A fundraiser was held in Hays this week for the Democratic candidate in the First Congressional District race. Alan Jilka, a former Salina City Commissioner, says he’s been touring the district talking to citizens about what they’d like to see in a congressman. Jilka says the key issues he’d like to address in Congress are reducing the deficit, energy independence and immigration reform. Jilka is running against state Senator Tim Huelscamp, of Fowler.

The Kansas Department of Transportation is working on solidifying projects that will be part of the T-Works program to expand and modernize roadways in the state. Several projects in Northwest Kansas have been designated as candidates for the funding. While none of the projects are in Ellis County, Public Works Administrator Mike Graf says the county still needs to be involved in the planning process and the promotion of regional projects. Some of the projects under consideration include Highway 281 in Russell and Osborne counties, K-23 from Grainfield to Hoxie and K383 in Norton and Phillips counties.