Mayor Mason Ruder likes to point out he was four years old in 1995 when the city of Hays purchased the R9 Ranch in Edwards County as a long-term water supply. Now, 28 years later, the project is finally picking up speed, especially in the past year. “Every day is now an R9 Ranch Day,” Ruder declared with a smile during last week’s city commission meeting. City Manager Toby Dougherty updated commissioners on the R9 water transfer process. It started in February 2014 when the then-city commission voted to apply to the state to change the water use from agricultural irrigation to municipal, and begin the approval process.
Source: Hays Post

The Kansas State Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament Saturday and Sunday in Hutchinson could bring in some big business to the Salt City, said Richard Gadbury, who will run the tournament…. Gadbury, owner of the Reno County Boxing Academy, said the Golden Gloves state tournament will draw boxers and their families from all over Kansas. “We are hoping to see 300-500 friends, family and fans attend the event,” Gadbury said. “We went the extra mile this year as far as advertising, and we were also able to get some awesome sponsorship opportunities from local businesses. “In our area, the State Golden Gloves shows consistently brings in a crown of around 500 fans, and 15-20 tournament entries. However, by all metrics, those numbers are on the rise. In the next couple of years, KO Golden Gloves is hoping to double the amount of tournament entries out of Kansas. Local gyms such RCBA, Alley Boxing. KO Boxing, Villa Boxing and Hernandez Boxing each have a strong stable of competitors that will be turning 18, therefore opening the door for more participants.”
Source: Hutch News

The size of the applicant pool for Topeka firefighter’s jobs has dwindled in recent years, to the point where fire Chief Randy Phillips said only 20 to 25 people applied each time testing was offered. But a move made last week may have sparked a turnaround. Phillips announced Jan. 11 that the department, which has historically hired only certified emergency medical technicians, was doing away with that requirement. Applicants who lack EMT certification — and are subsequently hired — will instead receive that training once they start work, he said. “This is another way for us to attract the best and the brightest, and we see this change as a way to remove a potential barrier for those who have interest in joining our ranks,” Phillips said.
Source: CJonline