THOMAS COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just after 4p.m. Friday in Thomas County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Chevy Impala driven by Joyce A. Burk, 68, Goodland, was westbound on Interstate 70 just east of the Levant exit.

Before the driver got to the overpass, the car left the roadway to the left and entered into the median. The vehicle continued westbound through the median until it went airborne and dropped under the overpass, facing west on County Road 6.

EMS transported Burk to Citizens Medical Center. She was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

NESS COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 12:30p.m. Friday in Ness County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Freightliner semi driven by Randall D. Winter, 57, Ness City was southbound on U.Ss 283 highway two miles south of Ness City.

The driver saw a vehicle ahead that was turning into a private drive. Winter applied the brakes and then lost control of the truck and trailer.

The semi entered the northbound lane, turned sideways with the trailer jack-knifed behind the truck.

A northbound 2007 Chevy pickup driven by Anthony J. McDonald, 27, Ness City saw the semi in the northbound lane and attempted to stop.

The front right corner of pickup struck the semi on the passenger side behind the third axle.

Winter and McDonald were transported to the hospital in Ness City. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hay Post

A 33-year-old Wilson man pleaded no contest to robbery and battery charges Friday in Ellis Count District Court.

Jeremy Schulmeister initially was charged with five felonies, including kidnapping and aggravated robbery, in connection with a February armed robbery in Ellis County.

As a result of a plea agreement, Schulmeister pleaded no contest Friday and was found guilty of aggravated robbery and aggravated assault. Three other charges were dropped.

According to court documents, on Feb. 7, the victim was walking on the south end of the city of Hays when a car pulled up and offered the man a ride back to the Fort Hays State University campus. Instead of taking the man to campus, the driver — identified as Tanner Cullens of Wilson — drove south out Hays.

While driving in the county, the victim said a man emerged from the trunk of the car through the backseat and pointed a gun at him. The gunman was later identified by the victim as Schlmeister.

Schlmeister robbed the man of more than $1,500 cash, an iPhone and clothes. The two men then forced the man out of the car. He walked back to town and contacted law enforcement.

The victim was able to identify the driver of the car as Cullens and law enforcement officials served a search warrant on Cullens’ home in Wilson. Schlmeister also resides at the residence in Wilson.

During the search, police found cash and the clothes in Schlmeister’s and Cullens’ rooms. An iPhone was also located during the search.

Schlmeister is expected to be sentenced to 114 months, or 9 years and four months, in prison for the two charges.

Cullens had previously entered into a plea agreement in Ellis County District Court and admitted to police and in court that the he and Schulmeister committed the robbery. But Chief Judge Glenn Braun informed Schulmeister on Friday that Cullens submitted a request to withdraw his no-contest plea. Braun has not yet ruled on the motion.

Schulmeister told the court that even though Cullens filed the motion to withdraw his plea, he still wanted to go forward with his plea agreement.

While in the Ellis County jail, Schlmeister attacked another inmate and pleaded no contest to a charge of reckless battery Friday. He is expected to be sentenced to 21 months in prison in that case.

In all, Schlmeister is facing 11 years and three months in prison as a result of the plea agreement.

Court services will conduct a pre-sentence report to determine Schlmeister’s criminal history. He is expected to be sentenced on Aug. 26.

USD 489

Online enrollment for Hays USD489 is once again open. We encourage all returning students to the district to try to complete the online enrollment. Below you will find information for completing the online process.

Central Enrollment is rescheduled for Monday, Aug. 5, from noon to 7 p.m. at the Hays High School cafeteria (enter through the gym doors). New students to the district and incoming kindergarten students who have not yet enrolled should come during that time to have a PowerSchool account created and receive all the necessary information. 

The district will again have many registers available for you if you are needing to pay cash/check for your enrollment fees. 

Online Enrollment Instructions 

Pay required and optional enrollment fee online with credit card (3.61% transaction fee) 

If paying online through the web store, please use either Firefox or Chrome as the district has seen issues with Internet Explorer.

The Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and conducted 9 traffic stops Fri., July 26, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Water Use Violation–2200 block Vine St, Hays; 2:26 AM
Drug Offenses–1000 block E 37th St, Hays; 2:26 AM; 2:35 AM
Water Use Violation–1000 block W 27th St, Hays; 2:42 AM
Burglary/residence–1705 block Sunset Trl, Hays; 1:30 AM; 1:35 AM
MV Accident-Private Property–300 block E 19th St, Hays;  7/24 10:30 PM
Temporary Deprivation of Property–29th and Ash, Hays; 9:50 AM
MV Accident-Private Property–500 block W 16th St, Hays; 10:19 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–2700 block Epworth St, Hays; 11:03 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–1300 block Eisenhower Rd, Hays; 11:40 AM
Suspicious Activity–500 block W 14th St, Hays; 11:53 AM
Animal At Large–1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 12:16 PM
Drug Offenses–2600 block Vine St, Hays; 12:48 PM; 12:49 PM
Animal At Large–300 block W 8th St, Hays; 12:57 PM
Animal Bite Investigation–1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 7/1 7:05 AM
Water Use Violation–2200 block Felten Dr, Hays; 2:45 PM
Harassment, Telephone/FAX–2700 block Epworth St, Hays; 7/23 4:50 PM; 4:51 PM
Bicycle – Lost,Found,Stolen–600 block E 13th St, Hays; 5:20 PM
Found/Lost Property–4400 block Vine St, Hays; 5:21 PM
Missing Person–2900 block Vine St, Hays; 2:30 PM;  6:50 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–200 block E 15th St, Hays; 7:17 PM
Mental Health Call–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 9 PM
Phone/Mail Scam–100 block W 5th St, Hays; 9:19 PM; 6 PM
Missing Person–200 block E 16th St, Hays; 7/26/ 7 PM; 7/27 8:29 AM
Assist – Other (not MV)–2700 block Vine St, Hays; 9:55 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–2500 block E 21st St, Hays; 10:13 PM
Civil Dispute–1900 block Main St, Hays; 11:26 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 3 animal calls and conducted 23 traffic stops Sat., July 27, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Suspicious Activity–500 block E 11th St, Hays; 12:16 AM
Driving Under the Influence–400 block W 6th St, Hays; 1:48 AM
Driving Under the Influence–100 block E 6th St, Hays; 3:58 AM
Domestic Disturbance–700 block W 12th St, Hays; 3 AM; 4 AM
Found/Lost Property–500 block W 30th St, Hays; 7:24 AM
Drug Offenses–100 block Main St, Hays; 8:46 AM
Custody Dispute–2400 block Fort St, Hays; 9:10 AM
Drug Offenses–2900 block Walnut St, Hays; 9:50 AM; 10 AM
Driving While Suspended/Revoked–1300 block Douglas, Hays; 2:05 PM; 2:12 PM
Theft (general)–3200 block Vine St, Hays; 7/26 10 AM; 7/27 8:45 AM
Disorderly Conduct–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 12:51 PM; 8:50 PM
Found/Lost Property–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 9 PM; 9:12 PM
Criminal Trespass–2900 block Vine St, Hays; 9:20 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 3 animal calls and conducted 9 traffic stops Sun., July 28, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Suspicious Activity–300 block W 10th St, Hays; 12:33 AM
Driving Under the Influence–300 block E 8th St, Hays; 12:50 AM; 1:10 AM
Disorderly Conduct–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:41 AM
Open Door/Window–200 block W 9th St, Hays; 3:08 AM
Dead Animal Call–2800 block Indian Trl, Hays; 9:01 AM
Trash Dumping–400 block W 27th St, Hays; 9:43 AM
Suspicious Activity–500 block W 20th St, Hays; 10:25 AM
Water Use Violation–2200 block Henry Dr, Hays; 10:28 AM
Domestic Disturbance–300 block W 11th St, Hays; 12:09 PM
Domestic Disturbance–100 block W 4th St, Hays; 12:23 PM; 12:33 PM
Criminal Trespass–1900 block Vine St, Hays; 4:06 PM
Suspicious Activity–1600 block E 27th St Terr, Hays; 4:18 PM
Welfare Check–Hays; 4:49 PM
Theft (general)–1300 block Vine St, Hays; 9:49 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 10 animal calls and conducted 7 traffic stops Mon., July 29, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Suspicious Activity–1800 block E 25th St, Hays; 6:11 AM
Theft (general)–4400 block Vine St, Hays; 8:27 AM
Animal At Large–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 8:31 AM
911 Hangup Call–400 block W 15th St, Hays; 8:42 AM
Suicidal Subject–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 7/28 9 PM; 7/29 9 AM
Drug Offenses–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 11:15 AM; 11:30 AM
Burglary/residence–1900 block Main St, Hays; 7/28 12 PM; 7/29 12 PM
MV Accident-Personal Injury–7th and Oak, Hays; 1:08 PM
Animal At Large–22nd St and Canterbury Dr, Hays; 2:12 PM
44 – Traffic Stop–2600 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 2:33 PM
Animal At Large–100 block W 4th St, Hays; 2:50 PM
Harassment, Telephone/FAX–100 block E 5th St, Hays; 3:06 PM
Theft (general)–100 block E 5th St, Hays; 3:26 PM
Water Use Violation–1100 block Oakmont St, Hays; 3:49 PM
Civil Dispute–200 block W 17th St, Hays; 12:30 AM; 4:30 PM
Disturbance – General–700 block St, Hays; 8:40 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–200 block E 17th St, Hays; 9:02 PM
Animal Call–400 block W 13th St, Hays; 9:37 PM
Littering–Hays; 9:58 PM
Traffic/Driving Complaint–Hays; 10:17 PM
Unwanted Person–2500 block Vine St, Hays; 10:38 PM
Injury w/Weapon–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 11:04 PM

Northwest Kansas Juvenile Service is currently seeking to hire 2 Family Support Workers to provide support to youth and families that are involved with the criminal justice system. One office will be based in Colby and one in Hays.  Applicant must have a bachelor’s degree, valid driver’s license, pass a background check and random drug testing.

Family Support Worker’s responsibilities will be to provide cognitive based interventions to children and families and to assist in over-coming barriers to success.  Does involve travel to counties within the districts. Worker will also facilitate parenting classes 1 to 2 evenings a week.

40 hour work week with flexible scheduling. $40,000 yearly salary. KPERS, paid single BCBS policy. A vehicle will be provided.  If interested, contact Lisa Schlegel, Family Engagement Supervisor,785-874-4219 or send a resume to Lisa Schlegel at [email protected].  Resumes are due by August 15^th. 

For more information contact:

Douglas Storie, VSR
Kansas Commission on Veterans’ Affairs
Veteran Service Representative
205 E. 7th Suite 107
Hays, KS 67601
Phone: 785-259-0364
FAX: 785-650-0392
E-mail: [email protected]

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post 

The city of Hays plans to offer an admission discount at the Hays Aquatic Park (HAP) to Ellis residents after the Ellis swimming pool was unexpectedly closed Wednesday morning.

Henry Schwaller, Hays mayor, made the suggestion during Thursday’s city commission work session.

The Ellis municipal pool was losing almost 30,000 gallons of water every 2 to 3 days according to Mayor Dave McDaniel and city officials decided to shut it down ahead of the season closing date.

Ellis is planning to build a new swimming pool and has received $1.3 million in grant funding towards the $1.8 million dollar project.

In the meantime, Hays city commissioners want to show their support of the neighboring town.

RELATED: Permanent closure of the Ellis city pool a surprise, but not unexpected

“They’ve been very supportive of us in our pursuit of water (from the R-9 Ranch in Edwards County),” Schwaller noted. “They also have water needs and they pump from the Big Creek Aquifer as Hays does.

“Their decision to shut the pool and not waste water, not only benefits them, it benefits us.”

Schwaller, who was participating in the meeting via phone, suggested offering a 50% discount to HAP for Ellis residents showing proof of residence. The expense would come from the city commission contingency fund.

Toby Dougherty, city manager, said he would tell Jeff Boyle, Director of Parks, to contact the Hays Recreation Commission (HRC) and offer the half-price admission to Ellis residents and the people with them. HRC manages the two Hays swimming pools.

Although the commission cannot take action during a work session, Dougherty explained that “with the consensus of all five commissioners, under my spending authority I can approve this.”

Dougherty said the agreement would be on the agenda for next week’s regular meeting “for formal action to authorize it  just to cover the bases.”

The Hays Aquatic Park will close for the season Aug. 11.

City of Hays

Beginning Tuesday, seal coating will begin on various street throughout the city. Door-to-door notification will be made the day prior to street closure.

Seal coat is spray applied in two coats with a dry time of two to three hours per pass, so the streets being sealed will be temporarily closed during this time. On the date scheduled for treatment, all cars need to be moved from the street by 8 a.m. Streets being sealed will be closed from approximately 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Access can be achieved in cases of emergency.

Parking on adjacent streets is recommended during the daytime. Parking in driveways is okay if you do not plan on moving the vehicle between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The seal coat treatment should not be driven on until it has dried. It will stain surfaces such as concrete, carpet or flooring if tracked from construction areas.

All lawn watering devices should be turned off the evening before the scheduled date to help keep the streets clean and dry for a smooth and lasting project. Traffic control will be set in areas of work being completed and picked up by the end of the work day. The project is scheduled to be completed within two weeks, pending weather conditions.

The City of Hays regrets any inconvenience this may cause to the public. If there are any questions, please call the Office of Project Management at 628-7350 or the contractor, Circle C Paving at (316) 570-4652.