The final Eggs & Issues Legislative Forum in Hays which was rescheduled for Saturday morning, has been cancelled due to the state legislature’s schedule.

Lawmakers will return to Topeka next week for what could be several more days of wrangling over tax and budget issues.

When the session began in January, there was lots of talk about wrapping it up in 80 days. But Friday is Day 84, and the count continues.

Hays Area Chamber of Commerce officials don’t know if another legislative forum will be scheduled.

 

 

Tuesday was a record hot day in Hays.

According to the KSU Ag Research Center, the May 14th high temperature of 98 degrees is well above the previous high for the same date–93 degrees in 1936.

Last year’s May 14th high temperature in Hays was 91 degrees.

So far this month, Hays has received 1.27″ of precipitation; 5.01″ for the year.

 

Ellis County residents can dispose of waste tires for free at the Ellis County Landfill through Saturday.

The “amnesty” began April 29^th and waives the tire disposal fee at the Landfill/Transfer Station located at 1515 W. 55th.

There’s a maximum permit of 10 tires per owner or hauler.

The waste tire amnesty program is for use by private citizens as a short-term option to dispose of stockpiled waste tires at no cost.

For more information, call the Landfill Manager at 785-628-9460.

Last year, the city of Hays reversed itself and prohibited the sale and use of fireworks after vendors had already opened for business.

Then-mayor Troy Hickman made the decision June 29^th, forcing the booth operators to shut down after just two days of sales.  The reason:  very hot temperatures and gusty wind combined to make the drought conditions even worse, and concern about out-of-control fires that might occur.

City Commissioners will discuss this year’s sale and use of fireworks during Thursday’s work session.  Assistant City Manager Paul Briseno says staff is recommending  prohibition.

The city did allow last year’s Wild West Fest July 4^th fireworks show.

It was the perfect opportunity to bring awareness about illiteracy.

A meet and greet with  “American Girl” author Jane Kurtz Saturday afternoon in Hays brought  many of her young fans to the FHSU Robbins Center.  They brought along their own American Girl dolls, and their moms.

The award-winning author talked about her book “Lanie,” part of the popular American Girl series, written in 2010.

Kurtz also talked about Ethiopia Reads.

She is the founder and an executive team member of the international non-profit organization, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Kurtz spent most of her childhood in Ethiopia and has written many books about that land and people.

The event involved children’s learning activities and drawings for prizes.  Donations for the drawings will be donated to Ethiopia Reads.  The top prizes were Kurtz’s autographed American Girl Doll Lanie, and an autographed FHSU sports package.

Ethiopia Reads helps Ethiopian communities build schools and libraries with the goal of providing much needed in-language books to the children of Ethiopia.  Literacy rates in Ethiopia average less than 50%; Ethiopia is ranked 195 out of 196 countries for adult literacy.

Bruce Hertel and Chuck White were way off from their estimate.

The Ellis County Undersheriff and Detective thought they might handle 60 pounds of drugs Saturday during National Take Back Prescription Drugs Day.

Instead, the public dropped off a total 136 pounds, more than double the estimate, of unused and expired prescription and over-the-counter drugs in the Law Enforcement Center parking lot in Hays.

“This is the seventh year the Ellis County Drug Enforcement Unit has participated,” says Hertel.  “We usually do it every six months.  Last time, September 12, 2012, people brought in 86 pounds.”

The nationwide collection total in October 2010, the most recent figures available, was 242,000 pounds–121 tons–of drugs.

Take-Back Day is organized by the federal Drug Enforcement Association to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding  homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, or unwanted prescription drugs.

 

There was lots of “Light in the Dark” Friday evening during a 5K Run/Walk organized by the new Fort Hays State University student organization “Students for Life.”

“Proceeds from the event go to FHSU Students for Life to educate students about pro-life issues and to bring pro-life speakers to campus,” says group vice-president Becca Kohl, Hays.

Participants in the run/walk wore special glow-in-the-dark T-shirts, necklaces and bracelets, even face paint, as they wound their way around campus beginning at dusk.

Prior to the race start, the group heard from Hays pro-life author and musician Elizabeth Schmeidler and watched a video about abortion.

SFL was launched this past fall.  Nancy Cunningham, HelpDesk Center Supervisor, is the campus advisor.

“I think there are a lot of pro-life students out there – more than we know – and this will give them a place to belong and learn how to make their voices heard,” says Cunningham.  “One way we hope to make a difference on campus is by providing information and support to pregnant women and those who have been affected by abortion.”

FHSU Students for Life is a chapter of Students for Life of America (SFLA). The national group has been providing support and training to the officers.

 

 

 

Downtown Hays came alive Friday night during the annual Spring Gallery Walk presented by the Hays Arts Council.

Twenty-seven entities opened their doors to the huge crowd which strolled along Main Street and throughout the Chestnut Street District.

Many locations offered extended Saturday hours for the Gallery Walk.

HAC featured the popular Smoky Hill Art Exhibition, in its 44th year. The state-wide fine art competition was juried by Stephen Gleissner, Chief Curator at the Wichita Museum of Art. The exhibit remains open through June 6.