900 block of 150th Ave closed (from Munjor Rd north to Mt. Pleasant Rd)
Due to weather-related damage, the 900 block of 150th Avenue from Munjor Road north to Mt. Pleasant Road is closed due to weather-related damage. This road will be closed to…
News
Dylan Bryant appointed to Ellis County Library Board
Last week, Ellis County Commissioners appointed Dylan Bryant to the Ellis County Library Board. Mr.
Commissioners turn down Gorham's Road Assistance Request
On Tuesday, September 16, 2024, Ellis County Commissioners declined the City of Gorham’s appeal for help with a 2025 chip seal street project of approximately 20,000 square yards. Last week when Gorham City Superintendent Justin Soukup presented his City’s written request for assistance, he opened his remarks by stating that Gorham was not sure if it was even an option to ask for Ellis County to “come over a mile into another county and do any work.” “We ran into problems with Russell County with their equipment and personnel and we were looking for other options for doing chip sealing on our streets.
Tax Foreclosure Sales initiated for 15 Ellis County properties
Last week, Ellis County Commissioners unanimously authorized County Counselor Bill Jeter to initiate foreclosure sales of 15 properties for delinquent taxes.
Timeline revised for K-383 modernization final phase
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) recently announced that the schedule has been revised for the final phase of modernization for 26 miles of K-383 in Norton and Phillips counties. According to the September 18, 2025 KDOT Press Release, to allow additional time to complete right of way acquisition and necessary utility relocations, the bidding for the project is expected to begin in December 2026 with work occurring during the 2027 and 2028 construction seasons.
9/23 County Commission Work Session at new PW Facility
At 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 the Ellis County Commission Work Session will be held at the new Public Works (PW) facility (1681 250th Avenue.) Work Sessions are open to the public but are not live-streamed or recorded.
City finds path to RNR for 2026, decreases mill .671
Last week, Hays City Commissioners unanimously approved an amended 2026 Budget with the Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) mill levy of 24.382. The previously published proposed City Budget for next year with a flat 25 mill levy, described by Commissioners as “very conservative” exceeded the RNR by approximately .671 mills (an estimated $200.000.) Therefore, at the September 11, 2025 City Commission Meeting, as required by state statute, a Public Hearing on the City’s presumed intent to exceed the RNR preceded a Public Hearing on the City’s proposed 2026 Budget.
Meet the new HAC Executive Director Reich on Sept 25th
From 9 – 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 25, 2025, the Hays Arts Council (HAC) Board is inviting all community members to stop by the Hays Arts Center to meet new HAC Executive Director Chandler Reich.
USDA to invest up to $18 million in farm to school grants
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it had improved and expanded its Farm to School Grant program and would invest up to $18 million to connect locally grown food to child nutrition programs.
Only 8 Medicaid overpayments to WCKSEC in 7 years
A statewide review of Medicaid overpayments for special education services uncovered that of the 35 payments received by WCKSEC in seven years, only eight payments required adjustment. WCKSEC (West Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative #708) provides special education services for five local school districts, including USD 489 with Hays the Sponsoring District.