By COLE REIF Great Bend Post

With a $1.37 million project in the 2022 winter, the Great Bend Sports
Complex received artificial turf on the five baseball and softball infields.
While Langrehr Field is nearby to the northeast of the facility, it is separate
from the four-field complex. Improvements have been made, but an issue with the division of Langrehr from the rest
of the complex for years has been the lack of a restroom near the field.
Spectators currently have to walk back to the main sports complex to access a
restroom. 
Great Bend Interim City Administrator Logan Burns said a quality of life
project intends to place a bathroom near the ballfield on 2nd
Street, where the sewer and water utilities are located. "We also considered an all-concrete bathroom," said Burns. "You bring it in and set it, then you have your plumbing there. It double ups as a storm shelter. We've thought about this avenue for other projects too like Heizer Park and the Bypass Park." 
Parking is limited already at Langrehr, but the restroom would possibly need to be located
in the parking lot as the property line is on the east edge of the lot. 
Great Bend is also considering negotiating to purchase a portion of the land to
the east and putting the bathroom facility there and creating more parking. 
There is $200,000 allocated for the Langrehr Field bathroom project from the .15%
quality of life sales tax fund. The project is scheduled for 2025.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678393953494.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostWith a $1.37 million project in the 2022 winter, the Great Bend Sports
Complex received artificial turf on the five baseball and softball infields.
While Langrehr Field is nearby to the northeast of the facility, it is separate
from the four-field complex. Improvements have been made, but an issue with the division of Langrehr from the rest
of the complex for years has been the lack of a restroom near the field.
Spectators currently have to walk back to the main sports complex to access a
restroom. 
Great Bend Interim City Administrator Logan Burns said a quality of life
project intends to place a bathroom near the ballfield on 2nd
Street, where the sewer and water utilities are located. "We also considered an all-concrete bathroom," said Burns. "You bring it in and set it, then you have your plumbing there. It double ups as a storm shelter. We've thought about this avenue for other projects too like Heizer Park and the Bypass Park." 
Parking is limited already at Langrehr, but the restroom would possibly need to be located
in the parking lot as the property line is on the east edge of the lot. 
Great Bend is also considering negotiating to purchase a portion of the land to
the east and putting the bathroom facility there and creating more parking. 
There is $200,000 allocated for the Langrehr Field bathroom project from the .15%
quality of life sales tax fund. The project is scheduled for 2025.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Bathroom access at Langrehr Field on Great Bend’s radar

Today Partly sunny, with a high near 40. North wind 5 to 8 mph becoming south southeast in the afternoon.

Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. Southeast wind around 8 mph.

Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 19 to 24 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 33 mph.

Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Breezy, with a south wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph.

Wednesday Partly sunny, with a high near 68. Windy, with a south wind 24 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph.

Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Windy.

ThursdayA chance of rain before 1 p.m., then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Thursday Night A slight chance of rain and snow before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Blustery. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 43. Breezy.

Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 19. Blustery.

Saturday Sunny, with a high near 43. Breezy.

Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 16.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Today Partly sunny, with a high near 40. North wind 5 to 8 mph becoming south southeast in the afternoon.Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. Southeast wind around 8 mph.Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 19 to 24 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 33 mph.Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Breezy, with a south wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph.Wednesday Partly sunny, with a high near 68. Windy, with a south wind 24 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph.Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Windy.ThursdayA chance of rain before 1 p.m., then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.Thursday Night A slight chance of rain and snow before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Blustery. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 43. Breezy.Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 19. Blustery.Saturday Sunny, with a high near 43. Breezy.Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 16.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Monday's Weather

Hear this month's Focus on Hoisington show with Hoisington City Manager Jonathan Mitchell and Code Enforcement Officer Dolores Kipper that aired March 9, 2023.

The Focus on Hoisington program airs the second Thursday of the month at 11:30 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596658271505.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hear this month's Focus on Hoisington show with Hoisington City Manager Jonathan Mitchell and Code Enforcement Officer Dolores Kipper that aired March 9, 2023.<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/nofch0iy/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>The Focus on Hoisington program airs the second Thursday of the month at 11:30 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.&nbsp;

🎧Focus on Hoisington show

The Barton Community College women's basketball team found out Sunday night they received the #16-seed in the NJCAA National Tournament and will face Moberly Area Community College in the first round on March 22 in Lubbock, TX.

The Lady Cougars (28-5), ranked 16th in the country, won their first Region VI Championship Saturday since 2008, defeating Coffeyville 60-56.&nbsp;

The National Tournament consists of 24 teams, with 16 automatic qualifiers from Region champions across the country.

Barton's game against the Moberly Area Greyhounds (28-3) will begin at 10 a.m. on March 22. The broadcast of the game will air on 104.3 FM and <a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/ce/index.cfm?stationCallSign=kvgbfm2">greatbendpost.com</a>. The winner will play #1-seed South Georgia Tech on March 23.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678667371843.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Barton Community College women's basketball team found out Sunday night they received the #16-seed in the NJCAA National Tournament and will face Moberly Area Community College in the first round on March 22 in Lubbock, TX.The Lady Cougars (28-5), ranked 16th in the country, won their first Region VI Championship Saturday since 2008, defeating Coffeyville 60-56.&nbsp;The National Tournament consists of 24 teams, with 16 automatic qualifiers from Region champions across the country.Barton's game against the Moberly Area Greyhounds (28-3) will begin at 10 a.m. on March 22. The broadcast of the game will air on 104.3 FM and <a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/ce/index.cfm?stationCallSign=kvgbfm2">greatbendpost.com</a>. The winner will play #1-seed South Georgia Tech on March 23.

Barton women's basketball team receives #16 seed at National Tourney

The American Plains Co-op announced that Mark Bauer has accepted the role of Assistant Grain Merchandiser. Mark joins the team with agronomic knowledge and grower relationships from his previous role as Precision Ag Specialist, that he held for the past six years.&nbsp;

American Plains has 16 elevators, 13 fueling sites, agronomy, seed, feed, bulk fuel, grain and farm supply services across Kansas and Oklahoma. Their headquarters is located in Great Bend.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678398495616.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BUSINESS NEWSThe American Plains Co-op announced that Mark Bauer has accepted the role of Assistant Grain Merchandiser. Mark joins the team with agronomic knowledge and grower relationships from his previous role as Precision Ag Specialist, that he held for the past six years.&nbsp;American Plains has 16 elevators, 13 fueling sites, agronomy, seed, feed, bulk fuel, grain and farm supply services across Kansas and Oklahoma. Their headquarters is located in Great Bend.

American Plains Co-op names Bauer as Assist. Grain Merchandiser 

The Wolf Hotel in Ellinwood will host an Adult Comedy Show on April 29. The happy hour begins at 7 p.m. with the show starting at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at <a href="https://www.historicwolfhotel.com/event-details/adult-comedy-show-9">historicwolfhotel.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678398953317.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Wolf Hotel in Ellinwood will host an Adult Comedy Show on April 29. The happy hour begins at 7 p.m. with the show starting at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at <a href="https://www.historicwolfhotel.com/event-details/adult-comedy-show-9">historicwolfhotel.com</a>.

Comedy show at Ellinwood's Wolf Hotel

The
drought monitor report as of Tuesday, March 7 indicates a continuing extreme
and exceptions drought in Western Kansas.&nbsp;
Not much hope for relief either.&nbsp; The
six to ten-day outlook (to March 14 to 18) indicates normal temperatures and 33
to 50% chance of leaning above normal precipitation.&nbsp; The eight to fourteen-day outlook (March 16
to 22) indicates a 40 to 50% chance of below normal temperatures and a 33 to 40%
chance of leaning to above normal precipitation.&nbsp; Hopefully the rain will happen.

One of the main functions we want
our soils to do is hold water and nutrients.&nbsp;
Everyone from producers to home gardeners want a soil that provides
water and nutrients.&nbsp; Today, how does
soil hold water and nutrients?&nbsp; Briefly
and this is a primer. 

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; First,
porosity and pore size distribution matter in terms of water movement and water
holding.&nbsp; Macropores, large pores, allow
for easy water movement and drainage.&nbsp;
Micropores are responsible for holding soil water and having it
available for plant roots.&nbsp; These small
pores are also responsible for “capillary rise” which is the ability of water
to move upwards against the force of gravity and the smaller the pore, the
greater the rise.&nbsp; The how is next.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As
odd as this might sound, water and nutrients are held in the soil
electrostatically.&nbsp; Soil texture is
defined by the three soil separates: sand, silt and clay.&nbsp; Clay and decomposed organic matter, humus,
are classified as soil colloids.&nbsp; They
have a large surface area per unit volume.&nbsp;
An average teaspoon of clay spread one layer thick could cover a
football field.&nbsp; One thing clay and
organic matter have is numerous positive and negative charges.&nbsp; Under normal conditions, the negative charges
outnumber the positive ones and result in an overall net negative charge.&nbsp; Remembering your electricity, opposite
charges attract.&nbsp; So, positive charges
are attracted to the colloids – calcium, magnesium, potassium, ammonium, iron,
etc.&nbsp; These cation nutrients are held in
the soil, don’t leach easily, and available for plants.&nbsp; Some soils are able to hold negative ions,
anions, that are plant nutrients such as nitrate, sulfate, and phosphate.&nbsp; Our typical soils here have little anion
exchange capacity.&nbsp; Next – water.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Water
has an overall neutral charge; however, the electrons spend more time closer to
the oxygen nucleus than the hydrogen nuclei.&nbsp;
This results in the oxygen end being partially negative and the
hydrogens partially negative.&nbsp; Water is a
polar molecule with a positive and negative end.&nbsp; So, water molecules are attracted to each
other and why water forms a crystalline structure as a solid and less dense as
a solid than as a liquid – it is cohesive.&nbsp;
The hydrogens being partially positive are attracted to the negative soil
colloids and held there.&nbsp; Then the
hydrogen ends of water molecules are attracted to the oxygen of the water
adsorbed to the soil colloid. And they in turn attract other water molecules
and a water film develops.&nbsp; This is how
plant available water is held in soils.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; So,
soils with organic matter and clay will hold more water than soils low in
organic matter with little or no clay.&nbsp;
And it’s not just the amount but also the type of clay matters.&nbsp; Certain clays have a low net negative charge
while others possess a very large one.&nbsp;
Finally as a soil become more acid, the ability to hold cations
decreases.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595683730716.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 Tuesday, March 7 indicates a continuing extreme
and exceptions drought in Western Kansas.&nbsp;
Not much hope for relief either.&nbsp; The
six to ten-day outlook (to March 14 to 18) indicates normal temperatures and 33
to 50% chance of leaning above normal precipitation.&nbsp; The eight to fourteen-day outlook (March 16
to 22) indicates a 40 to 50% chance of below normal temperatures and a 33 to 40%
chance of leaning to above normal precipitation.&nbsp; Hopefully the rain will happen.One of the main functions we want
our soils to do is hold water and nutrients.&nbsp;
Everyone from producers to home gardeners want a soil that provides
water and nutrients.&nbsp; Today, how does
soil hold water and nutrients?&nbsp; Briefly
and this is a primer. ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; First,
porosity and pore size distribution matter in terms of water movement and water
holding.&nbsp; Macropores, large pores, allow
for easy water movement and drainage.&nbsp;
Micropores are responsible for holding soil water and having it
available for plant roots.&nbsp; These small
pores are also responsible for “capillary rise” which is the ability of water
to move upwards against the force of gravity and the smaller the pore, the
greater the rise.&nbsp; The how is next.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As
odd as this might sound, water and nutrients are held in the soil
electrostatically.&nbsp; Soil texture is
defined by the three soil separates: sand, silt and clay.&nbsp; Clay and decomposed organic matter, humus,
are classified as soil colloids.&nbsp; They
have a large surface area per unit volume.&nbsp;
An average teaspoon of clay spread one layer thick could cover a
football field.&nbsp; One thing clay and
organic matter have is numerous positive and negative charges.&nbsp; Under normal conditions, the negative charges
outnumber the positive ones and result in an overall net negative charge.&nbsp; Remembering your electricity, opposite
charges attract.&nbsp; So, positive charges
are attracted to the colloids – calcium, magnesium, potassium, ammonium, iron,
etc.&nbsp; These cation nutrients are held in
the soil, don’t leach easily, and available for plants.&nbsp; Some soils are able to hold negative ions,
anions, that are plant nutrients such as nitrate, sulfate, and phosphate.&nbsp; Our typical soils here have little anion
exchange capacity.&nbsp; Next – water.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Water
has an overall neutral charge; however, the electrons spend more time closer to
the oxygen nucleus than the hydrogen nuclei.&nbsp;
This results in the oxygen end being partially negative and the
hydrogens partially negative.&nbsp; Water is a
polar molecule with a positive and negative end.&nbsp; So, water molecules are attracted to each
other and why water forms a crystalline structure as a solid and less dense as
a solid than as a liquid – it is cohesive.&nbsp;
The hydrogens being partially positive are attracted to the negative soil
colloids and held there.&nbsp; Then the
hydrogen ends of water molecules are attracted to the oxygen of the water
adsorbed to the soil colloid. And they in turn attract other water molecules
and a water film develops.&nbsp; This is how
plant available water is held in soils.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; So,
soils with organic matter and clay will hold more water than soils low in
organic matter with little or no clay.&nbsp;
And it’s not just the amount but also the type of clay matters.&nbsp; Certain clays have a low net negative charge
while others possess a very large one.&nbsp;
Finally as a soil become more acid, the ability to hold cations
decreases.

Barton Ag Instructor Dr. Vic Martin - How Soil Holds Water and Nutrients

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

Central Kansas Community Corrections Director Amy Boxberger closed a presentation at Wednesday's Barton County Commission meeting with a thought: Why do some choose the more difficult road? And why is it assumed everyone always sees two roads? That summed up a new theory behind the state's approach to community corrections. Boxberger detailed some of those changes.

"What the research says: supervision alone will not be sufficient to change behavior," she said. "Punishment programs do not work to change behavior. We need services that are behavioral in nature."

Boxberger interned with Community Corrections while in college, then took a position with the organization upon graduating 25 years ago. She said the early years were compliance or bust, but those referee-style practices were ineffective. Clients kept returning, and staff turnover was high from burnout.

"By this time, I had recommended that many people went to prison," she said. "Much to my dismay, those former clients kept coming back. The ones that went to prison were worse off than before. We continue to work with the Department of Corrections to align with evidence-based principles. It hasn't happened overnight."

Boxberger oversees the program in the 20th Judicial District, which includes Barton, Ellsworth, Russell, Rice, and Stafford counties. The population of the district is 51,000, but the community correction population is just 300. Boxberger said the cost of incarcerating a person for one year is $30,000, compared to $2,200 for a year in community corrections.

"When people are incarcerated, it's not only a drain on the judicial system, but these people are not working," she said. "They're not paying taxes. They're not contributing to the community. Their families are more likely to rely on public benefits. Their families continue to have the trauma of an absent parent."

Boxberger said the state has moved away from gut feelings about how the justice system should work and into empirical evidence. Community Corrections shifted to a program called Evidence-Based Practices. Focuses include assessing client-specific risks, enhancing motivation, practicing skills like communication and anger management, and increasing positive reinforcement. 

"Once upon a time, back when I started, we used to try to farm people out to different communities," Boxberger said. "It's not working here, go somewhere else. It doesn't work. They're from here. Their families are here. They need to come back. We need to work with the stuff that's here and achieve getting through the muck of it all so you can be a good parent and good taxpayer for the community."

Surveys from clients indicate 45 percent have been incarcerated at least 10 times. Seventy-five percent agree they have an alcohol or drug problem. Seventy-three percent agree someone in their family has a drug or alcohol problem. But 89 percent of respondents disagreed with the notion that those people cannot be helped.

From the shift, CKCC has been behind several community programs, including a behavioral health advisory council, the Core Community Poverty Resolution Program, and a fatherhood initiative with the theme that strong dads make strong kids. Rise Up Central Kansas pushes prevention, intervention, and resilience information out to the community, and Rise Up Heart helps those with substance abuse disorders with transportation and mobile meetings. In November, the Center for Counseling &amp; Consultation began its Jail Program to introduce services in four area county jails. 

Boxberger said CKCC is the step between court and prison. Since 2015, the programs have been around 75 percent successful, meaning just 25 percent of those ordered to probation ultimately wind up in prison.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678465024989.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostCentral Kansas Community Corrections Director Amy Boxberger closed a presentation at Wednesday's Barton County Commission meeting with a thought: Why do some choose the more difficult road? And why is it assumed everyone always sees two roads? That summed up a new theory behind the state's approach to community corrections. Boxberger detailed some of those changes."What the research says: supervision alone will not be sufficient to change behavior," she said. "Punishment programs do not work to change behavior. We need services that are behavioral in nature."Boxberger interned with Community Corrections while in college, then took a position with the organization upon graduating 25 years ago. She said the early years were compliance or bust, but those referee-style practices were ineffective. Clients kept returning, and staff turnover was high from burnout."By this time, I had recommended that many people went to prison," she said. "Much to my dismay, those former clients kept coming back. The ones that went to prison were worse off than before. We continue to work with the Department of Corrections to align with evidence-based principles. It hasn't happened overnight."Boxberger oversees the program in the 20th Judicial District, which includes Barton, Ellsworth, Russell, Rice, and Stafford counties. The population of the district is 51,000, but the community correction population is just 300. Boxberger said the cost of incarcerating a person for one year is $30,000, compared to $2,200 for a year in community corrections."When people are incarcerated, it's not only a drain on the judicial system, but these people are not working," she said. "They're not paying taxes. They're not contributing to the community. Their families are more likely to rely on public benefits. Their families continue to have the trauma of an absent parent."Boxberger said the state has moved away from gut feelings about how the justice system should work and into empirical evidence. Community Corrections shifted to a program called Evidence-Based Practices. Focuses include assessing client-specific risks, enhancing motivation, practicing skills like communication and anger management, and increasing positive reinforcement. "Once upon a time, back when I started, we used to try to farm people out to different communities," Boxberger said. "It's not working here, go somewhere else. It doesn't work. They're from here. Their families are here. They need to come back. We need to work with the stuff that's here and achieve getting through the muck of it all so you can be a good parent and good taxpayer for the community."Surveys from clients indicate 45 percent have been incarcerated at least 10 times. Seventy-five percent agree they have an alcohol or drug problem. Seventy-three percent agree someone in their family has a drug or alcohol problem. But 89 percent of respondents disagreed with the notion that those people cannot be helped.From the shift, CKCC has been behind several community programs, including a behavioral health advisory council, the Core Community Poverty Resolution Program, and a fatherhood initiative with the theme that strong dads make strong kids. Rise Up Central Kansas pushes prevention, intervention, and resilience information out to the community, and Rise Up Heart helps those with substance abuse disorders with transportation and mobile meetings. In November, the Center for Counseling &amp; Consultation began its Jail Program to introduce services in four area county jails. Boxberger said CKCC is the step between court and prison. Since 2015, the programs have been around 75 percent successful, meaning just 25 percent of those ordered to probation ultimately wind up in prison.

Central KS Community Corrections utilizing evidence-based approach

Shayla Peck will remove Interim from her title as she becomes the City of Russell's Treasurer effective March 8, 2023

Shayla was born and raised in Russell, graduated from Russell High School, and attended Fort Hays State University, where in 2012, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Accounting Degree. Shayla has financial accounting and management experience in the private and public sectors. 

Shayla is a St. John Lutheran Church member and has been the church bookkeeper for the past three years. She is married to Dustin Peck, with whom she has three&nbsp;girls – Reece, Alana and Beckett. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678398245593.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>From the City of Russell...Shayla Peck will remove Interim from her title as she becomes the City of Russell's Treasurer effective March 8, 2023Shayla was born and raised in Russell, graduated from Russell High School, and attended Fort Hays State University, where in 2012, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Accounting Degree. Shayla has financial accounting and management experience in the private and public sectors. Shayla is a St. John Lutheran Church member and has been the church bookkeeper for the past three years. She is married to Dustin Peck, with whom she has three&nbsp;girls – Reece, Alana and Beckett.

Shayla Peck appointed Russell City Treasurer

Kansas saw its first tornado of 2023 on Feb. 27, and the Barton County Commission declared March 6-10 as Severe Weather Preparedness Week. Now it's the National Weather Service's turn. On Monday, March 13, "Storm Fury on the Plains" will once again be presented free to the public at the Crest Theater in Great Bend. Warning Coordinator Meteorologist Chance Hayes said the presentation is a good way to inform the public.

"What we try and do is educate county storm spotters, storm chasers, and the public on what to look for in the skies to know what is dangerous and what isn't, and what information they can report back into the county and also into us at the National Weather Service."

Knowing the different types of clouds and other indicators in a storm is important, but technology is also changing the way meteorologists predict and react to storms as they happen.

"We encourage the public to come in because we go through quite a bit of discussion in the presentation on utilizing mobile devices with radar imagery and geolocation services, so folks know exactly where they are in relation to the storms at all times," Hayes said, "and knowing what to look for and how to stay out of those storms and stay safe."

Monday's presentation begins at 6:30 p.m. and will last approximately 90 minutes. The Wichita office of the National Weather Service serves 26 counties in central and southeast Kansas and gives an average of 28 presentations a year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646757397581.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostKansas saw its first tornado of 2023 on Feb. 27, and the Barton County Commission declared March 6-10 as Severe Weather Preparedness Week. Now it's the National Weather Service's turn. On Monday, March 13, "Storm Fury on the Plains" will once again be presented free to the public at the Crest Theater in Great Bend. Warning Coordinator Meteorologist Chance Hayes said the presentation is a good way to inform the public."What we try and do is educate county storm spotters, storm chasers, and the public on what to look for in the skies to know what is dangerous and what isn't, and what information they can report back into the county and also into us at the National Weather Service."Knowing the different types of clouds and other indicators in a storm is important, but technology is also changing the way meteorologists predict and react to storms as they happen."We encourage the public to come in because we go through quite a bit of discussion in the presentation on utilizing mobile devices with radar imagery and geolocation services, so folks know exactly where they are in relation to the storms at all times," Hayes said, "and knowing what to look for and how to stay out of those storms and stay safe."Monday's presentation begins at 6:30 p.m. and will last approximately 90 minutes. The Wichita office of the National Weather Service serves 26 counties in central and southeast Kansas and gives an average of 28 presentations a year.

'Storm Fury on the Plains' returns to Great Bend March 13

The old and vacant apartment complex on north Vine Street in Hoisington
will soon be demolished, but first asbestos mitigation will begin this month. 
The City of Hoisington acquired the vacant Windgate apartments in January 2022
for $200,000 and considered razing the structures to create housing lots. After
hearing proposals to renovate two of the apartment buildings into a child
daycare home, the Hoisington City Council voted in May 2022 to nix the idea and
have it all demolished instead.

<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/8d1e6872-cc3a-40da-a1e1-879a85709f8b">RELATED STORY: New daycare plan nixed, Hoisington to demolish apartment complex</a>

Hoisington City Manager Jonathan Mitchell said the asbestos mitigation will
begin March 20 and should take six weeks to complete. "Crews will start working with GSI Consultants to do the asbestos abatement on those five buildings," said Mitchell. "We're not keeping one for a daycare or an apartment. We're going to get all the asbestos removed from those." 
Following the asbestos removal, the city council will receive bids for the
demolition. 
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) provided Hoisington
$75,000 to assist in the asbestos mitigation.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678397936636.jpeg" alt="Asbestos removal will begin March 20 on the vacant apartment complex in Hoisington." />
 <figcaption>Asbestos removal will begin March 20 on the vacant apartment complex in Hoisington.</figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostThe old and vacant apartment complex on north Vine Street in Hoisington
will soon be demolished, but first asbestos mitigation will begin this month. 
The City of Hoisington acquired the vacant Windgate apartments in January 2022
for $200,000 and considered razing the structures to create housing lots. After
hearing proposals to renovate two of the apartment buildings into a child
daycare home, the Hoisington City Council voted in May 2022 to nix the idea and
have it all demolished instead.<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/8d1e6872-cc3a-40da-a1e1-879a85709f8b">RELATED STORY: New daycare plan nixed, Hoisington to demolish apartment complex</a>Hoisington City Manager Jonathan Mitchell said the asbestos mitigation will
begin March 20 and should take six weeks to complete. "Crews will start working with GSI Consultants to do the asbestos abatement on those five buildings," said Mitchell. "We're not keeping one for a daycare or an apartment. We're going to get all the asbestos removed from those." 
Following the asbestos removal, the city council will receive bids for the
demolition. 
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) provided Hoisington
$75,000 to assist in the asbestos mitigation.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Asbestos removal this month on vacant Hoisington apartments

Spring is in the air, and so is the smell of freshly baked treats delivered by home bakers taking part in Bake and Take Month this March. Kansas Wheat encourages all to join in this tradition as a way to reconnect with others.&nbsp;

“The long-standing tradition of Bake and Take Month is a great way to spend time with our children and neighbors as well as give back to those in need,” said Cindy Falk, nutrition educator of Kansas Wheat. “Whichever way you are able to observe Bake and Take Month this March, don your apron, take out your favorite recipe and use this time to celebrate our relationships with our friends, our families and our communities.”&nbsp;

The premise of Bake and Take Month is simple — bake something and share it with a neighbor, friend or relative. Add even more meaning to the month by delivering them with a handwritten note or staying for an in-person conversation.&nbsp;

“You never know the positive impact you may have on those around you simply by sharing a smile and a care package,” Falk said. “This piece of Kansas heritage stretches back more than 50 years and is as powerful now as it was when it started.”&nbsp;

Bake and Take Month started with Bake and Take Day in 1970 as a community service project of the Kansas Wheathearts in Sumner County. The Kansas Wheathearts, an auxiliary organization of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, set out to share baked goods with family members, friends, neighbors and others, generating community goodwill. The idea of a community member sharing a favorite recipe with someone special was so successful that the Kansas Wheathearts created a national Bake and Take Day celebration in 1973, celebrated on the fourth Saturday in March. Although the Kansas Wheathearts disbanded in 2001, Kansas Wheat continues to support this tradition.

“Bake and Take Day may have started as a promotion to educate consumers about the importance of home baking and the nutritional value of wheat foods,” Falk said. “Today, it’s a chance to break out the oven mitts and create memories together while spreading cheer and goodwill.”&nbsp;

No matter whether you are looking for a way to get the kids off their screens during Spring Break, prepping for a March Madness watch party or just want to bring a smile to someone’s face, good things are sure to come to those who bake.&nbsp;

For recipes and more ideas for Bake and Take Month, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001l_sP8BtrMjbDX1mn2lK_VWlQHcAF2xW5Spmbs5-lFF1Dn5HDDvXkOfb6fL517Ub8J3Q1i4_nNGEknXGcrzRu5FvOt9L4nrW13IvKtWfsTLVctLO9Q41P-nDvjVSfL3CdYNsWNVziStg=&amp;c=TutICnaqnTZcHeB7LLaYOG_8F2uHITLXJ-xqar1dYrJwWsWhhRroeA==&amp;ch=pBmdKfIu79JYwmz4milIQR5KBoCWFCluJvaBSDwf0-Ff6hi-2vGemQ==" target="_blank">https://eatwheat.org/</a>. For specific ways to include children in this activity, check out&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001l_sP8BtrMjbDX1mn2lK_VWlQHcAF2xW5Spmbs5-lFF1Dn5HDDvXkOTbQ1U8SoqNxBFV2TsWiI1MrYx8beEafA56ShdHrohcEPZZcJ8egcwWNyPsKfpaYMDsSmX89WlZJWisGrugMo_83upwUxH8pBJNfTbp2JTJ2tLzimWUwoY2MjZls-962rA==&amp;c=TutICnaqnTZcHeB7LLaYOG_8F2uHITLXJ-xqar1dYrJwWsWhhRroeA==&amp;ch=pBmdKfIu79JYwmz4milIQR5KBoCWFCluJvaBSDwf0-Ff6hi-2vGemQ==" target="_blank">https://eatwheat.org/learn/cooking-kids-kitchen/</a>.&nbsp;

“Getting kids in the kitchen has many benefits,” wrote registered dietician Jill Ladd on the EatWheat site. “Not only are children more likely to consume foods that they help prepare but inviting them into the kitchen from a young age can instill a love for cooking and help teach them fundamental life skills.”

Need even more inspiration? Check out the National Festival of Breads at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001l_sP8BtrMjbDX1mn2lK_VWlQHcAF2xW5Spmbs5-lFF1Dn5HDDvXkOd9z4w6MZvMV_HeSFaUl2KRKBJBOEKm2ZiGV9HXMbgGvKOvw2xh50GVPkrXWgEk4O9zJKysn4P8XPahFZSHCJPtkxIXG3LDiGA==&amp;c=TutICnaqnTZcHeB7LLaYOG_8F2uHITLXJ-xqar1dYrJwWsWhhRroeA==&amp;ch=pBmdKfIu79JYwmz4milIQR5KBoCWFCluJvaBSDwf0-Ff6hi-2vGemQ==" target="_blank">http://festivalofbreads.com/</a>. Falk and her team are busy testing out entries in the Kansas Wheat Test Kitchen for the virtual contest, so stay tuned for even more tasty announcements and recipes to come.&nbsp;

Written by Julia Debes for Kansas Wheat

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1628192871161.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Spring is in the air, and so is the smell of freshly baked treats delivered by home bakers taking part in Bake and Take Month this March. Kansas Wheat encourages all to join in this tradition as a way to reconnect with others.&nbsp;“The long-standing tradition of Bake and Take Month is a great way to spend time with our children and neighbors as well as give back to those in need,” said Cindy Falk, nutrition educator of Kansas Wheat. “Whichever way you are able to observe Bake and Take Month this March, don your apron, take out your favorite recipe and use this time to celebrate our relationships with our friends, our families and our communities.”&nbsp;The premise of Bake and Take Month is simple — bake something and share it with a neighbor, friend or relative. Add even more meaning to the month by delivering them with a handwritten note or staying for an in-person conversation.&nbsp;“You never know the positive impact you may have on those around you simply by sharing a smile and a care package,” Falk said. “This piece of Kansas heritage stretches back more than 50 years and is as powerful now as it was when it started.”&nbsp;Bake and Take Month started with Bake and Take Day in 1970 as a community service project of the Kansas Wheathearts in Sumner County. The Kansas Wheathearts, an auxiliary organization of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, set out to share baked goods with family members, friends, neighbors and others, generating community goodwill. The idea of a community member sharing a favorite recipe with someone special was so successful that the Kansas Wheathearts created a national Bake and Take Day celebration in 1973, celebrated on the fourth Saturday in March. Although the Kansas Wheathearts disbanded in 2001, Kansas Wheat continues to support this tradition.“Bake and Take Day may have started as a promotion to educate consumers about the importance of home baking and the nutritional value of wheat foods,” Falk said. “Today, it’s a chance to break out the oven mitts and create memories together while spreading cheer and goodwill.”&nbsp;No matter whether you are looking for a way to get the kids off their screens during Spring Break, prepping for a March Madness watch party or just want to bring a smile to someone’s face, good things are sure to come to those who bake.&nbsp;For recipes and more ideas for Bake and Take Month, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001l_sP8BtrMjbDX1mn2lK_VWlQHcAF2xW5Spmbs5-lFF1Dn5HDDvXkOfb6fL517Ub8J3Q1i4_nNGEknXGcrzRu5FvOt9L4nrW13IvKtWfsTLVctLO9Q41P-nDvjVSfL3CdYNsWNVziStg=&amp;c=TutICnaqnTZcHeB7LLaYOG_8F2uHITLXJ-xqar1dYrJwWsWhhRroeA==&amp;ch=pBmdKfIu79JYwmz4milIQR5KBoCWFCluJvaBSDwf0-Ff6hi-2vGemQ==" target="_blank">https://eatwheat.org/</a>. For specific ways to include children in this activity, check out&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001l_sP8BtrMjbDX1mn2lK_VWlQHcAF2xW5Spmbs5-lFF1Dn5HDDvXkOTbQ1U8SoqNxBFV2TsWiI1MrYx8beEafA56ShdHrohcEPZZcJ8egcwWNyPsKfpaYMDsSmX89WlZJWisGrugMo_83upwUxH8pBJNfTbp2JTJ2tLzimWUwoY2MjZls-962rA==&amp;c=TutICnaqnTZcHeB7LLaYOG_8F2uHITLXJ-xqar1dYrJwWsWhhRroeA==&amp;ch=pBmdKfIu79JYwmz4milIQR5KBoCWFCluJvaBSDwf0-Ff6hi-2vGemQ==" target="_blank">https://eatwheat.org/learn/cooking-kids-kitchen/</a>.&nbsp;“Getting kids in the kitchen has many benefits,” wrote registered dietician Jill Ladd on the EatWheat site. “Not only are children more likely to consume foods that they help prepare but inviting them into the kitchen from a young age can instill a love for cooking and help teach them fundamental life skills.”Need even more inspiration? Check out the National Festival of Breads at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001l_sP8BtrMjbDX1mn2lK_VWlQHcAF2xW5Spmbs5-lFF1Dn5HDDvXkOd9z4w6MZvMV_HeSFaUl2KRKBJBOEKm2ZiGV9HXMbgGvKOvw2xh50GVPkrXWgEk4O9zJKysn4P8XPahFZSHCJPtkxIXG3LDiGA==&amp;c=TutICnaqnTZcHeB7LLaYOG_8F2uHITLXJ-xqar1dYrJwWsWhhRroeA==&amp;ch=pBmdKfIu79JYwmz4milIQR5KBoCWFCluJvaBSDwf0-Ff6hi-2vGemQ==" target="_blank">http://festivalofbreads.com/</a>. Falk and her team are busy testing out entries in the Kansas Wheat Test Kitchen for the virtual contest, so stay tuned for even more tasty announcements and recipes to come.&nbsp;Written by Julia Debes for Kansas Wheat

Wheat Scoop: Good things come to those who bake

Hear this week's County Edition show with Eagle Radio's Steve Webster and Barton County Emergency Risk Manager Amy Miller that aired March 9, 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/2020/8/1596658271505.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hear this week's County Edition show with Eagle Radio's Steve Webster and Barton County Emergency Risk Manager Amy Miller that aired March 9, 2023.<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/0gz1m5ec/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>The County Edition program airs every Thursday at 11:05 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.&nbsp;

🎙County Edition: Emergency Risk Manager Amy Miller

Barton Community College will have no classes during its spring break from March 13-17. Barton’s offices will remain open through March 15 but will be closed March 16 and 17. The college’s regular class schedule and business hours will resume Monday, March 20.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643666268372.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Barton Community College will have no classes during its spring break from March 13-17. Barton’s offices will remain open through March 15 but will be closed March 16 and 17. The college’s regular class schedule and business hours will resume Monday, March 20.

Barton Community College to close for spring break

Story by: Michael Dawes, director of PR, Rosewood Services

When is the annual ‘Hippity Hop Easter Basket Workshop’ more “egg-citing” than ever? When it happens on April Fool’s Day, which it does this year!

Rosewood Miracle Workers AKTION Club is hosting the 7th Annual “Hippity Hop Easter Basket Workshop” on April 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Rosewood Activity Center, 1607 Main Street, Great Bend, adjacent to Rosewood Gallery.

During the workshop, children can create their own Easter baskets, decorate Easter eggs, and participate in other fun activities, like coloring Easter pages. The Easter Bunny will make a special appearance, and children can take photos with him. Families have the option of taking free cell phone photos, or pay $3 to receive a printed photo with the Easter Bunny.

The first 150 children who attend will receive a TY Beanie Baby animal. Children can also enter prize drawings. Following the workshop, drawing winners will be notified.

There is a donation request of $5 per basket for participants, which helps cover the cost of materials for the workshop. Any other proceeds raised from the workshop go toward Rosewood AKTION Club efforts in organizing future community projects.

“This year, it is a double celebration because we get to bring Easter fun to Children on April Fool’s Day,” said Rosewood AKTION Club sponsor Frankie Pelster. “Our AKTION Club members are geared up for this year’s doubly fun event and look forward to seeing all the children and families having a great time at the workshop. Of course, we hope children will come to say hello to the Easter Bunny.”

Rosewood AKTION Club is an affiliate of the national Kiwanis organization that promotes service in action for people with developmental disabilities. The area club allows Rosewood clients to be actively involved in the community and to positively impact the lives of others.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678311580080.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BUSINESS NEWSStory by: Michael Dawes, director of PR, Rosewood ServicesWhen is the annual ‘Hippity Hop Easter Basket Workshop’ more “egg-citing” than ever? When it happens on April Fool’s Day, which it does this year!Rosewood Miracle Workers AKTION Club is hosting the 7th Annual “Hippity Hop Easter Basket Workshop” on April 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Rosewood Activity Center, 1607 Main Street, Great Bend, adjacent to Rosewood Gallery.During the workshop, children can create their own Easter baskets, decorate Easter eggs, and participate in other fun activities, like coloring Easter pages. The Easter Bunny will make a special appearance, and children can take photos with him. Families have the option of taking free cell phone photos, or pay $3 to receive a printed photo with the Easter Bunny.The first 150 children who attend will receive a TY Beanie Baby animal. Children can also enter prize drawings. Following the workshop, drawing winners will be notified.There is a donation request of $5 per basket for participants, which helps cover the cost of materials for the workshop. Any other proceeds raised from the workshop go toward Rosewood AKTION Club efforts in organizing future community projects.“This year, it is a double celebration because we get to bring Easter fun to Children on April Fool’s Day,” said Rosewood AKTION Club sponsor Frankie Pelster. “Our AKTION Club members are geared up for this year’s doubly fun event and look forward to seeing all the children and families having a great time at the workshop. Of course, we hope children will come to say hello to the Easter Bunny.”Rosewood AKTION Club is an affiliate of the national Kiwanis organization that promotes service in action for people with developmental disabilities. The area club allows Rosewood clients to be actively involved in the community and to positively impact the lives of others.

Rosewood Services hosts Easter Basket Workshop April 1

Jose Madrid lived most of his life in densely populated urban areas in the United States and around the globe.

Today, he is “more than excited” to live in Larned, while taking on his new duties as director of marketing and communications at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital (PVCH).

“This smaller community and state-of-the-art hospital are exactly what I was looking for,” Madrid said. “This gives me the opportunity to put into practice what I learned in Kansas colleges, as I share information about the exceptional people and services at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital.”

Madrid will spread the hospital’s message through newspapers, television, radio and social media. He will help create marketing and advertising content, while overseeing marketing strategies.

“I am eager to spread the word because most people wouldn’t expect such a high level of medical infrastructure in a smaller community,” he commented. “I acknowledge that I was surprised. The facility itself, as well as the services and equipment are second to none.”

For example, Madrid pointed out, Pawnee Valley Medical Associates is “a great family-medicine clinic that integrates well with the hospital. In addition, we have 3D mammography and the Sleep &amp; Diagnostic Center, which oftentimes are not offered in a smaller hospital. These are just a few examples of the high-quality services here.”

Madrid was born in Venezuela, and also lived in Kuwait and India. This was due to his father, Abrahan Carpio, working in the oil industry, which allowed Madrid and his family to experience world travel when he was growing up. Most recently, he resided in Katy, Tx., which is in the Houston area.

Madrid, who is fluent in Spanish, earned his associate’s degree in business administration in 2019 at Labette Community College in Parsons, Ks., where he was a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

The next stop was Bethany College in Lindsborg for a dual bachelor’s degree in marketing and management. He graduated in 2022.

Madrid received baseball scholarships at both colleges, achieving the status of Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Scholar Athlete.

“Both my formal education and baseball experience will help me in this new job,” Madrid commented. “I will rely on the leadership and strategic planning skills I learned in college as we help PVCH grow.

“Also, baseball taught me how to work with a team, hold myself accountable and work to achieve a goal. Ultimately, I am committed to lifelong learning and personal development.”

Madrid also noted that he has been astonished by the friendliness and welcoming nature of his colleagues at PVCH and the Larned community.

“People here greet one another with a smile and say ‘hello,’ which you don’t experience often in the big cities,” he said. “The hospital and community are just the right fit for me.”

Pawnee Valley Community Hospital, 923 Carroll in Larned, is a 25-bed facility, offering many services not typically available in a smaller facility. Included are 24/7 emergency care; acute, skilled and specialized nursing; surgery; high-tech imaging and laboratory tests; wound care; rehabilitation; and sleep and diagnostic center. The Pawnee Valley Medical Associates clinic, 713 W. 11th, provides the full range of family-medicine services; physician-assisted weight loss; and women’s health services. The hospital’s number is 620-285-3161; the clinic’s number is 620-804-6007.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678379925926.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Jose Madrid lived most of his life in densely populated urban areas in the United States and around the globe.Today, he is “more than excited” to live in Larned, while taking on his new duties as director of marketing and communications at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital (PVCH).“This smaller community and state-of-the-art hospital are exactly what I was looking for,” Madrid said. “This gives me the opportunity to put into practice what I learned in Kansas colleges, as I share information about the exceptional people and services at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital.”Madrid will spread the hospital’s message through newspapers, television, radio and social media. He will help create marketing and advertising content, while overseeing marketing strategies.“I am eager to spread the word because most people wouldn’t expect such a high level of medical infrastructure in a smaller community,” he commented. “I acknowledge that I was surprised. The facility itself, as well as the services and equipment are second to none.”For example, Madrid pointed out, Pawnee Valley Medical Associates is “a great family-medicine clinic that integrates well with the hospital. In addition, we have 3D mammography and the Sleep &amp; Diagnostic Center, which oftentimes are not offered in a smaller hospital. These are just a few examples of the high-quality services here.”Madrid was born in Venezuela, and also lived in Kuwait and India. This was due to his father, Abrahan Carpio, working in the oil industry, which allowed Madrid and his family to experience world travel when he was growing up. Most recently, he resided in Katy, Tx., which is in the Houston area.Madrid, who is fluent in Spanish, earned his associate’s degree in business administration in 2019 at Labette Community College in Parsons, Ks., where he was a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.The next stop was Bethany College in Lindsborg for a dual bachelor’s degree in marketing and management. He graduated in 2022.Madrid received baseball scholarships at both colleges, achieving the status of Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Scholar Athlete.“Both my formal education and baseball experience will help me in this new job,” Madrid commented. “I will rely on the leadership and strategic planning skills I learned in college as we help PVCH grow.“Also, baseball taught me how to work with a team, hold myself accountable and work to achieve a goal. Ultimately, I am committed to lifelong learning and personal development.”Madrid also noted that he has been astonished by the friendliness and welcoming nature of his colleagues at PVCH and the Larned community.“People here greet one another with a smile and say ‘hello,’ which you don’t experience often in the big cities,” he said. “The hospital and community are just the right fit for me.”Pawnee Valley Community Hospital, 923 Carroll in Larned, is a 25-bed facility, offering many services not typically available in a smaller facility. Included are 24/7 emergency care; acute, skilled and specialized nursing; surgery; high-tech imaging and laboratory tests; wound care; rehabilitation; and sleep and diagnostic center. The Pawnee Valley Medical Associates clinic, 713 W. 11th, provides the full range of family-medicine services; physician-assisted weight loss; and women’s health services. The hospital’s number is 620-285-3161; the clinic’s number is 620-804-6007.

Larned hospital names Madrid director of marketing

The Barton Community College basketball teams will compete in the Region VI Championship games in Wichita at Friends University.

You can follow all the action by listening on 104.3 FM, online at <a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/ce/index.cfm?stationCallSign=kvgbfm2">greatbendpost.com</a> or the B104.3 mobile app.

The Lady Cougars face Coffeyville in the championship game at 3 p.m. The Cougar men take on Butler at 5 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678213339158.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Barton Community College basketball teams will compete in the Region VI Championship games in Wichita at Friends University.You can follow all the action by listening on 104.3 FM, online at <a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/ce/index.cfm?stationCallSign=kvgbfm2">greatbendpost.com</a> or the B104.3 mobile app.The Lady Cougars face Coffeyville in the championship game at 3 p.m. The Cougar men take on Butler at 5 p.m.

🎧LISTEN Live: Barton 🏀 Region VI Playoffs - Championship games

As one of only 13 states that does not legally allow the medical use of cannabis, Kansas will likely continue to face growing calls to rethink its approach.&nbsp;

In her 2023 State of the State Address, Governor Laura Kelly&nbsp;urged&nbsp;the Kansas&nbsp;Legislature&nbsp;to legalize the medical use of cannabis.&nbsp;

Using&nbsp;the&nbsp;personal stories of two Kansans, Kelly argued that this move could reduce suffering for those with&nbsp;chronic pain, seizure disorders, and&nbsp;Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).&nbsp;

This&nbsp;call to action, however, faces&nbsp;uncertainty&nbsp;in the&nbsp;legislature.&nbsp;

A bipartisan group of Kansas Senators, including seven Democrats and one Republican, introduced Senate Bill No. 171, also known as the Veterans First Medical Cannabis Act.&nbsp;

This Act calls for the “regulation of the cultivation, distribution, sale and use of medical cannabis.” If enacted, the bill would prioritize eligibility of those individuals currently serving in the military, as well as those separated from military service by honorable discharge during the first 60 days.&nbsp;

Similar to other state’s legislation, the bill also calls for the implementation of an excise tax on the cultivation and sale of cannabis.&nbsp;

Last week, the&nbsp;Kansas Committee on Federal and State Affairs&nbsp;held hearings&nbsp;on&nbsp;legislation (Senate Bill No. 135) that would legalize medical marijuana distribution, use, and regulation for patients diagnosed with one of 21 different health conditions.&nbsp;

The House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee also heard testimony related to state marijuana policy.

During the hearings, opponents criticized the use of veterans as the face of medical cannabis&nbsp;and&nbsp;warned of&nbsp;criminal activity that may result from legalization.

They also&nbsp;argued it was a slippery slope to full legalization for recreational use.

Proponents, on the other hand, argued it was time for Kansas to move on this issue.

The&nbsp;federal nature of the U.S. system has created a complicated patchwork of state policies with regard to controlled substances, such as marijuana.

Marijuana and marijuana products are illegal under federal law, but this has not stopped states from adopting their own approaches.

In recent years, many states have liberalized their laws on the regulation&nbsp;of marijuana&nbsp;sale and&nbsp;use.

Currently,&nbsp;37 states&nbsp;and the District of Columbia allow the use of cannabis for&nbsp;medically&nbsp;qualified individuals, leaving Kansas in the minority.&nbsp;

States that&nbsp;allow&nbsp;the sale&nbsp;and use of marijuana&nbsp;collect&nbsp;tax revenue that goes&nbsp;to a variety of sources from education funds to public safety and corrections departments.&nbsp;

In addition, public support&nbsp;for&nbsp;legalizing marijuana for medicinal and recreational&nbsp;use&nbsp;has increased in recent years. An October 2022 Pew Research&nbsp;survey&nbsp;indicates that 89% of Americans think marijuana should be legal for medical use.&nbsp;

Kansas may feel pressure&nbsp;from growing public&nbsp;support&nbsp;to legalize&nbsp;marijuana for&nbsp;medicinal and recreational use, as well as&nbsp;from neighboring states&nbsp;changing their policies.

This year,&nbsp;Missouri&nbsp;legalized&nbsp;recreational sale and use of cannabis and estimates suggest&nbsp;individuals spent nearly $13 million on cannabis products during the first weekend of sales alone.&nbsp;

Kansas border cities could face unique challenges as dispensaries open up on the other side of the Kansas-Missouri line.&nbsp;

Conversely,&nbsp;Oklahoma voters, who previously approved of a medical marijuana system in 2018,&nbsp;voted against the legalizations of&nbsp;recreational use on Tuesday, March 7.

With the politics of marijuana continually changing, the question remains, what will Kansas do on medical cannabis?

Brianne Heidbreder is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Kansas State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678373196929.jpeg" alt="Brianne Heidbreder is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Kansas State University." />
 <figcaption>Brianne Heidbreder is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Kansas State University.</figcaption>
 </figure>As one of only 13 states that does not legally allow the medical use of cannabis, Kansas will likely continue to face growing calls to rethink its approach.&nbsp;In her 2023 State of the State Address, Governor Laura Kelly&nbsp;urged&nbsp;the Kansas&nbsp;Legislature&nbsp;to legalize the medical use of cannabis.&nbsp;Using&nbsp;the&nbsp;personal stories of two Kansans, Kelly argued that this move could reduce suffering for those with&nbsp;chronic pain, seizure disorders, and&nbsp;Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).&nbsp;This&nbsp;call to action, however, faces&nbsp;uncertainty&nbsp;in the&nbsp;legislature.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>A bipartisan group of Kansas Senators, including seven Democrats and one Republican, introduced Senate Bill No. 171, also known as the Veterans First Medical Cannabis Act.&nbsp;This Act calls for the “regulation of the cultivation, distribution, sale and use of medical cannabis.” If enacted, the bill would prioritize eligibility of those individuals currently serving in the military, as well as those separated from military service by honorable discharge during the first 60 days.&nbsp;Similar to other state’s legislation, the bill also calls for the implementation of an excise tax on the cultivation and sale of cannabis.&nbsp;Last week, the&nbsp;Kansas Committee on Federal and State Affairs&nbsp;held hearings&nbsp;on&nbsp;legislation (Senate Bill No. 135) that would legalize medical marijuana distribution, use, and regulation for patients diagnosed with one of 21 different health conditions.&nbsp;The House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee also heard testimony related to state marijuana policy.During the hearings, opponents criticized the use of veterans as the face of medical cannabis&nbsp;and&nbsp;warned of&nbsp;criminal activity that may result from legalization.They also&nbsp;argued it was a slippery slope to full legalization for recreational use.Proponents, on the other hand, argued it was time for Kansas to move on this issue.The&nbsp;federal nature of the U.S. system has created a complicated patchwork of state policies with regard to controlled substances, such as marijuana.Marijuana and marijuana products are illegal under federal law, but this has not stopped states from adopting their own approaches.In recent years, many states have liberalized their laws on the regulation&nbsp;of marijuana&nbsp;sale and&nbsp;use.Currently,&nbsp;37 states&nbsp;and the District of Columbia allow the use of cannabis for&nbsp;medically&nbsp;qualified individuals, leaving Kansas in the minority.&nbsp;States that&nbsp;allow&nbsp;the sale&nbsp;and use of marijuana&nbsp;collect&nbsp;tax revenue that goes&nbsp;to a variety of sources from education funds to public safety and corrections departments.&nbsp;In addition, public support&nbsp;for&nbsp;legalizing marijuana for medicinal and recreational&nbsp;use&nbsp;has increased in recent years. An October 2022 Pew Research&nbsp;survey&nbsp;indicates that 89% of Americans think marijuana should be legal for medical use.&nbsp;Kansas may feel pressure&nbsp;from growing public&nbsp;support&nbsp;to legalize&nbsp;marijuana for&nbsp;medicinal and recreational use, as well as&nbsp;from neighboring states&nbsp;changing their policies.This year,&nbsp;Missouri&nbsp;legalized&nbsp;recreational sale and use of cannabis and estimates suggest&nbsp;individuals spent nearly $13 million on cannabis products during the first weekend of sales alone.&nbsp;Kansas border cities could face unique challenges as dispensaries open up on the other side of the Kansas-Missouri line.&nbsp;Conversely,&nbsp;Oklahoma voters, who previously approved of a medical marijuana system in 2018,&nbsp;voted against the legalizations of&nbsp;recreational use on Tuesday, March 7.With the politics of marijuana continually changing, the question remains, what will Kansas do on medical cannabis?Brianne Heidbreder is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Kansas State University.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Kansas an outlier on medical cannabis

TOPEKA – Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services division of the Kansas Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 2.9% in January. This is unchanged from 2.9% in December and an increase from 2.5% in January 2022.

Barton County's 3 percent unemployment rate was still the highest in region, up from 2.6 percent in December. Ellsworth, Russell, Rush, Stafford and Pawnee Counties all saw a slight increase in jobless numbers in January

Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 8,500 from December. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs increased by 4,400 over the month, while government increased by 4,100.

“Annual estimates indicate that Kansas employers added 38,300 private sector jobs in 2022, a growth rate of 3.4%,” said Labor Economist Emilie Doerksen. “This strong growth continued in January 2023, with preliminary estimates for the private sector increasing by 4,400 jobs over the month.”

Since January 2022 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 48,900. This change is due to an increase of 47,100 private sector jobs and an increase of 1,800 government jobs.

Complete Kansas labor market information for January is available&nbsp;<a href="https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/kdol/viz/KansasLaborForceUnemploymentRatesbyCounty/KansasLaborForceUnemploymentRates">here</a>. The February 2023 Labor Report will be released on March 24.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678465854538.png" alt="Jobless numbers January 2023" />
 <figcaption>Jobless numbers January 2023</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA – Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services division of the Kansas Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 2.9% in January. This is unchanged from 2.9% in December and an increase from 2.5% in January 2022.Barton County's 3 percent unemployment rate was still the highest in region, up from 2.6 percent in December. Ellsworth, Russell, Rush, Stafford and Pawnee Counties all saw a slight increase in jobless numbers in JanuarySeasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 8,500 from December. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs increased by 4,400 over the month, while government increased by 4,100.“Annual estimates indicate that Kansas employers added 38,300 private sector jobs in 2022, a growth rate of 3.4%,” said Labor Economist Emilie Doerksen. “This strong growth continued in January 2023, with preliminary estimates for the private sector increasing by 4,400 jobs over the month.”Since January 2022 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 48,900. This change is due to an increase of 47,100 private sector jobs and an increase of 1,800 government jobs.Complete Kansas labor market information for January is available&nbsp;<a href="https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/kdol/viz/KansasLaborForceUnemploymentRatesbyCounty/KansasLaborForceUnemploymentRates">here</a>. The February 2023 Labor Report will be released on March 24.

Barton Co. jobless rate the still highest in the region

More than $2,000 was up for grabs Wednesday at the third annual Barton County Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, hosted by Great Bend Economic Development and the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce. The campaign for teams began in November, but Great Bend Economic Development Communications Director Lee Ann June said there were just competitors at the Events Center Wednesday.

"We would always like it to be bigger," she said. "I think we just need to get into the classes sooner, talk to teachers probably this year so we can get them excited about it for next year to add to their curriculum. But the kids were great."

Approximately a dozen teams originally signed up. The field was narrowed to six before two teams pulled out Wednesday due to illness. The competition did feature individual competitors from three Barton County communities, and a first-ever middle school team that learned under bidding the competition may not be the best way to run a childcare business.

"They thought, to be competitive, we'll try to have a rate that's lower than other people," said June. "They have to do financials, and they found out they were in the red, so they couldn't do that. It was interesting to hear their perspective on business. They're 13-year-olds, and they were having really grown-up discussions."

Ellinwood's Kiley Stevenson won first place for a third-straight year. She wins $1,000 toward her Kiley's Creations, soon-to-be Cookie Caddy trailer she can use to peddle her sweet treats all around Kansas. Hoisington's Danielle Davis received $750 as the second-place finisher for her Sugar N Spice Co. business that features custom t-shirts, waxmelts, and more. Little Friends Daycare, from GBMS students&nbsp;Sydney Bailey and Callie Umphres, received $500 for third place, and Hoisington's Tucker Loesch won his second straight People's Choice Award for his mobile welding business. He takes home $250.

Stevenson will again have the opportunity to compete at the state level. Last year, more than 1,000 students from 61 schools competed in local competitions, earning more than $75,000 in prizes. June said the experience gained by this year's teams could pay off in future competitions.

"I feel like those that had competed last year really stepped up their game," she said. "Their booths were more interactive, more fun to look at. I think we're on the right track, but we'd definitely like to see more kids in. I think the public always enjoys seeing what they come up with."

For the challenge, competitors prepared a summary, a four-minute presentation, and a tradeshow presentation for their business idea. They were judged by local entrepreneurs, teachers, and other community members.&nbsp;

More about the Challenge The judging panel was made up of a wide array of business professionals including Jessica Milsap, MPIRE Realty Group, David McMillan, representing the Masonic Lodge, Shawn Powelson, Landmark Bank, Regan Reif, University of Kansas Health Systems, and Krystal Schartz, Peoples Bank &amp; Trust. Before the students took to the tradeshow floor, GBED hosted a lunch/mixer for judges and students as an icebreaker to help the students to connect with the judges before presenting before them. Students were given some questions to ask the judges, such as ‘How do you handle the work-life balance?’. Regan Reif answered this by saying that she prefers to say it is a “work-life integration,” and she turned it around to ask those students with functioning businesses how they handle it as well. All in all, it was an impactful dialogue between the two groups.

This competition, brought to Great Bend by Great Bend Economic Development and the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, was created to challenge our youth, encourage our business community to partner with and mentor our younger generations, and foster an entrepreneurial spirit, and is a partnership with NetWork Kansas. Event Sponsors included Barton Community College, Nex-Tech, and Gottschalk Equipment Sales. Encouraging youth entrepreneurship is essential for the development of a dynamic and innovative society. Youth entrepreneurship provides young people with an opportunity to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and creative skills, which can benefit them throughout their lives. It also promotes economic growth by creating new businesses and employment opportunities. Youth entrepreneurs bring fresh ideas and perspectives to the table, often leveraging technology to develop innovative solutions to long-standing problems. Overall, supporting youth entrepreneurship is crucial to building a strong economy and creating a brighter future for the next generation. To learn more about YEC or watch videos of the contestants, go online to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gbedinc.com/yec" target="_blank">www.gbedinc.com/yec</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678476853171.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostMore than $2,000 was up for grabs Wednesday at the third annual Barton County Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, hosted by Great Bend Economic Development and the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce. The campaign for teams began in November, but Great Bend Economic Development Communications Director Lee Ann June said there were just competitors at the Events Center Wednesday."We would always like it to be bigger," she said. "I think we just need to get into the classes sooner, talk to teachers probably this year so we can get them excited about it for next year to add to their curriculum. But the kids were great."Approximately a dozen teams originally signed up. The field was narrowed to six before two teams pulled out Wednesday due to illness. The competition did feature individual competitors from three Barton County communities, and a first-ever middle school team that learned under bidding the competition may not be the best way to run a childcare business.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646243393704.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"They thought, to be competitive, we'll try to have a rate that's lower than other people," said June. "They have to do financials, and they found out they were in the red, so they couldn't do that. It was interesting to hear their perspective on business. They're 13-year-olds, and they were having really grown-up discussions."Ellinwood's Kiley Stevenson won first place for a third-straight year. She wins $1,000 toward her Kiley's Creations, soon-to-be Cookie Caddy trailer she can use to peddle her sweet treats all around Kansas. Hoisington's Danielle Davis received $750 as the second-place finisher for her Sugar N Spice Co. business that features custom t-shirts, waxmelts, and more. Little Friends Daycare, from GBMS students&nbsp;Sydney Bailey and Callie Umphres, received $500 for third place, and Hoisington's Tucker Loesch won his second straight People's Choice Award for his mobile welding business. He takes home $250.Stevenson will again have the opportunity to compete at the state level. Last year, more than 1,000 students from 61 schools competed in local competitions, earning more than $75,000 in prizes. June said the experience gained by this year's teams could pay off in future competitions."I feel like those that had competed last year really stepped up their game," she said. "Their booths were more interactive, more fun to look at. I think we're on the right track, but we'd definitely like to see more kids in. I think the public always enjoys seeing what they come up with."For the challenge, competitors prepared a summary, a four-minute presentation, and a tradeshow presentation for their business idea. They were judged by local entrepreneurs, teachers, and other community members.&nbsp;More about the Challenge The judging panel was made up of a wide array of business professionals including Jessica Milsap, MPIRE Realty Group, David McMillan, representing the Masonic Lodge, Shawn Powelson, Landmark Bank, Regan Reif, University of Kansas Health Systems, and Krystal Schartz, Peoples Bank &amp; Trust. Before the students took to the tradeshow floor, GBED hosted a lunch/mixer for judges and students as an icebreaker to help the students to connect with the judges before presenting before them. Students were given some questions to ask the judges, such as ‘How do you handle the work-life balance?’. Regan Reif answered this by saying that she prefers to say it is a “work-life integration,” and she turned it around to ask those students with functioning businesses how they handle it as well. All in all, it was an impactful dialogue between the two groups.This competition, brought to Great Bend by Great Bend Economic Development and the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, was created to challenge our youth, encourage our business community to partner with and mentor our younger generations, and foster an entrepreneurial spirit, and is a partnership with NetWork Kansas. Event Sponsors included Barton Community College, Nex-Tech, and Gottschalk Equipment Sales. Encouraging youth entrepreneurship is essential for the development of a dynamic and innovative society. Youth entrepreneurship provides young people with an opportunity to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and creative skills, which can benefit them throughout their lives. It also promotes economic growth by creating new businesses and employment opportunities. Youth entrepreneurs bring fresh ideas and perspectives to the table, often leveraging technology to develop innovative solutions to long-standing problems. Overall, supporting youth entrepreneurship is crucial to building a strong economy and creating a brighter future for the next generation. To learn more about YEC or watch videos of the contestants, go online to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gbedinc.com/yec" target="_blank">www.gbedinc.com/yec</a>.

Stevenson wins third-straight Barton Youth Entrepreneur Challenge

Hear this month's Sunflower Show with Eagle Radio's Steve Webster and Cody Harris, the Director of Planned Giving and Community Support at Sunflower Diversified Services. The show aired March 8, 2023.

The Sunflower Show airs the second Wednesday each month at 8:30 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596658271505.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hear this month's Sunflower Show with Eagle Radio's Steve Webster and Cody Harris, the Director of Planned Giving and Community Support at Sunflower Diversified Services. The show aired March 8, 2023.<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/til4vjnh/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>The Sunflower Show airs the second Wednesday each month at 8:30 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.

🎤Sunflower Show: Director of Planned Giving Cody Harris

Three years ago, the USD 428 Great Bend Board of Education launched its Career Milestones Program to recognize district employees as they cross five-year milestones. This year, 65 employees in the district celebrated another milestone, combining for 750 years of service. Public Information Director Andrea Bauer handed out awards during Monday's March BOE meeting.

"It's a small token of appreciation that we extend to everyone who is achieving a five-year milestone," she said. "These are calculated based on Jan. 1 for years of service."

Staff that reached 25 and 30-year milestones were present at Monday's meeting where they received a gift bag and were able to select from one of several branded items like cups or shirts. Superintendent John Popp credited Bauer with helping come up with the milestone program, as well as those employees who have remained with the district.

"I would say it's just a recognition for our staff who's served with us for five years on up," he said. "It's been a good, simple little thing to keep people aware of the fact that we appreciate their time with us."

Employees with 30 years of service in 2023 are Kimberly Baird and Donna Becker, both paras at Great Bend High School, and Norbert Muth, a Great Bend Middle School English teacher. Employees with 25 years are IT Director Ryan Axman, GBHS Special Education Teacher Trish Berger, Lincoln Elementary PE Teacher Dale Kuhlman, and Riley Elementary Principal Beth Rein.

“Each year of service represents hundreds of students who have benefited from the dedication and expertise of our talented staff,” said Khris Thexton, USD 428 superintendent. “Teachers in front of a classroom, support staff who keep our schools running, paraprofessionals, teacher assistants, food service staff, and more – it takes the dedicated work of our whole team to provide high-quality educational opportunities.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678377537114.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostThree years ago, the USD 428 Great Bend Board of Education launched its Career Milestones Program to recognize district employees as they cross five-year milestones. This year, 65 employees in the district celebrated another milestone, combining for 750 years of service. Public Information Director Andrea Bauer handed out awards during Monday's March BOE meeting."It's a small token of appreciation that we extend to everyone who is achieving a five-year milestone," she said. "These are calculated based on Jan. 1 for years of service."Staff that reached 25 and 30-year milestones were present at Monday's meeting where they received a gift bag and were able to select from one of several branded items like cups or shirts. Superintendent John Popp credited Bauer with helping come up with the milestone program, as well as those employees who have remained with the district."I would say it's just a recognition for our staff who's served with us for five years on up," he said. "It's been a good, simple little thing to keep people aware of the fact that we appreciate their time with us."Employees with 30 years of service in 2023 are Kimberly Baird and Donna Becker, both paras at Great Bend High School, and Norbert Muth, a Great Bend Middle School English teacher. Employees with 25 years are IT Director Ryan Axman, GBHS Special Education Teacher Trish Berger, Lincoln Elementary PE Teacher Dale Kuhlman, and Riley Elementary Principal Beth Rein.“Each year of service represents hundreds of students who have benefited from the dedication and expertise of our talented staff,” said Khris Thexton, USD 428 superintendent. “Teachers in front of a classroom, support staff who keep our schools running, paraprofessionals, teacher assistants, food service staff, and more – it takes the dedicated work of our whole team to provide high-quality educational opportunities.”

USD 428 recognizes employee milestones within Great Bend schools

On Thursday, March 9, 2023, at about 8:45 p.m., Barton County Sheriff’s deputies were notified of an injury accident in the 5600 block of Railroad Avenue, just south of the city of Great Bend. Deputies were advised two persons were injured, and one driver had fled the scene. Investigation at the scene indicates a blue 2008 Dodge Caravan was westbound, operated by the driver who fled. That driver, later identified as Timothy Chism, crossed left of center and struck a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox operated by Amanda Staub of Hudson.

Staub and a passenger in the Chism vehicle, identified as Mary Schlotthauer of Great Bend, were both transported to the University of Kansas Healthcare Systems  - Great Bend Campus. Staub was later transported to a Wichita area hospital.

Officers located Chism at a Great Bend residence at approximately 2 p.m. Friday afternoon. Chism has been previously booked into the Barton County jail 52 times and was on Community Corrections at the time of the accident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678466213556.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>On Thursday, March 9, 2023, at about 8:45 p.m., Barton County Sheriff’s deputies were notified of an injury accident in the 5600 block of Railroad Avenue, just south of the city of Great Bend. Deputies were advised two persons were injured, and one driver had fled the scene. Investigation at the scene indicates a blue 2008 Dodge Caravan was westbound, operated by the driver who fled. That driver, later identified as Timothy Chism, crossed left of center and struck a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox operated by Amanda Staub of Hudson.Staub and a passenger in the Chism vehicle, identified as Mary Schlotthauer of Great Bend, were both transported to the University of Kansas Healthcare Systems - Great Bend Campus. Staub was later transported to a Wichita area hospital.Officers located Chism at a Great Bend residence at approximately 2 p.m. Friday afternoon. Chism has been previously booked into the Barton County jail 52 times and was on Community Corrections at the time of the accident.

UPDATE: Suspect found after leaving scene of injury accident near Great Bend

It is always a treat to eat out at a favorite restaurant or community event, and as consumers, we expect the food to be safe. We must rely on the food handlers to provide the safest meal possible.

K-State Research and Extension in partnership with the Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association provides training for all food handlers. The ServSafe® program is a national certification program designed to teach safe handling practices to those who serve food to the public.

ServSafe® Food Handlers class is scheduled for Monday, March 20, 2023 from 1:30-4:30pm at the Cottonwood Extension Office at 601 Main in Hays. The class covers basic food safety, personal hygiene, preventing cross contamination, time and temperature, cleaning and sanitation. The course is for commercial food safety employees and non-profit volunteers. The cost for the course is $15 and covers the cost of the ServSafe® Food Handlers manual, training materials and refreshments. Registration is due by March 17, 2023. Please call the office or email if you have any questions or want to register for the class.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668522152076.jpeg" alt="written by: Monique Koerner - Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District." />
 <figcaption>written by: Monique Koerner - Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District.</figcaption>
 </figure>It is always a treat to eat out at a favorite restaurant or community event, and as consumers, we expect the food to be safe. We must rely on the food handlers to provide the safest meal possible.K-State Research and Extension in partnership with the Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association provides training for all food handlers. The ServSafe® program is a national certification program designed to teach safe handling practices to those who serve food to the public.ServSafe® Food Handlers class is scheduled for Monday, March 20, 2023 from 1:30-4:30pm at the Cottonwood Extension Office at 601 Main in Hays. The class covers basic food safety, personal hygiene, preventing cross contamination, time and temperature, cleaning and sanitation. The course is for commercial food safety employees and non-profit volunteers. The cost for the course is $15 and covers the cost of the ServSafe® Food Handlers manual, training materials and refreshments. Registration is due by March 17, 2023. Please call the office or email if you have any questions or want to register for the class.Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu. K-State Research &amp; Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

KOERNER: ServSafe food handlers training offered

Most schools across the country host&nbsp;spirit&nbsp;weeks leading&nbsp;up&nbsp;to homecoming games or other important milestones. But why does the fun have to stop when we become adults? Creative firm Marketing Maven Consulting, based in Great Bend, announced the launch of a new nationwide promotion called&nbsp;GrownUpSpiritWeek, giving workplaces the opportunity to have some fun and make memories as a team. The first ever&nbsp;GrownUpSpiritWeek&nbsp;will take place March 27-31.

"We are hoping this light hearted idea will spread&nbsp;across the country, and are sponsoring some cool prizes to incentivize people to jump on board," said Rachel Mawhirter with Marketing Maven. "There are prizes&nbsp;for every day of the&nbsp;week&nbsp;for the best team photos, as well as individual prizes for best costumes."

Teams of&nbsp;up&nbsp;to 30 people can register at no cost to participate, with fun themes for each day of the&nbsp;week. Those will change from year to year, but for this first event, the themes will include Pajama Day, Decades Day, Sports Day, "The Office" Day, and Company Colors Day. Teams can participate in one or two days, or all of them. It's&nbsp;up&nbsp;to each team how many days they want to dress&nbsp;up&nbsp;for.

Throughout the&nbsp;week, teams upload their photos to social media and tag&nbsp;GrownUpSpiritWeek&nbsp;to be entered for the daily and weekly prizes. 

"Research shows that employees who have fun at work are more engaged and have lower turnover," Mawhirter said. "We hope employers leverage this free opportunity to create fun in the workplace and build camaraderie amongst their teams."

For more information or to sign&nbsp;up&nbsp;a team for free, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.grownupspiritweek.com/" target="_blank">www.grownupspiritweek.com</a>&nbsp;or search #grownupspiritweek on social media. Every team captain will be provided with a flyer and other resources they can circulate around the office to recruit participants. Teams are also encouraged to follow&nbsp;Grown&nbsp;Up&nbsp;Spirit&nbsp;Week&nbsp;on all the major social platforms.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678312288876.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Most schools across the country host&nbsp;spirit&nbsp;weeks leading&nbsp;up&nbsp;to homecoming games or other important milestones. But why does the fun have to stop when we become adults? Creative firm Marketing Maven Consulting, based in Great Bend, announced the launch of a new nationwide promotion called&nbsp;GrownUpSpiritWeek, giving workplaces the opportunity to have some fun and make memories as a team. The first ever&nbsp;GrownUpSpiritWeek&nbsp;will take place March 27-31. "We are hoping this light hearted idea will spread&nbsp;across the country, and are sponsoring some cool prizes to incentivize people to jump on board," said Rachel Mawhirter with Marketing Maven. "There are prizes&nbsp;for every day of the&nbsp;week&nbsp;for the best team photos, as well as individual prizes for best costumes."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678312279525.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Teams of&nbsp;up&nbsp;to 30 people can register at no cost to participate, with fun themes for each day of the&nbsp;week. Those will change from year to year, but for this first event, the themes will include Pajama Day, Decades Day, Sports Day, "The Office" Day, and Company Colors Day. Teams can participate in one or two days, or all of them. It's&nbsp;up&nbsp;to each team how many days they want to dress&nbsp;up&nbsp;for.Throughout the&nbsp;week, teams upload their photos to social media and tag&nbsp;GrownUpSpiritWeek&nbsp;to be entered for the daily and weekly prizes. "Research shows that employees who have fun at work are more engaged and have lower turnover," Mawhirter said. "We hope employers leverage this free opportunity to create fun in the workplace and build camaraderie amongst their teams."For more information or to sign&nbsp;up&nbsp;a team for free, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.grownupspiritweek.com/" target="_blank">www.grownupspiritweek.com</a>&nbsp;or search #grownupspiritweek on social media. Every team captain will be provided with a flyer and other resources they can circulate around the office to recruit participants. Teams are also encouraged to follow&nbsp;Grown&nbsp;Up&nbsp;Spirit&nbsp;Week&nbsp;on all the major social platforms.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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