No excuses for being bored during August in Hays:

More information about Hays happenings is available on the new Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau website www.haysusa.net.

The updated Conservation Tier 2 water rates in Hays go into effect August 1.

City Finance Director Kim Rupp explains how it works:

Rupp says the city has had a conservation tier since 2004.  The new rates will be reflected in the September water bills.

 

Sales tax collections in Hays show a slight downward movement so far this year, although there is a four percent increase in the city’s overall assessed valuation.

Both trends are reflected in the 2014 budget, which Hays City Commissioners will review during their Thursday night work session.

Assistant City Manager Paul Briseno explains the highlights:

A public hearing for the 2014 Hays budget is scheduled for August 22.

A Hays woman is now the new president of the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL).

Lou Ann Kibbee manages the SKIL Independent Living office in Hays.

In Washington D-C last week for the annual NCIL conference and rally, Kibbee was elected president of the disability rights organization.  She had been serving as vice-president.

As the new president, Kibbee presented the National Advocacy Award to Kansas State Coordinator Shannon Jones.

The Americans with Disabilities Act was 23 years old Friday, July 26.

The law is aimed at eliminating discrimination against people with disabilities and ensuring equal opportunity for them “in employment … government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities and transportation,” as described on the website of the Department of Justice.

Although there’s a delay in when they’ll be turning, the Fort Hays State University wind turbines just southwest of Hays are ready and waiting.

Still to be installed are transformers to connect the 3.5 mile underground  transmission line running from the turbines to Akers Energy Center on campus:

President Ed Hammond anticipates the operation will be online in mid-to-late September.  FHSU  hired “Harvest The Wind Network” in Greensburg for the turnkey project, estimated to cost about 9 million dollars.

You can watch the entire interview about the FHSU wind turbines on an upcoming episode of Community Connection with host Mike Cooper on Eagle Community TV Channel 14.

 

 

Nope, you weren’t imagining things.

That really was a giant toaster on wheels heading south on Vine Street in Hays this afternoon.

It’s the official Kellog’s Pop-Tarts mobile.

The two guys who take turns towing the toaster/camper with a bright orange pickup, stopped for lunch about 1:15p.m.

On the menu, Taco Bell, not Pop-Tarts.

The Pop-Tarts mobile is criss-crossing the country, promoting its CrazyGoodSummer series.

From Hays, it’s destination Denver.

 

 

Reading to your child is one of the most important things a parents can do with their young child.  Through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, registered Ellis County children receive a free, age-appropriate book in the mail each month.

Tuesday morning, the 2013 Leadership Hays class  presented an over-sized check for $5,325 to Ellis County Imagination Library coordinator Rae Smith.

Class members raised the funds during last month’s first-ever Run for Reading in downtown Hays.  The Leadership class also documented how they organized and developed the race so the Dolly Parton Imagination Library can continue hosting the event in the future.

Smith says the Ellis County Imagination Library currently has 648 children signed up.

An update to the city of Hays website, www.haysusa.com, includes a link on the front page to find out the city’s drought status. Assistant City Manager Paul Briseno, explains how it works:

Additional information about the city’s water conservation programs has been included and updated in the Environmental Programs link.

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 August 10 at RPM Speedway, Hays.

Each “super star” driver is asked to raise $1,500.

For the first time, there will be women in those driver’s seats. 

Expected to participate are Barb Wasinger, Heath Dorzweiler, Karol Kieffer, Jeremy Schmeidler, Deanna Doerfler, Randy Hattesohl, Zach Peterson, Traci Stanford, Mitch Driscoll, Bob Plante, Kevin Baalmann and Michael Malay.

Donations for a specific driver can be mailed to Big Brothers Big Sisters, 1301 Pine, Suite B, Hays, KS 67601.

The driver who collects the most money will lead the parade preceding the races and is invited to race again the next year.

 

 

 

 

At the second of two special meetings last week, Ellis County Commissioners approved publication of the 2014 budget.

Although the total budget is bigger than last year, County Administrator Greg Sund says the mill levy should go down, because valuation is up two percent:

ELLIS COUNTY BUDGET

2014
$26,535,063       Mill Levy 34.032?

2013
$21,052,086       Mill Levy 35.550

The public hearing for the Ellis County 2014 budget is August 19 at 6.45p.m. in the Ellis County Courthouse.

The 3.43 inches of rain falling in Hays over the weekend and until 8a.m. Monday, plus Thursday night’s 2.37 inches, give Hays 7 inches of rain so far in July, as measured as the K-State Agriculture Research Center.

Still, it’s not nearly enough to break the two-and-a-half year drought. Fire Chief Gary Brown keeps a close eye on the city’s water levels:

According to Brown, the fire department used one day’s worth of winter water use for the entire city to fight the July 16 fire caused by a 12-car train derailment.

 

More than 64, 000 Kansas have active concealed carry permits, as of this week.

Attorney General Derek Schmidt, in Hays Tuesday, said that Pennsylvania joined the list as a result of legislation passed by Kansas lawmakers this year. The law recognizes all valid out-of-state permits when a non-resident permit holder is traveling temporarily in Kansas.

Schmidt says the conceal carry permitee process starts with your local county sheriff:

You can watch the entire interview with A-G Schmidt on an upcoming edition of  the Eagle Community TV Forum, Eagle Community TV Channel 14.