By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

The Ellis County Commission will hold its public hearing on the 2016 budget during Monday night’s regular meeting.

Earlier this month, the county published next year’s budget with a mill levy of 36.728, an increase of 2.361.

The public hearing will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the basement meeting room of the Ellis County Administrative Center.

In other business:

• The commission will also continue discussions on the open county administrator position. At last week’s commission meeting, the commission debated language in the job description that would allow the administrator to terminate a non-elected department head. Commission Chairwoman Marcy McClelland said she would rather the commission have the final say on personnel moves.

• Engineer Tom Bennett of BG Consultants will present the commission with an update on the Old U.S. 40 project from Yocemento to Ellis.

• Sheriff Ed Harbin will go before the commission with proposals to purchase two new washers and two new dryers for the newly remodeled jail. He will also discuss food and medical services at the jail.

Submitted by DSNWK

The continuation of shortfalls in funding for Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas has once again caused the organization to restructure many of its services for people with developmental disabilities across northwest Kansas.

“Needless to say, we continue to be frustrated with the lack of needed funding for Kansans with developmental disabilities,” said Jerry Michaud, DSNWK president. “Each year, we seem to find ourselves losing ground when we have to face inflation along with rising health care and operating costs,”

The restructuring also became necessary as DSNWK has felt the effects of chronic staffing shortages in some locations. Solutions to these pressing concerns, as well as adapting to the ever-changing business environment, require a structure that embodies the most efficient approaches to meet the current and anticipated future needs of those we serve.

DSNWK’s restructuring will include the closing of one group home in Atwood, where changes were needed due to a chronic workforce shortage in that area. The closing of the Atwood home will result in persons served relocating within DSNWK, or elsewhere if they should so choose.

In addition, DSNWK will be realigning its services to support persons served in the most appropriate settings to meet their individual needs (i.e. medical, behavioral and dementia related issues, etc.). All individuals, regardless of whether they moved to a new location, will continue to receive the same quality services they were previously receiving.

“We have been making changes and reductions in services almost every year since 2008. Erosion on roads, hillsides and on farm ground can be seen and felt. The state’s chronic under-funding of the system has been resulting in erosion of a different kind,” Michaud said. “These unfortunate disruptions in people’s lives, have been brought on by a decade of inaction, caused by the lack of full funding for the community service network across the state of Kansas. Our hope is that the Legislature will finally make adequate funding of community services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities their top priority.”

Even though DSNWK is restructuring its services, the organization remains steadfast in its commitment to maintaining quality services for the individuals it serves throughout the 18 counties of northwest Kansas.

The Hays Police Department responded to 7 animal calls and 16 traffic stops Friday, Aug. 14, 2015, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Liquor Offense, sell, furnish, transport–100 block W 5th St, Hays; 12:19 AM
Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–400 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:31 AM
Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–100 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:06 AM
Disturbance – General–100 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:26 AM
Domestic Disturbance–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 2:32 AM
Intoxicated Subject–300 block W 6th St, Hays; 5:45 AM
Water Use Violation–1700 block Douglas Dr, Hays; 8:01 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–400 block W 7th St, Hays; 8/13 11 PM
Abandoned Vehicle–300 block E 14th St, Hays; 9:01 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–300 block E 14th St, Hays; 9:06 AM
Animal Call–2700 block Epworth, Hays; 9:33 AM
Theft (general)–1100 block Vine St, Hays; 6/14; 8/14 10:48 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–200 block W 4th St, Hays; 11:17 AM
Unwanted Person–2500 block Vine St, Hays; 11:32 AM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–400 block Riley St, Hays; 8 AM; 10 AM
Animal Call–1100 block E 22nd St, Hays; 1:12 PM
Abandoned Vehicle–1300 block Douglas Dr, Hays; 1:33 PM
Suspicious Vehicle–3700 block Vine St, Hays; 1:41 PM
Theft (general)–2500 block Vine St, Hays; 2:45 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1400 block Hall St, Hays; 3:01 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–2300 block E 13th St, Hays; 3:14 PM
Animal Cruelty/Neglect–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 3:43 PM
Unwanted Person–500 block W 27th St, Hays; 4:13 PM
Suspicious Activity–200 block W 7th St, Hays; 5:30 PM
Missing Person–2600 block Augusta Ln, Hays; 6:18 PM
Harassment (All Other)–100 block W 6th St, Hays; 10:08 PM
Disturbance – Noise–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 10:49 PM
Minor in Possession of CMB/LIQ–300 block W 7th St, Hays; 11:03 PM
Liquor Offense, sell, furnish, transport–300 block W 6th St, Hays; 11:29 PM
Disturbance – Noise–300 block W 6th St, Hays; 11:27 PM
Burglary/business–2200 block Vine St, Hays; 11:56 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 13 animal calls and 17 traffic stops Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Stolen/Recovered Property–100 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:39 AM
Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–400 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:08 AM
Driving Under the Influence–500 block Elm St, Hays; 2:04 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–700 block E 7th St, Hays; 3:04 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–200 block Circle Dr, Hays; 3:22 AM
911 Hangup Call–6th and Elm, Hays; 3:48 AM
Criminal Trespass–200 block W 3rd St, Hays; 8:09 AM
Battery – Domestic–3500 block Chaumont Dr, Hays; 9:36 AM
Found/Lost Property–600 block Park St, Hays; 10:30 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–500 block W 17th St, Hays; 1:47 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–1300 block Elm St, Hays; 2:22 PM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 3:41 PM
Disturbance – Noise–400 block W 13th St, Hays; 3:46 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 3:59 PM
Mental Health Call–1700 block Sunset Trl, Hays; 4:19 PM
Welfare Check–100 block W 24th St, Hays; 6:01 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–3600 block Vine St, Hays; 8:07 PM; 9:01 PM
Unwanted Person–4000 block Gen Hays Rd, Hays; 8:23 PM
Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–400 W block of W. 5th St, Hays; 9:12 PM
Credit Card Violations–3600 block Vine St, Hays; 10:56 PM
Driving Under the Influence–1800 block Highway 40, Hays; 10:59 PM
Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–300 block W 6th St, Hays; 11:01 PM
Liquor Offense, sell, furnish, transport–300 block W 6th St, Hays; 11:06 PM
Liquor Offense, sell, furnish, transport–300 block W 6th St, Hays; 11:13 PM
Liquor Offense, sell, furnish, transport–300 block W 6th St, Hays; 11:13 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 11:10 PM
Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–300 block W 6th St, Hays; 11:21 PM
Liquor Offense, sell, furnish, transport–300 block W 6th St, Hays; 11:27 PM
Liquor Offense, sell, furnish, transport–300 block W 6th St, Hays; 11 PM; 11:33 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 5 animal calls and 7 traffic stops Sunday, Aug. 16, 2015, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–400 block W 8th St, Hays; 12:25 AM
Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–400 block W 8th St, Hays; 12:28 AM
Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–400 block W 8th St, Hays; 12:45 AM
Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–300 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:48 AM
Obstruction of Legal Process–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:58 AM; 1:31 AM
Drug Offenses–200 block of E 16th St, Hays; 2:13 AM; 2:47 AM
Civil Transport–1300 block Kansas Highway 264, Larned; 3:05 AM
Drug Offenses–400 block of W 5th, Hays; 2:52 AM; 5 AM
Urinating in Public–2500 block Donald Dr, Hays; 1 AM; 1:30 AM
Animal At Large–100 block W 24th St, Hays; 8:11 AM
Welfare Check–1000 block Cody Ave, Hays; 9:35 AM
Civil Dispute–200 block W 6th St, Hays; 12:11 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–500 block W 33rd, Hays; 2:13 PM
Animal At Large–1300 block Donald Dr, Hays; 3:51 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–13th and Vine, Hays; 5:48 PM
Disturbance – Noise–2500 block Oak St, Hays; 5:59 PM
Suspicious Activity–3300 block Vine St, Hays; 7 PM
Water Use Violation–2200 block Vine St, Hays; 10:14 PM

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

Following the discovery of bedbugs in a student backpack Friday at Hays High School, 2300 E. 13th, treatment is set to commence Tuesday to clear the rooms for use.

Until that time, all rooms possibly affected will remain closed.

“The company that treat bedbugs is in town. They have visited our school, and they are working with the superintendent for a plan right now,” said HHS Principal Martin Straub.

Financial aspects of the plan are being worked out today through USD 489 Superintendent Dean Katt’s office, but Straub believes treatment will begin Tuesday.

“We’ll keep the rooms off limits yet today, bring the company in tomorrow for treatment and should have access to the rooms then,” he said.

The treatment company works throughout the western portion of Kansas.

“They know what they’re are doing, and we’ve got to rely on those professionals to help us,” Straub said.

Clarification: An earlier story regarding the incident incorrectly used the word “fumigation” when referring to pest control treatments. Hays Post apologizes for the error.

CITY OF HAYS

The update of zoning and subdivision regulations in the city of Hays will be discussed by the Hays Area Planning Commission during their meeting tonight.

Two public hearings will be held for rezoning requests of property at 1601 E. 27th frontage road and at 117 E. 7th Street.

The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17, in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.

The complete agenda follows. Click here for additional information.

HAYS AREA PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA
CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS
1507 MAIN, HAYS, KS
AUGUST 17, 2015
6:30 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER BY CHAIRMAN.
2. CONSENT AGENDA.
A. None
3. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS.
A. Public Hearing for a rezoning request of the property at 1601 E 27th Frontage Road from
“R-1” Single Family Dwelling District to “R-4” Multiple Family Dwelling District.
Action: Consider the rezoning of 1601 E 27th Frontage Road from “R-1” Single
Family Dwelling District to “R-4” Multiple Family Dwelling District:
4. NON-PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS.
A. Set a Public Hearing for a rezoning request of the property at 117 E 7th Street from “CO”
Office Institution District to “C-2” General Commercial and Service Dwelling District:
Action: Set the Public Hearing for the rezoning of 117 E 7th St from “C-O” Office and
Institution District to “C-2” General Commercial
B. Discussion of Potential Changes to the Development Policy Infrastructure Guidelines:
Action: Discussion of Potential Changes to the Development Policy Infrastructure
Guidelines
C. Discussion on the Zoning & Subdivision Regulations Rewrite
Action: None
5. OFF AGENDA ITEMS/COMMUNICATIONS.
A. City Commission action and planning and development updates on Planning
Commission related issues
6. ADJOURNMENT

GREAT BEND — Law enforcement authorities in Barton County said attempted murder suspect Chris Solida is being held on a warrant from the District Court at Woodward, Okla., for attempted murder in the first degree.

Solida was arrested Friday night following a four-hour standoff in Great Bend. He is being held in the Barton County jail.

Authorities say Solida shot his wife in Oklahoma and brought his small children to Kansas. That prompted Friday’s standoff.

Solida’s bond is set on the Oklahoma warrant at $1 million.

Charges have also been filed in the Barton County District Court by the Great Bend Police Department.

The Kansas charges include aggravated child endangerment, aggravated criminal threat and criminal use of a firearm.

Bond on the local charges is set at $50,000.

Upon disposition of the local charges, Solida will be subject to an extradition hearing and returned to Oklahoma.

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

At 6:30 p.m. Monday at Rockwell Administration Center, 323 W. 12th, the Hays USD 489 Board of Education will host the budget hearing for fiscal year 2016.

The hearing, a required part of the budget process, will give the public an opportunity to share with the board comments or concerns about the year’s budget.

The budget sets the maximum level of expenditures and establishes the mill levy for the budget year.

The meeting is established “for the purpose of hearing and answering objections of taxpayers relating to the proposed use of all funds and the amount of tax to be levied. Detailed budget information (including budget profile) is available at Rockwell Administration Center and will be available at this hearing.”

The budget summary can be found here.

Following the budget hearing, the board will commence with its regular meeting.