The Hays Police Department conducted 27 traffic stops and received three animal calls on Tuesday, according to the Police Activity Log.

Drug Offenses: The Hays Police Department issued a search warrant in connection with drug offenses in the 2700 block of Canal Boulevard Tuesday night at 10:15 p.m.

Fight: Officers responded to the 4700 block of Roth Avenue for the report of a disturbance early Tuesday. When officers arrived they began an investigated into an alleged fight that occurred at 1:57 Tuesday morning.

Suspicion Person: The Hays PD received a report of a suspicion person Tuesday night in the 1300 block of Vine Street. Officers also investigated a disorderly conduct case in connection with the suspicion person report at 11:59 p.m.

Motor Vehicle Accident: Officers responded to two motor vehicle accidents on Tuesday. The first accident, involving private property, was reported at 11:07 a.m. in the 3400 block of Vine Street. The second accident was reported as an accident involving property damage in the 800 block of Elm Street at 12:51 p.m.

Officers conducting motel checks in the 3400 Block of Vine Street early Friday morning observed a marijuana pipe inside a vehicle.  Hays Police Lt Brandon Wright told Hays Post, ” The officer made contact with the owner of the vehicle in a nearby motel room.  The subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of the pipe and small amount of marijuana and paraphernalia.  Randi L. Dreiling, age 21, of Antonino, Kansas was arrested and cited for Possession of a Hallucinogenic Drug and Drug paraphernalia.  Thomas L. Alvis, age 31, of Hill City was also arrested on an Ellis County warrant.”

The Red Cross needs your help. They will host a blood drive in Ellis today at the Knights of Columbus, 1013 Washington, from 1-6 p.m.

HaysMed will host a blood drive on Thursday starting at 11 a.m.  Call 623-2388 to schedule an appointment. Click on the photo to the left for more information on an incentive for your participation.

Senator Pat Roberts Slams President’s Healthcare Law and refers to a recent stop in Hays (2:23 of the video.)

Two winners of the 2012 Great Plains Book Award and alumni of Fort Hays State University will be in Hays to discuss their book, The Cheyenne Exodus in History and Memory.

Dr. James Leiker and Dr. Ramon Powers will present the Fort Hays State Department of History and the Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society Clio Lecture Tuesday, April 2, from 7:00 – 8:00 pm at the FHSU Robbins Center.

The public is invited to attend. A book signing with the authors will follow the lecture.

Dr. Leiker is the director of Johnson County Community College’s Kansas Studies Program and the 2002 co-winner of the Fehrenbach Award for best book in Texas history.

Dr. Powers is the former director of the Kansas State Historical Society.

Both historians have presented and published extensively on the history of Kansas, the Great Plains, and the American West.

Officials at Astra Bank will be holding another Shred Fest event, on Saturday, March 30th.

“As everyone is aware, identity theft is a critical issue today,” said Astra Bank’s Bryan Armendariz. “One of our top priorities at Astra Bank is doing all we can to ensure the highest security for our customers’ financial accounts, and we don’t think that security should stop at our front doors. The Shred Fest is a way we can help our customers and everyone else protect themselves.”

“Each year, nearly every household accumulates a great deal of personal financial and health documents, all of which need to be disposed of in a secure manner,” Armendariz continued. “To help people decide which of their documents to destroy, we’ve developed a ’What and When to Shred‘ schedule.”
Armendarez said Astra Bank recommends the following guidelines for deciding what documents to shred and when to shred them:
• Bank Statements – Shred after the account is reconciled.

• Credit Card Statements – Keep one tax year’s worth.
• Monthly Bills – Shred anything older than one year
• Tax Records – Keep the last seven years

“These guidelines are only a general recommendation. An individual’s circumstances may dictate they keep certain records longer. Astra Bank suggests a person use their own discretion when deciding what and when to destroy personal documents,” Armendariz said.

There is no charge for having documents destroyed at the Shred Fest. Any individual may bring up to three bags or containers of personal documents to be destroyed. Staples and paper clips do not need to be removed prior to shredding. The actual document shredding at the Shred Fest is performed by an AAA-Certified shredding company. Anyone who wishes to view the destruction of their documents may do so.
The Shred Fest takes place at Astra Bank at the following times:
• Hays location, 1100 Fort Street, 8:00 – 10:00 am, March 30
• Plainville location, 113 W. Mill, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, March 30

“We hope everyone will help safeguard themselves from identity thieves by taking advantage of this free service,” Armendariz added.