</a>, the only states electing new chief executives this year. They also swept a trio of state Supreme Court contests in swing-state Pennsylvania and ballots measures from Colorado to Maine.

Trump was largely absent from the campaign trail, but GOP candidates closely aligned themselves with the president, betting that his big win last year could provide a path to victory this time. They were wrong.

Democrats are hoping the off-year romp offers a new winning playbook, but some caution may be warranted. Tuesday’s elections were limited to a handful of states, most of which lean blue, and the party that holds the White House typically struggles in off-year elections.

Meanwhile, Republicans in Washington may be more excited than Democrats that a self-described democratic socialist will become New York City’s next mayor.

Former Rep. Abigail Spanberger will become Virginia’s next governor — and its first female chief executive — while Rep. Mikie Sherrill won the New Jersey governor’s office by running campaigns focused largely on the economy, public safety and health care.

Early results showed Democrats outperforming their margins from four years ago in fast-growing suburbs, rural areas and even places with high concentrations of military voters.

The Democrats won by actively distancing themselves from some of the Democratic Party’s far-left policies and emphasized what Spanberger described in her victory speech as “pragmatism over partisanship.”

A growing collection of Democratic leaders believe the moderate approach holds the key to the party’s revival after the GOP won the White House and both congressional chambers last year.

Above all, the Democrats in both states focused on rising costs such as groceries, energy and health care, which Trump has struggled to control.

In addition to tacking to the middle on economic issues, Spanberger and Sherrill downplayed their support for progressive priorities, including LGBTQ rights and resistance against Trump’s attack on American institutions. Spanberger&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/democrats-spanberger-sherrill-virginia-new-jersey-trump-5869ac164d05f00f4ca07d7919e3960b">rarely even mentioned Trump’s name</a>&nbsp;on the campaign trail.

Both also have resumes that appealed to the middle.

Spanberger is a former CIA case officer who spent years abroad working undercover, while Sherrill spent a decade as an active-duty helicopter pilot for the Navy before entering Congress. Both played up their public safety backgrounds as a direct response to the GOP’s attack that Democrats are soft on crime.

Trump and his Republican allies have been especially focused on immigration, crime and conservative cultural issues.

But voters who decided Tuesday’s top elections were more concerned about the economy, jobs and costs of living. That’s according to the AP Voter Poll, an expansive survey of more than 17,000 voters in New Jersey, Virginia, California and New York City suggesting that many voters felt they can’t get ahead financially in today’s economy.

Ironically, the same economic anxieties helped propel Trump to the White House just one year ago. Now, the economic concerns appear to be undermining his party’s political goals in 2025 — and could be more problematic for the GOP in next year’s midterm elections, which will decide the balance of power for Trump’s final two years in office.

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