Jeff Broome is a philosophy professor at Arapahoe County Community College in Littleton, Colorado. When he’s not in the classroom, he’s researching and writing about the American Old West.

Broome was at the Ellis County Historical Society Museum Saturday to talk about General George Custer and the Indian Wars on the Great Plains.

He’s written two books, “Dog Soldier Justice,” and “Custer into the West,” which covers Custer’s time in Kansas, including  Fort Hays, after the Civil War.

Now Broome is working on a new book about Wild Bill Hickock in Hays and his 1870 saloon brawl with troopers of the 7^th Cavalry.

Prior to this presentation, Museum Executive Director Don Westfall read a proclamation by mayor Troy Hickman declaring December 1 as “Jeff Broome Day” in Hays.

Broome’s books are for sale at the museum.

A house fire any time of year is a tragedy.  A fire during the holidays can be even more devastating.

Unfortunately, all those decorations, burning candles, and of course, the  Christmas tree itself, natural or artificial, are the top three contributors to holiday fires, according to Hays Fire Chief Gary Brown.

“Be extra vigilant this time of year.  Carry out all the boxes and wrapping paper as soon as you’ve opened all the Christmas gifts.  And remember,  even if you don’t smoke, a holiday guest may,” he says.

Thanks to a donation by Dick Werth at Auto World, the Hays Fire Department has free carbon monoxide and smoke alarms for residents who can’t afford them.

Santa Claus made a special appearance Saturday afternoon at the Hays Regional Airport.

He left his reindeer at the North Pole, and accepted a ride in a Cessna 182 piloted by  Dan Stecklein.

Lots of children lined up to share their Christmas wish list with the jolly old elf.

Santa timed his stop in Hays as part of the airport’s Holiday Open House.  Members of the Fly Hays Advisory Committee were also on hand to serve hot dogs, cookies and other refreshments.

See more tonight on Eagle Local News, ECTV Channel 14.

A former traveling medical technician at the center of a Hepatitis C outbreak in eight states, including Kansas, is facing new federal charges.

Connecticut resident David Kwiatkowski was arrested in July for stealing syringes filled with pain medication.

Officials say he would inject himself and then reuse the needles on patients, infecting at least 30 people with Hepatitis C.

Six of those are HaysMed patients.  Kwiatkowski worked in the catheterization lab at the Hays hospital from May to September 2010.

An Exeter grand jury indicted Kwiatkowski Wednesday on 14 federal charges,  including tampering with a consumer product and illegally obtaining controlled substances.

Kwiatkowski denies the charges, and says he was unaware of his Hepatitis C status.

It’s a good thing Santa has a lot of helpers building toys at the North Pole.

He’ll be busy Saturday, flying in to the Hays Regional Airport for the Home for the Holidays Open House.

The public is invited to greet Santa as he arrives by plane. People can enjoy hot dogs and other refreshments and a special treat will be given to all the kids.

Adults are invited to bring a canned food item and register to win free round-trip Great Lakes Airlines tickets.

It all happens Saturday from 4 to 6 pm at Hays Regional Airport.

Part of the  downtown Hays Frost Fest celebration is the “Brightest Building” contest.

During Friday evening’s tree lighting ceremony in Union Pacific Park, community members voted for their favorite holiday-themed business exterior in the downtown area.

And this year, first place is a tie.

The winner of the 2012 “Brightest Building” title is shared by Bella Luna Boutique and the Paisley Pear. Second place goes to DV8 Designs.

The 2012 Frost Fest theme is “Candy Cane Lane.”  The 12^th annual Illuminated Parade is Saturday, December 8^th starting at 5:30p.m.

Although he is in the midst of a week-long media tour across Kansas, Ed Hammond was back in Hays Tuesday night in time for Fort Hays State University’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony

The university president first offered season’s greetings to the crowd of students, faculty and community members.

After the Christmas lights were turned on in front of Sheridan Hal,  President Hammond led the crowd in chanting for that special visitor from the North Pole.

The FHSU Dickenson Carolers entertained the crowd with Christmas music, and all the children got to visit with Santa inside the Dreiling Lobby where they enjoyed hot chocolate and cookies.

Innovation. Collaboration. Going beyond the requirements.  Using available resources.

Donna Hudson-Hamilton does all of these very well, and that’s why she has been named the national Head Start Association Administrator of the Year.

Hudson-Hamilton is director of USD 489 Early Childhood Connections.  The program name was changed from Head Start last year.

“Our mission is to always make sure children are prepared for school, and that means also preparing their families, ” says Hudson-Hamilton.  “That’s how Head Start differs from a typical pre-school.”

Hudson-Hamilton will receive her award in May at the national Head Start convention in Washington.

See more tonight on Eagle Local News, ECTV Channel 14.

Support for higher education is vital for Kansas during these difficult economic times.  That’s the message Fort Hays State University president Dr. Ed Hammond is spreading this week during his annual media tour of the state.

During a kickoff news conference Monday morning in FHSU Sheridan Hall, Hammond cited five initiatives that have been implemented or are being pursued at FHSU to provide the enhanced education opportunities Kansans need.

• College of Arts and Sciences high school resident academy
• College of Business and Entrepreneurship pursuit of international business accreditation EQUIS
• iPads purchased for College of Education and Technology faculty
• College of Health and Life Sciences’ Western Kansas Center for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics
• Forsyth Library cloud-based library services Alma and Primo

Hammond is visiting at newspapers, radio and television stations, and with community leaders, alumni and friends of FHSU in 17 Kansas cities.

Longtime Hays school board member Alan Moore says he will not run for re-election next year.

He made the announcement at last week’s USD 489 board meeting, urging interested candidates to file before the January deadline.  “It has to be a very significant commitment of time and energy because it will take a toll on you personally and on your family, but it’s extremely rewarding,” he said.

“Important decisions need to be made over the next four years (by the board, and) I’d like to see people give this consideration,” said Moore.  “It’s going to take a year before you grasp the situation.”

Moore has served two four-year terms since 2005.