Another Ellis County couple is facing charges involving sex crimes against a child.

A preliminary hearing for 32 year old Nyla Juanita Thomas and 34 year old Andrew Paul Thomas, is set for January 28 in Ellis County District Court.

Nyla Thomas faces two felony counts of aggravated criminal sodomy involving a juvenile male — who was 11 and 12 at the time the two offenses occurred. Andrew Thomas is charged with two felony counts of solicitation to commit aggravated criminal sodomy involving the same male.

The charges, filed November 14,  stem from incidents in 2008 and 2009, the first just outside Hays and the second in Victoria.

Both Nyla and Andrew Thomas remain in the Ellis County jail in lieu of $50,000 bond each.

The blizzard warning and 10+ inches of snow has changed the city’s trash pick-up.  Recycling and refuse will NOT be collected  Tuesday, December 20.

Pending condition of the alleys crews may not collect for the remainder of the week. Public Works Administrative Assistant Shelley Bryant says it’s all or nothing–crews would not pick up alley or street routes.

Customers that have extra trash may place the securely bagged and tied trash bags approximately three feet from the polycart. City crews will collect this extra trash with the next collection.

If there are questions, call the Public Works Solid Waste Division at 628-7357.

Kansas City – EPA has awarded $388,000 to the city of Russell for improvements to its drinking water system. The project is expected to be completed by the fall of 2012.

According to EPA Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks the water infrastructure funds will partially fund the construction project which is estimated to cost $843,500.

The purpose of the project is to replace old, deteriorating cast iron pipe with new plastic pipe to eliminate numerous leaks that have occurred the past 20 years.

The construction will include approximately 5,400 feet of six-inch and 4,500 feet of eight-inch water line, water valves and fire hydrants.

A living nativity scene was created Thursday night as part of  “Christmas Under the Stars” at TMP Marian High School.

Students Nick Hammeke and Shayla Gottschalk portrayed  Joseph and Mary with the baby Jesus in the school’s grotto, joined by others students depicting angels, shepherds and the three kings.

Following the enactment, the winter music concert was held indoors in the auditorium.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) will visit return home to Hays  Saturday, December 31, during his last stop of his statewide listening tour.

Moran will meet with constituents at the KSU Agriculture Research Center Auditorium from 8:45-9:45 a.m.  Area residents are encouraged to attend.

After the conclusion of this town hall meeting, Moran will have traveled to all of Kansas’ 105 counties to talk with residents about their ideas and concerns. The issues Moran focuses on in the Senate are largely based on the conversations he has with Kansans during these town hall meetings.

The U.S. Postal Service has agreed, at the request of several U.S. senators, including Jerry Moran of Hays, to delay closing post offices or the consolidation of mail processing centers, until May 15.

The postponement is intended to give Congress time to look at passing comprehensive postal legislation, according to Hays Postmaster Tom Lippert.

More than 20 northwest Kansas post offices are targeted for closure, including Catherine in Ellis County.

During a public meeting November 29th in Hays, regional USPS officials discussed the possible consolidation of the Hays and Colby mail processing centers into Wichita.   Both already have seen outgoing mail processing merged into the Salina Post Office.

Closure studies are ongoing for post offices in Alton, Bogue, Brownell, Catharine, Collyer, Damar, Edson, Gaylord, Herndon, Kanorado, Kirwin, Long Island, Norcatur, Paradise, Waldo and Woodston.

O’Loughlin Elementary School’s second grade teacher Amy Wasinger is the first place winner in the west region of the “Positive Promotions  2011 I  Make  A Difference Teacher of the Year” contest.

Wasinger was selected for the honor from among a number of nominees across the United States.

USD 489 board members congratulated Wasinger during their meeting Monday night.

O’Loughlin Principal Nancy Harmon says Wasinger provides an inspiration to her peers, has set a standard of excellence, and makes a difference in the lives of her students.

The 8^th annual Battle of the Badges Blood Drive kicked off Tuesday morning at the American Red Cross Donor Center in Hays.

Participants can donate blood through December 30 and credit it to either the Ellis County Law Enforcement Team or the Ellis County Emergency Medical Services Team.

The L-E-C Team won the trophy last year with more donors than E-M-S, but E-M-S has the most wins overall.

With a grin on his face as he donated the drive’s first pint, E-M-S Director Kerry McCue told Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler it’s because  “We help people.  We don’t give tickets.”

The winner will be announced in January.

The Hays Police Department will be conducting training December 13 and 14 from 8a.m.-5p.m. at 213 West 17th Street.

Officers will use special equipment in a realistic exercise and may be seen moving through that area.

Police Chief Don Scheibler says the training is done with great care and safety.

If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact the on-site supervisor (designated by a reflective by a reflective green vest) or by telephone and speak with Chief Scheibler at 785-623-6909.