Parking and driving in downtown Hays is limited today especially in front of the library as crews work to repair the water main in the area.

Duct tape projects.  Crafts and paintings.  Creations made of Legos.  They’re all part of the 4-H Visual Arts project.

Judging the entries for this year’s Ellis County Fair is Vicky Wallace, Pawnee County 4-H Master Volunteer:

Wallace is a busy judge, with more four more county fairs this week and two next week.  She also judges entomology, geology, aerospace, robotics, horticulture, and dog shows.

Mary Ann Shorman, Lead Nurse for USD 489, has been recognized as the 2013 Kansas School Nurse of the Year.
Each year the Kansas School Nurse Organization recognizes one Kansas school nurse who demonstrates excellence and professionalism in school nursing practice.
In a statement to Hays Post, USD 489 Superintendent Dr. Will Roth congratulated Mary Ann for being recognized as the Kansas School Nurse of the Year.

“Mary Ann leads an outstanding nursing staff for USD 489. With the increased incidence of medical issues our students face, our nursing staff has become critical to the operation of our district. Even though at times shorthanded, Mary Ann and all our nurses put their heart and mind into the health of our students. Congratulations Mary Ann for a well-deserved honor.”

Shorman has been a nurse for USD 489 for 25 years and is based at Hays Middle School.

9:18 a.m. A woman was injured in an early Wednesday morning rollover accident on I-70 east of Hays.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, “Sixty-seven year old Donna K Strom of Colorado Springs, Colorado was driving a 2001 Jeep east bound on I-70 at mile post 160, 2 miles east of Hays. She fell asleep at the wheel. The jeep then entered the median striking the guardrail and overturned onto the passenger side coming to rest in the westbound lanes of I-70. Strom was transported to Hays Medical Center. She was wearing a seat belt.”

6:57 a.m. West bound lanes of I-70 are open again following the Wednesday morning rollover accident at mile post 160. We will report additional details as they become available.

6:22 a.m. Law enforcement officials and first responders are on the scene of an injury accident on I-70 east bound at mile post 160.

The vehicle has rolled and is in the west bound lanes blocking traffic.

One Hundred Eleventh State Representative Sue Boldra was in Hays on Tuesday and shared her sincere gratitude for the  emergency personnel.

“Many of Hays and Ellis County’s finest were called to action early this morning when a train collision and the subsequent explosion and fire rocked the stillness of the night. The Hays police department, the Ellis County sheriff’s department, the fire departments of Hays, Ellis County, Victoria, and Ellis , the Ellis County EMS, and other first responders and staff reported quickly and efficiently to avert a possible disaster. As it turned out, the three train crewmen escaped an overturned train engine engulfed in flames with no injuries and the immediate response of the fire departments were able to contain the fire so that the tanker cars further down the tracks and filled with ethanol did not explode. The diesel fuel that spewed out on the ground was allowed to burn as the emergency personnel worked to contain its liquid path so that Chetolah Creek would not be contaminated.

An amazing job to thwart what could have been a major disaster and tragedy. Our city and her people are protected every day by these unsung heroes who are ready to report when disaster strikes and whenever we need them for our protection and security.
I visited the site twice today, after receiving a phone call from Topeka and a Union Pacific official. I was met with the utmost courtesy and respect by the Hays police chief, the Hays fire chief, and the EMS coordinator. What a blessing that we live in a community that values our public servants and the men and women who work to keep us safe every day. A sincere thank you.”

 It won’t be a new store. It will be a new location and the staff at Hibbett Sporting Goods in Hays is excited. Jordan, the manager on duty Tuesday, told Hays Post, “This new store will be twice the size. It will really be nice to have additional walls to display clothing and  especially nice to have a free standing location.”

The new store will be located between the new Wendy’s and the Fairfield Inn north of I-70 in Hays. “We expect to get a lot of hotel and of course some Wal-Mart traffic in the new store,” Jordan said.

Hibbett hopes to make the move from the Mall to the new store by the end of the year.

A Hays man has been reappointed by the governor to the Kansas 9-1-1 Coordinating Council.

Mike Leiker is the Ellis County Director of Information Technology.

The state 9-1-1 Coordinating Council develops strategies for enhancements of the 911system and distributes grant funds to public safety answering points.