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Tag: hays

Hays Fire Department responds to three fireworks-related incidents

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By RICKY KERR
Hays Post

Only three calls for service received by the Hays Fire Department over Independence Day weekend were fire-related, according to HFD Chief Gary Brown.

“The HFD believes that our good community fire safety experience, despite the increased risk during the fireworks days, is due to good common sense of the people of our city,” Brown said.

The department responded to 26 calls for service in total for all emergencies spanning on July 2, 3 and 4, which is a 45 percent increase over a typical weekend, according to Brown.

“On July 2, the HFD responded to a dumpster fire where the most probable cause was improper disposal of fireworks debris,” Brown said. “On July 4, the HFD responded to a fire in fireworks debris and a second fire in some landscape shrubbery where the most probable cause was fireworks. These three fireworks related incidents are slightly less than average. Since 2008, the HFD has averaged four fireworks related incidents each year.”

“While not a regulated firework, on July 4 the HFD responded to one incident involving a Sky Lantern that had become entangled in a powerline,” Brown said.

 

Forget-Me-Not Drive raises funds, awareness for Disabled American Veterans

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By RICKY KERR
Hays Post

dav logoThe Fort Hays Chapter 18 Disabled American Veterans group is handing out blue poppies and taking donations to help disabled American veterans in the local area this Independence Day weekend.

Thursday, they were set up outside of Dillons on 27th Street.

Friday, July 3rd, they are set up outside of Dillons on Vine Street.

Saturday, July 4th, they will be set up outside of Walgreen’s on Vine Street.

Watch the full interview with Mike Dreiling, Hays DAV Chapter Treasurer, below:

For more information, visit the Hays DAV Chapter website.

Newer, smaller recycling truck prompts changes to city of Hays policy

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By RICKY KERR
Hays Post

The City of Hays recycling program has made changes for collection of recyclable materials effective immediately, following the purchase of a newer but smaller truck.

“We ask our customers to break down the larger boxes,” said Solid Waste Division Superintendent Marvin Honas. “The main reason for that is the customers are leaving Styrofoam in these boxes and plastic wrap, neither of which is recyclable.”

Since the new recycling truck has two compartments instead of three, the program will not be able to sort plastic and Styrofoam trash from recyclable material.

“We had one compartment for paper and cardboard, one compartment for glass, plastics, tin and aluminum, and the third one we used if there was any trash,” Honas said.

The program chose to get a smaller, single-axle truck because it would be able to navigate streets and alleyways more safely.

“We cannot turn the (old) truck around in a cul-de-sac without backing up and turning around about three times,” Honas said. “Especially if there’s cars in that cul-de-sac. We usually have to pull the old truck in and just back out. From a safety standpoint, I don’t think that’s probably a good practice.”

Honas said the program no longer will be pick up trash from the yard, and asked that customers to bag cartons and other smaller cardboard boxes in plastic bags to avoid being blown around the yard.

“Time is a great essence right now and we don’t have extra personnel so we have to make do with what we have and manage those people the best way we can,” Honas said.

It was also clarified that plastic grocery bags are not recyclable in the program.

Honas was unsure if the changes will affect program participation, but acknowledged that everyone has a personal choice on whether to recycle.

“I don’t know how its going to affect our participation rate. Until we see where we’re at as far as if there is a decline, we can maybe evaluate that a little more,” he said.

The new recycling truck should see action within a few weeks, after trees have been trimmed to prevent damaging it.

For more information, visit the recycling program website.

Listen to the full interview with Honas below:

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Hays Mall nearing completion of first phase of redevelopment

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By RICKY KERR
Hays Post

Following demolition of the former Montana Mike’s and a bank drive-through, contractors are in the process of resurfacing the Hays Mall parking lot, as well as continuing interior improvements at the facility.

“We are asking all customers to park to the south of our main entrance effective June 22 so we can make way for a bigger and better parking lot,” announced The Mall at Hays Facebook Page.

Everything is on schedule for development and lighting for the interior and parking lot should be installed by the end of July, said Josh Vickery, DP Management director of new development.

New LED lighting will double the intensity in parking lot for increased visibility, he said.

New ceramic tile is also in the process of being laid on the interior of the mall.

The planned second phase of rehabilitation will include a new front of the building, landscaping, awnings and new exterior doors.

Mall developers will spend approximately $3.1 million on interior and exterior improvements from an additional 1 percent sales tax on sales generated on mall property, a funding mechanism known as a Community Improvement District, which was approved by the Hays City Commission last year.

Vickery said DP Management is also working to get new businesses into the mall.

“There’s a ton of interest with development,” he said. “We are working on several retailers right now, but I can’t name anybody.”

Vickery did hint that one potential retailer is an apparel store and another is a national franchise sporting goods store, among smaller tenant shops. DP is also working with restaurants to build at the former Montana Mike’s location.

Vickery said Mall at Hays Facebook Page will regularly offer updated information on development.

Need a ride? Safe Ride is your answer

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Hays Post

New Year’s Eve is a night of celebration of a year gone by and anticipation of the one to come — a spirited night often fueled by spirits.

safe ride full

But Hays has an answer for those who have imbibed and need a way home. Safe Ride, established in 2005, offers a free ride home — no questions asked.

Safe Ride will offer special New Year’s Eve hours from 10 p.m. Wednesday to 3:30 a.m. Thursday. Call (785) 621-2580 for Safe Ride.

Hays Post and Eagle Communications reminds everyone “If you can’t walk a straight line, dial a straight line” and arrive safely at your destination in 2015.

Ellis County receives three bids for 718 Main renovation

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By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

Ellis County received three bids for the 718 Main Administrative Building remodel Wednesday afternoon.

Ellis County Logo

In December, the commission voted to reject all initial bids because they came in well over the $700,000 estimated for the project, with the low bid from Commercial Builders, Hays, coming in at $944,000.

After spending the last four months making revisions to the design of the building blueprints, the county received three bids ranging from $630,000 to $648,000.

For the base bid portion of the proposals, Conco Construction, Wichita, came in with the low bid of $630,795. Paul-Wertenberger Construction, Hays, submitted a bid of $639,000 and Commercial Builders, Hays, submitted a bid of $648,200.

The county also received bids on three alternatives, including removing the entire lobby staircase, for between $24,900 and $31,000.

According to Ellis County Administrator Greg Sund, the commission plans to request accepting a bid on Monday.

Youth track club will have signup meeting Sunday

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Hays Striders Track Club will have an information and signup meeting at 4 p.m. Sunday at Hays Recreation Commission, 1105 Canterbury, according to a release this week.

Striders logo

The club is a nonprofit youth track and field team associated with the Missouri Valley USATF and AAU organizations. The Striders are sponsored and backed by interested parents who devote time and energy to help young people participate in track and field. The club also can receive donations from area civic and business organizations.

Participants compete in developmental and qualifying track meets throughout the state of Kansas.  The club’s participation in the qualifying meets could qualify athletes for the Junior Olympic Games.

For more information on the meeting to club, visit https://www.haysstriders.com.

Leona (Landwehr) Schulte

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VICTORIA — Leona (Landwehr) Schulte, 81, died Sunday March 23, 2014, at Hays Medical Center.

She was born September 6, 1932, in Ransom, Kansas, to Frank and Elizabeth (Friess) Landwehr. She married Raymond Schulte on December 27, 1960, at Ransom, Kansas. He died July 18, 20ll.

She was a music teacher and taught in Logan, Palco, Russell County schools and Victoria. She retired from teaching in 1994 from Victoria. She also taught private piano for over 60 years.

She was a 1950 graduate of Ransom High School and graduated from Fort Hays State College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and a Master’s Degree in Music. She has been a church organist at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Walker and St. Fidelis Catholic Church in Victoria since 1976. She was a church organist at Messiah Lutheran Church in Hays from 1983 until 2010.

She was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church and St. Ann’s Christian Mothers, both in Walker, Kansas, Sigma Alpha Iota (Women’s Professional Music Fraternity), American Guild of Organists and National Education Association.

Survivors include three sons, Douglas Schulte and wife, Stacy, Hays, KS; Alan Schulte, Victoria, KS; John Schulte, Victoria, KS; one daughter, Marthann Schulte and husband, Todd Zwolensky, Portsmouth, VA; six grandchildren, Brent Schulte, Breanna Schulte-Weber and husband Cory, Lauren Schulte, Joshua Schulte, Elizabeth Zwolensky, Andrew Zwolensky; and two great grandchildren, Rylan Schulte and Paxton Weber; two sisters, Berniece Pfannenstiel, Ransom, KS; Arlene Langer, Ness City, KS; three sisters-in-law, Sue Landwehr, Boring, OR; Josephine Schulte, Hays, KS; Edna Schulte, Hays, KS.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and five brothers, Leander, Urban, Mark, Gilbert, and Laverne Landwehr.

Services are 10:00 A.M. Thursday, March 27, 2014, at St. Fidelis  Catholic Church, Victoria, Kansas. Burial in St. Ann’s Cemetery, Walker, Kansas. A St. Ann’s Christian Mothers rosary is at 7:00 P.M. Wednesday followed by a vigil service at 7:30 P.M. Wednesday both at St. Fidelis Catholic Church Victoria, Kansas.

Visitation is from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. Wednesday at St. Fidelis and from 8:30 to 9:45 A.M. Thursday, at Cline’s Mortuary, 412 Main, Victoria, Kansas 67671.

Memorials to St. Ann’s Catholic Church or St. Fidelis Catholic Church. Condolences can be sent via email to [email protected].

HPD activity log, Feb. 27

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AOBB-Logo-Main11

The Hays Police Department conducted 22 traffic stops and received four animal calls on Thursday, Feb. 27, according to the HOPD activity log.

Underage possession of alcohol, 200 block West Eighth, 12:10 a.m.
Driving under the influence, 1600 block East 27th, 12:44 a.m.
Lost animals, 600 block East Sixth, 2:10 a.m.
Animal at large, 2900 block Sternberg, 5:27 a.m.
Criminal damage to property, 2200 block Drum, 6:15 a.m.
Criminal damage to property, 2400 block Centennial, 6:38 a.m.
Trash dumping, 1000 block Allen, 8:04 a.m.
Theft, 3000 block Broadway, 08:13 a.m.
Criminal damage to property, 300 block East 23rd, 6:30 a.m.
Criminal damage to property, 1200 block Cody, 6:30 a.m.
Theft, 3000 block Broadway, 8:56 a.m.
Criminal damage to property, 2200 block General Custer, 6:30 a.m.
Criminal damage to property, 2200 block General Custer, 6:30 a.m.
Criminal damage to property, 1700 block Eisenhower, 7 p.m.
Motor vehicle accident, 700 block Elm, 9:29 a.m.
Criminal damage to property, 1100 block Cody, 7 a.m.
Drug offenses, 2500 block Canterbury, 10:44 a.m.
Rape, 2800 block Vine, 11 p.m.
Motor vehicle accident/private property, 2500 block Vine, 12:55 p.m.
Animal at large, 700 block East Sixth, 2:30 p.m.
Theft, 2200 block Canterbury, 3 p.m.
Welfare check, 2000 block Metro, 3:27 p.m.
Animal at large, 1000 block Reservation Road, 4:48 p.m.
Civil dispute, 2800 block East Eighth, 5:34 p.m.
Criminal damage to property, 2200 General Custer, 7:30 p.m.
Telephone harassment, 200 block West Fifth, 11:27 p.m.

Ellis talking to Trego County and Hays about water sources

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water mainELLIS — In a special meeting Monday night, Ellis City Council members discussed the city’s desire to explore options for an additional water source.

The feasibility study to determine the viability of partnering with Trego County Rural Water District will be completed in 30 to 45 days.

Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty is scheduled to address the council at its March 17 meeting about Hays’ plan to develop the R9 Ranch in Edwards County as a long-term water source, and  geologist Robert Vincent will be asked to attend a future council meeting. The board will also talk about the future of the city’s one-cent sales tax, set to expire in 2016, and whether it should be extended to help pay for water projects.

The unofficial minutes, in draft form, of the special meeting follow.

• • •

DRAFT COPY NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVED BY COUNCIL

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING  February 24, 2014

CALL TO ORDER

Council President Jolene Niernberger called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were Council members John Walz, Loran Gottschalk, and Terry Redetzke. Also present were City Clerk Amy Burton and Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman. Mayor Lyle Johnston and Council member Jeff Wolf were absent.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA

None

PUBLIC PRESENT

Ryan Augustine, John LaShell, Sean Simmons, Dave McDaniel, Gayla Wichman, Gary Luea, and Ronald Johnson.

PURPOSE OF SPECIAL MEETING

Council President Jolene Niernberger stated the purpose of the special meeting was to approve the USDA annual reports, to further consider the City’s website, and to discuss water exploration.

Water: Financial

City Clerk Amy Burton presented the annual financial reports as required by the United States Department of Agriculture. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Terry Redetzke seconded a motion to approve the 2013 USDA Financial Reports as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

General Government: Special Project

Ryan Augustine discussed with Council the need to make the City’s website more user friendly and provide more visual appeal. The current website provides good information, but it is hard to navigate through the site. Sean Simmons visited with Council on the various types of websites and the need to determine the goal of the site. It is important to brainstorm what types of information each department of the City desires to include on the site. Gayla Wichman added the City has three types of users to consider – current residents, potential residents, and visitors – and the site should provide information relevant to each of these users. The Council also discussed how social media could enhance the City’s website and provide an outlet to quickly release information to the public. City Clerk Amy Burton will send out a memo to the Department Heads asking for their “wish list” for the website and compile the results.

Capital Improvement: Water Exploration

Council discussed the City’s desire to explore for an additional water source. The feasibility study to determine the viability of partnering with Trego County Rural Water District will be completed in 30-45 days. Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty plans to visit with Council at the March 17th regular meeting about Hays’ plan to explore south central Kansas for water. Council discussed whether to partner with a neighboring community or to explore for the City’s own water source. It was the consensus of Council to have Public Works Director Alan Scheurman contact geologist Robert Vincent to come to a Council meeting and discuss the City’s next step in the exploration process. Council member John Walz discussed the City’s one cent sales tax that expires in 2016. Council needs to consider if the additional sales tax should be continued for additional funding for water exploration.

General Government: Meeting

The Council will not have a quorum for the March 3, 2014 regular meeting. It was decided to move the meeting to March 5, 2014 at the regular time.

ADJOURNMENT

Council member Loran Gottschalk moved to adjourn the meeting. Council member Terry Redetzke seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:14 p.m.

Hays Public Library will have Oscars watch party

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Hays Public Library

Needing something to do on a lazy afternoon? Don’t want to watch the Oscars alone? Then the Hays Public Library is the place for you March 2, where two programs are being offered to liven up your Sunday. Both programs will be held in the Schmidt Gallery.

Library - Hays 001

2 p.m., “Mr. Lincoln’s War”: Sanford Lee will visit the library as his character Professor Farquar for a performance. Lee’s performance will include songs from the Civil War-era, accompanied by his acoustic guitar, historic narratives and a little bit of magic.

6 p.m., Oscars watch party: The library will have its first Oscars party and viewing. Refreshments will be provided, and a game of Oscar bingo will be played. Prizes will be awarded.

Sund one of three finalists for Minot, N.D., position

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Ellis County Administrator Greg Sund is one of three finalists for the city manager position in Minot, N.D.

Ellis County Administrator Greg Sund
Ellis County Administrator Greg Sund

The Minot Daily News reported Sund was in Minot last week to deliver a presentation to city staff and community members.

His presentation and question-and-answer session can be viewed HERE.

Sund was hired as Ellis County’s first administrator in 2010. He had served as city administrator at Dickinson, N.D., from 1996 to 2008. Dickinson is approximately 170 miles southwest of Minot.

In his presentation, Sund mentioned one of the draws of the Minot community is the presence of his daughter and grandchild.

The Daily News reported the task force charged with recommending a new city manager is expected to submit its choice for Minot city officials for the group’s March 3 meeting.

Check Hays Post for updates as they become available.

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