The
drought monitor report as of 8 a.m. Tuesday, September 26 shows no real change
for our area this week with the exception of extreme drought creeping into the
eastern portion of the county.&nbsp; Drought
conditions continue to worsen in eastern South Central and western Southeast
Kansas to the north and east of Wichita.&nbsp;
Much of Western Kansas is in adequate to good shape for planting wheat
and that area even expanded a bit.&nbsp; The
six to ten-day outlook (October 3 to 7) indicates a continued 60 to 70% chance
of leaning above normal for temperatures and leans towards a 50 to 60% of above
normal precipitation.&nbsp; The eight to fourteen-day
outlook (October 5 to 11) indicates a continued 50 to 70% chance of above normal
temperatures and a 33 to 40% chance of above normal for precipitation.&nbsp; The temperature outlook isn’t favorable for
establishing wheat.&nbsp; The moisture outlook
is more promising but much of the area’s soils are already dry.&nbsp; The worst thing to happen would be for the
wheat to have enough moisture to germinate but not enough to establish a root
system and tiller properly.

Our region was the epicenter over the last almost two years for a La
Nina.&nbsp; An extremely severe and long-lived
La Nina that hadn’t been experienced before and that help account for the
severity and longevity of the drought.&nbsp;
The La Nina this summer has transitioned to an El Nino.&nbsp; As of now, experts are waiting to determine
how intense and long-lived this El Nino will be, especially after an intense La
Nina.&nbsp; So, what do they think?

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Normally,
for Kansas, the result is milder temperatures and above average
precipitation.&nbsp; We see more and
unfortunately freezing rain.&nbsp; If you have
lived around here over the last 30 years, you remember the several severe
freezing rain events.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This
time the expert consensus for Nebraska and down through Kansas and into
Oklahoma is for equal chances of both above and below normal temperatures and
precipitation.&nbsp; Warmer in the northern third
of the continental U.S. along with below normal precipitation.&nbsp; Above normal precipitation is concentrated to
the southern third of the country and up along the east coast, near the
Atlantic Ocean up through southern New England.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This
is naturally subject to change and they are hedging their bets.&nbsp; Not only are they waiting to see how the El
Nino develops but there are other factors discussed next.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; For
example, how much snowpack will there be in Siberia to help produce cold air in
the Arctic?&nbsp; Or how will the record warm
temperatures in much of the world’s seawaters impact moisture available?&nbsp; And there are other factors.&nbsp; The upshot is that models predict using the
data from past events.&nbsp; With the changing
climate heading us into unchartered waters, the reliability of long-term
prediction is much less certain than normal.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682025352095.jpeg" alt="Barton Community College Agriculture Instructor Dr. Vic Martin" />
 <figcaption>Barton Community College Agriculture Instructor Dr. Vic Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>The
drought monitor report as of 8 a.m. Tuesday, September 26 shows no real change
for our area this week with the exception of extreme drought creeping into the
eastern portion of the county.&nbsp; Drought
conditions continue to worsen in eastern South Central and western Southeast
Kansas to the north and east of Wichita.&nbsp;
Much of Western Kansas is in adequate to good shape for planting wheat
and that area even expanded a bit.&nbsp; The
six to ten-day outlook (October 3 to 7) indicates a continued 60 to 70% chance
of leaning above normal for temperatures and leans towards a 50 to 60% of above
normal precipitation.&nbsp; The eight to fourteen-day
outlook (October 5 to 11) indicates a continued 50 to 70% chance of above normal
temperatures and a 33 to 40% chance of above normal for precipitation.&nbsp; The temperature outlook isn’t favorable for
establishing wheat.&nbsp; The moisture outlook
is more promising but much of the area’s soils are already dry.&nbsp; The worst thing to happen would be for the
wheat to have enough moisture to germinate but not enough to establish a root
system and tiller properly.Our region was the epicenter over the last almost two years for a La
Nina.&nbsp; An extremely severe and long-lived
La Nina that hadn’t been experienced before and that help account for the
severity and longevity of the drought.&nbsp;
The La Nina this summer has transitioned to an El Nino.&nbsp; As of now, experts are waiting to determine
how intense and long-lived this El Nino will be, especially after an intense La
Nina.&nbsp; So, what do they think?·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Normally,
for Kansas, the result is milder temperatures and above average
precipitation.&nbsp; We see more and
unfortunately freezing rain.&nbsp; If you have
lived around here over the last 30 years, you remember the several severe
freezing rain events.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This
time the expert consensus for Nebraska and down through Kansas and into
Oklahoma is for equal chances of both above and below normal temperatures and
precipitation.&nbsp; Warmer in the northern third
of the continental U.S. along with below normal precipitation.&nbsp; Above normal precipitation is concentrated to
the southern third of the country and up along the east coast, near the
Atlantic Ocean up through southern New England.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This
is naturally subject to change and they are hedging their bets.&nbsp; Not only are they waiting to see how the El
Nino develops but there are other factors discussed next.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; For
example, how much snowpack will there be in Siberia to help produce cold air in
the Arctic?&nbsp; Or how will the record warm
temperatures in much of the world’s seawaters impact moisture available?&nbsp; And there are other factors.&nbsp; The upshot is that models predict using the
data from past events.&nbsp; With the changing
climate heading us into unchartered waters, the reliability of long-term
prediction is much less certain than normal.

Barton Ag Instructor Dr. Vic Martin - Kansas Agriculture and El Nino

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

The second year of Great Bend High School's Internship Program is in full swing. ACT and Career Coordinator Lacy Wolters presented an update to the USD 428 Board of Education during a luncheon at the high school last Thursday. There are 25 seniors participating this year, with 18 of those internships taking place this fall. The program had 14 participants last year.

"We're really excited with the growth and the business partnerships," Wolters said. "We've been really proud of our students, especially with that first year. Every business partner came back to participate a second year so I think that really speaks to the students we sent out."

Nineteen of the 25 internships involve the biomedical pathway. Other fields this year include construction, business finance, manufacturing, and teaching. Senior Emilee Hall completed her CNA as a junior and is interning this fall at the University of Kansas Health System - Great Bend Campus. 

"I started with pharmacy and got to see an in-hospital pharmacy and see how they help every different aspect of it," she told the board. "Then I moved on to pre- and post-op. I actually got to go into the OR and got to watch a toe be amputated. It's pretty shocking."

Interns spend 60-80 minutes a day, Monday through Thursday, outside of the classroom, then meet with other interns each Friday to review the week. Hall, a three-sport varsity athlete at GBHS, is finishing up prerequisites for nursing school and plans to apply to nursing school in January.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1696002717006.jpeg" alt="Great Bend High School senior Emilee Hall entertains the USD 428 Board of Education with an anecdote from her time with the Internship Program." />
 <figcaption>Great Bend High School senior Emilee Hall entertains the USD 428 Board of Education with an anecdote from her time with the Internship Program.</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostThe second year of Great Bend High School's Internship Program is in full swing. ACT and Career Coordinator Lacy Wolters presented an update to the USD 428 Board of Education during a luncheon at the high school last Thursday. There are 25 seniors participating this year, with 18 of those internships taking place this fall. The program had 14 participants last year."We're really excited with the growth and the business partnerships," Wolters said. "We've been really proud of our students, especially with that first year. Every business partner came back to participate a second year so I think that really speaks to the students we sent out."Nineteen of the 25 internships involve the biomedical pathway. Other fields this year include construction, business finance, manufacturing, and teaching. Senior Emilee Hall completed her CNA as a junior and is interning this fall at the University of Kansas Health System - Great Bend Campus. "I started with pharmacy and got to see an in-hospital pharmacy and see how they help every different aspect of it," she told the board. "Then I moved on to pre- and post-op. I actually got to go into the OR and got to watch a toe be amputated. It's pretty shocking."Interns spend 60-80 minutes a day, Monday through Thursday, outside of the classroom, then meet with other interns each Friday to review the week. Hall, a three-sport varsity athlete at GBHS, is finishing up prerequisites for nursing school and plans to apply to nursing school in January.

USD 428 BOE pleased with progress of Internship Program at GBHS

Smoky Hills PBS announced that it is now live streaming on Hulu + Live TV, one of the nation’s largest streaming services for live television with more than 4.5 million subscribers. Hulu + Live TV’s subscribers will now have access to inspiring and educational content from Smoky Hills PBS like Traveling Kansas and Doctors On Call along with PBS favorites including&nbsp;<a href="https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3735452-1&amp;h=107279279&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbs.org%2Fshow%2Fnewshour%2F&amp;a=PBS+NEWSHOUR" target="_blank">PBS NewsHour</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3735452-1&amp;h=1384292231&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbs.org%2Fshow%2Ffrontline%2F&amp;a=FRONTLINE" target="_blank">FRONTLINE,</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3735452-1&amp;h=2529308816&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbs.org%2Fshow%2Fantiques-roadshow%2F&amp;a=ANTIQUES+ROADSHOW" target="_blank">Antiques Roadshow,</a>&nbsp;and Smoky Hills PBS KIDS channel.

Participating PBS stations like Smoky Hills PBS will make Hulu + Live TV available in more than 300 markets over the next year. This agreement represents PBS’s continued commitment to make its quality and award-winning content accessible to all Americans on as many digital platforms as possible.

“We are thrilled that one of the largest live TV streaming services is now home to&nbsp;quality local programming from PBS Member Stations,” said&nbsp;PBS Chief Digital and Marketing Officer, Ira Rubenstein. “As more and more households look to digital streaming offerings, this announcement is part of our commitment to meet audiences where they are with the PBS programming they know and love. PBS will continue to make trusted content available to all households across as many platforms as possible. We thank Hulu + Live TV for working with us to provide our viewers with more ways to watch programs through their local PBS station.”

“As one of the largest live TV streaming services in the U.S., we are committed to providing a best-in-class user experience and a premium national and local channel line-up for our millions of subscribers” said&nbsp;Reagan Feeney, SVP, Live TV Content Programming and Partnerships for Hulu.&nbsp;“PBS and PBS KIDS are among the most frequently requested channels by our subscribers and we’re thrilled to add them to our core line-up that now includes more than 90 live channels.”

PBS, PBS KIDS, and local station content is also available on PBS.org and&nbsp;<a href="http://pbskids.org/" target="_blank">pbskids.org</a>, as well as the PBS Video App and PBS KIDS Video app available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and smart TVs from Samsung and Vizio. Local PBS station members are also able to view an extended library of quality public television programming via Passport.&nbsp; Contact Smoky Hills PBS for more details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695912601180.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Smoky Hills PBS announced that it is now live streaming on Hulu + Live TV, one of the nation’s largest streaming services for live television with more than 4.5 million subscribers. Hulu + Live TV’s subscribers will now have access to inspiring and educational content from Smoky Hills PBS like Traveling Kansas and Doctors On Call along with PBS favorites including&nbsp;<a href="https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3735452-1&amp;h=107279279&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbs.org%2Fshow%2Fnewshour%2F&amp;a=PBS+NEWSHOUR" target="_blank">PBS NewsHour</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3735452-1&amp;h=1384292231&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbs.org%2Fshow%2Ffrontline%2F&amp;a=FRONTLINE" target="_blank">FRONTLINE,</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3735452-1&amp;h=2529308816&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbs.org%2Fshow%2Fantiques-roadshow%2F&amp;a=ANTIQUES+ROADSHOW" target="_blank">Antiques Roadshow,</a>&nbsp;and Smoky Hills PBS KIDS channel.Participating PBS stations like Smoky Hills PBS will make Hulu + Live TV available in more than 300 markets over the next year. This agreement represents PBS’s continued commitment to make its quality and award-winning content accessible to all Americans on as many digital platforms as possible.“We are thrilled that one of the largest live TV streaming services is now home to&nbsp;quality local programming from PBS Member Stations,” said&nbsp;PBS Chief Digital and Marketing Officer, Ira Rubenstein. “As more and more households look to digital streaming offerings, this announcement is part of our commitment to meet audiences where they are with the PBS programming they know and love. PBS will continue to make trusted content available to all households across as many platforms as possible. We thank Hulu + Live TV for working with us to provide our viewers with more ways to watch programs through their local PBS station.”“As one of the largest live TV streaming services in the U.S., we are committed to providing a best-in-class user experience and a premium national and local channel line-up for our millions of subscribers” said&nbsp;Reagan Feeney, SVP, Live TV Content Programming and Partnerships for Hulu.&nbsp;“PBS and PBS KIDS are among the most frequently requested channels by our subscribers and we’re thrilled to add them to our core line-up that now includes more than 90 live channels.”PBS, PBS KIDS, and local station content is also available on PBS.org and&nbsp;<a href="http://pbskids.org/" target="_blank">pbskids.org</a>, as well as the PBS Video App and PBS KIDS Video app available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and smart TVs from Samsung and Vizio. Local PBS station members are also able to view an extended library of quality public television programming via Passport.&nbsp; Contact Smoky Hills PBS for more details.

Smoky Hills PBS now available to Hulu + Live TV subscribers 

By ALLISON KITE,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/epa-estimates-more-than-54000-lead-pipes-remain-in-kansas/">Kansas Reflector</a>

Time will tell whether an oil spill upstream on Rattlesnake Creek will harm the birds that flock to Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, a migratory bird stop in Stafford County.&nbsp;

Its manager, Mike Oldham, said the refuge, owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, had deployed absorbent barriers to catch any oil in case it made it downstream.

“We’re watching,” Oldham said. “We’re waiting. We’re monitoring.”

So far, the refuge hasn’t seen any oil reach its waters or contaminated birds fly in.

The spill took place earlier this month a few miles from the refuge where a lead line crossed Rattlesnake Creek. Linda Berry, spokeswoman for the Kansas Corporation Commission, which regulates oil and gas, said in an email that the wells using the line had previously been abandoned. When the wells turned back on, the line burst from the weight of the fluid.

About 10 barrels — or 420 gallons —&nbsp;of oil and 1,500 barrels of saltwater spilled into the creek.

Berry said the remediation is 99% complete, but staff will continue to inspect and take samples. She said no regulations had been violated in connection with the spill.

The spill poses another risk to the Quivira refuge, which is already threatened by insufficient water supply on Rattlesnake Creek.

Because of groundwater pumping upstream on Rattlesnake Creek,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/08/24/kansas-farm-irrigation-still-hinders-quivira-national-wildlife-refuge-water-rights/">Quivira is not getting all the water it’s entitled to</a>. Farm irrigation reduces the amount of groundwater that flows into the creek and becomes surface water.

The creek flows into the refuge, which contains more than 22,000 acres of grass, sand prairies and inland marshes.

The facility has a right to water under Kansas law that was established in 1957, making its water rights older than most others in the area. Under Kansas’ “first in time, first in right” policy, the refuge takes priority over junior water rights.

Quivira is entitled to more than 14,000 acre-feet of water each year, but has been impaired in about two out of every three years between 2008 and 2021.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service filed a request to secure water with the Kansas Department of Agriculture in February, a move criticized by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and Republican members of Congress.

Because there is virtually no streamflow from Rattlesnake Creek into the refuge, Oldham said, the oil and contaminated water hasn’t made its way to the refuge.

Flows into the refuge have generally been less than a cubic foot per second, Oldham said. But in early September, the water stopped flowing at all.

“As far as how it’s going to affect us, we don’t really know right now until we start getting a little more flow coming down the creek,” Oldham said, “and we’ll see if any oil comes our way.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1696013446266.png" alt=" A flock of green-winged teal settle on the marsh at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. (Rachel Laubhan/USFWS)" />
 <figcaption> A flock of green-winged teal settle on the marsh at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. (Rachel Laubhan/USFWS)</figcaption>
 </figure>By ALLISON KITE,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/epa-estimates-more-than-54000-lead-pipes-remain-in-kansas/">Kansas Reflector</a>Time will tell whether an oil spill upstream on Rattlesnake Creek will harm the birds that flock to Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, a migratory bird stop in Stafford County.&nbsp;Its manager, Mike Oldham, said the refuge, owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, had deployed absorbent barriers to catch any oil in case it made it downstream.“We’re watching,” Oldham said. “We’re waiting. We’re monitoring.”So far, the refuge hasn’t seen any oil reach its waters or contaminated birds fly in.The spill took place earlier this month a few miles from the refuge where a lead line crossed Rattlesnake Creek. Linda Berry, spokeswoman for the Kansas Corporation Commission, which regulates oil and gas, said in an email that the wells using the line had previously been abandoned. When the wells turned back on, the line burst from the weight of the fluid.About 10 barrels — or 420 gallons —&nbsp;of oil and 1,500 barrels of saltwater spilled into the creek.Berry said the remediation is 99% complete, but staff will continue to inspect and take samples. She said no regulations had been violated in connection with the spill.The spill poses another risk to the Quivira refuge, which is already threatened by insufficient water supply on Rattlesnake Creek.Because of groundwater pumping upstream on Rattlesnake Creek,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/08/24/kansas-farm-irrigation-still-hinders-quivira-national-wildlife-refuge-water-rights/">Quivira is not getting all the water it’s entitled to</a>. Farm irrigation reduces the amount of groundwater that flows into the creek and becomes surface water.The creek flows into the refuge, which contains more than 22,000 acres of grass, sand prairies and inland marshes.The facility has a right to water under Kansas law that was established in 1957, making its water rights older than most others in the area. Under Kansas’ “first in time, first in right” policy, the refuge takes priority over junior water rights.Quivira is entitled to more than 14,000 acre-feet of water each year, but has been impaired in about two out of every three years between 2008 and 2021.The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service filed a request to secure water with the Kansas Department of Agriculture in February, a move criticized by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and Republican members of Congress.Because there is virtually no streamflow from Rattlesnake Creek into the refuge, Oldham said, the oil and contaminated water hasn’t made its way to the refuge.Flows into the refuge have generally been less than a cubic foot per second, Oldham said. But in early September, the water stopped flowing at all.“As far as how it’s going to affect us, we don’t really know right now until we start getting a little more flow coming down the creek,” Oldham said, “and we’ll see if any oil comes our way.”

Oil spill into creek near Quivira National Wildlife Refuge 99% cleaned up

By COLE REIF Great Bend Post

The community will have a chance to see what the $4.82 million
renovation project looks like at the Support Services facility for the Great
Bend school district. An open house has been scheduled for Oct. 11 for citizens to view the facility on east 10th Street.

<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/d6381617-8b49-4c18-b572-39c91af75103">RELATED STORY: Open house for USD 428's renovated support services facility</a>

The building
houses the district's Food and Nutrition Department and Central Kitchen,
maintenance, grounds and transportation services. Cody Schmidt, USD 428 Director
of Grounds and Transportation, said his department has been operating out of
the facility for about a month.


"From what we were in to what we're in now, we can house six buses inside, it just changes everyone's camaraderie," said Schmidt. "It's something to be proud of. It's a renovation. It's nothing brand new. For my department, I can't be more thankful for what we have."

Kitchen equipment was transferred from the old facility on Broadway Avenue, but
the food department also received new, modern kitchen pieces.


From the transportation side, Schmidt said an onsite wash bay will be useful
for the entire district.


"The building already featured a wash bay," said Schmidt. "We had to knock a wall out and take it 50 feet deep because out biggest buses are 45 feet long. The restructure of the all the vehicles are now with myself and transportation. Our secretary has moved from the District Education Center to our new location. That's been a huge upgrade."

The project was paid for through the district’s capital outlay. To help
replenish the capital outlay, USD 428 approved a mill levy increase for the
2023-2024 school year.

<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/ca6f8b4f-098c-424e-9d22-488d4a0bd5a5">RELATED STORY: USD 428 approves $4.8 million plan</a>

The open house Oct. 11 will be from 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at
625 East 10th Street.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695918410081.jpeg" alt="The facility at 625 East 10th Street has been renovated to house the food, transportation and maintenance departments for USD 428." />
 <figcaption>The facility at 625 East 10th Street has been renovated to house the food, transportation and maintenance departments for USD 428.</figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostThe community will have a chance to see what the $4.82 million
renovation project looks like at the Support Services facility for the Great
Bend school district. An open house has been scheduled for Oct. 11 for citizens to view the facility on east 10th Street.<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/d6381617-8b49-4c18-b572-39c91af75103">RELATED STORY: Open house for USD 428's renovated support services facility</a>The building
houses the district's Food and Nutrition Department and Central Kitchen,
maintenance, grounds and transportation services. Cody Schmidt, USD 428 Director
of Grounds and Transportation, said his department has been operating out of
the facility for about a month.
"From what we were in to what we're in now, we can house six buses inside, it just changes everyone's camaraderie," said Schmidt. "It's something to be proud of. It's a renovation. It's nothing brand new. For my department, I can't be more thankful for what we have."Kitchen equipment was transferred from the old facility on Broadway Avenue, but
the food department also received new, modern kitchen pieces.
From the transportation side, Schmidt said an onsite wash bay will be useful
for the entire district.
"The building already featured a wash bay," said Schmidt. "We had to knock a wall out and take it 50 feet deep because out biggest buses are 45 feet long. The restructure of the all the vehicles are now with myself and transportation. Our secretary has moved from the District Education Center to our new location. That's been a huge upgrade."The project was paid for through the district’s capital outlay. To help
replenish the capital outlay, USD 428 approved a mill levy increase for the
2023-2024 school year.<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/ca6f8b4f-098c-424e-9d22-488d4a0bd5a5">RELATED STORY: USD 428 approves $4.8 million plan</a>The open house Oct. 11 will be from 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at
625 East 10th Street.

USD 428 transportation & food departments benefitting from new facility

Great Bend High School junior Carson Umphres has been playing baseball since about the age of five. Years of hard work are starting to pay off. After a successful sophomore season for the Panther baseball team last spring, Umphres tried out for and made the Colorado Rockies scout team. It's the next move up the ladder in a sport he loves.

"Baseball, I find it relaxing and kind of mesmerizing just because of all the individual battles in it; every pitcher versus hitter, the catcher trying to throw you out," Umphres said. "There's just so much stuff that comes together perfectly."

There are also the bonds with teammates and a special one baseball has given him with his father. Chris Umphres and Mike Minton started the Great Bend Bombers franchise several years ago to give young players like Carson more opportunities.

"I was probably one of our lower players at that time," Carson said. "I probably would have kept playing rec instead of finding a travel team to play on. It was really helpful having that in town."

A relatively young Panther baseball team advanced to state last year. Umphres led the team with a .468 batting average, 25 RBIs, nine doubles, and five triples. On the mound, he paced the team with 43 strikeouts in 57.2 innings of work. At the scout team tryout, Carson hit a ball 100 miles an hour and threw 80 miles an hour. To the delight of coaches, he also showed off his knuckleball as a secondary pitch. Umphres throws a hard knuckleball, which is different than the typical slow knuckleball pitch.

The organization invited him to play, both as an outfielder and a pitcher. Now, he and his father leave for Colorado or Wyoming after school each Friday and return home late Sunday evening or early Monday morning.

The scout team does not get to play at the likes of Coors Field, home of the real Rockies, but the team did use the Rockies' spring training facility in Arizona for games, complete with individual lockers. Several college scouts were there to watch. Carson hopes all the extra work - between 70 and 80 games so far - will pay off for himself and teammates.

"You don't really see all this pitching and all this hitting until state baseball," he said. "That's what separates the good teams from the bad teams is who can do it more consistently. Really, just seeing it more consistently helps to be better against it."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695927409971.jpeg" alt="Great Bend High School junior Carson Umphres travels west each weekend to play for the Colorado Rockies scout team." />
 <figcaption>Great Bend High School junior Carson Umphres travels west each weekend to play for the Colorado Rockies scout team.</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostGreat Bend High School junior Carson Umphres has been playing baseball since about the age of five. Years of hard work are starting to pay off. After a successful sophomore season for the Panther baseball team last spring, Umphres tried out for and made the Colorado Rockies scout team. It's the next move up the ladder in a sport he loves."Baseball, I find it relaxing and kind of mesmerizing just because of all the individual battles in it; every pitcher versus hitter, the catcher trying to throw you out," Umphres said. "There's just so much stuff that comes together perfectly."There are also the bonds with teammates and a special one baseball has given him with his father. Chris Umphres and Mike Minton started the Great Bend Bombers franchise several years ago to give young players like Carson more opportunities."I was probably one of our lower players at that time," Carson said. "I probably would have kept playing rec instead of finding a travel team to play on. It was really helpful having that in town."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695927508152.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>A relatively young Panther baseball team advanced to state last year. Umphres led the team with a .468 batting average, 25 RBIs, nine doubles, and five triples. On the mound, he paced the team with 43 strikeouts in 57.2 innings of work. At the scout team tryout, Carson hit a ball 100 miles an hour and threw 80 miles an hour. To the delight of coaches, he also showed off his knuckleball as a secondary pitch. Umphres throws a hard knuckleball, which is different than the typical slow knuckleball pitch.The organization invited him to play, both as an outfielder and a pitcher. Now, he and his father leave for Colorado or Wyoming after school each Friday and return home late Sunday evening or early Monday morning.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629303703242.jpeg" alt="Carson in his younger days as a Great Bend Bomber.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Carson in his younger days as a Great Bend Bomber.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>The scout team does not get to play at the likes of Coors Field, home of the real Rockies, but the team did use the Rockies' spring training facility in Arizona for games, complete with individual lockers. Several college scouts were there to watch. Carson hopes all the extra work - between 70 and 80 games so far - will pay off for himself and teammates."You don't really see all this pitching and all this hitting until state baseball," he said. "That's what separates the good teams from the bad teams is who can do it more consistently. Really, just seeing it more consistently helps to be better against it."

Great Bend's Umphres getting time with Rockies scout team

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

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

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

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

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

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

Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness.

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

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

BERAN: 4-H enrollment time

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

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

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

🎙Post Podcast: County Edition - Juvenile Services Director Woodmansee

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Candidate forums scheduled for Great Bend & Hoisington

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sunflower Early Ed Center offers new playground equipment

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

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

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

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

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

Eagle Radio's news week in review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A natural educator: Martin retiring from role at KWEC

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

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

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

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

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

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

Area Week 5 Football Scores

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kansas stories show why traffic safety must be priority

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Great Bend Appliance receives 'Dealer of the Year' award

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

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


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

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

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


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

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

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

Job market and local industries hungry for Barton welding students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fossel Lake in Russell Co. under harmful algae warning

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

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

Volunteer coaches, referees and scorekeepers are needed.

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

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

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

Great Bend Rec extending registration for youth indoor soccer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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