Hays Daily News

Hays Daily News YOUR local voice of the High Plains. Hays Daily News is published by CherryRoad Media Division. © Publishes Sunday to Friday. Online at www.HDNews.net

Past Buckeye donations have been used to help purchase wildland firefighting protective gear and other needed equipment....
01/03/2026

Past Buckeye donations have been used to help purchase wildland firefighting protective gear and other needed equipment. The ECFD used the 2024 Buckeye donation to purchase a fire truck-shaped bounce house for use at all County fire functions, open houses and educational events including “Go Truck Go.”

This year’s donation will be used to reimburse the costs associated with completing the Mini 80 project for Company 8 in Schoenchen. This project, also funded by a grant from the United States Department of Interior, includes an aluminum bed, lights and siren, radio installation, and building modifications.

https://www.hdnews.net/buckeye-support-of-ecfd-continues/

01/02/2026

Security Resource Officer Austin Spencer recently told the USD489 School Board he does not foresee a need for additional help with the new Hays High School / Hays Middle School campus. The Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the District is that SRO Spencer works at HHS and supports HMS through weekly visits and/or if called by the HMS principal.

“Yes it’s a big campus. At the High School I don’t think there are issues. I feel like I can get anywhere in the school in a pretty good amount of time,” said SRO Spencer. He added that in the case of the HMS, previously if he were called, he had to leave the HHS and drive to HMS. “I can get there much faster than going across town,” SRO Spencer said. He reminded the Board that all the District’s principals know if they have some “really big” happen, they know to call dispatch to get more officers on the scene. “There are already plans in place but I’m able to manage,” said SRO Spencer.

“I would like to hear an updated report at the end of this next semester with the campus being full. If you ever need help or feel like it’s overwhelming, we want to know because your job is very, very important to the District,” said Board Member Ruth Ruder.

FULL STORY FOR SUBSCRIBERS:

From all of us at your local paper to all of you readers, ad customers and subscribers, thanks for your continued suppor...
01/01/2026

From all of us at your local paper to all of you readers, ad customers and subscribers, thanks for your continued support! Have a safe and happy new year!

01/01/2026

During the Joint City Commission/HRC Meeting, it was reported that pool attendance for all City pools during the Summer 2025 was down slightly compared to 2024, which Parks Director Jeff Boyle attributed to the pools opening eight days later this year. The delayed openings were related to the last day of school for USD489 because most of the lifeguards are Hays High School students.

In addition to financial questions raised by Commissioner Musil, Vice Mayor Mason Ruder inquired who owns the land where the Wilson pool is located.

“USD489 actually loans the land and the City began leasing it from the District in, I believe it was 1970,” said Parks Director Boyle. He explained that the majority of the cost to build the Wilson pool was paid through a Kansas Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant. Parks Director Boyle stated that the pool was built in 1971 for $96,000 and in 1991 the City received additional grants to repair the roof and add on the ADA restroom at the east end of the building.

“The LWCF funding for that pool is a significant thing. It’s not something where we can say we’re just done with it. There’s language on those documents where we are supposed to do our best to keep that facility open forever,” said Parks Director Boyle.

“I think it's probably worthy of discussion down the road. I'm really out of my realm of thinking of eliminating a neighborhood pool, but we certainly have to put the numbers to it,” said Mayor Sandy Jacobs.

https://www.hdnews.net/wilson-pool-future-uncertain/

12/31/2025

After playing what Indian coach Tony Crough called the toughest schedule in school history, several players on the Hays High football team received postseason honors.

12/31/2025

On January 2, 2026, Ellis County rates for Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) disposal increase. However, the increase in per pound rate for HHW disposal will only affect individuals or businesses who have produced more than 55 lbs. of HHW and need to dispose of it.

“To clarify, the HHW rate increase won’t affect the average citizen of Ellis County. They can still bring tup to 55 pounds every month for free,” said Environmental Services Director Justin Craig on December 2nd. He explained to County Commissioners that the increases are mainly expected to affect businesses that generate more than 55 pounds every month.

FULL STORY AVAILABLE TO SUBSCRIBERS: https://www.hdnews.net/2026-county-hhw-disposal-rate-increases-not-expected-to-impact-average-citizen/

12/30/2025

Ellis County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) averaged less than 10 runs per day last month. Commissioner Nathan Leiker commented on the decrease in calls for assistance during the December 16, 2025 County Commission Meeting, noting that there were fewer calls in November 2025 (279) compared both to October 2025 (317) and November 2024 (308.)

Ellis County EMS reported that the Department responded in November 2025 to 248 calls (89.89%) in Hays, 19 in Ellis, 5 in Victoria, 3 each in Schoenchen and in WaKeeney and one call in Munjor.

https://www.hdnews.net/monthly-county-departmental-reports-5/

The 2100 block of Norfolk Road is closed due to field debris in the roadway and will remain closed to traffic for clean ...
12/29/2025

The 2100 block of Norfolk Road is closed due to field debris in the roadway and will remain closed to traffic for clean up Monday, Dec. 29 through Friday, Jan. 2. Also closed is the 1400 block of Grants Villa Road. The Ellis County Public Works Road & Bridge Division’s ongoing culvert replacement project in the area is expected to be completed, barring weather delays, by Friday, Jan. 9.

Motorists traveling in both closure areas are advised to take alternate routes.

In addition to these closures, the 1400 block of Yocemento Avenue will be reduced to one-lane beginning Tuesday, Dec. 30 for a rock overlay project.

https://www.hdnews.net/road-closures-to-impact-area-traffic/

12/29/2025

Water Conservation Specialist Holly Dickman offered residents a “friendly reminder” to take advantage of the City’s 2025 Water Conservation Rebates before the year ends.

“There’s still funding available for high efficiency toilet or washing machine rebates so please get those completed rebate forms and receipts turned in before New Year’s Day, if at all possible,” said Water Conservation Specialist Dickman at the December 16th City Press Briefing.

According to Dickman, water conservation incentives/rebate programs, in one form or another, have been in place in Hays since the early 1990s. She reports that in the eight years she has held the position, toilet rebates have been among the most popular. Per Water Conservation Specialist Dickman. She added that toilets are the main source of water use in the home and that by replacing 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf) with a 0.8 gpf toilet, the most efficient toilet which can be purchased locally at this time, will cut a residence’s toilet water use in half.

12/28/2025

The Ellis County Public Works Road & Bridge Division is announcing that a road repair project will be taking place in the 2400 block of 170th Avenue, starting on Monday, December 29th.

https://www.hdnews.net/road-repair-project-2/

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Hays, KS
67601

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