Today Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 47. North wind 14 to 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Some areas of central and south central Kansas has seen 5+ inches of rain. An additional 1 to 3 inches is expected late tonight-Tues #kswx pic.twitter.com/py7ur6MM7M

— NWS Dodge City (@NWSDodgeCity) October 9, 2018

Tonight Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers between 8pm and 2am. Low around 37. North northwest wind 11 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Northwest wind 10 to 14 mph.
Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 34. North wind 6 to 10 mph.

ThursdayMostly sunny, with a high near 50.

Thursday NightA 50 percent chance of rain, mainly after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.

FridayA 50 percent chance of rain before 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53.

NWS

DODGE CITY – The National Weather Service in Dodge City has issued a Flood Warning for Rush and Ellis Counties until 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9.

At 3:15 p.m. Monday, Doppler radar indicated 4 to 6 inches of rain have fallen since early Saturday morning. This has caused numerous closed county roads across Ellis and Rush Counties due to ongoing flooding.

Some locations that will experience flooding include, Hays, Ellis, La Crosse, Victoria, Walker, Catherine, Otis Bison, Schoenchen, McCracken, Rush Center, Liebenthal, Timken, Alexander, Emmeram, Yocemento, Munjor, Loretto, Nekoma and Hargrave.

An additional 1 to 3 inches of rain can be expected across Ellis and Rush Counties through Thursday.

By CRISTINA JANNEY

Hays Post

A man convicted of multiple sex crimes in 2017 in Ellis County has requested clemency from the governor.

Keaton M. Molleker was sentenced to 135 months in prison for attempted rape and aggravated sexual battery of a 20-year-old victim, breach of privacy and sexual exploitation of a child of a 16-year-old victim and abuse of a child of a 4-month-old victim.

He was ordered to register as a sex offender for life.

Molleker has filed paperwork with the Prison Review Board. However, that paperwork is not open to the public. A public comment period started for the clemency process on Oct. 4.

Ellis County Attorney Tom Drees said Molleker was sentenced after he entered into a plea agreement. Drees said he did not know why Molleker was now asking for clemency.

Drees said he would be sending a letter to the Prison Review Board opposing clemency.

“I oppose his request because clemency is designed for a miscarriage of justice. It is an extraordinary relief to deal with situation in which sentence is not just in the case. This sentence was plea bargained,” Drees said.

He said clemency is not warranted in this case.

Molleker is currently listed as an inmate at the Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Those wishing to send a comment concerning Molleker’s clemency request can send it to the Prison Review Board at Jayhawk Walk 714 S.W. Jackson, Suite 300, Topeka, KS 66603.

See related story: Hays man sentenced to 11 years for sex offenses

By CRISTINA JANNEY

Hays Post

The Hays school board will consider final action on vehicle purchases for this school year at its meeting at 6:30 tonight at the Rockwell Administration Center.

The transportation purchasing schedule calls for the replacement of a gas bus, an activity bus, a car and a suburban.

The bid for the gas bus is $87,669. District staff requested a bid that was about $400 over the low bid, because it had the engine the district wanted.

The bid for the activity bus is $143,975, which was the low bid. Both bids were from Kansas Truck.

The district is also considering a purchase of an Impala for $21,194 and a Suburban for $38,952.

The total would be $291,790, which is less than the $304,000 that was budgeted for the purchases.

The board will also hear a report on student fees. District officials have recommended no changes for the workbook, technology or activity fees. However, there will be a five cent per meal increase in the cost of student and adult lunches.

The board will hear a preliminary report on Sept. 20 count day enrollment. Those figures are set to be released later today.

The board also has scheduled an executive session to discuss teacher negotiations.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

It was a rainy weekend in Hays with continued precipitation in the weather forecast.

Statistics reported from the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town, show 0.92 of rain Saturday plus 2.32 inches Sunday.

So far in October, just the first week, Hays has had 3.52 inches of rain. The total to date for the year is 31.24 inches of precipitation.

The weekend total measured at the Eagle Communications Media Center, 2300 Hall, was 3.45 inches.

The National Weather Service in Dodge City has issued a Flood Watch for Hays until 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9.

There was some minor street flooding Sunday, according to the Hays Police Department.

Lightning struck an oil tank battery in Russell County Sunday morning south of 4 Corners Road on 190th Street Road.

According to Russell County Emergency Management, the fire was allowed to burn itself out and there were no injuries.

TMP-M

Thomas More Prep-Marian (TMP-M) Catholic School, 1701 Hall, will be holding a Crisis Evacuation Drill on Mon., Oct. 8, 2018, between the hours of 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

This is a training drill only, with the cooperation of Bank of Hays, 1000 West 27th.

You may see students and staff in the area of the TMP-M campus and around the Bank of Hays location.

TMP-M appreciates your cooperation and our training in your area should not impede your daily activities. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact Chad Meitner, principal, at 785-625-6577.

CITY OF HAYS

Please be advised that beginning Monday, October 8, 2018, the reconstruction of the intersection of 22nd Street and Donald Drive in Hays will begin.

Construction will occur in various phases over the next several weeks.

During Phase 1, 22nd Street will carry traffic in both directions; however, traffic will only be allowed to travel one-way southbound on Donald Drive. See below.

Signs will be in place to direct the traveling public. Motorists should use caution in these areas.

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 785-628-7350 or the contractor, Morgan Brothers Construction, at 785-432-3104 or 785-394-1777.

CITY OF HAYS

Beginning Monday, October 8, 2018, southbound General Custer Road in Hays will be closed at Downing Ave. for pavement repairs. This work is expected to be completed by Friday, October 12 at 4:00 pm.

Signs will be in place to direct the traveling public. The traveling public should use caution and if at all possible avoid this area.

The city of Hays regrets any inconvenience this may cause to the public. If there are any questions, please call the Public Works Service Division at 785-628-7350.

WICHITA – The Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) is adding another book to its library with the release of “What’s Right with Kansas: Everyday Citizens Transforming Their State” on Oct. 8 by the organization’s president and CEO, Ed O’Malley.

“At a time when so much in civic life is disheartening, ‘What’s Right with Kansas’ gives hope for a better tomorrow, created not by civic elites but by committed citizens,” said O’Malley.

This new book from the KLC tells the real-life stories of Kansans who demonstrate civic leadership principles anyone can use to make progress on what they care most about in Kansas and all communities.

“The book was originally planned to recognize the tenth anniversary of the Kansas Leadership in 2017 but evolved into a more substantial piece that illustrates how KLC principles are impacting businesses, communities, schools and faith-based organizations all across this state,” said O’Malley.

Hays is represented in the book through stories told about Clare Gustin, Nikki Pfannenstiel, Carol Haberman and Jana Horsfall with Sunflower Electric Power Corporation.

“‘What’s Right with Kansas’ is meant to inspire Kansans of all backgrounds. In fact, we’re hoping Kansans will read this and be inclined to share what they think is right with Kansas as part of a social media campaign we are launching this week, too,” said O’Malley.

To coincide with the launch of the book, people are encouraged to share what they think is right with Kansas at https://whatsrightwithkansas.com or on their Facebook or Twitter accounts using #whatsrightwithkansas and tagging the Kansas Leadership Center. The deadline for submissions is January 21, 2019. The top three entries will be recognized on Kansas Day — Jan. 29, 2019.

“What’s Right with Kansas” sells for $14.95 and is available to purchase at Watermark Books & Cafe in Wichita or online at WatermarkBooks.com and Amazon.com.

All proceeds from the book sales will go to scholarships for Kansans to attend KLC training. To learn more about the book, visit https://whatsrightwithkansas.com.

About the Kansas Leadership Center
The Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) is a first-of-its-kind educational organization, based in Wichita but with a statewide focus and global reach. Founded in 2007 to foster civic leadership for healthier Kansas communities, KLC provided training to more than 9,000 participants during its first decade of existence. It receives core funding from the Kansas Health Foundation in Wichita. Learn more at www.kansasleadershipcenter.org.        

The Birthing Unit at HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, will host Remembering Together Remembrance Walk on Sunday, Oct. 21. Participants are asked to meet in Hadley Room 2 at HaysMed at 2:00 pm.

The group will be walking on the fitness trail so please dress for appropriate weather conditions.

This special service is for anyone who has experienced a loss through miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss.

— HaysMed