Miss it at the theaters or just want to take it in again? “Guardian of the Galaxy” — the summer’s biggest box-office hit — will be shown Friday on the campus of Fort Hays State University.

Click HERE for Tiger Media Network’s story on the event and additional details.

TOPEKA — Fifteen projects intended to encourage children to walk or bicycle to school have been selected for funding through the Safe Routes to School program administered by the Kansas Department of Transportation.

A total of $1,335,000 will be allocated for projects including development of a Safe Routes to School plan and infrastructure construction.

The federal program, created in 2005, has several purposes:

• Enable and encourage children, including those who are disabled, to walk or bicycle to school
• Make walking or biking to school safe and appealing
• Facilitate projects that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption and air pollution in the vicinity of schools.

The following cities have been selected for Phase I funding, which covers the costs of developing a Safe Routes to School plan: Cimarron, Dighton, Haven, Iola, Lawrence, Lewis, McPherson, Neosho Rapids, and Olpe. All cities will receive up to $15,000.

Receiving Phase II funding for infrastructure improvements are Beloit, Ellsworth, Erie, Fort Scott, Hutchinson, and Kinsley. All cities will receive up to $200,000.

Phase II projects can include sidewalk improvement or construction, pavement markings and signage.

With one election now in the rear-view mirror, thoughts turn to the April election for municipal and school board seats.

Three Hays City Commission seats will be on the ballot — those currently held by Henry Schwaller IV, Ron Mellick and Kent Steward.

On the Hays USD 489 Board of Education, four seats will be on the ballot — those currently held by Greg Schwartz, Sarah Rankin, Marty Patterson and James Leiker.

Filing deadline for the April 7 spring election is noon Jan. 27. Should a primary be necessary, it will be March 3.

For more information, contact the Ellis County Clerk’s office at (785) 628-9410.

The Hays Police Department conducted seven traffic stops and received four animal calls on Wednesday, Nov. 5, according to the HPD activity log.

Disturbance, 400 block East 16th, 12:42 a.m.
Abandoned vehicle, 1500 block Montgomery, 2:06 a.m.
Found/lost property, 4300 block Vine, 8:07 a.m.
Assist, 700 block Fort, 9:35 a.m.
Animal at large, 400 block East 18th, 9:38 a.m.
Abandoned vehicle, 200 block East 18th, 10:51 a.m.
Found/lost property, 100 block West 12th, 11:42 a.m.
Drug offenses, 2800 block Vine, 12:16 p.m.
Found/lost property, 3700 block Hall, 12:19 p.m.
Civil dispute, 100 block West 12th, 12:42 p.m.
Animal bite investigation, 100 block West Sixth, 1:15 p.m.
Motor vehicle accident, 13th and Hall, 1:15 p.m.
Motor vehicle accident, 1000 Block East 43rd, 1:50 p.m.
Animal at large, Fifth and Allen, 2:50 p.m.
Motor vehicle accident/hit and run, 300 block East 12th, 3:20 p.m.
Motor vehicle accident, 27th and Oak, 3:40 p.m.
Mental health call, 200 block East Seventh, 4:34 p.m.
Motor vehicle accident/personal injury, 2900 block Hall, 5:30 p.m.
Assist, 100 block West 12th, 6:16 p.m.
Traffic/driving complaint, 1400 block Hall, 6:25 p.m.
Lost animals, 1100 block Vine, 6:37 p.m.
Civil transport, Larned, 6:44 p.m.
Driving while suspended/revoked, 4100 block Vine, 6:59 p.m.
Suicidal subject, 100 block West 24th, 7:21 p.m.
Burglary/residence, 400 block West Fourth, 8:11 p.m.
Shoplifting, 4300 block Vine, 9 p.m.
Stalking, 2900 block Vine, 9:11 p.m.
Animal call, 1100 block East 15th, 9:58 p.m.
Mental health call, 2500 block Sherman, 10:40 p.m.

By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

ELLIS — USD 388 Superintendent Robert Young admits he had a sleepless night after learning the $8.9 million bond election failed to pass Tuesday — yet he remains hopeful the community can come together for the sake of district’s future.

“We just have to look at it for what it is … hard to dwell on,” Young said. “We still have some major facility needs and we do not have the finances to fix all of those.”

Young said $1 million worth of roof repairs and HVAC improvements are among several critical facility needs the district is facing.

A similar bond election was defeated by Ellis voters last year, and Young said the administration and USD 388 Board of Education will “go back to the table” to discuss options.

“It’s going to take some time to heal from this, to get our legs back underneath us, to get through the next year are two and see where we are at and do the best we can,’ Young said. “But we will eventually have to find something that will work in the minds of the local voters.”

Tuesday’s bond election was defeated by 780-457 but had a nearly 50 percent voter turnout — something Young said he was glad to see.

“I have said all the time … I would feel more more comfortable with the decision if we had a larger group of people (vote) … and if it passed or failed we would do whatever we needed to do and go  beyond that” he said. “Fifty percent of the registered voters in our school district voted no, so that is obviously a clear statement.”

Young said the district spends more than $500,000 in maintenance and upkeep every year, yet more improvements and updates are necessary — the reason he keeps asking himself a question every day: “How do I try to come up with the money ?’

Young said he does not have an answer yet as the district is “capped out” in available revenue due to state statute, but he is open to ideas from the community.

He is on the process of generating a list of priorities and discussions will begin at Monday’s USD 388 school board meeting, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Ellis High School, 1706 S. Monroe.

By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

A Plainville man is facing multiple drug charges following a traffic stop last week.

Jessy Lee Eilers, 32, was pulled over by officers from the Hays Police Department due to a traffic infraction at around 1 a.m. Oct. 30 on the 1000 block of East 29th in Hays.

According to HPD Chief of Police Don Scheibler, during the course of the traffic citation, drugs were reportedly found.

Eilers was arrested on suspicion of possession of 489 valium pills with a street value of $9,000.

He was also charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Eilers remains in Ellis County jail in lieu of bond.

By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

Three juveniles are under arrest for their alleged involvement in 11 separate criminal damage incidents including tire slashing and other criminal damage reports to property occurring the night of Oct. 25 on Eighth Street.

Two of the juveniles also are allegedly involved in a recent car theft and one is alleged to be responsible for a separate car theft in Ellis County.

Hays Police Department Investigator Joshua Burkholder said the HPD recently responded to a report of suspicious activity in the 500 block of West 20th. Two of the juvenile suspects were located in the area inside a vehicle.

Further investigation revealed the truck the youths were driving was stolen.

Burkholder said the juveniles arrested are 17, 14 and 16 years of age.

Upon further questioning, the youth reportedly admitted to their involvement in the tire slashing and criminal damage incidents.

The case has been turned over to the Ellis County Attorney’s office.