New Year's Eve offers an annual moment to reflect on the past while looking to the future.
So as we wrap up 2022, take a look back at the local stories Hays Post readers were talking about the most.
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No. 10: Victoria man sentenced to life for multiple sex crimes
In March, a Victoria resident was sentenced to life in prison for a pair of sex crimes involving two young girls and the rape of an 18-year-old almostt six years ago. Cody Schultz was found guilty of the crimes in February after going through mediation and a bench trial.
Read the original story at https://hayspost.com/posts/3f50d0e1-77e3-4339-b6a8-ee4d9090cff1
Schultz is listed as incarcerated in the Hutching Correction Facility, according to Kansas Department of Corrections records.
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No. 9: Hays USD 489 to revisit dress code after parent complains about satanism ban
As summer ended and USD 489 schools were preparing for the year, controversy erupted after a parent approached the school board asking for changes to the dress code that would allow students to wear clothing featuring satanism.
Read the original story at https://hayspost.com/posts/e153a0fc-fe06-4de4-b5c7-d6f0d57fa59b
After initially banning Satanic clothing in the 2022 dress code, the board reversed that decision less than a week later based on looming legal action against the district.
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No. 8: KBI: 2 suspects arrested in Rush Co. homicide investigation
Months went by as suspects were sought in connection with the Jan. 21 homicide of 61-year-old Leslie Randa of La Crosse. In March, Jennifer Page Stipe and Darin Lee McBee were arrested. Stipe was arrested on a requested charge of first-degree murder. McBee was arrested on requested charges that included multiple felonies related to the murder.
Read the original story at https://hayspost.com/posts/ede0f34f-81e1-457b-848d-bd495cdd79dd
In September, Stripe was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in Rush County District Court by Chief Judge Bruce Gatterman. Legal proceedings in McBee's case are ongoing.
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No. 7: Wild West Festival sets concert lineup, including ACM-nominated singer
The Wild West Festival in downtown Hays always draws a crowd, so it's not surprising to see the 2022 lineup announcement made the list of our most-read stories of the year.
Read the original story at https://hayspost.com/posts/72c571d3-c2a8-466d-b9d5-7dfda02cdfc8
Organizers are currently finalizing acts for 2023's event.
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No. 6: Former Hays Carlos O'Kelly's gets surprising new tenant
After years of vacancy, a new tenant was announced for the former Carlos O'Kelly's building near the Interstate 70 and Vine intersection. The new tenant was a surprising choice for some. It was announced in August the building would house the Hays’ Veterans Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Clinic.
Read the original story at https://hayspost.com/posts/5209a047-9f23-4676-825b-4ceffc58252d
At the time the story was published, the agency anticipated moving into the space late fall into early spring in 2023.
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No. 5: Local couple to reopen grocery store in La Crosse
Rush County was dealt a blow this year when its sole grocery store was permanently closed in August. The closure would be short-lived. Just months after Kelly and Pat Baalmann of La Crosse purchased the grocery store in La Crosse and hope to reopen it after the first of the year as B's Hometown Market
Read the original story at https://hayspost.com/posts/21a30dc7-dd83-4c64-8c63-fa25bbaf4d5b
Work continues at the location and an early 2023 opening is expected.
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No. 4: Former Ellis County court administrator charged with falsifying signatures
The 23rd Judicial Court prosecution of a former court administrator was concluded this year. Amanda Truan was charged in August after falsifying signatures on district court staff performance evaluations.
Read the original story at https://hayspost.com/posts/1ab99350-b38d-40d7-a37b-0de4d3060455
Truan entered into a diversion agreement just weeks ago.
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No. 3: Hays man faces possible murder charges after wife dies
The arrest of a Hays man on suspicion of first-degree murder in March shocked many across Ellis County and beyond. Jay Naldo Schumacher was initially arrested on suspicion of aggravated battery, domestic battery and mistreatment of a dependent adult, but a charge of murder in the first degree was added following the death of his wife, Karen Schumacher.
Read the original story at https://hayspost.com/posts/31909cf2-4721-42e3-ab7e-5e2de4392888
The case continues its way through the 23rd Judicial District Court.
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No. 2: Ellis Co. Attorney warns Delta-8 illegal; pulled from area stores
As 2022 began, a court case involving a burglary in a Hays convenience store and guidance from the Kansas Attorney General led to hemp-derived Delta-8 THC products being pulled from Ellis County stores.
Read the original story at https://hayspost.com/posts/9397fb25-5dc6-4443-a340-6aae96abc594
While the issue generated statewide media attention and spurred enforcement in Ellis County around the first of the year, Delta 8 products were again being openly sold on store shelves in Ellis County by the end of 2022. And they were widely available at locations in other nearby counties throughout the year, despite the focused attention and legal guidance.
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And our most read story of the year was...
Former Plainville Livestock Commission owner sentenced to prison, millions in restitution
After years of winding through the court system, a federal jury convicted Tyler Gillum, former owner of the Plainville Livestock Commission, of 31 counts of bank fraud, one count of making a false statement in connection with a Small Business Administration guaranteed loan, and one count of making a false statement in a loan or credit card application.
Read the original story at https://hayspost.com/posts/08447b94-7c65-4720-9a1a-f2c5c71d26b5
Judge Daniel Crabtree later sentenced him to 60 months in prison and more than $7.2 million in restitution.