By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

Barton County Treasurer Jim Jordan and his staff recently received a score of 100 percent on a Kansas Department of Transportation audit. County Administrator Matt Patzner has some catching up to do. Tuesday morning, the board of commissioners heard from Jami Benyshek, senior audit manager at Adams Brown, regarding the county's 2023 financial audit. She joked about giving the county a score of 99.9.

"Overall, like I said, very clean audit," she said. "We always appreciate all of the time and hard work Matt and all the departments put into helping us get the audit done. I think, obviously, the courthouse project has delayed our audit delivery the last couple of years, but hopefully in the next year, we can move it up a little bit."

Barton County began 2023 with $25,159,000 and ended the year with $22,138,000. Adams Brown completed a financial statement audit covering revenues, expenditures, and unencumbered cash, and a single audit that covers federal expenditures.

"You did decrease about three million, but that was not unexpected," Benyshek said. "You spent all your ARPA money, you had a big courthouse project, so that was not surprising."

The board of commissioners passed Barton County's 2025 budget just before hearing Benyshek's report. She also complimented the board for their work on the budget.

"I wanted to take a minute to just applaud you on your budget hearing and the budget discussions you've had," she said. "I can really tell you guys take it really seriously and you have a great understanding of the budget. Like you said, it's very confusing. The way you were able to answer the questions, I think it goes a long way in proving how much you really care and understand the whole budget process."

Adams Brown did find two small issues in the audit. Two public works contracts were not properly bonded, and expenditures were not controlled so no indebtedness was created in the school district subdivision. The cash was negative because a reimbursement had not yet been received.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723570028159.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostBarton County Treasurer Jim Jordan and his staff recently received a score of 100 percent on a Kansas Department of Transportation audit. County Administrator Matt Patzner has some catching up to do. Tuesday morning, the board of commissioners heard from Jami Benyshek, senior audit manager at Adams Brown, regarding the county's 2023 financial audit. She joked about giving the county a score of 99.9."Overall, like I said, very clean audit," she said. "We always appreciate all of the time and hard work Matt and all the departments put into helping us get the audit done. I think, obviously, the courthouse project has delayed our audit delivery the last couple of years, but hopefully in the next year, we can move it up a little bit."Barton County began 2023 with $25,159,000 and ended the year with $22,138,000. Adams Brown completed a financial statement audit covering revenues, expenditures, and unencumbered cash, and a single audit that covers federal expenditures."You did decrease about three million, but that was not unexpected," Benyshek said. "You spent all your ARPA money, you had a big courthouse project, so that was not surprising."The board of commissioners passed Barton County's 2025 budget just before hearing Benyshek's report. She also complimented the board for their work on the budget."I wanted to take a minute to just applaud you on your budget hearing and the budget discussions you've had," she said. "I can really tell you guys take it really seriously and you have a great understanding of the budget. Like you said, it's very confusing. The way you were able to answer the questions, I think it goes a long way in proving how much you really care and understand the whole budget process."Adams Brown did find two small issues in the audit. Two public works contracts were not properly bonded, and expenditures were not controlled so no indebtedness was created in the school district subdivision. The cash was negative because a reimbursement had not yet been received.

Barton County receives near-perfect audit report from Adams Brown

The Shafer Gallery will host an opening reception for its “All of the Above” exhibit from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 23 in the Gallery and will feature light refreshments and a talk by artist Rachel Curtis.

Shafer Gallery Director Alyssa Bliven said Curtis is a dedicated art faculty member at Butler Community College.

“In addition to her role as an educator, she is a prolific and enthusiastic painter, focusing on human relationships and their intricacies through the use of light, color, and pattern,” she said. “Her paintings often depict domestic moments involving family and friends, highlighting the evolution of these relationships. Curtis sees her art as a way to ‘tell the story of the evolution of the family.’”

Bliven said Art critic Ksenya Gurshtein praised Curtis as someone willing to acknowledge and explore the complexity and messiness of family systems.

“Gurshtein said that Curtis is an artist who understands that painting a portrait can mimic family dynamics, serving as both an assertion of power and an expression of love,” she said. “Most importantly, Curtis's paintings open up many paths for viewers to consider how their closest relationships create a constant push and pull.”

The exhibit will run through Sept. 14. The Shafer Gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is always free.&nbsp;For more information, contact Bliven at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:shafergallery@bartonccc.edu">shafergallery@bartonccc.edu</a>&nbsp;or (620) 792-9342.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723669615261.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Story by Joe VinduskaThe Shafer Gallery will host an opening reception for its “All of the Above” exhibit from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 23 in the Gallery and will feature light refreshments and a talk by artist Rachel Curtis.Shafer Gallery Director Alyssa Bliven said Curtis is a dedicated art faculty member at Butler Community College.“In addition to her role as an educator, she is a prolific and enthusiastic painter, focusing on human relationships and their intricacies through the use of light, color, and pattern,” she said. “Her paintings often depict domestic moments involving family and friends, highlighting the evolution of these relationships. Curtis sees her art as a way to ‘tell the story of the evolution of the family.’”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723669631036.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Bliven said Art critic Ksenya Gurshtein praised Curtis as someone willing to acknowledge and explore the complexity and messiness of family systems.“Gurshtein said that Curtis is an artist who understands that painting a portrait can mimic family dynamics, serving as both an assertion of power and an expression of love,” she said. “Most importantly, Curtis's paintings open up many paths for viewers to consider how their closest relationships create a constant push and pull.”The exhibit will run through Sept. 14. The Shafer Gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is always free.&nbsp;For more information, contact Bliven at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:shafergallery@bartonccc.edu">shafergallery@bartonccc.edu</a>&nbsp;or (620) 792-9342.

Shafer Gallery to host reception for 'All of the Above' exhibit

Great Bend City Council meeting Aug. 19 - 6:30 p.m. City Hall Council Chambers

The council meeting will be livestreamed for the public to view on the city council Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/gbcitycouncil/.

&nbsp; &nbsp;1. Common Consumption Area (CCA): On Aug. 5, 2024, the council considered this ordinance and tabled the vote to allow a requested change to include the mayor and a council member in the Downtown Committee. The ordinance attached makes that change.

C. Recognition of visitors and announcements &nbsp; &nbsp;The public is free to comment on items not listed on the agenda. Comments should be limited to three minutes.

&nbsp; &nbsp;1. 2025 budget ordinance &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The 2025 operating budget was presented to the governing body on July 8. The budget is funded at a mill levy of 44.391. A motion will be presented to open the public hearing and to adopt the ordinance for the 2025 budget ordinance.

&nbsp; &nbsp;2. Councilmember reports

&nbsp; &nbsp;3. Administrator's update

&nbsp; &nbsp;4. CVB / Community Coordinator report

&nbsp; &nbsp;6. Adoption of 2024 edition of the standard traffic ordinance (STO) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The Standard Traffic Ordinance is published by The League of Kansas Municipalities and adopted by cities throughout the state. It is updated annually.

&nbsp; &nbsp;7. Adoption of the 2024 edition of the Uniform Public Offense Code Ordinance (UPOC).&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The Uniform Public Offense Code is published by The League of Kansas Municipalities and adopted by cities throughout the state. It is updated annually.

&nbsp; &nbsp;8. Kestrel sublease to Med-Trans Corporation (Eagle Med) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; On Jan. 2, 2024, the council approved the renewed lease of the ground to Kestrel. Kestrel owns the buildings at the address. In recent years, Kestrel has sublet the ground and buildings to Med-Trans (Eagle Med) for their operations and that sublease has just been renewed. The lease between the city and Kestrel prohibits subletting without the city's written consent. A motion will be presented to approve the sublease agreement, subject to its subordination to or incorporation of the terms of the lease between the city and Kestrel and the federal government, and authorize the city administrator to give written consent on behalf of the City of Great Bend.

&nbsp; &nbsp;9. Proposed agreements with Garver for airport projects &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The airport has accrued FAA entitlement and BIL grants that are sufficient to fund 95% of the 2025 rehabilitation of Runway 17/35, specifically crack-fill, slurry seal, and re-marking. Requisite to obtaining these federal grants, the Airport Consultant Selection Committee chose Garver on Feb. 9 to administer the upcoming 5-year Airport Improvement Program. A motion will be presented to approve and authorize the mayor's signature on the Master Agreement and Work Order #1 with Garver.

&nbsp; &nbsp;10. City administrator contract &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; On Aug. 5, 2024, the mayor, with the advice and consent of the city council, appointed Logan Burns to fill the city administrator position. By city ordinance, the terms and conditions of that employment may be set by contract. The contract was prepared by the city attorney in accordance with information provided by the mayor and the council members. A motion will be presented to approve the contract setting the terms and conditions of the city administrator's employment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657285932152.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Great Bend City Council meeting Aug. 19 - 6:30 p.m. City Hall Council ChambersThe council meeting will be livestreamed for the public to view on the city council Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/gbcitycouncil/.AgendaOpening: Pledge of AllegianceA. Consent agendaB. Old business&nbsp; &nbsp;1. Common Consumption Area (CCA): On Aug. 5, 2024, the council considered this ordinance and tabled the vote to allow a requested change to include the mayor and a council member in the Downtown Committee. The ordinance attached makes that change.C. Recognition of visitors and announcements &nbsp; &nbsp;The public is free to comment on items not listed on the agenda. Comments should be limited to three minutes.D. New business&nbsp; &nbsp;1. 2025 budget ordinance &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The 2025 operating budget was presented to the governing body on July 8. The budget is funded at a mill levy of 44.391. A motion will be presented to open the public hearing and to adopt the ordinance for the 2025 budget ordinance.&nbsp; &nbsp;2. Councilmember reports&nbsp; &nbsp;3. Administrator's update&nbsp; &nbsp;4. CVB / Community Coordinator report&nbsp; &nbsp;5. Abatements&nbsp; &nbsp;6. Adoption of 2024 edition of the standard traffic ordinance (STO) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The Standard Traffic Ordinance is published by The League of Kansas Municipalities and adopted by cities throughout the state. It is updated annually.&nbsp; &nbsp;7. Adoption of the 2024 edition of the Uniform Public Offense Code Ordinance (UPOC).&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The Uniform Public Offense Code is published by The League of Kansas Municipalities and adopted by cities throughout the state. It is updated annually.&nbsp; &nbsp;8. Kestrel sublease to Med-Trans Corporation (Eagle Med) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; On Jan. 2, 2024, the council approved the renewed lease of the ground to Kestrel. Kestrel owns the buildings at the address. In recent years, Kestrel has sublet the ground and buildings to Med-Trans (Eagle Med) for their operations and that sublease has just been renewed. The lease between the city and Kestrel prohibits subletting without the city's written consent. A motion will be presented to approve the sublease agreement, subject to its subordination to or incorporation of the terms of the lease between the city and Kestrel and the federal government, and authorize the city administrator to give written consent on behalf of the City of Great Bend.&nbsp; &nbsp;9. Proposed agreements with Garver for airport projects &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The airport has accrued FAA entitlement and BIL grants that are sufficient to fund 95% of the 2025 rehabilitation of Runway 17/35, specifically crack-fill, slurry seal, and re-marking. Requisite to obtaining these federal grants, the Airport Consultant Selection Committee chose Garver on Feb. 9 to administer the upcoming 5-year Airport Improvement Program. A motion will be presented to approve and authorize the mayor's signature on the Master Agreement and Work Order #1 with Garver.&nbsp; &nbsp;10. City administrator contract &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; On Aug. 5, 2024, the mayor, with the advice and consent of the city council, appointed Logan Burns to fill the city administrator position. By city ordinance, the terms and conditions of that employment may be set by contract. The contract was prepared by the city attorney in accordance with information provided by the mayor and the council members. A motion will be presented to approve the contract setting the terms and conditions of the city administrator's employment.Adjournment

Great Bend City Council meeting agenda (8/19)

Each year, the Clara
Barton Foundation awards scholarships to applicants interested in pursuing a
degree in the medical field. These scholarships have been funded through
scholarship endowments that have been established over the years. This year the
foundation awarded 12 scholarships, totaling $6,500.

The Verda Lane
scholarship was made possible through an endowment established by her family in
honor of her years of dedicated nursing service. This scholarship supports
students in their academic journey toward becoming Registered Nurses (RNs),
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
graduates, or pursuing a Doctorate in Nursing. This year, the Verda Lane scholarship was awarded to Livvy
Brewer of Hoisington, Braden Mooney of Hoisington, and Nicole Taylor of Larned.

o&nbsp;&nbsp;
Livvy
Brewer: Graduate of
Hoisington High School (Class of 2022). Currently a CNA at Clara Barton and
enrolled in the Nursing Program at Fort Hays State University. Plans to
graduate as a Registered Nurse with her BSN and return to Clara Barton.

o&nbsp;&nbsp;
Braden
Mooney: Graduate of Hoisington
High School (Class of 2021). Currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Science and
Nursing Program at Newman University. Plans to gain experience in an Emergency
Department or ICU and continue his education to become a Certified Registered
Nurse Anesthetist.

o&nbsp;&nbsp;
Nicole
Taylor: Graduate of
Larned High School (Class of 2021). Currently enrolled in the Nursing Program
at Fort Hays State University. Plans to graduate in the fall of 2024 with her
BSN.

The Jonathan Witt Scholarship supports
students planning to pursue a healthcare professional curriculum. This
scholarship is the oldest scholarship offered, having been continually awarded
since the formation of the Hospital Auxiliary organization in the 1950’s. The
auxiliary members voted to rename the scholarship in 2004 and established an
endowment with the Foundation in honor of Jonathan Witt, son of Dr. Dan and
Sandi Witt. This
year the scholarships were awarded to Madison Hanzlick (Wilborn), Jordyn
Boxberger, and Shellamae Farmer, all of Hoisington.

o&nbsp;&nbsp;
Madison Hanzlick: Graduate
of Hoisington High School (Class of 2017). Currently enrolled in the Doctorate
of Nursing Program at Fort Hays State University while working as an RN on an as-needed
basis. Plans to graduate in the spring of 2025 and establish herself as a
Family Nurse Practitioner in a rural primary care clinic.

o&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;Jordyn Boxberger: Graduate of
Hoisington High School (Class of 2024). Currently enrolled at Dodge City
Community College to play volleyball and achieve her Associate in Science with
a major in Health Sciences. Plans to then further her education at Kansas State
University, majoring in nursing, to ultimately become a Pediatric Nurse.

o&nbsp;&nbsp;
Shellamae Farmer: Graduate of Hoisington High School (Class of 2024). Currently a
CNA at Clara Barton and enrolled at Wichita State University to compete in
track and field and obtain her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. Plans to
attend medical school after WSU to eventually become a Cardiothoracic Surgeon.

The Sadie Stalcup Scholarship was
established in recent years to honor Sadie Stalcup, a long-time nurse at Clara
Barton Hospital. This year, the scholarships were awarded to Maleigha Schmidt of
Hoisington, Taylor Lashley of Great Bend, and Paige Lamatsch of Odin.

o&nbsp;&nbsp;
Maleigha Schmidt: Graduate
of Hoisington High School (Class of 2019). Currently enrolled at the Kansas
College of Osteopathic Medicine in Wichita. Plans to graduate in June 2027 –
specialty undetermined.

o&nbsp;&nbsp;
Taylor Lashley: Graduate of Great Bend High School (Class of 2024). Currently
working in the Therapy Department at Clara Barton and enrolled at The
University of Kansas. Plans to study speech-language hearing-communication
disorders.

o&nbsp;&nbsp;
Paige Lamatsch: Graduate
of Hoisington High School (Class of 2024). Currently enrolled at Fort Hays
State University. Plans to major in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

The Dr. Robert Moore Scholarship was established at the request of
the late Dr. Moore’s family to assist employees of Clara Barton Hospital with
their continuing education. This year, the scholarships were awarded to Emilee
Hall and Diana Quiroz-Sanchez of Great Bend, and Patricia Matteson of Claflin.

o&nbsp;&nbsp;
Emilee Hall: Graduate
of Great Bend High School (Class of 2024). Currently a CNA at Clara Barton and
enrolled at Barton Community College. Plans to complete the Nursing Program at
Barton and continue her education to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

o&nbsp;&nbsp;
Diana Quiroz-Sanchez: Former
graduate of Great Bend High School. Currently a CNA and Ward Clerk at Clara
Barton. Plans to continue her education through Hutchinson Community College to
become a Licensed Practical Nurse, and eventually a Registered Nurse.

o&nbsp;&nbsp;
Patricia Matteson:
Currently a CNA at Clara Barton and enrolled at Barton Community College. Plans
to become a Registered Nurse by 2026.

If you would be interested in making a contribution
to any of these endowments or to the Clara Barton Foundation, please visit
www.clarabartonhospital.com, contact the Foundation at 620-292-0814 or mail
your tax-deductible contribution to P.O. Box 25 Hoisington, Kansas 67544.

Each year, the Clara
Barton Foundation awards scholarships to applicants interested in pursuing a
degree in the medical field. These scholarships have been funded through
scholarship endowments that have been established over the years. This year the
foundation awarded 12 scholarships, totaling $6,500.The Verda Lane
scholarship was made possible through an endowment established by her family in
honor of her years of dedicated nursing service. This scholarship supports
students in their academic journey toward becoming Registered Nurses (RNs),
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
graduates, or pursuing a Doctorate in Nursing. This year, the Verda Lane scholarship was awarded to Livvy
Brewer of Hoisington, Braden Mooney of Hoisington, and Nicole Taylor of Larned.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723737961020.jpeg" alt="Livvy Brewer" />
 <figcaption>Livvy Brewer</figcaption>
 </figure>o&nbsp;&nbsp;
Livvy
Brewer: Graduate of
Hoisington High School (Class of 2022). Currently a CNA at Clara Barton and
enrolled in the Nursing Program at Fort Hays State University. Plans to
graduate as a Registered Nurse with her BSN and return to Clara Barton.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723737982100.jpeg" alt="Braden Mooney" />
 <figcaption>Braden Mooney</figcaption>
 </figure>o&nbsp;&nbsp;
Braden
Mooney: Graduate of Hoisington
High School (Class of 2021). Currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Science and
Nursing Program at Newman University. Plans to gain experience in an Emergency
Department or ICU and continue his education to become a Certified Registered
Nurse Anesthetist.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723738003931.jpeg" alt="Nicole Taylor&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Nicole Taylor&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>o&nbsp;&nbsp;
Nicole
Taylor: Graduate of
Larned High School (Class of 2021). Currently enrolled in the Nursing Program
at Fort Hays State University. Plans to graduate in the fall of 2024 with her
BSN.The Jonathan Witt Scholarship supports
students planning to pursue a healthcare professional curriculum. This
scholarship is the oldest scholarship offered, having been continually awarded
since the formation of the Hospital Auxiliary organization in the 1950’s. The
auxiliary members voted to rename the scholarship in 2004 and established an
endowment with the Foundation in honor of Jonathan Witt, son of Dr. Dan and
Sandi Witt. This
year the scholarships were awarded to Madison Hanzlick (Wilborn), Jordyn
Boxberger, and Shellamae Farmer, all of Hoisington.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723738029162.jpeg" alt="Madison Hanzlick" />
 <figcaption>Madison Hanzlick</figcaption>
 </figure>o&nbsp;&nbsp;
Madison Hanzlick: Graduate
of Hoisington High School (Class of 2017). Currently enrolled in the Doctorate
of Nursing Program at Fort Hays State University while working as an RN on an as-needed
basis. Plans to graduate in the spring of 2025 and establish herself as a
Family Nurse Practitioner in a rural primary care clinic.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723738057218.jpeg" alt="Jordyn Boxberger" />
 <figcaption>Jordyn Boxberger</figcaption>
 </figure>o&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;Jordyn Boxberger: Graduate of
Hoisington High School (Class of 2024). Currently enrolled at Dodge City
Community College to play volleyball and achieve her Associate in Science with
a major in Health Sciences. Plans to then further her education at Kansas State
University, majoring in nursing, to ultimately become a Pediatric Nurse.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723738074834.jpeg" alt="Shellamae Farmer" />
 <figcaption>Shellamae Farmer</figcaption>
 </figure>o&nbsp;&nbsp;
Shellamae Farmer: Graduate of Hoisington High School (Class of 2024). Currently a
CNA at Clara Barton and enrolled at Wichita State University to compete in
track and field and obtain her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. Plans to
attend medical school after WSU to eventually become a Cardiothoracic Surgeon.The Sadie Stalcup Scholarship was
established in recent years to honor Sadie Stalcup, a long-time nurse at Clara
Barton Hospital. This year, the scholarships were awarded to Maleigha Schmidt of
Hoisington, Taylor Lashley of Great Bend, and Paige Lamatsch of Odin.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723738095954.jpeg" alt="Maleigha Schmidt" />
 <figcaption>Maleigha Schmidt</figcaption>
 </figure>o&nbsp;&nbsp;
Maleigha Schmidt: Graduate
of Hoisington High School (Class of 2019). Currently enrolled at the Kansas
College of Osteopathic Medicine in Wichita. Plans to graduate in June 2027 –
specialty undetermined.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723738131825.jpeg" alt="Taylor Lashley" />
 <figcaption>Taylor Lashley</figcaption>
 </figure>o&nbsp;&nbsp;
Taylor Lashley: Graduate of Great Bend High School (Class of 2024). Currently
working in the Therapy Department at Clara Barton and enrolled at The
University of Kansas. Plans to study speech-language hearing-communication
disorders.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723738150529.jpeg" alt="Paige Lamatcsh" />
 <figcaption>Paige Lamatcsh</figcaption>
 </figure>o&nbsp;&nbsp;
Paige Lamatsch: Graduate
of Hoisington High School (Class of 2024). Currently enrolled at Fort Hays
State University. Plans to major in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.The Dr. Robert Moore Scholarship was established at the request of
the late Dr. Moore’s family to assist employees of Clara Barton Hospital with
their continuing education. This year, the scholarships were awarded to Emilee
Hall and Diana Quiroz-Sanchez of Great Bend, and Patricia Matteson of Claflin.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723738166914.jpeg" alt="Emilee Hall" />
 <figcaption>Emilee Hall</figcaption>
 </figure>o&nbsp;&nbsp;
Emilee Hall: Graduate
of Great Bend High School (Class of 2024). Currently a CNA at Clara Barton and
enrolled at Barton Community College. Plans to complete the Nursing Program at
Barton and continue her education to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. o&nbsp;&nbsp;
Diana Quiroz-Sanchez: Former
graduate of Great Bend High School. Currently a CNA and Ward Clerk at Clara
Barton. Plans to continue her education through Hutchinson Community College to
become a Licensed Practical Nurse, and eventually a Registered Nurse.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723738192104.jpeg" alt="Patricia Matteson" />
 <figcaption>Patricia Matteson</figcaption>
 </figure>o&nbsp;&nbsp;
Patricia Matteson:
Currently a CNA at Clara Barton and enrolled at Barton Community College. Plans
to become a Registered Nurse by 2026.If you would be interested in making a contribution
to any of these endowments or to the Clara Barton Foundation, please visit
www.clarabartonhospital.com, contact the Foundation at 620-292-0814 or mail
your tax-deductible contribution to P.O. Box 25 Hoisington, Kansas 67544.

Clara Barton Hospital Foundation awards 12 healthcare scholarships

The drought monitor report as of Tuesday, August 13 shows a very slight decrease in drought conditions for the state. However, the percentage of the state in moderate drought increased slightly. Barton County and the area is unchanged in moderate to severe drought. This doesn’t reflect the precipitation we received this week. The six to ten-day outlook (August 20 to 24) indicates a 40 to 50% chance of leaning above normal for temperatures and normal for precipitation. The eight to fourteen-day outlook (August 22 to 28) indicates a 50 to 60% chance of likely above normal temperatures and a 30 to 40% of leaning below normal for precipitation. Not great for milo, soybeans, alfalfa planting or the upcoming planting for the 2025 wheat crop.

As of today, the next five-year Farm Bill is still in limbo and it appears unlikely to be passed by the end of the year. Let’s not discuss the politics involved today, but rather why do we even have a Farm Bill. And, why there is so much more in it than simply support for agriculture.

The U.S. government started what we now know as the five-year Farm Bill over ninety years ago during the Great Depression. Farmers were leaving the land in significant numbers and the Great Plains were entering the Dust Bowl. However, it’s important to know farmers and ranchers were experiencing hard times as early the start of the 1920s. The 1910s, especially after the start of WWI, were a boom time for agriculture. The government saw opportunities to sell commodities to the countries of Europe involved in the war and encouraged producers to increase production. In Kansas, farmers were encouraged to break open more of the prairie for wheat production. After the war ended, we were still producing more commodities while Europe’s need for them decreased. This resulted in a large surplus and depressed prices. Add in the start of the Great Depression to exacerbate the problem. People were lacking income and therefore food.

Another factor, as President Hoover left and President Roosevelt took office was the situation of the rest of the world, especially Europe. The Soviet Union, Nazi Germany, fascist Italy, coupled with the rise of communists in much of Europe along with great unrest in the U.S. They recognized several problems. One, we needed farmers. Two, we needed a cheap food supply to ease unrest. Three, we needed to address problems like the Dust Bowl and erosion in the Corn Belt along with a need to increase per acre production.

From an economist’s standpoint, the government was preventing the free market from totally working by artificially keeping the number of farmers higher than the market would dictate. And we were purposefully striving to keep production high to keep prices low. And for almost a century it’s worked pretty well as even with current prices, the average American spends a lower percentage of their income on food than almost all other nations. The hunger in this country is caused by other factors.

One last word is in order. Why is most of money in the Farm Bill today involved in things like supplemental nutrition, WIC, etc.? Two reasons, we have decided people should adequate food to eat, regardless of income. And, remember, people on farms and ranches make up less than three percent of the population along with states with large urban populations. This helps obtain support for passage.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682025352095.jpeg" alt="written by:&nbsp; Dr. Victor L. Martin, Instructor/Coordinator Agriculture/Weights and Measures, Barton Community College" />
 <figcaption>written by:&nbsp; Dr. Victor L. Martin, Instructor/Coordinator Agriculture/Weights and Measures, Barton Community College</figcaption>
 </figure>The drought monitor report as of Tuesday, August 13 shows a very slight decrease in drought conditions for the state. However, the percentage of the state in moderate drought increased slightly. Barton County and the area is unchanged in moderate to severe drought. This doesn’t reflect the precipitation we received this week. The six to ten-day outlook (August 20 to 24) indicates a 40 to 50% chance of leaning above normal for temperatures and normal for precipitation. The eight to fourteen-day outlook (August 22 to 28) indicates a 50 to 60% chance of likely above normal temperatures and a 30 to 40% of leaning below normal for precipitation. Not great for milo, soybeans, alfalfa planting or the upcoming planting for the 2025 wheat crop.As of today, the next five-year Farm Bill is still in limbo and it appears unlikely to be passed by the end of the year. Let’s not discuss the politics involved today, but rather why do we even have a Farm Bill. And, why there is so much more in it than simply support for agriculture.The U.S. government started what we now know as the five-year Farm Bill over ninety years ago during the Great Depression. Farmers were leaving the land in significant numbers and the Great Plains were entering the Dust Bowl. However, it’s important to know farmers and ranchers were experiencing hard times as early the start of the 1920s. The 1910s, especially after the start of WWI, were a boom time for agriculture. The government saw opportunities to sell commodities to the countries of Europe involved in the war and encouraged producers to increase production. In Kansas, farmers were encouraged to break open more of the prairie for wheat production. After the war ended, we were still producing more commodities while Europe’s need for them decreased. This resulted in a large surplus and depressed prices. Add in the start of the Great Depression to exacerbate the problem. People were lacking income and therefore food.Another factor, as President Hoover left and President Roosevelt took office was the situation of the rest of the world, especially Europe. The Soviet Union, Nazi Germany, fascist Italy, coupled with the rise of communists in much of Europe along with great unrest in the U.S. They recognized several problems. One, we needed farmers. Two, we needed a cheap food supply to ease unrest. Three, we needed to address problems like the Dust Bowl and erosion in the Corn Belt along with a need to increase per acre production.From an economist’s standpoint, the government was preventing the free market from totally working by artificially keeping the number of farmers higher than the market would dictate. And we were purposefully striving to keep production high to keep prices low. And for almost a century it’s worked pretty well as even with current prices, the average American spends a lower percentage of their income on food than almost all other nations. The hunger in this country is caused by other factors.One last word is in order. Why is most of money in the Farm Bill today involved in things like supplemental nutrition, WIC, etc.? Two reasons, we have decided people should adequate food to eat, regardless of income. And, remember, people on farms and ranches make up less than three percent of the population along with states with large urban populations. This helps obtain support for passage.

Barton Ag Instructor Dr. Vic Martin - Why we have a Farm Bill

The “Air Fest 2024 Preview Show” is hosted by Steve Webster on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM. Guests include Hayden Proffitt who will be driving the Hot Streak Jet Truck at September's AirFest at Great Bend Municipal Airport.. The show aired on Aug. 14, 2024.

Great Bend Airfest is Sept. 20-22. Find more information and buy tickets at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatbendairfest.com/buy-tickets">greatbendairfest.com</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722361372574.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The “Air Fest 2024 Preview Show” is hosted by Steve Webster on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM. Guests include Hayden Proffitt who will be driving the Hot Streak Jet Truck at September's AirFest at Great Bend Municipal Airport.. The show aired on Aug. 14, 2024.<div><iframe title="Great Bend Airfest preview - Hayden Proffitt" 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=fux66-16a1a7e-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>Great Bend Airfest is Sept. 20-22. Find more information and buy tickets at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatbendairfest.com/buy-tickets">greatbendairfest.com</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

🎙Post Podcast: Great Bend Airfest preview - Hayden Proffitt

From the Barton County Historical Society...

The Barton County Historical Society will host a program in the Ray Schulz Research Library at the museum by John Sherman, Ellsworth, at 7 p.m. Monday, August 26.

Sherman will share the history and follow the battles of the 10th Mountain Division in the Apennine Mountains of northern Italy during World War II. The 10th Division was initially formed from collegiate skiers with the purpose of preparing “ski troops” for combat in the event of an invasion of the United States through Canada. Recently dedicated as a national monument, Camp Hale located in the Colorado Rockies West of Leadville, was the training site.

The Division was put to the test in Italy having been given the job of securing high ground held by the Germans in the Apennines.&nbsp;&nbsp;Involved in fierce combat with the Germans for only 114 days, the group suffered 992 killed in action, and an additional 4,154 wounded, including Kansan Bob Dole.

A member of the10th Mountain Division Descendants group, Sherman will present an interesting program relating his story of following the footsteps of his father, who he never knew, through Italy. Sherman will discuss the formation of the Division, their battles in Italy and subsequent significant contributions to American and Colorado culture.

Admission to the program is $5 and is free for society members and those under 16 years of age. Those wishing to become members may join the night of the program at the door. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served following the program. The museum is located at 85 S. Hwy. 281, Great Bend.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723233100250.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>From the Barton County Historical Society...The Barton County Historical Society will host a program in the Ray Schulz Research Library at the museum by John Sherman, Ellsworth, at 7 p.m. Monday, August 26.Sherman will share the history and follow the battles of the 10th Mountain Division in the Apennine Mountains of northern Italy during World War II. The 10th Division was initially formed from collegiate skiers with the purpose of preparing “ski troops” for combat in the event of an invasion of the United States through Canada. Recently dedicated as a national monument, Camp Hale located in the Colorado Rockies West of Leadville, was the training site.The Division was put to the test in Italy having been given the job of securing high ground held by the Germans in the Apennines.&nbsp;&nbsp;Involved in fierce combat with the Germans for only 114 days, the group suffered 992 killed in action, and an additional 4,154 wounded, including Kansan Bob Dole.A member of the10th Mountain Division Descendants group, Sherman will present an interesting program relating his story of following the footsteps of his father, who he never knew, through Italy. Sherman will discuss the formation of the Division, their battles in Italy and subsequent significant contributions to American and Colorado culture.Admission to the program is $5 and is free for society members and those under 16 years of age. Those wishing to become members may join the night of the program at the door. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served following the program. The museum is located at 85 S. Hwy. 281, Great Bend.

Sherman retraces father’s footsteps with Barton Co. program

TOPEKA, Kan. – Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services (LMIS) division of the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.2% in July. This is an increase from 3.0% in June and an increase from 2.6% in July 2023, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Labor.

Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 1,700 from June. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs increased by 3,900 over the month, while government decreased by 5,600.

The unemployment rate in Barton County is up from 3.7 percent in June to 3.9 percent in July.&nbsp; The rate in Rush County jumped from 3.3 percent to 4.1 percent.&nbsp;

“Kansas employers in the private sector added jobs in July. However this growth was offset by a decline in government jobs, which resulted in the overall decrease for total nonfarm estimates,” said labor economist, Emilie Doerksen. “The private sector job growth was led by an increase in professional and business services jobs as well as a continued upward trend for trade, transportation, and utilities.”

Since July 2023 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 21,100. This change is due to an increase of 22,800 private sector jobs and a decrease of 1,700 government jobs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723817303630.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. – Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services (LMIS) division of the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.2% in July. This is an increase from 3.0% in June and an increase from 2.6% in July 2023, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Labor.Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 1,700 from June. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs increased by 3,900 over the month, while government decreased by 5,600.The unemployment rate in Barton County is up from 3.7 percent in June to 3.9 percent in July.&nbsp; The rate in Rush County jumped from 3.3 percent to 4.1 percent.&nbsp;“Kansas employers in the private sector added jobs in July. However this growth was offset by a decline in government jobs, which resulted in the overall decrease for total nonfarm estimates,” said labor economist, Emilie Doerksen. “The private sector job growth was led by an increase in professional and business services jobs as well as a continued upward trend for trade, transportation, and utilities.”Since July 2023 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 21,100. This change is due to an increase of 22,800 private sector jobs and a decrease of 1,700 government jobs.

Jobless rate continues to grow in Barton County, across the region

By COLE REIF Great Bend Post

While the official date to purchase tickets for the Barton Community
College Foundation’s 45th Annual Big Benefit Auction was last week,
Executive Director of Institutional Advancement Lindsey Bogner said it does not
hurt to reach out to her office to see if there are any more seats to the fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 24.


The Big Benefit Auction is the most successful and longest-running fundraiser
for the Barton Foundation. The money raised supports academic scholarships, along
with enhancements to programs and facilities.


For the second straight year, the event will be held at the Great Bend Events
Center, beginning at 5:30 p.m.


"The auction is growing very quickly," said Bogner. "We are really excited to have everybody there. Having it at the Events Center is how we're able to grow. We can fit more people in there, more auction items and more everything."

As of last Tuesday, Bogner said there have been 30 more reservations for Saturday’s
event compared to last year.&nbsp;

The Barton Foundation office can be reached at (620) 792-9306, by sending an email to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:foundation@bartonccc.edu">foundation@bartonccc.edu</a>, or by visiting&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonccfoundation.org/fundraising-events/auction">bartonccfoundation.org</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723747407106.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostWhile the official date to purchase tickets for the Barton Community
College Foundation’s 45th Annual Big Benefit Auction was last week,
Executive Director of Institutional Advancement Lindsey Bogner said it does not
hurt to reach out to her office to see if there are any more seats to the fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 24.
The Big Benefit Auction is the most successful and longest-running fundraiser
for the Barton Foundation. The money raised supports academic scholarships, along
with enhancements to programs and facilities.
For the second straight year, the event will be held at the Great Bend Events
Center, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
"The auction is growing very quickly," said Bogner. "We are really excited to have everybody there. Having it at the Events Center is how we're able to grow. We can fit more people in there, more auction items and more everything."As of last Tuesday, Bogner said there have been 30 more reservations for Saturday’s
event compared to last year.&nbsp;The Barton Foundation office can be reached at (620) 792-9306, by sending an email to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:foundation@bartonccc.edu">foundation@bartonccc.edu</a>, or by visiting&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartonccfoundation.org/fundraising-events/auction">bartonccfoundation.org</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Barton Foundation benefit auction Saturday, numbers growing

From the Great Bend Recreation Commission...

How was your fishing spot this spring and summer? The Great Bend Rec would love to show off your best catch or a photo of you fishing in their Facebook comment section. Share your photo in the comment section below and the Rec will randomly select three entries to receive a Great Bend Chamber gift certificate from the Rec. The contest closes Monday, Aug. 19 at noon.

&nbsp;*By submitting photos, I understand the GBRC, and any sponsor or individuals may subsequently use for publicity or promotional purpose my name or pictures without liability or obligation to me.

From the Great Bend Recreation Commission...How was your fishing spot this spring and summer? The Great Bend Rec would love to show off your best catch or a photo of you fishing in their Facebook comment section. Share your photo in the comment section below and the Rec will randomly select three entries to receive a Great Bend Chamber gift certificate from the Rec. The contest closes Monday, Aug. 19 at noon.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTheRecGB%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0apzxhycqhxJv8GcCdzwjiYGD2civjZYqghheG7K27YviXbU8AoaMxqscpajbdjpl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="657" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>&nbsp;*By submitting photos, I understand the GBRC, and any sponsor or individuals may subsequently use for publicity or promotional purpose my name or pictures without liability or obligation to me.

Great Bend Rec fishing photo contest continues until Aug. 19

USD 495 Larned school events in August...

August 19:&nbsp; Larned Middle School Meet the Teachers Lockers Night &amp; First Day of Fall Sports Practice August 20:&nbsp; Larned Elementary School Open House @ 5 pm August 21:&nbsp; First Day of School, 8 am-LHS Freshman and 6th Grade, 12 pm-LHS 10-12th and LMS 7th &amp; 8th August 22:&nbsp; Larned High School Back to School Meet the Teacher Night August 26:&nbsp; Larned High School Booster Club Kick off Dinner @ Community Center, 6:30 pm August 27:&nbsp; Larned High School FCCLA Officers meeting @ 7:30 am August 29:&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;7:30 am- LHS Stuco Officers Meeting &nbsp; &nbsp;8 am- Jostens Senior Announcement Cap/Gown Presentation and Sophomore Ring Presentation &nbsp; &nbsp;9 am-LHS (A) JV Girls Tennis @ Dodge City &nbsp; &nbsp;5:30 pm -5th Grade Band Display and Parent Meeting August 30:&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;7:30 am -Larned High School FCA Meeting &nbsp; &nbsp;6 pm- LHS ( H) Football Jamboree August 31:&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;9:00 am- Larned Middle School (a) VB Tournament@ Kingman/Garden Plain &nbsp; &nbsp;9:00 am-Larned High School (A)&nbsp; V VB CKL @ Halstead&nbsp;&nbsp;

USD 495 Larned school events in August...August 19:&nbsp; Larned Middle School Meet the Teachers Lockers Night &amp; First Day of Fall Sports Practice August 20:&nbsp; Larned Elementary School Open House @ 5 pm August 21:&nbsp; First Day of School, 8 am-LHS Freshman and 6th Grade, 12 pm-LHS 10-12th and LMS 7th &amp; 8th August 22:&nbsp; Larned High School Back to School Meet the Teacher Night August 26:&nbsp; Larned High School Booster Club Kick off Dinner @ Community Center, 6:30 pm August 27:&nbsp; Larned High School FCCLA Officers meeting @ 7:30 am August 29:&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;7:30 am- LHS Stuco Officers Meeting &nbsp; &nbsp;8 am- Jostens Senior Announcement Cap/Gown Presentation and Sophomore Ring Presentation &nbsp; &nbsp;9 am-LHS (A) JV Girls Tennis @ Dodge City &nbsp; &nbsp;5:30 pm -5th Grade Band Display and Parent Meeting August 30:&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;7:30 am -Larned High School FCA Meeting &nbsp; &nbsp;6 pm- LHS ( H) Football Jamboree August 31:&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;9:00 am- Larned Middle School (a) VB Tournament@ Kingman/Garden Plain &nbsp; &nbsp;9:00 am-Larned High School (A)&nbsp; V VB CKL @ Halstead&nbsp;&nbsp;

USD 495 Larned school events in August

Barton Community College’s Center for Adult Education is holding orientation days Sept. 16-19 with multiple times available in preparation for its next nine-week session of high school diploma classes, which will start Sep. 23 or 24, depending on which class sessions are signed up for.

&nbsp;In-person attendance is required at all orientation day sessions for students to attend actual classes. Those wanting to sign up can contact Barton Support and Testing Specialist Gina Owen at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:oweng@bartonccc.edu">oweng@bartonccc.edu</a>&nbsp;or (620) 786-7565 to select a time to attend orientation.

Once students complete orientation, they can choose from classes on Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays. There are three class times to choose from on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which are 8-11 a.m. or 1-4 or 6-9 p.m. There are two class times to choose from on Mondays and Wednesdays, which are 8-11 a.m. or 1-4 p.m. The Center for Adult Education is at 1025 Main Street in Great Bend.

Students will complete the required testing, learn how to navigate their GED.com account, and learn about WorkReady! Students will also meet one-on-one with their instructor to discuss goals, expectations, attendance requirements, and workload.

Those interested in taking the GED exam without any preparation instruction can do so right away but are urged to receive advising before moving forward.

Minors must bring a parent or legal guardian to enroll. A completed Compulsory Attendance Waiver is required for any student 16 or 17 years of age and will be provided by the Center for Adult Education at the time of sign-up.

Story by Joe VinduskaBarton Community College’s Center for Adult Education is holding orientation days Sept. 16-19 with multiple times available in preparation for its next nine-week session of high school diploma classes, which will start Sep. 23 or 24, depending on which class sessions are signed up for.&nbsp;In-person attendance is required at all orientation day sessions for students to attend actual classes. Those wanting to sign up can contact Barton Support and Testing Specialist Gina Owen at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:oweng@bartonccc.edu">oweng@bartonccc.edu</a>&nbsp;or (620) 786-7565 to select a time to attend orientation.Once students complete orientation, they can choose from classes on Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays. There are three class times to choose from on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which are 8-11 a.m. or 1-4 or 6-9 p.m. There are two class times to choose from on Mondays and Wednesdays, which are 8-11 a.m. or 1-4 p.m. The Center for Adult Education is at 1025 Main Street in Great Bend.Students will complete the required testing, learn how to navigate their GED.com account, and learn about WorkReady! Students will also meet one-on-one with their instructor to discuss goals, expectations, attendance requirements, and workload.Those interested in taking the GED exam without any preparation instruction can do so right away but are urged to receive advising before moving forward.Minors must bring a parent or legal guardian to enroll. A completed Compulsory Attendance Waiver is required for any student 16 or 17 years of age and will be provided by the Center for Adult Education at the time of sign-up.

Barton CC to host adult education classes in downtown Great Bend

Hear this week's County Edition show with Eagle Radio's Mike Courson and staff from the Barton County Health Department that aired Aug. 15, 2024.

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/2024/7/1722361372574.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hear this week's County Edition show with Eagle Radio's Mike Courson and staff from the Barton County Health Department that aired Aug. 15, 2024.<div><iframe title="County Edition: Barton Co. Health Dept. staff" 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=f3dev-16a1aa0-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: Barton Co. Health Dept. staff

The Kansas Department of Transportation is now accepting applications for the fall 2024 round of the agency’s Cost Share Program. More than $146 million has been given to Kansas communities since the Cost Share Program began in 2019.

The Cost Share Program provides financial assistance to local entities for construction projects that improve safety, leverage state funds to increase total transportation investment and help both rural and urban areas of the state improve the transportation system. This is the 10th round of projects to receive funding.

“KDOT’s Cost Share Program improves transportation, creates economic growth and increases job opportunities across Kansas,” said Michelle Needham, Economic Development Programs Manager. “Past Cost Share participants have proven this program to be the financial boost that many small and large communities needed to achieve their project goals.”

An informational webinar will take place at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21. The application process will be discussed, and attendees can ask questions. To register, go to:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vem9vbS51cy9tZWV0aW5nL3JlZ2lzdGVyL3RKVWtjdUNxcGpvdUhOZlZiSHRNcE1RMEtpVjI1YTB6WUtPST91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkjL3JlZ2lzdHJhdGlvbiIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA4MTIuOTg5MDg3NDEifQ.WPdxmSh71HQPY2jRqstaGTfXKg8bj5v3z5I2ODX8zDo/s/1410648818/br/247258514072-l">https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUkcuCqpjouHNfVbHtMpMQ0KiV25a0zYKOI#/registration</a>

All transportation projects are eligible, including roadway (on and off the state system), rail, airport, bicycle/pedestrian and public transit. Candidate projects should include investments that provide transportation benefits and are not eligible for other KDOT programs. This round of grant funding has an overall budget of $6 million, with a maximum awarded amount of $1 million per project.

The deadline to submit applications is Sept. 19. More information and the application link are on KDOT’s website at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cua3Nkb3Qub3JnL0Nvc3RTaGFyZS9Db3N0U2hhcmVQcm9ncmFtLmFzcD91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjQwODEyLjk4OTA4NzQxIn0.Nqwjc04B-OsnFzsLfgAITOom3qAx2RdZF3HzUMjCQSg/s/1410648818/br/247258514072-l">http://www.ksdot.org/CostShare/CostShareProgram.asp</a>. Applications will be completed online, and a sample PDF application is available.

Please contact Needham,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:michelle.d.needham@ks.gov">michelle.d.needham@ks.gov</a>, with any questions.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623954152954.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Department of Transportation is now accepting applications for the fall 2024 round of the agency’s Cost Share Program. More than $146 million has been given to Kansas communities since the Cost Share Program began in 2019.The Cost Share Program provides financial assistance to local entities for construction projects that improve safety, leverage state funds to increase total transportation investment and help both rural and urban areas of the state improve the transportation system. This is the 10th round of projects to receive funding.“KDOT’s Cost Share Program improves transportation, creates economic growth and increases job opportunities across Kansas,” said Michelle Needham, Economic Development Programs Manager. “Past Cost Share participants have proven this program to be the financial boost that many small and large communities needed to achieve their project goals.”An informational webinar will take place at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21. The application process will be discussed, and attendees can ask questions. To register, go to:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vem9vbS51cy9tZWV0aW5nL3JlZ2lzdGVyL3RKVWtjdUNxcGpvdUhOZlZiSHRNcE1RMEtpVjI1YTB6WUtPST91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkjL3JlZ2lzdHJhdGlvbiIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA4MTIuOTg5MDg3NDEifQ.WPdxmSh71HQPY2jRqstaGTfXKg8bj5v3z5I2ODX8zDo/s/1410648818/br/247258514072-l">https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUkcuCqpjouHNfVbHtMpMQ0KiV25a0zYKOI#/registration</a>All transportation projects are eligible, including roadway (on and off the state system), rail, airport, bicycle/pedestrian and public transit. Candidate projects should include investments that provide transportation benefits and are not eligible for other KDOT programs. This round of grant funding has an overall budget of $6 million, with a maximum awarded amount of $1 million per project.The deadline to submit applications is Sept. 19. More information and the application link are on KDOT’s website at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cua3Nkb3Qub3JnL0Nvc3RTaGFyZS9Db3N0U2hhcmVQcm9ncmFtLmFzcD91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjQwODEyLjk4OTA4NzQxIn0.Nqwjc04B-OsnFzsLfgAITOom3qAx2RdZF3HzUMjCQSg/s/1410648818/br/247258514072-l">http://www.ksdot.org/CostShare/CostShareProgram.asp</a>. Applications will be completed online, and a sample PDF application is available.Please contact Needham,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:michelle.d.needham@ks.gov">michelle.d.needham@ks.gov</a>, with any questions.

KDOT’s Cost Share Program applications being accepted

The orthopedics, physical therapy and sports medicine care team at The University of Kansas Health System welcomes Brik Thompson, DPT, physical therapist, to Great Bend. Thompson joins the team in Great Bend from The University of Kansas Health System in Olathe.

Thompson earned his bachelor’s degree in health and human performance at Fort Hays State University and his Doctor of Physical Therapy at Rockhurst University in Kansas City. He then joined the physical therapy team at Olathe Health.

Following an athletic injury, Thompson had physical therapy and it led him to become interested in anatomy and the science of movement. This led him to his degree in physical therapy. He also has training in dry needling techniques.

“I enjoy building relationships with my patients and helping them improve their physical function,” Thompson said. “I use manual therapy techniques, therapeutic exercises and pain education to help patients meet their goals and improve their overall quality of life.”

Thompson grew up in central Kansas and his wife, Karisa, is a native of Barton County, and they are excited to be closer to family. He enjoys hunting, fishing, watching sports and spending time with family and friends when he is not at work.

To schedule a physical therapy appointment with Thompson, call orthopedics, physical therapy and sports medicine at 620-792-4383.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723816725496.jpeg" alt="Brik Thompson, DPT" />
 <figcaption>Brik Thompson, DPT</figcaption>
 </figure>BUSINESS NEWSThe orthopedics, physical therapy and sports medicine care team at The University of Kansas Health System welcomes Brik Thompson, DPT, physical therapist, to Great Bend. Thompson joins the team in Great Bend from The University of Kansas Health System in Olathe.Thompson earned his bachelor’s degree in health and human performance at Fort Hays State University and his Doctor of Physical Therapy at Rockhurst University in Kansas City. He then joined the physical therapy team at Olathe Health.Following an athletic injury, Thompson had physical therapy and it led him to become interested in anatomy and the science of movement. This led him to his degree in physical therapy. He also has training in dry needling techniques.“I enjoy building relationships with my patients and helping them improve their physical function,” Thompson said. “I use manual therapy techniques, therapeutic exercises and pain education to help patients meet their goals and improve their overall quality of life.”Thompson grew up in central Kansas and his wife, Karisa, is a native of Barton County, and they are excited to be closer to family. He enjoys hunting, fishing, watching sports and spending time with family and friends when he is not at work.To schedule a physical therapy appointment with Thompson, call orthopedics, physical therapy and sports medicine at 620-792-4383.

Physical therapist from Olathe joins Great Bend care team

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/4c1e164c-7f41-4f84-8944-de69efb90076">One death from electrocution incident at Great Bend airport</a>

<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/7a8e0907-250e-4654-a889-9489abae4d7c">Park School staff in Great Bend respond to gas leak alert</a>

<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/e4595fff-aa6c-4466-add0-57be18739622">Barton Community College recovering from BMI closure</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723575115607.jpeg" alt="A 16-year-old man from Wichita died Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024 at the Great Bend Municipal Airport after an electrocution incident." />
 <figcaption>A 16-year-old man from Wichita died Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024 at the Great Bend Municipal Airport after an electrocution incident.</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/iqitpwmf/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/4c1e164c-7f41-4f84-8944-de69efb90076">One death from electrocution incident at Great Bend airport</a><a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/7a8e0907-250e-4654-a889-9489abae4d7c">Park School staff in Great Bend respond to gas leak alert</a><a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/e4595fff-aa6c-4466-add0-57be18739622">Barton Community College recovering from BMI closure</a>

Eagle Radio's news week in review

High school sports practices begin around Kansas on Aug. 19. Games will follow shortly after that. Great Bend High School is offering a few ways to get into those activities at a discounted rate. Activities Director Matt Westerhaus said Great Bend High School and Great Bend Middle School students are eligible for a student pass for $30.

"Since we issue ID cards at both of those buildings, they can pay in the office," he said. "That is printed on their ID card. They simply show that at every event and they get into every event throughout the course of the 2024-25 school year for $30."

The Western Athletic Conference has set the cost of admission for all league schools at $7 per person. That can add up quickly for families attending multiple events. GBHS is offering several family pass options this year for home events.

"We currently do not offer discounts for elementary-age students with an activities pass for the year," Westerhaus said. "We wanted to offer something for families who have elementary-aged children, so we came up with these family passes of three, four, and five. Those can be purchased per season: fall, winter, and spring."

Family passes are $150 for a family of three, $200 for a family of four, and $250 for a family of five and must be purchased each season. GBHS continues to offer its Gold Card pass for Panther fans who are 60 years of age or older. The school also offers a 10-punch pass for $60, and an all-season pass that allows a single individual to attend all GBHS home events for $150.

<a href="https://gofan.co/app/school/KS25138">CLICK HERE</a> to purchase tickets or email courtney.kelly@usd428.net with questions.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666802996419.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostHigh school sports practices begin around Kansas on Aug. 19. Games will follow shortly after that. Great Bend High School is offering a few ways to get into those activities at a discounted rate. Activities Director Matt Westerhaus said Great Bend High School and Great Bend Middle School students are eligible for a student pass for $30."Since we issue ID cards at both of those buildings, they can pay in the office," he said. "That is printed on their ID card. They simply show that at every event and they get into every event throughout the course of the 2024-25 school year for $30."The Western Athletic Conference has set the cost of admission for all league schools at $7 per person. That can add up quickly for families attending multiple events. GBHS is offering several family pass options this year for home events."We currently do not offer discounts for elementary-age students with an activities pass for the year," Westerhaus said. "We wanted to offer something for families who have elementary-aged children, so we came up with these family passes of three, four, and five. Those can be purchased per season: fall, winter, and spring."Family passes are $150 for a family of three, $200 for a family of four, and $250 for a family of five and must be purchased each season. GBHS continues to offer its Gold Card pass for Panther fans who are 60 years of age or older. The school also offers a 10-punch pass for $60, and an all-season pass that allows a single individual to attend all GBHS home events for $150.<a href="https://gofan.co/app/school/KS25138">CLICK HERE</a> to purchase tickets or email courtney.kelly@usd428.net with questions.

Great Bend High School offering several discount ticket options

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) have issued a public health advisory due to blue-green algae.

A harmful algal bloom (HAB) may look like foam, scum or paint floating on the water and be colored blue, bright green, brown or red. Blooms can develop rapidly; if the water appears suspicious or there is decaying algae on the shore, avoid contact and keep pets away. These toxins can be absorbed by ingestion, inhalation of aerosols and even skin contact. Symptoms vary depending upon the type of exposure (e.g. direct contact, ingestion, inhalation) but can include rash, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, and headache. If you, or your pets, come into contact with algae rinse the area with clean, fresh water. Suspected HAB-related health incidents, whether human or animal, regardless of season, should be reported at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.0IU4UrR8mbXeFWfAxNDkYeXTwXgNJ8oMxYXQPCtYivU/s/1305943094/br/247575223459-l">kdhe.ks.gov/1163</a>.

A&nbsp;Hazard status&nbsp;indicates that a harmful algal bloom is present, and extreme conditions exist.&nbsp;

When a hazard is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

A&nbsp;Warning status&nbsp;indicates that conditions are unsafe for human and pet exposure.&nbsp; Contact with the waterbody should be avoided.

When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

A&nbsp;Watch status&nbsp;means that blue-green algae have been detected and a harmful algal bloom is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water.

When a watch is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

Advisories are&nbsp;Lifted&nbsp;when cell densities and toxin concentrations dissipate to levels below the Watch thresholds.

KDHE investigates publicly accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on credible field observation and sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.&nbsp;

If you observe a scum or paint-like surface on the water, small floating blue-green clumps or filaments in the water, or if the water is an opaque green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.

For information on blue-green algae and reporting potential harmful algal blooms, please visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.PBJe20J1Z4n0bz4njlQvisyMK2fFiy4k7NxTXNpkqGM/s/1305943094/br/247575223459-l">kdhe.ks.gov/HAB</a>&nbsp;and check out our&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.VWWwgyCTtqR025eadIkxZstqqWFdiYBr5iUdQp_bAw0/s/1305943094/br/247575223459-l">interactive story</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.BQq-9uEucfmY1ADlqSnil3U_iHWeG-QttHkuNw7mpw8/s/1305943094/br/247575223459-l">informative video</a>.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) have issued a public health advisory due to blue-green algae.A harmful algal bloom (HAB) may look like foam, scum or paint floating on the water and be colored blue, bright green, brown or red. Blooms can develop rapidly; if the water appears suspicious or there is decaying algae on the shore, avoid contact and keep pets away. These toxins can be absorbed by ingestion, inhalation of aerosols and even skin contact. Symptoms vary depending upon the type of exposure (e.g. direct contact, ingestion, inhalation) but can include rash, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, and headache. If you, or your pets, come into contact with algae rinse the area with clean, fresh water. Suspected HAB-related health incidents, whether human or animal, regardless of season, should be reported at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.0IU4UrR8mbXeFWfAxNDkYeXTwXgNJ8oMxYXQPCtYivU/s/1305943094/br/247575223459-l">kdhe.ks.gov/1163</a>.Active AdvisoriesWarning&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Eagle Lake (Bel Aire), Sedgwick County</li><li>Gathering Pond, Geary County</li><li>Harvey County East Lake, Harvey County</li><li>King Lake, Lyon County</li><li>Lake Afton, Sedgwick County</li><li>Melvern Outlet River Pond, Osage County</li>
 </ul>Watch&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Atchison City Lake #8, Atchison County</li><li>Atchison State Fishing Lake, Atchison County</li><li>Cedar Lake, Johnson County</li><li>Horsethief Reservoir, Hodgeman County</li><li>Lake Shawnee, Shawnee County</li><li>Louisburg City Lake, Miami County</li><li>Melvern Outlet Swim Pond, Osage County</li><li>River Pond (Tuttle Creek state Park), Pottawatomie &amp; Riley Counties</li><li>Sabetha City Lake, Nemaha County</li>
 </ul>A&nbsp;Hazard status&nbsp;indicates that a harmful algal bloom is present, and extreme conditions exist.&nbsp;When a hazard is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:<ul>
 <li>Signage should be posted at all public access locations.</li><li>It is recommended that either a portion of the lake or the entire lake or zone, be closed to the public.</li><li>In some cases, the adjacent land should be closed as well. Actual setback distances will be determined on a site-specific basis, if necessary.</li><li>When partial closures (i.e., beach or cove) are issued, the remaining lake or zone area will carry a warning status.</li>
 </ul>A&nbsp;Warning status&nbsp;indicates that conditions are unsafe for human and pet exposure.&nbsp; Contact with the waterbody should be avoided.When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:<ul>
 <li>Signage should be posted at all public access locations.</li><li>Inhalation of spray or aerosols may be harmful.</li><li>Lake water is not safe to drink for pets or livestock.&nbsp;</li><li>Lake water, regardless of blue-green algae status, should never be consumed by humans.&nbsp;</li><li>Water contact should be avoided.&nbsp;</li><li>Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water and only the fillet portion is consumed, while all other parts are discarded.&nbsp;</li><li>Do not allow pets to eat dried algae.&nbsp;</li><li>If lake water contacts skin, wash with clean water as soon as possible.&nbsp;</li><li>Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>A&nbsp;Watch status&nbsp;means that blue-green algae have been detected and a harmful algal bloom is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water.When a watch is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:<ul>
 <li>Signage should be posted at all public access locations.</li><li>Water may be unsafe for humans/animals.</li><li>Avoid areas of algae accumulation and do not let people/pets eat dried algae or drink contaminated water.</li><li>Swimming, wading, skiing and jet skiing are discouraged near visible blooms.</li><li>Boating and fishing are safe. However, inhalation of the spray may affect some individuals. Avoid direct contact with water, and wash with clean water after any contact.</li><li>Clean fish thoroughly with potable water and eat fillet portion only.</li>
 </ul>Advisories are&nbsp;Lifted&nbsp;when cell densities and toxin concentrations dissipate to levels below the Watch thresholds.KDHE investigates publicly accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on credible field observation and sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.&nbsp;If you observe a scum or paint-like surface on the water, small floating blue-green clumps or filaments in the water, or if the water is an opaque green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.For information on blue-green algae and reporting potential harmful algal blooms, please visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.PBJe20J1Z4n0bz4njlQvisyMK2fFiy4k7NxTXNpkqGM/s/1305943094/br/247575223459-l">kdhe.ks.gov/HAB</a>&nbsp;and check out our&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.VWWwgyCTtqR025eadIkxZstqqWFdiYBr5iUdQp_bAw0/s/1305943094/br/247575223459-l">interactive story</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vZ2NjMDIuc2FmZWxpbmtzLnByb3RlY3Rpb24ub3V0bG9vay5jb20vP2RhdGE9MDUlN0MwMiU3Q01pdGNoZWxsLk9zdGVybHVuZCU0MGtzLmdvdiU3QzFjZDNhOTM2NTM2YjRlNTllOWUxMDhkYzU0ZTc5ZjVmJTdDZGNhZTgxMDFjOTJkNDgwY2JjNDNjNjc2MWNjY2NjNWElN0MwJTdDMCU3QzYzODQ3ODYwMDk4NjkyMTEyNyU3Q1Vua25vd24lN0NUV0ZwYkdac2IzZDhleUpXSWpvaU1DNHdMakF3TURBaUxDSlFJam9pVjJsdU16SWlMQ0pCVGlJNklrMWhhV3dpTENKWFZDSTZNbjAlM0QlN0MwJTdDJTdDJTdDJnJlc2VydmVkPTAmc2RhdGE9JTJGJTJCcUg3M3Z6bUE1aXElMkJ2cXdZbm1nRms3RWNkOGUyZWpWcGg0TnlJUWc5ZyUzRCZ1cmw9aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ2aW1lby5jb20lMkY5MjM4MDgyOTklM0Z1dG1fbWVkaXVtJTNEZW1haWwlMjZ1dG1fc291cmNlJTNEZ292ZGVsaXZlcnkmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDgxNi45OTE1NjcxMSJ9.BQq-9uEucfmY1ADlqSnil3U_iHWeG-QttHkuNw7mpw8/s/1305943094/br/247575223459-l">informative video</a>.

Public health advisories for Kansas lakes due to blue-green algae

Hear this week's Cougar Pause show with Eagle Radio's Steve Webster and Barton Community College President Dr. Marcus Garstecki that aired Aug. 12, 2024.

The Cougar Pause program airs every Monday at 11:30 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722361372574.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hear this week's Cougar Pause show with Eagle Radio's Steve Webster and Barton Community College President Dr. Marcus Garstecki that aired Aug. 12, 2024.<div><iframe title="Barton Community College President Dr. Marcus Garstecki" 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=3a636-169fd86-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 Cougar Pause program airs every Monday at 11:30 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.

🎙Post Podcast: Barton CC President Dr. Marcus Garstecki

School is back in session and it's time to make a difference. Eagle Media in Great Bend is once again challenging Barton County elementary students with its Make a Difference Contest. Eagle's Director of Promotions Becca Tudor said the goal of the contest is to get kids to make a difference in their communities or homes.

"It's as simple as helping take care of your pets, doing the dishes without being asked, or going out in the community and picking up trash," she said. "If you see someone who needs help crossing the street, give them a nice little hand. The goal of the program is to encourage kids to do better, be better, make a difference."

Eagle Media is distributing contest forms to area elementary schools. Students can use the forms to describe how they made a difference. Once a parent has signed the form, it can be returned to school or dropped off at the Eagle Media Center at 12th and Baker in Great Bend. Teachers will nominate students ahead of the first contest giveaway on Sept. 9, and a new student winner will be drawn each month through May.

"Once a month, one child is going to win a chamber gift card worth $100," Tudor said. "Also this year, their teacher is going to win a $100 Visa gift card as well. We're hoping this encourages teachers to encourage their class to make a difference."

The winning student will also get a visit from Eagle Media staff and be featured on a radio news broadcast. This year's contest is powered by the following sponsors:

Medical Park Pharmacy, Mayo Money Management, Hazmat Response, Protective Equipment Testing Lab, R&amp;R Roofing, Freedom Claims Management, Inc., Rosencrantz-Bemis Water Well Company, Stone Sand Company/Stone Waste Management, Miller Plastics/Miller Warehouse, Nex-Tech Wireless, USD #431 Hoisington, Great Bend Redi Mix, Heavy Duty Diesel &amp; Auto, USD #428 Great Bend.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723549763985.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostSchool is back in session and it's time to make a difference. Eagle Media in Great Bend is once again challenging Barton County elementary students with its Make a Difference Contest. Eagle's Director of Promotions Becca Tudor said the goal of the contest is to get kids to make a difference in their communities or homes."It's as simple as helping take care of your pets, doing the dishes without being asked, or going out in the community and picking up trash," she said. "If you see someone who needs help crossing the street, give them a nice little hand. The goal of the program is to encourage kids to do better, be better, make a difference."Eagle Media is distributing contest forms to area elementary schools. Students can use the forms to describe how they made a difference. Once a parent has signed the form, it can be returned to school or dropped off at the Eagle Media Center at 12th and Baker in Great Bend. Teachers will nominate students ahead of the first contest giveaway on Sept. 9, and a new student winner will be drawn each month through May."Once a month, one child is going to win a chamber gift card worth $100," Tudor said. "Also this year, their teacher is going to win a $100 Visa gift card as well. We're hoping this encourages teachers to encourage their class to make a difference."The winning student will also get a visit from Eagle Media staff and be featured on a radio news broadcast. This year's contest is powered by the following sponsors:Medical Park Pharmacy, Mayo Money Management, Hazmat Response, Protective Equipment Testing Lab, R&amp;R Roofing, Freedom Claims Management, Inc., Rosencrantz-Bemis Water Well Company, Stone Sand Company/Stone Waste Management, Miller Plastics/Miller Warehouse, Nex-Tech Wireless, USD #431 Hoisington, Great Bend Redi Mix, Heavy Duty Diesel &amp; Auto, USD #428 Great Bend.

Eagle Media's Make a Difference back for Barton Co. elementary students

While online classes begin as early as this weekend, the fall semester
for Barton Community College begins on Wednesday, Aug. 21.
Getting a feel for the Great Bend campus, as of last week, 392 of the 442 beds
were assigned in the dormitories, with several more “spoken for.”


Barton Vice President of Student Services Angie Maddy said there are 11 special
circumstance vacancies for single rooms.


"There are considerations when students truly have requests that meet certain requirements to have a single room," said Maddy. "These are not rooms where they pay to have a single room if we have space available. These are used under certain criteria because otherwise we are overwhelmed with requests for those single rooms."

While soccer and volleyball students have already been on campus for the past
couple of weeks in preparation of their sports season, local churches and
community members have been providing the students meals with the cafeteria
closed.


New student orientation will be held Monday and Tuesday with plenty of “welcome
week” activities planned such as a picnic and movie night.


Maddy said enrollment numbers for the fall semester are trending in the right
direction, similar to the increased enrollment the college saw this summer.


"I didn't get these numbers exact, but over 2023, our enrollment this summer was up 24%," said Maddy. "Over 2022, we were up 45% in credit hours for summer. When we look at that strong enrollment...I'm not saying we'll be at similar numbers, but we can certainly hope and it is trending up right now."

Barton’s admissions department anticipates approximately 92 new international
students this year on campus, and 65 returning international students.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723745518641.jpeg" alt="The 2024-2025 Barton Community College student ambassadors. " />
 <figcaption>The 2024-2025 Barton Community College student ambassadors. </figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostWhile online classes begin as early as this weekend, the fall semester
for Barton Community College begins on Wednesday, Aug. 21.
Getting a feel for the Great Bend campus, as of last week, 392 of the 442 beds
were assigned in the dormitories, with several more “spoken for.”
Barton Vice President of Student Services Angie Maddy said there are 11 special
circumstance vacancies for single rooms.
"There are considerations when students truly have requests that meet certain requirements to have a single room," said Maddy. "These are not rooms where they pay to have a single room if we have space available. These are used under certain criteria because otherwise we are overwhelmed with requests for those single rooms."While soccer and volleyball students have already been on campus for the past
couple of weeks in preparation of their sports season, local churches and
community members have been providing the students meals with the cafeteria
closed.
New student orientation will be held Monday and Tuesday with plenty of “welcome
week” activities planned such as a picnic and movie night.
Maddy said enrollment numbers for the fall semester are trending in the right
direction, similar to the increased enrollment the college saw this summer.
"I didn't get these numbers exact, but over 2023, our enrollment this summer was up 24%," said Maddy. "Over 2022, we were up 45% in credit hours for summer. When we look at that strong enrollment...I'm not saying we'll be at similar numbers, but we can certainly hope and it is trending up right now."Barton’s admissions department anticipates approximately 92 new international
students this year on campus, and 65 returning international students.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

The fall 2024 campus outlook at Barton Community College

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Fort Hays State University Head Football Coach Chris Brown.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8I8bLNFUsJ0?si=KiXW7XsN_QGroZK6" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Fort Hays State University Head Football Coach Chris Brown.

🎤Forward Ever: FHSU Football Coach Chris Brown

A severe thunderstorm dropped up to baseball-size hail on Larned and parts of Pawnee County Friday morning. According to the Pawnee County Sheriff's Office, several windows and properties were damaged inside Larned City limits. As of 11 a.m. Friday morning, the storm continued to move southeast toward St. John.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723824038013.jpeg" alt="Hail damage to a vehicle on W. 6th Street in Larned. photo by Rawya Evers." />
 <figcaption>Hail damage to a vehicle on W. 6th Street in Larned. photo by Rawya Evers.</figcaption>
 </figure>A severe thunderstorm dropped up to baseball-size hail on Larned and parts of Pawnee County Friday morning. According to the Pawnee County Sheriff's Office, several windows and properties were damaged inside Larned City limits. As of 11 a.m. Friday morning, the storm continued to move southeast toward St. John.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723824088720.jpeg" alt="Hail stones collected by Kirsten Gabel." />
 <figcaption>Hail stones collected by Kirsten Gabel.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723824126705.jpeg" alt="A damaging storm moved through Larned Friday morning dropping up to baseball-sized hail. photo by Kirsten Gabel." />
 <figcaption>A damaging storm moved through Larned Friday morning dropping up to baseball-sized hail. photo by Kirsten Gabel.</figcaption>
 </figure>

Thunderstorm, large hail causes damage in Larned

K-State’s Wheat Genetics Resource Center unlocks future potential by exploring wheat’s wild past&nbsp;

Long, long ago in a land far, far away, bread wheat came into existence. Researchers are still unlocking the secrets of the wild relatives of that ancient wheat to improve modern-day varieties - and a collection of seeds housed on Kimball Avenue in Manhattan is key to this work.&nbsp;

Bikram Gill and John Raupp with K-State’s Wheat Genetics Resource Center sat down with Aaron Harries, Kansas Wheat vice president of research and operations, on a recent episode of the “Wheat’s on Your Mind” podcast to share wheat’s origin story and how the collection continues to provide valuable genetic resources for modern wheat breeding programs.&nbsp;

To understand this potential, one must go way back to the origin of wheat as a species in the Fertile Crescent - where the crop helped start human civilization more than 10,000 years ago. At that time, wheat did not yet exist. It would take two major evolutionary events that mixed three different grass species to make the first bread wheat genome.&nbsp;

The first stop on this timeline was the merger of two wild ancestors that resulted in the eventual creation of wild emmer wheat (genome formula AB).&nbsp;

“As a species in nature, nature produced bread wheat around half a million years ago,” Gill said. “Two grasses, they happened to have fun. They hybridized - and that produced bread wheat.”&nbsp;

The second stop on the timeline came more than 10,000 years ago when that wild emmer wheat was combined with an ancient goatgrass (genome formula D). That genetic mix resulted in the first crop cultivated by humankind.&nbsp;

“In some farmer’s field, some goat grass hybridized with emmer wheat, which originated in Syria,” Gill said. “And that farmer was smart enough, he selected that plant. And that’s our bread wheat.”&nbsp;

From there, Mother Nature kept mixing in wild wheat relatives to this new bread wheat - and farmers selected the most successful versions to plant again.&nbsp;

“After wheat originated, these wild wheats kept cross-hybridizing with domesticated wheat,” Gill said. “There were no breeders, but nature was doing breeding for the first 10,000 years. They were cross-pollinating and farmers were selecting new types out of that.”&nbsp;

This origin story is important because it explains why the wheat genome is so complex. Wheat is a hexaploid, meaning it has six sets of seven chromosomes. Most genes in wheat exist in three copies - one each from those A, B and D genomes. As a result, there are 16 billion DNA letters in the wheat genome - the human genome has three billion letters - meaning you could type out the genetic code of wheat in 12-point font and the type will go around the world.&nbsp;

This triplication and redundancy make wheat very hard to genetically analyze.&nbsp;

“It’s essentially three different genomes coexisting in one,” Gill said. “It’s like three married people living in one house. Each can be independent, so that causes the problem. How do you sleep in one room without messing it up? Wheat is a very elegant genetic system.”&nbsp;

While hard to pick through, that complexity also makes wheat a more durable crop.&nbsp;

“This is called genetic buffering,” Gill said. “It’s almost like there are three soldiers or three genes. So, one goes out, the second one is there. The second goes out, the third one is there. Wheat can tolerate the extremes of environment because of this buffering caused by the redundancy of the genes.”&nbsp;

With this understanding of the origin and complexity of wheat - how does that relate to wheat breeding programs? Fast forward to 1979 when Gill did a postdoctoral fellowship at K-State and was first exposed to the genetic stocks used to map genes and breed wheat. He took that experience with him to his second postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California-Riverside, where he was blown away by the genetic diversity of a collection of wild weeds.&nbsp;

Gill started to form a vision of a resource that would combine the two - a collection of wild wheat relatives with unlocked genetic potential and a wheat breeding program that could replicate Mother Nature’s process of pulling in traits to make better varieties for farmers to plant.&nbsp;

In 1980, Gill wrote a grant and flew on a small plane to Hutchinson, the then-headquarters of the Kansas Wheat Commission to pitch his idea.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723735120030.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>K-State’s Wheat Genetics Resource Center unlocks future potential by exploring wheat’s wild past&nbsp;Long, long ago in a land far, far away, bread wheat came into existence. Researchers are still unlocking the secrets of the wild relatives of that ancient wheat to improve modern-day varieties - and a collection of seeds housed on Kimball Avenue in Manhattan is key to this work.&nbsp;Bikram Gill and John Raupp with K-State’s Wheat Genetics Resource Center sat down with Aaron Harries, Kansas Wheat vice president of research and operations, on a recent episode of the “Wheat’s on Your Mind” podcast to share wheat’s origin story and how the collection continues to provide valuable genetic resources for modern wheat breeding programs.&nbsp;To understand this potential, one must go way back to the origin of wheat as a species in the Fertile Crescent - where the crop helped start human civilization more than 10,000 years ago. At that time, wheat did not yet exist. It would take two major evolutionary events that mixed three different grass species to make the first bread wheat genome.&nbsp;The first stop on this timeline was the merger of two wild ancestors that resulted in the eventual creation of wild emmer wheat (genome formula AB).&nbsp;“As a species in nature, nature produced bread wheat around half a million years ago,” Gill said. “Two grasses, they happened to have fun. They hybridized - and that produced bread wheat.”&nbsp;The second stop on the timeline came more than 10,000 years ago when that wild emmer wheat was combined with an ancient goatgrass (genome formula D). That genetic mix resulted in the first crop cultivated by humankind.&nbsp;“In some farmer’s field, some goat grass hybridized with emmer wheat, which originated in Syria,” Gill said. “And that farmer was smart enough, he selected that plant. And that’s our bread wheat.”&nbsp;From there, Mother Nature kept mixing in wild wheat relatives to this new bread wheat - and farmers selected the most successful versions to plant again.&nbsp;“After wheat originated, these wild wheats kept cross-hybridizing with domesticated wheat,” Gill said. “There were no breeders, but nature was doing breeding for the first 10,000 years. They were cross-pollinating and farmers were selecting new types out of that.”&nbsp;This origin story is important because it explains why the wheat genome is so complex. Wheat is a hexaploid, meaning it has six sets of seven chromosomes. Most genes in wheat exist in three copies - one each from those A, B and D genomes. As a result, there are 16 billion DNA letters in the wheat genome - the human genome has three billion letters - meaning you could type out the genetic code of wheat in 12-point font and the type will go around the world.&nbsp;This triplication and redundancy make wheat very hard to genetically analyze.&nbsp;“It’s essentially three different genomes coexisting in one,” Gill said. “It’s like three married people living in one house. Each can be independent, so that causes the problem. How do you sleep in one room without messing it up? Wheat is a very elegant genetic system.”&nbsp;While hard to pick through, that complexity also makes wheat a more durable crop.&nbsp;“This is called genetic buffering,” Gill said. “It’s almost like there are three soldiers or three genes. So, one goes out, the second one is there. The second goes out, the third one is there. Wheat can tolerate the extremes of environment because of this buffering caused by the redundancy of the genes.”&nbsp;With this understanding of the origin and complexity of wheat - how does that relate to wheat breeding programs? Fast forward to 1979 when Gill did a postdoctoral fellowship at K-State and was first exposed to the genetic stocks used to map genes and breed wheat. He took that experience with him to his second postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California-Riverside, where he was blown away by the genetic diversity of a collection of wild weeds.&nbsp;Gill started to form a vision of a resource that would combine the two - a collection of wild wheat relatives with unlocked genetic potential and a wheat breeding program that could replicate Mother Nature’s process of pulling in traits to make better varieties for farmers to plant.&nbsp;In 1980, Gill wrote a grant and flew on a small plane to Hutchinson, the then-headquarters of the Kansas Wheat Commission to pitch his idea.&nbsp;“They had never funded K-State until then,” Gill said. “I presented my vision - we want to establish the Wheat Genetics Resource Center because that’s where we’re going next. A yield bump is going to come from this because of that genetic diversity. Nobody knew what wild wheats were in the Great Plains at that time. I said I know that this is where the next big evolution is.”&nbsp;Backed by approval from K-State’s wheat breeder at the time, the commissioners agreed to provide the seed money. Gill gathered an initial collection of 500 genetic lines, including seeds from collections in Japan, Israel, Russia and other countries. He immediately dove into early projects identifying Hessian fly resistance and leaf rust resistance in lines of Aegilops tauschii (Tausch's goatgrass), which was relatively easy to cross into wheat.&nbsp;“We are just doing what happened in nature,” Gill said. “That’s how bread wheat arose, so we are essentially repeating the same process except we’re doing it in the lab.”&nbsp;Raupp has served as the curator of the Wheat Genetics Resource Center since August 1980. He noted the collection is up to about 4,200 lines, ranging from Aegilops tauschii which grows anywhere from Turkey to western China to one species that is only found in the Sinai peninsula of Egypt and a little bit into Israel.&nbsp;It’s his job to maintain the stocks of this genetic material, making sure scientists and breeders have access to the seeds they need to complete projects. That doesn’t mean these seeds only sit in a gigantic refrigerator. To maintain their integrity, the seeds must be planted, grown either in a greenhouse or an outdoor plot and often hand-harvested to replenish seeds before they are no longer viable.&nbsp;“While they’re easy to grow, they require a lot of time to clean and maintain,” Raupp said. “My biggest job is just maintaining the collection so we have enough seed on hand to provide the researchers so that they can do their work.”Today, Raupp noted he annually fulfills about 100 different requests for those seeds from researchers in neighboring states to those in countries on the other side of the planet. Aided by modern research techniques like genetic sequencing and CRISPR, these researchers continue to unlock more of that ancient genetic potential to improve the wheat varieties of tomorrow - from sawfly resistance to higher protein content to how root morphologies aid drought resistance.&nbsp;“It’s been a gold mine,” Harries said. “You go treasure hunting in this collection that you’ve created here. A lot of the traits that we have for stripe rust, leaf rust and viral traits all come from those wild wheat relatives. And that work is far from over.”&nbsp;Learn more about wheat’s origin story and K-State’s Wheat Genetics Resource Center by listening to the full “Wheat’s on Your Mind” podcast episode at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001JuOekSeJQqvEsujwaZSZNxLe0ZyeBIEgstQoJpvLmFuUXIi29D2C02uDZ499BedEw7UHcLBpWTLslTbhkJdw5X3g96NAyiBolKzO5SNJTvA95NJFULCjpFVGT9lR8dAbhKRaBUBHKt52n3u7DvwBXuGjC4KCcJoj&amp;c=24QgPjcW9lsaWNOGo6xWwFkU9sM5JpLXYvoh92ehek1xEMt1IKa69Q==&amp;ch=TU1TbMXrqY2mxzeLCaLI0nMdQ3X1syILEIgPV49Op2UCwuPq6tMLiQ==">WheatsOnYourMind.com</a>.&nbsp;Written by Julia Debes for Kansas Wheat

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