By NICK BUDD
Hays Post

Hays city commissioners are set to vote Tuesday night on an Interlocal Agreement that addresses terms of the proposed R-9 Ranch in Edwards County.

The City of Russell has an 18% stake on the property and Hays owns the remaining 82%.

If the project goes forward, the agreement states that Hays will pay all of the costs for acquisition and construction of the water source. Under the agreement, Russell agrees to lend legal and public support to the effort, provide all necessary approvals or documents in order for the project to move forward and to cooperate with Hays in support of the project. The agreement also states that the city of Hays agrees to keep Russell informed of progress, provide consideration to Russell’s legal counsel regarding the project, provide them with “reasonable advance notice” on any affirmative action that needs to take place and maintain a detailed accounting report of the project.

The city of Russell has already adopted the agreement and if Hays commissioners approve the agreement, it will be sent to the Kansas Attorney General’s office for approval.

During their Dec. 23 meeting, Hays city commissioners will also consider:

-Annexing and rezoning lots 5 & 6 of block 3 in the North Hays addition from A-L to C-2.

-Approving the 2014 Boundary Resolution. The only major change to the boundary resolution was the annexation of the Geist Addition from Canterbury to Wheatland.

The meeting date was changed to Tuesday because of Thursday’s Christmas holiday.  It starts at 6:30p.m. in Hays City Hal.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Brittany Lang, coordinator of the annual Hays Community Christmas Dinner, has a vision.

“To provide an atmosphere where the community can be gathered together to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, and that is celebrating the birth of Jesus,” she said.

“Often times during this time of year, it can become easy to get wrapped up in the ‘busy-ness’ of the Christmas season. The Christmas Dinner helps to put things back into perspective and provides a sense of peace in a friendly family atmosphere,” added Lang.

The sixth annual Community Christmas Dinner will be held Dec. 25 at the Hays VFW, 2106 Vine. According to Lang, the VFW donates the venue and the Sons of the VFW donate their time cooking the meal. Additional costs are paid by financial donations from the community.

Lang said it is solely donations and volunteers that have kept the Community Christmas Dinner a success. This year, volunteers are asked to provide desserts.

“The Community Christmas Dinner is not affiliated with any specific organization or church and everyone is welcome to attend,” Lang emphasized.

Last year about 625 people enjoyed the free meal served at the VFW and also available as takeouts and deliveries. The crowd was considerably larger than that in 2012 when 375 people participated.

A change will be made this year to accommodate the growing number of diners.

Two buffet dinners will be served–the first at 11:15 a.m. and the second at 12:30 p.m. Thursday. Two serving lines will be set up for each dinner.

The first Hays Community Christmas Dinner was held at the Hays National Guard Armory, said Lang, with about 70 community members served.

To volunteer to help with the meal or to provide dessert, contact Brittany Lang at (785)-259-3766 or email her at [email protected].

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

At least one person was transported to Hays Med following a two-vehicle collision about 12:25 p.m. today in a northbound lane next to Pizza Hut, 2102 Vine.

Reports from the scene indicate a woman in one vehicle was transported  to the hospital by Ellis County EMS.

One of the cars was disabled and had to be towed from the scene.

Check with Hays Post for more details as available.

By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

Twenty kids in Ellis County are enjoying new and refurbished bikes thanks to the annual bike giveaway from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ellis County.

Squeals of delight filled the BBBS parking at 1301 Pine Street last Tuesday as the kids and their families showed up to receive the donated new and refurbished bikes.

“It is wonderful to see,” said BBBS Match Specialist Lexi Gardner.  “Many of the kids do not know they are getting a bike so it is wonderful to see their excitement and it is great to hear ‘Oh, that is the one I wanted when they see their name-tag.'”

Hays resident Melissa Kolb enrolled her two boys, 6 and 7 years old, into the program in October.  Though neither boy has been matched with a Big Brother yet, they each received bikes from BBBS this year.

Kolb said she is thankful for the early Christmas gifts and even more thankful for the BBBS program.

“(My boys) are so just excited to be matched with somebody. They really need a male role model in their lives and I could not do it without the help of the community, that is for sure.”

Gardner said there are 40 “Littles” waiting to be paired with a Big Brother or Big Sister. Families or couples can also become matches for kids, Gardner stressed.

If interested in becoming a “Big,” or receiving more information, contact BBBS, 1301 Pine Street, Hays, or call (785) 625-6672 or visit the website HERE.