Dispatcher Rachel Barnes was honored with a second Stork Award at this week’s Ellis County Commission Meeting. Communications Director Jeff Ridgeway, who presented Dispatcher Barnes the award, noted that that it was her second Stork Award in the four years she has fielded 9-1-1 calls.
At Thursday’s September 11, 2025 Hays City Commission Meeting, Vice Mayor Mason Ruder used his personal comment time to read a prepared Patriot’s Day statement. He said that due to the importance of the topic, he’d written his remarks ahead of time.
Dear Readers, Normally (the Gods of Stringed Instruments willing) at this time of year I would be at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas. Unfortunately, this year I cannot attend but I’ve been following the event via my friends and social media.
Asking EricDear Eric: I have been married to a wonderful woman for more than 50 years. About five years ago, I discovered that she spends more than $4,000 a year on vitamins and supplements.
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.
Hays Symphony Orchestra presents “Fall Classics: Simply Strings,” tonight (Saturday, Sept. 20th) at 7:30 p.m.
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.
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.
Asking EricDear Eric: I recently had lunch with an old friend. We have known each other for more than 50 years and get together three or four times a year to catch up.
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.