In retrospect: Headlines of 2008
A day-by-day look at the news making headlines in 2008.
Jan. 1: Infected trees toppled. Pine wilt claims trees at Kansas State University Research Center south of Hays.
Jan. 2: Midwest expands hike. Utility petitions the state foe a rate hike across its entire service area.
Jan. 3: Ellis chief placed on leave. After his arrest at a Wichita adult book store, Ellis Police Chief Dennis Nowling is indefinitely relieved of his duties.
Jan. 4: KU, that's who. Jayhawk fans cheer on their team as the football program wins what is called the biggest victory in school history -- a 24-21 Orange Bowl win over Virginia Tech.
Jan. 6: New hospital progresses. Rooks County Health Center in Plainville rises from the plains.
Jan. 7: Federal money on the way. As utilities and communities battle effects of ice and snow, emergency status will send relief funding to northwest Kansas.
Jan. 8: Polycarts delivered. Tin trash cans are a thing of the past in Hays, as city workers begin delivering blue polycarts to city alleyways.
Jan. 9: Sen. Moran? Rep. Jerry Moran of Hays hints at a possible run for the U.S. Senate.
Jan. 10: Weather knocks out power. Downed lines snarl school, business in Ellis County.
Jan. 11: Take the plunge. A contestant on the NBC reality show "The Biggest Loser" appears at the Center for Health Improvement to motivate participants in this year's Pound Plunge.
Jan. 13: Seniors share war stories. Local veterans gather to reminisce about the sacrifices made during World War II.
Jan. 14: Optimism surrounds wheat crop. Farmers and researchers are expecting big things out of northwest Kansas wheat fields.
Jan. 15: Sunflower, Midwest add wind. Hays-based utilities add wind power to their supply.
Jan. 16: More apartments on the way. Overland Property Group eyes another project after completing StonePost Apartments at Fifth and Main streets.
Jan. 17: Young pros enjoy opportunities. Hays Area Young Professionals attempts to help stem the tide of "brain drain" by promoting the best and the brightest.
Jan. 18: Gun rumors swirl at HHS. A scrawled note on a bathroom partition leads to about a third of the student body missing school.
Jan. 20: Deer positive for CWD. Chronic wasting disease uncovered in Decatur County.
Jan. 21: Hip to be square. Dozens of square dancers gather at FHSU's Memorial Union for Snowball 2008.
Jan. 22: Schult Homes closing. Plainville manufactured home business will close, leaving about 150 out of work.
Jan. 23: Brightening the city. Hays dentist Jeffrey Lowe launches a feedback campaign, Transform Hays, to seek ways to improve the Hays community.
Jan. 24: Battle of words. Ongoing wind farm issue sparks a heated meeting of the Ellis County Planning and Zoning Commission.
Jan. 25: Cops make huge pot bust. Ellis County's drug enforcement units find 150 pounds of marijuana in a vehicle parked at a Hays motel.
Jan. 27: Standoff ends in tragedy. A former Nex-Tech employee commits suicide during an hours-long standoff at one of the company's offices, while a bomb threat a the same time at Hays Medical Center proves to be a hoax.
Jan. 28: McHonors. Local McDonald's manager Jon Booth earns the Ray Kroc award from the fast-food company.
Jan. 29: Wonderful news. Northwest Kansas lands two sites on the 8 Wonders of Kansas -- St. Fidelis Church in Victoria and Castle Rock/Monument Rocks in Gove County.
Jan. 30: Fire destroys building. One of seven buildings at KBK Industries in Rush Center is leveled by a blaze.
Jan. 31: County earns No. 2 ranking. Progressive Farmer magazine names Ellis County the second-best place to live in rural America.
Feb. 1: Sebelius leaves mixed feelings. Governor's visit to Hays brings Sunflower power plant proposal to the debate floor.
Feb. 3: Wind energy flows. Power from new wind farm near Ellsworth purchased by Midwest Energy.
Feb. 4: Pizza pandemonium. Pie-makers take on one of their busiest days of the year -- Super Bowl Sunday.
Feb. 5: Winter pummels region. Half a foot of snow falls in northwest Kansas.
Feb. 6: Democratic caucus hits Hays. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton supporters share their positions during the political process.
Feb. 7: Ellis chief resigns. After a 2007 arrest at a Wichita adult book store, Ellis Police Chief Dennis Nowlin resigns, longtime officer Glenn Lacey named interim chief.
Feb. 8: Be for something. Father of Columbine victim Rachel Scott speaks to Felten Middle School students.
Feb. 10: Republicans rally. Supporters of Mike Huckabee and John McCain take part in selection process.
Feb. 11: Home away from home. Fort Hays State University international students find welcome arms in Ellis County.
Feb. 12: Easy does it. Massive engines made their way through Hays, destined for the Goodman Energy Center northwest of Hays.
Feb. 13: Testing begins. Northwest Kansas officials begin the arduous process of testing for chronic wasting disease in deer.
Feb. 14: DSNWK seeks help. Regional service agency tries to rally support for adequate state funding.
Feb. 15: Businessman remembered. Longtime Hays theater fixture Bill Robinson loses battle with cancer.
Feb. 17: Hays volunteer honored. Shirley Adams recognized by the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence.
Feb. 18: Life-saver. High-tech device, doctors save the life of a 24-year-old with heart problems.
Feb. 19: Wind developer eyes new locations. Iberdrola is looking at two additional areas for wind turbines.
Feb. 20: Teen gets 18 years for abuse. Michael Jones, 19, sentenced to 18 years after being convicted of rape.
Feb. 21: Bomb threat in Colby. School officials err on the side of caution after bomb hoax.
Feb. 22: Belated flu big hits. Virus takes its toll on Ellis County schools, businesses.
Feb. 24: Wrestling fans take to the stands. Fans come from far and wide to cheer on their own during the state wrestling championships at FHSU.
Feb. 25: Local band releases CD. With drumming by the late Brett Zamrzla, My Uncle is a Cannibal offers up its first album.
Feb. 26: Mall lands a retailer. Stage announces plans to take over The Mall storefront formerly occupied by Kline's.
Feb. 27: Six stresses fundamentals. New attorney general Stephen Six speaks in Hays.
Feb. 28: Residents pitch zoning changes. Sparked by a wind development southwest of Hays, residents propose revamping Ellis County's zoning policies.
Feb. 29: Living history. Leap Day baby Margaret Houser celebrates a special birthday.
March 2: Hooking customers. Blaine Baxter talks about his bait shop in Stockton, which he has operated for 18 years.
March 3: Under new management. Ralph Wise named Russell city manager.
March 4: New virus plagues wheat. Researchers see more occurrences of tritium mosaic virus -- a yield-reducing disease.
March 5: Truck damages I-70 bridge. A semi knock a hole in overpass just east of Collyer in western Trego County.
March 6: Journey of discovery. Teams from across Kansas, including battered Greensburg, head to Hays for state basketball tournament.
March 7: Women's group marks 40 years. Soroptomist International of Hays celebrates its 40th year of fundraising and good deeds.
March 9: County slips to second. Ellis County's retail pull factor second in the state, while Thomas and Ness counties place third and fourth on the list.
March 10: Security apparent for Eggs. Threatening e-mails lead to heightened security at Hays Eggs 'n' Issues with local lawmakers.
March 11: Quite a catch. The Pancake Man makes an appearance at the Hays Lions Club's 30th annual Standlee Dalton Pancake and Sausage Feed.
March 12: Tornado season looms. Storm chasers from around the nation flock to northwest Kansas in hopes of filming, researching big twisters.
March 13: Knapp pleads. A Hays man pleads no contest to charges relating to the 2006 death of a Gorham man in a Hays motel.
March 14: Mystery abounds. Law enforcement officials try to make sense of the case of a Ness City woman who sat on a toilet for two years.
March 16: Coaching with a cause. Volunteer coaches Jim Stansbury and Bob May help Special Olympians make their dreams come true.
March 17: Northwest Kansas tinderbox. Extremely dry conditions make conditions ideal for wildfires.
March 18: Commission hears Hadley alternative. Opponents of the county expansion into the Hadley Center pitch the Eddy Clinic as a better option.
March 19: FHSU has new COPS shop. University opens the doors to its new offices in Custer Hall.
March 20: Census shows diving numbers. Only four counties in northwest Kansas -- Ellis, Ness, Russell and Sherman -- buck the downward population trend.
March 21: CRP mandate a concern. Conservation Reserve program requirements for a burn has farmers and ranchers concerned amid dry conditions.
March 23: Band reunited. Hall of Fame band Soul Express shares its Hays roots at induction ceremony in Lawrence.
March 24: New life in old Corner. New owners Jeff and Sarah Willms begin renovation of former Main Street restaurant.'
March 25: Property values continue to rise. Despite a national decline in home values, Ellis County reports a median increase of more than 9 percent in property values.
March 26: Murder shakes town. Tiny Osborne County community of Portis is rocked after the brutal slaying of 55-year-old Jeffrey S. "Scott" Noel.
March 27: Colby sees construction boom. New businesses popping up with regularity in Thomas County community.
March 28: Tips pour in. Residents help police piece together information in the murder of Scott Noel in Portis.
March 30: Energy emphasis. Work continues at Midwest Energy's Goodman Energy Center northwest of Hays.
March 31: Beans eat into corn. More northwest Kansas farmers are seeing soybeans as a viable alternative to corn.
April 1: Commissioners consider no zoning. In light of several controversial zoning moves, the Ellis County Commission discuss scrapping countywide zoning.
April 2: Ellis votes in council members. John A. Walz, Kip Johnson and David Basgall earn seats on the Ellis City Council.
April 3: Walk this way. Center for health Improvement launches its Steppin' Out for a Lifetime fitness program.
April 4: Story of pain and survival. Holocaust survivor Emmaly Reed speaks at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church in Hays.
April 6: Hospice marks 30 years. Hospice at Hays Medical Center celebrates three decades in existence.
April 7: Facing lines of work. Northwest Kansas utility companies have a daunting task ahead of them repairing hundreds of miles of electrical lines damaged by past storms.
April 8: Champions. Kansas Jayhawks win NCAA championship over Memphis.
April 9: Deceptive look? Much of the northwest Kansas wheat crop is listed as fair to very poor.
April 10: While supplies last. Local sporting goods store reports a rush on Kansas Jayhawk gear.
April 11: Officers find pipe bomb in home. Victoria man arrested after bomb-making materials allegedly found in his home.
April 13: Life of former teacher, coach celebrated. Bob Kuhn loses battle with cancer at age 57.
April 14: Portis trail growing cold. Three weeks after the murder of Scott Noel, police still are looking for leads.
April 15: Knapp sentenced. David S. Knapp sentenced to 62 months for the 2007 death of a Gorham man in a Hays motel.
April 16: Tavern raises money for a good cause. Horseshoe Tavern and Grill has fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Hospital.
April 17: Lee will seek re-election. Kensington Democrat Janis Lee announces intention to run for her sixth term in the Kansas Senate.
April 18: Sebelius rejects coal bill. Governor vetoes another bill that would have cleared the way for Sunflower Electric's proposed coal-fired generating stations.
April 20: Cove returns to nature. Workers remove remains of former church camp at Cedar Bluff Reservoir.
April 21: Officials watch wheat. Experts worry about temperature, moisture and disease while eyeing this year's wheat crop.
April 22: HMC takes over clinic. Hospital absorbs the former Hays Orthopaedic Clinic.
April 23: Idolized. Fort Hays State University students play their version of "American Idol."
April 24: ACE auction a success. The 34th annual TMP fundraiser exceeds its $200,000 goal yet again.
April 25: Hail pound northwest Kansas. Region pummeled by golf-ball size hail.
April 27: Power to produce. Plants being built west of Goodland will work in tandem for manufacturing purposes.
April 28: Wonderful build. Five structure in northwest Kansas are in the running for 8 Wonders of Kansas Architecture.
April 29: AG weighs in on zoning. The Kansas attorney general will issue opinion on "oath-of-office" issue for commission members.
April 30: Going from law to links. Longtime Victoria Police Chief Don Pruitt hangs up his badge.
May 1: There's no place like ... the stage. TMP actors take to the stage for "The Wizard of Oz."
May 2: Veto stands. Court upholds Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' of bill that would have allowed Sunflower Electric's coal-fired plants to be built in southwest Kansas.
May 4: Wintry winds return. A late snow surprises northwest Kansas.
May 5: Mother Nature's alarm. Region awakes to wicked thunderstorms rippling across northwest Kansas.
May 6: Wilson first-grader crafts award-winning story. Wyatt Scheve earns honors from Smoky Hills Public Television.
May 7: Severe weather bypasses area. Massive storms move spare region.
May 8: 'Pay it forward.' Late musician Brett Zamrzla honored with a fundraiser benefiting a Fort Hays State University scholarship.
May 9: Coach tackles need for mentoring. K-State legend Bill Snyder speaks in Hays.
May 11: All about Mom. Jewelry, flower are tops on the shopping list for those looking to give Mom something special.
May 12: HMC honors nurses. Hospital pays homage to the men and women of its nursing corps.
May 13: TMP junior doodles to win. Alice Cao again receives national attention for her art prowess.
May 14: Soccer to replace buffalo. FHSU President Edward H. Hammond proposed building a soccer stadium at the site of Hays' buffalo herd.
May 15: Historic proportions. Local students get a taste of history, courtesy of the Ellis County Historic Society's Pioneer Days.
May 16: Area writers to blog from DCN. EverydayCitizen.com is selected to take part in the blogging corps at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.
May 18: FHSU grads step into new life. More than 2,000 take part in Fort Hays State University commencement exercises.
May 19: Speaking of greatness. Instructor Ron Leikam delivers the commencement address for Hays High School.
May 20: Answering the call. Mark Pahls joins TMP as vice president of institutional advancement.
May 21: FHSU introduces newest VP. Tisa Mason joins the university as vice president for student affairs.
May 22: 'Dino'mite display. "T. rex cetera" opens at Sternberg Museum of Natural History -- with Stan as the featured exhibit.
May 23: Weather wins Round 1. Tornadoes, hail and rain pound northwest Kansas.
May 25: Tornado outbreak. Two injured as massive twister bears down near Quinter.
May 27: Never forget. Ellis County pays tribute to veterans in Memorial Day ceremonies.
May 28: Inner drive. Kansas Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run makes its way down Main Street in Hays.
May 29: Four-day work week. Give County employees move to a shorter work week to help cut costs.
May 30: Severe weather hits again. Supercell thunderstorms are a common sight as Mother Nature unleashes her fury on northwest Kansas.
June 1: Girlfriends make for the big "City." Friends gear up, dress up for the Hays premiere of "Sex and the City."
June 2: Picken Hall ready. FHSU prepares to renovate the oldest building on its campus.
June 3: Damaged surveyed. Crop insurance adjusters take a look at leveled wheat fields around the region.
June 4: Runnin' down a nightmare. Storm-chasers descend upon northwest Kansas in search of the next big twister.
June 5: Schmeidler files. A vocal opponent of the wind farm proposal near Hays, John Schmeidler seeks a seat on the Ellis County Commission.
June 6: Elephants on parade. Storms cause elephants in a traveling circus to be sprung in WaKeeney, sparking a roundup effort seldom seen in the High Plains.
June 8: Relay shows the reason. Ellis County's 2008 Relay for Life provides the chance to celebrate and remember.
June 9: Ellis superintendent departs. District seeking replacement after the departure of Kyle Hayden.
June 10: White leaving practice. Dr. Douglas White departs Hays Family Medicine.
June 11: Together on the road. Family makes time for themselves on bicycles, taking part in Bike Across Kansas 2008.
June 12: Tornadoes claim 2. Community of Chapman is devastated by a massive tornado; FHSU students head east to help with the cleanup.
June 13: City hikes sewer rates. City of Hays sewer bills will go up 3 percent in 2009.
June 15:Lumberjacks compete on the prairie. Ellis hosts Scheer's Lumberjack Shows.
June 16: Curbing cats. Animal Health Center is at capacity for kittens and cats, as efforts to get felines adopted kicks off.
June 17: Suspect appeal extradition. Former Hays man Israel Mireles fights his return to the United States on murder charges.
June 18: Riedel resigns. Gina Riedel takes her leave from the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce.
June 19: FHSU, Iberdrola partner. University looks to install wind turbines for its own power needs.
June 20: Fabulous find. Rare fossil handed over to Sternberg curators for examination.
June 22: Wheat harvest begins. Battered by wicked weather, the wheat harvest await the reaper.
June 23: McCracken PO still closed. Post office is shuttered after mold tests.
June 24: Airport manager resigns. Search is on after the departure of Terry Urban.
June 25: Wheat embargoed. Potential late application of fungicide forces federal regulators to put a hold on some Ellis County wheat.
June 26: Commission says "yes." Ellis County Joint Planning Commission gives the go-ahead to a proposed wind farm for Ellis County.
June 27: Harvesting wheat, hope. Farmers struggle to deliver crops pounded all spring by harsh conditions.
June 29: Behind-the-scenes champion. President Jean Ross ends a long career at Thomas More Prep-Marian.
June 30: Embargo lifted. Regulators bring to a close an embargo that included about 750 acres of Ellis County cropland.
July 1: Counties combine for wind talk. Six counties in western Kansas join to consider the economic potential of wind farms.
July 2: Snap, crackle, perfect spot. Fireworks stand has become a tradition outside Schoenchen.
July 3: Along for the ride. Heart of America Carnival opens at Wild West Fest.
July 4: FHSU provost earns national honor. Larry Gould honored for work with American Democracy Project by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.
July 6: Friends remember fallen classmate. Community mourns the loss of Jana Mackey, who was murdered in Lawrence.
July 7: High-speed chase ends in arrests. After a chase the topped 100 mph on Interstate 70, suspects in stolen van are chased from Colby to Burlington, Colo., before being taken at gunpoint.
July 8: County hears new Hadley proposal. Hadley owner Dave VanDoren pitches the Ellis County Commission again on a new twist for county expansion efforts.
July 9: McCracken rodeo sports new attractions. Annual event will feature new bleachers, "cutest" contests and Miss McCracken Rodeo Princess.
July 10: TMP celebrates a century. Thomas More Prep-Marian enters its second century.
July 11: Moran for Senate? U.S. Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., circulates a letter seeking support for a Senate run.
July 13: DeBakey remembered as pioneer. The namesake of Hays Medical Center's heart clinic, Dr. Michael DeBakey, dies at 99.
July 14: 'We've finally arrived.' Promoter of racing circuit brings sprint cars back to western Kansas.
July 15: Old-fashioned way. Alton farmer takes to the wheat field with a Dust Bowl-era thresher and equipment.
July 16: WaKeeney native a Pulitzer finalist. Photographer Mona Reeder's expose for the Dallas Morning News earns a chance at journalism's highest honor.
July 17: InfiniTec sells to Michigan company. Local computer company now under the umbrella of Portage, Mich.-based Manatron.
July 18: Complex supporters want city to play. Proponents of a news sportsplex in Hays request city help for the project.
July 20: Livestock auction caps fair. Annual auction a successful end to the Ellis County Fair.
July 21: Homburg resigns post. Ellis County emergency management coordinator leaves after two years on the job.
July 22: D.C. trip will honor World War II vets. Local organizers announce plans for a western Kansas Honor Flight to Washington.
July 23: Hays crime rate among state's lowest. City has the second lowest rate of crimes per thousand.
July 24: Sign on the Dottie line. Hays attorney's political sign near the Ellis County Courthouse sparks political flap.
July 25: New life at Old Fort Hays. Museum opens renovated sites to give visitors a better look at the historic fort.
July 27: Retaining doctors a struggle. A look at the continual struggle to recruit and retain medical experts in rural northwest Kansas.
July 28: Let 'er blow. On a 2-1 vote, the Ellis County Commission approves a conditional-use permit that will allow the construction of a wind farm southwest of Hays.
July 29: Wind could blow into court. Opponents of the proposed Ellis County wind farm likely to take the issue to the judiciary.
July 30: Big Creek disc hunters. Seeking lost golf discs, man wades into the stream in search of booty.
July 31: 388th troops returning. Hays-based U.S. Army Reserve unit ready to return from Iraq.
August 1: Proud in pink. Phillipsburg rodeo goes pink to honor those who have battles breast cancer.
August 3: Interest high for voters. With critical local issues and a closely watched presidential election on the way, the Ellis County clerk reports a high rate of advance voting.
August 4: HHS cheerleaders are all-stars. Six Hays High cheerleaders names to Universal Cheerleaders Association's all-star team.
August 5: Ballot confusion in Victoria. Ballots omitting $3.5 million school bond issue given to some voters at Victoria precinct.
August 6: Amid confusion, school bond fails. Initial tallies indicate the school bond in Victoria fails 277-273.
August 7: Downtown district named to National Register. Chestnut Street Historic District in Hays now listed among the nation's treasures.
August 8: Chamber hires new director. Ericka Gillespie-Weintz takes the helm of the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce.
August 10: Heavy rains prompt flood warnings. Rooks and Osborne counties under flash flood warnings after severe rain.
August 11: School bond passes. After canvassing votes, Victoria's $3.5 million school bond issue passes 281-280.
August 12: Hineman unseats Beamer. Incumbent Rep. Virginia Beamer falls in Republican primary to Dighton challenger Don Hineman.
August 13: Beamer calls for recount. Oakley Republican wants votes to be counted again after primary loss.
August 14: Storm-damaged high school ready for classes. Trego Community High School -- struck by a storm in May -- is repaired and ready for the new school year.
August 15: EnerSys hiring to ramp up production. Battery manufacturer looking to add staff to meet demand for product.
August 17: Between the lines. High textbook prices have FHSU students up in arms.
August 18: Fair headlines another summer. Rooks County Free Fair opens.
August 19: Suspect charged in Portis murder. Kenneth Wilson faces murder charges over the March death of Scott Noel.
August 20: End of summer. Northwest Kansas students bid farewell to vacation and head back to the classroom.
August 21: Bail set at $1 million. Kenneth Wilson makes his first appearance in court on charges of killing Scott Noel in Portis.
August 22: Unacceptable. FHSU dismissed debate coach and professor Bill Shanahan over a YouTube video that showed him "mooning" an opponent and getting into a expletive-laced argument at a national debate competition.
August 24: Weather turns for fall art walk. Conditions are perfect for annual Hays Arts Council gallery walk.
August 25: Awash in water. Northwest Kansas deluged by rainfall, causing flooding problems.
August 26: Train derails. Eighteen Union Pacific cars overturn near Winona.
August 27: Wind opponents file lawsuit. Controversial wind farm southwest of Hays heads to court.
August 28: Midwest hikes rates. Northwest Kansas utility announces an average rate increase of 13.61 percent.
August 29: Chipping away. Northwest Kansas has several finalists for the 8 Wonders of Kansas Art designation.
August 31: USD puts parents on alert. Hays school district implements text-messaging system that would allow alerts to be sent to cell phones.
Sept. 2: Camping season ends of a high note. Excellent weather leads to a busy holiday weekend at area lakes.
Sept. 3: Ceremony a reminder of security needs. Federal TSA officials commemorate the 2001 terrorist attacks and discuss security improvements at Hays Regional Airport.
Sept. 4: Complex petition turned in. Proponents of a sportsplex in Hays turn in the paperwork to get the issue on the November ballot.
Sept. 5: Down on the farm. Harold Kraus plays host to fourth-graders at the annual Kids Ag Day in southwest Ellis County.
Sept. 7: Delegates approve of Palin. Ellis County GOP representatives give the thumbs-up to Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
Sept. 8: Music season off to a great start. Pops concert begins a calendar chock full of music events.
Sept. 9: Hadley Center will be on November ballot. Ellis County courthouse expansion plans forced to a vote after a citizen petition.
Sept. 10: Pride of the Tigers. Friday Night Tours takes a look at the community of Stockton.
Sept. 11: Praying for peace. World Day of Prayer for Peace and the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks marked in La Crosse, across northwest Kansas.
Sept. 12: City close to using eminent domain. Smoky Hill wellfield property near Schoenchen at issue.
Sept. 14: Tribute to heroes. World War II veterans are flown to Washington to see memorials built in their honor.
Sept. 15: Time for faith. Ellis County congregations gather as one for the annual Festival of Faith.
Sept. 16: Midwest unveils new plant. Natural gas-fired Goodman Energy Center is shown off during ceremonies.
Sept. 17: Calling of the Coyotes. Tiny Weskan has big pride in its school, football team.
Sept. 18: Hays Express set to open. Former convenience store on Vine Street will offer an array of menu items.
Sept. 19: Unlatched cell allows escape. Escaped inmate at Ellis County jail goes missing for about six hours.
Sept. 21: Shot of a lifetime. Disabled hunter, 17, gets a chance to go afield -- and bags a 10-point mule deer.
Sept. 22: Oktoberfest opens. Midwest Deutsche Oktoberfest kicks off at the Ellis County Fairgrounds.
Sept. 23: History before their eyes. Area students get a first-hand look at original Ben Franklin documents at FHSU.
Sept. 24: Arrest shocks Gove County. David Andrew Stevenson arrested for the death of his father, Walter A. Stevenson.
Sept. 25: Fire damage estimate hits $1M. About 15 boats at Wilson Lake Marina destroyed or damaged by a massive blaze.
Sept. 26: FHSU enrollment passes 10,000. Including virtual students, university passes benchmark.
Sept. 28: Fighting Reagan's battle. Plainville rallies around girl facing transplant.
Sept. 29: Kansas vets will be immortalized. Smithsonian Channel works on Honor Flight documentary -- featuring the northwest Kansas edition of the trip.
Sept. 30: 'Painful and lasting,' FHSU, local business leaders and The Hays Daily News present "Main Street Reality," a television production designed to provide answers during panicked economic times.
Oct. 1: "Cooking with Carla" launches. Food show hosted by Extension agent Carla Morrical-Frederking premieres at HDNews.net and Dillons on Vine Street.
Oct. 2: Sunflower challenge set to proceed. Hays utility moves through the appeals process in hopes of building coal-fired power plants in southwest Kansas.
Oct. 3: Senior Center faces increased rent. Monthly payments at the Hadley Center will go up, leaving Ellis County Council on Aging seeking other options.
Oct. 5: Election will decide small-towns' futures. Kansas Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh speaks at Fanchon Ballroom in Hays.
Oct. 6: One dead after car, bus collision. Fatal accident claims the life of one near Long Island.
Oct. 7: Hadley bond could exceed $5M. Price tag on Ellis County Courthouse expansion increases.
Oct. 8: Economic coalition studies retail gaps. Ellis County officials will study market with the help of a retail consultant.
Oct. 9: Brooke cuts workers. Phillipsburg insurance company lays off workers -- the first thread to unravel for the soon-to-be-bankrupt company.
Oct. 10: Main Street construction wraps up. Water line work on busy street is completed after seven-months of work.
Oct. 12: Economy forces slowdown for EnerSys. Poor national economy leads to workforce cuts at Hays battery plant.
Oct. 13: Hays teacher awarded. USD 489 math teacher Jerry Braun earns honors for helping with classroom strategies.
Oct. 14: Rain slows harvest. Wet weather keeps northwest Kansas farmers out of the fields.
Oct. 15: Flying high with pride. Friday Night Tours makes a stop in Hill City.
Oct. 16: Volunteers hope to restore theater. WaKeeney volunteers hope to breathe new life into the old Kelly Theater.
Oct. 17: Exhibit showcases natural talents. DSNWK artists get a chance to show off their artwork.
Oct. 19: Celebrating survivorship. Annual fashion show honors breast cancer survivors.
Oct. 20: Residents flock for shots. Hays Medical Center's free flu shot clinic has drivers waiting their turn.
Oct. 21: Bigge family finds helping hands. Plainville family struck with tragedy finds help from neighbors.
Oct. 22: Snow way. First round of snowfall headed for northwest Kansas.
Oct. 23: Brooke lays off 52 more. Financial troubles continue for embattled company.
Oct. 24: Candidates debate. Candidates for local elective office debate the issues at a forum at Fox Pavilion.
Oct. 26: FHSU, city talk sports complex. University and city officials continue to develop a partnership for proposed sportsplex.
Oct. 27: Lomato's move has drivers remembering. Legendary "turn-around" point on Hays' cruise strip ready to be demolished to make way for apartment complex.
Oct. 28: Rock chalk: Juenemann's a 'Hawk. Hays walk-on Jordan Juenemann will suit up for the Kansas Jayhawks this season.
Oct. 29: Something to believe in. Friday Night Tours makes a stop in Victoria.
Oct. 30: Gas prices dip. For the first time in years, gas prices drop below $2 a gallon across Kansas.
Oct. 31: Fall harvest in full swing. Despite wet weather, farmers pleased with the grain flowing into the hopper.
Nov. 2: City of pride, Leopards. Friday Night Tours makes a stop in La Crosse.
Nov. 3: Youth gather to discuss faith, Jesus. Victoria's World Youth Day gathering brings together students of faith.
Nov. 4: Voters stream to polls. Interest in local, national races generates enormous interest in the 2008 election.
Nov. 5: Election results. Hadley proposal nixed, while sports complex passes. Glenn Diehl unseats Dennis Pfannenstiel for a seat on the Ellis County Commission.
Nov. 6: Weather change whips into area. After pleasant fall weather, wind gusts up to 45 mph pummel the area.
Nov. 7: Senior center ready to move. Frontier Bingo on East Eighth Street will be organization's new home.
Nov. 9: Ellis runs a gadget play. EllisRadio.com provides a live listen for fans of Ellis High School sports teams.
Nov. 10: Musical a beautiful selection. Hays High School presents "Disney's Beauty and the Beast."
Nov. 11: Portion of Nex-Tech sold to Michigan company. CountyWorks to join Hays company bought by Manatron earlier in 2008.
Nov. 12: Veterans honored. Northwest Kansas turns out for a tip of the cap to those who served.
Nov. 13: Where Redmen reign. The HDN's Friday Night Tours takes a closer look at the historic run of the Smith Center Redmen.
Nov. 14: Big-time game. All of northwest Kansas has its eyes on La Crosse, where two powerhouse football teams prepare to square off.
Nov. 16: Redmen at 65 and counting. Smith Center knocks off La Crosse to extend its record-setting winning streak.
Nov. 17: Owner creates jobs, opportunity. A closer look at Joseph Boeckner's entrepreneurial spirit.
Nov. 18: Sunflower files federal lawsuit. Hays utility looks for judicial help to build coal-fired plants in southwest Kansas.
Nov. 19: FHSU coach honored. Local law enforcement gives FHSU coach Greg Bryant a nod for his efforts in capturing a rape suspect.
Nov. 20: Bust nets seven arrests. Months of investigation leads to federal drug trafficking charges for Hays residents.
Nov. 21: Lining up in the "Twilight." Teens flock to the Hays theater for a first look at the anticipated vampire romance "Twilight."
Nov. 23: A breath of divinity. Josh Werth is ordained a deacon at St. Anthony Church in Schoenchen.
Nov. 24: Fundraiser helps children's center. Fox Pavilion plays host to Christmas Tree Lane & Auction, which wil benefit the Hays Area Children's Center.
Nov. 25: Weber's walks. Hays physical education teacher Patty Weber named the state's top PE teacher of the year.
Nov. 26: Scholarship funding in flux. The FHSU Foundation reports the shaky national economy has taken its toll on endowment scholarships.
Nov. 27: Stuffing Rush County. Mary Leidig provides a free Thanksgiving meal for all comers.
Nov. 28: Thanks (for) giving. Ellis County Ministerial Alliance feeds scores at its annual community Thanksgiving dinner.
Nov. 30: Part of it all. St. Fidelis Catholic Church in Victoria kicks off centennial celebrations.
Dec. 1: WaKeeney lights it up. "Christmas City of the High Plains" powers up its Christmas spirit.
Dec. 2: Night lights. Rare celestial phenomenon lights up the night sky of northwest Kansas.
Dec. 3: Pound for pound. Mixed martial arts fighters prepared for a sanctioned event in Hays.
Dec. 4: Summer classes get cut. Citing budget concerns, FHSU opts to limit summer courses to online-only for the upcoming year.
Dec. 5: EnerSys lays off more employees. Hays battery plant lays off 45 more employees.
Dec. 7: Celebrating Christmas past. Historic Fort Hays offers visitors a glimpse into Christmases long ago.
Dec. 8: Parade puts smiles on faces. Downtown Hays is packed, as people line the streets for a look at the annual FrostFest parade.
Dec. 9: Suspect will face trial. Kenneth Eugene Wilson ordered to stand trial for the March murder of Scott Noel in Portis.
Dec. 10: Apartments planned at Hadley. Owner Dave VanDoren announces plans for 35 independent-living apartments.
Dec. 11: Residents eye line proposal. High-power transmission line proposed to cut a swath through northwest Kansas.
Dec. 12: Russell fest continues to grow. Weihnachtsfest brings German food and heritage to the forefront.
Dec. 14: FBI investigates Brooke. Officials accused of diverting funds for the their own benefit.
Dec. 15: Cathedral Christmas. Hundreds flock to St. Fidelis in Victoria to take part in the annual Cathedral Concert.
Dec. 16: Snow gone; cold isn't. While the snow has stopped falling, bitter cold now envelops the region.
Dec. 17: FHSU grad named Health Hero. Brenda Pfizenmaier of Ottawa is one of two HealthyKansas Hometown Health Heroes announced by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.
Dec. 18: High marks. Schools in Ellis and Victoria earn state honors for academics.
Dec. 19: Ice arrives. Ellis County at the heart of winter's first icy event.
Dec. 21: Slowdown hits Adronics. Hays auto supplier extends annual shutdown in light of automotive industry's turmoil.
Dec. 22: City's cat control program working. Local animal control experts explain their methods of curbing feral cats in Hays.
Dec. 23: Fort Hays could delay soccer plans. University announces new athletic program could be pushed back to 2011.
Dec. 24: Leidig at it again. La Crosse woman again behind the stove, this time cooking free Christmas dinner for Rush County residents.
Dec. 25: TMP students bring Nativity to life. Students take to the stage to tell the tale of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Dec. 26: Cancer tribute nearly complete. Hays art teacher James Mages is putting the finishing touches on a "Leaves of Life" display bound for Hays Medical Center.
Dec. 28: Local shopping strong. Hays retailers buck the national trend and report a successful holiday shopping season.
Dec. 29: Something chrome and loud. Couple opts for a Harley dealership, exchanging vows at Doerfler Harley-Davidson/Buell in Hays.
Dec. 30: Cable companies working to complete deals. Negotiations aimed at keeping network-affiliated stations on the air.
Dec. 31: Cafe closes. Gorham Cafe goes out of business after 14 years.
The staff of the Hays Daily News wishes you and yours a happy, healthy and prosperous 2009.