By MIKE COURON Great Bend Post

No more blind sides. Alan Moeder officially took over as Great Bend mayor during the Jan. 5 city council meeting. During Monday's meeting, he updated the council on how he will run meetings during his tenure. In recent meetings, council members have had the opportunity to speak about any issue during the councilmember report portion of the meeting. Moeder said no more.

"This next part is going to get a little tricky, you guys, and you need to understand where we're going with this," Moeder said. "Councilmember reports are going to change from what's been in the past. They will be reports on the boards and commissions they serve on, and that's it."

Councilmember Gary Parr asked if that meant councilmembers would no longer be able to speak freely during the meetings. Moeder reiterated that if a councilmember is not on a board or a committee, or the item is not on the agenda, the council will not be allowed to speak.  

"You have to get it on the agenda, and you have to have facts so the rest of the commission knows what you're talking about, so they're not not jumped and surprised," Moeder said.

"I don't think that's right," said Parr. "I think we ought to be able to speak freely. If the citizens and the taxpayers have an issue that they want one of us, their representatives, to bring forward, we ought to be able to to freely bring that forward."

Moeder affirmed he is running the meeting, and any councilmember wanting to overrule the decision could seek advice from City Attorney Allen Glendenning. 

"If someone has come to with you with something during the time since our last meeting, then the thing to do is get with (City Administrator Logan Burns), or try to share it or find answers," said Councilmember Rickee Maddox. "But when you bring it to the council, I assume you've already tried your best to find the answer. That's what we've done in the past. I've been confronted with something during the week, then I tried to get an answer, but I don't necessarily need to bring to the entire council."

"I appreciate that, but I bring the question here to get answers from us to the people, is why the questions are brought," Parr answered.

"The people can come to this meeting and be part of the meeting," Moeder said. "If they care enough about the city council, then they come come."

Councilmember Davis Jimenez said it is the role of the council to represent the public. Moeder agreed but noted meeting agendas are published well in advance of meetings, so there are plenty of opportunities for citizens to ask questions.

Parr asked Moeder if Monday's decision was part of a new meeting bylaw. Moeder pointed to the printed agenda and said it states the councilmember reports are for members serving on boards or committees, and that the previous mayor got away from that practice but that he will not.

Later in the meeting, the council voted 8-0 to approve a code of procedure for meetings. Glendenning explained why timing is important when adding items to the agenda.

"(City Clerk Shawna Schafer) tries to get that agenda out so the public can have it, and so all of you can have it well in advance of the meetings," he said. "So the deadline is usually Tuesday at noon the week before the meeting that you would need to get that agenda item on, not come in Monday morning and say, 'Add this to the agenda.' But that said, you can add things to the agenda by vote of the council at the meeting if you want to. I would urge you to exercise some caution doing that because there's a transparency problem when stuff just comes up out of the blue, and the public has been told here's what we're going to talk about, and then we end up talking about something else, making motions, and acting on things that were never on the agenda and nobody saw coming."

Great Bend City Council meetings are held on the first and third Monday of each month. Another 8-0 vote Monday changed the meeting time from 6:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Burns also announced that public comments will again be allowed on the city's live Facebook feed of the meetings, but they could be removed if harassing or vulgar comments are made.

🎙️Great Bend City Council votes for new meeting time; mayor enforcing agenda as printed

Barton County Commission&nbsp; Jan. 20, 2026 Barton County Courthouse, 9 a.m.

Items included on the Jan. 20, 2026, Barton County Commission agenda:

RESOLUTION 2026-03: A Resolution to Expand Fire District No. 2 to Include Fairview, Grant and Wheatland Townships, and the City of Galatia, Barton County, Kansas: -Matt Patzner, County Administrator, will present details. Created in 2018, Fire District No. 2 consists of Albion, Eureka, North Homestead, South Homestead, Union Townships and the Cities of Hoisington, Olmitz and Susank. It has been proposed that the District be expanded to include Fairview, Grant and Wheatland Townships, and the City of Galatia. Should this Resolution be adopted, the Barton County Commissioners will hold a Public Hearing at 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at the Barton County Courthouse, 1400 Main – Suite 106, Great Bend, Kansas, regarding the expansion. It is anticipated that the Board of Trustees, as appointed by the County Commission, would expand to a minimum of four (4) and a maximum of twelve (12) members.

FIRE DISTRICT NO. 2: Appointment of a Board of Trustees: -Mr. Patzner will provide details. Per Resolution 2018-10, which created Fire District No. 2, the members of the Fire District Board of Trustees shall consist of not more than one (1) appointee from each participating township and not more than one (1) from each participating city. There is one unexpired term ending December 31, 2026, open for North Homestead Township. Curtis Peterson has reapplied to represent the City of Olmitz. That term expires December 31, 2027.

COUNTY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE: 2025 Action Report: -J. Colin Reynolds, County Attorney, will provide the Commission with a 2025 action report that includes case filings, convictions and other relative statistics.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: Local Emergency Planning Committee: -Sean Kelly, Emergency Management Director, will provide details. The Barton County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) is comprised of representatives from the following groups: state/local officials; law enforcement; firefighting; emergency management; health; hospital; broadcast media and/or communications media; transportation; local environmental group; community service/civic group; emergency medical services; and facilities/industries regulated by SARA Title III. Nominations have been sought for appointment according to LEPC bylaws.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: -Chairman Duane Reif will present. Any Commissioner may make a motion for the board to recess to executive session at this time as allowed by K.S.A. 75-4319. Any motion must contain the justification for the executive session, the subject matter to be discussed, any individuals in addition to the board who will attend the executive session and the time at which the regular session shall resume.

ANTICIPATED ANNOUNCEMENT – -Elected officials have been invited to attend the Barton County Historical Society Annual Meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m., Monday, January 26, 2026, at the Best Western Courtyard, 2920 – 10th Street, Great Bend, Kansas.

The Commission meeting will be live-streamed through Microsoft Teams. Citizens may view the meeting through their own sign in or by signing in “anonymously”. Please follow this link: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F3KSUeAJ%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExS0VsMGhmaTVkcUFCNkZvN3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4o94QvccTazkWgdxaGXxjCjRQJsDd7_NR3pVN-x3Mwqs0ibOIcpuplVLYqkQ_aem_QBd5yWWt4HSMMWCZKvH5Qg&amp;h=AT1OmWU6ryUC56Uo5rl5gn0A8P9xkIOLkqsEBqIJWd2E0wnQO63ezl_vygMapSTNEhJFpSlpCM1bS9pNM2yiaAcZghrEQ6plqgC3El8DU8vrOPVH2vW7w2lw7k8iexxWUKwn7o49q3QM&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT0UAnaPcCHZOSwTkYU3x13EkWrZD0nJTWuy0-txj7wbGH7Fpaj-GR9uAJjviwyPd9-J1SpKUidV_tsu7DUgzlWDdq3IKHOhLAuDtVefngWldD-J9pvUEFgpsxfJwCl41q8Ea9Ov6_grF_Ek3gfTg9cMCZJ-EOqq4lfFQwPNAf7K_e2iVqqb8aOLEqVG2jnxEgxxJ8RKAA5AuO3M0pRafpLO4Q" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/3KSUeAJ</a>. If you wish to participate in the discussion of any item, please call (620) 793-1800 for instructions.

Barton County Commission agenda items for Jan. 20 meeting

I don’t know about your house but the aftermath of the holidays can sure take a toll on my home organization. There are extra boxes and bags, that carton of something at the back of the fridge, and often, just too much stuff!

Karen Blakeslee, K-State food scientist and coordinator of the Rapid Response Center for food science notes that this can be a great time to tackle cluttered cabinets, crowded refrigerators, and stuffed drawers.

In an article provided by K-State, Blakeslee says, “The start of the new year, everybody’s trying to get organized, clean things out, so why not start in the kitchen area and see what kind of mystery food you might have in your kitchen.”

Her advise is that if a utensil or gadget hasn’t been used in a year or more, it may be time to let it go. Extra items can be donated or passed along to college students or others who are just starting out.

Checking dates is another key step. Spices typically last six months to a year, and canned foods should be rotated so the oldest items are used first. High-acid canned foods, such as tomatoes and fruit, generally keep 12 to 18 months, while low-acid foods like vegetables and soups may last two to five years. Home-canned foods should be used within one year.

Refrigerators and freezers also need regular attention. Blakeslee recommends removing everything, cleaning shelves and drawers by hand and sanitizing surfaces with a mild bleach solution. Labeling and dating freezer items can help prevent forgotten leftovers from lingering too long.

“Things don’t last forever,” Blakeslee said. “But when you organize your kitchen in a way that makes sense, you can save money, reduce food waste and make cooking safer and less frustrating.”

One of my own goals is to go through the kitchen drawers and pantry cabinets to review, pare down, and reorganize. Oh yeah, and I’ll be checking all the labels in the fridge while I’m at it!

Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness!

Michelle Beran is a Family and Community Wellness Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other K-State Extension resources, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton Office at 620-793-1910.

All Kansas Extension education programs and materials are available to all individuals without discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.

BERAN: Tips for cleaning up the kitchen after busy holiday season

While representatives of the Family Crisis Center (FCC) have presented their human-trafficking curriculum at some high schools in their 11-county service area, the goal is to take the program to all of them.

Since January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Kylee Graves, FCC executive director, is taking the opportunity to encourage school administrators and teachers to participate.

“We have 21 high schools in our service territory and want to visit each of them,” Graves said. “Human trafficking is a big problem everywhere, including communities in central Kansas. And it will continue to grow, especially because of an increasing number of social-media platforms.

“Teenagers want and need to learn about this topic,” she continued. “When we visit schools, students are curious and engaged in our discussions. We want to share this information with as many teenagers as we can.”

The curriculum is called “Safer, Smarter Teens: Be the Change.” It delivers critical safety information appropriate for high school students in six lessons. Each lesson includes a 10-minute video, classroom activities and parent-education materials.

“We have discovered that some teenagers suspect that something is happening to them or a friend but they don’t really know what to call it,” Graves commented. “It might entail online dating, which could involve a stranger grooming them for human trafficking.

“Young people often don’t understand the gravity of what can happen, such as being groomed and then sold for labor and/or sex.”

Parents and other adults should be aware of warning signs that a teenager is being groomed.

These signs include withdrawing from other people by decreasing the number of favorite activities and interacting with only one person instead of a group of friends.

“Any obvious change in a teenager’s routine can be a sign of human trafficking or other problems,” Graves said.

FCC staff members see the results of human-trafficking first-hand when they offer support to survivors.

“At first, they don’t want to talk because they are afraid for their physical safety,” Graves reported. “We do everything possible to re-assure them and many eventually can open up about their experiences.”

Graves is aware that many central Kansans “don’t believe this is a big problem here. They think it is just one of those things that happens in big cities. We hope they will come to realize that it happens here and will continue to happen if we don’t find ways to prevent it.”

FCC serves Barton, Barber, Comanche, Edwards, Ellsworth, Kiowa, Ness, Pawnee, Pratt, Rush and Stafford counties.

For more information, call 620-793-9941; the 24-hour crisis hotline is 866-792-1885.

FCC shares human-trafficking information; encourages schools to get involved

Booked in Houp, John E. on a Barton County District Court case #26-57 for DUI, No Driving License. Bond set at $1,000.00 Cash or Surety.

Released Houp, John E. on a Barton County District Court case #26-57 for Driving under influence, Driving with license cancelled/suspended/revoked. By posting a $1,000.00 Surety bond through Ace Bail Bonds.

Booked Koerner, Gabriel on Rush County District Court Warrant #RH24CR000012 for Serve Sentence with No Bond.

Booked in Bowyer, William J. on Barton County District Court warrant #BT2021CR0318 for Serve Sentence, bond set at NO BOND.

Booked Juvenile on Barton County District Court warrant #BT24JV62 for Probation Violation. Bond set at No Bond.

Released Juvenile on Barton County District Court warrant #BT24JV62 for Probation Violation. Transported to Juvenile Detention Center.

Booked in Willis, Bryce B on Great Bend Municipal Court warrant #202500917 for Serve Sentence, bond set at NO BOND.

Booked in McFarland, Najerri A. on Barton County District Court case #26-8 for Possession of Marijuana. Bond is set at $2,500.00 cash/surety.

Released McFarland, Najerri A. on Barton County District Court case #26-8 for Possession of Marijuana. Bonded by posting a surety bond of $2,500.00 thru Ace Bail Bonds.


Booked in Brand, Brianna D. on a Great Bend Municipal Court warrant #202500335 for Contempt of Court. Bond set at $419.50 cash only.

Booked Calzada-Flores, Gilberto on Barton County District Court case #25-58 for Illegal transportation of alcohol. Bond set $1,000.00 Cash or Surety.

Released Calzada-Flores, Gilberto on Barton County District Court case #26-58 for Illegal transportation of alcohol. Bonded with a $1,000.00 cash or surety.

Released Koerner, Gabriel on Rush County District Court Warrant #RH24CR000012 for Time served.

Released Brand, Brianna D. on a Great Bend Municipal Court warrant #202500335 for Contempt of Court. Posted a $419.50 cash only bond through Great Bend Municipal Court.

Released Bowyer, William J. on Barton County District Court warrant #BT2021cR0318 for Serve Sentence, Time Served.

Barton County Sheriff's Office Booking activity (1/16-1/18)

From the Great Bend Police Department

Great Bend Police Department K9 Neo will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. 

K9 Neo’s vest was sponsored by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and will be embroidered with the sentiment “This gift of protection provided by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.” Delivery is expected within 10 weeks.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially-lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and National Institute of Justice (NIJ) certified.  Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 6,348 vests valued at $6.9 million to K9s in all 50 states, made possible by both private and corporate donations. 

 The program is open to U.S. dogs at least 20 months old, actively employed, and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. 

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.  accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $1,050 will sponsor one vest.  Each vest has a value of $1,800, weighs an average of 4-5 lbs., and comes with a five-year warranty. 

For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call (508) 824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at <a href="http://www.vik9s.org/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExSzFWdmhnWjRDeEZUOEc4V3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6SGRP4_J3mCKJ4E_kkZGNACctQpyvSDJxWGqoITuSLpdmidzAy_ojQaFtzOg_aem_JkA1Lih0rKqGujSN56BZig" target="_blank">www.vik9s.org</a>, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Great Bend Police Department’s K9 Neo to get donation of body armor

M.L.King Day Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 35. North wind 5 to 11 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 22. West southwest wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 51. South southwest wind 7 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 21. South southwest wind 6 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight.

Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 50. North northwest wind 6 to 13 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 16.

Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 43.

Monday's weather

The
drought monitor as of Tuesday, January 13th indicates marked
improvement, especially in eastern Kansas.&nbsp;
Last week’s precipitation helped a great deal.&nbsp; Only four percent is even in moderate
drought.&nbsp; The six-to ten-day outlook (January
20 to 24) indicates near normal for temperatures and precipitation.&nbsp; The eight to fourteen-day outlook (January 22
to 28) indicates a near normal to slightly below normal for temperatures and normal
to a 33 to 40% chance of leaning above normal for precipitation.&nbsp; 

Overall,
this has been a very mild winter with an occasional brief cold period.&nbsp; High temperature records have been set.&nbsp; Nighttime lows have been mild overall.&nbsp; While many of us aren’t thrilled by winter,
it’s important to producers and even benefits all of us.&nbsp; Today, what are the benefits of winter, a
true winter.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; First,
let’s touch on the wheat crop.&nbsp; We plant
winter wheat, meaning it must accumulate cold to vernalize.&nbsp; If it doesn’t, it won’t flower.&nbsp; We aren’t likely in danger of this happening
but may flirt with the possibility of freeze damage.&nbsp; Wheat is most winterhardy at the start of
winter.&nbsp; As winter progresses, typically
temperatures warm and daylength increases, it becomes less winterhardy.&nbsp; With unseasonably warm temperatures, it can
break dormancy early and start to grow with the growing point emerging from the
soil at jointing.&nbsp; We figure here around
March 15th.&nbsp; If conditions
have it occur earlier and we have a cold snap, it can damage or even kill the
growing point and vascular system.&nbsp; Many
long time wheat producers can recall when this has happened.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Second,
a “real” winter helps with pest control and not just for producers.&nbsp; You have probably noticed how many flies,
ladybugs, and other insects are around on warmer days compared to normal.&nbsp; Extended cold never eliminates all of them
but helps keep many populations under lower levels.&nbsp; And winter means many insects have to come in
from south of here as they can’t overwinter.&nbsp;
If we continue this trend, they may be able to overwinter here.&nbsp; The same is true of diseases that normally
must blow in from the south.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; For
homeowners, it can cause premature opening of tree leaf and flower buds.&nbsp; It allows many vertebrate and invertebrate
pests to be more active than normal in lawns and farm fields.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; On
the precipitation front, warmer temperatures mean more rain, and unfortunately
freezing rain.&nbsp; And our heaviest
snowfalls occur when it’s in the 20s and low 30s.&nbsp; When temperatures are lower than that,
snowfall is typically lower and fluffier.

Barton Ag Instructor Dr. Vic Martin - Producers Need Winter

The celebration of the year is just around the corner, and we don’t want you to miss out!

Please join us for the&nbsp;Annual Chamber Banquet&nbsp;on&nbsp;Jan. 31. It will be an evening dedicated to celebrating our local business community, networking with peers, and looking ahead to an exciting year of growth.

Space is filling up quickly. To ensure we have an accurate count for catering and seating, please confirm your attendance by emailing:&nbsp;hoisingtoncofc@outlook.com.

RSVP by Jan. 23. If you have already registered, thank you! We look forward to seeing you there. Let’s kick off the year by celebrating the strength of our business community together!



RSVP this week: Hoisington Chamber banquet and awards set for Jan. 31

For most college students, the start of a new semester means finding the right buildings on campus, scouting out the best parking spots, and settling into a familiar routine of library sessions and coffee runs. But for two Fort Hays State University students, and for one semester, campus isn’t made of brick and mortar—it’s made of steel, salt water, and 106 days of horizon-chasing.

Mallory Palmer, an online Business Education senior from Osawatomie, and Tayton Roberts, a sophomore Political Science major from Olathe, are part of an elite group of Tiger explorers participating in a Semester at Sea experience. It is a program that transforms a cruise ship into a floating university, circumnavigating the globe to turn the world itself into a classroom.

While they are at different stages of their journey—Mallory having returned in 2025 and Tayton preparing to embark this January—the two have formed a unique bond, proving that even in a global program, the FHSU community remains tight-knit.

For both Mallory and Tayton, the seeds of this adventure were sown long before they reached college. Both girls discovered Semester at Sea on social media, watching students waking up in new countries every week.

“I always had it in the back of my mind that I wanted to do it,” Mallory recalled. After years of wondering ‘what if,’ she finally decided to stop dreaming and start doing. “I just decided to make it happen.”

Tayton felt a similar pull. A pre-law student with a passion for international relations, she was drawn to the opportunity of a lifetime. “I think it was the aspect that you get to see so many different countries, not just one,” Tayton said. “And you are with a group of American students, so it feels a little safer. You get to meet a lot of people from different places while sharing the same experience.”

The itinerary is nothing short of breathtaking. The voyage begins in Bangkok, Thailand. From there, the ship—housing roughly 600 students, faculty, and staff—becomes a moving bridge between cultures. The route spans three continents, visiting Vietnam, Malaysia, India, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Morocco, and Spain, before finally disembarking in Bremerhaven, Germany.

While at sea, students take a full 12-credit course load, including a mandatory core course in global studies. The credits are issued by Colorado State University and transferred back to FHSU, ensuring that while the students are seeing the world, they aren’t falling behind on their degrees.

For Mallory, the academic and social aspects blended seamlessly. “The ship's staff does a good job of preparing you,” she explained. “They did a pre-port the night before arriving in a country and gave you the basics... a heads-up on what to watch out for to stay safe and places you should visit.”

As Tayton prepares to leave, Mallory has stepped into a mentorship role, helping Tayton navigate the anxieties of packing four months of life into a tiny stateroom. Tayton’s current challenge? Fitting all her toiletries, clothes, and schoolbooks into two rolling duffels and a backpack.

“It’s surreal. I’m excited for Morocco and the African countries. I think Africa is so gorgeous. I really want to swim with sharks in South Africa and go on camel treks in Morocco.”

She has already used social media to connect with her future roommate, a student from South Carolina. “She seems amazing. I feel a lot better knowing that I will know someone.”

Stacey Lang, FHSU’s Study Abroad Coordinator, emphasizes that Semester at Sea is far more than a sightseeing tour. It is a rigorous exercise in global citizenship, a core value of the FHSU mission.

“This experience directly supports FHSU’s goal of developing engaged global citizen-leaders,” Lang said. “Students return with a broadened worldview, cultural competence, and leadership skills—qualities central to FHSU’s mission. They bring back global insights that enrich classroom discussion and campus culture.”

Mallory’s experience confirms this. When asked for her best advice, she didn’t talk about landmarks or museums; she talked about the internal shift that happens when you're thousands of miles from home.

Her primary takeaway is that the most meaningful growth happens when you “expect the unexpected.” She suggests that while preparation is vital, students should be brave enough to let the plan fall away. “Be flexible,” she noted, "and don't plan everything to a ‘T.’” For Mallory, being open to new foods and unplanned detours led to the highlight of her trip: the deep connections made with people around the world.

For Tayton, the upcoming voyage isn't just a personal milestone; it’s a professional one. As a future lawyer, she believes understanding the world is non-negotiable. “I think that having a good worldview is so important. Seeing three different continents will give me a diversity of knowledge. It applies to anything—learning to work with people, adapt, and just being flexible.”

As Tayton prepares to board the ship in Thailand, she carries with her the support of the FHSU Global Affairs and International Student Services as well as the wisdom of Mallory, her ‘Tiger’ predecessor.

For other FHSU students inspired by Mallory and Tayton’s journey, the door is open. The university encourages anyone interested to schedule an advising session with our Global Affairs Coordinator, Stacey Lang.

As Mallory Palmer prepares to graduate this spring and Tayton Roberts prepares to set sail, their stories remind us that Tiger Nation isn't just a place in Western Kansas—it’s a global community, one port at a time.

From the High Plains to the High Seas: FHSU students embrace global citizenship

More exercise. A better diet. Both are popular New Year's resolutions, but what about more kindness? Treacyn Williams, a fifth grader at Eisenhower Elementary in Great Bend, knows that kindness can come in little ways. He recently received a giant $100 check from OPI &amp; Golden Belt Printing as the latest winner in Eagle Media's Make A Difference Contest.

"I can make a difference by telling someone have a nice day," Treacyn said.

All Barton County students, grades K-6, are eligible for the Make a Difference Contest, which will run for the duration of the 2025-26 school year. As a weekly winner, Treacyn and his teacher, Mrs. Maneth, are now eligible for the monthly prize. That lucky student will win another $100 and a book bag filled with goodies from other contest sponsors, and her teacher will also receive $100.

The Make a Difference contest, presented by OPI &amp; Golden Belt Printing, is sponsored in part by Big Ben Custom Engraving, Freedom Claims Management, Great Bend Redi Mix, Francis Financial, Medical Park Pharmacy, R&amp;R Roofing, Allstaff Chartered, Miller Plastics, Rosencrantz Bemis Water Well Service, Great Bend Rec, Jimlo Glass Center, Haz Mat Response, &amp; Scooter's Coffee.

Eisenhower fifth grader Treacyn Williams wins $100 as latest Make a Difference pick

Now is the time to recognize those who go above and beyond! You can nominate a School Hero! On the fourth Tuesday of each month, Eagle Media will select a Hero to recognize! The winner will also receive $500! Nominate a School Hero is presented by: <a href="https://opikan.com/">OPI</a> (Office Products Incorporated) &amp; Golden Belt Printing.&nbsp;

Any adult who works at a school in Barton County is eligible to be nominated. Admin, Teachers, Para's, Coaches, Maintenance, Cafeteria, etc.

Nominate a School Hero! Presented by: OPI & Golden Belt Printing

Big Bend Custom Engraving, Freedom Claims Management, Great Bend Redi Mix, Francis Financial, Medial Park Pharmacy, R&amp;R Roofing, Allstaff Chartered, Miller Plastics, Rosencrants Bemis Water Well Service, Great Bend Rec, Jimlo Glass Center, Haz Mat Response

Make a Difference Contest 

Winter Jam Day 1 Results

Larned Boys 41 Inman 39; Larned Girls 51 Cimarron 18

LARNED SPORTS ON HITS 106.9 BROUGHT TO YOU IN PART BY... EQUITY BANK, INNOVATIVE LIVESTOCK SERVICES, SMITH DENTAL CLINIC, CLOCK REALTY &amp; INSURANCE, ROSENBERG FAMILY DENTISTRY, PROGRESSIVE THERAPY &amp; SPORTS MEDICINE, DOERR'S ACE HARDWARE, FARM BUREAU FINANCIAL SERVICES - LEIGH ANN SEEMAN, PAWNEE PLAZA, HEART OF KANSAS FAMILY HEALTH, COMFORT PRO, EAKIN ENTERPRISES, FRICK VETERINARY, USD #495 LARNED, CARR AUCTION &amp; REAL ESTATE, AG SYSTEMS, FUSION BANK, PICKET FENCE REAL ESTATE, AND BARTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

Arizona is the unanimous No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 men's college basketball poll for the first time. The Wildcats received all 61 votes from a media panel in Monday's poll. Arizona (18-0) won both of its games last week to remain among the three undefeated Division I teams. Iowa State dropped seven spots to No. 9 after their undefeated season ended. Nebraska moved up a spot to No. 7, its highest ranking ever. Saint Louis and Miami (Ohio) joined the poll, while Tennessee and Utah State dropped out. Kansas returned, giving the Big 12 Conference six ranked teams.

Others receiving votes: Wisconsin 64, St. John's 64, Iowa 30, Kentucky 27, Tennessee 20, Utah St. 15, UCF 14, Miami 10, George Mason 10, Saint Mary's 5, SMU 3, Villanova 3, Texas A&amp;M 2, NC State 1.

Arizona a unanimous No. 1 for first time, Kansas returns at No. 19

- College Football National Championship Preview

Monday on Sports Day(Watch)

CHICAGO (AP) — Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay shot knowing glances at each other, then went to work on the drive that got the Los Angeles Rams one step away from the Super Bowl.

Stafford and the Rams survived an&nbsp;incredible throw by Caleb Williams&nbsp;that forced overtime, beating the Chicago Bears 20-17 on Sunday night to advance to the NFC championship game.

Harrison Mevis kicked a 42-yard field goal in OT&nbsp;after&nbsp;Kam Curl intercepted a deep pass by Williams&nbsp;on the Bears’ first possession of the extra period. Stafford glanced at his coach prior to the winning drive, then completed three passes for first downs — including a 16-yarder to Puka Nacua to get the Rams into field-goal range.

“I looked right at Sean, he looked right at me,” Stafford said. “And I'm like, ‘Here we go.’ That's what it's all about. What an unbelievable job by our defense today, getting us the ball over and over again. Whether it be fourth-down stops or turnovers, they were clutch and timely.”

The “Thiccer Kicker,” as he's known, ended the Bears' season. Teammates mobbed him while a crowd that was rocking earlier watched in near silence at the conclusion of a cold, snowy night.

The Rams (14-5) will visit NFC West rival Seattle next Sunday in their first trip to the conference championship game since the 2021 team won the Super Bowl. The Seahawks beat San Francisco 41-6 on Saturday.

“It was like, all right, the football gods are smiling on us,” McVay said. “The weather had calmed down. There wasn't a lot of wind right there. ... I was really happy for him, and I was very confident that he would make that.”

Los Angeles led 17-10 in the final minute of regulation and the Bears faced fourth-and-4 from the 14-yard line when Williams backpedaled to avoid the pass rush and heaved the ball to Cole Kmet for the tying touchdown with 18 seconds left. Although officially a 14-yard pass, the ball traveled 51.2 yards in the air, according to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats.

Bears coach Ben Johnson thought about trying for a go-ahead 2-point conversion but decided to send out Cairo Santos for the extra point.

Williams threw for two touchdowns but was intercepted three times as the Bears (12-7) — who pulled off seven fourth-quarter comeback wins in Johnson's first season — came up short this time. They won the NFC North after finishing last in the division a year ago.

“Our guys are feeling it right now,” Johnson said. “They all believed, man. They all believed that we could find a way to win each and every week. And so it’s disappointing like that. I’m proud of the group. It’s a special group.”

Stafford led a 91-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, with Kyren Williams scoring from the 5 to give the Rams a 17-10 lead with 8:50 remaining. Nacua kept the possession going on the previous play with a 2-yard run on fourth-and-5.

The Bears then drove to the 2, but Omar Speights broke up Williams’ fourth-down pass to Luther Burden just inside the goal line.

Chicago got the ball back at midfield with just under two minutes remaining after Ethan Evans shanked a 33-yard punt, setting up Williams' heroics.

In overtime, the Bears won the toss and deferred. They quickly got the ball back when the Rams went three-and-out. Los Angeles was forced to punt after Blake Corum got stopped for a 1-yard loss on third-and-1 at the 36.

Chicago took over at the 16. Williams kept the drive going with a 3-yard keeper on fourth-and-1 near midfield. But Curl picked off Williams' pass intended for DJ Moore two plays later.

Stafford was 20 of 42 for 258 yards and took four sacks. Nacua had 56 yards receiving after going for 111 in a wild-card win over Carolina, and Kyren Williams ran for 87 yards and two scores.

“I definitely didn't get into a great rhythm today, there's no question about that,” said Stafford, who sprained the index finger on his throwing hand against the Panthers. “I had some opportunities in the pass game, just some things that made it tough. Obviously, I can be better. But playoff football is about winning the football game.”

Caleb Williams completed 23 of 42 passes for 257 yards. Moore had a touchdown catch, and D'Andre Swift ran for 76 yards.

“In these moments you feel that you let your team down, you feel this and that,” Williams said. “It’s a good lesson learned for us, first time being in this situation for me and for us as a team. I’m excited for what's to come, but obviously going to go back and watch this and see how I can be better.”

Rams: CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr. (shoulder) was hurt in the first half.

Bears: TE Colston Loveland (concussion) exited late in regulation.

Rams: Los Angeles and Seattle split two close games in the regular season, with the home team winning each time.

Rams shake off wild, late TD pass by Caleb Williams, beat Bears 20-17 in OT to reach NFC title game

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Mike Vrabel returned to New England on a mission to have the franchise playing again in meaningful games in January — as he did so often as a player.

In his first year as the head coach, he wanted to do it by building a culture of players that wanted to perform for each another. Their most complete team effort of the season has the Patriots one win from a trip to the Super Bowl.

Drake Maye threw&nbsp;three touchdown passes&nbsp;in the snow and rain, Marcus Jones&nbsp;returned&nbsp;one of C.J. Stroud’s four interceptions for a score and the Patriots defeated the Houston Texans 28-16 on Sunday to advance to the AFC championship game for the first time in seven years.

The Patriots (16-3) will take on the Broncos (15-3) in Denver next Sunday, with the winner advancing to the NFL's title game in three weeks.

"Everybody’s stepping up. We’re using everybody. Everybody’s making plays. Everybody’s helping us win," said Vrabel, who won three Super Bowls as a playmaking linebacker for the Patriots. “I’m excited for these guys, but also, they’re not satisfied, and I can tell that.”

The Patriots — winners of 15 of their last 16 games — will make their 16th conference championship game appearance and first since their run to their sixth Super Bowl title under Bill Belichick in the 2018 season. New England has won its last nine divisional round games.

Maye finished 16 of 27 for 179 yards, but had an interception and fumbled four times, losing two in cold conditions in which snow and rain fell throughout. One of Maye’s fumbles set up Houston’s first touchdown.

“Just proud of the guys,” Maye said. “Battled the elements. This is New England. This is what we’re trying to embrace and we want to embrace all season long. Props to our defense, played a hell of a game. We’ve got to protect the football better, but we made enough plays to win it.”

Carlton Davis III had&nbsp;two interceptions&nbsp;for New England. Craig Woodson added an interception and fumble recovery.

“They bring it every week,” Maye said of his defense. “It’s fun to watch. And we could help them out some more, but just proud of the guys. Enjoy this one, and we’re back on the road.”

The eight combined turnovers — Woody Marks also lost a fumble for Houston — were the most in a playoff game since 2015 when the Cardinals and Panthers combined for eight in the NFC championship game.

The Texans (13-6) have lost in the divisional round in three straight seasons under coach DeMeco Ryans. The franchise fell to 0-7 in this round.

"It’s tough to win a game when you turn the ball over five times," Ryans said.

Stroud finished 20 of 47 with a TD pass. All of his interceptions came in the first half as he became the first player with five or more INTs and five or more fumbles in a single postseason. Will Anderson forced two fumbles for the Texans.

“I feel like I let people down,” Stroud said. "I’m not happy with that. It hurts. I’m not used to it."

Leading 21-16 in the fourth quarter, the Patriots stretched their lead to 27-16 when Kayshon Boutte got behind Derek Stingley Jr. and pulled in a diving, one-hand catch in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown.

The Texans had the ball with 5:48 to play, but punted on fourth-and-18 at their own 21 with 4:18 remaining.

New England’s next drive took the clock under two minutes. But the Texans turned it over on downs when Stroud’s fourth-down pass to Xavier Hutchinson was batted down by Robert Spillane.

The Patriots now go back on the road, where they are 8-0 this season.

“We feel like we deserve to be here,” Maye said. "I like our chances with those guys in the locker room.”

With the Patriots leading 7-3 early, a series of miscues produced the next two scores.

Maye was strip-sacked by Danielle Hunter deep in Patriots territory, but left tackle Will Campbell fell on the ball and the Patriots punted.

The Texans gave it right back when Stroud’s deep pass along the sideline was intercepted by Davis III.

Maye fumbled again when he attempted to run on a busted play and had the ball stripped by Tommy Togiai and recovered by Azeez Al-Shaair. Six plays later, Stroud linked up with Christian Kirk on a 10-yard touchdown pass.

But on Houston’s next drive, Stroud was rushed up the middle by K’Lavon Chaisson and he lofted a pass that was intercepted by Jones and returned for the score to put New England back in front.

Later in the quarter, the Patriots’ lead increased to 21-10 when they capped a five-play, 56-yard drive with a 7-yard TD pass from Maye to Stefon Diggs.

Jones scored on an interception return for the second time this season. It was the first of his career in the playoffs and first for New England in the postseason since Asante Samuel had one vs. Indianapolis on Jan. 21, 2007, in the AFC championship game.

Texans: TE Dalton Schultz (calf) left in the first quarter and didn’t return. ... LG Tytus Howard limped off in the second quarter. ... TE Cade Stover left in the fourth with a knee injury and didn’t return.

Patriots: LB Robert Spillane left in the first quarter with a thumb injury, but returned. ... RB TreVeyon Henderson was shaken up after a second quarter run before jogging off. ... S Craig Woodson exited after his INT with a head injury, but returned. ... RB Rhamondre Stevenson left in the second quarter with an eye issue. ... Davis injured his head in the fourth quarter.

Maye throws 3 TD passes, Stroud has 4 INTs as Patriots top Texans 28-16 to advance to AFC title game

The Barton Community College men's basketball team leaned on toughness in the paint and timely late-game execution Saturday night, outlasting Cowley College 84–81 on Hall of Fame celebration day at Fleske Fieldhouse.

The results coincidentally leaves both teams with identical records of 6-6 in conference play and 11-7 overall. Barton now hits the road Wednesday for a 7:30 p.m. matchup at first-place and No. 21 ranked Dodge City Community College (9-3, 13-5).

Barton established an early inside presence behind&nbsp;Majok Chuol&nbsp;and&nbsp;Sebastian Muchitsch, building its largest lead of ten with 13:56 left in the half, before Cowley answered with stretches of perimeter shooting and transition looks to keep it tight. The Tigers briefly nudged ahead late in the frame, but the Cougars carried a 40–38 advantage into the break after&nbsp;Blake Rucker&nbsp;buried the first of his pair of three-pointers on the night with 14 seconds remaining.

The second half unfolded as a possession-by-possession battle, with Barton briefly stretching its lead before Cowley used turnovers and second-chance opportunities to seize momentum. After the Cougars pushed the margin to seven early, Cowley capitalized on three Barton miscues and a pair of offensive rebounds to surge ahead, turning a one-point game into its largest lead of the night at 69–61 with 7:18 remaining.

Barton responded with composure and physicality, attacking the paint and the glass to quickly erase the deficit. Muchitsch scored on consecutive possessions and finished through contact to pull the Cougars back within three, setting the stage for a tight closing stretch that featured multiple lead changes and a 73–73 tie with 3:24 to play. From there, Barton delivered its cleanest execution of the night at the free-throw line, converting eight straight attempts in the final 90 seconds as&nbsp;Aris Rodriguez,&nbsp;Jayden Ramirez, and&nbsp;Brian Sullivan, Jr.&nbsp;combined to build late separation and secure the 84–81 victory despite Cowley's final-minute push.

Barton finished 30-of-36 at the free-throw line, a key separator in a three-point game, while also controlling the boards 42–26 behind 14 offensive rebounds.

Muchitsch posted his fourth double-double of the year behind a monster 19 points and career high 15 rebounds, while Rodriguez led the Cougars with 23 points and a career best six assists.&nbsp;Noah Williams&nbsp;added 14 points and 10 rebounds for his third double of the season, and Chuol's inside spark delivered a season high 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting to go with five boards and two blocks. Rucker chipped in seven points off the bench, highlighted by his momentum-swing triple just before halftime.

Four Tigers reached double figures, led by Roman Miller's 16 points and six rebounds. Leslie Owens Jr. added 14 points, Kyden Thompson contributed 12, and Marcus Smith finished with 11.

Cougars grind out 84-81 win over Cowley to even up conference mark

In a game that stayed within a possession deep into the fourth quarter, the Barton Community College women's basketball team saw Cowley College pull away late in a 56-51 loss on Hall of Fame Saturday evening inside the Fleske Fieldhouse.

The loss leaves the Cougars at 4-8 in conference play at the midway point and 6-12 overall, while the Tigers move to 6-6 in league action and 10-8 on the season. Barton will open the second half of Jayhawk play Wednesday night with a 5:30 p.m. road contest at No. 4 Dodge City Community College.

The Cougars endured a slow offensive start in the opening quarter, going scoreless over the opening 4:29 as Cowley jumped out to a 5-0 advantage. Trailing 10-4 with 3:25 remaining,&nbsp;Christal Long&nbsp;provided a spark down the stretch, scoring five straight points over the final 2:06 to draw Barton back within 10-9 at the first stanzas end.

Mersadie Spray's opening trey to start the second quarter kept momentum on the Cougars side, capping an 8-0 run and fiving Barton its first lead of the night at 18-16. The quarter stayed tight from there with three ties over the next five minutes before&nbsp;Regina Donanu&nbsp;sparked a personal 6-2 run with 1:07 remaining to match Barton's largest lead of the night at four. Cowley swung momentum back late, closing the half on a 5-0 spurt over the final 30 seconds to take a 23-22 edge into the break.

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