Hays Daily News, 507 B Main Street, Hays, KS (2025)

02/26/2025

The Ellis City Council unanimously approved an ordinance authorizing the operation of golf carts on street within the city limits. Ordinance No. 1499 states that golf carts are allowed on public highways, streets, roads and alleys with posted speed limits of 30 miles per hour or less. The Ordinance also requires golf carts operators to be 18 years of age or older, with a valid driver’s license.

The Ellis City Council unanimously approved an ordinance authorizing the operation of golf carts on street within the city limits. Ordinance No.

02/26/2025

Eight financial reports were unanimously approved for the months of January and February 2025 during the February 17 USD489 Board of Education meeting, prepared and presented by Assistant Superintendent for Business Services Chris Hipp.

Board Member Allen Park requested the Financial Reports be removed from the Consent Agenda, which per the BOE’s adopted rules of Parliamentary Procedure allow for several items to be approved by a single motion. Any Board member may request any Consent Agenda item be removed for a separate discussion and vote. Several of Park’s fellow Board members acknowledged his right to remove the Financial Reports from the Consent Agenda while questioning his need to repeatedly do so.

Eight financial reports were unanimously approved for the months of January and February 2025 during the February 17 USD489 Board of Education meeting, prepared and presented by Assistant Superintendent for Business Services Chris Hipp.

02/26/2025

Commissioners will be presented and are expected to approve six contracts for the 2025 Street Maintenance Program, all to be funded out of the Special Highway – Budgeted Projects, including purchase of materials for in-house work for items including asphalt and concrete, as well as sidewalk rebates.

Three bids will be considered from Morgan Brothers: 58,500 for Curb and Brick Repairs; $75,050 for the Depot Alley and the Alley at 8th and Oak; and $124,652.78 for the 19th Street Concrete Paving Project.

The other three bids of the 2025 Street Maintenance Program include $259,232.70 for the 19th Street Concrete Paving Project from Bettis Asphalt & Construction, Inc.; $226,800 for Seal Coat from Circle C Paving and Construction.

Commissioners will be presented and are expected to approve six contracts for the 2025 Street Maintenance Program, all to be funded out of the Special Highway - Budgeted Projects, including purchase of materials for in-house work for items including asphalt and concrete, as well as sidewalk rebates....

02/26/2025

The installation of the new Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system begins this week, per the City of Hays website on February 24, 2025. The installation, expected to take six months, will replace every residential and commercial water meter in Hays with upgraded technology capable of wirelessly sending usage data to the Department of Water Resources.

“It’s our goal to enhance accuracy in water usage reporting, detect leaks more swiftly, and offer better customer service,” said Water Resources Director Jeff Crispin.

According to the Feb. 24, 2025, News Flash, postcards with more information will be sent to all properties in the city and door hangers will be left at each property once an upgrade is completed.

The installation of the new Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system begins this week, per the City of Hays website on February 24, 2025. The installation, expected to take six months, will replace every residential and commercial water meter in Hays with upgraded technology capable of wireless...

02/26/2025

During the February 21 Thomas More Prep-Marian home basketball game against the Norton Blue Jays, both the 2024-2025 seniors and 2025 Sweetheart candidates were honored.

Sweetheart queen candidates included Ella Bain, Ainsleigh Bain, Shalee Gottschalk and Macara Rohr. King candidates included Heuer Brungardt, Caleb Marintzer, Austin Gilbert and Treger Williby.

Macara Rohr was crowned Sweetheart Queen, Caleb Marintzer crowned Sweetheart King.

TMP seniors included:

Jake Brady, son of Bryan and Courtney Brady and four-year member of Monarch basketball and Pop Singers. Brady plans to continue his education at Emporia State University and major in Business Administration.

During the February 21 Thomas More Prep-Marian home basketball game against the Norton Blue Jays, both the 2024-2025 seniors and 2025 Sweetheart candidates were honored.

02/26/2025

A down payment for new indoor and outdoor video scoreboards at the new Hays High School has been approve, 5-2, during the Feb. 17 USD489 Board of Education meeting, in the amount of $777,680.

Board President Curt Vajnar, Vice President Jayme Goetz and fellow Board Members Ken Brooks, Ruth Ruder and Meagan Zampieri-Lillpopp voted in favor of the measure; Board Members Allen Park and Derek Yarmer opposed.

Superintendent Ron Wilson, who presented scoreboards for the football, softball and gymnasiums for approval, noted that the new scoreboards will add components to the HHS Video Broadcasting Curriculum that previously have not been passable.

A down payment for new indoor and outdoor video scoreboards at the new Hays High School has been approve, 5-2, during the Feb. 17 USD489 Board of Education meeting, in the amount of $777,680.

02/26/2025

The Monarchs run in the new year has proved fruitful, allowing both the girls and boys teams to act as host in the first round of sub-state matchups beginning tomorrow night. Their Friday night sweep of the Norton Bluejays was pivotal in their role as host in postseason play.

The victory earned the Monarchs a No. 8 seed in the Class 2A Sublette bracket. Their first round will be against Medicine Lodge (10-10) tomorrow night at 6.

The remaining matchups in the 2A Sublette bracket include: No. 1 Leoti (19-1) vs. No. 16 Sublette (0-18); No. 4 Hoxie (17-3) vs. No. 13 Sterling (4-15); No. 5 Oakley (15-5) vs. No. 12 Trego (5-15); No. 2 Ellinwood (17-2) vs. No. 15 Hill City (1-17); No. 7 Syracuse (11-8) vs. No. 10 Stanton County (9-10); No. 3 Phillipsburg (17-3) vs. No. 14 Plainville (4-16) and No. 6 Sylvan-Lucas (12-8) vs. No. 11 Smith Center (6-13).

The boys home win allowed the Monarchs one more opportunity to perform on their home court, tomorrow night as they host No. 9 Medicine Lodge (11-9) at 7:30.

The remaining matchups in the 2A sub-state bracket include No. 1 Sterling (16-3) vs. No. 1 6 Phillipsburg (7-14); No. 4 Sylvan-Lucas (15-6) vs. No. 13 Leoti (8-12); No. 5 Stanton County (13-6) vs. No. 12 Sublette (8-11); No. 2 Syracuse (15-4) vs. No. 15 Hill City (7-12); No. 7 Ellinwood (11-8) vs. No. 10 Trego (9-11); No. 3 Plainville (15-5) vs. No. 14 Smith Center (7-12) and No. 6 Hoxie (13-7) vs. No. 11 Oakley (9-12).

The Monarchs run in the new year has proved fruitful, allowing both the girls and boys teams to act as host in the first round of sub-state matchups beginning tomorrow night. Their Friday night sweep of the Norton Bluejays was pivotal in their role as host in postseason play.

02/22/2025

With his signing to play football for Fort Hays State University, Hays High senior Wyatt Kirkpatrick made history for the Indian football program.

Kirkpatrick, who played linebacker for Hays High, becomes the first Indian to start in a state championship game and also sign to play football at the next level.

“He had a lot to do with the culture to get our program to the level where we could get to a state championship,” Hays High coach Tony Crough said.

Indians' Kirkpatrick makes 'snap' decision

02/22/2025

Discussions between the Ellis County Commission and Hays City Commission concluded that both sitting bodies will take place in a formal vote at their next two meetings to formalize their cooperation in 48th Street repairs as well as asphalt improvements to Vineyard Avenue and Commerce Road Avenue.

The city previously committed to funding $200,000 towards a joint County-City project for 48th Street repairs, in support of the County’s unsuccessful attempts to secure state cost-share grant funding for the project. The City’s proposed cost-share for the Vineyard Rd and Commerce Road Project is $177,000. During the Feb. 20, 2025, City Work Session, the Commission, by consensus, moved this proposal forward for vote at its next meeting, Feb. 27, 2025.

Once the City Commission approves a cost-share funding commitment to both projects, the County Commission is expected on Mar. 4, 2025, to accept bids from Bettis Asphalt & Construction for both projects. The total for the 48th Street Project including the required 1% bonding is $4,19,302.51 and for the Vineyard Avenue and Commerce Road. including the required bonding is $8,650,229.63.

Discussions between the Ellis County Commission and Hays City Commission concluded that both sitting bodies will take place in a formal vote at their next two meetings to formalize their cooperation in 48th Street repairs as well as asphalt improvements to Vineyard Avenue and Commerce Road Avenue. T...

02/22/2025

Valentines Day 2025 saw the commencement of work within the O’Loughlin Elementary School Bond Constriction Project, as announced by Superintendent Ron Wilson at the February 17 Board of Education Regular Meeting.

Wilson reminded the Board that while work has begun on the road, the main event will take place on March 6, with the groundbreaking to be held at 2.

The USD489 Board of Education (BOE) on Sept. 23, 2024, approved, with a 5-2 vote, Nabholz Constructions $14,493,478 Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for O’Loughlin Elementary School Additions and Renovations as part of the bond construction project.

Prior to the vote, Architect Mike Fahey from the District’s architectural group, DLR Design Group, stated that of all of the district schools, O’Loughlin was the most in need of renovations and additions, functionally.

Last spring, Fahey had summarized the DLR Group’s approach and design process for the O’Loughlin Bond Construction Project. At that time he stated that the goal was to add 10,000-12,000 square feet to the existing building (46,000 square feet) as well as increase site circulation to alleviate Hall Street traffic congestion during drop off and pick up times.

Valentines Day 2025 saw the commencement of work within the O'Loughlin Elementary School Bond Constriction Project, as announced by Superintendent Ron Wilson at the February 17 Board of Education Regular Meeting.

02/22/2025

In the old days of steam engines, how did a locomotive turn around to go the other direction when it came to the end of the track? It required a turnaround station.

Stone sign of the Santa Fe Train Depot in front of the renovated buildingIn the 1800s, the turnaround station in one rural Kansas community literally needed all available men in town to turn the train around. It is one aspect of the fascinating history of this town whose citizens have saved its historic Santa Fe depot and remodeled it for the benefit of the community.

Last week we met Lois and Gilbert Wenz, the owners and founders of Wenz Interiors in Holyrood. Lois told us about the remarkable history of Holyrood and the preservation and remodeling of the community’s historic train depot.

Holyrood (pronounced Holly-ruud) has an interesting history. Holyrood was founded in 1874 and was established as a city in 1886.

In the old days of steam engines, how did a locomotive turn around to go the other direction when it came to the end of the track? It required a turnaround station.

02/22/2025

In his directorial debut with the Hays Community Theatre, Bill Gasper presents “Leaving Iowa”, a journey through the life of Don Browning and his late father, his family and their shared experiences throughout the Heartland.

“I have not worked with a community theater group for many, many years, since I lived in Hoxie, so it was kind of a new experience from working with high school students for the last 25 years,” Gasper said. “But it’s been great because they bring a lot of experience, the coaching, they just kind of get it because they’ve been a part of many, many shows.”

“Leaving Iowa” is a critically acclaimed play first introduced to audiences by Tim Clue and Spike Manton. The family friendly comedy opens on an all-too-familiar scene of the classic family road trip. A father eager for adventure, with a hunger for history and world experience, leads his family down a road trip that leaves son Don and sister begging for home, his wife nagging for mile markers and sensibility. The story cultivates the characters’ relationships as chaotic and distant, while also demonstrating love and adoration.

In his directorial debut with the Hays Community Theatre, Bill Gasper presents “Leaving Iowa”, a journey through the life of Don Browning and his late father, his family and their shared experiences throughout the Heartland.

02/19/2025

A match up ensued Monday night between Thomas More Prep-Marian and Oakley, the girls' teams fighting for the No. 3 spot in Mid Continent League rankings. The Monarchs came up short in an overtime battle, falling 55-49 to the host team.

Brooke Koenigsman ended the contest with 20 points, the game leader, followed by Gracyn Schippers with 15.

Now 11-9, the Monarchs continue their fight to the top of MCL standings, sitting in fourth behind Oakley, Phillipsburg and Hoxie. A win over Norton Friday night could potentially secure the Monarchs a No. 3 spot in the final MCL standings.

MCL standings
Hoxie (17-2, 10-0); Phillipsburg (16-3, 10-0); Oakley (14-5, 7-3); TMP (11-9, 7-4); Russell (10-9, 7-5); Norton (8-11, 5-6); Smith Center (5-12, 3-6); Ellis (8-11, 3-8); Trego (5-13, 2-6); Plainville (4-15, 2-8); Hill City (1-17, 0-10)

Will Eck stole the show Monday night, leading the Monarchs to a 64-36 victory over the Plainsmen, improving their season record to 10-9 (6-2 in MCL), now third in conference standings. The tides turned for TMP seemingly as the new year hit, starting 2025 as a bottom three team in the MCL, improving to the top three with a 9-4 record since January 1.

With a game leading quarter under his belt, Eck decided to top his own performance, knocking down 15 points to put his team back in front 51-25. A running clock would begin as the fourth quarter opened, the Buffs cruising to a tenth victory this season.

The Monarchs will use their final outing of the season to fight for a top three finish, taking on No. 1 Norton this Friday. The Bluejays have not lost to an MCL opponent this season.

MCL standings
Norton (14-4, 8-0); Plainville (13-6, 9-2); TMP 10-9 (6-2); Phillipsburg (7-13, 6-4); Hoxie (12-7, 6-5); Russell (9-9, 5-5); Trego (9-9, 4-5); Ellis (8-11, 3-6); Smith Center (5-12, 3-6); Hill City (7-11, 2-9); Oakley (8-11, 1-9)

A match up ensued Monday night between Thomas More Prep-Marian and Oakley, the girls teams fighting for the No. 3 spot in Mid Continent League rankings. The Monarchs came up short in an overtime battle, falling 55-49 to the host team.

02/19/2025

On Feb. 13, 2025, R9 Property Manager Chris Smith reported to the Hays City Commission that the R9 Ranch Walk-In Hunting Access (WIHA) program was once again very well utilized and appreciated by hunters from across the state and the country.

Smith explained that prior to this year’s hunting season, a map with QR codes to nine City web pages was developed for the R9 Ranch kiosk to help show visitors the scale and layout of the property. He stated that Convention and Visitor Bureau Executive Director Melissa Dixon, who collaborated on the map project, reviewed the QR code hits post hunting season and found the majority were from out of state. QR hits were reported from visitors from Canada, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Wyoming, and Kansas.

On Feb. 13, 2025, R9 Property Manager Chris Smith reported to the Hays City Commission that the R9 Ranch Walk-In Hunting Access (WIHA) program was once again very well utilized and appreciated by hunters from across the state and the country.

02/19/2025

R9 Project Manager John Braun concluded his Feb. 13, 2025, update to the Hays City Commission by noting that all funding, easement acquisition and design activities lead towards entering contracts for construction of both the pipeline and the well field components in late 2025-early 2026.

Braun opened his remarks by reporting that since his last update to the Commission in October 2024, survey work has been completed while progress has also made in his four other areas of focus: funding sources, easement acquisition, wellfield design and pipeline design.

He reminded Commissioners that in July 2024, Hays and Russell were awarded a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Direct Technical Assistance (BRIC DTA) grant which is aimed to help the R9 Pipeline Project resubmit a more competitive federal BRIC grant in early 2025.

R9 Project Manager John Braun concluded his Feb. 13, 2025, update to the Hays City Commission by noting that all funding, easement acquisition and design activities lead towards entering contracts for construction of both the pipeline and the well field components in late 2025-early 2026.

02/19/2025

Mayor Sandy Jacobs presented three Mayoral appointments for City Commission approval during the Feb. 13 meeting, thanking all volunteers who serve on City Boards.

“All of our Boards are currently full, which is nice. We have in the past had to spend time filling them but everything’s full right now. And today we’re looking at approval of Jeremy Gill to a three-year term for the CVB [Convention and Visitors Bureau] Advisory Board, Jo Ann Morse to the Housing Authority Board and Annette Noble to the Northwest Kansas Community Corrections and Juvenile Services Board,” Mayor Jacobs said. Commissioners unanimously approved the appointments.

Mayor Sandy Jacobs presented three Mayoral appointments for City Commission approval during the Feb. 13 meeting, thanking all volunteers who serve on City Boards.

02/19/2025

The Kansas Supreme Court recently appointed Senior Judge Nancy Parrish for the cities of Hays and Russell in the 24th Kansas Judicial Court against Edward County for illegal zoning practices. Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty updated the City Commission on Feb. 13 on the R9 Regulatory and Legal Proceedings.

City Manager Toby Dougherty explained that the 24th District’s Chief Judge Bruce T. Gatterman had recused himself from the proceedings because he has interactions with the Edwards County Commissioners because they are in the same building.

According to City Manager Dougherty, following Judge Gatterman’s recusal, another senior judge was first appointed; however, he also realized he had a conflict, and the Supreme Court then appointed Senior Judge Parrish.

“She [Senior Judge Parrish] is out of Shawnee County. She’s had a lot of different roles and spent a lot of time in criminal court in Shawnee County, District Court. So, it’s my understanding she is ready to roll. She’s trying to schedule a hearing on a couple procedural motions right now, so we’re hoping this gets moving now that we have a judge in place,” Dougherty said.

The Kansas Supreme Court recently appointed Senior Judge Nancy Parrish for the cities of Hays and Russell in the 24th Kansas Judicial Court against Edward County for illegal zoning practices. Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty updated the City Commission on Feb.

02/19/2025

The Strategic Affiliation between Fort Hays State University, Fort Hays Tech | North Central, and Fort Hays Tech | Northwest officially launched in July of 2024, and the close collaboration that has been the hallmark of this initiative has yielded successes in five key areas:

1. Charting new academic pathways
2. Creating powerful professional relationships
3. Reducing unnecessary administrative obstacles for students
4. Sharing resources
5. Engaging with regional business and industry
6. What follows is a summary of these early successes.

The Strategic Affiliation between Fort Hays State University, Fort Hays Tech | North Central, and Fort Hays Tech | Northwest officially launched in July of 2024, and the close collaboration that has been the hallmark of this initiative has yielded successes in five key areas: Charting new academic p...

Hays Daily News

02/26/2025

02/26/2025

02/26/2025

02/26/2025

02/26/2025

02/26/2025

02/26/2025

02/22/2025

02/22/2025

02/22/2025

02/22/2025

02/22/2025

02/19/2025

02/19/2025

02/19/2025

02/19/2025

02/19/2025

02/19/2025

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Contact The Business

Videos

STATE BOUND!! x2

STATE BOUND!

Shortcuts

Share

Category