Bringing the Great Bend zoo to you

When young people report for the intake/assessment process at Juvenile Services (JS), Laura Mason is one of the first people they will see.

And there is a good chance Mason will interact with them again if community service is ordered by the judicial system.

As community case manager, Mason’s responsibilities are varied but she spends a lot of time organizing JS clients who participate in projects that support non-profit agencies and other entities.

From July through December last year, Mason scheduled approximately 300 hours of community service. A minimum of five hours is required in lieu of a fine; the number of young people varies quite a bit but up to 50 can be involved at any one time.

“Finding ways to pair juveniles with projects can be a logistical challenge,” Mason said. “We want to ensure they meet their other obligations too. This entails working around school, jobs and sports; I try to capitalize on days they are not in school.”

Mason acknowledged that many juveniles come into community service with a less-than-cheery attitude.

“Many are resentful they are here in the first place,” she commented. “However, I am glad to say that 50 to 75 percent of them improve their attitudes along the way.

“Nevertheless, if a client remains uncooperative, more community-service hours may be tacked on and/or the fine is assessed.”

Examples of recent and current projects include: zoo and park cleaning; clearing ditches of debris; and scanning documents for electronic records at the Barton County Appraiser’s Office. JS clients also participated in the Trail of Lights project and the Track and Treat Halloween event at Great Bend High School.

A fairly regular destination is the Golden Belt Humane Society, which recently received 150 doggy toys hand-crafted by clients.

“At the humane society and other sites, the youth learn quite a number of skills,” Mason noted. “These skills not only help during the community-service project but also in other areas of their lives.”

Skills include active listening, attention to detail, communication, compassion, patience, teamwork, time management, problem-solving and the importance of a good work ethic.

“Using the humane society again as an example,” Mason added, “tasks include animal care, laundry and many cleaning chores inside and outside.”

Three programs Marissa Woodmansee, JS director, outlined the programs that can lead to supervised community service.

· Immediate Intervention, also 90 days, focuses on youth with infractions such as alcohol and/or tobacco use, or fighting or bullying.

· Juvenile Intensive Probation lasts at least six months. This program is for higher-risk violent and non-violent offenders.

“By having one person oversee our community-service efforts, we can ensure the work is being done,” Woodmansee commented. “Laura Mason is a perfect fit for this position.

“Like the rest of us at Juvenile Services, Laura wants to support young people as they learn new skills and take pride in the work they do for their community. We do all we can to support youth and their families.”

20th Judicial District Juvenile Services empowers youth in Barton, Rice, Ellsworth, Stafford and Russell counties to achieve positive outcomes by offering Juvenile Intake &amp; Assessment, Immediate Intervention, Intensive Supervised Probation, Case Management, Journey to Change, Life Skills, All Stars and Youth Crew. Parents and guardians also are offered The Parent Project. Visit 1800 12th in Great Bend or call 620-793-1930.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705006027551.jpeg" alt="Dog toys made by young clients in the community-service program are delivered to the Golden Belt Humane Society. From left to right are: Rachelle Sharp, kennel technician/animal control officer; Laura Mason of 20th Judicial District Juvenile Services; and Sheri Wornkey, kennel technician." />
 <figcaption>Dog toys made by young clients in the community-service program are delivered to the Golden Belt Humane Society. From left to right are: Rachelle Sharp, kennel technician/animal control officer; Laura Mason of 20th Judicial District Juvenile Services; and Sheri Wornkey, kennel technician.</figcaption>
 </figure>When young people report for the intake/assessment process at Juvenile Services (JS), Laura Mason is one of the first people they will see.And there is a good chance Mason will interact with them again if community service is ordered by the judicial system.As community case manager, Mason’s responsibilities are varied but she spends a lot of time organizing JS clients who participate in projects that support non-profit agencies and other entities.From July through December last year, Mason scheduled approximately 300 hours of community service. A minimum of five hours is required in lieu of a fine; the number of young people varies quite a bit but up to 50 can be involved at any one time.“Finding ways to pair juveniles with projects can be a logistical challenge,” Mason said. “We want to ensure they meet their other obligations too. This entails working around school, jobs and sports; I try to capitalize on days they are not in school.”Mason acknowledged that many juveniles come into community service with a less-than-cheery attitude.“Many are resentful they are here in the first place,” she commented. “However, I am glad to say that 50 to 75 percent of them improve their attitudes along the way.“Nevertheless, if a client remains uncooperative, more community-service hours may be tacked on and/or the fine is assessed.”Examples of recent and current projects include: zoo and park cleaning; clearing ditches of debris; and scanning documents for electronic records at the Barton County Appraiser’s Office. JS clients also participated in the Trail of Lights project and the Track and Treat Halloween event at Great Bend High School.A fairly regular destination is the Golden Belt Humane Society, which recently received 150 doggy toys hand-crafted by clients.“At the humane society and other sites, the youth learn quite a number of skills,” Mason noted. “These skills not only help during the community-service project but also in other areas of their lives.”Skills include active listening, attention to detail, communication, compassion, patience, teamwork, time management, problem-solving and the importance of a good work ethic.“Using the humane society again as an example,” Mason added, “tasks include animal care, laundry and many cleaning chores inside and outside.”Three programs Marissa Woodmansee, JS director, outlined the programs that can lead to supervised community service.· Truancy Diversion entails 90 days.· Immediate Intervention, also 90 days, focuses on youth with infractions such as alcohol and/or tobacco use, or fighting or bullying.· Juvenile Intensive Probation lasts at least six months. This program is for higher-risk violent and non-violent offenders.“By having one person oversee our community-service efforts, we can ensure the work is being done,” Woodmansee commented. “Laura Mason is a perfect fit for this position.“Like the rest of us at Juvenile Services, Laura wants to support young people as they learn new skills and take pride in the work they do for their community. We do all we can to support youth and their families.”20th Judicial District Juvenile Services empowers youth in Barton, Rice, Ellsworth, Stafford and Russell counties to achieve positive outcomes by offering Juvenile Intake &amp; Assessment, Immediate Intervention, Intensive Supervised Probation, Case Management, Journey to Change, Life Skills, All Stars and Youth Crew. Parents and guardians also are offered The Parent Project. Visit 1800 12th in Great Bend or call 620-793-1930.

Youth spend community-service hours supporting local entities

We get questions pertaining to the requirements for purchase and application of pesticides. I will provide some of the basic information in this article and if you would like more details, the information can be found at the Kansas Department of Ag (KDA) site: https://agriculture.ks.gov/home. This information is under the Pesticide and Fertilizer division of the site.

A Private Applicator Certification is required for an individual to purchase restricted use pesticides. This certification also authorizes a person to apply or supervise the application of these pesticides. The restricted use list is determined by EPA. An example of a restricted use herbicide that is often used in brush and weed control is Tordon 22K. The restricted use applies to any pre-mix that contains the active ingredient of Tordon 22K, Picloram. A Private Applicator Certification may be obtained by passing an open book exam at a county or district extension office by appointment. The study manual is available online or may be purchased at any extension office. The $25 fee and your completed exam will be mailed to KDA for grading and issuing the certification. The certification is good for 5 years.

A Pesticide Business License is required for anyone who advertises, offers for sale, sells or performs any service for the control of a pest on the property of another or applies a pesticide to the property of another for compensation. This requirement applies to all pesticides.&nbsp;To obtain a license, a person must: submit a completed application with the required fees, along with other required documentation. In addition to these requirements, the owner or one or more of the employees of the business must be a certified commercial applicator in each category for which the license application is made. The fee is $140 for each of the business license categories applied for.

The Commercial Pesticide Applicator certification must be accomplished by examination. Applicants must pass the general exam and a category exam for each they wish to be certified in. Fees are $45 per exam, including the general exam. A list of the categories is available at the Kansas Department of Ag web site. The Pesticide Certification Exam Schedule is also available at that site. Study manuals may be ordered from Kansas State Research and Extension.

NOTE: People are often confused Commercial Applicator Certification with a Pesticide Business License. In Kansas, to use a commercial certification to perform pesticide application work for compensation, you need to do one of the following: &nbsp; &nbsp;Work as an employee of a business that is properly licensed to perform pesticide application work in the categories of your certification; or obtain your own Pesticide Business License (Pesticide Business) to perform pesticide application work.

Reporting Pesticide Damage: On a related topic, the KDA is the agency responsible for regulating pesticides in Kansas. Pesticide damage reports should be filed with a Pesticide Complaint Form that can be found in the Pesticide and Fertilizer Division.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681266655144.jpeg" alt="written by: Stacy Campbell - Cottonwood Extension District" />
 <figcaption>written by: Stacy Campbell - Cottonwood Extension District</figcaption>
 </figure>We get questions pertaining to the requirements for purchase and application of pesticides. I will provide some of the basic information in this article and if you would like more details, the information can be found at the Kansas Department of Ag (KDA) site: https://agriculture.ks.gov/home. This information is under the Pesticide and Fertilizer division of the site.A Private Applicator Certification is required for an individual to purchase restricted use pesticides. This certification also authorizes a person to apply or supervise the application of these pesticides. The restricted use list is determined by EPA. An example of a restricted use herbicide that is often used in brush and weed control is Tordon 22K. The restricted use applies to any pre-mix that contains the active ingredient of Tordon 22K, Picloram. A Private Applicator Certification may be obtained by passing an open book exam at a county or district extension office by appointment. The study manual is available online or may be purchased at any extension office. The $25 fee and your completed exam will be mailed to KDA for grading and issuing the certification. The certification is good for 5 years.A Pesticide Business License is required for anyone who advertises, offers for sale, sells or performs any service for the control of a pest on the property of another or applies a pesticide to the property of another for compensation. This requirement applies to all pesticides.&nbsp;To obtain a license, a person must: submit a completed application with the required fees, along with other required documentation. In addition to these requirements, the owner or one or more of the employees of the business must be a certified commercial applicator in each category for which the license application is made. The fee is $140 for each of the business license categories applied for.The Commercial Pesticide Applicator certification must be accomplished by examination. Applicants must pass the general exam and a category exam for each they wish to be certified in. Fees are $45 per exam, including the general exam. A list of the categories is available at the Kansas Department of Ag web site. The Pesticide Certification Exam Schedule is also available at that site. Study manuals may be ordered from Kansas State Research and Extension.NOTE: People are often confused Commercial Applicator Certification with a Pesticide Business License. In Kansas, to use a commercial certification to perform pesticide application work for compensation, you need to do one of the following: &nbsp; &nbsp;Work as an employee of a business that is properly licensed to perform pesticide application work in the categories of your certification; or obtain your own Pesticide Business License (Pesticide Business) to perform pesticide application work.Reporting Pesticide Damage: On a related topic, the KDA is the agency responsible for regulating pesticides in Kansas. Pesticide damage reports should be filed with a Pesticide Complaint Form that can be found in the Pesticide and Fertilizer Division.

CAMPBELL: Kansas pesticide law

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

Central Kansas survived its first big snowstorm of the year Monday and Tuesday. Now a different weather-related problem is moving into the area: arctic wind chills. The National Weather Service in Wichita forecasts wind chills as low as minus 13 Thursday night in Great Bend. Low temperatures will struggle to make it to zero degrees, and the forecasted high for Sunday is just three degrees. Barton County Emergency Management Director Sean Kelly said there are ways to minimize the storm's impact.

"Open up cabinet doors underneath to expose pipes to heated air," he said. "A big thing is your pets. Either keep them insulated if they're outside, under shelter. Give them access to fresh water and food that's not frozen, or bring them in."

Allowing water faucets to drip can help prevent freezing and burst pipes. Shutting off rooms that are not utilized will keep warmer air in rooms that are being utilized. Kelly advised against overusing gas stoves and ovens for heating as that can result in carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep space heaters at least three feet from walls or other combustibles, and keep generators at least 20 feet from the home. More dangers lurk outdoors.

"If they have to travel, having an emergency car kit is good: jumper cables, bottled water, a little extra food, blankets," Kelly said. "They need to bundle up in layers. With the morning wind chills as cool as they're going to be, exposed skin needs to be minimized. Wear gloves, mask your face, keep the cool air out of your lungs."

Wind chill is used to describe the rate of heat loss from living objects as a result of low temperature and wind. A wind chill of minus 20 degrees can cause frostbite in just 30 minutes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671459259887.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostCentral Kansas survived its first big snowstorm of the year Monday and Tuesday. Now a different weather-related problem is moving into the area: arctic wind chills. The National Weather Service in Wichita forecasts wind chills as low as minus 13 Thursday night in Great Bend. Low temperatures will struggle to make it to zero degrees, and the forecasted high for Sunday is just three degrees. Barton County Emergency Management Director Sean Kelly said there are ways to minimize the storm's impact."Open up cabinet doors underneath to expose pipes to heated air," he said. "A big thing is your pets. Either keep them insulated if they're outside, under shelter. Give them access to fresh water and food that's not frozen, or bring them in."Allowing water faucets to drip can help prevent freezing and burst pipes. Shutting off rooms that are not utilized will keep warmer air in rooms that are being utilized. Kelly advised against overusing gas stoves and ovens for heating as that can result in carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep space heaters at least three feet from walls or other combustibles, and keep generators at least 20 feet from the home. More dangers lurk outdoors."If they have to travel, having an emergency car kit is good: jumper cables, bottled water, a little extra food, blankets," Kelly said. "They need to bundle up in layers. With the morning wind chills as cool as they're going to be, exposed skin needs to be minimized. Wear gloves, mask your face, keep the cool air out of your lungs."Wind chill is used to describe the rate of heat loss from living objects as a result of low temperature and wind. A wind chill of minus 20 degrees can cause frostbite in just 30 minutes.

Barton Co. Emergency Management: Tips to stay safe in upcoming cold

Since March 2020, Kansas schools have received more than $1.2 billion in federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) dollars as a result of the COVID pandemic. The program is coming to a close at the end of 2024. Great Bend Assistant Superintendent John Popp updated the USD 428 Board of Education where the district's allocation has gone during Monday's meeting.

"All of that money has been expended on various things from various positions as well as retention bonuses for staff, as well as materials and things we've purchased for students," he said. "All that money has been expended. This last round, ESSER III, was the largest. It was $5.9 million that our district received."

The Great Bend district spent approximately 24 percent of the federal funds on learning loss from the COVID pandemic. The remaining funds must be encumbered by September of this year and spent by the end of the calendar year.

"In 2022-23, we spent about $1 million," Popp said. "Most of that was spent between retention bonuses, training, software, and some additional positions like the family engagement coordinators. Those were positions we hired with ESSER money."

The district has used $1.7 million in ESSER dollars this school year, mostly on retention bonuses and work on the new preschool, which is expected to use just over $2 million ESSER dollars. Superintendent Khris Thexton reiterated the money must be used for specific causes.

"Everything was approved at the state level," he said. "Honestly, I think Kansas was much more thorough than most states on how they expected you to spend those dollars. They definitely made sure we were following proper procedures."

Popp and Thexton also praised Traci Burns, the district's accountant, for her work in ensuring the dollars were used properly.

"She's kept us in line with the federal government, the state government, and made sure those dollars were taken care of," Thexton said. "Traci has been fantastic in working through this. We appreciate everything she does."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704809413533.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostSince March 2020, Kansas schools have received more than $1.2 billion in federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) dollars as a result of the COVID pandemic. The program is coming to a close at the end of 2024. Great Bend Assistant Superintendent John Popp updated the USD 428 Board of Education where the district's allocation has gone during Monday's meeting."All of that money has been expended on various things from various positions as well as retention bonuses for staff, as well as materials and things we've purchased for students," he said. "All that money has been expended. This last round, ESSER III, was the largest. It was $5.9 million that our district received."The Great Bend district spent approximately 24 percent of the federal funds on learning loss from the COVID pandemic. The remaining funds must be encumbered by September of this year and spent by the end of the calendar year."In 2022-23, we spent about $1 million," Popp said. "Most of that was spent between retention bonuses, training, software, and some additional positions like the family engagement coordinators. Those were positions we hired with ESSER money."The district has used $1.7 million in ESSER dollars this school year, mostly on retention bonuses and work on the new preschool, which is expected to use just over $2 million ESSER dollars. Superintendent Khris Thexton reiterated the money must be used for specific causes."Everything was approved at the state level," he said. "Honestly, I think Kansas was much more thorough than most states on how they expected you to spend those dollars. They definitely made sure we were following proper procedures."Popp and Thexton also praised Traci Burns, the district's accountant, for her work in ensuring the dollars were used properly."She's kept us in line with the federal government, the state government, and made sure those dollars were taken care of," Thexton said. "Traci has been fantastic in working through this. We appreciate everything she does."

Brunt of final federal dollars going toward Little Panthers Preschool

By COLE REIF Great Bend Post

For many, hazardous working conditions occur when the internet is down.
For electric utility companies, like Wheatland Electric in Great Bend, working
conditions were extreme Monday night as blizzard conditions struck most of the
state.


Alli Conine, Wheatland’s Director of Corporate Communications, said utility linemen worked
through the blowing snow and white out conditions.


"I don't know if there is anything the lineman can prepare for ahead of time until you're actually living through those situations," said Conine. "I was talking to our general manager late Monday night and mentioned those crews really deserve a medal today. The weather conditions were horrendous. The highways are closed and they're telling everyone to shelter in place. We are still sending our crews out."

Conine said unlike the winter storm of 2017 that had several power poles
knocked down or broken, Wheatland only lost three poles from Monday’s storm
throughout their entire service area that consists of 17 counties.


"The linemen will keep working as long as they can," said Conine. "Obviously, the goal is to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. By 11 p.m. Monday, we had everyone on that we were going to get on that evening. The weather conditions were worsening and we physically could not get to where we needed to get to fix the issues."

Wheatland used loader tractors pulling their crews into areas that needed
maintenance. Wheatland serves more than 33,000 electric meters and maintains
over 4,000 miles of distribution power lines.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704908802199.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostFor many, hazardous working conditions occur when the internet is down.
For electric utility companies, like Wheatland Electric in Great Bend, working
conditions were extreme Monday night as blizzard conditions struck most of the
state.
Alli Conine, Wheatland’s Director of Corporate Communications, said utility linemen worked
through the blowing snow and white out conditions.
"I don't know if there is anything the lineman can prepare for ahead of time until you're actually living through those situations," said Conine. "I was talking to our general manager late Monday night and mentioned those crews really deserve a medal today. The weather conditions were horrendous. The highways are closed and they're telling everyone to shelter in place. We are still sending our crews out."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704908845270.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Conine said unlike the winter storm of 2017 that had several power poles
knocked down or broken, Wheatland only lost three poles from Monday’s storm
throughout their entire service area that consists of 17 counties.
"The linemen will keep working as long as they can," said Conine. "Obviously, the goal is to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. By 11 p.m. Monday, we had everyone on that we were going to get on that evening. The weather conditions were worsening and we physically could not get to where we needed to get to fix the issues."Wheatland used loader tractors pulling their crews into areas that needed
maintenance. Wheatland serves more than 33,000 electric meters and maintains
over 4,000 miles of distribution power lines.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Through rain or snow…Great Bend utility workers trudge on

Given that Kansas’s state budget currently points towards a nearly $3 billion surplus, it’s inevitable that legislators have ideas about passing some of that surplus on to Kansans in the form of tax cuts. Of those ideas, some are much better than others.

On the first day of the 2024 legislative session, Governor Laura Kelly presented her own proposal, supported by a few key Republican legislators. It would increase state property tax exemptions and state income tax deductions, as well as provide tax credits for child care. It aims to eliminate the food tax outright, and establish a sales tax holiday for school supplies in August.

It’s a good plan, one the legislature should take seriously—more seriously, at least, than the Republican leadership’s plan to once again push for a flat tax, with all incomes, from the highest to the lowest, taxed at the exact same rate. Flat taxes do have some bureaucratic advantages—they make tax filing much simpler, and tax revenues more predictable—but they are also almost invariably regressive, with the tax burden comparatively falling harder on the poor than the rich.

Despite that unfairness, they’re favored by many, particularly businesses. Nationwide, the popularity of flat tax structures fluctuate: this year Georgia is instituting one, while Massachusetts is abandoning theirs. But either way, Kelly has insisted that the flat tax idea is a non-starter for Kansas, and the unless the Republican leadership can regain the support of their dissenters, the votes to override Kelly’s veto simply won’t be there.

So does that exhaust all possible tax reform options? It does not—because Kelly’s proposal doesn’t include what is probably the best idea out on the legislative table.

Remember that the point of taxes is to fund government programs which we, as citizens, see as benefiting our communities and thus worth paying for—police, fire, health care, sewer, parks, and more. A large portion of those costs are most directly borne by counties and cities, many of which are facing serious budget difficulties, leaving them with the option of either cutting needed programs or increasing local property and sales taxes (or both).

Thus one of the most responsible ways Kansas can help its citizens is by returning to a practice that worked very well for a slow-growth state like ours for more than 70 years: return a portion of state sales taxes to local governments through the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund.

The LAVTR doesn’t attract much attention; it’s a government policy that functions behind the scenes, helping municipalities make their budgets and encourage economic innovation by keeping local programs funded and costs low. Because it doesn’t put money directly into the pockets of individual citizens, it’s not an obvious political pitch. But those Kansas legislators with a sense of history and who see the need to keep local governments healthy as the national economy changes, haven’t forgotten about it. Governor Kelly shouldn’t either.

Putting the LAVTR, which went dormant during the early 2000s, back into the tax discussion won’t be easy; some leading legislators, being protective of their state power over what Kansans might locally prefer to see their tax money spent on, see it as little more than a slush fund. But if Governor Kelly and others really want to use this moment to think about tax changes that will

both save money as well as help make public programs across the state more fiscally sustainable, reviving the LAVTR would be a great first step.

Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita, KS

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687979607618.jpeg" alt="written by: Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita, KS" />
 <figcaption>written by: Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita, KS</figcaption>
 </figure>Given that Kansas’s state budget currently points towards a nearly $3 billion surplus, it’s inevitable that legislators have ideas about passing some of that surplus on to Kansans in the form of tax cuts. Of those ideas, some are much better than others.On the first day of the 2024 legislative session, Governor Laura Kelly presented her own proposal, supported by a few key Republican legislators. It would increase state property tax exemptions and state income tax deductions, as well as provide tax credits for child care. It aims to eliminate the food tax outright, and establish a sales tax holiday for school supplies in August.It’s a good plan, one the legislature should take seriously—more seriously, at least, than the Republican leadership’s plan to once again push for a flat tax, with all incomes, from the highest to the lowest, taxed at the exact same rate. Flat taxes do have some bureaucratic advantages—they make tax filing much simpler, and tax revenues more predictable—but they are also almost invariably regressive, with the tax burden comparatively falling harder on the poor than the rich.Despite that unfairness, they’re favored by many, particularly businesses. Nationwide, the popularity of flat tax structures fluctuate: this year Georgia is instituting one, while Massachusetts is abandoning theirs. But either way, Kelly has insisted that the flat tax idea is a non-starter for Kansas, and the unless the Republican leadership can regain the support of their dissenters, the votes to override Kelly’s veto simply won’t be there.So does that exhaust all possible tax reform options? It does not—because Kelly’s proposal doesn’t include what is probably the best idea out on the legislative table.Remember that the point of taxes is to fund government programs which we, as citizens, see as benefiting our communities and thus worth paying for—police, fire, health care, sewer, parks, and more. A large portion of those costs are most directly borne by counties and cities, many of which are facing serious budget difficulties, leaving them with the option of either cutting needed programs or increasing local property and sales taxes (or both).Thus one of the most responsible ways Kansas can help its citizens is by returning to a practice that worked very well for a slow-growth state like ours for more than 70 years: return a portion of state sales taxes to local governments through the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund.The LAVTR doesn’t attract much attention; it’s a government policy that functions behind the scenes, helping municipalities make their budgets and encourage economic innovation by keeping local programs funded and costs low. Because it doesn’t put money directly into the pockets of individual citizens, it’s not an obvious political pitch. But those Kansas legislators with a sense of history and who see the need to keep local governments healthy as the national economy changes, haven’t forgotten about it. Governor Kelly shouldn’t either.Putting the LAVTR, which went dormant during the early 2000s, back into the tax discussion won’t be easy; some leading legislators, being protective of their state power over what Kansans might locally prefer to see their tax money spent on, see it as little more than a slush fund. But if Governor Kelly and others really want to use this moment to think about tax changes that willboth save money as well as help make public programs across the state more fiscally sustainable, reviving the LAVTR would be a great first step.Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita, KS

INSIGHT KANSAS: State tax proposals - Good, bad and best

The City of Great Bend Public Works Department is thrilled to announce the receipt of a significant grant totaling $58,802.25 for the Traffic Signal Battery Back-Ups project. This grant, awarded by the State of Kansas, will play a crucial role in enhancing the city's infrastructure and ensuring the reliability of traffic signals.

The funds awarded are a testament to the merit and importance of the project that will address critical needs within our community, promoting safety and efficiency in our transportation systems. In the coming months, the City of Great Bend Public Works Department will receive a city/state agreement for the grant award, which will require official signatures. Upon completion of this agreement, the department will be issued the Notice to Proceed and Reimbursement Request form to initiate the project.

The City of Great Bend is committed to the successful completion of the Traffic Signal Battery Back-Ups project and acknowledges its responsibility in ensuring the project's comprehensive development and sustainability. This is a matching grant in which the city will match $19,600, help with preliminary Engineering, and design and take over ongoing operations and maintenance. Overall, it’s a wonderful award and it will help Great Bend’s signals reliability for the future.

For further information or inquiries, please contact Jason Cauley, Public Works Director, (620) 793-4150&nbsp;<a href="mailto:jcauley@greatbendks.net">jcauley@greatbendks.net</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704983204679.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>From the City of Great Bend...The City of Great Bend Public Works Department is thrilled to announce the receipt of a significant grant totaling $58,802.25 for the Traffic Signal Battery Back-Ups project. This grant, awarded by the State of Kansas, will play a crucial role in enhancing the city's infrastructure and ensuring the reliability of traffic signals.The funds awarded are a testament to the merit and importance of the project that will address critical needs within our community, promoting safety and efficiency in our transportation systems. In the coming months, the City of Great Bend Public Works Department will receive a city/state agreement for the grant award, which will require official signatures. Upon completion of this agreement, the department will be issued the Notice to Proceed and Reimbursement Request form to initiate the project.The City of Great Bend is committed to the successful completion of the Traffic Signal Battery Back-Ups project and acknowledges its responsibility in ensuring the project's comprehensive development and sustainability. This is a matching grant in which the city will match $19,600, help with preliminary Engineering, and design and take over ongoing operations and maintenance. Overall, it’s a wonderful award and it will help Great Bend’s signals reliability for the future.For further information or inquiries, please contact Jason Cauley, Public Works Director, (620) 793-4150&nbsp;<a href="mailto:jcauley@greatbendks.net">jcauley@greatbendks.net</a>.

Great Bend awarded $58K grant for traffic signal batteries

Barton County Sheriff’s
Office incident log (1/10)

At 8:21 a.m. an accident was reported at 245 NE 30 Road.

At 5:39 p.m. a sick person was reported at 36 NE 20 Road.

At 10:57 p.m. a traffic arrest was made at 4107 10th
Street.

Great Bend Police
Department incident log (1/10)

At 1:18 a.m. EMS assistance was needed at 713 Morton Street.

At 2:44 a.m. EMS assistance was needed at 6004 Parrish Ct.

At 3 a.m. a battery case was reported at 1120 9th
Street.

At 7:21 a.m. breathing problems were reported at 2931
Quivira Avenue.

At 8:31 a.m. heart problems were reported at 3121 Meadowlark
Ln.

At 8:44 a.m. an accident was reported at 10th
&amp; Harrison.

At 11:47 a.m. an accident was reported at 3503 10th
Street.

At 11:53 a.m. questions referencing a prior tenant who had
been evicted was reported at 2214 Tyler.

At 3 p.m. an officer made contact with subject parking
illegally at 2716 24th Street.

At 3:55 p.m. an accident was reported at 9th
&amp; Washington.

At 4:18 p.m. EMS assistance was needed at 710 Coolidge.

At 6:30 p.m. a dog outside without shelter was reported 1418
11th Street. K9 had shelter.

At 6:31 p.m. someone damaging his vehicle was reported at
437 Dogwood Street.

At 6:32 p.m. an accident was reported at 2607 Paseo Dr.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688655627753.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Barton County Sheriff’s
Office incident log (1/10)Non-Injury AccidentAt 8:21 a.m. an accident was reported at 245 NE 30 Road.Sick PersonAt 5:39 p.m. a sick person was reported at 36 NE 20 Road.Traffic ArrestAt 10:57 p.m. a traffic arrest was made at 4107 10th
Street.Great Bend Police
Department incident log (1/10)Breathing ProblemsAt 1:18 a.m. EMS assistance was needed at 713 Morton Street.FallsAt 2:44 a.m. EMS assistance was needed at 6004 Parrish Ct.BatteryAt 3 a.m. a battery case was reported at 1120 9th
Street.Breathing ProblemsAt 7:21 a.m. breathing problems were reported at 2931
Quivira Avenue.Non-Injury AccidentAt 8:21 a.m. an accident was reported at 245 NE 30 Road.Heart ProblemsAt 8:31 a.m. heart problems were reported at 3121 Meadowlark
Ln.Non-Injury AccidentAt 8:44 a.m. an accident was reported at 10th
&amp; Harrison.At 11:47 a.m. an accident was reported at 3503 10th
Street.Trespassing / CriminalAt 11:53 a.m. questions referencing a prior tenant who had
been evicted was reported at 2214 Tyler.Parking ComplaintAt 3 p.m. an officer made contact with subject parking
illegally at 2716 24th Street.Non-Injury AccidentAt 3:55 p.m. an accident was reported at 9th
&amp; Washington.Breathing ProblemsAt 4:18 p.m. EMS assistance was needed at 710 Coolidge.Animal ComplaintAt 6:30 p.m. a dog outside without shelter was reported 1418
11th Street. K9 had shelter.Criminal DamageAt 6:31 p.m. someone damaging his vehicle was reported at
437 Dogwood Street.Non-Injury AccidentAt 6:32 p.m. an accident was reported at 2607 Paseo Dr.

Cop Shop (1/10)

1/10 BOOKED: Christian Bujanda-Lusero on Barton County District Court case for No Driver's License, bond set at $1,000 C/S.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639765862512.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>1/10 BOOKED: Christian Bujanda-Lusero on Barton County District Court case for No Driver's License, bond set at $1,000 C/S.

Barton County Sheriff's booking activity (1/10)

It's been 15 years since Jeff Langrehr last coached at Great Bend High School. And still, the recognition continues to come for what he did as a longtime baseball and basketball coach at the school. On Thursday, Langrehr will be inducted into the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in Manhattan.

"It's cool that I've gotten some recognition," he said. "I'm proud of it, but it's really not what I'm in it for. At times, it makes you feel a little foolish almost that you're getting these awards because there are so many people that go into it. It's kind of a shame that it's not just Great Bend High School baseball going into the Hall of Fame. I really wish it were that way. They were good before I got there, they've been good since I've been there. I was just a part of it for my 22 years. My assistants and all the youth coaches there, it really takes a whole community to have a good program at something, especially baseball."

Langrehr spent the 1987 season as an assistant coach for GBHS, then took over head coaching duties the following year. Over the next 22 seasons, he led the Panthers to a 345-143 record and won state championships in 1995 and 1998. He was the Panther basketball coach for 15 years, winning state titles in 2005 and 2006.

"I loved both sports, always," he said. "I felt blessed that Great Bend gave me a chance at a really young age. Sometimes I look back and wonder, 'What were they thinking?' to let me have a crack at being the head baseball coach at basically 23 years old at a proud program already."

Langrehr moved on to Gardner-Edgerton High School in 2009. He coached basketball there for nine seasons, leading the Trailblazers to a third-place finish at state in 2010. He then retired from coaching and teaching in Kansas, following his daughter to Colorado where he coached basketball for one year at Castle Rock High School. He's spent the last five years as head basketball coach at Harrisonville High School (Mo.) southeast of Kansas City. Last year, he took on the additional role of head baseball coach at the school.

"I have devoted a lot of time in my life to coaching," Langrehr said. "I sometimes feel like that's all I do is move from game to game. Some of my busiest years, I was teaching English, going to basketball practice with the high school kids, then bringing in my own kids to practice and coaching them after that, and coaching them on the weekends."

Rules are different in Missouri with more basketball games and off-season camps. Langrehr is currently sitting at 394 career basketball wins, and he hopes to reach 400 wins before the end of the season. Then it's back to baseball.

"It really adds to my ledger because I'm trying to coach basketball through the most important time, then you're trying to run a couple of off-season baseball deals," he said. "My son is playing college basketball, so when we're away from basketball, we go watch basketball."

Langrehr knew he wanted to be a coach and had "grandiose" ideas of what that might look like. Those ideals have largely played out - except for coaching baseball this late in his career.

"I remember thinking when I was young, maybe I'll coach baseball while I'm young," he said. "I can throw batting practice and hit ground balls and fly balls. Then, as I'm getting older, I can turn my attention to basketball where maybe you don't have to do some of the physical aspects."

He credits his baseball family for part of his success. He played high school and American Legion ball with Kurt Schaub, a longtime assistant coach at GBHS. He worked alongside guys like Terry Jordan, Kurt Wolf, Mike Minton, Jay Black, and current Panther coach Randy Beck. Several athletic directors also played a role in his success.

"Those are the guys; the players, the coaches, the volunteers that have made all this happen," Langrehr said. "The athletic directors who have seen me through my dumb moments and helped me grow, there are just a lot of people who are a part of this thing."

One of Langrehr's early baseball relationships played a direct role in his induction into the KABC Hall of Fame. Tony Brummer was one of Langrehr's first players. Langrehr ultimately invited Brummer to be part of the staff at GBHS. 

"He was a guy who, if it rained, everybody else was hopeful we would call practice off," said Langrehr. "Tony was out with rakes and propane tanks trying to make sure we could practice."

Brummer, who nominated Langrehr for the Hall of Fame, is now the head coach at Paola. His Panthers finished fourth at state last year, and third in 2021 and 2022.

Langrehr was inducted into the Great Bend High School Hall of Fame in February 2022. Thursday's KABC Hall of Fame ceremony is scheduled for 8 p.m. in Manhattan.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645463674372.jpeg" alt="Former Great Bend High School coach and teacher Jeff Langrehr was inducted into the GBHS Hall of Fame in 2022. Tonight, he will be inducted into the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in Manhattan." />
 <figcaption>Former Great Bend High School coach and teacher Jeff Langrehr was inducted into the GBHS Hall of Fame in 2022. Tonight, he will be inducted into the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in Manhattan.</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostIt's been 15 years since Jeff Langrehr last coached at Great Bend High School. And still, the recognition continues to come for what he did as a longtime baseball and basketball coach at the school. On Thursday, Langrehr will be inducted into the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in Manhattan."It's cool that I've gotten some recognition," he said. "I'm proud of it, but it's really not what I'm in it for. At times, it makes you feel a little foolish almost that you're getting these awards because there are so many people that go into it. It's kind of a shame that it's not just Great Bend High School baseball going into the Hall of Fame. I really wish it were that way. They were good before I got there, they've been good since I've been there. I was just a part of it for my 22 years. My assistants and all the youth coaches there, it really takes a whole community to have a good program at something, especially baseball."Langrehr spent the 1987 season as an assistant coach for GBHS, then took over head coaching duties the following year. Over the next 22 seasons, he led the Panthers to a 345-143 record and won state championships in 1995 and 1998. He was the Panther basketball coach for 15 years, winning state titles in 2005 and 2006."I loved both sports, always," he said. "I felt blessed that Great Bend gave me a chance at a really young age. Sometimes I look back and wonder, 'What were they thinking?' to let me have a crack at being the head baseball coach at basically 23 years old at a proud program already."Langrehr moved on to Gardner-Edgerton High School in 2009. He coached basketball there for nine seasons, leading the Trailblazers to a third-place finish at state in 2010. He then retired from coaching and teaching in Kansas, following his daughter to Colorado where he coached basketball for one year at Castle Rock High School. He's spent the last five years as head basketball coach at Harrisonville High School (Mo.) southeast of Kansas City. Last year, he took on the additional role of head baseball coach at the school."I have devoted a lot of time in my life to coaching," Langrehr said. "I sometimes feel like that's all I do is move from game to game. Some of my busiest years, I was teaching English, going to basketball practice with the high school kids, then bringing in my own kids to practice and coaching them after that, and coaching them on the weekends."Rules are different in Missouri with more basketball games and off-season camps. Langrehr is currently sitting at 394 career basketball wins, and he hopes to reach 400 wins before the end of the season. Then it's back to baseball."It really adds to my ledger because I'm trying to coach basketball through the most important time, then you're trying to run a couple of off-season baseball deals," he said. "My son is playing college basketball, so when we're away from basketball, we go watch basketball."Langrehr knew he wanted to be a coach and had "grandiose" ideas of what that might look like. Those ideals have largely played out - except for coaching baseball this late in his career."I remember thinking when I was young, maybe I'll coach baseball while I'm young," he said. "I can throw batting practice and hit ground balls and fly balls. Then, as I'm getting older, I can turn my attention to basketball where maybe you don't have to do some of the physical aspects."He credits his baseball family for part of his success. He played high school and American Legion ball with Kurt Schaub, a longtime assistant coach at GBHS. He worked alongside guys like Terry Jordan, Kurt Wolf, Mike Minton, Jay Black, and current Panther coach Randy Beck. Several athletic directors also played a role in his success."Those are the guys; the players, the coaches, the volunteers that have made all this happen," Langrehr said. "The athletic directors who have seen me through my dumb moments and helped me grow, there are just a lot of people who are a part of this thing."One of Langrehr's early baseball relationships played a direct role in his induction into the KABC Hall of Fame. Tony Brummer was one of Langrehr's first players. Langrehr ultimately invited Brummer to be part of the staff at GBHS. "He was a guy who, if it rained, everybody else was hopeful we would call practice off," said Langrehr. "Tony was out with rakes and propane tanks trying to make sure we could practice."Brummer, who nominated Langrehr for the Hall of Fame, is now the head coach at Paola. His Panthers finished fourth at state last year, and third in 2021 and 2022.Langrehr was inducted into the Great Bend High School Hall of Fame in February 2022. Thursday's KABC Hall of Fame ceremony is scheduled for 8 p.m. in Manhattan.

Former GBHS coach Langrehr earns another Hall of Fame honor

Today Increasing clouds, with a high near 32. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 15 mph becoming north-northeast 17 to 22 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.

Tonight Snow likely, mainly before midnight. Patchy blowing snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 5. Wind chill values as low as -15. Blustery, with a north wind 24 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 16. Wind chill values as low as -14. Blustery, with a northwest wind 13 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph.

Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around -2. Wind chill values as low as -17. North wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Saturday Partly sunny and cold, with a high near 7. Blustery, with a north-northwest wind 14 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Saturday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around -10.

Sunday A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy and cold, with a high near 1.

Sunday Night A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around -9.

M.L.King Day A 20 percent chance of snow before noon. Partly sunny and cold, with a high near 6.

Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around -9.

Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 19.

Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 9.

Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 30.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Today Increasing clouds, with a high near 32. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 15 mph becoming north-northeast 17 to 22 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.Tonight Snow likely, mainly before midnight. Patchy blowing snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 5. Wind chill values as low as -15. Blustery, with a north wind 24 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 16. Wind chill values as low as -14. Blustery, with a northwest wind 13 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph.Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around -2. Wind chill values as low as -17. North wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.Saturday Partly sunny and cold, with a high near 7. Blustery, with a north-northwest wind 14 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.Saturday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around -10.Sunday A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy and cold, with a high near 1.Sunday Night A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around -9.M.L.King Day A 20 percent chance of snow before noon. Partly sunny and cold, with a high near 6.Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around -9.Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 19.Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 9.Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 30.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Thursday's weather

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (collectively, “Kansas”) is issuing fish consumption advisories for 2024. The following advisories identify types of fish, or other aquatic species, that should be eaten in limited quantities or, in some cases, avoided altogether because of contamination. General advice and internet resources are provided to aid the public in making informed decisions regarding the benefits and risks associated with eating locally caught fish from Kansas waters.&nbsp;

Serving size (skinless fish fillets before cooking):

There are many health benefits associated with going outside and catching and consuming fish; however, all fish contain some amount of mercury. Consumption of mercury-rich fish can harm the development of fetuses, nursing babies, and growing children. As a result, anyone who routinely eats fish or serves fish to children, including store-bought fish, should carefully consider the type and amount of fish eaten. Therefore, mercury-sensitive individuals&nbsp;(women who are pregnant, nursing, or may become pregnant, and children 17 or younger)&nbsp;should follow the guidelines presented below for eating Kansas-caught fish.

Reduce the recommendations above if you tend to keep&nbsp;fish larger than 20 inches&nbsp;to:

For specific questions or concerns about mercury in Kansas-caught fish, contact KDHE. For information about mercury in fish caught in other states, store-bought fish, and other types of seafood, visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Food and Drug Administration&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmVwYS5nb3YvZmlzaC10ZWNoL2VwYS1mZGEtYWR2aWNlLWFib3V0LWVhdGluZy1maXNoLWFuZC1zaGVsbGZpc2g_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5Izp-OnRleHQ9RVBBLUZEQSUyMEFkdmljZSUyMGFib3V0JTIwRWF0aW5nJTIwRmlzaCUyMGFuZCUyMFNoZWxsZmlzaCUyMDEsZmlzaCUyMGNhbiUyMHByb3ZpZGUlMjBvdGhlciUyMGhlYWx0aCUyMGJlbmVmaXRzJTIwdG9vLiIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDAxMDguODgxNDI5MjEifQ.WDbGe-O2yKQ1qzNGktsExvdzBZFyYAAlp9R5n5BHcT8/s/1305943094/br/234423686922-l" target="_blank">EPA-FDA Advice about Eating Fish and Shellfish | US EPA</a>&nbsp;website. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Waterbody specific advisories for all consumers:

Kansas recommends restricting consumption of&nbsp;bottom-feeding fish&nbsp;to&nbsp;2 servings per month&nbsp;from the following location because of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs):

Kansas recommends restricting consumption of&nbsp;bottom-feeding fish&nbsp;to&nbsp;1 serving per month&nbsp;from the following locations because of PCBs:

Kansas recommends restricting consumption of&nbsp;bottom-feeding fish&nbsp;to&nbsp;1 serving per month&nbsp;from the following location because of arsenic:

Kansas recommends&nbsp;not eating&nbsp;specified fish or aquatic life from the following locations:

Waterbodies affected by harmful algae blooms:

To date, measured algal toxin levels in fish samples collected from waters affected by harmful algal blooms suggest the fish are safe to eat.&nbsp; However, please take the following precautions:

General advice for reducing exposure to chemicals in fish:

Other information from KDHE, KDWP, EPA, and the American Heart Association

To view the advisories online – and for information about KDHE’s Fish Tissue Contaminant Monitoring Program – &nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmtkaGUua3MuZ292LzEyNjgvRmlzaC1UaXNzdWUtQ29udGFtaW5hbnQtTW9uaXRvcmluZy1Qcm9ncj91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjQwMTA4Ljg4MTQyOTIxIn0.N0Z20-3A9wu4zwmm3gy0rZZ494bnxoNAj6hLslu6Kxc/s/1305943094/br/234423686922-l" target="_blank">Fish Tissue Contaminant Monitoring Program | KDHE, KS</a>.

For information about fishing in Kansas – including licensing, regulations, fishing reports and forecasts – &nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8va3NvdXRkb29ycy5jb20vRmlzaGluZz91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjQwMTA4Ljg4MTQyOTIxIn0.n_p1xKovQlF6ZWIJ65iWzJ8HtcAu0dxPMreSCVNYYRg/s/1305943094/br/234423686922-l" target="_blank">Fishing in Kansas | KDWP</a>.

For information about the health benefits and risks of including fish in your diet, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmhlYXJ0Lm9yZy9lbi9uZXdzLzIwMTgvMDUvMjUvZWF0aW5nLWZpc2gtdHdpY2UtYS13ZWVrLXJlZHVjZXMtaGVhcnQtc3Ryb2tlLXJpc2s_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDEwOC44ODE0MjkyMSJ9.JWjC-C1YweVVPuRxZDmhTic9ili6P_7_MTyPLKbgDJk/s/1305943094/br/234423686922-l" target="_blank">Eating fish twice a week reduces heart, stroke risk | American Heart Association</a>.

For technical information regarding the U.S. EPA risk assessment methods used to determine advisory consumption limits, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDYsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmVwYS5nb3YvZmlzaC10ZWNoL2VwYS1ndWlkYW5jZS1kZXZlbG9waW5nLWZpc2gtYWR2aXNvcmllcz91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjQwMTA4Ljg4MTQyOTIxIn0.i9_HCCYNJkelZYlot5VFgYHG9OlEL0AapdNN3rpdLJY/s/1305943094/br/234423686922-l" target="_blank">EPA Guidance for Developing Fish Advisories | US EPA</a>.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (collectively, “Kansas”) is issuing fish consumption advisories for 2024. The following advisories identify types of fish, or other aquatic species, that should be eaten in limited quantities or, in some cases, avoided altogether because of contamination. General advice and internet resources are provided to aid the public in making informed decisions regarding the benefits and risks associated with eating locally caught fish from Kansas waters.&nbsp;Definitions/Servings:<ul>
 <li>Bottom-feeding fish:&nbsp;buffalo, carp, catfish, sturgeon and suckers</li><li>Shellfish:&nbsp;mussels, clams and crayfish</li>
 </ul>Serving size (skinless fish fillets before cooking):<ul>
 <li>Adults and children age 13 and older = 8 ounces</li><li>Children age 6 to 12 = 4 ounces</li><li>Children younger than 6 = 2 ounces</li>
 </ul>Statewide Mercury Advisories for Fish:There are many health benefits associated with going outside and catching and consuming fish; however, all fish contain some amount of mercury. Consumption of mercury-rich fish can harm the development of fetuses, nursing babies, and growing children. As a result, anyone who routinely eats fish or serves fish to children, including store-bought fish, should carefully consider the type and amount of fish eaten. Therefore, mercury-sensitive individuals&nbsp;(women who are pregnant, nursing, or may become pregnant, and children 17 or younger)&nbsp;should follow the guidelines presented below for eating Kansas-caught fish.Fishing and Eating Guidelines:<ul>
 <li>Eat smaller portions – a fillet about the size of your palm.</li><li>Eat fish species with less mercury (see “Preferred Choice Fish” chart below).</li><li>If you don’t know what type or size of fish you’ve eaten, wait at least one week before eating fish again.</li><li>When fishing, keep fish shorter than your forearm (fingertips to elbow) or less than 20 inches, as regulations allow. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8va3NvdXRkb29ycy5jb20vRmlzaGluZy9GaXNoaW5nLVJlZ3VsYXRpb25zP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDAxMDguODgxNDI5MjEifQ.IrKdFanP726Zv_DHMNIGS3NqkJkdjmlqIS7JSvAnRzE/s/1305943094/br/234423686922-l" target="_blank">Fishing Regulations / Fishing / KDWP - KDWP (ksoutdoors.com)</a>&nbsp;for more information.</li>
 </ul>Reduce the recommendations above if you tend to keep&nbsp;fish larger than 20 inches&nbsp;to:<ul>
 <li>Preferred Choice Fish&nbsp;– not more than 1 serving per week</li><li>Second Choice Fish&nbsp;– not more than 1 serving per month</li>
 </ul>For specific questions or concerns about mercury in Kansas-caught fish, contact KDHE. For information about mercury in fish caught in other states, store-bought fish, and other types of seafood, visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Food and Drug Administration&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmVwYS5nb3YvZmlzaC10ZWNoL2VwYS1mZGEtYWR2aWNlLWFib3V0LWVhdGluZy1maXNoLWFuZC1zaGVsbGZpc2g_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5Izp-OnRleHQ9RVBBLUZEQSUyMEFkdmljZSUyMGFib3V0JTIwRWF0aW5nJTIwRmlzaCUyMGFuZCUyMFNoZWxsZmlzaCUyMDEsZmlzaCUyMGNhbiUyMHByb3ZpZGUlMjBvdGhlciUyMGhlYWx0aCUyMGJlbmVmaXRzJTIwdG9vLiIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDAxMDguODgxNDI5MjEifQ.WDbGe-O2yKQ1qzNGktsExvdzBZFyYAAlp9R5n5BHcT8/s/1305943094/br/234423686922-l" target="_blank">EPA-FDA Advice about Eating Fish and Shellfish | US EPA</a>&nbsp;website. &nbsp;&nbsp;Waterbody specific advisories for all consumers:Kansas recommends restricting consumption of&nbsp;bottom-feeding fish&nbsp;to&nbsp;2 servings per month&nbsp;from the following location because of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs):<ul>
 <li>Little Arkansas River&nbsp;from the Main Street Bridge immediately west of Valley Center to the confluence with the Arkansas River in Wichita (Sedgwick County).&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Kansas recommends restricting consumption of&nbsp;bottom-feeding fish&nbsp;to&nbsp;1 serving per month&nbsp;from the following locations because of PCBs:<ul>
 <li>Cow Creek&nbsp;in Hutchinson and downstream to the confluence with the Arkansas River (Reno County).</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>K-96 Lake&nbsp;in Wichita (Sedgwick County).</li>
 </ul>Kansas recommends restricting consumption of&nbsp;bottom-feeding fish&nbsp;to&nbsp;1 serving per month&nbsp;from the following location because of arsenic:<ul>
 <li>Mill Creek&nbsp;from Madison Road east of Morrowville to confluence with Little Blue River (Washington County).</li>
 </ul>Kansas recommends&nbsp;not eating&nbsp;specified fish or aquatic life from the following locations:<ul>
 <li>Antioch Park Lake South&nbsp;in Antioch Park, Overland Park (Johnson County);&nbsp;all fish&nbsp;due to pesticides dieldrin, heptachlor epoxide, chlordane and dichlorophenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs).</li><li>Arkalon Park Lakes&nbsp;in Liberal (Seward County) – Kansas recommends not eating&nbsp;any aquatic life&nbsp;because the lakes are sustained solely by treated municipal wastewater.</li><li>Arkansas River&nbsp;from the Lincoln Street dam in Wichita downstream to the confluence with Cowskin Creek near Belle Plaine (Sedgwick and Sumner counties);&nbsp;bottom-feeding fish&nbsp;due to PCBs.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Kansas River&nbsp;from Lawrence (below Bowersock Dam) downstream to Eudora at the confluence of the Wakarusa River (Douglas and Leavenworth counties);&nbsp;bottom-feeding fish&nbsp;due to PCBs.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Mill Creek&nbsp;from Washington (below 18th&nbsp;Road) downstream to confluence of Little Blue River (Washington County);&nbsp;shellfish&nbsp;due to arsenic.</li><li>Shoal Creek&nbsp;from the Missouri/Kansas border to Empire Lake (Cherokee County);&nbsp;shellfish&nbsp;due to lead and cadmium.</li><li>Spring River&nbsp;from the confluence of Center Creek to the Kansas/Oklahoma border (Cherokee County);&nbsp;shellfish&nbsp;due to lead and cadmium.</li>
 </ul>Waterbodies affected by harmful algae blooms:To date, measured algal toxin levels in fish samples collected from waters affected by harmful algal blooms suggest the fish are safe to eat.&nbsp; However, please take the following precautions:<ul>
 <li>Avoid skin contact with water.</li><li>Wear gloves when handling wet fish and equipment.</li><li>Rinse fish with clean water.</li><li>Remove skin from fillets and rinse with clean water prior to cooking or freezing.</li><li>Eat only skinless fillets.</li><li>Do not eat shellfish.</li>
 </ul>General advice for reducing exposure to chemicals in fish:<ul>
 <li>Keep smaller fish to eat (regulations permitting) and let the big ones go.</li><li>Avoid eating fish parts other than fillets.</li><li>Trim fat from fillets and/or use cooking methods that allows fat to drip away.</li><li>Avoid subsistence fishing (relying on wild-caught fish for daily nutritional needs) in rivers within or immediately downstream of large urban/industrial areas.</li><li>Do not eat fish or aquatic life from wastewater outfalls, waste treatment lagoons or stormwater retention ponds.</li>
 </ul>Other information from KDHE, KDWP, EPA, and the American Heart AssociationTo view the advisories online – and for information about KDHE’s Fish Tissue Contaminant Monitoring Program – &nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmtkaGUua3MuZ292LzEyNjgvRmlzaC1UaXNzdWUtQ29udGFtaW5hbnQtTW9uaXRvcmluZy1Qcm9ncj91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjQwMTA4Ljg4MTQyOTIxIn0.N0Z20-3A9wu4zwmm3gy0rZZ494bnxoNAj6hLslu6Kxc/s/1305943094/br/234423686922-l" target="_blank">Fish Tissue Contaminant Monitoring Program | KDHE, KS</a>.For information about fishing in Kansas – including licensing, regulations, fishing reports and forecasts – &nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8va3NvdXRkb29ycy5jb20vRmlzaGluZz91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjQwMTA4Ljg4MTQyOTIxIn0.n_p1xKovQlF6ZWIJ65iWzJ8HtcAu0dxPMreSCVNYYRg/s/1305943094/br/234423686922-l" target="_blank">Fishing in Kansas | KDWP</a>.For information about the health benefits and risks of including fish in your diet, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmhlYXJ0Lm9yZy9lbi9uZXdzLzIwMTgvMDUvMjUvZWF0aW5nLWZpc2gtdHdpY2UtYS13ZWVrLXJlZHVjZXMtaGVhcnQtc3Ryb2tlLXJpc2s_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDEwOC44ODE0MjkyMSJ9.JWjC-C1YweVVPuRxZDmhTic9ili6P_7_MTyPLKbgDJk/s/1305943094/br/234423686922-l" target="_blank">Eating fish twice a week reduces heart, stroke risk | American Heart Association</a>.For technical information regarding the U.S. EPA risk assessment methods used to determine advisory consumption limits, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDYsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmVwYS5nb3YvZmlzaC10ZWNoL2VwYS1ndWlkYW5jZS1kZXZlbG9waW5nLWZpc2gtYWR2aXNvcmllcz91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjQwMTA4Ljg4MTQyOTIxIn0.i9_HCCYNJkelZYlot5VFgYHG9OlEL0AapdNN3rpdLJY/s/1305943094/br/234423686922-l" target="_blank">EPA Guidance for Developing Fish Advisories | US EPA</a>.

Kansas fish consumption advisories for 2024

As technology improves, so too, can schools' ability to protect students. At Monday's USD 428 Board of Education meeting, District Support Specialist Cody Cale showed members the difference between current low-resolution cameras and the ability of new Verkada cameras that have been installed at the Support Services Building. Assistant Superintendent John Popp and the district's Safety Committee continue plans to put the new cameras in Great Bend High School.

"Principals currently will hear about a situation, and you try to find a kid somewhere between this time frame, and you try to follow them from this camera to that camera," Popp said. "It takes hours of scrubbing back and forth to find the kids. This has facial recognition that can find it for you and show you where the kid has been."

The new cameras capture a wider angle of locations, can zoom in at high resolution, and can record sound. Software for the cameras allows staff to search by clothing color or use facial recognition to search or create alerts for unwanted persons on a property. All the district cameras would be accessed with one login, and a link to a camera can be shared with first responders to allow them real-time viewing of an area.

The board welcomed new members Randy Wetzel, Karen Lindberg, and Sara Williams for their first official meeting Monday. Williams is pleased with the new camera capabilities.

"I love the proactive element to this," she said. "Usually, we use video after something has already happened and we're going back and reviewing it. The fact that this has alerts like that is just outstanding."

Purchasing Verkada cameras for Great Bend High School would cost the district $222,794. The district does receive a Safe Schools grant of $100,000 each year. Popp said discussion continues on whether the district can afford to buy all the cameras at one time or if another purchase will be made with next year's grant.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696898575633.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostAs technology improves, so too, can schools' ability to protect students. At Monday's USD 428 Board of Education meeting, District Support Specialist Cody Cale showed members the difference between current low-resolution cameras and the ability of new Verkada cameras that have been installed at the Support Services Building. Assistant Superintendent John Popp and the district's Safety Committee continue plans to put the new cameras in Great Bend High School."Principals currently will hear about a situation, and you try to find a kid somewhere between this time frame, and you try to follow them from this camera to that camera," Popp said. "It takes hours of scrubbing back and forth to find the kids. This has facial recognition that can find it for you and show you where the kid has been."The new cameras capture a wider angle of locations, can zoom in at high resolution, and can record sound. Software for the cameras allows staff to search by clothing color or use facial recognition to search or create alerts for unwanted persons on a property. All the district cameras would be accessed with one login, and a link to a camera can be shared with first responders to allow them real-time viewing of an area.The board welcomed new members Randy Wetzel, Karen Lindberg, and Sara Williams for their first official meeting Monday. Williams is pleased with the new camera capabilities."I love the proactive element to this," she said. "Usually, we use video after something has already happened and we're going back and reviewing it. The fact that this has alerts like that is just outstanding."Purchasing Verkada cameras for Great Bend High School would cost the district $222,794. The district does receive a Safe Schools grant of $100,000 each year. Popp said discussion continues on whether the district can afford to buy all the cameras at one time or if another purchase will be made with next year's grant.

Board continues to look at camera options for GB High School

Happy 2024! Rolling over the calendar is always exciting to me. I love a fresh, new year for new ideas, new planning, and new things to try. Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? I have planned resolutions as long as I can remember. Many people make commitments to be healthier, but then by February those commitments fall by the wayside when “life happens!” What are some things you can do to keep from losing your focus? Here are some tips:

Choosing too many goals can be overwhelming which can cause us to throw our hands up and quit. Pick one to two things you’d like to focus on and go full in.

What’s the old saying? “When you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Research what you want to do, how long will it take, what support or information do you need to reach your goal?

Write goals that are specific rather than vague. Something like “exercise more” or “eat more veggies” can be too vague to really measure, instead be more detailed. A more specific resolution would be, I will walk 20 minutes 3 times a week. An example of a specific nutrition goal would be “I will eat a serving of fruit with breakfast and a serving of vegetables with lunch and dinner.” Both of those are measurable goals you can check off your list and will give you a dopamine boost that will leave you feeling accomplished.

Don’t choose the same goal you have in the past and failed at. This sets you up for the same pitfalls that caused you to be derailed in the past. If you still want to work on the same goal as last year then re-word it, making it more specific.

Lean on the people around you to help you stay focused. Whether its co-workers, spouses, or friends, we need those around us to support us and motivate us. Share your goals with those around you.

It takes approximately 2 months to form a new habit. If life gets in the way, get back up, dust yourself off and start again. Resolutions don’t have to be all or nothing. Be forgiving to yourself. Life happens and one of the things we have to learn in order to accomplish hard things is the ability to do a little self-reflection about what went wrong and how do we fix it? You can also try tacking a new goal onto something you already do to help it become a habit. For example, during a morning or night routine try putting the new goal in during those already established routines.

My 2024 goal in the Cottonwood District is to focus on giving everyone in our community an opportunity to be active. The benefits to physical and mental health are numerous with even small amounts of activity. No matter how sedentary you have been, we have classes that will help you become more active. Stay Strong, Stay Healthy will begin on January 16, 2024. Walk Kansas will begin in March for people to form teams and stay active. Walk with Ease, is an Arthritis Foundation program, and is aimed at helping people stay active with chronic disease. All the classes are laid back, easy to access, and you can start where you are at. Come join us, you will not be disappointed. These classes are well researched to provide numerous benefits. If you have any questions, please get ahold of me! I look forward to meeting you in 2024!

Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu. K-State Research &amp; Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668522152076.jpeg" alt="Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District." />
 <figcaption>Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District.</figcaption>
 </figure>Happy 2024! Rolling over the calendar is always exciting to me. I love a fresh, new year for new ideas, new planning, and new things to try. Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? I have planned resolutions as long as I can remember. Many people make commitments to be healthier, but then by February those commitments fall by the wayside when “life happens!” What are some things you can do to keep from losing your focus? Here are some tips:1. Be PickyChoosing too many goals can be overwhelming which can cause us to throw our hands up and quit. Pick one to two things you’d like to focus on and go full in.2. PlanWhat’s the old saying? “When you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Research what you want to do, how long will it take, what support or information do you need to reach your goal?3. Specific goalsWrite goals that are specific rather than vague. Something like “exercise more” or “eat more veggies” can be too vague to really measure, instead be more detailed. A more specific resolution would be, I will walk 20 minutes 3 times a week. An example of a specific nutrition goal would be “I will eat a serving of fruit with breakfast and a serving of vegetables with lunch and dinner.” Both of those are measurable goals you can check off your list and will give you a dopamine boost that will leave you feeling accomplished.4. Choose Something NewDon’t choose the same goal you have in the past and failed at. This sets you up for the same pitfalls that caused you to be derailed in the past. If you still want to work on the same goal as last year then re-word it, making it more specific.5. Accountability PartnersLean on the people around you to help you stay focused. Whether its co-workers, spouses, or friends, we need those around us to support us and motivate us. Share your goals with those around you.6. Time to Become a HabitIt takes approximately 2 months to form a new habit. If life gets in the way, get back up, dust yourself off and start again. Resolutions don’t have to be all or nothing. Be forgiving to yourself. Life happens and one of the things we have to learn in order to accomplish hard things is the ability to do a little self-reflection about what went wrong and how do we fix it? You can also try tacking a new goal onto something you already do to help it become a habit. For example, during a morning or night routine try putting the new goal in during those already established routines.My 2024 goal in the Cottonwood District is to focus on giving everyone in our community an opportunity to be active. The benefits to physical and mental health are numerous with even small amounts of activity. No matter how sedentary you have been, we have classes that will help you become more active. Stay Strong, Stay Healthy will begin on January 16, 2024. Walk Kansas will begin in March for people to form teams and stay active. Walk with Ease, is an Arthritis Foundation program, and is aimed at helping people stay active with chronic disease. All the classes are laid back, easy to access, and you can start where you are at. Come join us, you will not be disappointed. These classes are well researched to provide numerous benefits. If you have any questions, please get ahold of me! I look forward to meeting you in 2024!Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu. K-State Research &amp; Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

KOERNER: New year, new resolutions

In response to the blizzard conditions this week, the City of Great Bend &amp;&nbsp; Great Bend Alive would like to announce a date change for the newly revamped "Beat the Winter Blues Sale and Snowball Drop." Originally scheduled for Jan. 13, the event will now take place on Jan. 20.

The decision to reschedule the event was made to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all participants, taking into consideration various factors such as weather conditions and logistical considerations.

"We understand the excitement and anticipation surrounding our 'Beat the Winter Blues Sale and Snowball Drop,' and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused by the date change, the participating stores voted to move it to provide the safest and best experience for everyone involved.” said Christina Hayes, Community Coordinator.&nbsp; "Our top priority is the safety and satisfaction of citizens and visitors and we are so excited that Great Bend Alive is adding the Snowball Drop inside the Crest – we felt that moving the date would be the best option for all!”

The revised schedule for the event on Jan. 20 is as follows:

For more information Find “Beat the Winter Blues Sale” Event on Facebook on the Explore Great Bend page.

The City of Great Bend, Participating Stores and GB Alive look forward to welcoming everyone on Jan. 20 for a day of winter fun, incredible deals, and unforgettable moments.

Email Christina Hayes at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:chayes@greatbendks.net">chayes@greatbendks.net</a>&nbsp;or Lee Ann June&nbsp; at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:marketing@gbedinc.com">marketing@gbedinc.com</a>&nbsp;for more information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704486918320.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>From the City of Great Bend...In response to the blizzard conditions this week, the City of Great Bend &amp;&nbsp; Great Bend Alive would like to announce a date change for the newly revamped "Beat the Winter Blues Sale and Snowball Drop." Originally scheduled for Jan. 13, the event will now take place on Jan. 20.The decision to reschedule the event was made to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all participants, taking into consideration various factors such as weather conditions and logistical considerations."We understand the excitement and anticipation surrounding our 'Beat the Winter Blues Sale and Snowball Drop,' and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused by the date change, the participating stores voted to move it to provide the safest and best experience for everyone involved.” said Christina Hayes, Community Coordinator.&nbsp; "Our top priority is the safety and satisfaction of citizens and visitors and we are so excited that Great Bend Alive is adding the Snowball Drop inside the Crest – we felt that moving the date would be the best option for all!”The revised schedule for the event on Jan. 20 is as follows:Beat the Winter Blues Sale:<ul>
 <li>Store Hours Vary for Shopping – see flyer or Facebook event for all participating stores!</li><li>Snowball Drop at 10:15am inside the Crest Theatre with Pop Up Vendor Market.</li><li>Hot cocoa stations and Sizzling deals on winter merchandise until stores close!</li>
 </ul>For more information Find “Beat the Winter Blues Sale” Event on Facebook on the Explore Great Bend page.The City of Great Bend, Participating Stores and GB Alive look forward to welcoming everyone on Jan. 20 for a day of winter fun, incredible deals, and unforgettable moments.Email Christina Hayes at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:chayes@greatbendks.net">chayes@greatbendks.net</a>&nbsp;or Lee Ann June&nbsp; at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:marketing@gbedinc.com">marketing@gbedinc.com</a>&nbsp;for more information.

Great Bend's 'Beat the Winter Blues Sale' rescheduled to Jan. 20

The Barton Community College basketball teams will play at Garden City on Wednesday, Jan. 10.

You can follow all the action by listening on 104.3 FM or online by clicking HERE.

The women tip-off in Garden City at 5:30 p.m. with the men's game to follow.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604702295823.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Barton Community College basketball teams will play at Garden City on Wednesday, Jan. 10.You can follow all the action by listening on 104.3 FM or online by clicking HERE.The women tip-off in Garden City at 5:30 p.m. with the men's game to follow.

🎧Listen LIVE: Barton 🏀 at Garden City

The final two candidates in the search for Barton Community College's next president will be visiting the Barton County area, as well as Barton’s other campuses from Jan. 16-19. The community is invited to attend public forums to meet the candidates and ask questions. College faculty and staff will have dedicated opportunities to meet the candidates as well.

Dr. Marcus Garstecki’s public forum will be held at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 16 in the Fine Arts building, room F-30, or virtually via Zoom:&nbsp;<a href="https://bartonccc-edu.zoom.us/j/96565508780">https://bartonccc-edu.zoom.us/j/96565508780</a>. Dr. Seth Carter’s will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 18 in F-30 or via Zoom:&nbsp;<a href="https://bartonccc-edu.zoom.us/j/93585869626">https://bartonccc-edu.zoom.us/j/93585869626</a>.

Complete schedules for both candidate's visits are as follows:

A special Board meeting is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 30 for approval of Barton’s sixth president. For bios of both candidates and additional information on the search, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://bartonccc.edu/presidentsearch" target="_blank">bartonccc.edu/presidentsearch</a>.&nbsp;

The final two candidates in the search for Barton Community College's next president will be visiting the Barton County area, as well as Barton’s other campuses from Jan. 16-19. The community is invited to attend public forums to meet the candidates and ask questions. College faculty and staff will have dedicated opportunities to meet the candidates as well.Dr. Marcus Garstecki’s public forum will be held at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 16 in the Fine Arts building, room F-30, or virtually via Zoom:&nbsp;<a href="https://bartonccc-edu.zoom.us/j/96565508780">https://bartonccc-edu.zoom.us/j/96565508780</a>. Dr. Seth Carter’s will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 18 in F-30 or via Zoom:&nbsp;<a href="https://bartonccc-edu.zoom.us/j/93585869626">https://bartonccc-edu.zoom.us/j/93585869626</a>.Complete schedules for both candidate's visits are as follows:<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704901440950.jpeg" alt="Dr. Marcus Garstecki" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Marcus Garstecki</figcaption>
 </figure>Dr. Marcus GarsteckiTuesday, Jan. 16&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Tour of Barton County campus&nbsp;</li><li>Meet with the search committee&nbsp;</li><li>Meet with the Board of Trustees&nbsp;</li><li>Meet with the community&nbsp;</li><li>Meet with faculty/staff&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Wednesday, Jan. 17&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Meetings at Ellsworth Correction Facility, Grandview Plaza, and Fort Riley&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704901512532.jpeg" alt="Dr. Seth Carter" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Seth Carter</figcaption>
 </figure>Dr. Seth CarterThursday, Jan. 18&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Meet with the search committee&nbsp;</li><li>Lunch with the Board of Trustees&nbsp;</li><li>Meet with the community&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Meet with faculty/staff&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Friday, Jan. 19&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Meetings at Ellsworth Correction Facility, Grandview Plaza, and Fort Riley&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>A special Board meeting is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 30 for approval of Barton’s sixth president. For bios of both candidates and additional information on the search, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://bartonccc.edu/presidentsearch" target="_blank">bartonccc.edu/presidentsearch</a>.&nbsp;

Barton CC presidential hopefuls to engage with community

The USD 428 Great Bend Board of Education approved three personnel changes for the district during Monday's meeting. The two retirements will be effective at the end of the school year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582317322895.jpeg" alt="Tina Hiss" />
 <figcaption>Tina Hiss</figcaption>
 </figure>The USD 428 Great Bend Board of Education approved three personnel changes for the district during Monday's meeting. The two retirements will be effective at the end of the school year.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704908946305.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

USD 428 BOE accepts retirement of longtime GBHS math teacher

Starting today we will begin the process of hauling snow. Be aware in the downtown area, 19th, 24th, and any other street, that our equipment has created a wind row in the clean-up of snow. 

A loader will be loading trucks from the wind rows in the center of the street and will be moving back and forth across the lane of traffic. We do this in an effort to remove the obstacle created in the clean-up process and in an attempt to help with ice issues as the snow melts.&nbsp; 

Please be attentive and cautious as we work in these major arterial streets. Your patience is appreciated.

If you have any questions or concerns contact Tony Bronson, Street Supervisor, 620-793-4150.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695917677551.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>From the City of Great Bend...Starting today we will begin the process of hauling snow. Be aware in the downtown area, 19th, 24th, and any other street, that our equipment has created a wind row in the clean-up of snow. A loader will be loading trucks from the wind rows in the center of the street and will be moving back and forth across the lane of traffic. We do this in an effort to remove the obstacle created in the clean-up process and in an attempt to help with ice issues as the snow melts.&nbsp; Please be attentive and cautious as we work in these major arterial streets. Your patience is appreciated.If you have any questions or concerns contact Tony Bronson, Street Supervisor, 620-793-4150.