Free and anonymous.  That’s how the Ellis County Drug Enforcement Unit operates its annual “Take Back Unwanted Prescription Drugs” program in cooperation with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

The public has a safe and environmentally friendly way to rid their homes of expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.  Drugs languishing in medicine cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.

Detective Chuck White says Saturday’s collection went very well.  The drugs, which includes some over-the -counter medications, will be weighed, packaged and secured and then sent to a DEA agent for incinerator disposal in St. Louis.

Last year, Americans turned in 188 tons of prescription drugs at 5,400 sites operated by more than 3,000 state and local law enforcement agencies partnering with the DEA.

October 28 is the 125th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty in the New York Harbor.  More then 200 replicas were erected during the 1950s in 39 states, including one north of the Hays Public Library.

The Hays replica was dedicated October 13, 1951 by M.C. Cunningham, president of Fort Hays State College.  It was donated to the City of Hays by the Boy Scouts, VFW, American Legion, Rotary, and Lions Clubs.

An anniversary celebration, organized by the Fort Hays Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post 9076, and hosted by Hays Public Library Director Eric Norris,  was held Friday at noon.

45 years.  That’s how long Doris Wing has worked for the city of Hays.  She was recognized Thursday night during the Hays City Commission as the longest serving employee ever.

Wing started work in the city clerk’s office as a typist in May, 1966.  She became the Hays City Clerk in 2007.

Twenty-seven city of Hays employees were honored for at least five years of service.

Hays resident John Pyle has been selected to serve on a selection committee assembled by Congressman Tim Huelskamp, R-Kan., to interview candidates seeking nominations to the country’s military service academies.   The interviews will take place in Hutchinson next weekend.

Each year, members of Congress have the opportunity to nominate men and women between the ages of 18 and 23 to apply for a limited number of positions at four of the nation’s five military service academies.

Pyle is a Navy veteran and served in Vietnam.  He is president of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter No. 939 in Hays and is the chairman of the Ellis County Republican Party.

Ellis County residents have the opportunity today to meet Aaron White. the new Executive Director of the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development. White has been on the job since September 26.

Thursday morning he greeted Ellis residents in the Ellis Alliance office.  Thursday afternoon from 4-6p.m. White will be at the Hays Welcome Center, 27th and Vine.

He most recently served the Salina Chamber of Commerce for more than three years, where he focused on industrial economic development and business recruitment.   White grew up on a dairy farm in southeast Iowa and has worked for Cargill in marketing, logistics and operations.

A short meeting Tuesday night in Russell for Public Wholesale Water Supply District 15 as the cities of Russell and Hays continue to look for a long-term water supply.

Members gathered in the Russell City Council Chambers and immediately adjourned for a 45 minute executive session to talk about possible property acquisition.  Chairman Joe Glassman of Hays says no action was taken.

City commissioners in both towns say they prefer moving ahead with Circle K-Ranch in Edwards County which is jointly owned by Hays and Russell.

During the Kansas Arts Commission meeting Wednesday, the Governor’s Office reported that the National Endowment for the Arts has provided a final opinion that privately donated dollars will not be matched by the NEA.

From their letter about Kansas, the NEA states “Arrangement contradicts the notion of a federal/state partnership and does not meet eligibility requirements of being financially supported by the state.”

In light of the decision, the Hays Arts Council is asking the city of Hays for a one-time allocation of $35,00 to help the Arts Council shore up a three-year projected Kansas Arts Commission grant loss of approximately $51,000.  City Commissioners will vote on the request Thursday.

Previously, the NEA and the Mid-America Alliance for the Arts have awarded $1.3 million in grants each year to Kansas.

 Earlier this year, Gov. Sam Brownback eliminated state funding of the Kansas Arts Commission, dismissed the agency’s employees and created a private group, the Kansas Arts Foundation, to raise arts funding.  The move was made as part of state budget cuts.

Classes were back in session Wednesday at Trego Community High School in WaKeeney after a gas line problem is fixed.  A gas leak in the main feed was detected two weeks ago, shortening classes to half a day.  Repairs Tuesday gave students another half day off  as repairmen replaced the pipe.