A day-to-day look at stories making news in 2011.

May 1: Kennedy closure on agenda. Hays USD 489 begins public discussion about closing a middle school and consolidating students into the other.

May 2: A quarter century. Bingo Haus celebrates its 25th year as the home for local bingo aficionados.

May 3: Pitching in. Fort Hays State University students lend their time and talents to help at a Habitat for Humanity home in Hays.

May 4: New season begins. Farmers take to the fields in northwest Kansas to plant this year's corn crop.

May 5: Saintly images. Bronze sculptures unveiled at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church.

May 6: Officers honored. Three Rush County police officers honored for heroism in case of man trapped in burning car.

May 8: Modular grant sought. Hays USD 489 applies for FEMA money to help fund additional of modular classrooms at Felten Middle School.

May 9: Pioneer class. FHSU's Kansas Academy of Math and Science graduates its first class of students.

May 10: Grainfield rebirth. Renowned Elvis impersonator Frank Werth, Schoenchen, will take the newly refurbished stage at the historic Grainfield Opera House.

May 11: DHDC hires new director. FHSU graduate Tracy Konrade named director of Hays' downtown organization.

May 12: Drought takes toll. Arid conditions continue to have farmers anxiously eyeing their crop.

May 13: Wildlife assessment. City of Hays hires U.S. Department of Agriculture to assess wildlife incursions at Hays Regional Airport.

May 15: Tuning it out. Hays USD 489 consider cutting fourth-grade orchestra program to save money.

May 16: Victims speak out. Those who lost money in the downfall of Phillipsburg-based Brooke Corp. praise a decision by the Securities and Exchange Commission to charge former executives.

May 17: Strings cut. Despite pleas, Hays USD 489 board opts to end its fourth-grade orchestra program.

May 18: Union talk. City of Hays takes a look at proposed contracts with two of its three bargaining units.

May 19: College mourns. Max Pickerill, longtime chemistry professor at Colby Community College, remembered after his death at age 85.

May 20: Airlines bid for Hays. Four airlines make pitches to operate flights out of Hays Regional Airport.

May 22: Al's return. After months of sitting idle, local restauranteur Trisha St. Peter breathes new life into iconic Al's Chickenette.

May 23: Fatal twisters. Deadly tornadoes tear a swath through the eastern Kansas town of Reading, while dozens are killed in Joplin, Mo., after a 6-mile swath of the town was demolished by a tornado.

May 24: Foundation auction delayed. Hays USD 489 Foundation for Educational Excellence opts to push back its inaugural auction one year.

May 25: Storms nail Rush County. Up to 5 inches of rain falls in an hour in and around La Crosse.

May 26: Quinter air service. State officials on hand to announce a site selection study for a potential airport.

May 27: Diving in. New pool in Plainville opens for its first season.

May 29: Brownback kills arts agency. After months of threats, new governor's budget strikes down Kansas Arts Commission.

May 31: Honoring the legacy. Northwest Kansas pays its respect for those who made the ultimate sacrifice during Memorial Day ceremonies.