We have a brand new updated website! Click here to check it out!

Afternoon front could bring more precipitation Tuesday

The bout of spring rain might not be over quite yet.

According to the National Weather Service, there is an 80 percent chance of more rain Tuesday afternoon in Hays. Forecasters are calling for between a tenth and a quarter of an inch of new precipitation, but isn’t ruling out higher totals if the afternoon front produces thunderstorms.

The front is expected to linger into the evening.

The chance of rain persists Wednesday, with a 30 percent chance of rain before 8 p.m.

Skies will clear heading into the weekend, forecasters said, with sunny and mild conditions into Sunday. On Sunday a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms returns.

For the complete extended forecast, click HERE.

Kansas county commission approves vaping policy

e cigaretteDERBY, Kan. (AP) — Electronic cigarettes will be permitted in public buildings in a southern Kansas county under a newly approved policy.

The Wichita Eagle reports that the Sedgwick County commission took up the issue Monday night.

The county’s tobacco policy didn’t previously address e-cigarettes, or “vaping” devices. The new policy was approved with a 3-2 vote. It clarifies that employees and customers can use unflavored e-cigarettes. Each county department can set its own designated areas for customers and employees who want to vape indoors.

Anti-tobacco groups fear that vaporizers are enticing to young people and may encourage them to eventually take up smoking. Others say the devices are a less harmful, tar-free alternative to cigarettes.

They have not been extensively studied, and there is no scientific consensus on their risks.

Hays USD 489 board pauses on internet purchase, approves fees for 2016-17 year


                                      Video Courtesy USD 489 News

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

It’s full speed ahead for USD 489 students and teachers – internet speed anyway – as they have been bumped from 200Mbps to 500Mbps by Eagle Communications to allow the district to evaluate how a higher speed would be utilized for the rest of the school year.

The Board of Education was given that information at Monday’s board meeting by Scott Summers, director of technology.

The board had been ready to vote on increasing the speed to 400Mbps during the meeting, but Summers recommended the board take no action until after the end of the year to evaluate usage. Early results have shown the 400Mbps would cover district usage, he said.

Last week, Summers added, all five days went over the current 200Mbps plan and went over 300Mbps for two.

“I really appreciate Eagle doing that,” said Sarah Rankin, board member.

After hearing the report, the board followed Summers’ recommendation and took no action on the item.

The board did, however, vote on fees for next year.

In a 4-2 vote, the board approved the fee structure recommended by the administration.

Those fees remain the same as this year, with an exception of a $0.10 lunch increase and a new Hays Middle School technology fee.

That fee would be used to cover damages on district issued technology if the board approves students the option to take tablets home at the end of the school day.

“We won’t charge it obviously if they don’t,” said Dean Katt, superintendent.

The fee schedule can be found here.

 

 

 

Ellis Co. restaurant and lodging inspections, 4/11 – 4/17

Last week’s inspection results from the Kansas Department of Agriculture:agriculture kansas

 


China Garden 2503 Vine, Hays – March 15

A routine inspection found four violations.

  • Containers identified by the owner as salt and MSG did not have labels.
  • Slicer had dried on food debris.
  • Owner without first washing hands touched the inside of bowl used for soup.
  • Wire strainer used in cooking had broken and missing wires.

Sweet Zoo 115 W. Eighth, Hays – March 15

A first operational inspection after licensing found four violations.

  • Dessert Display has cream items at 50.
  • Restroom does not have a self-closing door.
  • The dessert case does not have a thermometer.
  • Restroom wastebasket is not covered.

 

American Legion 1305 Canterbury, Hays – March 14

A routine inspection found seven violations.

  • A thermometer is not provided in the GE dorm style refrigerator.
  • The kitchen ice machine has mold on the splash guard.
  • A hose attached to the bar three compartment sink hangs below the flood rim of the sink.
  • Squirt bottles of blue liquid were identified by kitchen manager as soap were not labeled.
  • GE dorm style refrigerator is holding butter at 49 and pasta at 46.
  • In the bar, plastic cups have been stacked wet instead of being allowed to air dry.
  • Steaks that are not whole muscle are not asterisked for the footnote consumer advisory.

 

Econolodge 3503 Vine, Hays – March 14

A routine inspection found one violation.

  • Kitchen/laundry area has numerous spray bottles of cleaning chemicals used for the motel operation that have no identifying label.

 

Dairy Queen 1226 E. 27th, Hays – March 14

A routine inspection found one violation.

  • The condenser in the walk-in cooler has a buildup of black particles. The floors under the fountain machine and the ice machine have a buildup of debris.

 

Love’s 2506 Vine, Hays – March 14

A routine inspection found one violation.

  • The ice chute on the fountain machine has dust and mold.

 

Southside Convenience 703 Vine, Hays – March 14

A routine inspection found three violations.

  • The Coca-Cola fountain machine does not have a vented backflow preventer.
  • Raw shell eggs in cartons are stored over containers of orange juice in the reach in cooler.
  • Unisex restroom does not have covered waste receptacle.

 

El Charro 2020 E. Eighth, Hays – March 13

A first operational inspection after licensing found no violations.


 

24/7 3601 Vine, Hays – March 13

A routine inspection found two violations.

  • The backflow device on the Coca-Cola carbonater is not vented.
  • The hand sinks in the restrooms only gets to 84.

 

Hays Nutrition Site 2450 E. Eighth, Hays – March 13

A routine inspection found two violations.

  • No handwashing sign posted in the unisex toilet room near the pool room.
  • Hot water at the hand sink in the unisex toilet room near the pool room at 74.

 

Holiday Inn Express 4650 Roth, Hays – March 13

A routine inspection found two violations.

  • Boxes of sausage were being thawed at room temperature on top of the freezer.
  • License was not posted. License address was listed as the management company.

 

Sleep Inn and Suites 1011 E. 41st, Hays – March 13

A routine inspection found nine violations.

  • Hot water valve at the hand sink leaking.
  • No hand sign posted at the hand sink.
  • License not posted in public view.
  • No paper towels at the hand sink for drying hands.
  • Food grade plastic tray with a small crack in the food contact surface of the tray.
  • Waffle mix at 50 in the dispenser located at the breakfast bar. Temp was taken at 8:45 a.m. product was made at 6:00 a.m. The product was made with tap water at 70 degrees. Dispenser temp is at 39.
  • Cereal bowls, in the breakfast bar, stored with the food contact surface exposed to contamination.
  • No thermometer located in the Frigidaire Reach-in-cooler.
  • No common name on cereal dispenser at the breakfast bar.

 

Soda Shoppe 800 Main, Hays – March 13

A routine inspection found two violations.

  • Top section of the malt mixer with dried food debris.
  • An employee was cutting a lime with bare hands.

 

Hungry Herrmans 1340 B 280th, Hays – March 12

A first operational inspection after licensing found one violation.

  • Raw beef was stored over ready to eat onions in the GE refrigerator.

 

IHOP 4000 General Hays, Hays – March 11

An inspection following a complaint found no violations.


 

Jalisco Mexican Restaurant 2514 Vine #1, Hays – March 11

A follow-up inspection found no violations.


 

Munsch Fitness 1104 E. 22nd, Hays – March 11

A first operational inspection after licensing found one violation.

  • Protein Supplements that have scoops in the containers are not handle up.

 

 

Schlageck: Farmers and ranchers cherish their land

John Schlageck writes for the Kansas Farm Bureau.
John Schlageck writes for the Kansas Farm Bureau.

Farmers and ranchers strive to protect our planet each and every day. On April 22, nearly 2 million agricultural producers will celebrate the 45th observance of Earth Day with the rest of us who live in this country.

Like each day’s sunrise and sunset, some take this land for granted. Conservation of our planet can be a struggle because some regard the land as a commodity that belongs to them. Others see this earth as a community to which they belong.

Farmers and ranchers belong to this second category. They love, care
and respect the land. Ag producers adhere to an ethic that enlarges the boundaries of our community to include soils, waters, plants, trees and animals – collectively – the land.

The fondest wish of farmers and ranchers is to pass their land on to their children. They work years to leave a legacy of good land stewardship.

There is no other way for land to survive the impact of technology and the demands put on it by man. Let us never forget that while our land yields fruits, vegetables and grains, it also yields a cultural harvest – one we as inhabitants all share and must nurture.

Today, less than two percent of our population makes its living directly from the land. Middlemen, countless machines and sophisticated technology separate those who do not work the land from this valuable resource. Many have no vital relation to the land. To others the land is viewed as the space between cities on which crops and grass grow or cattle graze.

As we celebrate Earth Day this April 22, let’s remember land use is not solely an economic question. Let’s remember it in terms of what is ethically and aesthetically right, as well as what is economically expedient.

The future of our land and its viability hinges on investments of time, forethought, skill and faith, rather than only investments of capital. We have continually modernized our farm equipment, plant foods, pesticides and other production inputs and we are proud of the abundance of the crops we produce.

We can never throw away these tools that have provided so much for so many. On this Earth Day, let’s renew our commitment to harmony with our life-giving land. Let’s once again reaffirm our commitment to always hold sacred the land.

This Earth Day, renew your pledge to the earth as a community to which you belong. Nurture, love and respect this land that includes soil, water, plants, trees and animals.

John Schlageck, a Hoxie native, is a leading commentator on agriculture and rural Kansas.

Kansas man flown to a hospital after hit by a semi

Pedestrian accident smallSEWARD COUNTY – A Kansas man was injured in an accident just before 1:30 p.m. on Monday in Seward County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported Robert D. Ryan, 77, Kismet, was walking northbound on the Kismet blacktop just north of Kismet.

Ryan walked out in front of and was hit by a northbound semi, according to the KHP.

Ryan was transported to Southwest Medical Center and later transferred to a hospital in Wichita.

The semi driver Hugo Montes, 43, Liberal was not injured.

Kansas lawmakers lose patience with governor’s tax cuts

tax cutJOHN HANNA, AP Political Writer

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — After he became Kansas governor in 2011, Sam Brownback slashed taxes on the promise that the cuts would trigger a furious wave of business expansion.

But the “shot of adrenaline” hasn’t worked as envisioned, and the state budget remains in crisis. Now many of the same Republicans who helped pass Brownback’s plan are in revolt, refusing to help the governor cut spending after tax collections missed projections.

If Brownback won’t reconsider any of the cuts, lawmakers say, he will have to figure out for himself how to balance the budget in the face of disappointing revenue.

Many legislators want to scale back an income tax exemption granted to more than 330,000 farmers and business owners.

Brownback says reversing the policy would stymie growth.

Cruise night, car show will be in Plainville in May

Screen Shot 2016-04-18 at 11.27.32 AMPLAINVILLE — The inaugural Red Line Cruisers Cruise Night and Car Show is scheduled for May 6 and 7 in Plainville.

The event will feature food vendors, vendors and music.

Cruise Night begins at 6 p.m. May 6, with a poker run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The car show will be 8 to 11 a.m. May 7 in downtown Plainville with awards given out at 3 p.m.

Click the image above for more information and registration details.

Hays High boys golf edges Garden City to win Bob Blazer Invitational

HAYS, Kan. – The Hays High boys golf team edged Garden City by two strokes Monday to win the Hays High/Bob Blazer Invitational at the Smoky Hill Country Club.

The Indians shot a 324 and were led by sophomore Allen Zollinger who finished third with a 79. Trae McCrea fired an 80 and came in fifth while Payton Ruder was sixth with an 81.

Team Results
1. Hays                       324
2. Garden City         326
3. Topeka Seaman  348
Salina South       348
5. Dodge City           355
6. Liberal                  358
7. Salina Central     366
8. Hays “B”              404
9. Junction City      412
10. Great Bend        416

Individual Results
1. Sion Audrain – GCHS – 76
2. Taylor Larson – GCHS – 77
3. Allen Zollinger – HHS – 79
Josh Reed – SSHS – 79
5. Trae McCrea – HHS – 80
6. Payton Ruder – HHS – 81
7. Kelby Titus- GBHS – 82
Chase Anderson – TSHS – 82
9. Logan Durst – GCHS – 83
Logan Toetler – JCHS – 83
Cameron Riley – LHS – 83

Hays High Results
Allen Zollinger    39-40-79
Trey McCrea        38-42-80
Payton Ruder       37-44-81
Justin McCullick 44-40-84
Peyton Kieffer      46-40-86
Josh Norris           49-41-90
TOTAL                             324

Cool, wet Tuesday


 

Rain showers and isolated thunderstorms will spread into the southwest, reaching the Scott City-Garden City-Liberal areas by 6 or 7 am. The bands of rain and rain showers then will continue to spread eastward through the late morning hours and early afternoon.

Rain will be continuing all afternoon in the east (Wakeeney-Hays-LaCrosse-Saint John-Coldwater-Medicine Lodge).

By mid to late afternoon the rain will probably have ended in the far west near the Colorado line. Rainfall amounts will be on the order of one quarter of an inch in most areas to as much as three quarters of an inch.

Minor showers may continue all evening following the rain, however these timeframes represent the periods of expected heaviest rainfall.

Screen Shot 2016-04-19 at 5.36.13 AMToday Showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. High near 55. North northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming east northeast in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 10pm. Cloudy, with a low around 41. North wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

WednesdayA chance of showers and thunderstorms before 3pm, then a slight chance of showers after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65.

West northwest wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday NightA 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Northwest wind 7 to 10 mph.

ThursdayMostly sunny, with a high near 71. North northwest wind 8 to 14 mph.

Thursday NightMostly clear, with a low around 43.

FridaySunny, with a high near 75.

Chiefs lose appeal of anti-tampering violations

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Chiefs’ appeal of anti-tampering violations has been denied by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, meaning Kansas City will forfeit its third-round draft pick this year and sixth-round pick next year.

The club did have its fine reduced from $250,000 to $200,000 on Monday, while coach Andy Reid’s fine was reduced from $75,000 to $60,000.

Team owner Clark Hunt said in a statement the Chiefs “continue to believe that the facts of this case combined with the league’s inconsistent enforcement of its tampering policies do not warrant the most severe penalty for player-related tampering in league history.”

The violations stem from the Chiefs contacting then-free agent wide receiver Jeremy Maclin when prohibited by NFL rules. Maclin, who had been drafted by Reid in Philadelphia, eventually signed with Kansas City.

Police: No charges in death of Kansas boy struck by car

police emergency lightsWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Investigators say no charges will be filed after a 2-year-old boy was fatally struck by a car in a Wichita driveway.

Wichita police Sgt. Nikki Woodrow said Monday that the child was struck by a 24-year-old relative’s pickup backing out of the driveway around 5:45 p.m. Saturday. He was transported to Via Christi Hospital St. Joseph, where he was pronounced dead.

Woodrow said that there was no evidence of drugs or alcohol playing a role in the incident that is being considered an accident.

Kansas man dies after SUV hit by a semi

FatalAccident3MONTGOMERTY COUNTY – A Kansas man died in an accident just before 4p.m. on Monday in Montgomery County

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Ford Explorer driven by Earl E. Wooldridge, 62, Cherryvale, was eastbound on U.S. 160 five miles south of Cherryvale.

The driver failed to stop at the stop sign at U.S.169. The Explorer was hit by a semi that traveling southbound on U.S.169.

Wooldridge was transported to Coffeyville Regional Medical Center where he died.

The semi driver from Missouri was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Copyright Eagle Radio | FCC Public Files | EEO Public File