The new Kansas Room librarian at the Hays Public Library was looking for a new way to celebrate the state’s 152^nd anniversary of becoming the 34^th state in the Union.

So Lucia Flaim decided to organize a photo contest with pictures depicting Kansas.

“We have so many artists and amateur photographers in Hays.  I wanted to open it up to anyone regardless of experience or age,” she says.

Entries were accepted December 1-January 18.   “We had 54 photos, which I think is pretty good for the first time.”

A brother and sister captured first and second place in the “Natural Kansas” category for ages 12 and under.

“I took a picture of a cat, not mine, a stray cat,” explains Lauren Seibel, 10.  Lauren received second place,  Her 8-year-old brother Grant took first place with a picture of  the frozen-over Big Creek.

The Seibel siblings received their awards, as well as disposable cameras and candy, during a closing reception for the photo exhibit Tuesday night, Kansas Day.

The more than 600 people attending  Sunday’s 16^th annual Soup ‘R Bowl fundraiser at the Ellis County Fairgrounds filled their stomachs.

They were also helping fill the coffers of the Humane Society of the High Plains with nearly $6600.

Cathy and Doug Pfannenstiel of  Auto World, were winners of the “Golden Ladle,” awarded after the crowd voted the couple’s Cheesy Potato Soup as the best among the 15 chefs.

Second prize was claimed by the Hays High School Book Club, with Cheeseburger Soup and Rommegrot, a Norwegian dessert soup.  Cedar View Assisted Living took third prize with Taco Soup.

All the “celebrity chefs” donated their time and talent to cook 10 gallons of their specialty soup.  Many also made desserts which were sold for a minimum $1 donation.

The money is used for care of the animals housed in the Virginia Miller Animal Shelter east of Hays.

For nearly 50 years, Charles Monroe Schulz entertained audiences from around the world with his Peanuts comic strip.

The Hays Public Library is hosting an exhibit of his artwork through March 10  in the library gallery.
This exhibition contains high resolution reproductions of comic strips and preliminary sketches that follow the development of the characters who make up the unique world of Peanuts, quotes by Schulz explaining his art, and selected Peanuts collectibles from six decades.

An opening reception for “ Inside Peanuts: The Life and Art of Charles M. Schulz” will be held Friday at 7p.m.

The Hays Police Department conducted 14 traffic stops and received three animal calls on Wednesday, according to the Police Activity Log.

Assault: Police Officers responded to the report of a criminal threat in the 1400 block of East 29th Street on Wednesday afternoon. Officers began an investigation into a assault in connection with the threat report. The alleged incident occurred at 12:50 Wednesday afternoon.

Civil Dispute: The Hays PD investigated a civil dispute on Wednesday afternoon at 3:33 in the 3500 block of Canal Boulevard.

Disturbance: Officers responded to the report of a disturbance in the 500 block of West 7th Street early Wednesday morning. The Hays PD investigated a fight and a report of disorderly conduct in connection with the disturbance reported. The disturbance was reported between 1:58 and 2:02 a.m. Wednesday.

Suspicious Activity: The Hays Police Department investigated three suspicious activity reported on Wednesday. The first suspicious activity alleged occurred Sunday afternoon between 2:00 and 4:00 a.m. in the 1000 block of West 28th Street. The second suspicious activity report was in the 2900 block of Canal Boulevard at 2:32 Wednesday afternoon. The final suspicious activity report was reported in connection with a residential alarm in the 700 block of East 6th Street at 4:21 Wednesday afternoon.

Motor Vehicle Accidents: The Hays PD responded to three motor vehicle accidents on Wednesday. The first accident was reported in the 600 block of East 6th Street at 10:09 a.m. The second motor vehicle accident was reported in the 300 block of East 17th Street at 10:14 a.m. The final motor vehicle accident, reported to the Hays PD, was reported in the 800 block of Allen Street at 11:33 Wednesday morning.

A food packaging event will be held Saturday in Hays to kick off a series of discussions at Fort Hays State about hunger. Student Coordinator of the Global Leadership Project Kelly Nuckolls says the latest survey showed over 300,000 Kansans are food insecure.

Volunteers in Hays will be packaging Bob Boxes on Saturday.  Bob Boxes were named in honor of Senator Bob Dole and are full of food items that senior citizens can easily prepare.

The packaging, in coordination with the Kansas Food Bank, will take place at 710 General Custer in the Heartland Truss building. Anyone wanting to volunteer should email [email protected].