Following a presentation at Thursday’s commission meeting on the water release from Cedar Bluff, Hays City Commissioners discussed the hard work required to make the difficult decision to request water from the artificial recharge pool.

City Manager Toby Dougherty reminded commissioners that the city has had the legal right to ask for the water since 2004.

City Commissioner Henry Schwaller emphatically told the panel, “Russell owns that water!  It is their water and it is not owned by Trego County, it is not the property of WaKeeney!  The residents and citizens of Russell bought and paid for that water! It is theirs and nobody else. The United States Government built that reservoir. The water does not belong to a particular community it belongs to everyone.”

The Hays Police Department conducted 26 traffic stops and received five animal calls on Thursday, according to the Police Activity Log.

Theft: The Hays Police Department investigated four theft reports on Thursday. The first two thefts were credit card violations in the 1300 block of Vine Street. The first occurred between 12:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on March 7th. The second theft occurred between 12:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on March 8th. The third theft, investigated by the Police Department, was reported in the 330 block of West 9th Street and occurred between 5:00 p.m. on March 4th and 5:00 p.m. on March 6th. Officers also investigated a burglary/theft in the 3700 block of Canal Boulevard that occurred between 5:00 p.m. on March 27th and 6:44 on March 28th.

Suspicious Activity: Officers responded to the 2700 block of Willow Street Thursday morning for the report of suspicious activity. The alleged incident occurred at 1:59 a.m.

Criminal Damage to Property: The Hays PD received two report of damage to property Thursday morning. The first was reported in the 200 block of East 14th Street between 8:00 p.m. March 27th and 7:00 a.m. March 28th. The second was reported in the 400 block of East 14th Street between 8:00 p.m. March 27th and 8:15 a.m. March 28th.

Disturbance: Hays Police Officers responded to the report of a disturbance in the 800 block of Ash Street in the early morning hours Thursday. Officers also investigated a disorderly conduct in connection with the disturbance.

Motor Vehicle Accident: The Hays PD responded to six motor vehicle accidents on Thursday. Two of the accidents were reported as hit and run accidents. The first was reported in the 3600 block of Vine Street at 11:56 a.m. The second hit and run accident was reported in the 1000 block of West 43rd Street between 12:00 and 12:52 p.m. A personal injury accident was reported at Main and Elm Street at 6:15 Thursday evening. Officers also responded to an accident in the 300 block of West 19th Street and began an investigation into underage possession of Cereal Malt Beverage or Liquor in connection with the accident at 11:53 Thursday evening.

Today  Partly sunny, with a high near 71. East wind 5 to 13 mph.

 Tonight
 A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 10pm and 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Southeast wind 9 to 14 mph.

      Saturday
 Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. West southwest wind 8 to 15 mph becoming north northwest in the afternoon.

      Saturday Night
 Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. North northeast wind 5 to 14 mph.

       Sunday
 Sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon

Sunday Night
 A 40 percent chance of rain, mainly after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34.