Ellis County KS Scanner

11/05/2025

On November 3rd, 2025, at approximately 10:30PM, a Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper conducting regular patrol witnessed a vehicle coming at him at a high rate of speed on I-70 at mile marker 183 westbound. The Trooper put his patrol car into the median ready to stop the vehicle, however the driver of the vehicle had other plans. The vehicle, described as a white SUV went by the Trooper at 112 miles per hour and took off from him doing speeds of 130 miles per hour. Troopers, along with Ellis county units quickly went to interstate to try to help stop the vehicle and intercept. The Trooper stated he was in the median when the vehicle went by, and later turned on his front emergency lights. At 10:47PM, the Trooper declared he would be in pursuit of the vehicle. The vehicle exited at Hays, however he got right back onto interstate. The vehicle slowed down to 70 miles per hour, and the Trooper took the vehicle out using a tactical vehicle technique. The white male driver, decided to continue to drive through a field and got back onto I-70 around mile marker 152. One of the Troopers got out of the pursuit due to a flat tire. The pursuit came to an end near mile marker 150/149. There was no other vehicle damage besides the flat tire. There was no KHP injuries.

11/04/2025

11-4-25 - 3:00pm - Vehicle wrecked out near Russell/Ellis county line. Traffic backing up quick.

11/04/2025

11-4-25
KHP is currently pursuing a vehicle inside Russell county coming into Ellis county westbound, suspect DUI driver with a Georgia license plate

11/04/2025

City of Hays launches new utility bill payment system

HAYS, Kan. (Nov. 4, 2025) — The City of Hays has launched an updated online utility bill payment system, offering residents new features designed to streamline monthly utility bill payments.

The update will allow for e-billing and introduce the option for reoccurring credit or debit card payments.

The new system is designed to provide residents with greater convenience and flexibility in managing their City of Hays utility accounts.

While the system has changed, the location to access the online payment portal remains the same, accessible via the HaysUSA.com website.

“We understand that residents value convenience, and this new system delivers significant upgrades,” said city clerk Jami Breit. “The ability to enroll in e-billing will help our community save paper, and the new feature for recurring card payments means customers can literally ‘set it and forget it.’ It's about providing simpler, more reliable options for everyone.”

The City of Hays emphasized that all customers who wish to continue paying online will be required to set up a new account in the updated system.

To register for the first time, residents will need their customer number and account number, both of which are printed on their utility bill.

Director of Finance Kim Rupp said the new system is a result of ongoing efforts to improve the resident utility bill pay experience.

“Our primary goal with this update was to simplify the process while maintaining a high standard of service,” Rupp said. “This streamlined interface is designed to be very user friendly. Additionally, we are introducing a new automated system for those who pay over the phone, further expanding accessibility.”

The city confirmed that several existing payment methods will continue without requiring customers to take action, including those who are already set up with auto-pay through a bank account.

Customers can also continue to pay in person at City Hall, 1507 Main St., or by using the drop boxes.

Payments are accepted by mail at P.O. Box 490, Hays, KS 67601.

City Hall hours for in-person payments are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Friday.

For more information, residents can visit HaysUSA.com/billing or call the city at (785) 628-7300.
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The City is divided into four areas for meter reading and billing purposes.

11/03/2025

MISSING TEEN ALERT! A central Kansas teen is on the move again.

Breauna Marie Russell (aka Breauna Marie West) was last seen on Oct. 26, 2025, in Great Bend. I shared her story with you before when she went missing on March 10 in Ellsworth.

BREAUNA MARIE RUSSELL
Missing since: Oct. 26, 2025
Missing from: Great Bend, KS
Age then: 17
Height: 5’8’’
Weight: 170
Hair color: Brown
Eye color: Brown
Distinguishing features: Pierced ears, nose piercing

If anyone has information on Breauna’s whereabouts, please contact the Great Bend Police Department at (620) 793-4120. “Anyone found to be harboring Breauna will have criminal charges filed against them,” police share. You an also call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children with your anonymous tip at (800) THE-LOST.



NCIC # M938648327

11/03/2025

7 Day Weather Outlook
Posted: 11/3/25 at 7AM
There are currently no hazards.
It currently is 42 degrees.

Today Sunny, with a high near 62. North northeast wind 11 to 15 mph becoming east southeast in the afternoon.

Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. East southeast wind 7 to 10 mph becoming south southwest after midnight.

Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 75. West southwest wind 6 to 9 mph.

Tuesday Night Clear, with a low around 44. South southwest wind 6 to 9 mph becoming north northwest after midnight.

Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 66. North wind 9 to 11 mph becoming east in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 40.

Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.

Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 42.

Friday Sunny, with a high near 67.

Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 42.

Saturday Sunny, with a high near 66.

Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 35.

Sunday Sunny, with a high near 56.

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween!
Hope everyone has a good Halloween and remains safe while doing so - regardless if you are going out trick or treating with your little ones, or participating at the bars.

10/29/2025

We have received some messages about a police standoff around 13th and Vine area in the past couple hours. We have confirmed there was a police presence in the area stationary near a residence.
We do not know if this incident is still active. If we receive any updates we will post them via this page.

10/27/2025

Fall Residential Cleanup 2025 Complete
The 2025 Annual Residential Fall Cleanup areas for trash and tree limb pickup have been completed. The City of Hays thanks you for your cooperation. If you have any questions, please contact the Public Works Department at (785) 628-7350

10/27/2025

7 Day Weather Outlook
Posted: 10/27/25 9:00AM
It currently is 51 degrees.

Hazards:DAY ONE...Today and Tonight
Showers and a few isolated thunderstorms will be possible tonight
across central Kansas and a portion of southwest Kansas, generally
northeast of a Garden City to Ashland line. However, severe weather
is not expected.
DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

Near to below freezing temperatures are expected across much of
southwest Kansas early Wednesday morning with more widespread
below freezing temperatures early Thursday morning.

Today A chance of sprinkles with a slight chance of drizzle before noon, then a chance of sprinkles between noon and 2pm. Areas of fog before noon. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 57. South southeast wind 8 to 14 mph.

Tonight Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 3am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 3am and 4am, then a chance of showers after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. South southeast wind 10 to 15 mph becoming north northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday A 10 percent chance of showers before 7am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Windy, with a north northwest wind 22 to 28 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.

Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 20 to 23 mph.

Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 52. Breezy, with a north wind 20 to 22 mph.

Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 29.

Thursday Sunny, with a high near 59.

Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 33.

Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.

Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.

Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.

Sunday Sunny, with a high near 69.

10/26/2025

Rain Totals (Posted: 10/26/25)
Reported by Hays Regional Airport
Correct 10/24/25 - 0.04"
10/25/25 - 0.19"
10/26/25 - 0.01"
How much moisture did you receive?

10/25/2025

Rain totals -
Reported by Hays Regional Airport
10/24/25 - 0.02"