By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

May 22, 1951, was a deadly day in Hays.

Heavy early morning rains 63 years ago today produced one of the worst flood disasters in Hays, according to records from the National Weather Service in Dodge City.

Six people were killed.

Fort Hays Kansas State College was flooded as well as the southern part of Hays when Big Creek erupted from its banks.  There is now a 1.8 mile levee between Big Creek and the campus, according to records at FHSU Forsyth Library.

Heavy rains had fallen earlier in the month and contributed to the May 22 flooding.

The rainfall amount for May and June, 1951, was 20.42 inches as recorded at the K-State University Agricultural Research Center just south of Hays.  

It was a record wet year for Hays with 43.34 inches of precipitation recorded in 1951.  

The National Weather Service has issued as hazardous weather outlook for much of western Kansas, including Ellis County and surrounding counties.

With a west-to-east front moving into the area, the NWS said the slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms will be increasing into Thursday evening. Quarter-sized hail is possible, as well as damaging winds, especially in the area west of U.S. 283.

The NWS is predicting a chance of thunderstorms through Monday.

For the most up-to-date weather information, check Hays Post or tune into Eagle Radio stations.

Kansas Mayors Association

On May 9 and 10, city officials from across Kansas gathered in Manhattan for the 2014 Leadership Summit and Mayors Conference. As part of Friday’s session, the Kansas Mayors Association recognized the 2014 Mayor of the Year, Kim Thomas from Stockton.

During the past decade, Thomas has served on the board of directors for the KMA, the League of Kansas Municipalities, the Kansas Municipal Electric Association, and has been a hospital auxiliary member.

She has served as mayor of Stockton for 12 years and was the first African-American female mayor in the state of Kansas. Thanks to her direction, new water lines and a new water plant have been constructed, the city is currently working on a new sewer lagoon project, an old city building has been repurposed as the police station, and the city has received a grant to make a number of city buildings more energy efficient.

Recently, the city also received a grant from the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation for the construction of four moderate income houses, with construction slated to begin this spring.

The KMA consists of 355 mayor members throughout Kansas, and exists to advance the proficiency of Kansas mayors and improve the quality of life in Kansas communities. As part of its efforts, the KMA annually recognizes individuals like Thomas who have gone above the call of duty to provide exceptional community leadership.

K-State Research and Extension

Farmers, make plans to take part in the annual Ellis County wheat plot field day at 6 p.m. June 3.

Extension specialists in agronomy, plant pathology and entomology will discuss wheat varieties, various production topics including a sensor-based nitrogen fertilizer plot, and to answer any questions.

Following the field day, a complimentary meal is provided. No RSVP necessary.

The Ellis County wheat plot is located north of Victoria, 1.5 miles west of the intersection of Cathedral Avenue and Fairground Road.

The public is invited to take part.

By NICK BUDD
Hays Post

ELLIS — Residents continued a nearly 30-year tradition Wednesday night by repainting the sunflowers that cover the streets of the town.

There are six sunflowers located on the corners of Eighth and Washington,Ninth and Jefferson, Ninth and Washington, 10th and Washington, 10th and Dorrance, and 12th and Washington.

“It started when the governor was coming to town one year for a big parade, so we painted the sunflowers in the streets,” said resident JoAnne Keller, who has helped to organize the painting each year.

Keller said several people have noticed the sunflowers when they have drove through the town.

“We had two school teachers from Topeka who drove through and they said they were so surprised when they saw the sunflowers in the streets,” she said. “I think we’re the only city that does this.”

Approximately 15 people helped out this year with the painting.

 

 

 

Hays Aquatic Park opens May 24 and Wilson Pool will open May 31. And, until 5 p.m. Friday, season passes are offered at a discounted rate of $35.

As of Saturday, the season passes will increase to $40 per person.

Passes must be purchased in person at Hays Recreation Commission, 1105 Canterbury, so photos can be taken and entered into the computer system.

For more information, contact Hays Rec.