Friends of the Hays Dog Park continue to look for ways to raise money for something they believe will enhance the quality of life for many residents, and of course, for their dogs,

“We’ve raised $15,000 so far, ” says member Tiffany Reddig.  “To try and get more grants and other donations, we’re going to partner with the Heartland Community Foundation,” she says.

The group met Sunday afternoon at the Hays Public Library to discuss new ideas for fundraisers and elect new officers.

The city of Hays is reserving six acres at the Bickle/Schmidt Sports Complex for building the dog park.   The group has two years to come up with the $127,000 necessary for a basic facility.

“We’ve had bake sales, a huge garage sale and we’re selling t-shirts, ” Reddig says.  “We’re also selling engraved bricks for $100 which will pave walkways in the dog park.”

The biggest expense is 78-thousand dollars for a six-foot perimeter fence.

People interested in joining Friends of the Hays Dog Park should check the group’s Facebook page.

The Hays Police Department conducted 43 traffic stops and received 13 animal calls between Friday morning and Sunday night, according to the Police Activity Log.

Theft: The Hays Police Department investigated two theft reports over the weekend. The first theft was reported as shoplifting in the 2900 block of Vine Street at 3:35 Friday afternoon. The second theft was reported in the 300 block of West 8th Street at 2:00 Sunday afternoon.

Burglary: Officers investigated two burglary reports on Sunday. The first burglary was of a residence in the 700 block of West 12th Street in the early morning hours Sunday. The alleged burglary occurred between 1:00 and 2:15 Sunday morning. The second burglary was reported in connection with a criminal damage to property reported in the 700 block of Walnut Street. The alleged incident occurred between 6:00 p.m. Saturday and 7:00 p.m. Sunday.

Domestic Disturbance: The Hays PD responded to two domestic disturbance reports in Friday. The first domestic disturbance case, in connection with a battery report, was reported in the 1000 block of East 8th Street Friday morning. The disturbance was reported between 12:45 and 1:26 Friday morning. The second domestic disturbance case, in connection with a battery report, was reported Saturday night in the1300 block of East 15th Street. The alleged disturbance was reported between 9:15 and 9:22 Friday evening.

Civil Dispute: Officers investigated two civil disputes over the weekend. The first civil dispute was reported in the 3400 block of Vine Street on Friday afternoon. The alleged incident occurred between 5:30 and 5:45 Friday afternoon. The second civil dispute was reported Sunday night at 11:45 in the 2200 block of General Custer Road.

Drug Offenses: The Hays PD investigated one case of drug offenses on Sunday night. The alleged incident occurred at 11:23 Sunday night.

Fight: Hays Police Officers responded to three disturbance and fight reports on Sunday. The first fight was reported in the 500 block of Ash Street early Sunday morning between 2:00 and 2:05. The second fight was reported in the 700 block of Main Street at 2:09 a.m. The final theft was reported in the 700 block of East 6th Street at 3:31 Sunday afternoon.

Driving Under the Influence: Officers conducted six driving under the influence stops over the weekend. One of the driving under the influence cases on Saturday, was in connection with a motor vehicle accident in the early morning hours Saturday. Officers responded to the report of an accident at 33rd and Hall at 3:03 a.m. Saturday.

Father Earl Meyer at St. Fidelis Friary in Victoria told Hays Post this morning that he greatly admired Pope Benedict XVI. “I and all the other priests at the Friary were very surprised at this morning’s news. It certainly puts a new perspective on future Popes,” said Meyer.  “It really sets a precedence here (resigning)”  Benedict, the 85 year old leader of the Catholic church announced his decision to step down during a meeting of Vatican cardinals this morning.

“Benedict had a very clever mind and great understanding,” said Meyer. “His 3 books on the life of Jesus are wonderful for anyone who wants a better understanding of the life of Christ.”

Before the end of the month a conclave of Cardinals will elect a new leader for the Catholic Church- Pope Benedict XVI last day in office will be on Feb. 28. He said it was because he was simply too infirm to carry on. He becomes the first pontiff in 600 years to step down. Stay tuned to Eagle radio and check back with Hays Post for more on this story.

Below is the full text of Benedict’s resignation letter.

Dear Brothers,

I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church. After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.  I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the barque of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me. For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.

Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects.  And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff. With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.

From the Vatican, 10 February 2013

BENEDICTUS PP XVI