PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) has expanded its graduate medical education offerings with the addition of a community-based pharmacy residency program.
CHC/SEK, with a long-standing commitment to clinical education, also offers a family medicine residency developed in partnership with the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Both residency programs were created to address the healthcare workforce shortage by cultivating a new generation of professionals committed to delivering quality, compassionate care to rural communities.
Located in Pittsburg, Kansas, the 52-week program enables residents to build upon the skills learned in pharmacy school and provides them with hands-on experience caring for underserved and rural populations. Each year, CHC/SEK will welcome two pharmacy residents, and the first class will arrive in June 2026. The residents will join the team at Apothecare, CHC/SEK’s in-house pharmacy.
“Residents will become an integral part of our healthcare team, learning not just by observation but by taking an active role in patient care,” said Amanda Treiber, PharmD, CHC/SEK Director of Pharmacy. “Supported by dedicated preceptors and a culture of continuous learning, residents will receive structured training that empowers them to grow as empathetic, skilled, and community-focused pharmacists.”
Residents will develop expertise in patient-centered care, education, leadership, administration, pharmacy practice, professional development, specialty pharmacy, and the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program, which helps ensure patients have access to lower-cost medications.
“One of the standout features of this program is the opportunity it offers residents to explore many different aspects of community pharmacy practice,” said Megan Martin, PharmD, CHC/SEK Pharmacy Residency Program Director. “It’s our goal to help residents find fulfillment in their careers while equipping them with the skills and experiences they need to excel as pharmacists.”
The program features a personalized approach to professional development, giving residents the flexibility to explore and expand their expertise in their areas of interest. “We’ll tailor each resident’s experience by aligning their training with their personal career goals. For example, if a resident has an interest in specialty pharmacy, we’ll include additional time and mentorship with our specialty pharmacy team,” said Treiber.
Through this residency program, CHC/SEK strives to nurture a strong commitment to caring for all patients, regardless of their financial circumstances, and ensuring they have the medications they need. “This program provides the foundation for a career defined by leadership, compassion, purpose, and lifelong learning,” said Martin. “This is a wonderful opportunity for residents to grow their clinical skills while making a meaningful impact on countless patients’ lives.”
The CHC/SEK pharmacy residency program has an accreditation pre-candidate status with American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
About Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) serves as a healthcare hub for communities in Kansas and Oklahoma. CHC/SEK delivers quality, integrated care to nearly 90,000 patients each year with a goal of improving health, sustaining rural communities, and providing purpose-driven work to 950 staff members. Beyond healthcare, CHC/SEK finds innovative ways to improve lives by focusing on education, housing, and transportation. Regardless of income or insurance status, CHC/SEK ensures everyone receives the care they need. For more information, visit chcsek.org.
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CHCSEK Announces New Pharmacy Residency Program 12-18-25.docx
Note: The Commission will not meet on December 22nd or December 29th, 2025.
Detailed Packet Summary
Executive Session Guidelines (Page 2)
The packet includes the standard legal forms for entering executive sessions according to KSA 75-4319. It outlines justifications such as personnel matters, attorney-client privilege, and financial affairs of corporations.
Resolution 48-25: County Building & Office Space (Pages 3–6)
This resolution establishes formal office and storage assignments within the Courthouse and Courthouse Annex.
Courthouse 3rd Floor: Dedicated to District Court operations.
Courthouse 2nd Floor: Primary space for the County Attorney.
Courthouse 1st Floor: Houses the Kansas Driver’s License Office (Suite 10), Appraiser (Suite 11), Extension/4-H (Suite 13), and Recorder of Deeds (Suite 14).
Courthouse Annex: Contains the County Clerk, Commission Room, Treasurer, and Public Works.
Restricted Areas: Specific “Cell Pods” and suites (like Suite 12) are designated for secure IT storage, Emergency Management, and specific department overflow.
This resolution amends the County Policy and Procedure Manual effective January 1, 2026.
2026 Transition: Due to end-of-year constraints, 2026 will serve as a transition year. Half of the annual vacation leave will be front-loaded in January, with the remaining half released monthly from July to December.
Standard Accrual (2027): Starting January 1, 2027, all leave will be accrued monthly at 1/12th of the annual amount.
Rehire Policy: Employees returning to the county will use their most recent hire date for benefits; “bridging” of prior service time is no longer permitted.
Resolution 50-25: Noise Limitations (Pages 9–10)
This resolution establishes regulations for excessive noise in unincorporated areas of the county.
Standards: Uses EPA guidelines to define violations (e.g., noise greater than 55 dB outdoors near residences during daytime).
Evidence: Measurements recorded within 75 feet of a source serve as evidence of a violation.
Penalties: Violations can result in a fine of up to $500 per day.
Minutes of Previous Meeting: Dec 8, 2025 (Pages 11–14)
A summary of the actions taken during the previous special meeting:
Solar Projects: Approved resolutions and agreements for the Tennyson Creek and Hinton Creek solar projects, exempting them from the commercial solar moratorium.
Property Relief: Approved real property relief for a local resident following a house fire.
Public Comments: Included discussions on the 3-minute speaking limit and requests regarding equipment storage and department moves.
Administrative: Rescinded a previous motion to transfer $200,000 from inmate housing fees to the general fund.
Elevator Modernization Proposal (Pages 15–32)
The packet contains a detailed “Turnkey Modernization Proposal” from Otis Elevator Company for the Courthouse elevator.
Cost: The base contract amount is $199,700.
Payment Terms: 50% initial payment ($99,850) is required to start engineering and ordering; 25% upon material delivery; and 25% upon completion.
Timeline: Approximately 14 weeks for manufacturing and 5 weeks for installation.
Scope: Includes a new microprocessor control system, new door operators, infrared protection devices, and aesthetic/safety upgrades to hall fixtures.
The north wing, east side of the Bourbon County Courthouse.
Kansas To Receive $71K-plus in AG settlement with Hyundai, Kia
As a result of the settlement, Hyundai and Kia will offer free hardware fix for all affected vehicles that will thwart further thefts and protect public safety.
TOPEKA – (Dec. 17, 2025) –Attorney General Kris Kobach announced today that Kansas, along with attorneys general from 34 states, has reached a settlement with automobile manufacturers Hyundai and Kia over their sale of millions of vehicles nationwide that lacked industry-standard, anti-theft technology. This failure resulted in an epidemic of car thefts and joy riding across the country that continues to threaten public safety. Under the settlement, Hyundai and Kia have agreed to:
Equip all future vehicles sold in the United States with industry-standard, engine immobilizer anti-theft technology;
Offer free zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protectors to owners or lessees of eligible vehicles, including vehicles that previously were only eligible for the companies’ software updates;
Provide up to $4.5 million in restitution to eligible consumers whose cars are damaged by thieves; and
Pay $4.5 million to the states to defray the costs of the investigation.
Kansas will receive $71,427.88 for the costs of the investigation. Significant consumer restitution will allow Kansas consumers to drive a vehicle that will no longer be a target for criminals. Almost 48,000 of these vehicles were sold in Kansas.
Hyundai and Kia chose not include anti-theft “engine-immobilizer” technology in millions of their vehicles sold throughout the United States, including in Kansas. An engine immobilizer prevents thieves from starting a vehicle’s engine without the vehicle’s “smart” key, which stores the vehicle’s electronic security code. Hyundai and Kia were slow to respond to the crisis, waiting until 2023 to launch a service campaign to update the software.
Eligible consumers will have one year from the date of notice from the companies to make an appointment to have the ignition cylinder protector installed at their local Hyundai or Kia authorized dealerships. Attorney General Kobach urges consumers to schedule the installation of the ignition cylinder protector as soon as possible.
In addition, consumers who previously installed the software update on their vehicles (or were scheduled to do so) but nonetheless experienced a theft or attempted theft of their vehicle on or after April 29, 2025, are eligible to file a claim for restitution for certain theft and attempted-theft related expenses. For more information about eligibility and how to submit a claim for compensation from Hyundai or Kia, please visit the following website as soon as possible:
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) and Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) are launching a new safety campaign sharing safety guidance for western Kansas drivers traveling through areas with blowing dust and high winds.
A public service announcement (PSA) highlighting dangers in dust storms was created as part of the safety campaign. KDOT and KHP encourage media outlets, traffic safety partners and the public to share the PSA, which can be viewed at https://youtu.be/DoDWPzY_kRM.
Dust storms often occur from December to April. The region’s flat plains, open agricultural fields, ongoing drought conditions and strong wind patterns create an environment where hazardous dust storms can develop rapidly.
“In Kansas, a windy day can turn dangerous fast. Knowing how to react properly can save lives,” said Technical Trooper Tod Hileman.
Drivers are urged to prioritize safety over speed when encountering high winds or sudden reduced visibility. The high winds can create sudden gusts and cause larger vehicles, including large trucks, RVs and trailers, to sway or lose control.
Blowing dust adds another layer of danger, with visibility capable of dropping to zero within seconds. These sudden “brownout” conditions increase the likelihood of multi-vehicle crashes.
“It’s important to remember what to do in these situations, because these steps may be the difference between safety and disaster. We want the traveling public to be knowledgeable, so they can respond when visibility is low,” said KDOT Director of Safety Troy Whitworth.
The Pull Off, Lights Out campaign outlines several critical safety steps for motorists involving dust storms, which include:
Avoid driving into or through a dust storm, if possible.
Do not wait until poor visibility makes it difficult to safely pull off the roadway — do it as soon as possible.
Turn on low beam headlights if you must drive through dust.
Never stop in a travel lane; look for a safe place to pull completely off the roadway and away from other vehicles.
Turn off all vehicle lights, including headlights and emergency flashers, while parked.
Set the emergency brake and take your foot off the brake pedal.
Stay in the vehicle with your seat belt buckled and wait for the visibility to clear.
Residents are encouraged to monitor local weather alerts and be aware of rapidly changing conditions throughout the region. For current road conditions and traffic information before you leave, visit Kandrive.gov or call 511.
“We’re not working to win Kansas. We’re working for Kansas to win.”
I recently heard Destany Wheeler with Elevate Kansas share this sentiment, and it perfectly captures how I feel about our work in Southeast Kansas.
We believe in abundance. We are not chasing recognition or competing for credit or resources. We are working for this region to succeed on its own terms. That belief carried us through a year marked by both meaningful progress and significant hardship.
In 2025, we navigated funding uncertainty, shifting policies, and economic pressures affecting families, businesses, and organizations across the region. We experienced pauses, delays, and moments that required us to rethink timelines and approaches. Quite frankly, this was a hard year. Each time we took a hit, we pivoted, picked ourselves up, and moved forward, guided by community need and shared responsibility.
At the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, we remained deeply committed to our mission: increasing access to physical activity and healthy food, promoting commercial tobacco cessation, enhancing quality of life, and encouraging economic growth. These priorities are not abstract goals. They are shaped by the lived experiences of residents across Southeast Kansas.
We are equally committed to responding to priorities identified by residents who live the reality of these decisions every day. Community trust, resident leadership, and equity remain central to how we design, implement, and sustain our work.
That commitment is visible through Rural Community Partners and our work to find, connect, and engage small business owners and entrepreneurs across Southeast Kansas. We meet entrepreneurs where they are, connect them to the right expertise, capital, and networks, and ensure they are not navigating fragmented systems alone. This approach reduces barriers, builds trust, and helps entrepreneurs move forward with clarity and confidence.
Despite the challenges, we expanded small business and entrepreneurship support, delivered hands-on technical assistance, helped unlock new capital, and strengthened workforce development partnerships. Together with Rural Community Partners, the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, and Balloon Media, we elevated regional storytelling. With support from Kansas University Medical Center, we convened partners across counties and continued building coalitions focused on practical, community-led solutions. Our role as a regional convener and backbone organization grew, not because it was easy, but because it was necessary.
We also invested in the long view by advancing the Southeast Kansas Small Business and Entrepreneurship Endowment. This commitment to sustainability allows us to lead with integrity rather than urgency, remain accountable to communities rather than funding cycles, and speak honestly when systems fall short. It is a promise to Southeast Kansas that this work will endure.
We are change agents, and with that comes a responsibility to speak up when systems no longer serve the communities they were designed to support.
What makes our work different, and why does it endure locally and regionally where many well-intended efforts have struggled? Three things have mattered most:
We remain financially independent and are not reliant on local or regional gatekeepers.
Our work is guided by community need rather than access, favors, or external approval.
We are willing to say what others won’t, even when it risks relationships, status, or funding.
Looking ahead to 2026, our vision is clear.
We will continue scaling entrepreneurship and mentorship efforts, strengthened by our partnership with the KU School of Business, Kansas Food Action Network, and BCBS Pathways to Healthy Kansas, while expanding access to capital and expertise. Working alongside partners such as WorkforceONE, we will deepen workforce pathways by listening directly to local employers. By supporting locally driven solutions, we will build resilience across counties while protecting the trust and relationships that make progress possible.
This role requires resilience, clarity, and courage. As Virginia Barnes, BCBS Pathways Director, reminded me earlier this year, it means acknowledging setbacks without being defined by them. It means staying focused on long-term impact and believing in the capacity of Southeast Kansas, even when circumstances test that belief.
Thank you to our partners, funders, donors, and residents who continue to stand with us.
Together, we are not working to win Southeast Kansas. We are working for Southeast Kansas to win.
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Maintaining Critical Safety Standards for Our Airspace
This week, I spoke on the Senate floor to call for changes to the current draft of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which fails to uphold minimum safety standards necessary for military helicopters operating in mixed airspace. The deadly collision that occurred in our nation’s capital between American Airlines Flight 5342, from Wichita, and a U.S. Army Blackhawk on January 29th, 2025, forever changed how we think about air travel. While Congress has passed significant legislation over the last year to invest in the future safety of our airspace and introduced legislation to make our airspace safer, now is not the time to take a step back from these efforts.
I will continue to work with my colleagues to amend the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act, or to pass legislation to make certain that NDAA language is at least, at a minimum, abiding by the safety standards that were set in place after the crash on January 29th.
You can watch my full speech on the Senate floor here .
Questioning U.S. Trade Representative Greer on Agricultural & Aviation Trade in Kansas
On Tuesday, I led a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science hearing to review the activities and funding priorities of the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), led by Ambassador Jamieson Greer. Trade plays an important role in the Kansas economy by opening new markets for agriculture, manufacturing and aviation products.
During the hearing, I showed Ambassador Greer a photo I took several years ago at the Kensington grain elevator of grain sorghum, piled up because there was no place to sell it. I reiterated to the ambassador that agricultural trade must not return to those times again. I also discussed the 1979 Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft, which established zero-for-zero tariffs on aviation products to certain countries. As the Air Capital of the World, Wichita and Kansas benefit when aircraft manufacturing companies can more easily sell their products around the world.
I appreciate Ambassador Greer testifying before the committee, and I look forward to continue working with him, the Trump administration and my colleagues in the Senate to support international markets for American goods.
You can watch my questioning of Ambassador Greer here .
Discussing USDA Economic Assistance Package for Farmers on RFD-TV
On Tuesday, as a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I joined RFD-TV to discuss the recent announcement of a $12 billion economic assistance package in bridge payments from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help offset disruptions in the market and increasing input costs. To overcome challenges in the farming economy, our ability to trade commodities on a global scale is vital. This package is a necessity that will help farmers weather the current uncertainty while the administration works to increase markets for farmers to sell their crops. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on the Senate Agriculture Committee and with the administration to make certain we are providing farmers and ranchers with the resources they need to continue feeding, fueling and clothing the world, and maintaining their businesses and livelihoods.
Hosting Marine Corps Reserves’ Annual Toys for Tots
This week, the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held a special event to collect gifts for the Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program. Last year, Toys for Tots distributed more than 30 million toys, books and games to 13 million children across the country with the help of 50,000 volunteers. Lieutenant General Leonard Anderson, Commander of the Marine Corps Reserve, joined me and other members of the committee and shared that the Veterans’ Affairs committee is the single largest donor of toys on Capitol Hill.
I want to thank the servicemembers, veterans and volunteers who work year-round to make certain that children in need have something under the tree on Christmas morning and to all of those who joined us for this event or donated toys.
You can learn more about the event by watching the video here .
Leading Hearing to Discuss Legislation with Veteran Advocates
On Wednesday, I led a Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs hearing to discuss 24 pieces of legislation aimed at improving the delivery of health care, benefits and services to veterans, survivors, caregivers and dependents through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Testifying at this hearing were representatives from the VA, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and the National Veterans Legal Services Program. I introduced two of the bills we discussed – the Sharing Essential Resources for Veterans Everywhere (SERVE) Act and the Fisher House Availability Act .
The bills in this hearing represent bipartisan priorities that would help expand access to care and benefits for veterans, their families and survivors in Kansas and across the country. I am grateful to all the sponsors of these bills for their work on behalf of our veterans and to the veteran service organization partners for working with us to improve and advance them.
You can watch my questioning to VA and the veteran service organizations here and here .
Voting to Lower Health Care Costs & Increase Patient Choice This week, I voted in favor of the Health Care Freedom for Patients Act, legislation introduced by Senators Crapo and Cassidy that focused on lowering premiums, deductibles and co-pays while providing direct payments to patients through Health Savings Accounts to give families greater control over their care. The bill also proposed new health savings accounts to provide direct relief rather than delaying action for another three years at a cost of billions to taxpayers. Unfortunately, the measure failed to pass the Senate.
Health insurance premiums and drug prices continue to increase at alarming rates while patients, physicians and hospitals suffer under the financial burdens of our current health system. While the Affordable Care Act (ACA) attempted to address many of our healthcare problems, it fell short of its goals, and many Kansas families still struggle to pay sky-high premiums and deductibles. The Government Accountability Office reports persistent and large-scale vulnerabilities that allow fraud to occur in the ACA marketplace at the expense of the taxpayer.
The Health Care Freedom for Patients Act was offered as an alternative to the Democrats’ Lower Health Care Costs Act, which would have extended enhanced ACA subsidies for three additional years at an estimated cost of $83 billion, without addressing the underlying drivers of rising premiums. This bill also failed to advance.
Every Kansan, and every American, needs access to quality, affordable care. I remain committed to working with my colleagues to finding solutions that deliver lasting results, transparency and better affordability for Kansas families.
Meeting with New Commanding General of Ft. Leavenworth’s Combined Arms Center
This week, I met with the new Commanding General of the Combined Arms Center (CAC) at Fort Leavenworth, Lieutenant General (LTG) James Isenhower III. We discussed his past leadership experience in the Army and his vision for the CAC to strengthen soldiers to be the at forefront of modern warfare and military preparedness. I look forward to working with LTG Isenhower to support the CAC’s important mission to the Army enterprise and making certain that Fort Leavenworth has the resources necessary to support the soldiers and families which call it home. Thank you, LTG Isenhower, for your dedicated leadership and service to our country, Fort Leavenworth and to Kansas.
Meeting with NCTA President & CEO Cory Gardner
On Monday, I met with Cory Gardner, President and CEO of NCTA – The Internet and Television Association, to discuss issues facing the cable and television industries and ongoing proceedings at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that impact NCTA’s member companies. During our meeting, Senator Gardner and I discussed spectrum policy and ongoing federal broadband deployment efforts.
Discussing Broadband with FCC Chairman Carr and Commissioner Trusty
This week, I met with Brendan Carr, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty to discuss the state of telecommunications policy and industry in the U.S. in advance of Chairman Carr and Commissioner Trusty’s appearance before the Senate Commerce Committee next Wednesday.
During our meeting, we discussed the critical importance of local broadcasters, particularly in rural communities in Kansas, the FCC’s ongoing work on implementing provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the importance of the Universal Service Fund to delivering the goals of reliable and fast internet connections for every American. We also discussed the FCC’s efforts to improve telecommunications in the U.S., including Commissioner Trusty’s work to advance universal connectivity, network resiliency and U.S. leadership in telecommunications policy and infrastructure.
I am grateful to Chairman Carr and Commissioner Trusty for their time and insights, and I look forward to hearing from them at the oversight hearing next week.
Receiving Update from President of Tyson Beef Chad Martin
This week, I met with Chad Martin, President of Tyson Beef, and he provided updates on their operations in Kansas and the surrounding states. We discussed the current state of the domestic cattle inventory and its effects on the market. We also discussed how international trade can increase the value of American beef, making certain ranchers in Kansas and across the country remain profitable. Thank you to Tyson for their continued investment in Kansas.
Meeting with Kansans KBI Director Tony Mattivi
This week, I met with Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) Director Tony Mattivi to discuss efforts to bolster public safety in Kansas and how federal and state partners can continue working together to keep our communities safe. Director Mattivi shared an update on KBI’s current priorities, including expanding the bureau’s technological capacity and the agency’s role in supporting local law enforcement across the state.
I emphasized my continued support for making certain law enforcement officers have the tools, training and resources they need to do their jobs effectively and safely. I appreciate Director Mattivi’s leadership and his commitment to strengthening the KBI’s authority to meet current threats and maintaining the agency’s high standards of professionalism.
AIPAC
On Wednesday, I met with Bonnie Siegel of AIPAC to discuss the U.S.-Israel relationship and AIPAC’s perspective on the recently agreed upon peace plan. During our meeting, we spoke about our shared concern about the rise of antisemitism across the country and the importance of making certain that the Trump administration’s peace framework is implemented as intended. I’m grateful for the work Bonnie does to support the Jewish community and appreciated our conversation on how the U.S. can continue to engage in pursuing diplomatic solutions around the world.
Kansas Judicial Branch
On Thursday, I met with members of the Kansas Judicial Branch, Deputy Judicial Administrator Shawn Jurgensen and Judicial Administrator of the Kansas Court System Stephanie Smith, to discuss recent updates on Veterans Treatment Courts in Kansas. These courts continue to demonstrate their value in helping veterans receive the support they’ve earned and get back on a stable path. I appreciate the judges and court staff who are working to expand these efforts in more communities across our state.
During our conversation, we also talked about the growing need for attorneys and judges in rural Kansas. Many small towns are struggling to recruit and retain legal professionals, which puts an additional strain on local courts and makes it harder for Kansans to access legal help when they need it.
Cosmosphere
It was great meeting with Jim Remar, President and CEO of Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, while he was in D.C. Mr. Remar has been with Cosmosphere for more than 20 years and has helped shape it into a renowned museum and learning center. I appreciated learning more about the important work Mr. Remar and his team are doing to inspire future generations and to celebrate America’s leadership in space.
During our meeting, he also presented me with a Kansas flag that was flown aboard the first Apollo 16 mission to the lunar highlands, highlighting our state’s long history with space exploration.
Former Kansas City Fire Chief John Paul Jones
On Wednesday, I met with John Paul Jones, former Fire Chief of the Kansas City Fire Department who was in Washington, D.C. on behalf of the Public Safety Broadband Technology Association to discuss first responders’ priorities for FirstNet, which is due for reauthorization by February 2027. FirstNet, also known as the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN), was created to provide fast, reliable and secure communications for first responders.
I am grateful to Chief Jones, Division Chief for Command and Emergency Planning of the Orange County Fire Authority Mike Sheehan and New York Fire Chief John Esposito for their time and insights and for their decades of service protecting their communities.
Visits Across Kansas Topeka Police Department
On Friday, I spoke at the unveiling of a new emergency vehicle for the Topeka Police Department. As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science, which funds the Department of Justice and federal law enforcement, I helped secure a $385,000 federal investment for the purchase of the new vehicle. I am committed to making certain that law enforcement officials in Kansas and across the country have access to the resources necessary to respond and assist neighboring communities in order to keep their communities safe.
I want to thank Topeka Chief of Police Chris Vallejo for the invitation and all members of the Topeka Police Department for their continued dedication to serving the Topeka community. I was also joined by Topeka Mayor Michael Padilla, Topeka Mayor-elect Spencer Duncan, Shawnee County Commissioner Aaron Mays, Kansas State Senators Rick Kloos and Brenda Diedrich and the Greater Topeka Partnership’s CEO Molly Howey and President Bob Ross.
Reception for Outgoing Topeka Mayor Michael Padilla Following the Topeka Police Department ceremony on Friday, I attended the going-away reception for outgoing Topeka Mayor Michael Padilla. Mayor Padilla has served as Topeka’s mayor since 2022, and prior to that, he served on the Topeka City Council and as a member of the Topeka Police Department for 33 years. I want to thank Mayor Padilla for his career in public service to the people of Topeka and wish him, his wife, Ronnie, and their two children well as he starts this new chapter.
Maple Hill Community This week, I stopped by Maple Hill to visit with folks from the community. During my visit, I met with folks at Stockgrowers State Bank, Main Street Studio and the 24/7 Travel Center. I also stopped by Flaming Grill Restaurant, City Hall, the local U.S. Post Office and Heir Insurance Services where I visited with insurance agent Wille Glotzbach. Thank you to the Maple Hill community for the warm welcome and conversations.
Celebrating 389th Anniversary of the National Guard Saturday, December 13th was the United States National Guard’s 389th birthday. The national guard was our country’s first militia, with the first regiments predating the unification of our country.
In Kansas, there are over 6,600 National Guard members, with over 5,200 of them serving in the Army National Guard and 2,300 in the Air National Guard. I thank each one of them – and their families – for their service and sacrifice. The deep roots and impact the National Guard has had on our state and country is something we should always be reminded of and grateful for. Members of the National Guard, alongside their active-duty counterparts, are the backbone of our country, and I appreciate them for answering the call to serve.
Celebrating Wreaths Across America Day Saturday, December 13th was also National Wreaths Across America Day, where wreaths were placed on servicemembers’ graves in cemeteries around the country in memory and honor of their service. Wreaths Across America aims to make certain that no servicemember is forgotten, and I thank them for working to make certain that the stories and sacrifices of our nation’s heroes live on.
Happy Hanukkah Happy Hanukkah to our Jewish friends in Kansas and around the world! May the Festival of Lights bring you and your loved ones joy, peace and love.
Honored to Serve You in Washington It is an honor to serve you in Washington, D.C. Thank you to the many Kansans who have been calling and writing in to share their thoughts and opinions on the issues our state and country face. I appreciate the words of Kansans, whether in the form of a form of letter, a Facebook comment or a phone call, who wish to make their voice heard.
Please let me know how I can be of assistance. You can contact me by email by clicking here . You can also click here to contact me through one of my Kansas offices or my Washington, D.C., office.
Very truly yours,
Jerry
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Hays
1200 Main St.,
Suite 402
P.O. Box 249
Hays, KS 67601
Phone: (785) 628-6401
