Outdoor warning devices, commonly called tornado sirens, were sounded across Kansas at 1:30p.m. today.

The annual statewide tornado drill is part of National Severe Weather Awareness Week which continues through Saturday.

Students at Washington Elementary School practice their tornado drill three times a year, according to principal Allan Park.

“The students and teachers come out of their classrooms or in from the playground, and go down the stairs in two lines to our cafeteria.  It’s in the basement and also serves as the school’s tornado shelter,” Park says.  “Today it took two and half minutes for 166 people-everybody in the building-to get in the shelter, about an average time.”

The tornado siren nearest Washington School is at Fort Hays State University, south of Lewis Field.  Park has a National Weather Service weather radio in his office which also sounds the warning.

An alarm in the hallway outside the second-grade classroom also beeps as students practice their tornado drill.

 

 

 

 

 

 

St

At the end of the month, the sales tax approved by Hays voters to build the Bickle Schmidt Sports Complex will sunset. The sales tax will go from 8.55% back to 8.05% at midnight on March 31^st.

The tax was approved in 2008 and is expected to collect $11 million. City Finance Director Kim Rupp says the voters approved $8 million for construction and the additional funds are set aside for continued maintenance.

Retailers need to start charging the 8.05% tax beginning at 12:01 a.m. on April 1^st. That tax rate is broken down with 6.30% going to the state and 1.75% to the city.

If Ellis County’s sales tax question is approved by the voters, the rate in Hays would again be 8.55%.

The Hays Police Department conducted 20 traffic stops and received three animal calls on Monday, according to the Police Activity Log.

Sex Offense: The Hays Police Department investigated a sex offense on Monday evening at 5:42.

Domestic Disturbance: Officers responded to a pair of domestic disturbance reports on Monday. The first was reported in the 3600 block of Vine Street at 1:02 Monday morning. The second domestic disturbance was reported in the 3600 block of Vine Street Monday afternoon. Officers investigated the report of a suspicious activity and a battery in connection with the domestic case. The alleged incident occurred between 12:52 and 12:55 Monday afternoon.

Criminal Damage to Property: The Hays PD received two reports of damage to property on Monday that they investigated as criminal damage. The first report of damage was in the 1500 block of Milner Street. The alleged damage occurred between 7:15 and 9:00 Sunday evening. The second report of damage was in connection with a civil dispute in the 400 block of East 6th Street Monday afternoon at 2:59.

Civil Dispute: Officers investigated a second civil dispute in the 1000 block of Reservation Road on Monday evening at 8:56. They also investigated an individual for driving while having a suspended or revoked license in connection with the civil dispute.

Motor Vehicle Accident: The Hays PD responded to one personal injury motor vehicle accident at 22nd and Vine Street between 2:13 and 2:46 Monday afternoon.