October 1-7 is an exciting time as 4-H families across the nation celebrate National 4-H Week! According to the National 4-H website, 4-H was established as Youth Clubs in 1902 with agricultural after-school clubs focused on particular ag products such as tomatoes or corn. The passage of the Smith-Lever Act in 1914 created the Cooperative Extension System at USDA and nationalized 4-H. By 1914, 4-H Clubs were formed and the clover emblem was adopted. The Cooperative Extension System is a partnership of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture within the USDA, more than 100 land-grant universities and more than 3000 county offices across the nation, including all 105 counties in Kansas. Cooperative Extension combines the expertise and resources of federal, state, and local governments to meet the need for research, knowledge, and educational programs. In 4-H, we believe in the power of young people. We see that every child has valuable strengths and real influence to improve the world around us.

On September 26, I was joined by 4-H Ambassador, Ailey Williams, to address the Barton County Commission. We were delighted with Proclamation 2023-13 which states, in part, “4-H, as delivered by Cooperative Extension – a community of more than 100 public universities across the nation that provides experiences where young people have taken on critical societal issues, such as addressing community health inequities, engaging in civil discourse, and advocating for equity and inclusion for all; and whereas, National 4-H Week showcases the incredible experiences that 4-H offers young people, and highlights the remarkable 4-H youth in Kansas and throughout America who work each day to make a positive impact on those around them. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Barton County, Kansas, that October 1-7, 2023 is hereby known as National 4-H Week throughout Barton County; and further, that the Commission recognizes the importance of using the Head, Heart, Hands, and Health, the four core values of the 4-H mission, to make the best better….”

If you know of a young person who would benefit from the opportunities of 4-H, enrollment for the new year began October 1! The Cottonwood Extension District offers eight community clubs in Barton County and over 40 project areas from Art

to Woodworking for youth to explore, learn, and grow. More information can be found at our website cottonwood.k-state.edu or by calling one of our offices.

If you happen to be in our Ellis County area, 4-H members will have several displays around the county!

Community service and citizenship are hallmarks of the 4-H program! 48Hrs of 4-H is a state-wide service challenge. Cottonwood-Barton 4-H families will meet at the 4-H Educational Buildings on Sunday, Oct. 8 to clean up and work on a variety of projects. Previous projects have included clean up at Great Bend-Brit Spaugh Zoo and the making cookies for county-wide emergency service personnel. Many individual clubs will take on separate projects in their town. Teaching youth the value of giving back to their communities helps all communities be stronger and to develop the leaders needed to not just survive but to thrive!

Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness.

Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth Development resources, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton Office at 620-793-1910. Kansas State University is committed to making its services, activities and programs accessible to all participants. If you have special requirements due to a physical, vision, or hearing disability.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668179445671.jpeg" alt="written by: Michelle Beran - Cottonwood Extension District" />
 <figcaption>written by: Michelle Beran - Cottonwood Extension District</figcaption>
 </figure>October 1-7 is an exciting time as 4-H families across the nation celebrate National 4-H Week! According to the National 4-H website, 4-H was established as Youth Clubs in 1902 with agricultural after-school clubs focused on particular ag products such as tomatoes or corn. The passage of the Smith-Lever Act in 1914 created the Cooperative Extension System at USDA and nationalized 4-H. By 1914, 4-H Clubs were formed and the clover emblem was adopted. The Cooperative Extension System is a partnership of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture within the USDA, more than 100 land-grant universities and more than 3000 county offices across the nation, including all 105 counties in Kansas. Cooperative Extension combines the expertise and resources of federal, state, and local governments to meet the need for research, knowledge, and educational programs. In 4-H, we believe in the power of young people. We see that every child has valuable strengths and real influence to improve the world around us.On September 26, I was joined by 4-H Ambassador, Ailey Williams, to address the Barton County Commission. We were delighted with Proclamation 2023-13 which states, in part, “4-H, as delivered by Cooperative Extension – a community of more than 100 public universities across the nation that provides experiences where young people have taken on critical societal issues, such as addressing community health inequities, engaging in civil discourse, and advocating for equity and inclusion for all; and whereas, National 4-H Week showcases the incredible experiences that 4-H offers young people, and highlights the remarkable 4-H youth in Kansas and throughout America who work each day to make a positive impact on those around them. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Barton County, Kansas, that October 1-7, 2023 is hereby known as National 4-H Week throughout Barton County; and further, that the Commission recognizes the importance of using the Head, Heart, Hands, and Health, the four core values of the 4-H mission, to make the best better….”If you know of a young person who would benefit from the opportunities of 4-H, enrollment for the new year began October 1! The Cottonwood Extension District offers eight community clubs in Barton County and over 40 project areas from Artto Woodworking for youth to explore, learn, and grow. More information can be found at our website cottonwood.k-state.edu or by calling one of our offices.If you happen to be in our Ellis County area, 4-H members will have several displays around the county!Community service and citizenship are hallmarks of the 4-H program! 48Hrs of 4-H is a state-wide service challenge. Cottonwood-Barton 4-H families will meet at the 4-H Educational Buildings on Sunday, Oct. 8 to clean up and work on a variety of projects. Previous projects have included clean up at Great Bend-Brit Spaugh Zoo and the making cookies for county-wide emergency service personnel. Many individual clubs will take on separate projects in their town. Teaching youth the value of giving back to their communities helps all communities be stronger and to develop the leaders needed to not just survive but to thrive!Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness.Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth Development resources, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton Office at 620-793-1910. Kansas State University is committed to making its services, activities and programs accessible to all participants. If you have special requirements due to a physical, vision, or hearing disability.

BERAN: 4-H enrollment time

Hear this week's County Edition show with Eagle Radio's Steve Webster and Barton County's Juvenile Services Director Marissa Woodmansee that aired Sept. 28, 2023.

The County Edition program airs every Thursday at 11:05 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687372980932.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hear this week's County Edition show with Eagle Radio's Steve Webster and Barton County's Juvenile Services Director Marissa Woodmansee that aired Sept. 28, 2023.<div><iframe title="County Edition - Juvenile Services Director Marissa Woodmansee" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=tbe47-14b9f15-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=f6f6f6&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=60a0c8" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>The County Edition program airs every Thursday at 11:05 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.&nbsp;

🎙Post Podcast: County Edition - Juvenile Services Director Woodmansee

The public is invited to ‘Meet the Candidates’ at two planned candidate forums for local positions in Great Bend, Hoisington, and Claflin sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Great Bend-Barton County. The positions include Mayors, school boards, city councils, and the Barton Community College Board of Trustees. 

Oct. 5 is the first forum scheduled at the Great Bend Senior Center on 2005 Kansas Ave. from 6-8 p.m. This event will be live-streamed by Eagle Radio.

October 12, 2023, is the second forum scheduled at the Friendship House on 419 E. 3rd St. in Hoisington from 6-8 p.m.

The moderator is Jan Stice, LWV Vice-President. When the candidates have completed answering their questions, they will be free to mingle with the audience. Attendees may have their own follow-up questions and candidates may share any campaign information and policy thoughts they have. Refreshments will be served.

The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce is supporting both forums by posting candidate bios on their Events Calendar on their website.

The League of Women Voters is a grassroots, nonpartisan political organization with nine local Leagues throughout the state. For over 100 years, LWV has encouraged the informed and active participation of citizens in government and has influenced public policy through education and advocacy. The League never endorses candidates or political parties. For more information contact Janice Walker at 620-617-4568 or janicew1949@gmail.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635345839612.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The public is invited to ‘Meet the Candidates’ at two planned candidate forums for local positions in Great Bend, Hoisington, and Claflin sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Great Bend-Barton County. The positions include Mayors, school boards, city councils, and the Barton Community College Board of Trustees. Oct. 5 is the first forum scheduled at the Great Bend Senior Center on 2005 Kansas Ave. from 6-8 p.m. This event will be live-streamed by Eagle Radio.October 12, 2023, is the second forum scheduled at the Friendship House on 419 E. 3rd St. in Hoisington from 6-8 p.m.The moderator is Jan Stice, LWV Vice-President. When the candidates have completed answering their questions, they will be free to mingle with the audience. Attendees may have their own follow-up questions and candidates may share any campaign information and policy thoughts they have. Refreshments will be served.The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce is supporting both forums by posting candidate bios on their Events Calendar on their website.The League of Women Voters is a grassroots, nonpartisan political organization with nine local Leagues throughout the state. For over 100 years, LWV has encouraged the informed and active participation of citizens in government and has influenced public policy through education and advocacy. The League never endorses candidates or political parties. For more information contact Janice Walker at 620-617-4568 or janicew1949@gmail.com

Candidate forums scheduled for Great Bend & Hoisington

It is your chance to win! View the Contests page on Great Bend Post to see what contests/giveaways are currently being promoted. View the page by clicking&nbsp;<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/category/contests">HERE</a>!&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596659243713.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>It is your chance to win! View the Contests page on Great Bend Post to see what contests/giveaways are currently being promoted. View the page by clicking&nbsp;<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/category/contests">HERE</a>!&nbsp;&nbsp;

Eagle Radio CONTESTS

A few years after relocating here from Pennsylvania, a friend of mine dove into home ownership.&nbsp; Being extremely knowledgeable and passionate about birding and gardening, she decided to convert part of her front yard into a native plant pollinator garden.&nbsp; She had no problem with the plantings, but the city codes are giving her fits.

There are numerous advantages to cultivating pollinator gardens instead of non-native grass and other decorative plantings.&nbsp; Plants like Black-Eyed Susans, Western Yarrow, Wild Bergamot (beebalm), Milkweed, and Kansas’ state flower–the sunflower– have deeper root networks, which help prevent soil erosion and reduce water runoff.&nbsp; They do not need to be mowed, saving energy and pollution.&nbsp; They are natural parts of Kansas’ ecosystem and do not spread invasively.&nbsp; Natives grow well without artificial fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides.&nbsp; Many grow beautiful flowers.&nbsp; They also adapt better to our climate, requiring less watering.

Pollinator gardens supply food to native birds and insects including hummingbirds, monarch butterflies, and native bees.&nbsp; In recent years, the population of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/invertebrates/monarch_butterfly/#:~:text=Monarchs%20have%20declined%2085%25%20in%20two%20decades." target="_blank">monarchs</a>&nbsp;has declined alarmingly, which many experts attribute to agricultural pesticides and herbicides.&nbsp; All told, one third of our food requires pollination by insects.

Unfortunately, native pollinator gardens violate many communities’ local ordinances.&nbsp; These old laws reflect the 1950s ideal of a suburban lawn.&nbsp; They incentivize the planting of nonnative grass which is mowed short and often treated with fertilizers.&nbsp; They also encourage or condone ornamental shrubs, trees, and other plants which are an invasive threat to our native Kansas plants.&nbsp; Such scourges include the Bradford Pear, the Eastern Red Cedar, the Tree of Heaven, and wintercreeper.&nbsp; I join legions of other homeowners spending countless weekends trying to remove these noxious pests.&nbsp; Farmers and ranchers do not like them, either.

As for my friend, she won her dispute with the city, but only after cutting part of her beloved pocket prairie and compiling a thick packet of information for her hearing.&nbsp; She is now working with Emporia officials to update the local ordinances.&nbsp; Fortunately, she has a template.&nbsp; Active in Kansas and western Missouri, the Metro Area Regional Council (MARC) has prepared&nbsp;<a href="https://marc2.org/assets/environment/greeninfrastructure/FinalModelGIOrdinances_GouldEvans.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1yFBMEXakDcqC8_3GYA-wZ1WSx4iWpiF_-KlY3TxJ-1-_qnX6Sjk5TN9I" target="_blank">model legislation</a>&nbsp;to encourage native plants and pollinator gardens while still allowing communities to clean up true noxious weeds, abandoned lots, and unkempt yards.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Our sensibilities need to change, too. This past April, a Kansas family<a href="https://shawneemissionpost.com/2023/04/11/overland-park-milkweed-198901/" target="_blank">&nbsp;got caught&nbsp;</a>between the city of Overland Park–which discourages such plantings, Johnson County–which encourages them, and their own neighbors.&nbsp; Many neighborhoods in Overland Park feature neatly-manicured lawns in tidy housing subdivisions along cul-de-sac streets.&nbsp; Neighbors must adjust their expectations of what looks beautiful.&nbsp; Lawns should be property maintained, but they need not resemble golf courses.

These codes also reflect the needs of agriculture. For example, milkweed is a beneficial, beautiful, easy to grow native plant that pollinators love, but it is poisonous to cattle and horses.&nbsp; This is fine for farmers and ranchers, but the average suburban homeowner is not going to have cattle and horses in their yard!&nbsp; Some local codes still classify milkweed as a “noxious weed” even when planted in town. Fortunately, some Kansas local governments have started targeting actual noxious weeds such as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-04-04/people-in-kansas-city-lawrence-and-topeka-you-can-get-a-good-tree-for-killing-a-bad-one" target="_blank">Bradford Pears</a>, which are highly invasive. Wichita is one of many communities expanding native plantings on public land including parks.

Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639601062071.jpeg" alt="written by: Michael Smith - professor at Emporia State University. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>written by: Michael Smith - professor at Emporia State University. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>A few years after relocating here from Pennsylvania, a friend of mine dove into home ownership.&nbsp; Being extremely knowledgeable and passionate about birding and gardening, she decided to convert part of her front yard into a native plant pollinator garden.&nbsp; She had no problem with the plantings, but the city codes are giving her fits.There are numerous advantages to cultivating pollinator gardens instead of non-native grass and other decorative plantings.&nbsp; Plants like Black-Eyed Susans, Western Yarrow, Wild Bergamot (beebalm), Milkweed, and Kansas’ state flower–the sunflower– have deeper root networks, which help prevent soil erosion and reduce water runoff.&nbsp; They do not need to be mowed, saving energy and pollution.&nbsp; They are natural parts of Kansas’ ecosystem and do not spread invasively.&nbsp; Natives grow well without artificial fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides.&nbsp; Many grow beautiful flowers.&nbsp; They also adapt better to our climate, requiring less watering.Pollinator gardens supply food to native birds and insects including hummingbirds, monarch butterflies, and native bees.&nbsp; In recent years, the population of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/invertebrates/monarch_butterfly/#:~:text=Monarchs%20have%20declined%2085%25%20in%20two%20decades." target="_blank">monarchs</a>&nbsp;has declined alarmingly, which many experts attribute to agricultural pesticides and herbicides.&nbsp; All told, one third of our food requires pollination by insects.Unfortunately, native pollinator gardens violate many communities’ local ordinances.&nbsp; These old laws reflect the 1950s ideal of a suburban lawn.&nbsp; They incentivize the planting of nonnative grass which is mowed short and often treated with fertilizers.&nbsp; They also encourage or condone ornamental shrubs, trees, and other plants which are an invasive threat to our native Kansas plants.&nbsp; Such scourges include the Bradford Pear, the Eastern Red Cedar, the Tree of Heaven, and wintercreeper.&nbsp; I join legions of other homeowners spending countless weekends trying to remove these noxious pests.&nbsp; Farmers and ranchers do not like them, either.As for my friend, she won her dispute with the city, but only after cutting part of her beloved pocket prairie and compiling a thick packet of information for her hearing.&nbsp; She is now working with Emporia officials to update the local ordinances.&nbsp; Fortunately, she has a template.&nbsp; Active in Kansas and western Missouri, the Metro Area Regional Council (MARC) has prepared&nbsp;<a href="https://marc2.org/assets/environment/greeninfrastructure/FinalModelGIOrdinances_GouldEvans.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1yFBMEXakDcqC8_3GYA-wZ1WSx4iWpiF_-KlY3TxJ-1-_qnX6Sjk5TN9I" target="_blank">model legislation</a>&nbsp;to encourage native plants and pollinator gardens while still allowing communities to clean up true noxious weeds, abandoned lots, and unkempt yards.&nbsp;&nbsp;Our sensibilities need to change, too. This past April, a Kansas family<a href="https://shawneemissionpost.com/2023/04/11/overland-park-milkweed-198901/" target="_blank">&nbsp;got caught&nbsp;</a>between the city of Overland Park–which discourages such plantings, Johnson County–which encourages them, and their own neighbors.&nbsp; Many neighborhoods in Overland Park feature neatly-manicured lawns in tidy housing subdivisions along cul-de-sac streets.&nbsp; Neighbors must adjust their expectations of what looks beautiful.&nbsp; Lawns should be property maintained, but they need not resemble golf courses.These codes also reflect the needs of agriculture. For example, milkweed is a beneficial, beautiful, easy to grow native plant that pollinators love, but it is poisonous to cattle and horses.&nbsp; This is fine for farmers and ranchers, but the average suburban homeowner is not going to have cattle and horses in their yard!&nbsp; Some local codes still classify milkweed as a “noxious weed” even when planted in town. Fortunately, some Kansas local governments have started targeting actual noxious weeds such as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-04-04/people-in-kansas-city-lawrence-and-topeka-you-can-get-a-good-tree-for-killing-a-bad-one" target="_blank">Bradford Pears</a>, which are highly invasive. Wichita is one of many communities expanding native plantings on public land including parks.Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.&nbsp;

INSIGHT KANSAS: Zoning codes should allow native plants and pollinator gardens

(Sponsored) 🎥 Barton Co. Health Dept. - Prevent, promote, protect

The children at Sunflower Early Education Center (EEC), 1312 Patton, had been watching the construction of their new playground equipment from the window.

Now, they are climbing, sliding and swinging on the new addition to the facility.

“The kiddos have been very excited about this,” said McKinley Phillips, EEC director. “It is so gratifying to watch them enjoying their brand-new play area.”

The playground is available to any child being served at EEC but is primarily used for Incredible Years Preschool students.

The children in the EEC’s Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services are often integrated into the preschool setting and benefit from the playground too.

ABA is for children up to age 5 on the autism spectrum.

“While classroom work is a priority, so is playtime,” Phillips said. “Having time to play is vital for children because this is when they develop their most important learning skills.

“They learn to solve problems, while maneuvering through their environment,” she explained. “In addition, children learn social and motor skills, while building cognitive skills through imaginative play.”

Up-to-date playground equipment was on the EEC’s wish list for quite some time. But thanks to a $10,000 donation from 100+ People Who Care, the project was kicked into high gear.

“Sunflower EEC is beyond grateful to 100+ People Who Care,” Phillips said. “We are truly honored to serve a community that actively works to better the lives of others.”

Shelby Zuniga, Sunflower Diversified Services executive director, said “we were in desperate need to upgrade our outdated equipment. Sunflower Diversified Services

Foundation funds, EEC funds and a few private donations were added to the $10,000 to make this happen. We are grateful to everyone who supported this project.”

The initial playground budget was about $30,000 but the project cost was $54,197.

“Construction costs increased and extra funding was allowed for the better floor under the equipment,” Zuniga explained. “We carefully considered the pros and cons of rubber-mulch flooring versus poured-in-place rubber flooring.

“Since we serve children with special needs, the poured-in-place version gives them the best opportunity to enjoy the playground with their peers.”

A ribbon cutting for the equipment was set for Thursday, Sept. 28, at EEC, in conjunction with the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Coffee.

In addition to Incredible Years and ABA, the EEC is home to Kansas Early Childhood Development Services for children from birth to age 3.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695999940626.jpeg" alt="The new playground equipment at Sunflower Early Education Center is being put to good use." />
 <figcaption>The new playground equipment at Sunflower Early Education Center is being put to good use.</figcaption>
 </figure>The children at Sunflower Early Education Center (EEC), 1312 Patton, had been watching the construction of their new playground equipment from the window.Now, they are climbing, sliding and swinging on the new addition to the facility.“The kiddos have been very excited about this,” said McKinley Phillips, EEC director. “It is so gratifying to watch them enjoying their brand-new play area.”The playground is available to any child being served at EEC but is primarily used for Incredible Years Preschool students.The children in the EEC’s Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services are often integrated into the preschool setting and benefit from the playground too.ABA is for children up to age 5 on the autism spectrum.“While classroom work is a priority, so is playtime,” Phillips said. “Having time to play is vital for children because this is when they develop their most important learning skills.“They learn to solve problems, while maneuvering through their environment,” she explained. “In addition, children learn social and motor skills, while building cognitive skills through imaginative play.”Up-to-date playground equipment was on the EEC’s wish list for quite some time. But thanks to a $10,000 donation from 100+ People Who Care, the project was kicked into high gear.“Sunflower EEC is beyond grateful to 100+ People Who Care,” Phillips said. “We are truly honored to serve a community that actively works to better the lives of others.”Shelby Zuniga, Sunflower Diversified Services executive director, said “we were in desperate need to upgrade our outdated equipment. Sunflower Diversified ServicesFoundation funds, EEC funds and a few private donations were added to the $10,000 to make this happen. We are grateful to everyone who supported this project.”Sunflower owns and operates the EEC.The initial playground budget was about $30,000 but the project cost was $54,197.“Construction costs increased and extra funding was allowed for the better floor under the equipment,” Zuniga explained. “We carefully considered the pros and cons of rubber-mulch flooring versus poured-in-place rubber flooring.“Since we serve children with special needs, the poured-in-place version gives them the best opportunity to enjoy the playground with their peers.”A ribbon cutting for the equipment was set for Thursday, Sept. 28, at EEC, in conjunction with the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Coffee.In addition to Incredible Years and ABA, the EEC is home to Kansas Early Childhood Development Services for children from birth to age 3.

Sunflower Early Ed Center offers new playground equipment

It’s a two-minute recap of the headlines that broke this past week in the Golden Belt. For the full stories, click the links below.

<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/a7909e47-226d-4318-95be-a381eb966bbd">No phone policy at GBHS already having positive impact</a>

<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/75c3dd03-c3e5-4472-b76b-6c0467b58dcf">Barton announces timeline to hire next college president</a>

<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/52dac9df-9505-4d23-a2a3-d48b8a2aad7d">Chosen Wok&nbsp; reopens in Great Bend under new management</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695925644197.jpeg" alt="Great Bend High School Principal Tim Friess addressed the USD 428 Board of Education Thursday on the positive impact the "no phones in class" policy has made." />
 <figcaption>Great Bend High School Principal Tim Friess addressed the USD 428 Board of Education Thursday on the positive impact the "no phones in class" policy has made.</figcaption>
 </figure>It’s a two-minute recap of the headlines that broke this past week in the Golden Belt. For the full stories, click the links below.<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/cikovyuo/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/a7909e47-226d-4318-95be-a381eb966bbd">No phone policy at GBHS already having positive impact</a><a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/75c3dd03-c3e5-4472-b76b-6c0467b58dcf">Barton announces timeline to hire next college president</a><a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/52dac9df-9505-4d23-a2a3-d48b8a2aad7d">Chosen Wok&nbsp; reopens in Great Bend under new management</a>

Eagle Radio's news week in review

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By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

Pam Martin had an inkling she wanted to do something with nature as a career. Coming out of high school in Ohio, however, opportunities in the field were lacking. A fateful move to Kansas in 1991 changed all of that. Martin expanded programming at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in Stafford County, and helped build from scratch the current array of programs at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center. She retires from her role as educator specialist for Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks on Sept. 30.

"I just appreciate all the opportunities I've been given by so many special people," she said. "I wouldn't have gotten to do what I've done without their faith in me, and I really appreciate that more than anything. I hope I've made a difference so that people will appreciate and protect not only the wonderful resources in their backyard, Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, but nature in general."

Martin said her role now is interpretation. Coming out of high school, she knew of park rangers and museum curators, but interpretation jobs were never promoted. Thinking of a career as a plants and animal illustrator or wildlife biologist during college, she ended up working at a biophysiology lab at Ohio State University.

In 1991, Martin's husband, Vic, accepted a job at the Kansas State University research facility near St. John. "I was a fish out of water," Pam said. "We got off the plane in Wichita and it was over 100 degrees and 30 mile an hour winds. I said what have I done, but everyone was welcoming and we found Quivira."

It proved to be a life-changing move for the Martins, who were on the first Friends of Quivira board. In 1992, University of Kansas Professor Chip Taylor began the volunteer monarch butterfly tagging program and Martin began tagging. She brought the activity to Quivira as the Monarch Mania Festival.

In those early days, Martin also took on a part-time job writing a column at the St. John newspaper. That turned into an editing job. She spent more than five years covering Barton County and taking photos for the Great Bend Tribune. 

But she knew biology was her calling. As part of Friends of Quivira, she attended the National Conservation Training Center in Virginia for training. She returned to Kansas and began applying for jobs. She made it to the interview stage for the Fort Hays educator position, but a hiring freeze helped steer her to Kansas Wildlife and Parks, who offered her a job at the newly-minted KWEC in April 2009.

"I knew I'd have to set up programs for the Center," she said. "We started from scratch. We had nothing but a building. I contacted people that I knew in the field and went and talked to them. They were just so helpful."

Martin used contacts from the Milford Nature Center in Junction City, the Sternberg Museum in Hays, Great Plains Nature Center, and she trained with the Kansas Association of Environmental Conservation and Education. Her first program at KWEC in May 2009 was about frogs and toads and the sounds they make. 

"That is still one of our go-to programs that we do," Martin said. "It's been refined through the years but for more than 14 years we've been doing that program."

Then the programming took off. Martin began contacting area libraries and schools, ultimately installing programming for all K-6 students in USD 428 Great Bend. She also did a program for Hoisington first graders 11 months out of the year, and ultimately got into all area schools.

Martin's love of butterflies and insects never waned. She started the Butterfly Festival at KWEC and, for a couple of years, tried to handle the monarch events at both Quivira and KWEC. She continues to educate on the butterflies and dragonflies that migrate thousands of miles over several generations.

"These are just tiny insects," she said. "I just have always found them fascinating. When I was growing up, both grandfathers encouraged that. I raised butterflies and the big silk moths. They're beautiful and fascinating at the same time."

Martin said her biggest accomplishment has been taking a program from scratch and building it into something that has reached thousands of students and residents in Central Kansas. Watching kids have that "ah-ha" moment has been one of the great rewards.

"When we have water and we take them out there and they're sampling for aquatic insects and other organisms in the water, quite a few of them don't want to do it," she said. "But once they get in there and start catching things, they're hooked."

Martin also recalled being part of four exhibits at Barton Community College's Shafer Art Gallery. The first two were contests where artists submitted pieces about monarch butterflies and cranes. As part of the monarch exhibit, Martin had the opportunity to visit the home of illustrator Dr. John Cody and select nearly three dozen of his paintings to exhibit. A third exhibit featured amphibian photographs from a National Geographic photographer and earned the gallery an award.

"That was extra special doing that and bringing in a different audience to appreciate what we have," Martin said. 

Martin plans to stay busy in retirement. She and Vic spent three years looking for the perfect country home that just happens to be nearly equidistant to Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira. She plans to watch the wildlife there and get back to horse riding. She wants to focus on her photography and build a ceramics studio in her home. She will also be watching for volunteer opportunities with hopes of getting involved with Monarch Watch at the University of Kansas.

Naturally, Martin will miss the work and the people. She'll also miss the Kansas Wetlands Education Center itself - a place she helped build from scratch.

"What am I going to miss?" she asked. "I'm going to miss all that. I'm going to miss the place. When I'm out in the garden, there are butterflies, hummingbirds, and all kinds of animals. It's magical. I'm going to miss that a lot."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695996200127.png" alt="KWEC Education Specialist Pam Martin has been active at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge and Cheyenne Bottoms since moving to Kansas in 1991. She will retire from her role at KWEC on Sept. 30. (photo by Hugo Gonzalez/Great Bend Tribune)" />
 <figcaption>KWEC Education Specialist Pam Martin has been active at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge and Cheyenne Bottoms since moving to Kansas in 1991. She will retire from her role at KWEC on Sept. 30. (photo by Hugo Gonzalez/Great Bend Tribune)</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostPam Martin had an inkling she wanted to do something with nature as a career. Coming out of high school in Ohio, however, opportunities in the field were lacking. A fateful move to Kansas in 1991 changed all of that. Martin expanded programming at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in Stafford County, and helped build from scratch the current array of programs at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center. She retires from her role as educator specialist for Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks on Sept. 30."I just appreciate all the opportunities I've been given by so many special people," she said. "I wouldn't have gotten to do what I've done without their faith in me, and I really appreciate that more than anything. I hope I've made a difference so that people will appreciate and protect not only the wonderful resources in their backyard, Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, but nature in general."Martin said her role now is interpretation. Coming out of high school, she knew of park rangers and museum curators, but interpretation jobs were never promoted. Thinking of a career as a plants and animal illustrator or wildlife biologist during college, she ended up working at a biophysiology lab at Ohio State University.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695997364232.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>In 1991, Martin's husband, Vic, accepted a job at the Kansas State University research facility near St. John. "I was a fish out of water," Pam said. "We got off the plane in Wichita and it was over 100 degrees and 30 mile an hour winds. I said what have I done, but everyone was welcoming and we found Quivira."It proved to be a life-changing move for the Martins, who were on the first Friends of Quivira board. In 1992, University of Kansas Professor Chip Taylor began the volunteer monarch butterfly tagging program and Martin began tagging. She brought the activity to Quivira as the Monarch Mania Festival.In those early days, Martin also took on a part-time job writing a column at the St. John newspaper. That turned into an editing job. She spent more than five years covering Barton County and taking photos for the Great Bend Tribune. But she knew biology was her calling. As part of Friends of Quivira, she attended the National Conservation Training Center in Virginia for training. She returned to Kansas and began applying for jobs. She made it to the interview stage for the Fort Hays educator position, but a hiring freeze helped steer her to Kansas Wildlife and Parks, who offered her a job at the newly-minted KWEC in April 2009.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695997517103.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"I knew I'd have to set up programs for the Center," she said. "We started from scratch. We had nothing but a building. I contacted people that I knew in the field and went and talked to them. They were just so helpful."Martin used contacts from the Milford Nature Center in Junction City, the Sternberg Museum in Hays, Great Plains Nature Center, and she trained with the Kansas Association of Environmental Conservation and Education. Her first program at KWEC in May 2009 was about frogs and toads and the sounds they make. "That is still one of our go-to programs that we do," Martin said. "It's been refined through the years but for more than 14 years we've been doing that program."Then the programming took off. Martin began contacting area libraries and schools, ultimately installing programming for all K-6 students in USD 428 Great Bend. She also did a program for Hoisington first graders 11 months out of the year, and ultimately got into all area schools.Martin's love of butterflies and insects never waned. She started the Butterfly Festival at KWEC and, for a couple of years, tried to handle the monarch events at both Quivira and KWEC. She continues to educate on the butterflies and dragonflies that migrate thousands of miles over several generations."These are just tiny insects," she said. "I just have always found them fascinating. When I was growing up, both grandfathers encouraged that. I raised butterflies and the big silk moths. They're beautiful and fascinating at the same time."Martin said her biggest accomplishment has been taking a program from scratch and building it into something that has reached thousands of students and residents in Central Kansas. Watching kids have that "ah-ha" moment has been one of the great rewards."When we have water and we take them out there and they're sampling for aquatic insects and other organisms in the water, quite a few of them don't want to do it," she said. "But once they get in there and start catching things, they're hooked."Martin also recalled being part of four exhibits at Barton Community College's Shafer Art Gallery. The first two were contests where artists submitted pieces about monarch butterflies and cranes. As part of the monarch exhibit, Martin had the opportunity to visit the home of illustrator Dr. John Cody and select nearly three dozen of his paintings to exhibit. A third exhibit featured amphibian photographs from a National Geographic photographer and earned the gallery an award."That was extra special doing that and bringing in a different audience to appreciate what we have," Martin said. Martin plans to stay busy in retirement. She and Vic spent three years looking for the perfect country home that just happens to be nearly equidistant to Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira. She plans to watch the wildlife there and get back to horse riding. She wants to focus on her photography and build a ceramics studio in her home. She will also be watching for volunteer opportunities with hopes of getting involved with Monarch Watch at the University of Kansas.Naturally, Martin will miss the work and the people. She'll also miss the Kansas Wetlands Education Center itself - a place she helped build from scratch."What am I going to miss?" she asked. "I'm going to miss all that. I'm going to miss the place. When I'm out in the garden, there are butterflies, hummingbirds, and all kinds of animals. It's magical. I'm going to miss that a lot."

A natural educator: Martin retiring from role at KWEC

Western Athletic Conference Great Bend 28, Dodge City 0 Liberal 28, Garden City 21 Hays 48, Ulysses 7

Central Kansas League Hoisington 27, Pratt 19 Larned 24, Cimarron 21 Ellsworth 72, Lyons 6 Cheney 46, Smoky Valley 0 Andale 85, Nickerson 7 Hillsboro 30, Halstead 25 Kingman 28, Hesston 21 Garden Plain 41, Haven 19

Other 11-Man Games Conway Springs 54, Ellinwood 20 Russell 26, TMP 6 Medicine Lodge 21, Sterling 20

8-Man St. John 36, Stafford 28 Sylvan United 26, Central Plains 14 Dighton 70, Otis-Bison 22 Macksville 58, Ness City 42 La Crosse 38, Skyline 32 Kinsley 50, Central Christian 0 Hodgeman County 40, Bucklin 38 Trego 50, Kiowa County 0 Moundridge 58, Little River 20

6-Man Cunningham 52, Pawnee Heights 0 So. Cloud 60, Chase 13

Western Athletic Conference Great Bend 28, Dodge City 0 Liberal 28, Garden City 21 Hays 48, Ulysses 7Central Kansas League Hoisington 27, Pratt 19 Larned 24, Cimarron 21 Ellsworth 72, Lyons 6 Cheney 46, Smoky Valley 0 Andale 85, Nickerson 7 Hillsboro 30, Halstead 25 Kingman 28, Hesston 21 Garden Plain 41, Haven 19Other 11-Man Games Conway Springs 54, Ellinwood 20 Russell 26, TMP 6 Medicine Lodge 21, Sterling 208-Man St. John 36, Stafford 28 Sylvan United 26, Central Plains 14 Dighton 70, Otis-Bison 22 Macksville 58, Ness City 42 La Crosse 38, Skyline 32 Kinsley 50, Central Christian 0 Hodgeman County 40, Bucklin 38 Trego 50, Kiowa County 0 Moundridge 58, Little River 206-Man Cunningham 52, Pawnee Heights 0 So. Cloud 60, Chase 13

Area Week 5 Football Scores

People across Kansas are sharing stories about lives saved, lost or affected forever due to a traffic crash during the annual Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day safety blog series.

In the blog&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly9rYW5zYXN0cmFuc3BvcnRhdGlvbi5ibG9nc3BvdC5jb20vMjAyMy8wOS9pbmF0dGVudGlvbi1jYXVzZXMtY2hhb3RpYy1hbmQtY29zdGx5Lmh0bWw_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDIzMDkyNi44MzE0NDQxMSJ9.qTSgrzsqGhaGMyj7zKFAe1tFxrKckOcQuzsYkYS-cBc/s/1410648818/br/226813152283-l" target="_blank">HERE</a>, traffic was moving slowly, and Caleb Locke thought it would be okay to pull a map up on his phone for directions.

“While I was accessing the map, I&nbsp;took my eyes off the road for less than three seconds. It was at this moment the whole line of cars in front of me had come&nbsp;close to a complete stop. But I was still going 50 miles an hour. As I saw my life flash before my eyes, I&nbsp;instantly dropped my phone, slammed on my brakes and prayed I would stop in time,” Locke said.

During his time at the Kansas Turnpike Authority, Jim Stauffer has seen a number of crashes involving wildlife, and recent KTA stats show 28% of single vehicle crashes are with an animal.

Stauffer shared an example of an incident where, “a driver on the Turnpike had a goose fly into their windshield,” he said. “It actually crashed into the car and out the back window.”

Denee Cupp’s daughter, Makenzee, died in a crash when a driver didn’t stop at the intersection of two highways in La Crosse.

“So many lives have been taken from families that are changed forever because someone was checking their phone.&nbsp;We want to prevent this heartbreak and devastation from happening to other families,” Cupp said.

These and other traffic-related experiences are being told in nine different blogs that run through Oct. 10, which is Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day. Whether you are in a vehicle, on a motorcycle or even walking, the campaign’s goal is for you to arrive safely every time.

People across Kansas are sharing stories about lives saved, lost or affected forever due to a traffic crash during the annual Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day safety blog series.In the blog&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly9rYW5zYXN0cmFuc3BvcnRhdGlvbi5ibG9nc3BvdC5jb20vMjAyMy8wOS9pbmF0dGVudGlvbi1jYXVzZXMtY2hhb3RpYy1hbmQtY29zdGx5Lmh0bWw_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDIzMDkyNi44MzE0NDQxMSJ9.qTSgrzsqGhaGMyj7zKFAe1tFxrKckOcQuzsYkYS-cBc/s/1410648818/br/226813152283-l" target="_blank">HERE</a>, traffic was moving slowly, and Caleb Locke thought it would be okay to pull a map up on his phone for directions.“While I was accessing the map, I&nbsp;took my eyes off the road for less than three seconds. It was at this moment the whole line of cars in front of me had come&nbsp;close to a complete stop. But I was still going 50 miles an hour. As I saw my life flash before my eyes, I&nbsp;instantly dropped my phone, slammed on my brakes and prayed I would stop in time,” Locke said.During his time at the Kansas Turnpike Authority, Jim Stauffer has seen a number of crashes involving wildlife, and recent KTA stats show 28% of single vehicle crashes are with an animal.Stauffer shared an example of an incident where, “a driver on the Turnpike had a goose fly into their windshield,” he said. “It actually crashed into the car and out the back window.”Denee Cupp’s daughter, Makenzee, died in a crash when a driver didn’t stop at the intersection of two highways in La Crosse.“So many lives have been taken from families that are changed forever because someone was checking their phone.&nbsp;We want to prevent this heartbreak and devastation from happening to other families,” Cupp said.These and other traffic-related experiences are being told in nine different blogs that run through Oct. 10, which is Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day. Whether you are in a vehicle, on a motorcycle or even walking, the campaign’s goal is for you to arrive safely every time.

Kansas stories show why traffic safety must be priority

Great Bend Appliance of Great Bend was named the 2023 BrandSource Dealer of the Year for the Great Plains Region at the BrandSource National Convention &amp; Expo, held Aug. 27-30, 2023, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort &amp; Convention Center in Nashville. Owners Dale and Sherry Pruter were honored at the buying group’s awards ceremony.

The Pruters launched Great Bend Appliance in 1998 after Sears closed the couple’s Appliance and Catalog Store. Following a five-year stint with an area appliance shop, Whirlpool recruited Dale to open a brand-exclusive store in Great Bend, and along with Sherry and two employees Great Bend Appliance was born.

Since then, the 1,300-square-foot showroom has mushroomed into a city-block-long home-goods emporium featuring bedding, furniture, TVs, grills, space heaters and, of course, appliances, and a staff of 21 employees.

The Pruters attribute much of the company’s success and dramatic expansion to their membership in BrandSource. The dealer-owned cooperative provided the couple with a turn-key mattress program that offered easy entrée into the category and, at one of the group’s bi-annual trade shows, led them to a similar opportunity in furniture. 

“We were a BrandSource dealer from day one,” Dale said. "Adding a SleepSource showroom was one of the best decisions we ever made.”

The BrandSource Dealer of the Year awards are presented annually to members like the Pruters who have demonstrated a continued commitment to excellence in the retail industry and to their fellow BrandSource dealers. The winners, who are selected by the members within each of the group’s 14 regions, must also show their support of BrandSource and its vendor partners by attending regional meetings and national events such as the annual Convention and Summit.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1696000521722.jpeg" alt="Sherry and Dale Pruter and Eric Rostine (center) of Great Bend Appliance, Furniture, &amp; SleepSource in Great Bend, Kan., accepted BrandSource's Dealer of the Year award during the BrandSource Convention in August from board members (from left) Chad Lang, Jeff Zeglin and Andy Kersey, and BrandSource president Tom Bennett." />
 <figcaption>Sherry and Dale Pruter and Eric Rostine (center) of Great Bend Appliance, Furniture, &amp; SleepSource in Great Bend, Kan., accepted BrandSource's Dealer of the Year award during the BrandSource Convention in August from board members (from left) Chad Lang, Jeff Zeglin and Andy Kersey, and BrandSource president Tom Bennett.</figcaption>
 </figure>BUSINESS NEWSGreat Bend Appliance of Great Bend was named the 2023 BrandSource Dealer of the Year for the Great Plains Region at the BrandSource National Convention &amp; Expo, held Aug. 27-30, 2023, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort &amp; Convention Center in Nashville. Owners Dale and Sherry Pruter were honored at the buying group’s awards ceremony.The Pruters launched Great Bend Appliance in 1998 after Sears closed the couple’s Appliance and Catalog Store. Following a five-year stint with an area appliance shop, Whirlpool recruited Dale to open a brand-exclusive store in Great Bend, and along with Sherry and two employees Great Bend Appliance was born.Since then, the 1,300-square-foot showroom has mushroomed into a city-block-long home-goods emporium featuring bedding, furniture, TVs, grills, space heaters and, of course, appliances, and a staff of 21 employees.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1696000582970.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Pruters attribute much of the company’s success and dramatic expansion to their membership in BrandSource. The dealer-owned cooperative provided the couple with a turn-key mattress program that offered easy entrée into the category and, at one of the group’s bi-annual trade shows, led them to a similar opportunity in furniture. “We were a BrandSource dealer from day one,” Dale said. "Adding a SleepSource showroom was one of the best decisions we ever made.”The BrandSource Dealer of the Year awards are presented annually to members like the Pruters who have demonstrated a continued commitment to excellence in the retail industry and to their fellow BrandSource dealers. The winners, who are selected by the members within each of the group’s 14 regions, must also show their support of BrandSource and its vendor partners by attending regional meetings and national events such as the annual Convention and Summit.

Great Bend Appliance receives 'Dealer of the Year' award

By COLE REIF Great Bend Post

Just last month, Barton Community College announced the expansion of
their welding program that now includes a two-semester certificate and an
associate of applied science degree. 

Barton welding instructor Jacob
Streit said job growth in the welding
industry is projected to increase by 8.6% by 2030 with an annual salary up to
$46,000 starting out. Now that the two-semester certificate and associate’s degree
is offered, Streit said there will be students weighing the benefits of more
schooling or joining the workforce.


"It's just a point of trying to draw the students back for Welding 2, which I don't think we'll have any trouble doing," said Streit. "There will always be some that during the summer months or break that will get hired on somewhere and change their mind. It just depends on the benefit package and what they're paying."

Just under 10 students from Great Bend High School come out to the Barton campus this semester to participate in welding courses. The high school students have the capability
of obtaining the 17-hour welding certificate by the time they graduate from
high school. 

Streit said Barton has established multiple job contacts that are
more than hungry to find workers, such as Hess Services in Hays.


"Hess wants to do an internship during the summer," said Streit. "They'll put the students up in the dorms at Fort Hays State University and charge them a little bit for rent. Once school starts, they'll come back to school. That's how desperate people are."

Barton partners with Maico in Ellsworth to receive metal for their programs.
Great Plains donates gas for the Ellsworth Correctional Facility program.
Primus donates pipe and stainless steel for the Great Bend program.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644606138440.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostJust last month, Barton Community College announced the expansion of
their welding program that now includes a two-semester certificate and an
associate of applied science degree. Barton welding instructor Jacob
Streit said job growth in the welding
industry is projected to increase by 8.6% by 2030 with an annual salary up to
$46,000 starting out. Now that the two-semester certificate and associate’s degree
is offered, Streit said there will be students weighing the benefits of more
schooling or joining the workforce.
"It's just a point of trying to draw the students back for Welding 2, which I don't think we'll have any trouble doing," said Streit. "There will always be some that during the summer months or break that will get hired on somewhere and change their mind. It just depends on the benefit package and what they're paying."Just under 10 students from Great Bend High School come out to the Barton campus this semester to participate in welding courses. The high school students have the capability
of obtaining the 17-hour welding certificate by the time they graduate from
high school. Streit said Barton has established multiple job contacts that are
more than hungry to find workers, such as Hess Services in Hays.
"Hess wants to do an internship during the summer," said Streit. "They'll put the students up in the dorms at Fort Hays State University and charge them a little bit for rent. Once school starts, they'll come back to school. That's how desperate people are."Barton partners with Maico in Ellsworth to receive metal for their programs.
Great Plains donates gas for the Ellsworth Correctional Facility program.
Primus donates pipe and stainless steel for the Great Bend program.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Job market and local industries hungry for Barton welding students

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with the inaugural Limestone Preservation Award winners Jack and Kathie Crispin.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nP_jN_9URlU?si=ZqqKxZsG0lsSpv39" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with the inaugural Limestone Preservation Award winners Jack and Kathie Crispin.

🎤 Forward Ever: Post Rock Limestone Preservation Award winners Jack, Kathie Crispin

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has placed Fossil Lake in Russell County under a harmful algae bloom warning. Exposure through contact or ingestion can cause illness in animals and humans. Boating on Fossil Lake is prohibited until further notice.

According to KDHE, a harmful algae bloom means: Water is unsafe for humans or animals. Avoid all contact with water. Do not let pets eat dried algae or drink contaminated water. If fish are caught, clean well with potable water and eat the fillet portion only.

For more information on the risk of Harmful Algae Blooms, visit: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/796/Health-Risks-Associated-with-HABs&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1593727789226.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has placed Fossil Lake in Russell County under a harmful algae bloom warning. Exposure through contact or ingestion can cause illness in animals and humans. Boating on Fossil Lake is prohibited until further notice.According to KDHE, a harmful algae bloom means: Water is unsafe for humans or animals. Avoid all contact with water. Do not let pets eat dried algae or drink contaminated water. If fish are caught, clean well with potable water and eat the fillet portion only.For more information on the risk of Harmful Algae Blooms, visit: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/796/Health-Risks-Associated-with-HABs&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fossel Lake in Russell Co. under harmful algae warning

The Great Bend Recreation Commission is extending the registration deadline for the indoor soccer leagues for any interested boys and girls in Kindergarten-8th grades. The registration deadline will now be Friday, Oct. 6. 

Indoor soccer games will begin Saturday, Nov. 18. Indoor soccer games for middle school students will start Sunday, Nov. 19. Weekday games will be played depending on enrollment numbers. 

Volunteer coaches, referees and scorekeepers are needed.

Regular registration fee is $40. Full scholarships are available. 

For more information about indoor soccer leagues, call the Great Bend Rec office at 620-793-3755, check the Great Bend Rec Facebook page or website at www.greatbendrec.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695914530404.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Great Bend Recreation Commission is extending the registration deadline for the indoor soccer leagues for any interested boys and girls in Kindergarten-8th grades. The registration deadline will now be Friday, Oct. 6. Indoor soccer games will begin Saturday, Nov. 18. Indoor soccer games for middle school students will start Sunday, Nov. 19. Weekday games will be played depending on enrollment numbers. Volunteer coaches, referees and scorekeepers are needed.Regular registration fee is $40. Full scholarships are available. For more information about indoor soccer leagues, call the Great Bend Rec office at 620-793-3755, check the Great Bend Rec Facebook page or website at www.greatbendrec.com.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695914559483.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Great Bend Rec extending registration for youth indoor soccer

Hear this month's Kansas Strong show with Eagle Radio's Scott Donovan and Executive Director of the Kansas Oil and Gas Producers Association Warren Martin that aired Sept. 27, 2023.

The Kansas Strong program airs the fourth Wednesday every month at 8:30 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687372980932.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hear this month's Kansas Strong show with Eagle Radio's Scott Donovan and Executive Director of the Kansas Oil and Gas Producers Association Warren Martin that aired Sept. 27, 2023.<div><iframe title="Kansas Strong show - oil & gas education" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=axg4i-14b739a-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=f6f6f6&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=60a0c8" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>The Kansas Strong program airs the fourth Wednesday every month at 8:30 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.&nbsp;

🎙Post Podcast: Kansas Strong show - oil & gas education

Data suggests that one out of every seven teens in Kansas vapes. That's why Youth Crew, Central Kansas Partnership, and Juvenile Services continue to spread the message of why teens should not vape or use tobacco. Wednesday, Youth Crew partnered with the Health Occupation Student Association (HOSA) Club at Great Bend High School as part of a "Blow Bubbles Not Smoke" event. Juvenile Services Director Marissa Woodmansee said some 1,200 pieces of gum - all wrapped with a message - were handed out.

"Last spring, we did 'Lei off Tobacco,' which was such a popular promotion at the high school," she said. "The kids decided they wanted to keep that one. I was like, what about this for the fall?"

The program includes information about the health impacts of vaping or using tobacco and resources to quit. 

"When they get caught with tobacco or a vape, it's like why were you using?" Woodmansee said. "'I was stressed out.' Well, do you realize using the product can actually increase your anxiety or depression? Just making those connections for the kids to let them know these are real risk factors for you guys at this age group, but there is also help."

Wednesday's event over the Great Bend High School lunch period also included infographics and quizzes about the information. The prize for correct answers: more gum.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695910502469.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostData suggests that one out of every seven teens in Kansas vapes. That's why Youth Crew, Central Kansas Partnership, and Juvenile Services continue to spread the message of why teens should not vape or use tobacco. Wednesday, Youth Crew partnered with the Health Occupation Student Association (HOSA) Club at Great Bend High School as part of a "Blow Bubbles Not Smoke" event. Juvenile Services Director Marissa Woodmansee said some 1,200 pieces of gum - all wrapped with a message - were handed out."Last spring, we did 'Lei off Tobacco,' which was such a popular promotion at the high school," she said. "The kids decided they wanted to keep that one. I was like, what about this for the fall?"The program includes information about the health impacts of vaping or using tobacco and resources to quit. "When they get caught with tobacco or a vape, it's like why were you using?" Woodmansee said. "'I was stressed out.' Well, do you realize using the product can actually increase your anxiety or depression? Just making those connections for the kids to let them know these are real risk factors for you guys at this age group, but there is also help."Wednesday's event over the Great Bend High School lunch period also included infographics and quizzes about the information. The prize for correct answers: more gum.

Youth Crew, HOSA Club sponsor anti-tobacco event at GBHS

Barton County Sheriff’s
Office incident log (9/28)

At 1:24 a.m. a report of allergies was made at 252 NE 30
Road.

At 8:04 a.m. a driving complaint was reported at W. US 56
Highway at MM 194.

At 8:52 a.m. traumatic injuries were reported at 8823 4th
Street.

At 10:21 a.m. a gas leak/spill was reported at 561 S. Main
Street in Hoisington.

At 1:30 p.m. a theft was reported at 99 SW 30 Road.

At 3:24 p.m. a driving complaint was reported at NE 30 Road
&amp; N. Washington Avenue.

At 5:32 p.m. a driving complaint was reported at NE K-156
Highway &amp; E. K-4 Highway in Claflin.

At 6:16 p.m. an animal complaint was reported in the 10
block of SE 20 Road.

At 6:33 p.m. a report of overdose/poisoning was made at 719
E. 2nd Street in Hoisington.

At 10:37 p.m. a driving complaint was reported at W. US 56
Highway and Railroad Avenue.

Great Bend Police
Department incident log (9/28)

At 1:08 a.m. EMS assistance was needed at 1221 Wilson.

At 8:26 a.m. a carbon monoxide report was made at 2109
Cleveland.

At 8:53 a.m. ambulance assistance was needed at 8823 4th
Street.

At 12:15 p.m. an animal complaint was reported at 5220 10th
Street.

At 12:40 p.m. an accident was reported at 24th
&amp; Washington.

At 2:03 p.m. Morgan White was arrested for obstruction and
an Ellinwood warrant at 811 Grant Street.

At 3:16 p.m. stray cats in the area was reported in the 700
block of Wilson Street.

At 4:19 p.m. The Page, 2920 10th Street, reported
a subject not paying for her meal.

At 5:05 p.m. an older green suburban speeding in the area
was reported at 4th &amp; Hickory.

At 5:34 p.m. ambulance assistance was needed at 3910 Cedar
Park Pl.

At 5:42 p.m. being bitten by a cat was reported at 1318
Morton.

At 10:37 p.m. a driving complaint was reported at W. US 56
Highway &amp; Railroad Avenue.

At 11:34 p.m. the K-9 was called out to 2nd
Street &amp; Main Street. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688655627753.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Barton County Sheriff’s
Office incident log (9/28)Allergies / EnvenomationAt 1:24 a.m. a report of allergies was made at 252 NE 30
Road.Driving / Driver ComplaintAt 8:04 a.m. a driving complaint was reported at W. US 56
Highway at MM 194.Traumatic InjuriesAt 8:52 a.m. traumatic injuries were reported at 8823 4th
Street.Gas Leak / SpillAt 10:21 a.m. a gas leak/spill was reported at 561 S. Main
Street in Hoisington.TheftAt 1:30 p.m. a theft was reported at 99 SW 30 Road.Driving / Driver ComplaintAt 3:24 p.m. a driving complaint was reported at NE 30 Road
&amp; N. Washington Avenue.At 5:32 p.m. a driving complaint was reported at NE K-156
Highway &amp; E. K-4 Highway in Claflin.Animal ComplaintAt 6:16 p.m. an animal complaint was reported in the 10
block of SE 20 Road.Overdose / PoisoningAt 6:33 p.m. a report of overdose/poisoning was made at 719
E. 2nd Street in Hoisington.Driving / Driver ComplaintAt 10:37 p.m. a driving complaint was reported at W. US 56
Highway and Railroad Avenue.Great Bend Police
Department incident log (9/28)Overdose / PoisoningAt 1:08 a.m. EMS assistance was needed at 1221 Wilson.Driving / Driver ComplaintAt 8:04 a.m. a driving complaint was reported at W. US 56
Highway at MM 194.Carbon MonoxideAt 8:26 a.m. a carbon monoxide report was made at 2109
Cleveland.Traumatic InjuriesAt 8:52 a.m. traumatic injuries were reported at 8823 4th
Street.At 8:53 a.m. ambulance assistance was needed at 8823 4th
Street.Animal ComplaintAt 12:15 p.m. an animal complaint was reported at 5220 10th
Street.Non-Injury AccidentAt 12:40 p.m. an accident was reported at 24th
&amp; Washington.Interference with LEOAt 2:03 p.m. Morgan White was arrested for obstruction and
an Ellinwood warrant at 811 Grant Street.Animal ComplaintAt 3:16 p.m. stray cats in the area was reported in the 700
block of Wilson Street.TheftAt 4:19 p.m. The Page, 2920 10th Street, reported
a subject not paying for her meal.Driving / Driver ComplaintAt 5:05 p.m. an older green suburban speeding in the area
was reported at 4th &amp; Hickory.FallsAt 5:34 p.m. ambulance assistance was needed at 3910 Cedar
Park Pl.Animal ComplaintAt 5:42 p.m. being bitten by a cat was reported at 1318
Morton.Driving / Driver ComplaintAt 10:37 p.m. a driving complaint was reported at W. US 56
Highway &amp; Railroad Avenue.K-9 Use / Call OutAt 11:34 p.m. the K-9 was called out to 2nd
Street &amp; Main Street.

Cop Shop (9/28)

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/category/obituaries" target="_blank">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.

Great Bend Post is honored to publish full obituaries and photos at no cost to families.

﻿Funeral homes and families can send notices to <a href="mailto:obitsgb@eagleradio.net">obitsgb@eagleradio.net</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598925080953.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Click&nbsp;<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/category/obituaries" target="_blank">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.Great Bend Post is honored to publish full obituaries and photos at no cost to families.﻿Funeral homes and families can send notices to <a href="mailto:obitsgb@eagleradio.net">obitsgb@eagleradio.net</a>.

Recent Obituaries 

9/28 BOOKED: Jesse Pribble on Barton County District Court warrant for Failure to Appear, bond set at $200 cash only.

BOOKED: Daylan Sherwood on Barton County District Court warrant for Probation Violation, bond set at $2,500 C/S.

BOOKED: Joshua Williams on four Barton County District Court warrants for Probation Violation, total bond set at $22,2500 C/S.

BOOKED: Lee Pace on Barton County District Court case for Criminal Damage, bond set at $5,000 C/S.

RELEASED: Jesse Pribble on Barton County District Court warrant for Failure to Appear, after posting a $200 cash bond.

RELEASED: Timothy Galliart on Barton County District Court warrant for Failure to Appear, by order of the court.

RELEASED: Tyler Lind on Barton County District Court warrant for Failure to Appear, on $40,000 OR bond.

RELEASED: Gerald Martin on Barton County District Court warrant for Probation Violation, by order of the court to report to CKCC.

RELEASED:&nbsp;Morgan Krankenberg on Barton County District Court warrant for Probation Violation, on $5,000 OR bond.

RELEASED: Shane Stewart on two Barton County District Court warrants for Failure to Appear, on $10,000 OR bond and dismissal.

RELEASED: Murel Amador on Barton County District Court warrant for Distribution of Methamphetamine, Aggravated Assault on LEO, Felony Flee and Elude, Possession of Marijuana, Interference with LEO, and Possession of Paraphernalia, on $100,000 OR bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632144146661.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>9/28 BOOKED: Jesse Pribble on Barton County District Court warrant for Failure to Appear, bond set at $200 cash only.BOOKED: Daylan Sherwood on Barton County District Court warrant for Probation Violation, bond set at $2,500 C/S.BOOKED: Joshua Williams on four Barton County District Court warrants for Probation Violation, total bond set at $22,2500 C/S.BOOKED: Lee Pace on Barton County District Court case for Criminal Damage, bond set at $5,000 C/S.RELEASED: Matthew Cooley to KDOC.RELEASED: Jesse Pribble on Barton County District Court warrant for Failure to Appear, after posting a $200 cash bond.RELEASED: Timothy Galliart on Barton County District Court warrant for Failure to Appear, by order of the court.RELEASED: Tyler Lind on Barton County District Court warrant for Failure to Appear, on $40,000 OR bond.RELEASED: Gerald Martin on Barton County District Court warrant for Probation Violation, by order of the court to report to CKCC.RELEASED:&nbsp;Morgan Krankenberg on Barton County District Court warrant for Probation Violation, on $5,000 OR bond.RELEASED: Shane Stewart on two Barton County District Court warrants for Failure to Appear, on $10,000 OR bond and dismissal.RELEASED: Murel Amador on Barton County District Court warrant for Distribution of Methamphetamine, Aggravated Assault on LEO, Felony Flee and Elude, Possession of Marijuana, Interference with LEO, and Possession of Paraphernalia, on $100,000 OR bond.&nbsp;

Barton County Sheriff's booking activity (9/28)

USD 428 invites the community to an Open House and Job Fair at their newly renovated Support Services facility scheduled for Wednesday, October 11, 2023. The facility houses the Food and Nutrition Department &amp; Central Kitchen, Maintenance, Grounds, and Transportation services, all conveniently located under one roof.

Date: Wednesday, October 11, 2023 Time: 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Location: 625 E 10th Street, Great Bend

The Open House will provide an opportunity for attendees to explore the facility, gain insight into the services that support Great Bend students &amp; teachers, and understand how this centralized location and important services support a high-quality education in our district.

“The work of our team at Support Services positively impacts students every day,” said Khris Thexton, USD 428 superintendent. “Meals that nourish students, safe transportation, and well-maintained classrooms and buildings – they keep our district running. We encourage parents and community members to stop by, take a tour, enjoy light refreshments, and learn more about how the new facility enhances our ability to serve our schools and community.”

In addition to the Open House, the event will also include a Job Fair. With a variety of openings at the Support Services building, interested candidates can learn more about positions, pay, and benefits available to USD 428 employees.

Highlighted Job Openings include: • Plumber • Bus Driver (full-time, part-time, substitute) • Food Service Workers

To explore these career opportunities and apply online, please visit www.428jobs.net. Questions about the Support Services Open House &amp; Job Fair can be directed to the District Education Center at 620-793-1500. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695918343258.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>From USD 428...USD 428 invites the community to an Open House and Job Fair at their newly renovated Support Services facility scheduled for Wednesday, October 11, 2023. The facility houses the Food and Nutrition Department &amp; Central Kitchen, Maintenance, Grounds, and Transportation services, all conveniently located under one roof.Date: Wednesday, October 11, 2023 Time: 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Location: 625 E 10th Street, Great BendThe Open House will provide an opportunity for attendees to explore the facility, gain insight into the services that support Great Bend students &amp; teachers, and understand how this centralized location and important services support a high-quality education in our district.“The work of our team at Support Services positively impacts students every day,” said Khris Thexton, USD 428 superintendent. “Meals that nourish students, safe transportation, and well-maintained classrooms and buildings – they keep our district running. We encourage parents and community members to stop by, take a tour, enjoy light refreshments, and learn more about how the new facility enhances our ability to serve our schools and community.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695918410081.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>In addition to the Open House, the event will also include a Job Fair. With a variety of openings at the Support Services building, interested candidates can learn more about positions, pay, and benefits available to USD 428 employees.Highlighted Job Openings include: • Plumber • Bus Driver (full-time, part-time, substitute) • Food Service WorkersTo explore these career opportunities and apply online, please visit www.428jobs.net. Questions about the Support Services Open House &amp; Job Fair can be directed to the District Education Center at 620-793-1500.

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