Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Rhys Baker
How to Make a Sausage Casserole
There are four ways around the "I don't have time to cook" problem: • Cook simple recipes that don't need a lot of attention The birth of my son has sapped away almost all of my previously 'free' time and is eating into the rest of my time too—including time to prepare and cook meals. Both my wife and I are determined not to fall into options 1 and 2, but to cook healthy, tasty meals.
CCCHS Singing Christmas Tree 2024
By Rhys Baker The Sixty-Ninth Annual Singing Christmas Tree will be held on Sunday, December 15th, at The Martyn Snodgrass Auditorium at Clay Center Community High School. This year’s star of the tree is Tovah Catlin, daughter of Aaron and Jessica Catlin. Tovah explains the process of being chosen as the star of the tree. “In late October, our teacher, Mrs. Bergston, tells all the seniors that there’s open auditions for the singing Christmas Tree Star, and we learn our own song.
CCCHS Calculus Scavenger Hunt
By Rhys Baker Clay Center Community High School (CCCHS) Calculus Students are planning their annual scavenger hunt. CCCHS math teacher Michelle Ware says her calculus class usually has five to 12 students that plan the hunt for the student body. The scavenger hunt is a project that students have planned for the past six years in December.
KSU Meat Judging National Championship Team includes CCCHS Alumnus
By Rhys Baker The 2024 Kansas State University (KSU) Meat Judging Team brought a National Championship home to Manhattan. Four KSU student team members ranked in the Top 10 overall, and three students were recognized as All-Americans. Clay Center Community High School Graduate and current KSU Student Reece Geer was a member of the National Championship Team, won third place overall, and was named a First-Team All-American.
Clay County General Public Transportation Christmas Lights
By Rhys Baker Clay County General Public Transportation is planning ahead and scheduling a Christmas Lights Tour within the city limits of Clay Center. Director Jay Berends talks about the tour that Clay County General Public Transportation will offer, “It will last approximately about an hour or a little bit over, and we just tour the city. We go downtown, into all the outlying areas in in town.
Time 4 U and The Getaway
By Rhys Baker Common Ground Ministries in Clay Center has several programs under its umbrella, including shelters, the Labor of Love program, and youth programs. Director Bob Stratton says the organization was named Common Ground because the founders hoped differences would be put aside to create a common ground. As part of their youth programs, families in Clay Center have two options for after-school programs at the Common Ground Building during the school year.
Nancy's Bake Shoppe | KCLY Radio
By Rhys Baker Nancy’s Bake Shoppe has officially opened in Green. The shop is open from sun up to sun down and is a self-service and self-pay concept. Owner Nancy Kimbrough talks about how the shop’s idea came about, “The fact is, a farmer’s market, I wouldn’t always sell everything, and I come home and not know what to do with the product. So I thought, wouldn’t it be fun to build a building of some kind, then I could stay home and still do what I do?
Clay Center City Council Rejects Ordinance
By Rhys Baker The City Council of Clay Center has rejected an ordinance allowing golf carts, micro utility trucks, golf carts, or work-site utility vehicles on some city streets. Council members have discussed this ordinance, and City Clerk Amelia Blackwood has compiled information regarding the same type of vehicles in similar-sized cities. Then, the current ordinance was rewritten via City Attorney Dustin Mullin.
Grow Clay County E-Certificates
By Rhys Baker Grow Clay County is leading the way in gift certificate technology. Traditionally, Grow Clay County has issued gift certificates to be used across Clay County in paper form, which are used much like a check with local merchants. With the creation of their new ClayCo app, the organization can now issue certificates in e-credit card form via a program called Yiftee.
USD 379 Wish Lists
By Rhys Baker USD 379 Staff Members are preparing to wrap up the end of the first semester of the 2024-2025 school year. Each year in USD 379 Schools, teachers make wish lists of items they would like for their classrooms. Garfield School’s Parent Educator Partnership Anna Knepper discusses how the idea of teacher Christmas lists came about, “Teachers are buying books, materials, decorations, supplies, rewards. So we thought, why not allow families to give a meaningful holiday gift?
Garfield Scramble & Bengal Innovators
By Rhys Baker USD 379’s Garfield Parent Educator Partnership, or PEP, recently had its best turnout for its bi-annual scramble meal, with chances for participants to win prizes. Principal Stephanie Lane says the funding is used in various ways throughout Garfield School, “Bengal Innovators is one of our biggest priorities. We use the money to help fund that group that meets twice weekly.
Winter Indoor Farmer’s Market
By Rhys Baker The Clay Center Farmer’s Market will have two indoor markets in November. Vendor Shawna Pederson tells us what to expect at the Market, “We have a market this weekend and the following weekend. It’s in Common Ground. We are going to have a series of 14 different vendors there. We have vendors that are going to have crafts and woodworking. We’ve got two vendors that will be there with a bunch of baked goods, and several of us have holiday food such as jams and jellies.
Grow Clay County Talent Recruitment Video
By Rhys Baker Grow Clay County has completed the production of a talent recruitment video.
Raising Clay County Bed Tax
By Rhys Baker Clay County Commissioners have decided to raise the transient guest tax in Clay County to four percent. The transient guest tax, more commonly known as the bed tax, is a tax in addition to sales tax on the rental of rooms, lodging, or other sleeping accommodations. The tax applies when more than two bedrooms are furnished for guests’ accommodations for 28 consecutive days or less.
By Rhys Baker There will soon be an app for that. With the help of the Clay County Commissioners, Grow Clay County is creating an app called Clay Co to be released in early December. Grow Clay County Director Natalie Muruato talks about the advantages of having an app for Clay County, “One of the beautiful things, like, you’ll be able to see everything that’s going on in Clay on your phone right away. You don’t have to go to a different website. You don’t have to go to Facebook to find it.
Clay County Health Department -Women’s Health
By Rhys Baker The Clay County Health Department has hired Clay County native Allie Martin, RN, BSN, as a public health nurse focusing on women’s health and family planning. Martin works in partnership with board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Mark Gros of The Women’s Health Group in Manhattan.
USD 379 Bark App
By Rhys Baker USD 379 Clay County Schools is helping students be safe online through the Bark App. The app was originally a parental control program that monitors emails and social media. USD 379 Technology Director Ben Last says the app benefits all students in real-time: “It helps us look at things like cyberbullying.
International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day
By Rhys Baker November 23rd is International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. Pawnee Mental Health in Clay Center and the Clay Counts Coalition are joining forces to commemorate the day with a suicide loss survivor coffee. Clay Counts Community Mobilizer Lori Martin says the coffee is not just for the survivors but also for those trying to help others. “Those of us who haven’t had that experience are uncertain about the right things to say.
Clay County Health Department In-Home Services
By Rhys Baker The Clay County Health Department offers various in-home services throughout Clay County. Some services, such as grocery shopping, trash removal, running errands, and arranging transportation, may come as a surprise.
Garfield Presidential Results
By Rhys Baker While the Presidential Election results are not yet official, USD 379’s Garfield School’s Social Studies Teachers, Hannah Chestnut, and Jennifer Pfizenmaier, have released the official results of the mock presidential election. Overall, the votes aligned with Clay County and the State of Kansas. Social Studies teacher Hannah Chestnut gives us the results at Garfield School.
Stellner Trial Update 3 - The Jury's Decision
By Rhys Baker Following just under an hour of deliberation, a Clay County jury of five women and one man found former Sheriff’s Deputy Harold “Hank” Stellner NOT GUILTY on one count of mistreatment of a confined person and one count of battery. In closing remarks, Judge Wheeler, the Prosecution, and the defense all reminded jurors that there are two separate counts: mistreatment of a confined person and battery.
Stellner Trial Update 2 - Out To Jury
By Rhys Baker The jury trial of former Sheriff’s Deputy Harold “Hank” Stellner continues this afternoon at the Clay County Courthouse, and is currently in the hands of the jury to decide. This afternoon, the jury heard testimony from K-B-I special agent Crystal Hornseth, who interviewed Stellner, Sullivan, and others following the incident.
Stellner Trial Update
By Rhys Baker The jury trial of former Sheriff’s Deputy Harold “Hank” Stellner started this morning at the Clay County Courthouse. Judge Merlin Wheeler oversaw six Clay County Jurors and one alternate chosen this morning out of a pool of 45. The jury consists of six women and one man. Following the selection of the jury, Merlin delivered instructors to jurors stating they are not to communicate with anyone, even each other, regarding the trial.
Jury Trial of Former Sheriff’s Deputy | KCLY Radio
The jury trial of former Sheriff’s Deputy Harold “Hank” Stellner will start today at 9 A-M at the Clay County Courthouse. Stellner’s current charges include misdemeanor mistreatment of a confined person and misdemeanor battery. In a motion to continue, the trial was delayed after Stellner was diagnosed with a medical condition and recently had surgery. The trial is anticipated to last two days.
Community Garden Update
By Rhys Baker This week, the Clay Center Community Garden received its first delivery of materials for raised beds. The garden, located next to the Clay County Health Department building, is open to anyone who wishes to participate. Clay Counts Community Mobilizer Lori Martin talks about the community’s involvement thus far, “It’s truly a community effort. The Washington Headliners 4-H Club has done a lot of the manual labor.
Clay Counts Drug Take Back Results
By Rhys Baker Clay Counts participated in Drug Take Back Day, accepting expired, unused, or unwanted medications. Sponsored by the National Drug Enforcement Administration, the event encourages people to inspect their medicine cabinets. Clay Counts Community Mobilizer Lori Martin says the results were remarkable, “It was a beautiful fall day, and I think folks got inspired to clean out that medicine cabinet.
Clay Center Carnegie Library - Adopt A Book
By Rhys Baker The Clay Center Carnegie Library is hosting its annual Adopt A Book fundraiser through November 27th. Children’s Library Pixie Knepper says adopting a book is simple, “We have purchased the books that we wanted for our library collection anyway, and they’re all for the children’s department. Come in and select a book from the display table, and the price is in there.
Lincoln School Hires Behavior Specialist
By Rhys Baker USD 379’s Lincoln Elementary School has hired a behavior specialist to work with kids of all ages in the Pre-K through third-grade school. USD 379 Community Connections Coordinator Matt Weller explains why the position was started at Lincoln School. “Every year, we have a survey that staff fills out. And consistently, for the past few years, they have said at Lincoln that one of the things they needed more support for was strong behaviors. Not just your your everyday stuff.
USD 379 Schools Use STOP IT App To Help Prevent Bullying
By Rhys Baker USD 379 Clay County Schools use the STOP IT app as a form of bullying prevention throughout the school district. The app-based system allows students to report any concerns they have anonymously. The app is also available on students’ computers and a web-based program, as USD 379 has implemented a no-phones policy for students.
CCCHS Work-Based Learning
By Rhys Baker Clay Center Community High School started a work-based learning program 10 years ago in the agriculture department. The program has evolved into four pathways – business, agriculture, health science, and graphic design. Students with senior status, enrolled in courses that align with their internship, and have a minimum GPA of 2.0, can enroll in the work-based learning program. This year, the program includes 42 students on 35 work sites or 46% of the CCCHS senior class.
Clay County Health Department Hosts Health Fair
By Rhys Baker The Clay County Health Department is hosting a health fair through October 31. Participants must make an appointment for the lab screening and fast for the test. Health Fair Coordinator Nikki Burwell, RN, explains why the lab screens are essential, “It’s really good to follow all of your labs every year just to ensure that they’re tested. It also, like the hemoglobin A1C, can help you establish if you’re prediabetic or diabetic.
CCCMS YLink Recreates 9th Hours
By Rhys Baker Clay Center Community Middle School Y-LINK club met at the beginning of the school year to discuss prevention in their school. The mix of 7th and 8th graders decided that the top three prevention topics they would like to see talked about among their teachers and peers included bullying, vaping, and suicide. C-C-C-M-S Counselor Nick Brummet’s curriculum in the classroom contains bullying and suicide prevention. That left the topic of vaping.
Business Training Class With Grow Clay County
By Rhys Baker Grow Clay County is holding two Business Training Events in November. Both courses will teach businesses and individuals how to market their business better. Instructor Renee’ Langvardt says even though the class will talk about social media basics, that won’t be the only conversation about marketing, “We will talk about the psychology behind marketing because there is so much of that. It’s not just making a flyer and doing just that.
Clay Center Multi-Generational Life Center
By Rhys Baker Grow Clay County is continuing fundraising and building work on the Multi-Generational Life Center, which will be occupied by September 2025. Grow Clay County Director Natalie Muruato gives an update, “Right now they’re finalizing the plans, they’re putting the metal building out for bid, cause the lead time on that is about six months.
Clay Connect Young Professionals
By Rhys Baker Grow Clay County has received a grant called Clay Connects. Director Natalie Muruato says the grant has multiple purposes that will affect the next generation, “One to attract young families and professionals to Clay County to help fill our jobs. Second is connection and integration into the community.
Taste & See Tea Company
By Rhys Baker This year, the Taste and See Tea Company is a fixture at the Clay Center Farmer’s Market. Owner Erika Lips purchases ingredients in bulk before blending the teas. She says she was inspired to create the company while considering her health, “When I was pregnant with our youngest, I wanted to do more natural medicines, and one of them was drinking raspberry tea, which is really good for women’s health in general but really good when you are pregnant.
By Rhys Baker Have you noticed teal and purple bandanas tied to high school students’ backpacks? Community mobilizer Lori Martin explains that it’s a sign that they are members of the bandana squad. “This is a group of kids at both Clay Center and Wakefield High Schools that have gone through suicide prevention training in ways to identify when someone is struggling and also the appropriate next steps to take.
Tracy Lebo - Mural Movement - How Great Thou Art
By Rhys Baker The latest work in the Mural Movement’s collection is being created by Clay County artist and retired USD 379 Art Educator Tracy Lebo of Wakefield. She has been creating murals since the 80s when she was in college at Kansas State University, painting backdrops at McCain Auditorium for various productions. This is Lebo’s third painted work with the Mural Movement. However, she has been involved in other ways.
Bullying Prevention Month and UNITY Day
By Rhys Baker October is Bullying Prevention Month. U-S-D 3-7-9 Clay County Schools has informational activities planned throughout the month to advocate against bullying in schools. October 16th will be Unity Day, when all U-S-D 3-7-9 staff will wear Orange Unity shirts provided by Clay Counts and K-DADS to show students, teachers, all staff members, and parents that they stand united against bullying.
The Mothership Consignment Store To Open On November 1st
By Rhys Baker The Mothership Consignment Store will open at 314 Lincoln Avenue in Clay Center on November 1st. Owner Rachael Greenlee says the business’s name unfolded after conversations with a friend, “The store was always an idea in my head. Fashion has been my life forever and I was ready to do something that didn’t feel like work that I could just pour my whole heart into. The name itself kind of evolved.
CCGPT Safe Ride | KCLY Radio
By Rhys Baker Clay County General Public Transportation (CCGPT) is starting a pilot program of “Safe Rides” in Clay Center on Friday, continuing through the month of December.
Bus Safety Video
By Rhys Baker October is Bus Safety Month. Garfield School’s Fourth and Fifth Graders recorded a commercial today to remind other students about bus safety rules. USD 379 Community Connections Coordinator Matt Weller directed the video and gave students detailed instructions such as speaking slowly, clearly, and loudly. The commercial will air on YouTube and social media and be integrated into bus safety and evacuation drills throughout the USD 379 Clay County School District.
Storytellers Wanted
By Rhys Baker Clay Center Community High School Debate and Forensics are looking for a few good storytellers. While attending the National Speech and Debate tournament, Tiger debate and forensics students watched a Storytelling Event. Five citizen speakers told their stories after being helped by The Des Moines Register employees, who refined their stories.
The Rex - Early Release Movies
By Rhys Baker The Rex Theatre in Clay Center continues to show afternoon movies when USD 379 Clay County Schools have an early release day. This Friday is the first one of the school year. Manager of The Rex Theatre Renee Langvardt says that following the 2018 renovations, she heard many stories about people meeting at the theatre or spending time with friends and family there.
Partnership Adds Vehicle to Clay County General Public Transportation Fleet
By Rhys Baker Thanks to a partnership with Clay County Medical Center, the General Public Transportation Fleet has added a new wheelchair-accessible van to their fleet. Clay County Medical Center Director of Planning and Development Bryce Dolan says, “General transportation reached out to us after the high number of passengers come to either clinic or the hospital.
New Event Space in Clay Center
By Rhys Baker David and Kathy Bloom have opened a new event space in Clay Center. While you may not recognize the address 703 Fourth Street, most citizens of Clay Center know the name and location of the previous business. Kathy explains, “It was the Silver Dollar Bar for several years.
Jury Trial of Former Sheriff’s Deputy Delayed
By Rhys Baker For the third time, the jury trial of former Sheriff’s Deputy Harold “Hank” Stellner has been continued. Stellner’s current charges include misdemeanor mistreatment of a confined person and misdemeanor battery. In a motion to continue, the trial was delayed after Stellner was diagnosed with a serious medical condition and recently had surgery.
Rusty Trigger opens in Clay Center
By Rhys Baker Longford resident Marcus Seirer has opened The Rusty Trigger, a federally licensed firearms and ammunition shop in Clay Center. He started with a shop six years ago in Longford as a side gig to his full-time job. However, the shop grew as its customer base grew to include Colby, Goodland, Wichita, and Kansas City customers. Seirer hopes the business will grow and become more than a gun shop.
USD 379 Notifications Update
By Rhys Baker U-S-D 3-7-9 Clay County Schools have used SwiftAlert Solutions for over five years as its incident management system for severe weather, emergencies, and attendance. As of October 1, SwiftAlert decided to discontinue services to school systems. U-S-D 3-7-9 Community Connections Coordinator Matt Weller explains, “That’s why the changes are being made at this time of year. While it’s not necessarily ideal, the nice thing is that some parents said they weren’t receiving certain messages.
USD 379 Academic Ambassadors
By Rhys Baker USD 379 Clay County Schools started an Academic Ambassador program to inform staff, community members, parents, or anyone interested about what is happening in the district’s classrooms. The USD 379 Community Connections Coordinator, Matt Weller, explains what prompted the program, “We’ve always done a pretty good job in the school district of promoting activities, events, students who are excelling. But the main reason we are here, is to learn.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Rhys
Contact Rhys, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack