By ISABELLE BRAUN
Hays High Guidon Editor-In-Chief

The National Scholastic Press Association has honored 44 news sites for journalism excellence with the 2019 Pacemaker finalists.

The NSPA Pacemaker award has a rich tradition, and the association started presenting the award to high school newspapers a few years after the organization was founded in 1921. Throughout the years, yearbooks, magazines, online sites and broadcast programs were added to the competition.

“The Pacemaker is the association’s preeminent award,” said Laura Widmer, executive director. “NSPA is honored to recognize the best of the best.”

The state with the most sites named as finalists is California with 13 schools, and in Kansas, only two were given this award: The Guidon Online and The Harbinger Online of Shawnee Mission East High School.

“It’s considered the Pulitzer Prize of high school journalism,” instructor Bill Gasper said. “Now what they’re going to do is go through and look at them again. That’s when they pick the actual winners.”

To determine finalists, judges studied approximately 200 websites from 34 states, separating online sites into two categories based on school population. Now, judges will now look online at each of the finalist’s websites to make sure they are frequently posting before the spring conference in Anaheim, Calif., on April 25 to 27.

“It’s a heck of an accomplishment,” Gasper said. “To become a Pacemaker finalist is one of the top awards you can get. It’s just a tremendous honor. We’ve won two Pacemaker finalists and one Pacemaker for the print newspaper several years ago, so it’s been a while since we’ve gotten it.”

The recognition is courtesy of all of the staff members from the fall 2018 school semester, including Editor-in-Chief, senior Isabelle Braun, Online Editor-in-Chief, junior Madison Weber, Associate Editor, junior Allison Hillebrand, Photo Editor, senior Jacob Maska and Sports Editor, senior MacKenzie Fagan; sophomores Kalyssa Boyle, Addie Braun, Allison Brooks, Anna Brull, Alicia Feyerherm, Caitlin Leiker, McKena McBride and Alexis Pfannenstiel; juniors Dellilah Herrera and Yesenia Maldonado, and seniors Cody Conger, Brittani Park, Scout Perryman, Taylor Schiffelbein and Rebekah Porter.

“I’m just so extremely happy to be recognized,” Gasper said. “The online edition is something we’ve worked so hard on to improve the last few years to get to this point. I’m so proud of all my current and past students for all of their hard work to develop an award-winning online edition. They all should be very proud.”

Tyler’s Amazing Balancing Act will be the featured halftime performer at Thursday’s Fort Hays State University basketball games.

Tyler Scheuer bills himself as the “most-booked halftime act in college basketball 2017-2019,” and has been seen on “America’s Got Talent,” “Ripley’s Believe It or Not,” and “Regis and Kelly,” among others.

FHSU plays Northeastern State at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Scheuer will perform at both halftimes.

The Ellis Grade School Honor Choir will perform the national anthem.

McDonald’s of North Hays will host “Coffee with a Cop” from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Jan. 17, in conjunction with the Hays Police Department.

The event brings police officers and community members they serve together over coffee to discuss community issues, learn more about each other and build relationships in an informal, neutral environment. All Coffee with a Cop attendees will receive a free small cup of coffee, courtesy of McDonald’s.

Area McDonald’s restaurants will continue to work with law enforcement departments throughout the year to host additional Coffee with a Cop events with the goal of improving relationships between law enforcement and community members – one cup of coffee at a time.

“As a McDonald’s owner/operator, being involved in the community is the cornerstone of my business. Supporting our local law enforcement is a huge priority for our organization,” said Gail Kuehl, owner/operator, McDonald’s of Hays, Russell and WaKeeney. “I hope that community members will attend our Coffee with a Cop event and feel comfortable to ask questions, bring forward concerns or simply get to know our officers.”

HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System will offer a pediatric orthopedic and spine clinic on January 29 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. The clinic will be held at the Orthopedic Clinic, 2500 Canterbury.

The clinic focuses on congenital orthopedic programs in pediatrics such as scoliosis, clubfoot, hip disorders (dysplasia), flat feet, toe walking, in toeing bowlegs (knock knees) and other spinal deformities often seen in children.

Rebecca Green, PA-C, under the supervision of Dr. Max DeCarvalho, orthopedic surgeon, will be evaluating and treating the patients at the clinic.

Congenital spine deformities are disorders of the spine that develop in a child before birth. Vertebrae don’t form properly very early in fetal development, causing structural problems in the spine and spinal cord. The problems can range from mild to severe and may cause other problems if left untreated.

You can schedule an appointment by calling 866-428-8221 or 785-261-7599. No physician referral is required unless it is required by your insurance company.

— Submitted

Registration is now open for Biking Across Kansas 2019 and this year’s route will wind through northwest Kansas.

The event is scheduled for June 8 to 15 and starts at the Colorado border near Goodland. Other stops include Colby, Hill City, Hays and Wilson. The route ultimately ends in Atchison.

Click HERE for registration information or HERE for more details.

Thursday Sunny, with a high near 50. South southeast wind 7 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night Increasing clouds, with a low around 30. Southeast wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.

Friday Rain likely before 2pm, then rain and snow likely between 2pm and 5pm, then snow likely after 5pm. Cloudy, with a high near 37. North wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Friday NightSnow. Low around 30. North wind 7 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

SaturdayA 30 percent chance of snow before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 37.

Saturday NightMostly cloudy, with a low around 22.

SundayMostly sunny, with a high near 40.

WAKEENEY — At approximately 2 p.m. Wednesday, law enforcement was dispatched to Cleland Pharmacy, 202 S. First, WaKeeney, after an unknown individual reportedly presented a firearm to the clerk and stole prescription narcotics.

The Trego County Sheriff’s Office, WaKeeney Police Department and Kansas Highway Patrol responded.

As of late Wednesday afternoon, the suspect had not been apprehended, the Trego County Sheriff’s Office said in a social medial release.

“Multiple law enforcement agencies are active in the western Kansas area searching for the suspect and suspect vehicle,” the release said. “Pictures of the suspect and suspect vehicle are pictured below. Be advised the picture of the suspect vehicle is NOT the actual suspect vehicle, but is the same make, model and color as the one used by the suspect. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the WaKeeney Law Enforcement Center at (785) 743-5721.”