Judge Richard Flax brings decades of experience to Hays court

HAYS—After retiring from the bench following almost three decades of service, Richard Flax decided he was not finished helping people. Flax is taking over as Hays Municipal Court Judge after Ross Wichman retired, having served in the position for 20 years. Flax said his decision to return to the courtroom was driven by the same motivation that guided him throughout his judicial career. 'I enjoy helping people,' he said. 'This is also something new to me and I'm excited to navigate the challenges.' Flax retired on April 6th of this year, after serving 29 years and four months as a district magistrate judge. The 23rd Judicial District includes Ellis, Gove, Rooks, and Trego Counties. (Hays Post)

Seventy-eight-year-old man arrested for shooting flare gun into traffic

SALINA—Police say a 78-year-old man shooting a flare gun into traffic in Salina was arrested on Thursday, September 10th. The Salina Police Department says at about 6:00 p.m. officers were called to the bus stop at Sunset Plaza, 1201 West Crawford, for the report of a person possibly shooting a flare gun into traffic. Upon arrival, officers contacted a 30-year-old man walking away from the area. The man told officers that he was shot at with a flare gun by a man who was known to him. The department said officers then contacted W. L. McCullom and located a flare gun, which had been shot off, that had been hidden before their arrival. Police say an investigation determined that McCullom had observed the man at the bus stop and confronted him about possibly stealing cigarettes; McCullom then produced the flare gun and fired it at the man. The flare missed the man, police said, and went across Crawford. The flare caused no damage. McCullom was booked into the Saline County Jail in reference to aggravated assault and criminal discharge of a firearm. (KAKE)

KBI identifies man found dead at Ellis County Jail; suspect was facing child sex charge

HAYS—The Kansas Bureau of Investigation released the name of the individual who died in custody on September 4th at the Ellis County Jail. Brandon Gates, 32, of Hays, was found unresponsive in the jail on September 4th, according to the Ellis County Sheriff's Office. The autopsy has been performed, and his injuries were believed to be self-inflicted, said Melissa Underwood, KBI Communications Director. A final autopsy report is pending, which typically takes six to twelve weeks to complete. Underwood said no foul play is suspected. Gates was in the jail, arrested on requested charges of a sex offense involving a 12-year-old Hays girl, Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said. Because the child was 13 or younger, Gates could have faced a sentence of up to 25 years to life under Jessica's Law, Scheibler said. (Hays Post)

Hays celebrates kite festival

HAYS—The Hays Prairie Winds Kite Show recently took to the skies over the Bickle/Schmidt Sports Complex. Hundreds of people came to watch the giant Prairie Winds kites or fly one of their own. (Hays Post)