More than an inch of rain last week, plus above normal temperatures forced a lot of Hays residents to get out the lawnmowers for the first time this year.

Knowing their machines hadn’t been revved up for many months, some people took advantage of the Lawnmower Clinic and Safety Fair Saturday morning at Fort Hays State University.

The premiere event was organized by the Agri-Business Club and “The Green Team,”  a Leadership 310 class.

For $30, the ag students performed full-service maintenance on walk-behind mowers.  That included an oil change, blade sharpening, changing spark plugs and cleaning the air filter.   They also did an overall safety check.

FHSU Technology Studies Associate Professor, Dr. Robert Howell, explained the dangers of lawn mowing while speaking at the related Safety Fair inside Davis Hall.  He talked about some personal experiences, including pulling the mower over his own foot when he was a teenager.  Three of his toes were deeply cut, but doctors were able to save them.

The agri-business students spruced up about 70 lawn mowers.  They hope to make it an annual fundraiser for their club.

See more tonight on Street Beat Eagle Community TV Channel 14.