2/2 BOOKED: Debra Holder on three Barton County District Court warrants for Probation Violation, total bond set at $150,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Sean Swigert on Barton County District Court case for Aggravated Assault, bond set at $20,000; and on Russell County District Court warrant for Failure to Appear, bond set at $367 cash only.

BOOKED: Harry Proveaux on two Ellsworth County District Court warrants for Probation Violation, total bond set at $20,000 C/S.

RELEASED: Gavin Allen on Barton County District Court warrant for Failure to Appear, to KDOC.

RELEASED: Alisa Orosco on Barton County District Court warrant for Aggravated Battery, after posting $5,000 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonds.&nbsp;

RELEASED: Daniel Adams on Barton County District Court case for Criminal Trespass, on $1,000 OR bond.

RELEASED: Jenny Naab on Hoisington Municipal Court case for Expired Tag and Driving While Suspended, on 18-hour OR bond; and on Ford County warrant for Distribution of Meth, after posting $25,000 surety bond through Owens Bail Bonds.

RELEASED: Jacob Sautter on Seward County District Court warrant for Rape and Unlawful Intercourse, to Seward County Sheriff's Office.&nbsp;

RELEASED: Sean Swigert on Barton County District Court case for Aggravated Assault, after posting $20,000 surety bond; and on Russell County District Court warrant for Failure to Appear, after posting $367 cash bond.

RELEASED: Terence Dreiling on Barton County District Court warrant, after time served.

RELEASED: Tara Bailey on two Hoisington Municipal Court warrants for Failure to Appear, after posting cash bonds of $155.57 and $415.

RELEASED: Harry Proveaux on two Ellsworth County District Court warrants for Probation Violation, after posting a total $20,000 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonds.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639765862512.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>2/2 BOOKED: Debra Holder on three Barton County District Court warrants for Probation Violation, total bond set at $150,000 C/S.BOOKED: Sean Swigert on Barton County District Court case for Aggravated Assault, bond set at $20,000; and on Russell County District Court warrant for Failure to Appear, bond set at $367 cash only.BOOKED: Harry Proveaux on two Ellsworth County District Court warrants for Probation Violation, total bond set at $20,000 C/S.RELEASED: Gavin Allen on Barton County District Court warrant for Failure to Appear, to KDOC.RELEASED: Alisa Orosco on Barton County District Court warrant for Aggravated Battery, after posting $5,000 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonds.&nbsp;RELEASED: Daniel Adams on Barton County District Court case for Criminal Trespass, on $1,000 OR bond.RELEASED: Jenny Naab on Hoisington Municipal Court case for Expired Tag and Driving While Suspended, on 18-hour OR bond; and on Ford County warrant for Distribution of Meth, after posting $25,000 surety bond through Owens Bail Bonds.RELEASED: Jacob Sautter on Seward County District Court warrant for Rape and Unlawful Intercourse, to Seward County Sheriff's Office.&nbsp;RELEASED: Sean Swigert on Barton County District Court case for Aggravated Assault, after posting $20,000 surety bond; and on Russell County District Court warrant for Failure to Appear, after posting $367 cash bond.RELEASED: Terence Dreiling on Barton County District Court warrant, after time served.RELEASED: Tara Bailey on two Hoisington Municipal Court warrants for Failure to Appear, after posting cash bonds of $155.57 and $415.RELEASED: Harry Proveaux on two Ellsworth County District Court warrants for Probation Violation, after posting a total $20,000 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonds.

Barton County Sheriff's Office Booking Activity (2/2)

Taking Space Week to new heights, Little Panthers Preschool Teacher, Morgan Little, went straight to the source to answer her students' questions...to NASA.

As Little prepared for Space Week, she collected questions from her students and submitted them to NASA, hoping for a response. But what she received in return beyond exceeded her expectations. Students enjoyed a nearly 8-minute video recorded by astronaut Nick Hague to answer their questions.

"The kids were over the moon excited," said Little, "and another cool fact is that the NASA Astronaut in the video, Nick Hague, is from Kansas."

The video was shared with all classrooms at Little Panthers Preschool as well as some classes at Eisenhower Elementary. For Little Panthers, the week included other lessons, craft projects, and sensory play - all with a space theme.

"You never know what cool things can happen when you just ask," said JoAnn Blevins, principal of Eisenhower Elementary &amp; Little Panthers Preschool.

For more information, please contact the USD 428 District Education Center at 620-793-1500 or media@usd428.net.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675350254182.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Taking Space Week to new heights, Little Panthers Preschool Teacher, Morgan Little, went straight to the source to answer her students' questions...to NASA.As Little prepared for Space Week, she collected questions from her students and submitted them to NASA, hoping for a response. But what she received in return beyond exceeded her expectations. Students enjoyed a nearly 8-minute video recorded by astronaut Nick Hague to answer their questions."The kids were over the moon excited," said Little, "and another cool fact is that the NASA Astronaut in the video, Nick Hague, is from Kansas."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675350287743.jpeg" alt="Students in Morgan Little's class at Little Panthers Preschool learn about space from NASA Astronaut, Nick Hague, during Space Week." />
 <figcaption>Students in Morgan Little's class at Little Panthers Preschool learn about space from NASA Astronaut, Nick Hague, during Space Week.</figcaption>
 </figure>The video was shared with all classrooms at Little Panthers Preschool as well as some classes at Eisenhower Elementary. For Little Panthers, the week included other lessons, craft projects, and sensory play - all with a space theme."You never know what cool things can happen when you just ask," said JoAnn Blevins, principal of Eisenhower Elementary &amp; Little Panthers Preschool.For more information, please contact the USD 428 District Education Center at 620-793-1500 or media@usd428.net.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675350348110.jpeg" alt="" />
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Great Bend preschoolers ‘over the moon’ for Space Week

Today Sunny, with a high near 48. Light south-southeast wind becoming south-southwest 11 to 16 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 24 mph.

Tonight Increasing clouds, with a low around 32. South wind 11 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

Saturday Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 56. South-southwest wind 9 to 17 mph becoming west-northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 26. West-northwest wind 6 to 10 mph.

Sunday Sunny, with a high near 57. West wind 6 to 9 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.

Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Breezy.

Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.

Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 29.

Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 48.

Tuesday Night A 20-percent chance of snow after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 26.

Wednesday A 20-percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 48.

Wednesday Night A 20-percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26.

Thursday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Today Sunny, with a high near 48. Light south-southeast wind becoming south-southwest 11 to 16 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 24 mph.Tonight Increasing clouds, with a low around 32. South wind 11 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.Saturday Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 56. South-southwest wind 9 to 17 mph becoming west-northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 26. West-northwest wind 6 to 10 mph.Sunday Sunny, with a high near 57. West wind 6 to 9 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Breezy.Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 29.Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 48.Tuesday Night A 20-percent chance of snow after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 26.Wednesday A 20-percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 48.Wednesday Night A 20-percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26.Thursday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Friday's Weather

Next week, the&nbsp;diversity in school&nbsp;debate returns to neighboring state Missouri&nbsp;via House Bill 952, its anti-1619 Project&nbsp;bill, joining&nbsp;the earlier proposed Parent’s Bill of Rights, SB 776. Missouri, a&nbsp;bellwether&nbsp;for&nbsp;policymaking&nbsp;in Kansas, points to the likely resuscitation of&nbsp;this&nbsp;political debate&nbsp;after similar efforts slowed in the Kansas legislature. Coupled with Florida’s recent&nbsp;rejection of AP African American Course in public schools, the two events mark a resurging salvo in a larger argument over school curriculum and diversity.

The&nbsp;Parent’s&nbsp;Bill prohibits school districts&nbsp;from&nbsp;denying&nbsp;parental&nbsp;review&nbsp;ofcurricula&nbsp;and educational materials utilized by the school.&nbsp;Other elements&nbsp;include: notification about safety issues impacting their children, the right to visit their child in school, the right to review&nbsp;their children’s&nbsp;school records, and the right to be heard at school board meetings.&nbsp;Hardly any of these&nbsp;issues&nbsp;are&nbsp;prohibited by school systems.&nbsp;The more dangerous component includes parent rights to review information on teachers, lecturers, and presenters; and the right to object to materials parents find inappropriate.&nbsp;

Additionally,&nbsp;the bill&nbsp;undergirds&nbsp;a larger educational framework&nbsp;by&nbsp;the Missouri&nbsp;General Assembly to ban&nbsp;Critical&nbsp;Race&nbsp;Theory&nbsp;(CRT)&nbsp;and 1619 Project.&nbsp;The combined legislation, which acts to empower parental say over curriculum, is a bit of misnomer given&nbsp;the bill does&nbsp;not extend to calculus, physics, and other areas of study, but is a legislative condemnation of all things “diversity.”

The problem&nbsp;is&nbsp;that Missouri’s bill, similar to the Kansas version, incorrectly conflates CRT theory with any diversity related subject matter, particularly black history.&nbsp;The law is&nbsp;abstractly&nbsp;constructed&nbsp;as&nbsp;a&nbsp;broad framework that allows&nbsp;parents and politicians&nbsp;to excise&nbsp;certain subject matter for political propaganda.

​For example, an educator cannot identify people, entities, or institutions in the United States as “inherently, immutably, or systematically sexist, racist, anti-LGBT, bigoted, biased, privileged, or oppressed.” Is the legislation suggesting that the Ku Klux Klan (an entity) is&nbsp;not&nbsp;inherently racist?&nbsp;Although numerous studies&nbsp;repeatedly&nbsp;confirm that the&nbsp;criminal justice system (an American institution)&nbsp;unequally treats&nbsp;Black Americans, are educators to ignore the incongruities in the system?&nbsp;Other elements&nbsp;of the law&nbsp;are just as confounding.

Logical&nbsp;analysis of&nbsp;the&nbsp;educational curriculum is not what’s at stake here, nor is it the real intent.&nbsp;Political operatives&nbsp;who&nbsp;focused on&nbsp;CRT&nbsp;as a&nbsp;mechanism to denounce “liberal” education, ironically use it to craft&nbsp;their own&nbsp;doctrine of education- an America with no imperfections.&nbsp;Black History&nbsp;and other “diversity” subjects are&nbsp;uncomfortable, because&nbsp;they&nbsp;question&nbsp;the centrality of democracy as a&nbsp;shared&nbsp;American identity. Within Black history is always the question- freedom for who?&nbsp;When? How?

The&nbsp;circumstances of this legislation&nbsp;are also&nbsp;more ominous than political division. The&nbsp;adversarial nature of these politicized claims of “unpatriotic” education&nbsp;has&nbsp;created an&nbsp;upsurge in&nbsp;harassment by opponents to diversity. Teachers, lectures,&nbsp;and&nbsp;writers become the focus of online&nbsp;and physical&nbsp;harassment.&nbsp;

​Parents should think deeply about this legislation&nbsp;when debate returns to Kansas. How are&nbsp;parents&nbsp;truly empowered? What will their children fail to learn about themselves or society? In what ways are teachers and educators endangered by these sentiments? Why would censorship provide the pathway to patriotism?&nbsp;Finally,&nbsp;they should ask themselves if&nbsp;fear of diversity&nbsp;is&nbsp;a good way to prepare children for a future in a multicultural America?

Nishani Frazier is Associate Professor of History and American Studies at the University of Kansas. Prior to Kansas, she held positions as Associate Curator of African American History and Archives at Western Reserve Historical Society, Assistant to the Director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Archives at the Martin Luther King Center for Nonviolent Social Change, and personal assistant for Dr. John Hope Franklin, before and during his tenure as chair of President Bill Clinton's advisory board on "One America."&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1675191230725.jpeg" alt="Nishani Frazier is Associate Professor of History and American Studies at the University of Kansas. " />
 <figcaption>Nishani Frazier is Associate Professor of History and American Studies at the University of Kansas. </figcaption>
 </figure>Next week, the&nbsp;diversity in school&nbsp;debate returns to neighboring state Missouri&nbsp;via House Bill 952, its anti-1619 Project&nbsp;bill, joining&nbsp;the earlier proposed Parent’s Bill of Rights, SB 776. Missouri, a&nbsp;bellwether&nbsp;for&nbsp;policymaking&nbsp;in Kansas, points to the likely resuscitation of&nbsp;this&nbsp;political debate&nbsp;after similar efforts slowed in the Kansas legislature. Coupled with Florida’s recent&nbsp;rejection of AP African American Course in public schools, the two events mark a resurging salvo in a larger argument over school curriculum and diversity.The&nbsp;Parent’s&nbsp;Bill prohibits school districts&nbsp;from&nbsp;denying&nbsp;parental&nbsp;review&nbsp;ofcurricula&nbsp;and educational materials utilized by the school.&nbsp;Other elements&nbsp;include: notification about safety issues impacting their children, the right to visit their child in school, the right to review&nbsp;their children’s&nbsp;school records, and the right to be heard at school board meetings.&nbsp;Hardly any of these&nbsp;issues&nbsp;are&nbsp;prohibited by school systems.&nbsp;The more dangerous component includes parent rights to review information on teachers, lecturers, and presenters; and the right to object to materials parents find inappropriate.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Additionally,&nbsp;the bill&nbsp;undergirds&nbsp;a larger educational framework&nbsp;by&nbsp;the Missouri&nbsp;General Assembly to ban&nbsp;Critical&nbsp;Race&nbsp;Theory&nbsp;(CRT)&nbsp;and 1619 Project.&nbsp;The combined legislation, which acts to empower parental say over curriculum, is a bit of misnomer given&nbsp;the bill does&nbsp;not extend to calculus, physics, and other areas of study, but is a legislative condemnation of all things “diversity.”The problem&nbsp;is&nbsp;that Missouri’s bill, similar to the Kansas version, incorrectly conflates CRT theory with any diversity related subject matter, particularly black history.&nbsp;The law is&nbsp;abstractly&nbsp;constructed&nbsp;as&nbsp;a&nbsp;broad framework that allows&nbsp;parents and politicians&nbsp;to excise&nbsp;certain subject matter for political propaganda.​For example, an educator cannot identify people, entities, or institutions in the United States as “inherently, immutably, or systematically sexist, racist, anti-LGBT, bigoted, biased, privileged, or oppressed.” Is the legislation suggesting that the Ku Klux Klan (an entity) is&nbsp;not&nbsp;inherently racist?&nbsp;Although numerous studies&nbsp;repeatedly&nbsp;confirm that the&nbsp;criminal justice system (an American institution)&nbsp;unequally treats&nbsp;Black Americans, are educators to ignore the incongruities in the system?&nbsp;Other elements&nbsp;of the law&nbsp;are just as confounding.Logical&nbsp;analysis of&nbsp;the&nbsp;educational curriculum is not what’s at stake here, nor is it the real intent.&nbsp;Political operatives&nbsp;who&nbsp;focused on&nbsp;CRT&nbsp;as a&nbsp;mechanism to denounce “liberal” education, ironically use it to craft&nbsp;their own&nbsp;doctrine of education- an America with no imperfections.&nbsp;Black History&nbsp;and other “diversity” subjects are&nbsp;uncomfortable, because&nbsp;they&nbsp;question&nbsp;the centrality of democracy as a&nbsp;shared&nbsp;American identity. Within Black history is always the question- freedom for who?&nbsp;When? How?The&nbsp;circumstances of this legislation&nbsp;are also&nbsp;more ominous than political division. The&nbsp;adversarial nature of these politicized claims of “unpatriotic” education&nbsp;has&nbsp;created an&nbsp;upsurge in&nbsp;harassment by opponents to diversity. Teachers, lectures,&nbsp;and&nbsp;writers become the focus of online&nbsp;and physical&nbsp;harassment.&nbsp;​Parents should think deeply about this legislation&nbsp;when debate returns to Kansas. How are&nbsp;parents&nbsp;truly empowered? What will their children fail to learn about themselves or society? In what ways are teachers and educators endangered by these sentiments? Why would censorship provide the pathway to patriotism?&nbsp;Finally,&nbsp;they should ask themselves if&nbsp;fear of diversity&nbsp;is&nbsp;a good way to prepare children for a future in a multicultural America?Nishani Frazier is Associate Professor of History and American Studies at the University of Kansas. Prior to Kansas, she held positions as Associate Curator of African American History and Archives at Western Reserve Historical Society, Assistant to the Director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Archives at the Martin Luther King Center for Nonviolent Social Change, and personal assistant for Dr. John Hope Franklin, before and during his tenure as chair of President Bill Clinton's advisory board on "One America."&nbsp;

INSIGHT KANSAS: Missouri Parents Bill of Rights vs. diversity

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

In one popular television comedy, a character is caught using dish soap as shampoo. The scene is funny to the audience, but for the character, it was the only soap available growing up and that's all he knew. That situation is not so uncommon in real life. Jack Bowman is the new program advocate with 20th Judicial District Juvenile Services, and he's pushing for a new Adulting 101 class to teach some of those basic life skills to justice-involved juveniles.

"Basically, it's all those skills you didn't learn in high school and don't realize you need until you need them," he said. "How to maintain your car, financial skills like how to set up a bank account, how to balance your budget, how to compare shopping, how to start an IRA."

The ideas are far ranging, from personal behaviors like doing laundry, setting up medical appointments, and basic time management, to civic duties like registering to vote. The idea is to pair each subject with a professional in that field. A class for learning how to rent property or read a lease, Bowman said, could be taught by a local realtor or attorney specializing in that field.

"One idea I've got is to have the kids shadow at an automotive shop for a day, learn how to change oil, how to jump start a car, how to change a tire, and then maybe give back to the community by going out and helping some people in need," Bowman said.

Right now the program is just in its infancy as staff tries to pin down area professionals and the right students to start the program. Though some groups have shown an interest in expanding the program to more youth, the pilot phase would include only justice-involved juveniles.

Adulting 101 is one of two programs Juvenile Services is using to turn those juveniles into more responsible adults. Bowman said suspending a student from school gives that student what they want. Instead, some of those students are now attending Day School. "You can't sit at home and watch Spongebob," said Bowman. "We're going to come in here and get some work done."

Justice-involved students who have been suspended from school will spend three hours each day completing coursework assigned by the schools, then spend an hour in the afternoon performing community service work or attending cognitive behavior classes.

"I teach those, and basically they're cognitive-based therapy classes to show kids where their thinking errors are so they can make better choices moving forward," Bowman said.

Any area professionals interested in participating in the Adulting 101 program are encouraged to contact Bowman at Juvenile Services by calling (620) 793-1930.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638377876418.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostIn one popular television comedy, a character is caught using dish soap as shampoo. The scene is funny to the audience, but for the character, it was the only soap available growing up and that's all he knew. That situation is not so uncommon in real life. Jack Bowman is the new program advocate with 20th Judicial District Juvenile Services, and he's pushing for a new Adulting 101 class to teach some of those basic life skills to justice-involved juveniles."Basically, it's all those skills you didn't learn in high school and don't realize you need until you need them," he said. "How to maintain your car, financial skills like how to set up a bank account, how to balance your budget, how to compare shopping, how to start an IRA."The ideas are far ranging, from personal behaviors like doing laundry, setting up medical appointments, and basic time management, to civic duties like registering to vote. The idea is to pair each subject with a professional in that field. A class for learning how to rent property or read a lease, Bowman said, could be taught by a local realtor or attorney specializing in that field."One idea I've got is to have the kids shadow at an automotive shop for a day, learn how to change oil, how to jump start a car, how to change a tire, and then maybe give back to the community by going out and helping some people in need," Bowman said.Right now the program is just in its infancy as staff tries to pin down area professionals and the right students to start the program. Though some groups have shown an interest in expanding the program to more youth, the pilot phase would include only justice-involved juveniles.Adulting 101 is one of two programs Juvenile Services is using to turn those juveniles into more responsible adults. Bowman said suspending a student from school gives that student what they want. Instead, some of those students are now attending Day School. "You can't sit at home and watch Spongebob," said Bowman. "We're going to come in here and get some work done."Justice-involved students who have been suspended from school will spend three hours each day completing coursework assigned by the schools, then spend an hour in the afternoon performing community service work or attending cognitive behavior classes."I teach those, and basically they're cognitive-based therapy classes to show kids where their thinking errors are so they can make better choices moving forward," Bowman said.Any area professionals interested in participating in the Adulting 101 program are encouraged to contact Bowman at Juvenile Services by calling (620) 793-1930.

Juvenile Services looking at new program to teach life skills

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

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

Eagle Radio CONTESTS

The Barton Community College Foundation presents scholarships each year from funds received through its fundraising events, endowments and annual scholarship gifts. For the 2022-23 academic year, the Foundation has selected the following students (listed by hometown) for scholarship offers:

Albert Peytan Butler, G.E. and Lois Alban Academic Scholarship Kolton Maneth, Ralph and Michael Raffelock Memorial Endowment

Baldwin City Olivia Kerr, Genevieve Schulz Memorial Scholarship

Beloit Karman Tefft, S. Larry Edwardson Memorial Scholarship

Belpre Ty Turner, Keith and Marian Mull Endowment for Academic Studies

Bonner Springs Jacqueline Dunham, Equity Bank Emerging Leader Scholarship

Burdett Elizabeth Rasmussen, Golda Underhill Bailey Memorial Scholarship

Burlingame Sydney Johnson, Murphy Family Enterprises Endowment

Claflin Matthew Donecker, Schmidt Foundation Scholarship Brooke Farmer, Monica Bell Reser Memorial Scholarship Callie Zink, Loren and Maxine Pease Scholarship

Clearwater Savannah Schule, Dr. Raymond J. Leiker Scholarship for MLT Studies

Dodge City Karina Estrada, Marilyn K. Funk Charles Scholarship

El Dorado Emma King, The Vink Family Honorarium

Elkhart Koe Schultz, Glen and Dorothy Schuetz Family Scholarship

Ellinwood Kaden Baird, BEST (Barton Enhancement &amp; Scholarship Team) Chance Baker, Tony and Marguerite McAnnulla Memorial Fund Megan Clemons, Marian Isern Scholarship Fund Madison Cotterill, Clifford and Pauline Getz Scholarship Program Cadance Devine, Karen Jensen Ireland Memorial Scholarship Mary Dimitt, Schmidt Foundation Scholarship Elizabeth Gonzalez, Stanley and Elizabeth Post-Kimple Memorial Scholarship Erica Gross, Clifford and Pauline Getz Scholarship Program Gage Hosman, Charlie Brown Life Sciences Scholarship Daegan Johnson, Vink Family Honorarium Scholarship Tyler Porter, Amos Bayer Memorial Scholarship Wade Potts, Amos Bayer Memorial Scholarship Haley Troyer, Clarence and Lucile Lebbin Memorial Scholarship

Ellsworth Jenna Sinnott, C &amp; R Schauf Foundation Medical Scholarship

Fort Riley Alicia Abrego, Frank and Lelia Smith Scholarship Fund Sarah Davis, S. Larry Edwardson Memorial Scholarship Alidsha Vazquez Centeno, C &amp; R Schauf Foundation Medical Scholarship

Garden City Caleb Carr, Yvonne Robbins Entrepreneur &amp; Leadership Endowment

Garfield Ashlynn Harrelson, Mary King Fine Arts Endowment

Great Bend Francisco Alvarez, Gary and Anna Burke Family Scholarship Jaime Arellanes, Clair and Jean Cavanaugh Scholarship Fund Dakota Aumiller, Marian Isern Scholarship Fund Rylee Ayon, Mary King Fine Arts Endowment Joshua Ball, BEST (Barton Enhancement &amp; Scholarship Team) Natalie Bayona, Clair and Jean Cavanaugh Scholarship Fund Bradley Beck, BEST (Barton Enhancement &amp; Scholarship Team) Gilberto Calzada, Jerry and Theda Jo Wendel Scholarship Maleny Carrasco, Clair and Jean Cavanaugh Scholarship Fund Jose Carrillo, Regina Ault Memorial Scholarship Mariana Castillo, Quentin Dressler Memorial Scholarship Sienna Cauley, Marian Isern Scholarship Fund Jenna Dean, Schmidt Foundation Scholarship Jessica Disque, Graydon Johnson Memorial Scholarship Fund Carly Dreiling, Quentin Dressler Memorial Scholarship Kaylee Eckart, George Tregellas Chairman's Scholarship Raven Ellis, Marian Isern Scholarship Fund Ciara Espinoza, Grace Rowden Scholarship Tianna Farris, Lisa Spatz-Smith Memorial Scholarship Brody Feist, Aldrich Trust Scholarship Kimbre Francis, The Vink Family Honorarium Braeley Hammeke, Melvin O. Nuss Academic Award Bradley Heine, Bill E. Sowles Memorial Scholarship Hiparco Hernandez, Landon Unruh Memorial Scholarship Ashley Herrman, L.E. "Gus" Shafer Endowed Memorial Scholarship Markie Hestand, Louis S. and Mary L. Kinzel Family Memorial Scholarship Michael Hestand, Lee Turner Endowment Joshua Horner, Regina Ault Memorial Scholarship Elle Hutchinson, The Vink Family Honorarium Allyson Kaiser, Ira and Eunice Farmer Memorial Scholarship Jacob Kennedy, Gus and Ethel Gagelman Memorial Scholarship Jessica Lanterman, Kirkman Endowment for Academic Studies Alexis Leyva, Cashco Welding Scholarship Hannah&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Loomis, Virgil and Eloise Belford Scholarship Haley McCormick, Vink Family Honorarium Scholarship Gracie McGinnes, Robert Bonomo Memorial Scholarship Austin Miller, Tony and Edna Schartz Memorial Scholarship Joseph Moeder, Nell Lyons Scholarship Austin Moore, BEST (Barton Enhancement &amp; Scholarship Team) Caleb Murphy, Cashco Welding Scholarship Abby Muth, Sylvan Bleeker Memorial Scholarship Damarys Nieto, The Kummer Family Scholarship Andrea Orona Favela, Schmidt Foundation Scholarship Yolanda Perez, The Vink Family Honorarium Jade Poe, Quentin Dressler Memorial Scholarship Kelci Popp, Quentin Dressler Memorial Scholarship Ryleigh Post, Elsa Hiatt Academic Scholarship Kaiden Procopio, L.E. "Gus" Shafer Endowed Memorial Scholarship Carolina Ramirez Hernandez, Robert Bonomo Memorial Scholarship Antony Reyes Pilo, Superior Essex Academic Award Aide Reyes , Sepulveda, Ralph and Michael Raffelock Memorial Endowment Elisa Ruiz, Grace Rowden Scholarship Valerie Ruiz, Larry Zinn Scholarship Morgan Sallabedra, The Kummer Family Scholarship Darien Sanchez, Clair and Jean Cavanaugh Scholarship Fund Diego Sanchez, J.A. Mermis, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Kylee Sandy, Quentin Dressler Memorial Scholarship Reagan Schridde, Yvonne Robbins Entrepreneur &amp; Leadership Endowment Ilesson Similien, Barton County Bar Association Scholarship Karter Smith, Dean Wells Memorial Scholarship Mandee Solko, William and Johanna Rinker Nursing Scholarship Stefan Spray, Loren and Gayle Unruh Endowment Elena Taboada, Quentin Dressler Memorial Scholarship Mariah Thomas, Frank (Ryan) Vondra Endowed Scholarship Ailyn Urias, Chrissie Roe Evans and Dick B. Evans Memorial Scholarship Cora Usoro, S. Larry Edwardson Memorial Scholarship Chelsea Villarreal, Clair and Jean Cavanaugh Scholarship Fund Luzmaria Villegas, Clair and Jean Cavanaugh Scholarship Fund Kynslee White, The Vink Family Honorarium Robert Wilcox, Regina Ault Memorial Scholarship Bertha Williams, Golda Underhill Bailey Memorial Scholarship Kristy Wittig, BEST (Barton Enhancement &amp; Scholarship Team) Keeley Wolf, Gary and Anna Burke Family Scholarship

Haviland Kaylee Maggard, Grace Rowden Scholarship

Hays Adisyn Jacobs, The Vink Family Honorarium Tasiah Nunnery, Verna S. Davis Memorial Scholarship

Hill City Drake Stephen, Isbell Wesley Endowment Fund

Hoisington Hailee Bonham, J.A. Mermis, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Audra Clark, Emmett and Elizabeth Koelsch Academic Scholarship Chandra Ehler, BEST (Barton Enhancement &amp; Scholarship Team) BraShel Gieck, Clara Barton Nursing Scholarship Janai Jacobs, C &amp; R Schauf Foundation Medical Scholarship Jennah Jeffrey, Danny and Darlene Biggs Nursing Scholarship Penelope McCraw, Virgil and Eloise Belford Scholarship Shaiann Montoya, Donna Schmidt Memorial Scholarship Shelli Schmidt, Quinten Dressler Memorial Scholarship Addison Smith, Barton County Alumni Scholarship Endowment

Hudson Ashley Prescott, C &amp; R Schauf Foundation Medical Scholarship Courtney Prescott, The Vink Family Honorarium

Hutchinson James Dean, Grace Rowden Scholarship

Junction City Heather Greenstreet, Clifford and Pauline Getz Scholarship Program Jordan Seelye, Carl W. Sebits Scholarship in Business Administration Ashlynn Shea, The Vink Family Honorarium

Kanopolis Sierra Kraatz, Grace Rowden Scholarship

Kensington Pricilla Villarreal-Galicia, Tony and Edna Schartz Memorial Scholarship

Kingman Ashleigh Sasina, Lee Turner Endowment Peighton Sasina, Yvonne Robbins Entrepreneur &amp; Leadership Endowment

La Crosse Ashton Waggoner, Schmidt Foundation Scholarship

Larned Katherine Alnor, Rosalie Jean Pennington Memorial Scholarship Tina Dimarzo, George Tregellas Chairman's Scholarship Matthew Figger, Mamie Robl Memorial Scholarship Jessica Grosfield, Roger and Mary Lou Murphy Endowment Samantha Haney, Nancy Bartley Scholarship Jessica Linarez, C &amp; R Schauf Foundation Medical Scholarship Jared McFadden, Les and Carol Hopkins Scholarship Tyson Nicholson, Lee Turner Endowment Jessica Runnels, C &amp; R Schauf Foundation Medical Scholarship Taryn Sieg, C &amp; R Schauf Foundation Medical Scholarship

Liberal Cooper Clumsky, Amos Bayer Memorial Scholarship

Lincoln Kaylee Babcock, The Vink Family Honorarium

Little River Trey Rolfs, Jess E. Darnall Scholarship

Lyons Laura Jaske, Frank J. Dome Memorial Scholarship Carolina Landeros, LaOportunidad Scholarship Emily Robl, Fred and Renee Schmitt Memorial Scholarship Lindsey Winkelman, Grace Rowden Scholarship

Macksville Angel Lopez, G.E. and Lois Alban Academic Scholarship Anna Suiter, Grace Rowden Scholarship Lexas Wright, Grace Rowden Scholarship

Manhattan Summer Anderson, Vink Family Honorarium Scholarship

McPherson Jonah Clarke, Amos Bayer Memorial Scholarship Amy Gerbrandt, C &amp; R Schauf Foundation Medical Scholarship&nbsp;

Moundridge Spring Miller, Yvonne Robbins Entrepreneur &amp; Leadership Endowment

New Cambria Abigail Groot, Edward L. "Dusty" Jones MLT Endowment

Olmitz Kooper Maneth, Les and Carol Hopkins Scholarship

Osborne Charlie Seifert, Farmers Bank &amp; Trust Financial Management Scholarship

Otis Chloe Schenk, BEST Scholarship (Barton Enhancement &amp; Scholarship Team)

Pawnee Rock Felicity De Tello, Monica Bell Reser Memorial Scholarship

Phillipsburg Jacie Roth, G.E. and Lois Alban Academic Scholarship

Pratt Elizabeth Adame, Kirkman Endowment for Academic Studies

Russell Rylee Miller, The Vink Family Honorarium Emicka Shoemaker, Barton County Medical Society Scholarship

St. John Adrian Adame, Amos Bayer Memorial Scholarship Breanna Clark, Frank and Lelia Smith Scholarship Fund Kaylynn&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Claussen, Golda Underhill Bailey Memorial Scholarship Luis Holguin, Maloy and Pauline Breitenbach Allied Health Scholarship Joel Ibarra, Bank of America Scholarship Emma Sanders, Ernest Grossardt Memorial Endowment Hunter Smith, Frank and Lelia Smith Scholarship Fund

Salina Jenna Henderson, Larry and Kathy Schugart Scholarship

Topeka Hunter Jones, Danny and Darlene Biggs Scholarship

Wellington Colby Fair, The Vink Family Honorarium

White Cloud Brendan Wolvington, Equity Bank Emerging Leader Scholarship

Wichita Alexander Flinn, Ramona J. Goering Keenan Memorial Music Scholarship

Bentonville, Ark. Tyrus Riley, Craig and Jolene Biggs Endowed Scholarship

Milledgeville, Ga. Ariel Womack, Grace Rowden Scholarship

Knightdale, N.C. Larry McCray, Amos Bayer Memorial Scholarship

Firth, Neb. Colton Wahlstrom, Grant Lee Hoener Memorial Scholarship

Uniondale, N.Y. Deborah Lowe, M.E. "Eustace" Marmie Memorial Scholarship

Collinsville, Okla. Joel Dubose, The Vink Family Honorarium

Mansfield, Texas Noah Kincade, Carl W. Sebits Scholarship in Business Administration

Houston, Texas Brandon Nguyen, Frank and Lelia Smith Scholarship Fund &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Brazil Clara Penido, Carl W. Sebits Scholarship in Business Administration

Ecuador Diego Pena Becerra, Barton Community College Foundation Memorial Scholarship

Japan Sayaka Kawai, Frank and Lelia Smith Scholarship Fund

Nigeria Folasade Olayemi, BEST (Barton Enhancement &amp; Scholarship Team)

South Africa Marno Du Plessis, Neva and L.E. Brocher Scholarship Carmen Lyons, Grace Rowden Scholarship

Zambia Barnabas Kalaba, BEST (Barton Enhancement &amp; Scholarship Team)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653460221698.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Barton Community College Foundation presents scholarships each year from funds received through its fundraising events, endowments and annual scholarship gifts. For the 2022-23 academic year, the Foundation has selected the following students (listed by hometown) for scholarship offers:Albert Peytan Butler, G.E. and Lois Alban Academic Scholarship Kolton Maneth, Ralph and Michael Raffelock Memorial EndowmentBaldwin City Olivia Kerr, Genevieve Schulz Memorial ScholarshipBeloit Karman Tefft, S. Larry Edwardson Memorial ScholarshipBelpre Ty Turner, Keith and Marian Mull Endowment for Academic StudiesBonner Springs Jacqueline Dunham, Equity Bank Emerging Leader ScholarshipBurdett Elizabeth Rasmussen, Golda Underhill Bailey Memorial ScholarshipBurlingame Sydney Johnson, Murphy Family Enterprises EndowmentClaflin Matthew Donecker, Schmidt Foundation Scholarship Brooke Farmer, Monica Bell Reser Memorial Scholarship Callie Zink, Loren and Maxine Pease ScholarshipClearwater Savannah Schule, Dr. Raymond J. Leiker Scholarship for MLT StudiesDodge City Karina Estrada, Marilyn K. Funk Charles ScholarshipEl Dorado Emma King, The Vink Family HonorariumElkhart Koe Schultz, Glen and Dorothy Schuetz Family ScholarshipEllinwood Kaden Baird, BEST (Barton Enhancement &amp; Scholarship Team) Chance Baker, Tony and Marguerite McAnnulla Memorial Fund Megan Clemons, Marian Isern Scholarship Fund Madison Cotterill, Clifford and Pauline Getz Scholarship Program Cadance Devine, Karen Jensen Ireland Memorial Scholarship Mary Dimitt, Schmidt Foundation Scholarship Elizabeth Gonzalez, Stanley and Elizabeth Post-Kimple Memorial Scholarship Erica Gross, Clifford and Pauline Getz Scholarship Program Gage Hosman, Charlie Brown Life Sciences Scholarship Daegan Johnson, Vink Family Honorarium Scholarship Tyler Porter, Amos Bayer Memorial Scholarship Wade Potts, Amos Bayer Memorial Scholarship Haley Troyer, Clarence and Lucile Lebbin Memorial ScholarshipEllsworth Jenna Sinnott, C &amp; R Schauf Foundation Medical ScholarshipFort Riley Alicia Abrego, Frank and Lelia Smith Scholarship Fund Sarah Davis, S. Larry Edwardson Memorial Scholarship Alidsha Vazquez Centeno, C &amp; R Schauf Foundation Medical ScholarshipGarden City Caleb Carr, Yvonne Robbins Entrepreneur &amp; Leadership EndowmentGarfield Ashlynn Harrelson, Mary King Fine Arts EndowmentGreat Bend Francisco Alvarez, Gary and Anna Burke Family Scholarship Jaime Arellanes, Clair and Jean Cavanaugh Scholarship Fund Dakota Aumiller, Marian Isern Scholarship Fund Rylee Ayon, Mary King Fine Arts Endowment Joshua Ball, BEST (Barton Enhancement &amp; Scholarship Team) Natalie Bayona, Clair and Jean Cavanaugh Scholarship Fund Bradley Beck, BEST (Barton Enhancement &amp; Scholarship Team) Gilberto Calzada, Jerry and Theda Jo Wendel Scholarship Maleny Carrasco, Clair and Jean Cavanaugh Scholarship Fund Jose Carrillo, Regina Ault Memorial Scholarship Mariana Castillo, Quentin Dressler Memorial Scholarship Sienna Cauley, Marian Isern Scholarship Fund Jenna Dean, Schmidt Foundation Scholarship Jessica Disque, Graydon Johnson Memorial Scholarship Fund Carly Dreiling, Quentin Dressler Memorial Scholarship Kaylee Eckart, George Tregellas Chairman's Scholarship Raven Ellis, Marian Isern Scholarship Fund Ciara Espinoza, Grace Rowden Scholarship Tianna Farris, Lisa Spatz-Smith Memorial Scholarship Brody Feist, Aldrich Trust Scholarship Kimbre Francis, The Vink Family Honorarium Braeley Hammeke, Melvin O. Nuss Academic Award Bradley Heine, Bill E. Sowles Memorial Scholarship Hiparco Hernandez, Landon Unruh Memorial Scholarship Ashley Herrman, L.E. "Gus" Shafer Endowed Memorial Scholarship Markie Hestand, Louis S. and Mary L. Kinzel Family Memorial Scholarship Michael Hestand, Lee Turner Endowment Joshua Horner, Regina Ault Memorial Scholarship Elle Hutchinson, The Vink Family Honorarium Allyson Kaiser, Ira and Eunice Farmer Memorial Scholarship Jacob Kennedy, Gus and Ethel Gagelman Memorial Scholarship Jessica Lanterman, Kirkman Endowment for Academic Studies Alexis Leyva, Cashco Welding Scholarship Hannah&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Loomis, Virgil and Eloise Belford Scholarship Haley McCormick, Vink Family Honorarium Scholarship Gracie McGinnes, Robert Bonomo Memorial Scholarship Austin Miller, Tony and Edna Schartz Memorial Scholarship Joseph Moeder, Nell Lyons Scholarship Austin Moore, BEST (Barton Enhancement &amp; Scholarship Team) Caleb Murphy, Cashco Welding Scholarship Abby Muth, Sylvan Bleeker Memorial Scholarship Damarys Nieto, The Kummer Family Scholarship Andrea Orona Favela, Schmidt Foundation Scholarship Yolanda Perez, The Vink Family Honorarium Jade Poe, Quentin Dressler Memorial Scholarship Kelci Popp, Quentin Dressler Memorial Scholarship Ryleigh Post, Elsa Hiatt Academic Scholarship Kaiden Procopio, L.E. "Gus" Shafer Endowed Memorial Scholarship Carolina Ramirez Hernandez, Robert Bonomo Memorial Scholarship Antony Reyes Pilo, Superior Essex Academic Award Aide Reyes , Sepulveda, Ralph and Michael Raffelock Memorial Endowment Elisa Ruiz, Grace Rowden Scholarship Valerie Ruiz, Larry Zinn Scholarship Morgan Sallabedra, The Kummer Family Scholarship Darien Sanchez, Clair and Jean Cavanaugh Scholarship Fund Diego Sanchez, J.A. Mermis, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Kylee Sandy, Quentin Dressler Memorial Scholarship Reagan Schridde, Yvonne Robbins Entrepreneur &amp; Leadership Endowment Ilesson Similien, Barton County Bar Association Scholarship Karter Smith, Dean Wells Memorial Scholarship Mandee Solko, William and Johanna Rinker Nursing Scholarship Stefan Spray, Loren and Gayle Unruh Endowment Elena Taboada, Quentin Dressler Memorial Scholarship Mariah Thomas, Frank (Ryan) Vondra Endowed Scholarship Ailyn Urias, Chrissie Roe Evans and Dick B. Evans Memorial Scholarship Cora Usoro, S. Larry Edwardson Memorial Scholarship Chelsea Villarreal, Clair and Jean Cavanaugh Scholarship Fund Luzmaria Villegas, Clair and Jean Cavanaugh Scholarship Fund Kynslee White, The Vink Family Honorarium Robert Wilcox, Regina Ault Memorial Scholarship Bertha Williams, Golda Underhill Bailey Memorial Scholarship Kristy Wittig, BEST (Barton Enhancement &amp; Scholarship Team) Keeley Wolf, Gary and Anna Burke Family ScholarshipHaviland Kaylee Maggard, Grace Rowden ScholarshipHays Adisyn Jacobs, The Vink Family Honorarium Tasiah Nunnery, Verna S. Davis Memorial ScholarshipHill City Drake Stephen, Isbell Wesley Endowment FundHoisington Hailee Bonham, J.A. Mermis, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Audra Clark, Emmett and Elizabeth Koelsch Academic Scholarship Chandra Ehler, BEST (Barton Enhancement &amp; Scholarship Team) BraShel Gieck, Clara Barton Nursing Scholarship Janai Jacobs, C &amp; R Schauf Foundation Medical Scholarship Jennah Jeffrey, Danny and Darlene Biggs Nursing Scholarship Penelope McCraw, Virgil and Eloise Belford Scholarship Shaiann Montoya, Donna Schmidt Memorial Scholarship Shelli Schmidt, Quinten Dressler Memorial Scholarship Addison Smith, Barton County Alumni Scholarship EndowmentHudson Ashley Prescott, C &amp; R Schauf Foundation Medical Scholarship Courtney Prescott, The Vink Family HonorariumHutchinson James Dean, Grace Rowden ScholarshipJunction City Heather Greenstreet, Clifford and Pauline Getz Scholarship Program Jordan Seelye, Carl W. Sebits Scholarship in Business Administration Ashlynn Shea, The Vink Family HonorariumKanopolis Sierra Kraatz, Grace Rowden ScholarshipKensington Pricilla Villarreal-Galicia, Tony and Edna Schartz Memorial ScholarshipKingman Ashleigh Sasina, Lee Turner Endowment Peighton Sasina, Yvonne Robbins Entrepreneur &amp; Leadership EndowmentLa Crosse Ashton Waggoner, Schmidt Foundation ScholarshipLarned Katherine Alnor, Rosalie Jean Pennington Memorial Scholarship Tina Dimarzo, George Tregellas Chairman's Scholarship Matthew Figger, Mamie Robl Memorial Scholarship Jessica Grosfield, Roger and Mary Lou Murphy Endowment Samantha Haney, Nancy Bartley Scholarship Jessica Linarez, C &amp; R Schauf Foundation Medical Scholarship Jared McFadden, Les and Carol Hopkins Scholarship Tyson Nicholson, Lee Turner Endowment Jessica Runnels, C &amp; R Schauf Foundation Medical Scholarship Taryn Sieg, C &amp; R Schauf Foundation Medical ScholarshipLiberal Cooper Clumsky, Amos Bayer Memorial ScholarshipLincoln Kaylee Babcock, The Vink Family HonorariumLittle River Trey Rolfs, Jess E. Darnall ScholarshipLyons Laura Jaske, Frank J. Dome Memorial Scholarship Carolina Landeros, LaOportunidad Scholarship Emily Robl, Fred and Renee Schmitt Memorial Scholarship Lindsey Winkelman, Grace Rowden ScholarshipMacksville Angel Lopez, G.E. and Lois Alban Academic Scholarship Anna Suiter, Grace Rowden Scholarship Lexas Wright, Grace Rowden ScholarshipManhattan Summer Anderson, Vink Family Honorarium ScholarshipMcPherson Jonah Clarke, Amos Bayer Memorial Scholarship Amy Gerbrandt, C &amp; R Schauf Foundation Medical Scholarship&nbsp;Moundridge Spring Miller, Yvonne Robbins Entrepreneur &amp; Leadership EndowmentNew Cambria Abigail Groot, Edward L. "Dusty" Jones MLT EndowmentOlmitz Kooper Maneth, Les and Carol Hopkins ScholarshipOsborne Charlie Seifert, Farmers Bank &amp; Trust Financial Management ScholarshipOtis Chloe Schenk, BEST Scholarship (Barton Enhancement &amp; Scholarship Team)Pawnee Rock Felicity De Tello, Monica Bell Reser Memorial ScholarshipPhillipsburg Jacie Roth, G.E. and Lois Alban Academic ScholarshipPratt Elizabeth Adame, Kirkman Endowment for Academic StudiesRussell Rylee Miller, The Vink Family Honorarium Emicka Shoemaker, Barton County Medical Society ScholarshipSt. John Adrian Adame, Amos Bayer Memorial Scholarship Breanna Clark, Frank and Lelia Smith Scholarship Fund Kaylynn&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Claussen, Golda Underhill Bailey Memorial Scholarship Luis Holguin, Maloy and Pauline Breitenbach Allied Health Scholarship Joel Ibarra, Bank of America Scholarship Emma Sanders, Ernest Grossardt Memorial Endowment Hunter Smith, Frank and Lelia Smith Scholarship FundSalina Jenna Henderson, Larry and Kathy Schugart ScholarshipTopeka Hunter Jones, Danny and Darlene Biggs ScholarshipWellington Colby Fair, The Vink Family HonorariumWhite Cloud Brendan Wolvington, Equity Bank Emerging Leader ScholarshipWichita Alexander Flinn, Ramona J. Goering Keenan Memorial Music ScholarshipBentonville, Ark. Tyrus Riley, Craig and Jolene Biggs Endowed ScholarshipMilledgeville, Ga. Ariel Womack, Grace Rowden ScholarshipKnightdale, N.C. Larry McCray, Amos Bayer Memorial ScholarshipFirth, Neb. Colton Wahlstrom, Grant Lee Hoener Memorial ScholarshipUniondale, N.Y. Deborah Lowe, M.E. "Eustace" Marmie Memorial ScholarshipCollinsville, Okla. Joel Dubose, The Vink Family HonorariumMansfield, Texas Noah Kincade, Carl W. Sebits Scholarship in Business AdministrationHouston, Texas Brandon Nguyen, Frank and Lelia Smith Scholarship Fund &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Brazil Clara Penido, Carl W. Sebits Scholarship in Business AdministrationEcuador Diego Pena Becerra, Barton Community College Foundation Memorial ScholarshipJapan Sayaka Kawai, Frank and Lelia Smith Scholarship FundNigeria Folasade Olayemi, BEST (Barton Enhancement &amp; Scholarship Team)South Africa Marno Du Plessis, Neva and L.E. Brocher Scholarship Carmen Lyons, Grace Rowden ScholarshipZambia Barnabas Kalaba, BEST (Barton Enhancement &amp; Scholarship Team)

Barton Community College Foundation awards scholarships

A series of weed management schools will take place in northwest and north central Kansas and are hosted by local K-State Research &amp; Extension county and district offices.

February 15th Sharon Springs – 9:00 a.m. to Noon (MTN time zone) Community activity building

February 15th Atwood – 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Rawlins county fairgrounds

February 16th Kensington – 9:00 a.m. to Noon First St John’s Lutheran Church

February 16th Russell – 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Meridy’s Restaurant &amp; Lounge

The workshops will be presented by speakers from Kansas State University and University of Nebraska.

Topics will cover applications and adjuvant considerations in drought conditions, tumble windmill grass management, herbicide – tolerant grain sorghum update along with a question and answer session. So be sure and bring all your questions with you! 3 CCA credits have been applied for.

There is no cost for the meetings, however, pre-registration is requested by Wednesday, Feburary 10th, for all meetings either online, https://bit.ly/2023NWWeedSchools or by calling either Cottonwood District 785-628-9430 or Midway District 785-472-4442.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578070283981.png" alt="written by: Stacy Campbell - Cottonwood Extension District" />
 <figcaption>written by: Stacy Campbell - Cottonwood Extension District</figcaption>
 </figure>A series of weed management schools will take place in northwest and north central Kansas and are hosted by local K-State Research &amp; Extension county and district offices.The meeting schedule is as follows:February 15th Sharon Springs – 9:00 a.m. to Noon (MTN time zone) Community activity buildingFebruary 15th Atwood – 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Rawlins county fairgroundsFebruary 16th Kensington – 9:00 a.m. to Noon First St John’s Lutheran ChurchFebruary 16th Russell – 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Meridy’s Restaurant &amp; LoungeThe workshops will be presented by speakers from Kansas State University and University of Nebraska.Topics will cover applications and adjuvant considerations in drought conditions, tumble windmill grass management, herbicide – tolerant grain sorghum update along with a question and answer session. So be sure and bring all your questions with you! 3 CCA credits have been applied for.There is no cost for the meetings, however, pre-registration is requested by Wednesday, Feburary 10th, for all meetings either online, https://bit.ly/2023NWWeedSchools or by calling either Cottonwood District 785-628-9430 or Midway District 785-472-4442.

CAMPBELL: K-State weed management schools coming up

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the City of Ellsworth public water supply system located in Ellsworth County.

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

The advisory took effect on February 2, 2023 and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. KDHE officials issued the advisory because of a line break resulting in a loss of pressure in the system.&nbsp; Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.&nbsp;

Regardless of whether the public water supplier or Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

For consumer questions, please contact the water system at 785-531-8897, or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAyMDIuNzA5MTIxMjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5rZGhlLmtzLmdvdi80NjgvQ29uc3VtZXItSW5mb3JtYXRpb24tUmVnYXJkaW5nLWEtRGlzcnVwdD91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.fzl48WBFgs56WMT_mE7siOFFaLg5YP5gZhOvWVQIDqI/s/1305943094/br/153921140785-l" target="_blank">kdhe.ks.gov/waterdisruption.</a>

Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety &amp; lodging program at&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kda.fsl@ks.gov" target="_blank">kda.fsl@ks.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 785-564-6767.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581544137669.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the City of Ellsworth public water supply system located in Ellsworth County.Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:<ul>
 <li>Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water.</li><li>Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.</li><li>If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.</li><li>Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.</li><li>Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.</li>
 </ul>The advisory took effect on February 2, 2023 and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. KDHE officials issued the advisory because of a line break resulting in a loss of pressure in the system.&nbsp; Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.&nbsp;Regardless of whether the public water supplier or Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.For consumer questions, please contact the water system at 785-531-8897, or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAyMDIuNzA5MTIxMjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5rZGhlLmtzLmdvdi80NjgvQ29uc3VtZXItSW5mb3JtYXRpb24tUmVnYXJkaW5nLWEtRGlzcnVwdD91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.fzl48WBFgs56WMT_mE7siOFFaLg5YP5gZhOvWVQIDqI/s/1305943094/br/153921140785-l" target="_blank">kdhe.ks.gov/waterdisruption.</a>Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety &amp; lodging program at&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kda.fsl@ks.gov" target="_blank">kda.fsl@ks.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 785-564-6767.

Boil water advisory issued for the City of Ellsworth

Hear this week's City Edition episode with Eagle Radio's Steve Webster and Great Bend Mayor Cody Schmidt and Interim City Administrator Logan Burns that aired Feb. 1, 2023.

The City Edition program airs every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596658271505.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hear this week's City Edition episode with Eagle Radio's Steve Webster and Great Bend Mayor Cody Schmidt and Interim City Administrator Logan Burns that aired Feb. 1, 2023.<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/isndyih4/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>The City Edition program airs every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.&nbsp;

🎙City Edition: Mayor Schmidt and Interim Administrator Burns

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

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

﻿Funeral homes and families can send notices to <a href="http://obitsgb@eagleradio.net">obitsgb@eagleradio.net</a> or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:mike.courson@eagleradio.net">mike.courson@eagleradio.net</a>.

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

Recent Obituaries

The Barton County Commission decided last year to cinch its wallet for funding requests to outside agencies. At Wednesday's meeting, the body put that ideal into action regarding matching funds for the SouthWest Kansas Area Agency on Aging (SWKAAA). County Director of Operations Matt Patzner presented the request to the commission.

"If you remember, at the time of the adoption of the 2023 budget, the decision was made to keep all outside agencies at their previous funding level," he said. "What was budgeted was $1,500."

SWKAAA had requested $1,650 this year, up from its usual $1,500. The funds which will be used as "seed dollars," are an equivalent match to the nearly $550,000 in services received by elderly and low-income families from Barton County.

SWKAAA is a planning, coordinating, and funding agency that serves the 28 counties in the southwest portion of the state, including Barton. The organization receives its funding from county, state, and federal programs. Fifty groups or businesses are listed as resources for Barton County on the SWKAAA website.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675275525809.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostThe Barton County Commission decided last year to cinch its wallet for funding requests to outside agencies. At Wednesday's meeting, the body put that ideal into action regarding matching funds for the SouthWest Kansas Area Agency on Aging (SWKAAA). County Director of Operations Matt Patzner presented the request to the commission."If you remember, at the time of the adoption of the 2023 budget, the decision was made to keep all outside agencies at their previous funding level," he said. "What was budgeted was $1,500."SWKAAA had requested $1,650 this year, up from its usual $1,500. The funds which will be used as "seed dollars," are an equivalent match to the nearly $550,000 in services received by elderly and low-income families from Barton County.SWKAAA is a planning, coordinating, and funding agency that serves the 28 counties in the southwest portion of the state, including Barton. The organization receives its funding from county, state, and federal programs. Fifty groups or businesses are listed as resources for Barton County on the SWKAAA website.

Barton Commission holds funding to outside agencies to previous figures

At the beginning of 2023, the Great Bend Economic Development Board and staff reflected on the organization’s previous strategic plan and top priorities. The board took a fresh look at the plan and priorities with the help of current, outgoing, as well as new board members. January 25th&nbsp;the group tackled the next ten years, knowing GBED’s board would be reviewing these after 2 to 3 years. The mission of the organization is simple, to improve the economic quality of life for working families of the community. However, the execution of that mission takes several different approaches, initiatives, programs, and partnerships. The group not only looked at the organization but also, the programs, projects, and again, who those partners are to move the needle. The top five areas of focus include workforce, business recruitment and expansion, entrepreneurship, downtown development, and quality of life. Workforce was at the top of mind for many at the table. Workforce is not only getting employers the people they need, it also encompasses housing and childcare.&nbsp;

Great Bend Economic Development’s Board consists of business professionals from the public and private sectors, with representation from the city and county as well. The 2023 Board includes Dennis Neeland (former Operations Manager for Great Bend Coop, Coldwell Banker Real Estate full-time independent sales associate), Kevyn Soupiset, (Physical Therapist at Advanced Therapy and City Council Member), Shawn Hutchinson, (Owner of Satellite Pros and Central Plains Security, and County Commissioner), Paul Snapp (President/CEO at First Kansas Bank), and John Worden, PharmD, MS, BCPS (Interim Great Bend Campus Administrator and Executive Director System Integration for Clinical Operations at The University of Kansas Health System). Plus, the addition of new board members Ryan Fairchild (Tech Specialist at Innovative Livestock Services, INC. and Co-Founder at Dry Lake Brewing) and MelEesa Stueder (Owner/Corporate Officer of Stueder Contractors). Also, in attendance and contributing to the conversation were Mark Calcara, GBED Past-Board Chairperson (Attorney at Law at Watkins Calcara), and Tony Szot (VP of Manufacturing at Superior Essex).&nbsp;

Sara Arnberger, GBED President, began the strategic planning session with a discussion on why each board member is volunteering their time and energy toward the organization. With a mix of ages and industries present, answers varied from multi-generational Great Bend residents as well as those that moved here for personal or professional reasons.&nbsp;

Mark Calcara, a fourth-generation Great Bend resident, shared that this community has provided him with a living and a wonderful place to live. He was happy to see his grown children come back to the community and make it a great place with a vibrant economy and quality of life. Ryan Fairchild shared that after he and his wife decided that they would be staying in town to start a family, more and more, he wanted to see how he could be involved, to be a part of the solutions for growth.

Dennis Neeland shared that he did not expect his daughter and son-in-law to move back. Now that they have and they have chosen to raise a family here, Dennis is hoping to help the community grow with his work on the GBED board.

Kevin Soupiset said that he came to the area because his spouse is from here. Now, after 20 years in Great Bend, he said that they have grown roots here and there is no reason to leave. He not only wants to give back to the community but also to see the city flourish with the hopes that the next generation will make this area home.

Shawn Hutchinson, a third-generation business owner, said that the people make a difference in Barton County. This area is supportive of entrepreneurs and businesses. He is doing everything he can with the time he has, as we all have limited time to do the work.&nbsp;

MelEesa Stueder, who grew up in Great Bend, recalled days of shopping downtown Great Bend as an all-day event. Hitting the shops from north Main and heading south, with a lunch stop being part of the day too. After she graduated from college, she had no intention of coming back to the area, but after she got married, they moved back because of her husband’s startup business, and has grown into a successfulbusiness that their grown children have moved back to work.&nbsp;

Paul Snapp noted that our area has something unique, a town large enough to be viable but still has the small-town appeal. His motivation comes from GBED’s unique structure of working with the city and county and helping to create more cooperative progress.&nbsp;

John Worden stressed that with great partnerships, the community can thrive. He went on to say that communities are a three-legged stool, needing healthcare, schools, and a strong workforce. He is hoping to contribute to the effectiveness of the organization so we can move forward faster.

After much discussion of the programs, projects, and priorities, the organization including staff and the board members agreed on the direction and progress being made toward that end. New partners were identified, as well as new committees are being formed to help “do the work”. As a staff of two, GBED relies heavily on its volunteer committees and partnerships.&nbsp;

DON'T MISS&nbsp;next month's GBED newsletter. We will include an update from the Great Bend Alive Board Retreat with&nbsp;Revitalize or Die's&nbsp;Jeff Siegler. To stay up to date on everything newsworthy from GBED, go online to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gbedinc.com/" target="_blank">www.gbedinc.com</a>, scroll down, and download this month's newsletter, then subscribe so you don’t miss out on anything.

About GBED (Great Bend Economic Development):

Our goal is to sustain Barton county's long-term economic health and vitality through the retention, expansion, and attraction of businesses and development that enhance property values, increase personal income, and positively contribute to the citizens' quality of life of Barton County.

Great Bend Economic Development leads the charge in creating workforce initiatives to sustain our current employers as well as initiatives that will help to support new employers that move to the community. Employers and jobseekers are encouraged to reach out to GBED with questions and concerns and GBED will either pair you up with a workforce partner to help you accomplish your goals, or work with you one-on-one to create solutions and positive outcomes. Together we will create a strong and sustainable workforce pipeline that will enable us to continue to grow Barton County.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675349605580.jpeg" alt="Great Bend Economic Development Board" />
 <figcaption>Great Bend Economic Development Board</figcaption>
 </figure>At the beginning of 2023, the Great Bend Economic Development Board and staff reflected on the organization’s previous strategic plan and top priorities. The board took a fresh look at the plan and priorities with the help of current, outgoing, as well as new board members. January 25th&nbsp;the group tackled the next ten years, knowing GBED’s board would be reviewing these after 2 to 3 years. The mission of the organization is simple, to improve the economic quality of life for working families of the community. However, the execution of that mission takes several different approaches, initiatives, programs, and partnerships. The group not only looked at the organization but also, the programs, projects, and again, who those partners are to move the needle. The top five areas of focus include workforce, business recruitment and expansion, entrepreneurship, downtown development, and quality of life. Workforce was at the top of mind for many at the table. Workforce is not only getting employers the people they need, it also encompasses housing and childcare.&nbsp;Great Bend Economic Development’s Board consists of business professionals from the public and private sectors, with representation from the city and county as well. The 2023 Board includes Dennis Neeland (former Operations Manager for Great Bend Coop, Coldwell Banker Real Estate full-time independent sales associate), Kevyn Soupiset, (Physical Therapist at Advanced Therapy and City Council Member), Shawn Hutchinson, (Owner of Satellite Pros and Central Plains Security, and County Commissioner), Paul Snapp (President/CEO at First Kansas Bank), and John Worden, PharmD, MS, BCPS (Interim Great Bend Campus Administrator and Executive Director System Integration for Clinical Operations at The University of Kansas Health System). Plus, the addition of new board members Ryan Fairchild (Tech Specialist at Innovative Livestock Services, INC. and Co-Founder at Dry Lake Brewing) and MelEesa Stueder (Owner/Corporate Officer of Stueder Contractors). Also, in attendance and contributing to the conversation were Mark Calcara, GBED Past-Board Chairperson (Attorney at Law at Watkins Calcara), and Tony Szot (VP of Manufacturing at Superior Essex).&nbsp;Sara Arnberger, GBED President, began the strategic planning session with a discussion on why each board member is volunteering their time and energy toward the organization. With a mix of ages and industries present, answers varied from multi-generational Great Bend residents as well as those that moved here for personal or professional reasons.&nbsp;Mark Calcara, a fourth-generation Great Bend resident, shared that this community has provided him with a living and a wonderful place to live. He was happy to see his grown children come back to the community and make it a great place with a vibrant economy and quality of life. Ryan Fairchild shared that after he and his wife decided that they would be staying in town to start a family, more and more, he wanted to see how he could be involved, to be a part of the solutions for growth.Dennis Neeland shared that he did not expect his daughter and son-in-law to move back. Now that they have and they have chosen to raise a family here, Dennis is hoping to help the community grow with his work on the GBED board.Kevin Soupiset said that he came to the area because his spouse is from here. Now, after 20 years in Great Bend, he said that they have grown roots here and there is no reason to leave. He not only wants to give back to the community but also to see the city flourish with the hopes that the next generation will make this area home.Shawn Hutchinson, a third-generation business owner, said that the people make a difference in Barton County. This area is supportive of entrepreneurs and businesses. He is doing everything he can with the time he has, as we all have limited time to do the work.&nbsp;MelEesa Stueder, who grew up in Great Bend, recalled days of shopping downtown Great Bend as an all-day event. Hitting the shops from north Main and heading south, with a lunch stop being part of the day too. After she graduated from college, she had no intention of coming back to the area, but after she got married, they moved back because of her husband’s startup business, and has grown into a successfulbusiness that their grown children have moved back to work.&nbsp;Paul Snapp noted that our area has something unique, a town large enough to be viable but still has the small-town appeal. His motivation comes from GBED’s unique structure of working with the city and county and helping to create more cooperative progress.&nbsp;John Worden stressed that with great partnerships, the community can thrive. He went on to say that communities are a three-legged stool, needing healthcare, schools, and a strong workforce. He is hoping to contribute to the effectiveness of the organization so we can move forward faster.After much discussion of the programs, projects, and priorities, the organization including staff and the board members agreed on the direction and progress being made toward that end. New partners were identified, as well as new committees are being formed to help “do the work”. As a staff of two, GBED relies heavily on its volunteer committees and partnerships.&nbsp;DON'T MISS&nbsp;next month's GBED newsletter. We will include an update from the Great Bend Alive Board Retreat with&nbsp;Revitalize or Die's&nbsp;Jeff Siegler. To stay up to date on everything newsworthy from GBED, go online to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gbedinc.com/" target="_blank">www.gbedinc.com</a>, scroll down, and download this month's newsletter, then subscribe so you don’t miss out on anything.About GBED (Great Bend Economic Development):Our goal is to sustain Barton county's long-term economic health and vitality through the retention, expansion, and attraction of businesses and development that enhance property values, increase personal income, and positively contribute to the citizens' quality of life of Barton County.Great Bend Economic Development leads the charge in creating workforce initiatives to sustain our current employers as well as initiatives that will help to support new employers that move to the community. Employers and jobseekers are encouraged to reach out to GBED with questions and concerns and GBED will either pair you up with a workforce partner to help you accomplish your goals, or work with you one-on-one to create solutions and positive outcomes. Together we will create a strong and sustainable workforce pipeline that will enable us to continue to grow Barton County.

Great Bend Eco Devo Board members tackle strategic planning

On Thursday, Feb. 2 at about 6:57 a.m., the Great Bend Police Department was dispatched to a residence in reference to a domestic disturbance. 

Upon officer's arrival, they met with the victim who reported that her ex-boyfriend, Sean Swigert, age 33, came to her house and threatened to kill her with a gun before leaving the area in a blue Dodge pickup. 

Officers located the pickup and Swigert in the 2200 block of 28th Street in Great Bend. Swigert was arrested for aggravated assault and he was booked at the Barton County Jail in lieu of bond. 

Anyone with information about this crime, or any other crime, please call the Great Bend Police Department at 620-793-4120 or the Great Bend/Barton County Crime Stoppers at 620-792-1300 or online at p3tips.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675356699669.jpeg" alt="Sean Swigert" />
 <figcaption>Sean Swigert</figcaption>
 </figure>On Thursday, Feb. 2 at about 6:57 a.m., the Great Bend Police Department was dispatched to a residence in reference to a domestic disturbance. Upon officer's arrival, they met with the victim who reported that her ex-boyfriend, Sean Swigert, age 33, came to her house and threatened to kill her with a gun before leaving the area in a blue Dodge pickup. Officers located the pickup and Swigert in the 2200 block of 28th Street in Great Bend. Swigert was arrested for aggravated assault and he was booked at the Barton County Jail in lieu of bond. Anyone with information about this crime, or any other crime, please call the Great Bend Police Department at 620-793-4120 or the Great Bend/Barton County Crime Stoppers at 620-792-1300 or online at p3tips.com.

Great Bend Police arrest man for aggravated assault

A few weeks ago, I wrote an article about property taxes and quoted author Adora Svitak who said, "The first thing anyone can do about any issue is get informed." I chose this quote for two reasons: Property tax is the most criticized and misunderstood source of local government revenue, and in the past ten years, I've seen very little public participation during the budget process. I can only speak to the City of Russell's process, which begins in April and ends in August. April begins with a look back at how we've performed in the past, where we can improve, and begin discussing priorities for the next year's budget. Then we begin reviewing and discussing different budget segments at each meeting, which concludes in August with the final budget recommendations. You can attend in person or virtually, or you are welcome to come to the city building and discuss the budget proposals. Remember, you can access the city council agenda and all supporting documents the week before the meeting by visiting the city website at www.russellcity.org

Property taxes are an issue and challenge to many folks in our community, and my parents taught me a long time ago to stay informed and provide solutions. I have a solution that may help with property taxes. The solution is not a novel idea or a stroke of genius; rather, it is part of an agreement between the state and local governments. The agreements involved the loss of local revenue sources in exchange for establishing the Local Ad Valorem Property Tax Reduction fund (LAVTR), County City Revenue Sharing (CCRS), and Special City-County Highway fund (SCCHF). Revenue sharing in this manner dates back to the 1930s, with the current LAVTR statutory framework established in 1965 and the CCRS established in 1978.

According to the December 2022 issue of the Kansas Government Journal, cities and counties in Kansas have lost at least $3,470,603,394 as the result of the State's decision not to fund demand transfers. Some state officials refer to the LAVTR, CCRS, and SCCHF as "state aid," yet the history of these funds does not support that classification.

In 1997, the legislature created the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund (LAVTR). The LAVTR program is supposed to share State sales tax dollars with local governments to lower property taxes. Under current law, the LAVTR transfer to cities and counties consists of 3.63% of the State's sales and use taxes. From 1997 to 2003, the legislature partially funded LAVTR, yet since 2004 the legislature has chosen not to support this property tax reduction tool. The City-County Revenue Sharing fund (CCRS) is supposed to transfer 2.823% of state sales and use taxes to cities and counties. The CCRS was established in 1978 as an agreement between the State and local governments where the local share of cigarette and liquor enforcement tax revenues went to the State to establish the CCRS. The State partially funded the CCRS from 1997 to 2003 and, like the LAVTR, quit funding the program in 2004. The loss in revenue to local government exceeds $3.4 billion, which the State of Kansas has kept.

During the last legislative session, the City advocated for legislative leadership and our local legislators to fund, even in part, the LAVTR to help reduce the property tax burden, as intended. Some legislators told me that funding LAVTR is a great idea to lower property taxes. Yet, none of the demand transfers discussed earlier received funding, despite the introduction of House Bill 2606 in February 2022 in the House Appropriations Committee, and the bill died in May 2022. The Kansas Government Journal estimates that the total demand transfer losses for cities and counties in 2022 exceeded $250,000,000.

The City has begun advocating with legislative leadership and our local representatives to fund the LAVTR and CCRS this legislative session. Understandably, the state legislature has a full plate of issues, and I posit that property taxes should be at the forefront of their discussions. If high property taxes are an issue, do your representatives know? What is the plan to help local units of government lower property taxes?

The solution I spoke of earlier; is for the state legislature to fund the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction fund, County City Revenue Sharing, and Special City City-County Highway fund. Depending on which report you read, Kansas has a $2 billion budget surplus, with some estimates projecting that surplus exceeding $3 billion in surplus cash at the end of June 2024.

The feedback from Topeka is that the GOP tax plan and the Governor's tax plan and budget do not have provisions for funding these demand transfers; there's no support. Let's look at the cost of funding the LAVTR, CCRS, and SCCHF. The fiscal note associated with House Bill 2606 and prepared by the Kansas Department of Budget indicated that funding these three demand transfers would decrease State General Fund revenues by $235.2 million. The breakdown is $124.4 million for LAVTR, $98.6 million for CCRS, and $14 million for SCCHF. The cost to the State according to the fiscal note? $2,260 to provide notice to 2,000 motor fuel customers.

Property taxes remain an issue for many folks in our community and across Kansas. Funding these three demand transfers would reduce the State's $2 billion budget surplus by $235.2 million – or 11.7%. Will that have an immediate impact on property taxes? That depends on each taxing entity's governing body and the public's involvement. I would suggest that now is the time for funding these demand transfers to lower property taxes or, at a minimum, letting the full legislature debate the issue publicly.

Is the state legislature fulfilling a decades-old agreement, the silver bullet for lowering property taxes? No. I would suggest that it is a start. We should not allow us versus them relationships pervasive in Washington to permeate Kansas. Broken promises in Washington are damaging our&nbsp;union. We should not accept broken promises from Topeka. We are all Kansans, working to make the best life for our families and communities. Many Kansas communities are not retail hubs or urban areas, relying more on property taxes to fund services. A vast majority of the towns and cities in Kansas are agriculture and oil producers and are a significant part of this great State's fabric, contributing to the economy, values, and future. I am sure other solutions are available to lower property taxes. I would argue that these three demand transfers are already written in statute – no need to reinvent the wheel. Fund the local ad valorem tax reduction fund and provide relief to many Kansans, who work daily to provide for their family and community.

The legislature is in session now, and now is the time for decisions that help everyday Kansans. I cannot imagine a better time to help lower property taxes than funding the local ad valorem property tax reduction fund while sitting on a $2 billion-plus surplus. If you have a solution to lower property taxes, reach out to your local and State representatives. I have and will continue to advocate for the State Legislature to fund the Local Ad Valorem Property Tax Reduction Fund as one of many solutions.

Every decision made today, this month, and this legislative session has an immediate short-term effect and impacts every community's long-term stability. We can no longer wait to see what happens.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666734874208.jpeg" alt="written by: Russell City Manager Jon Quinday" />
 <figcaption>written by: Russell City Manager Jon Quinday</figcaption>
 </figure>A few weeks ago, I wrote an article about property taxes and quoted author Adora Svitak who said, "The first thing anyone can do about any issue is get informed." I chose this quote for two reasons: Property tax is the most criticized and misunderstood source of local government revenue, and in the past ten years, I've seen very little public participation during the budget process. I can only speak to the City of Russell's process, which begins in April and ends in August. April begins with a look back at how we've performed in the past, where we can improve, and begin discussing priorities for the next year's budget. Then we begin reviewing and discussing different budget segments at each meeting, which concludes in August with the final budget recommendations. You can attend in person or virtually, or you are welcome to come to the city building and discuss the budget proposals. Remember, you can access the city council agenda and all supporting documents the week before the meeting by visiting the city website at www.russellcity.orgProperty taxes are an issue and challenge to many folks in our community, and my parents taught me a long time ago to stay informed and provide solutions. I have a solution that may help with property taxes. The solution is not a novel idea or a stroke of genius; rather, it is part of an agreement between the state and local governments. The agreements involved the loss of local revenue sources in exchange for establishing the Local Ad Valorem Property Tax Reduction fund (LAVTR), County City Revenue Sharing (CCRS), and Special City-County Highway fund (SCCHF). Revenue sharing in this manner dates back to the 1930s, with the current LAVTR statutory framework established in 1965 and the CCRS established in 1978.According to the December 2022 issue of the Kansas Government Journal, cities and counties in Kansas have lost at least $3,470,603,394 as the result of the State's decision not to fund demand transfers. Some state officials refer to the LAVTR, CCRS, and SCCHF as "state aid," yet the history of these funds does not support that classification.In 1997, the legislature created the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund (LAVTR). The LAVTR program is supposed to share State sales tax dollars with local governments to lower property taxes. Under current law, the LAVTR transfer to cities and counties consists of 3.63% of the State's sales and use taxes. From 1997 to 2003, the legislature partially funded LAVTR, yet since 2004 the legislature has chosen not to support this property tax reduction tool. The City-County Revenue Sharing fund (CCRS) is supposed to transfer 2.823% of state sales and use taxes to cities and counties. The CCRS was established in 1978 as an agreement between the State and local governments where the local share of cigarette and liquor enforcement tax revenues went to the State to establish the CCRS. The State partially funded the CCRS from 1997 to 2003 and, like the LAVTR, quit funding the program in 2004. The loss in revenue to local government exceeds $3.4 billion, which the State of Kansas has kept.During the last legislative session, the City advocated for legislative leadership and our local legislators to fund, even in part, the LAVTR to help reduce the property tax burden, as intended. Some legislators told me that funding LAVTR is a great idea to lower property taxes. Yet, none of the demand transfers discussed earlier received funding, despite the introduction of House Bill 2606 in February 2022 in the House Appropriations Committee, and the bill died in May 2022. The Kansas Government Journal estimates that the total demand transfer losses for cities and counties in 2022 exceeded $250,000,000.The City has begun advocating with legislative leadership and our local representatives to fund the LAVTR and CCRS this legislative session. Understandably, the state legislature has a full plate of issues, and I posit that property taxes should be at the forefront of their discussions. If high property taxes are an issue, do your representatives know? What is the plan to help local units of government lower property taxes?The solution I spoke of earlier; is for the state legislature to fund the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction fund, County City Revenue Sharing, and Special City City-County Highway fund. Depending on which report you read, Kansas has a $2 billion budget surplus, with some estimates projecting that surplus exceeding $3 billion in surplus cash at the end of June 2024.The feedback from Topeka is that the GOP tax plan and the Governor's tax plan and budget do not have provisions for funding these demand transfers; there's no support. Let's look at the cost of funding the LAVTR, CCRS, and SCCHF. The fiscal note associated with House Bill 2606 and prepared by the Kansas Department of Budget indicated that funding these three demand transfers would decrease State General Fund revenues by $235.2 million. The breakdown is $124.4 million for LAVTR, $98.6 million for CCRS, and $14 million for SCCHF. The cost to the State according to the fiscal note? $2,260 to provide notice to 2,000 motor fuel customers.Property taxes remain an issue for many folks in our community and across Kansas. Funding these three demand transfers would reduce the State's $2 billion budget surplus by $235.2 million – or 11.7%. Will that have an immediate impact on property taxes? That depends on each taxing entity's governing body and the public's involvement. I would suggest that now is the time for funding these demand transfers to lower property taxes or, at a minimum, letting the full legislature debate the issue publicly.Is the state legislature fulfilling a decades-old agreement, the silver bullet for lowering property taxes? No. I would suggest that it is a start. We should not allow us versus them relationships pervasive in Washington to permeate Kansas. Broken promises in Washington are damaging our&nbsp;union. We should not accept broken promises from Topeka. We are all Kansans, working to make the best life for our families and communities. Many Kansas communities are not retail hubs or urban areas, relying more on property taxes to fund services. A vast majority of the towns and cities in Kansas are agriculture and oil producers and are a significant part of this great State's fabric, contributing to the economy, values, and future. I am sure other solutions are available to lower property taxes. I would argue that these three demand transfers are already written in statute – no need to reinvent the wheel. Fund the local ad valorem tax reduction fund and provide relief to many Kansans, who work daily to provide for their family and community.The legislature is in session now, and now is the time for decisions that help everyday Kansans. I cannot imagine a better time to help lower property taxes than funding the local ad valorem property tax reduction fund while sitting on a $2 billion-plus surplus. If you have a solution to lower property taxes, reach out to your local and State representatives. I have and will continue to advocate for the State Legislature to fund the Local Ad Valorem Property Tax Reduction Fund as one of many solutions.Every decision made today, this month, and this legislative session has an immediate short-term effect and impacts every community's long-term stability. We can no longer wait to see what happens.