For some, it’s a dream come true.  For others, it’s a little nerve-wracking.

Drive as fast as you want without getting a ticket.

The seventh annual “Race Cars and Superstars” fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters chapters in Ellis, Rush, Russell and Trego counties will be held Saturday night at 7  at RPM Speedway in Hays:

Each driver is asked to raise $1,500.

You can make a donation for one of the superstar racers until shortly before the race starts.

 

There were no bunking broncos at THIS rodeo.

The Hays Public Library hosted its first bicycle rodeo Saturday morning in cooperation with the Hays Police Department:

The participants made their way through different types of obstacle courses which were designed to help improve biking skills. The layout was set up in the large parking lot between the library and the Ellis County Law Enforcement Center.

HPD officers rode their own specialty police bikes to show the youngsters what to do.

While participants waited in line for the skills course, officers made safety checks of the kids’ bikes, looking at the handlebars, seat height, brakes and reflectors.

Even Chili the Penguin brought his tricycle to the rodeo, and later posed for pictures with the other bike riders.

Bike riders of all ages were invited to a basic bike maintenance and repair clinic Saturday afternoon in the library…

The expert was former bike shop owner Bob Rader, the father of Scott Rader, a Young Adult Librarian at the Hays Public Library.

Rader demonstrated important repair techniques for bicycles, including how to patch a tube and change a chain…

Union Pacific employees are cleaning out culverts along 8th Street near Vine Street today, the site of the July 16 train derailment and fire.

Twelve railroad cars derailed.

One car containing chicken feed split in half.  The feed was removed and bulldozed into a large pile covered with white tarps.

A very pungent odor is present.  It’s offensive to some people and and the city of Hays is getting complaints.

A Hays Public Works Department spokeswoman tells Hays Post this afternoon that Union Pacific Railroad and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment are in charge of cleaning up the chicken feed.

They planned to do the work Friday, but, she says the city was told removal has been delayed due to the recent rains.

Ellis County commissioners are looking at some road projects, including one for the city of Ellis, says County Administrator Greg Sund:

The commission will hear the three proposals during their regular meeting tonight.

AGENDA

August 5, 2013

REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF ELLIS

City Hall – Council Meeting Room

 

BILLS ORDINANCE REVIEW WORK SESSION BEGINS AT 7:00 P.M.

ROLL CALL AND MEETING CALL TO ORDER AT 7:30 P.M.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA (if needed)

2014 BUDGET HEARING

a)            Budget Hearing

b)            Consider approval of budget

c)            Consider approval of Ordinance attesting to an increase in tax revenues

1)            CONSENT AGENDA

a)            Minutes from Regular Meeting on July 15, 2013

b)            Bills Ordinance #1930

c)            June manual journal entries

(Council will review for approval under one motion under the consent agenda.  By majority vote of the governing body, any item may be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately)

PUBLIC COMMENTS

(Each speaker will be limited to five minutes.  If several people from group speak on same subject, must appoint a spokesperson.  ALL comments from public on agenda items must be during Public Comment.  Once council begins their business meeting, no more comments from public will be allowed.)

2)            PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)

3)            SPECIAL ORDER

4)            UNFINISHED BUSINESS

a)            Update on Big Creek Cleanup efforts

5)            NEW BUSINESS

a)            Consideration of Event Requests – USD 388 and ERC

b)            Consideration of Ordinances creating special Capital Improvement Funds

c)            Consider closing of Cemetery Expansion Fund

d)            Consider approval of payoff of fire truck lease purchase

e)            Consideration on Proposed Ordinance for Conservation Water Rates

f)             Consideration of Water Variance – Ellis Golf Club

g)            Consider bids for shop lighting

6)            REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS

a)            Administrative

1)            Public Works

(1)          Water well levels

(2)          Drainage issues on 10th Street

(3)          Update on 2013 Street Project

(4)          NFIP Update

(5)          Department update

2)            Police

(1)          August calendar

(2)          Department update

3)            City Clerk

(1)          June Financial Statements

(2)          Department update

4)            Attorney

(1)          Update on placement of cemetery memorial

5)            Mayor/Council

7)            ADJOURNMENT

 

The small off-white building between Forsyth Library and Malloy Hall on the Fort Hays State University campus now has its new name on the large marker sign.  The letters on the former Heather Hall were also removed this week.

In April, the Kansas Board of Regents approved a request to name a new residence hall that will open in August in honor of Jack Heather, who founded the FHSU radio and television program.

The name change of the existing building to Center for Media Studies was effective immediately to avoid duplication of names.

The radio and television studios will be moved into the new 37,150 square-foot Center for Networked Learning when it is completed.

A new fundraising effort by the USD 489 Foundation for Educational Excellence will “impact the lives of more than 3,500 area students and employees,” according to Foundation board member Tara O’Connor.

The money from Project 489 will go to children experiencing a financial need for milk and school supplies, and even teachers, says O’Connor.

As a Hays Middle School science teacher, and the USD 489 District Master Teacher of the Year, O’Connor has dealt with the cutback of special projects resulting from shrinking budgets:

Project 489 kicked off during school enrollment which started Wednesday.

Those considering a contribution are asked to donate $4.89, $48.90, or $489.00 in keeping with the Project 489 theme.

 

The higher rates for tier two water use in Hays went into effect Thursday, August 1.

The city is hoping customers will continue to conserve water:

The outdoor watering ban remains in effect in Hays through September 30.  No outdoor watering is allowed between noon and 7p.m.