By JOHN P. TRETBAR

Baker Hughes on Friday reported 1,013 active rigs nationwide, up five oil rigs from last week. Texas reported an increase of eight active drilling rigs. Canada reported 93 active rigs, down nine. Independent Oil & Gas Service reports drilling ahead at sites in Barton and Ellis counties and they were preparing to spud at a third site in Stafford County. They’re moving in completion tools at two leases in Barton County and five in Ellis County. For the week, there were ten active drilling rigs in eastern Kansas, up one, and 28 west of Wichita, down three.

There were 29 new permits filed for oil and gas drilling at new locations across Kansas (13 east of Wichita; 16 in western Kansas) for a year-to-date total of 457 new permits. Operators filed two drilling permits in Barton County last week.

Independent Oil & Gas Service reports 26 newly-completed wells for the week, 473 so far this year. There were 16 in eastern Kansas and 10 west of Wichita including completions in Barton, Ellis and Russell counties.

Government data show a big spike in gasoline demand, which AAA says is the highest ever for the month of April, and higher than typical summer driving-season demand. The national average price ticked up a nickel to $2.76 a gallon, about 17 cents more than a month ago. Five states saw double-digit price increases. The average in Kansas was up about half a cent on the week to $2.49/gallon. We spotted $2.47 in Great Bend, and $2.45/gallon in Hays.

Earthquakes rattles west central Oklahoma last week and regulators blamed oil-and-gas wastewater disposal. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission shut down one disposal well and ordered reduced volumes at others within ten miles of the quakes, which were reported Monday morning (4/16) near Hennessey, Oklahoma.

The production cuts by OPEC, Russia and other nations appears to be having the desired effect of reducing the global oil glut. Oil inventories in developed nations in March stood at 12 million barrels above the five-year average. The stated goal was to reduce the excess in oil stocks to that five-year average, although oil ministers have said other metrics should also be considered. As OPEC’s efforts to balance the oil market bear fruit, U.S. producers are reaping the benefits – and flooding Europe with a record amount of crude. Reuters reports U.S deliveries to Europe are set to reach an all-time high of roughly 550,000 bpd this month.

The Trump administration is moving forward on oil and gas drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a bone of contention for decades. A notice published in the Federal Register starts a 60-day review to sell oil and gas leases.

An oil-and-gas regulator in Texas blames education, and a widespread public misunderstanding, for the shortage of workers in the Texas oil patch. Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian told state lawmakers about what he called “…the misunderstanding of the oil and gas industry” and the acceptance of what he called “…the politically correct-driven, environmental, anti-oil and gas science.”

Oklahoma City-based SandRidge Energy shuffled its board and those directors appealed directly to shareholders, as activist investor Carl Icahn waged a proxy fight. The Daily Oklahoman reports that effective immediately, Michael Bennett will replace Chairman John V. Genova, who has retired.

The fight continues over the expansion of an oil pipeline between two provinces in Canada. The oil-rich province of Alberta is considering a legislative move to cut off fuel shipments to neighboring British Columbia, ramping up pressure on the coastal province to drop its opposition to the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. Alberta Premier Rachel Notley made clear she doesn’t expect to have to use the new powers, but wants to make sure the province has every available tool in its fight to ensure the expansion gets built.

TransCanada is moving ahead with planning for the Keystone Pipeline expansion, despite lawsuits hoping to stop the project in Nebraska and Montana. A spokesman says TransCanada still hopes to begin construction in early 2019, with plans in the works for aerial surveys and meetings with landowners. TransCanada spokesman Matt John said company officials will offer a “construction completion bonus” as an incentive to get landowners to sign easement agreements. They also plan to award bonuses to early signers and will give landowners time to review the contracts with outside attorneys.

North Dakota regulators relaxed some rules and offered incentives they hope will further limit natural gas that’s being burned off at well sites and wasted. The amended rules extend credits from three months to six months for companies that meet or exceed flaring goals. They also gives companies credit if the natural gas is used in the state to power equipment or facilities. And the new rules allow companies that are meeting targets to forgo a gas-capturing plan with their drilling permits. Officials say that will “relieve the administrative burden” for producers meeting the flaring targets and allow regulators to focus more on those that don’t.

Downtown Hays Development Corporation (DHDC), has many functions. We are a very active 501c3 who, when we put our minds to something, make it happen. This can been seen in the many events we organize, the completion of the downtown pavilion, and our commitment to building relationships not only in downtown but throughout the Hays community. But beyond the downtown pavilion, there’s not a lot that people see us “developing.” It’s even been suggested we take “development” out of our name.

I want to take this time to tell you how I define development and how we accomplish it. It’s through incredible partnerships and collaboration. DHDC does so much behind the scenes and we often forget to tell people about it. We have created business Facebook pages, given social media tips and tricks, designed eye catching flyers, promoted events and ticket sales even if they’re not ours, we sit on several event and marketing committees to offer whatever support and ideas they may need, and the list goes on.

To me development doesn’t just mean building or renovating anymore. It means developing an organization’s effectiveness and viability. Creating learning opportunities that can enhance the quality of leadership within an individual or organization. Initiating conversations that can affect how a a situation is handled or seen or give someone the opportunity to share their secrets for
success.

Creating these partnerships helps strengthen businesses, organizations, DHDC, and our community as a whole. It allows us all to grow and expand in a way that would have been impossible on our own.

Here are just some of partnerships DHDC has already created in 2018:

• Hays Arts Council – The seasonal arts walks hosted by the Hays Arts Council are known throughout the state. Wonderful pieces of art are showcased during each one. The Arts Council serves as the “hub” for these events as they always have a stunning exhibit or contest to display. DHDC is excited to act almost as a second hub during each of this year’s walks. We will be providing information about our community as well as highlighting performing arts group under the new downtown pavilion. The Spring Art Walk this Friday will be our inaugural event. From 6:30-9:30 enjoy live jazz with both the FHSU Jazz Ensemble (directed by Brad Dawson) followed by the well known trio of, Brad Dawson, Luke Johnson, and Ken Windholz.
• Hays Symphony Orchestra – DHDC is a proud sponsor of the Hays Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra has been providing remarkable performances to our community for over 100 years and is the longest continuously running orchestra in the state of Kansas. Thanks to generous donors all performances are free to attend and offer a beautiful reception after the concerts. This is the second year DHDC has been the grand finale reception sponsor. This concert can be enjoyed this Saturday night, April 28th at 7:30 at the Beach-Schmidt Performing Arts Center. DHDC is also partnering with the Hays Symphony Orchestra to bring you “Bach’s Lunch on the Bricks!” This will be a summer music series at the Downtown Pavilion. It will take place the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of June, July and August. Box lunches will be available for purchase or bring your own. Just make sure you get downtown to enjoy live music over your lunch hour!
• Hays Area Chamber of Commerce – Each year at the annual Golf Tournament the Chamber staff also offers a “patio party” for non-golfers like myself to enjoy. This year the party theme is “The Bricks on the Green.” The Blue Heron Boutique, Lilly and Marie, Simply Charmed and Refine are all working with DHDC to bring downtown to the golf course for the day. Swag bags, door prizes, fashion shows and more will all be enjoyed on May 4, 2018. The chamber can be contacted for tickets.
• United Way of Ellis County – I not only have the pleasure of sitting on their marketing committee but look forward to working with them on their 2019 campaign kick-off this summer. DHDC will help organize a children’s cook-off so watch for that announcement soon!
• Bethesda Place – Discussions are underway to create a market to farm fun run or walk. The location of the Downtown Hays Market is exactly 4 miles from the Bethesda farm. Participants will enjoy a free homemade breakfast and farm tours once they arrive and a shuttle will take them back to the start once they are finished enjoying and exploring. Again, watch for the
  announcement coming soon!
• Big Brother Big Sisters – There are a number of great 501c3 organizations in Downtown Hays and we work hard to support them in any way we can. This year DHDC is excited to be a lane sponsor for the BBBS Bowl for Kid’s Sake event. This event is Wednesday, May 2. Contact the BBBS office for more details on how to get involved.
• Relay for Life – I am thankful to be involved in this year’s Relay for Life event. Sitting on this committee and hearing the passion the others in the room share to make this a successful event is inspiring. We have all been touched by cancer. The research that this event funds is life changing. Someone on the committee stressed to me, just because the money doesn’t stay local, doesn’t mean it doesn’t effect locally. If a cure is found, it will effect everyone. So true. The Relay this year is called “Light up the Bricks” and it will take place in the downtown pavilion on Friday June 1 from 7 p.m. to midnight. To sponsor this event or purchase a luminary please call
  785-623-1971.

There’s always a lot going on in Downtown and DHDC is always looking to create partnerships and in turn, opportunity. To keep up to date on what we have going on, make sure you bookmark www.DowntownHays.com or follow us on social media, @downtownhays.

Sara Bloom is executive director of the Downtown Hays Development Corporation.

With others in the Diocese of Dodge City, I have watched with great disappointment as our elected leaders in Topeka year after year give in to politics and deny thousands of Kansans access to health care that will – in many cases – save their lives.

For the past three years, our state has had the chance to expand KanCare to reach 150,000 more Kansans who fall into what is called the “coverage gap.” These are hardworking people who are doing everything they can to make ends meet, and simply cannot afford health insurance for themselves or their families.

The Diocese of Dodge City serves 28 counties in southwest Kansas and covers 23,000 miles. We know these people. They pray with us in church, they serve us at restaurants, they take care of our children, they provide care for our elderly. They do many of the invisible jobs that don’t pay well but keep our communities bound together. They are our neighbors.

Expansion of KanCare, the Medicaid program that provides health insurance to low-income individuals, is about people and not politics. It is about making sure we do whatever we can to keep our families, friends and neighbors healthy in mind, body and spirit.

In all faiths we find stories that show the importance of being our brother’s – and sister’s – keeper. In the Christian faith, we know that when we feed the hungry and care for the ill, we do so after the example of Christ and at his command.

Not being able to afford health insurance is not a sin. But looking the other way when we know we could help people in need is not what is expected of us who strive to live a faith-based life.

We know our state leaders are good people. We have faith they will do the right thing this year and recognize the dignity of all Kansans by voting to expand KanCare. I encourage you to let them know that you support their votes, because ultimately the lives of those near and dear to us are depending on it.

Rev. Robert A. Schremmer
Vicar General and Moderator of Curia