By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

You can start putting that unwanted junk out now for the 18th annual Hays alley cleanup which will start Mon., Oct. 22.

“This is a great opportunity to clean out your shed, attic, garage, basement or whatever else you might have,” says Marvin Honas, solid waste superintendent.

The free program is available to Hays residential refuse customers and will begin with curbside customers.

“We don’t want that stuff sitting along the streets any longer than necessary,” Honas explained.

Once the curbside collections are made, the four crews will move on to the alleys. Each site stop will be limited to 20 minutes. There is no set schedule.

Residents should sort their items into four piles:

1. Tree limbs and Brush–No longer than 12 feet in length or 6 inches in diameter

2. Construction and Demolition Debris–Lumber, drywall, bricks, sinks, tubs, wires, fencing, etc. (Please pull or bend over nails and place small quantities of concrete, bricks, and plaster in containers)

3. White Goods/Metals–Guttering, siding, washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, metal swing sets, etc.

4. Municipal Waste (All other items)–Furniture, carpet, TVs, foam, etc.

Items that will not be collected are tires, batteries, household hazardous waste, or medical waste. Tires should be disposed of at the Ellis County Landfill, and hazardous waste and batteries should be disposed of at the Ellis County Hazardous Waste Facility. Medical waste can be taken to the Ellis County Health Department.

According to Honas, the white goods will be recycled after they’re taken to the Ellis County Waste Transfer Station.

“The transfer station brings in another company that crushes this stuff and bales it  and then it is recycled.”

The trees and limbs will also have a second life.

“We do chip all the trees that we collect. The chips are taken down to the Parks Department, (1546 Highway 40 Bypass),  which uses them for their tree farm. A lot of landscapers do use the wood chips and citizens are also welcome to take them, free of charge.”

Last year’s alley cleanup yielded 850,000 pounds of junk. “We usually range between 750 and 850 thousand pounds,” Honas said, “although the first year we did this after not offering it for some time, we picked up 1.5 million pounds. It’s leveled out since then.”

Honas also noted the alley cleanup will not affect the regular collection of refuse and recyclables.

For more details, contact the Hays Solid Waste Department at 785-628-7350 or check the city’s website.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The fall season is in full swing this month with a calendar full of activities and event in Hays.

Melissa Dixon, Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director, has a preview of some of the fun.

For an up-to-date Calendar of Events, check the Hays CVB website, www.haysusa.net.

The Hays Police Department responded to 9 animal calls and conducted 67 traffic stops Fri., Sept. 28, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–100 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:35 AM
Suspicious Activity–200 block W 6th St, Hays; 2:02 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–300 block Main St, Hays; 2:40 AM
Harassment, Telephone/FAX–800 block Vine St, Hays; 9/27 7:40 AM; 10:18 AM
Animal At Large–600 block E 12th St, Hays; 9:26 AM
Found/Lost Property–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 10:45 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–2100 block Oak St, Hays; 12:58 PM
Suspicious Activity–1900 block Vine St, Hays; 1:29 PM
Theft (general)–400 block W 32nd St, Hays; 2:35 PM
Theft (general)–400 block W 32nd St, Hays; 3:06:00 PM
Theft (general)–400 block W 32nd St, Hays; 3:06:42 PM
Animal At Large–1300 block Lawrence Dr, Hays; 3:07 PM
Found/Lost Property–100 block E 34th, Hays; 3:29 PM
Harassment (All Other)–1100 block E 22nd St, Hays; 4:10 PM
MV Accident-Personal Injury–3600 block Vine St, Hays; 4:15 PM
Disturbance – Noise–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 9:41 PM
Driving Under the Influence–400 block W 11th St, Hays; 10:07 PM; 10:09 PM
Intoxicated Subject–1600 block Allen St, Hays; 10:58 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 11:13 PM
Disorderly Conduct–200 block W 7th St, Hays; 11:34 PM
Driving Under the Influence–800 block E 8th St, Hays; 11:38 PM
Disturbance – General–1300 block Western Plains Dr, Hays; 11:41 PM
Driving Under the Influence–300 block W 6th St, Hays; 11:59 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 8 animal calls and conducted 43 traffic stops Sat., Sept. 29, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Rape–1900 block Walnut St, Hays; 12:52 AM
Driving Under the Influence–100 block W 5th St, Hays; 1:29 AM
Drug Offenses–400 block Walnut St, Hays; 1:30 AM
Driving Under the Influence–800 block Ash St, Hays; 2:09 AM; 2:11 AM
Aggravated Battery–400 block Walnut St, Hays; 2:18 AM
Sex Offense–3200 block Vine St, Hays; 2:53 AM
Aggravated Battery–900 block Walnut St, Hays; 4:49 AM
Suspicious Activity–1700 block Marjorie Dr, Hays; 3:02 AM; 5:02 AM
Driving Under the Influence–400 block W 6th St, Hays; 5:57 AM
Suspicious Person–2400 block Vine St, Hays; 7:40 AM
Sex Offense–200 block W 11th St, Hays; 9/28 10 PM; 9/29 4:30 AM
MV Accident-Private Property-Hit and Run–1000 block E 43rd St, Hays; 10:44 AM
Civil Dispute–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 11:29 AM
Suicidal Subject–Enersys Rd, Hays; 1:39 PM
Animal At Large–1400 block Ash St, Hays; 2 PM
Animal Cruelty/Neglect–400 block E 7th St, Hays; 3:05 PM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 9/29 1:06 PM; 9/28 3:33 PM
Mental Health Call–300 block W 33rd St, Hays; 3:58 PM
Water Use Violation–1000 block Gen Custer Rd, Hays; 3:56 PM
Suspicious Activity–500 block W 27th St, Hays; 6:41 PM
Theft (general)–200 block W 6th St, Hays; 7:46 PM
Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–200 block Elm St, Hays; 8:01 PM
Liquor Offense, sell, furnish, transport–200 block of W 7th, Hays; 10:31 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–600 block E 13th St, Hays; 10:47 PM; 10:55 PM
Drug Offenses–300 block W 7th St, Hays; 9/29 10:52 PM; 9/30 12:22 AM
Drug Offenses/DUI–300 block W 8th St, Hays; 11:32 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 2 animal calls and conducted 22 traffic stops Sun., Sept. 30, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Driving Under the Influence–400 block W 4th St, Hays; 12:10 AM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–400 block Walnut St, Hays; 12:15 AM
Disturbance – Noise–200 block W 6th St, Hays; 1:20 AM
Driving Under the Influence–1400 block Ash St, Hays; 1:45 AM; 2:10 AM
Battery – Domestic–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 9/29 10:20 PM; 9/30 2 AM
Domestic Disturbance–400 block Walnut St, Hays; 2:57 AM
Driving Under the Influence–700 block Park St, Hays; 3:15 AM
Found/Lost Property–800 block Vine St, Hays; 6:42 AM
Assist – Other (not MV)–2700 block Antonino Rd, Antonino; 8:39 AM
Found/Lost Property–2700 block Epworth St, Hays; 11:10 AM
Animal Call–1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 11:50 AM
Disturbance – General–1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 12:02 PM
Suspicious Activity–800 block Ash St, Hays; 11:57 PM
Unwanted Person–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 1:10 PM
Disturbance – General–1300 block Western Plains Dr, Hays; 2:28 PM
Sex Offense–2500 block Haney St, Hays; 9 AM; 9:45 AM
Found/Lost Property–100 block Main St, Hays; 9/28 10 PM; 9/30 4 PM
Suspicious Person–1500 block Vine St, Hays; 4:47 PM; 4:49 PM
Mental Health Call–2200 block Marjorie Dr, Hays; 7:39 PM
Sex Offense–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 9:27 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 5 animal calls and conducted 29 traffic stops Mon., Oct. 1, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Phone/Mail Scam–2500 block Marjorie Dr, Hays; 9/29 10:19 AM; 10/1 10:19 AM
MV Accident-Private Property–1000 block Country Club Dr, Hays; 9/29 1:30 PM
Theft (general)–2700 block Vine St, Hays; 1:02 PM
Found/Lost Property–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 2:35 PM
Phone/Mail Scam–1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 3:47 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–100 block W 34th St, Hays; 5:25 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–1000 block Fort St, Hays; 6:02 PM
Counterfeit currency/documents–1700 block Vine St, Hays; 11:06 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 7 animal calls and conducted 17 traffic stops Tue., Oct. 2, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Animal At Large–2300 block E 13th St, Hays; 7:47 AM
Suspicious Person–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 9:31 AM
Theft (general)–200 block W 38th St, Hays; 9/26 11:27 AM
Animal At Large–400 block W 16th St, Hays; 9:51 AM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–3000 block Sherman Ave, Hays; 9/22 12 PM; 10/2 11 AM
Bicycle – Lost,Found,Stolen–500 block Vine St, Hays; 1:02 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–1300 block Felten Dr, Hays; 1:31 PM
Welfare Check–3300 block Skyline Dr, Hays; 2:09 PM
Credit Card Violations–400 block E 23rd St, Hays; 9/21 10:25 PM;  10/2 3:27 PM
Stalking–1500 block Holmes Rd, Hays; 4:22 PM
Dead Animal Call–13th and Canterbury, Hays; 5:36 PM
Animal At Large–100 block W 35th St, Hays; 6:14 PM
Driving Under the Influence–3700 block Vine St, Hays; 9 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–3200 block Vine St, Hays; 11:37 PM

HHS

Homecoming candidates for Hays High are Jaysa Wichers, Palmer Hutchinson, Brittani Park, James VonLintel, Brooke Pflaum, Keaton Markley, Isabelle Braun, and Peyton Thorell. Homecoming activities will take place from Oct. 1-6 with king and queen crowning to take place on Friday, Oct. 5 during halftime of the Hays-Dodge City football game.

OFFICE OF GOV.

TOPEKA – In response to the estimated $30 million dollars in grants being awarded to several state agencies in Kansas from the Federal government for use in battling opioid and substance use disorders, Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. today announced his coordinated effort to ensure those funds are targeted toward addressing prevention and treatment of substance use disorders in Kansas.

“The timing couldn’t be better for this funding to reach our state,” said Governor Colyer. “The health of Kansans takes top priority, and with the misuse of opioids threatening the health of many in our state, I am determined that we target these grants specifically toward efforts that will hit the problem head on and stem the tide of addiction and death from abusing opioids and other harmful substances.”

Governor Colyer has asked state agencies receiving this money to identify specific ways that it can be used toward this effort. Already, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), and the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) have identified several specific ways to use these new funds.

Western Kansas is specifically targeted for more telehealth resources and Oxford Houses, self-run, self-supported residential recovery programs.

“Effective treatment is so important to overcoming opioid addiction,” said KDADS Secretary Tim Keck. “We are committed to working with our state and community partners to target our resources to effective programs and services for this and other substance issues.”

To keep the effort organized and centralized, Gov. Colyer has designated Dr. Greg Lakin as the State’s Central Authority on Substance Use. This action was one of the recommendations made by the Governor’s Substance Use Disorder Task Force organized by Gov. Colyer earlier this year. In this role, Lakin will be responsible for coordinating relevant State agencies and their response to substance use issues, such as the opioid epidemic. Dr. Lakin currently serves as the State’s Chief Health Officer for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and chaired the Governor’s Substance Use Disorder Task Force this year. He also serves on the Kansas Prescription Drug and Opioid Advisory Committee.

“We have an opportunity to help people struggling with addiction,” Dr. Lakin said. “By working together on this issue on a statewide and individual level, we will see successful outcomes. It will take the combined efforts of State agencies, stakeholders and communities. I appreciate the Governor allowing me to lead this crucial effort.”

One of Dr. Lakin’s patients shared her experience about the importance of support and coordinated services. Mandi Sims, Salina, suffered numerous injuries during a motor vehicle accident as a teenager. Following a reconstructive surgery, she was prescribed medication for the pain. She says after only a few weeks, she had developed an addiction that ultimately led to a prison sentence and the removal of her children from her care. While pregnant with her fourth child, she consulted with Dr. Lakin, and believes her substance use is now behind her. Her children have since been reintegrated into her home, and she has stable employment.

“He literally saved my life,” Sims said. “I have been through so much because of addiction. I am very grateful to everyone who is dedicated to ending this epidemic. Addiction takes away so much, but with the help and support of well-intentioned and caring health professionals, you can get your life back.”

KDHE indicates that 326 Kansans died of a drug overdose in 2017, 36% involved a prescription opioid drug or substance (e.g., hydrocodone, oxycodone, fentanyl, methadone, etc), 23% involved a psychostimulant (e.g., methamphetamine), and 7% involved heroin. Although Kansas is below the national average for fatal opioid overdoses, the opioid crisis is an emerging threat that remains a challenge for the state to address, including the rise in drug overdoses due to psychostimulant drugs. Increases in opioid related drug misuse and deaths parallel the increase in prescription and illicit opioid availability.

Learn more about substance use disorders in our state, at www.preventoverdoseks.org.

CITY OF HAYS

Due to a lack of a quorum, the October 4, 2018, Hays city commission work session has been cancelled.

HODGEMAN COUNTY– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Hodgeman County Sheriff’s Office have identified the man found dead in a field in Hodgeman County Monday night.

According to a media release from the KBI, the deceased man was 21-year-0ld Bayron O. Diaz-Bautista from the Fort Collins, Colo. area.

Results of the autopsy are still pending and the investigation is ongoing.