The downtown renovations of Hays and Plainville, gain national attention for the efforts of Plainville native, Chuck Comeau, in the Winter 2013 issue of “Preservation”, the official publication of The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a privately funded, nonprofit organization located in Washington D.C.

Preservation writer, Gwendolyn Purdom, visited the towns in August.  Eight pages are dedicated to the story entitled “There’s No Place Like Home”. It relays entrepreneur, Chuck Comeau’s personal ties and passion for both Hays and Plainville. According to Purdom, historic renovation wasn’t originally part of the plan. Comeau was simply looking for space to relocate the business and customer service side of his Plainville company, Dessin Fournir.

As Dessin Fournir’s success grew to eventually include seven lines and five more buildings, Comeau began thinking this same approach might help downtown Hays. Since opening C.S. Post & Co., a retail gift shop in downtown Hays in 1997 with his wife Shirley, Comeau and his development firm, Liberty Group, have completed 13 renovations in downtown Hays.

Five residents have filed to run for three open seats on the Hays City Commission.  The filing deadline was today at noon.

Those running for election are:

Shaun Musil

Dominic Pianalto

Eber Phelps

Todd Gabel

Ron Mellick

Three Hays City Commission positions will expire in April–Ron Mellick, Troy Hickman and Eber Phelps, who was appointed to fill the vacancy created after Barbara Wasinger was elected to the Ellis County Commission.

The general election is Tuesday, April 2.  According to City Clerk Doris Wing, the two candidates who receive the most votes will receive four-year terms. The third highest vote-getter will serve a two-year term.

The new commissioners will  take office and be sworn in at the April 11 Hays City Commission meeting.

Motorists are encouraged to “look twice” for motorcycles driving on the road, and the bikers themselves are defensive drivers, watching out for other, bigger vehicles that don’t see them.

The Hays American Legion Riders at Post 173 have additional help with safety when they’re riding in town.  This week the members presented a “Thank-You” to the Hays Police Department for its support.

“Every time we call, they’re there,” said Riders Director Lambert Staab.

“For some of the larger events, such as this past summer’s rally, we meet in advance with the them,” said Hays Police Lt Brandon Wright, “and then plan ahead for what kind of traffic control will be needed to keep everybody safe.”

The Hays Police Department provides traffic control for the American Legion Riders throughout the year for funeral escorts, rallies and rides. The Riders also host send-offs for troops being deployed and welcome-home events for troops coming back from deployment.

Installation of sod at the Hays High School athletic fields is on hold.

USD 489 Deputy Superintendent Richard Cain told school board members during a work session this week that K-State Extension specialists recommend putting down fescue sod in the fall.

For now, a heavy seeding of rye grass will be put down this week and repeated again in early March.

Cain says as soon as baseball season is over, the rye grass will no longer be watered from the well, and the fescue sod will be started in the fall.

He says Bermuda sod for the football, soccer and track fields would be laid in June.

A fundraising campaign is underway at Hays High School for the family of Citlatli Armendariz .

Principal Mike Hester says community members wanting to donate funds to help offset the funeral costs, can call the HHS Counselors office at (785) 623-2600.

Next week, according to Hester, HHS students will be selling wristbands and t-shirts, with all proceeds benefiting the family.

Armendariz, 18, was a senior at Hays High School.  Her body was found Monday afternoon south of Hays.

Funeral services for Armendariz will be held this Saturday, January 19, at 10:00a.m. in Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine Street, Hays.

Three Hays City Commission positions will expire in April–Ron Mellick, Troy Hickman and Eber Phelps, who was appointed to fill the vacancy created after Barbara Wasinger was elected to the Ellis County Commission.

Filing deadline is January 22 at noon in the Ellis County Courthouse.

Hays residents can file to run by paying a $10 fee or by collecting the signatures of 50 registered voters.

Election day is April 7.

During this Thursday evening’s work session, city commissioners will discuss the idea of imposing term limits for their positions.

The funeral Mass for 18-year-old Hays High School student Citlatli Armendariz will be Saturday, January 19 at 10:00a.m. in Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine Street, Hays.

Church officials say Citlatli was an IHM parish member, along with her family.

Planning is underway for an overnight vigil in the IHM Activity Center with the time yet to be determined.

The death of 18-year-old Citlatli Armendariz, Hays, has been determined to be accidental.

An autopsy performed by 23rd Judicial Coroner, Dr. Lyle Noordhoek, found Armendariz died about 12:30 Sunday morning from hypothermia due to a fall on ice and water while under-dressed for weather conditions.  Also contributing was a cerebral contusion and head injury due to her fall, according to Noordhoek.

According to Ellis County Sheriff Ed Harbin the investigation, still underway, has not revealed any indication of foul play.

Monday 6 p.m.  Searchers on foot from the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department, Hays Police, Hays Fire and Ellis County Rural Fire found 18-year old Citlatli Armendariz’s body in the trees along Big Creek.

Sheriff Ed Harbin says he expects to have a more complete report Tuesday.  An autopsy is being performed by the Ellis County Coroner.

Monday 4:30p.m. The body of Citlatli Armendariz was found Monday afternoon. Ellis County Sheriff Ed Harbin says the 18-year-old, who had been missing since Saturday night, was found between 3:00 and 3:30 pm in trees along the creek south of Hays on the west side of Highway 183.

Law enforcement is processing the scene. The death is under investigation.

Armendariz was a student at Hays High, where counselors will be available Tuesday.

Sunday 6:30pm: The Ellis County Sheriff’s Department is looking for a missing teen. 18-year-old Citlatli Armendariz was last seen around 9:30 Saturday night in the 1100 Block of 250^th Avenue. She left a gathering and has not been seen since.

Armendariz is Hispanic, 5’3” and weighs 150 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes. If you have any information, call the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department 625-1040.