By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

It was cold overnight in Hays.

According to official statistics from the K-State Agricultural Research Center, the temperature Wednesday night fell to 3°.

That’s more than chilly, but not a record chill.

The official low temperature for Dec. 7 in Hays is -8°, which was recorded three times, in 1902, 1909 and 1927.

A trace of snow fell overnight as well, yielding just a trace of precipitation.

The overnight cold may have been felt even more by some Hays residents due to a Midwest Energy power failure very early Thursday morning. By 10:30 a.m., all Hays customers were back in service according to the MWE outage viewer.

Today’s forecast calls for continued cold.

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

With extremely cold temperatures forecast for the next few days, you may be tempted to leave your vehicle running in an effort to let it warm up. But local law enforcement officials urge residents to avoid leaving vehicles that are running unattended.

According to Assistant Hays Police Chief Brian Dawson, under the Standard Traffic Ordinances for Kansas Cities adopted by the city of Hays, you could get a ticket for leaving your vehicle running unattended.

The 2016 ordinance reads in part “No person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key from the ignition.”

Dawson stressed officers are not actively looking for people who violate the ordinance, noting they are more concerned about safety.

“You don’t want to leave a vehicle running unattended, with the keys in it and the vehicle unlocked in case a kid would get in there,” Dawson.

It would also be easy for someone to steal a vehicle left unlocked with the keys in it. Dawson said “it’s not much of a theft deterrent.”

There is an exemption for vehicles with remote start. He added that if they receive complaints, they will investigate.

“If we got called in about it being an issue,” Dawson said, “we would look into it.”

The Center for Health Improvement at HaysMed is offering a Community Workshop on Living Well. “Stop the “Eat, Sit, Repeat” cycle of unhealthy habits in 2017” will be presented on Jan. 3. It will be from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. in the Education Room at CHI, 2500 Canterbury.

This informal program is a great motivational start to the new year. Tips will be given on how to begin an exercise and nutrition program that avoids the typical setbacks. Other information on a new chronic disease outcomes program for diabetes, hypertension and obesity will be introduced.

There will be hot chocolate and snacks provided and there is no registration fee. Participants will have the opportunity to use The Center fitness facilities for 14 days with a trial membership. RSVP by calling The Center at 785-623-5900.

Looking for a way to do some shopping — and keep the gifts secret from the children? Thomas More Prep-Marian Global Trotters International Travel Club is offering a chance to Drop and Shop on Saturday.

Children from pre-K to fifth grade can be dropped off at the TMP cafeteria from 9 a.m. to noon to 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Children must be toilet trained.

The cost is $20 per session or $30 for both sessions. Lunch is provided for both sessions.

Activities will include Christmas crafts, reindeer games, a Christmas movie, snacks and a visit from Santa from noon to 1 p.m.

Proceeds will help students raise funds for a trip to Italy in 2017. Click the flyer above for sign-up information.

Submitted

With all the excitement of the first week of winning, there is still time to get your cash raffle tickets! The Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center’s Countdown to Christmas Cash Raffle is in full swing with 7 of 24 winners drawn. Be a part of the excitement and support to the Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center’s new location in Hays and the continued help they give children dealing with abuse. Sponsor a $100 day prize, purchase tickets to win, or give tickets as gifts around the office or the family. Everyone loves cash and the Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center truly loves their children and the healing work they do! Tickets are available at Cerv’s locations in Hays or by contacting the Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center on Facebook. Tune in to Hays Post and the center’s Facebook page for more winning! To sponsor a $100 day prize contact the Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center at 620-872-3706. The first week of sponsors and winners include:

Day 1 Sponsor Tri Central Office Supply, Hays and Winner Nancy Harman
Day 2 Sponsor Auto World, Hays and Winner Dave Myers
Day 3 Sponsor Dr. Troy Halligan DDS, Hays and Winner Britny Cox
Day 4 Sponsor About You Realty, Russell and Winner Robin Hale
Day 5 Sponsor First Care Clinic, Hays and Winner Amy Schaffer
Day 6 Sponsor Gambino’s Pizza, Hays and Winner Melvin Kinderknecht
Day 7 Sponsor Mr. K’s Grocery, Plainville and Winner John R. Braun

1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused by their 18th birthday. The Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center offers expert forensic interviews and court preparation with law enforcement, therapy for healing, and most importantly advocacy and 24 hour support when the child’s world may be turned upside down. After 12 years of serving children in 32 western Kansas counties, the Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center has set roots in their 4th office location in Hays. Support the fundraising efforts and follow the Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center on Facebook.

FHSU University Relations and Marketing

Fort Hays State University staff members recently received several awards while attending the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International.

FHSU Director of Residential Life Christina Hurtado was inducted into the association’s Foundation of Excellence and won the Top Round Table with partner Danielle DeCuir from Kansas State University.

Adonis Mundy, apartment manager and a Forsyth, Ga., graduate student majoring in education, was awarded the Frank J. Traver President’s Scholarship.

Dayona Nett, hall director, and her partners won the case study competition. Donavon Barbarisi, assistant hall director and a Peculiar, Mo., graduate student majoring in education, and Chris Wiebe, apartment manager and a Wichita, graduate student majoring in education, also participated in the case study competition.

Maryke Taute, associate director, and Becky Peterson, former director of residential life, won a Top 5 Program award for their program “Feminist Leadership.”