The Commission meeting will be live-streamed through Microsoft Teams. Citizens may view the meeting through their own sign in or by signing in “anonymously”. Please follow this link: https://bit.ly/3vYP4rP. If you wish to participate in the discussion of any item, please call (620) 793-1800 for instructions.

BOARD OF BARTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Agenda Meeting February 15, 2023 9 a.m. until close

&nbsp; &nbsp;A. Call Meeting to Order.

&nbsp; &nbsp;B. Recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.

&nbsp; &nbsp;C. Consider Approval of the Agenda.

&nbsp; &nbsp;D. Consider the minutes of the February 8, 2023, Regular Meeting.

&nbsp; &nbsp;E. Any citizen wishing to make statements during the discussion of any item must first be recognized by the Commission Chair. After being recognized, that person should state their name and the name of any organization represented. Statements should be limited to five minutes.

&nbsp; &nbsp;F. Please silence all phones and electronic devises. Recording the meeting is allowed and the Commission requests that anyone using special recording equipment be seated in the back row to avoid creating a distraction during the meeting.

II. APPROVAL OF APPROPRIATIONS: 13th Month – Third Run: &nbsp; &nbsp;-An Accounts Payable Register for the 13th Month, 2022, will be submitted to the Commission. Thirteenth month expenditures include any unpaid bills for a product, service or utility that was received in 2022.

III. APPROVAL OF APPROPRIATIONS: &nbsp; &nbsp;-An Accounts Payable Register will be submitted to the Commission for the period of February 1, 2023, and ending February 15, 2023.

IV. OLD BUSINESS - Items tabled, or scheduled, from previous Commission Meetings, will be heard at this time. &nbsp; &nbsp;-There is no Old Business at this time.

V. NEW BUSINESS - All new business to be considered by the Commission will be heard at this time.

&nbsp; &nbsp;A. INVENTORY OF COUNTY PROPERTY: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Bev Schmeidler, County Clerk; Chris Saenz, Equipment Technician; and Dereck Hollingshead, Information Technology Director, will provide details. Per KSA 19-2687, each County officer and head of a department shall make an inventory of the personal property owned by the County and located in such office or department. The inventory, which shall be taken during the month of December of each year, shall be filed with the County Clerk on or before December 31 of each year. The inventory shall not include books, records, files, stationery, writing materials and blank legal papers. The information will be presented to the Commission during February of each year. Per Resolution 2005-22, the mandated duties have been assigned to the Information Technology Department.

&nbsp; &nbsp;B. ROAD AND BRIDGE: 2023 Cold Mix Asphalt Contract: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Darren Williams, County Works Director, will provide details. The Road and Bridge Department accepted bids until 2:00 p.m., February 7, 2023, for the 2023 Cold Mix Asphalt Contract. The bid specified mixing approximately 25,000 tons of cold mix asphalt material, with the County furnishing all aggregate and asphalt oil. Using the County specifications, the contractor will be required to mix asphalt at the county pit on South Washington, Great Bend. Venture Corporation provided the only bid at $8.90 per ton. Funding was included in the 2023 Budget for this anticipated expense.

&nbsp; &nbsp;C. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL: 2023 Highway Striping Project: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Barry McManaman, County Engineer, will provide details. Barton County accepted proposals for the 2023 Highway Striping Project until 2:00 p.m., February 7, 2023. Work includes centerline and edge line striping on approximately 98 miles of County roadway. Straight-Line Striping, Inc. submitted unit prices for the estimated quantity of both white and yellow paint, as well as the glass beads that provide reflectivity to the striping. The actual quantities of each material used by the contractor will be paid for at the unit prices submitted. There were no other bidders.

&nbsp; &nbsp;D. KANSAS NATURAL RESOURCE COALITION: 2023 Membership: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Matt Patzner, County Administrator, will present details. The Kansas Natural Resource Coalition (KNRC) serves as a conduit between local, state and federal governments to promote balanced, necessary and effective administrative policymaking initiatives that materially affect the natural or human systems governed by individual member counties. The Commission has been asked to approve membership for 2023.&nbsp;

&nbsp; &nbsp;E. EXECUTIVE SESSION: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Chairman Shawn Hutchinson will present. Any Commissioner may make a motion for the board to recess to executive session at this time as allowed by K.S.A. 75-4319. Any motion must contain the justification for the executive session, the subject matter to be discussed, any individuals in addition to the board who will attend the executive session and the time at which the&nbsp;regular session shall resume.

VI. ENDING BUSINESS – After new items are heard by the Commission, the following items, including announcements, will be heard.

&nbsp; &nbsp;A. ANNOUNCEMENTS: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Following the close of the Agenda Meeting, the Commission will consider the authorization of personnel changes for classified positions, sign any documentation approved during the agenda meeting or sign any other documentation required for regular County business. Similar action may take place throughout the day. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Barton County Office Buildings will be closed Monday, February 20, 2023, in observance of Presidents Day. The Records Division of the Sheriff’s Office and the Health Department will also be closed. The Landfill will close at 11:00 a.m. that day. Emergency services will be in normal operation.

&nbsp; &nbsp;B. APPOINTMENTS: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Although subject to change, the following appointments have been scheduled:

&nbsp; &nbsp;9:45 a.m. or following the close of the Agenda Meeting – Personnel – Levi Morris, County Attorney.

&nbsp; &nbsp;10:00 a.m. – Discussion – Upgrade locking system for the Barton County Annex – Marissa Woodmansee, Juvenile Services Director, and Dereck Hollingshead, Information Technology&nbsp;Director.

&nbsp; &nbsp;10:15 a.m. – Acciona Energy Update and Conditional Land Use Permit Application – Tillman Infrastructure, LLC by Skyward Land Services, Inc. – Judy Goreham, Environmental Manager.

&nbsp; &nbsp;11:00 a.m. – Wire Guard System Addition to Caterpillar Compactor Rebuild – Jennifer Hamby, Solid Waste Director.

&nbsp; &nbsp;11:15 a.m. – Regular Business Discussion – Matt Patzner, Director of Operations.

THE COUNTY EDITION, KVGB-AM – Thursdays at 11:05 a.m. Pam Wornkey, Register of Deeds, is scheduled for February 16, 2023.

VII. OTHER BUSINESS: &nbsp; &nbsp;A. Discussion Items. &nbsp; &nbsp;B. Citizens or organizations may present requests or proposals for initial consideration. &nbsp; &nbsp;C. The Commissioners are available to the Public on Wednesdays during regular business hours. &nbsp; &nbsp;D. One or more Commissioners may be present in the Commission Chambers conducting county business throughout the day on Wednesdays. &nbsp; &nbsp;E. The Commissioners may, individually, schedule personal appointments related to County business at their discretion. &nbsp; &nbsp;F. The next Regular Meeting will be at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 22, 2023.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1630010073223.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Commission meeting will be live-streamed through Microsoft Teams. Citizens may view the meeting through their own sign in or by signing in “anonymously”. Please follow this link: https://bit.ly/3vYP4rP. If you wish to participate in the discussion of any item, please call (620) 793-1800 for instructions.BOARD OF BARTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERSAgenda Meeting February 15, 2023 9 a.m. until closeI. OPENING BUSINESS:&nbsp; &nbsp;A. Call Meeting to Order.&nbsp; &nbsp;B. Recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.&nbsp; &nbsp;C. Consider Approval of the Agenda.&nbsp; &nbsp;D. Consider the minutes of the February 8, 2023, Regular Meeting.&nbsp; &nbsp;E. Any citizen wishing to make statements during the discussion of any item must first be recognized by the Commission Chair. After being recognized, that person should state their name and the name of any organization represented. Statements should be limited to five minutes.&nbsp; &nbsp;F. Please silence all phones and electronic devises. Recording the meeting is allowed and the Commission requests that anyone using special recording equipment be seated in the back row to avoid creating a distraction during the meeting.II. APPROVAL OF APPROPRIATIONS: 13th Month – Third Run: &nbsp; &nbsp;-An Accounts Payable Register for the 13th Month, 2022, will be submitted to the Commission. Thirteenth month expenditures include any unpaid bills for a product, service or utility that was received in 2022.III. APPROVAL OF APPROPRIATIONS: &nbsp; &nbsp;-An Accounts Payable Register will be submitted to the Commission for the period of February 1, 2023, and ending February 15, 2023.IV. OLD BUSINESS - Items tabled, or scheduled, from previous Commission Meetings, will be heard at this time. &nbsp; &nbsp;-There is no Old Business at this time.V. NEW BUSINESS - All new business to be considered by the Commission will be heard at this time.&nbsp; &nbsp;A. INVENTORY OF COUNTY PROPERTY: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Bev Schmeidler, County Clerk; Chris Saenz, Equipment Technician; and Dereck Hollingshead, Information Technology Director, will provide details. Per KSA 19-2687, each County officer and head of a department shall make an inventory of the personal property owned by the County and located in such office or department. The inventory, which shall be taken during the month of December of each year, shall be filed with the County Clerk on or before December 31 of each year. The inventory shall not include books, records, files, stationery, writing materials and blank legal papers. The information will be presented to the Commission during February of each year. Per Resolution 2005-22, the mandated duties have been assigned to the Information Technology Department.&nbsp; &nbsp;B. ROAD AND BRIDGE: 2023 Cold Mix Asphalt Contract: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Darren Williams, County Works Director, will provide details. The Road and Bridge Department accepted bids until 2:00 p.m., February 7, 2023, for the 2023 Cold Mix Asphalt Contract. The bid specified mixing approximately 25,000 tons of cold mix asphalt material, with the County furnishing all aggregate and asphalt oil. Using the County specifications, the contractor will be required to mix asphalt at the county pit on South Washington, Great Bend. Venture Corporation provided the only bid at $8.90 per ton. Funding was included in the 2023 Budget for this anticipated expense.&nbsp; &nbsp;C. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL: 2023 Highway Striping Project: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Barry McManaman, County Engineer, will provide details. Barton County accepted proposals for the 2023 Highway Striping Project until 2:00 p.m., February 7, 2023. Work includes centerline and edge line striping on approximately 98 miles of County roadway. Straight-Line Striping, Inc. submitted unit prices for the estimated quantity of both white and yellow paint, as well as the glass beads that provide reflectivity to the striping. The actual quantities of each material used by the contractor will be paid for at the unit prices submitted. There were no other bidders.&nbsp; &nbsp;D. KANSAS NATURAL RESOURCE COALITION: 2023 Membership: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Matt Patzner, County Administrator, will present details. The Kansas Natural Resource Coalition (KNRC) serves as a conduit between local, state and federal governments to promote balanced, necessary and effective administrative policymaking initiatives that materially affect the natural or human systems governed by individual member counties. The Commission has been asked to approve membership for 2023.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;E. EXECUTIVE SESSION: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Chairman Shawn Hutchinson will present. Any Commissioner may make a motion for the board to recess to executive session at this time as allowed by K.S.A. 75-4319. Any motion must contain the justification for the executive session, the subject matter to be discussed, any individuals in addition to the board who will attend the executive session and the time at which the&nbsp;regular session shall resume.VI. ENDING BUSINESS – After new items are heard by the Commission, the following items, including announcements, will be heard.&nbsp; &nbsp;A. ANNOUNCEMENTS: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Following the close of the Agenda Meeting, the Commission will consider the authorization of personnel changes for classified positions, sign any documentation approved during the agenda meeting or sign any other documentation required for regular County business. Similar action may take place throughout the day. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Barton County Office Buildings will be closed Monday, February 20, 2023, in observance of Presidents Day. The Records Division of the Sheriff’s Office and the Health Department will also be closed. The Landfill will close at 11:00 a.m. that day. Emergency services will be in normal operation.&nbsp; &nbsp;B. APPOINTMENTS: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Although subject to change, the following appointments have been scheduled:&nbsp; &nbsp;9:45 a.m. or following the close of the Agenda Meeting – Personnel – Levi Morris, County Attorney.&nbsp; &nbsp;10:00 a.m. – Discussion – Upgrade locking system for the Barton County Annex – Marissa Woodmansee, Juvenile Services Director, and Dereck Hollingshead, Information Technology&nbsp;Director.&nbsp; &nbsp;10:15 a.m. – Acciona Energy Update and Conditional Land Use Permit Application – Tillman Infrastructure, LLC by Skyward Land Services, Inc. – Judy Goreham, Environmental Manager.&nbsp; &nbsp;11:00 a.m. – Wire Guard System Addition to Caterpillar Compactor Rebuild – Jennifer Hamby, Solid Waste Director.&nbsp; &nbsp;11:15 a.m. – Regular Business Discussion – Matt Patzner, Director of Operations.THE COUNTY EDITION, KVGB-AM – Thursdays at 11:05 a.m. Pam Wornkey, Register of Deeds, is scheduled for February 16, 2023.VII. OTHER BUSINESS: &nbsp; &nbsp;A. Discussion Items. &nbsp; &nbsp;B. Citizens or organizations may present requests or proposals for initial consideration. &nbsp; &nbsp;C. The Commissioners are available to the Public on Wednesdays during regular business hours. &nbsp; &nbsp;D. One or more Commissioners may be present in the Commission Chambers conducting county business throughout the day on Wednesdays. &nbsp; &nbsp;E. The Commissioners may, individually, schedule personal appointments related to County business at their discretion. &nbsp; &nbsp;F. The next Regular Meeting will be at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 22, 2023.VIII. ADJOURN.

Barton County Commission meeting agenda (2/15)

American farmers are very good at growing commodity grains, but marketing will always be an uphill battle, says Stacy Campbell, Crop Production Agent with the Cottonwood Extension District.

A sorghum marketing workshop is being hosted by Cottonwood &amp; Midway Districts and will be held on Wednesday, March 1st beginning at 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Hoisington Recreation Activity Center, 1200 Susank Road.

The workshop is free to attend, but RSVP is requested by Tuesday, February 27th. Register at https://tinyurl.com/3xaebrra Or email Theresa tam3@ksu.edu or call 785-628-9430.

The purpose of this in-person workshop will be to help Kansas farmers develop quantifiable, actionable pre-harvest grain marketing strategies for Kansas crops produced in 2023.

Following the in-person workshops there will be a series of monthly online follow-up meetings between March-August for workshop participants, allowing producers to stay on top of what is happening in the markets.

The focus of the workshop topics will be – key factors in developing effective grain marketing plans, developing pre-harvest marketing plan action strategies, carrying out a preharvest sorghum marketing plan for a representative year, review the effectiveness of group marketing plan choices made in the workshop, grain market outlook for 2023 and building a preharvest marketing plan for sorghum in 2023.

So don’t delay and get registered for the “Winning-the-Game” Sorghum Marketing Workshop to be held on March 1st in Hoisington at the Recreation Activity Center, 1200 Susank Road from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Register by Monday, Feb. 27 at https://tinyurl.com/3xaebrra Or email Theresa tam3@ksu.edu or call 785-628-9430.

Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574181994278.png" alt="written by: Stacy Campbell - Cottonwood Extension District" />
 <figcaption>written by: Stacy Campbell - Cottonwood Extension District</figcaption>
 </figure>American farmers are very good at growing commodity grains, but marketing will always be an uphill battle, says Stacy Campbell, Crop Production Agent with the Cottonwood Extension District.A sorghum marketing workshop is being hosted by Cottonwood &amp; Midway Districts and will be held on Wednesday, March 1st beginning at 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Hoisington Recreation Activity Center, 1200 Susank Road.The workshop is free to attend, but RSVP is requested by Tuesday, February 27th. Register at https://tinyurl.com/3xaebrra Or email Theresa tam3@ksu.edu or call 785-628-9430.The purpose of this in-person workshop will be to help Kansas farmers develop quantifiable, actionable pre-harvest grain marketing strategies for Kansas crops produced in 2023.Following the in-person workshops there will be a series of monthly online follow-up meetings between March-August for workshop participants, allowing producers to stay on top of what is happening in the markets.The focus of the workshop topics will be – key factors in developing effective grain marketing plans, developing pre-harvest marketing plan action strategies, carrying out a preharvest sorghum marketing plan for a representative year, review the effectiveness of group marketing plan choices made in the workshop, grain market outlook for 2023 and building a preharvest marketing plan for sorghum in 2023.So don’t delay and get registered for the “Winning-the-Game” Sorghum Marketing Workshop to be held on March 1st in Hoisington at the Recreation Activity Center, 1200 Susank Road from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Register by Monday, Feb. 27 at https://tinyurl.com/3xaebrra Or email Theresa tam3@ksu.edu or call 785-628-9430.Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: 'Winning the Game' sorghum marketing workshop – Hoisington

On Monday, Feb. 13 at about 2:30 p.m., Barton County Sheriff’s Office deputies conducted a traffic stop on US 281 Highway, near mile marker 103 just south of the city of Great Bend. 

After contacting the driver, he was identified as Triston Maas-Rader, age 29 of Pratt. It was discovered Rader had outstanding warrants through Barton County District Court for felony theft. 

Rader was placed under arrest on the warrant and the Sheriff’s office K9 Maxx was deployed. Maxx indicated the presence of controlled substances and a subsequent search revealed methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Rader was transported to the Barton County Jail without incident and booked on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and no valid driver’s license as well as the Barton County District Court warrant. 

Rader has since posted a $10,000 bond on the drug charges and the $5,000 bond on the warrant. Rader has been booked at the Barton County Jail nine times since 2015.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676409428985.jpeg" alt="Tristan Mass-Rader" />
 <figcaption>Tristan Mass-Rader</figcaption>
 </figure>On Monday, Feb. 13 at about 2:30 p.m., Barton County Sheriff’s Office deputies conducted a traffic stop on US 281 Highway, near mile marker 103 just south of the city of Great Bend. After contacting the driver, he was identified as Triston Maas-Rader, age 29 of Pratt. It was discovered Rader had outstanding warrants through Barton County District Court for felony theft. Rader was placed under arrest on the warrant and the Sheriff’s office K9 Maxx was deployed. Maxx indicated the presence of controlled substances and a subsequent search revealed methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Rader was transported to the Barton County Jail without incident and booked on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and no valid driver’s license as well as the Barton County District Court warrant. Rader has since posted a $10,000 bond on the drug charges and the $5,000 bond on the warrant. Rader has been booked at the Barton County Jail nine times since 2015.

Pratt man arrested near Great Bend for drug charges

In partnership with the Great Bend Recreation Commission, the Great Bend Senior Center honored their Valentine's King and Queen at their annual Valentine's Day Party. Congratulations to Cliff and Rene Kuykendall as the king and queen. Participants were able to enjoy the Barton Community College Hilltop Singers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676410842169.jpeg" alt="Great Bend Recreation Commission photo" />
 <figcaption>Great Bend Recreation Commission photo</figcaption>
 </figure>In partnership with the Great Bend Recreation Commission, the Great Bend Senior Center honored their Valentine's King and Queen at their annual Valentine's Day Party. Congratulations to Cliff and Rene Kuykendall as the king and queen. Participants were able to enjoy the Barton Community College Hilltop Singers. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676410853360.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

King & queen recognized at Great Bend Senior Center Valentine's Day party

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

Five new classes were added to the Great Bend Middle School schedule during Monday's USD 428 Board of Education meeting. Assistant Superintendent Tricia Reiser asked the board to vote that evening given the urgency of scheduling. After hearing proposals on each of the five courses, the board voted 7-0 to add them to the GBMS curriculum for next year.

Library Media Specialist Holly Tittel said she and Michelle Barber, a secretary at GBMS, have been tasked with putting the entire yearbook together. With a new yearbook class geared toward approximately 10 eighth-grade students, the students will now contribute to the yearbook in a year-long class.

"Her and I do the yearbook all by ourselves," Tittel said. "Two people doing a yearbook is a lot, so this year we've kind of given the camera to a few of our eighth graders at some sporting events. They really have enjoyed it. They fight over the cameras."

Tittel has written a grant to cover costs associated with the new class. The total price tag for two new cameras, four computer monitors, and a project table is approximately $3,481.

Instructional Coach Stacey Magnett proposed a coding, robots, and drones class for seventh graders. The goal is to increase student interest in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, including computer science, aerospace, and artificial intelligence. There are no additional costs to the district for the new course.

"It's going to be a project-based learning class where the kids will be doing hands-on activities based on the STEM concepts," Magnett said. "The big draw is they get to code and fly drones, and we'll also have some robots they can learn to code as well."

Keith Moeder, a seventh-grade math teacher, pitched a SOAR curriculum designed to make students more efficient. The semester-long class will teach students to be better learners by improving organization, time management, and other soft skills for learning. The board approved up to $3,990 in estimated costs for 150 students to use a workbook and licensed app for Chromebooks.

JoAnn Gaunt will teach a new music appreciation class that will examine popular American music from 1970-2020, and how those songs connect with and reflect culture. The estimated cost of the new course is $500 per year.

The board also approved Peggy Haag's proposal for a geometric constructions class. Through art projects, the class will give students a hands-on spatial awareness of how geometry is present all around. Supplies are expected to cost $150.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633764520123.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostFive new classes were added to the Great Bend Middle School schedule during Monday's USD 428 Board of Education meeting. Assistant Superintendent Tricia Reiser asked the board to vote that evening given the urgency of scheduling. After hearing proposals on each of the five courses, the board voted 7-0 to add them to the GBMS curriculum for next year.Library Media Specialist Holly Tittel said she and Michelle Barber, a secretary at GBMS, have been tasked with putting the entire yearbook together. With a new yearbook class geared toward approximately 10 eighth-grade students, the students will now contribute to the yearbook in a year-long class."Her and I do the yearbook all by ourselves," Tittel said. "Two people doing a yearbook is a lot, so this year we've kind of given the camera to a few of our eighth graders at some sporting events. They really have enjoyed it. They fight over the cameras."Tittel has written a grant to cover costs associated with the new class. The total price tag for two new cameras, four computer monitors, and a project table is approximately $3,481.Instructional Coach Stacey Magnett proposed a coding, robots, and drones class for seventh graders. The goal is to increase student interest in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, including computer science, aerospace, and artificial intelligence. There are no additional costs to the district for the new course."It's going to be a project-based learning class where the kids will be doing hands-on activities based on the STEM concepts," Magnett said. "The big draw is they get to code and fly drones, and we'll also have some robots they can learn to code as well."Keith Moeder, a seventh-grade math teacher, pitched a SOAR curriculum designed to make students more efficient. The semester-long class will teach students to be better learners by improving organization, time management, and other soft skills for learning. The board approved up to $3,990 in estimated costs for 150 students to use a workbook and licensed app for Chromebooks.JoAnn Gaunt will teach a new music appreciation class that will examine popular American music from 1970-2020, and how those songs connect with and reflect culture. The estimated cost of the new course is $500 per year.The board also approved Peggy Haag's proposal for a geometric constructions class. Through art projects, the class will give students a hands-on spatial awareness of how geometry is present all around. Supplies are expected to cost $150.

More elective classes coming to Great Bend Middle School

By COLE REIF Great Bend Post

Lights have been selected for the walking path at Veterans Memorial
Park. Automatic locks were installed at Vets Park to allow access to restrooms year round. A
kayak/canoe launcher was installed at Stone Lake. A number of projects have already
been completed or are in the works from Great Bend’s “quality of life” sales
tax. Further execution of the master plan will be discussed after next Tuesday’s
Great Bend City Council meeting. 

Great Bend Recreation Commission Executive
Director Chris Umphres said he will help facilitate the conversation on the
future improvements to the Brit Spaugh Park project. Rec Board member Randy
Goering was pleased to see the momentum for the improvements. "It's good to see some action," said Goering. "I was a little concerned that things might slow down with Kendal's (Kendal Francis, former Great Bend City Administrator) departure. What I'm hearing through the media is that the quality of life committee is moving forward." 
The Rec Commission has considered assisting with the addition of a basketball
court, pickleball courts and a mini soccer pitch on the south side of Brit
Spaugh Park. 
Other projects listed on the 10-year master plan include dog park improvements,
splash pad, shooting range, fish habitat at local lakes, paintball course, zoo
upgrades, skate park repairs and extending the walk/bike path. 
The city council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 21 begins at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. The work
session will begin shortly after the conclusion of the meeting.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655147687872.jpeg" alt="South side of Brit Spaugh Park in Great Bend" />
 <figcaption>South side of Brit Spaugh Park in Great Bend</figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostLights have been selected for the walking path at Veterans Memorial
Park. Automatic locks were installed at Vets Park to allow access to restrooms year round. A
kayak/canoe launcher was installed at Stone Lake. A number of projects have already
been completed or are in the works from Great Bend’s “quality of life” sales
tax. Further execution of the master plan will be discussed after next Tuesday’s
Great Bend City Council meeting. Great Bend Recreation Commission Executive
Director Chris Umphres said he will help facilitate the conversation on the
future improvements to the Brit Spaugh Park project. Rec Board member Randy
Goering was pleased to see the momentum for the improvements. "It's good to see some action," said Goering. "I was a little concerned that things might slow down with Kendal's (Kendal Francis, former Great Bend City Administrator) departure. What I'm hearing through the media is that the quality of life committee is moving forward." 
The Rec Commission has considered assisting with the addition of a basketball
court, pickleball courts and a mini soccer pitch on the south side of Brit
Spaugh Park. 
Other projects listed on the 10-year master plan include dog park improvements,
splash pad, shooting range, fish habitat at local lakes, paintball course, zoo
upgrades, skate park repairs and extending the walk/bike path. 
The city council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 21 begins at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. The work
session will begin shortly after the conclusion of the meeting.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Great Bend Rec excited to reveal Brit Spaugh Park improvements

With the SRCA Dragstrip Board of Directors and City of Great
Bend coming to terms on a one-year operating agreement last week, the racing
season will carry on as normal this year. With the city hiring a pair of
attorneys to sort out the complications with a recent resurfacing project, how
the dragstrip will operate in the future could be changing.

<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/8376a467-defe-43cc-95ef-fee0118deb9a">RELATED STORY: Operating agreement renewed, but work to be done at SRCA Dragstrip</a> 
 
Great Bend was awarded funding through the Kansas Department of Transportation
Cost Share program to help reconstruct the historic dragstrip west of town.
After receiving seven bids, Suchy Construction was awarded the bid for $1.6
million. KDOT provided 75% of the construction costs for projects that invest in transportation improvements statewide. Along with the reconstruction of the dragstrip, Great Bend coupled the project with a resurfacing of most of 10th Street for a total price near $3.4 million. 
 
After completion of the project in May 2021, the SRCA notified city
administration that several high spots existed on the track’s surface. Suchy
worked to get the track within specifications by grinding roughly 60 high
spots. Total Venue Concepts was then hired to professionally polish the surface
for roughly $72,000. 
 
Having to grind and polish the track so much has caused the top sealing part of
the concrete to come off. SRCA Board of Directors President Arlen Werth said
now the track is full of holes. 
 
"When they run that concrete, they pump it," said Werth. "Any time you pump something, you put air into it. Once you take the top off, you start exposing all these air pockets that are in the concrete. If you walk out there and look at it, there's an area from the 1,000-foot mark towards the finish line in the right lane, there's more air pockets than surface."

Especially now with the holes, SRCA crews are forced to spray the track with additional sticky
composite material to create traction for the fast dragsters. Werth said it
takes 40 gallons of the compound to spray the track. For weekend races, crews
might have to spray the surface a few times, costing the SRCA between $1,000
and $2,000 each weekend just in compound. Each time a dragster races down the track,
the tires will pull more material off the porous surface. 
 
Werth added the SRCA is lucky to make $3,000 to $4,000 each race weekend.
Rising costs are reducing their budget each year. 
 
“This is squeezing our checkbook to the point that we don’t have anything left,”
said Werth. “We started this year with the least amount of money we’ve ever had
in probably 20 years.” 
 
The new, one-year contract with the city reduced SRCA’s annual payment of
$10,000 to $1 to help defray some of the rising expenses to maintain the track.
 
 
Spending thousands of dollars to continually fix a problematic racing surface,
the SRCA board members feel the project was not done right in the first place
and the proper steps to fix the issues were not taken. 
 
“I’m not an engineer, but I hear a lot of what’s being talked about,” said Werth.
“Probably the way to fix it would be to tear it out, start over, and do it the
way it was supposed to be done. That was the biggest problem…it wasn’t done the
way it was supposed to be done.”

The specifications for a dragstrip surface are detailed and need to be just
right. Werth said the state laid out specific guidelines that were not followed
when the project began. 
 
“They put a broom surface on the concrete when they were done to help get the water
out,” said Werth. “They weren’t supposed to broom it. They said when they drag
it, that would take the rough surface off. I know what a drag does and doesn’t
do, and I couldn’t see how we were going to drag that rough surface off.”

<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/165fe378-7b3a-44d1-9217-d98b26ec20b1">RELATED STORY: Denning stepping down as SRCA Dragstrip president</a> 
 
When pouring concrete, a screed is used to level and smoothen the surface.
Werth said the guidelines stated when the contractor starts to screed the concrete,
they are supposed to keep going without stopping until the whole project is
done. That didn’t happen. 
 
“They had a vibrator on their screed, that is supposed to smooth the top of it
and get the air out,” said Werth. “Every time they stopped, they didn’t shut
the vibrator off, so every time they stopped there was a little indention.” 
 
When the SRCA had a professional polisher from Indiana come to perform work on
the track, the contractor said the SRCA would be lucky to get five years out
the track. He felt the track was too porous, with exposed air pockets or holes,
and wouldn’t be able to survive the winters. 
 
“When they grinded that track, they should have grinded it from wall to wall,”
said Werth. “All they did was grind the racing surface. Now when it rains, the
south track sits with water…it doesn’t drain. I’m not saying there’s a lot of
water sitting there, but whatever they grinded is a dip because they didn’t
grind the middle down. It’s going to hold water now and guess what happens when
the water starts to freeze? It’s going to start popping the top off.”

<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/98132dac-762d-4811-a573-8c8740d88688">RELATED STORY: Great Bend sorts out responsibility for SRCA's extra expense</a> 
 
The past couple of years of the imperfections of the surfacing project, the added
expense to mask the problems and discussing with the city on the responsibility
to provide proper maintenance to the track have caused frustration with members
of the volunteer-led SRCA Board. 
 
“Our board has been very faithful,” said Werth. “I’m the oldest guy out there.
I’m going to be 80 years old this year. We have a harder time finding people to
help because we don’t pay help. If we paid help, we couldn’t open the gates
because there is not a lot of money in drag racing.” 
 
Running low on funds, Werth said future operating agreements with the City of
Great Bend will have to include the maintenance of the track to be handled by
the city. Werth said the city is supposed to allocate a certain amount of their
annual budget to go toward track maintenance. 
 
“With the amount of money invested recently by the city and the state, this
should be a Cadillac of a track,” said Werth. “We shouldn’t have had to do a
thing to it for at least five to 10 years. You go out there and there are
chunks broke out and it’s not even two years old."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676068694556.jpeg" alt="SRCA Dragstrip in Great Bend" />
 <figcaption>SRCA Dragstrip in Great Bend</figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostWith the SRCA Dragstrip Board of Directors and City of Great
Bend coming to terms on a one-year operating agreement last week, the racing
season will carry on as normal this year. With the city hiring a pair of
attorneys to sort out the complications with a recent resurfacing project, how
the dragstrip will operate in the future could be changing.<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/8376a467-defe-43cc-95ef-fee0118deb9a">RELATED STORY: Operating agreement renewed, but work to be done at SRCA Dragstrip</a> 
 
Great Bend was awarded funding through the Kansas Department of Transportation
Cost Share program to help reconstruct the historic dragstrip west of town.
After receiving seven bids, Suchy Construction was awarded the bid for $1.6
million. KDOT provided 75% of the construction costs for projects that invest in transportation improvements statewide. Along with the reconstruction of the dragstrip, Great Bend coupled the project with a resurfacing of most of 10th Street for a total price near $3.4 million. 
 
After completion of the project in May 2021, the SRCA notified city
administration that several high spots existed on the track’s surface. Suchy
worked to get the track within specifications by grinding roughly 60 high
spots. Total Venue Concepts was then hired to professionally polish the surface
for roughly $72,000. 
 
Having to grind and polish the track so much has caused the top sealing part of
the concrete to come off. SRCA Board of Directors President Arlen Werth said
now the track is full of holes. 
 
"When they run that concrete, they pump it," said Werth. "Any time you pump something, you put air into it. Once you take the top off, you start exposing all these air pockets that are in the concrete. If you walk out there and look at it, there's an area from the 1,000-foot mark towards the finish line in the right lane, there's more air pockets than surface."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676068778661.jpeg" alt="Holes covering the SRCA Dragstrip racing surface." />
 <figcaption>Holes covering the SRCA Dragstrip racing surface.</figcaption>
 </figure>Especially now with the holes, SRCA crews are forced to spray the track with additional sticky
composite material to create traction for the fast dragsters. Werth said it
takes 40 gallons of the compound to spray the track. For weekend races, crews
might have to spray the surface a few times, costing the SRCA between $1,000
and $2,000 each weekend just in compound. Each time a dragster races down the track,
the tires will pull more material off the porous surface. 
 
Werth added the SRCA is lucky to make $3,000 to $4,000 each race weekend.
Rising costs are reducing their budget each year. 
 
“This is squeezing our checkbook to the point that we don’t have anything left,”
said Werth. “We started this year with the least amount of money we’ve ever had
in probably 20 years.” 
 
The new, one-year contract with the city reduced SRCA’s annual payment of
$10,000 to $1 to help defray some of the rising expenses to maintain the track.
 
 
Spending thousands of dollars to continually fix a problematic racing surface,
the SRCA board members feel the project was not done right in the first place
and the proper steps to fix the issues were not taken. 
 
“I’m not an engineer, but I hear a lot of what’s being talked about,” said Werth.
“Probably the way to fix it would be to tear it out, start over, and do it the
way it was supposed to be done. That was the biggest problem…it wasn’t done the
way it was supposed to be done.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676068888059.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The specifications for a dragstrip surface are detailed and need to be just
right. Werth said the state laid out specific guidelines that were not followed
when the project began. 
 
“They put a broom surface on the concrete when they were done to help get the water
out,” said Werth. “They weren’t supposed to broom it. They said when they drag
it, that would take the rough surface off. I know what a drag does and doesn’t
do, and I couldn’t see how we were going to drag that rough surface off.”<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/165fe378-7b3a-44d1-9217-d98b26ec20b1">RELATED STORY: Denning stepping down as SRCA Dragstrip president</a> 
 
When pouring concrete, a screed is used to level and smoothen the surface.
Werth said the guidelines stated when the contractor starts to screed the concrete,
they are supposed to keep going without stopping until the whole project is
done. That didn’t happen. 
 
“They had a vibrator on their screed, that is supposed to smooth the top of it
and get the air out,” said Werth. “Every time they stopped, they didn’t shut
the vibrator off, so every time they stopped there was a little indention.” 
 
When the SRCA had a professional polisher from Indiana come to perform work on
the track, the contractor said the SRCA would be lucky to get five years out
the track. He felt the track was too porous, with exposed air pockets or holes,
and wouldn’t be able to survive the winters. 
 
“When they grinded that track, they should have grinded it from wall to wall,”
said Werth. “All they did was grind the racing surface. Now when it rains, the
south track sits with water…it doesn’t drain. I’m not saying there’s a lot of
water sitting there, but whatever they grinded is a dip because they didn’t
grind the middle down. It’s going to hold water now and guess what happens when
the water starts to freeze? It’s going to start popping the top off.”<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/98132dac-762d-4811-a573-8c8740d88688">RELATED STORY: Great Bend sorts out responsibility for SRCA's extra expense</a> 
 
The past couple of years of the imperfections of the surfacing project, the added
expense to mask the problems and discussing with the city on the responsibility
to provide proper maintenance to the track have caused frustration with members
of the volunteer-led SRCA Board. 
 
“Our board has been very faithful,” said Werth. “I’m the oldest guy out there.
I’m going to be 80 years old this year. We have a harder time finding people to
help because we don’t pay help. If we paid help, we couldn’t open the gates
because there is not a lot of money in drag racing.” 
 
Running low on funds, Werth said future operating agreements with the City of
Great Bend will have to include the maintenance of the track to be handled by
the city. Werth said the city is supposed to allocate a certain amount of their
annual budget to go toward track maintenance. 
 
“With the amount of money invested recently by the city and the state, this
should be a Cadillac of a track,” said Werth. “We shouldn’t have had to do a
thing to it for at least five to 10 years. You go out there and there are
chunks broke out and it’s not even two years old."

Great Bend's dragstrip: Lingering problems, responsibility questions

The Barton County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating an individual passing fraudulent checks in central Kansas. The attached photographs are of a person who has been going to farm stores, implement dealers and parts houses posing as a farmer or rancher. 

This man has identification that is forged. He will purchase items for large amounts of money and write a check with proper identification. Unfortunately, the check is also forged. He’s been to at least one retailer in Barton County and many businesses in other counties have fallen victim to his ploy. Multiple law enforcement agencies as well as the KBI are investigating this situation.

If you have information about this person or any other crime, please call Crime Stoppers at 620-792-1300 or 888-305-1300.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676396127315.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Barton County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating an individual passing fraudulent checks in central Kansas. The attached photographs are of a person who has been going to farm stores, implement dealers and parts houses posing as a farmer or rancher. This man has identification that is forged. He will purchase items for large amounts of money and write a check with proper identification. Unfortunately, the check is also forged. He’s been to at least one retailer in Barton County and many businesses in other counties have fallen victim to his ploy. Multiple law enforcement agencies as well as the KBI are investigating this situation.If you have information about this person or any other crime, please call Crime Stoppers at 620-792-1300 or 888-305-1300.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676396163883.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676396179002.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676396280394.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Fraudulent check scam in Barton County 

There are many variables in the criminal justice world. As such, the number of cases filed each year by the Barton County Attorney's Office will fluctuate. County Attorney Levi Morris provided 2022 figures to the Barton County Commission during Wednesday's meeting. He opened with a new low of 1,016 traffic cases.

"When I showed up, it was 1,900 traffic cases," Morris said. "I've come in every year and said we're filing fewer traffic cases. That has almost nothing to do with us and everything to do with law enforcement. I'm not complaining, I'm not blaming anybody. I'm just saying it's a function of people in the streets and how many people speed and get caught speeding and the like."

The county attorney's office filed 75 juvenile offender cases in 2022, up from approximately 50 in previous years. The number of care in treatment cases increased two to 45, and the number of adult criminal cases was down slightly to 468.

"It was 580 before I arrived," said Morris. "It's been 476, 492, 473, so it's a little low. I think it's a little low this year because we were shorthanded for four months again."

Morris also updated the commission on new computer software his office is using, and on the departure of Assistant County Attorney Colin Reynolds, who was appointed as the new county attorney for Miami County in Paola.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1601910747930.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostThere are many variables in the criminal justice world. As such, the number of cases filed each year by the Barton County Attorney's Office will fluctuate. County Attorney Levi Morris provided 2022 figures to the Barton County Commission during Wednesday's meeting. He opened with a new low of 1,016 traffic cases."When I showed up, it was 1,900 traffic cases," Morris said. "I've come in every year and said we're filing fewer traffic cases. That has almost nothing to do with us and everything to do with law enforcement. I'm not complaining, I'm not blaming anybody. I'm just saying it's a function of people in the streets and how many people speed and get caught speeding and the like."The county attorney's office filed 75 juvenile offender cases in 2022, up from approximately 50 in previous years. The number of care in treatment cases increased two to 45, and the number of adult criminal cases was down slightly to 468."It was 580 before I arrived," said Morris. "It's been 476, 492, 473, so it's a little low. I think it's a little low this year because we were shorthanded for four months again."Morris also updated the commission on new computer software his office is using, and on the departure of Assistant County Attorney Colin Reynolds, who was appointed as the new county attorney for Miami County in Paola.&nbsp;

Barton County Attorney: Traffic, criminal filings down from 2021

Planning continues for the big renovation project at the Barton County Courthouse. But the steps are getting bigger. Last Wednesday, the commission moved forward with the $4.2 million renovation that includes a new HVAC system, replacement of the 2-pipe heating and cooling system, and many cosmetic improvements. County Administrator Matt Patzner said the real work begins now.

"I think it provided a lot of clarity," he said. "Obviously, there's a lot of work to be done, but at least now we know what direction we're going in and we can start making plans on getting everything ready to go and set up in that regard. Up until that moment, we were kind of in limbo a little bit not knowing what direction to go. It takes a load off to at least have a direction now."

The county plans to have all staff moved out of the courthouse by mid June. Negotiations are underway to rent the old Sears building in the 1700 block of Main Street in downtown Great Bend, as well as the old JC Penney building at Broadway and Kansas Ave. No hard deadlines have been set for acquiring property.

"I don't know that we have an exact date," Patzner said. "I think for us, probably the sooner the better. That way we start planning and get in there and get an idea of how we want things laid out, and get anything, electrical or anything like that, we need to get done."

Planning for the project began in September 2021. The county will use $2.8 million in federal ARPA funds, and nearly $1.4 million out of its reserves to pay for the renovations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668701497147.jpeg" alt="Barton County Commissioners and officials toured the former JC Penney building&nbsp; in November." />
 <figcaption>Barton County Commissioners and officials toured the former JC Penney building&nbsp; in November.</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostPlanning continues for the big renovation project at the Barton County Courthouse. But the steps are getting bigger. Last Wednesday, the commission moved forward with the $4.2 million renovation that includes a new HVAC system, replacement of the 2-pipe heating and cooling system, and many cosmetic improvements. County Administrator Matt Patzner said the real work begins now."I think it provided a lot of clarity," he said. "Obviously, there's a lot of work to be done, but at least now we know what direction we're going in and we can start making plans on getting everything ready to go and set up in that regard. Up until that moment, we were kind of in limbo a little bit not knowing what direction to go. It takes a load off to at least have a direction now."The county plans to have all staff moved out of the courthouse by mid June. Negotiations are underway to rent the old Sears building in the 1700 block of Main Street in downtown Great Bend, as well as the old JC Penney building at Broadway and Kansas Ave. No hard deadlines have been set for acquiring property."I don't know that we have an exact date," Patzner said. "I think for us, probably the sooner the better. That way we start planning and get in there and get an idea of how we want things laid out, and get anything, electrical or anything like that, we need to get done."Planning for the project began in September 2021. The county will use $2.8 million in federal ARPA funds, and nearly $1.4 million out of its reserves to pay for the renovations.

Barton County still finalizing plans ahead of courthouse exit

Barton County Sheriff’s
Office Incident Log (2/13) 
 
Sick Person 
 
At 11:55 a.m. a sick person was reported at 217 S. US 281 Highway. 
 
Traffic Arrest 
 
At 2:27 p.m. a traffic arrest was reported at S. US 281 Highway at MM 103. 
 
K-9 Use / Call Out 
 
At 2:44 p.m. the K-9 was called out to S. US 281 Highway at MM 103. 
 
Battery 
 
At 4:34 p.m. a battery case was reported at 4th &amp; Kiowa. 
 
Fire 
 
At 5:32 p.m. a fire was reported in the 1000 block of NW 50 Avenue. 
 
Great Bend Police Department Incident
Log (2/13) 
 
Injury Accident 
 
At 9:21 a.m. an accident with a vehicle and pedestrian was reported at 1309
Main Street. 
 
Trespassing / Criminal 
 
At 9:23 a.m. Alan Burton reported criminal trespassing at 2415 Coronado Avenue.
Jason Loss served NTA. 
 
Parking Complaint 
 
At 11:18 a.m. a parking complaint was reported at Broadway &amp; Odell. 
 
Convulsions / Seizures 
 
At 1:10 p.m. EMS assistance was needed at 1801 Williams. 
 
Trash Complaint / Dumping 
 
At 1:28 p.m. Don Carlman reported a dumping complaint at 2501 Railroad Avenue. 
 
Animal Complaint 
 
At 2:13 p.m. Janis Link reported barking dogs at 5286 Timber Creek. 
 
Traffic Arrest 
 
At 3:15 p.m. Robert Streiner was arrested for DWS in the 1500 block of Stone
Street. 
 
Driving / Driver Complaint 
 
At 3:26 p.m. Faith Hatten reported a driving complaint at 18th &amp;
Monroe. 
 
Injury Accident 
 
At 3:42 p.m. a two-vehicle accident was reported at 12th &amp; Jackson. 
 
Animal Complaint 
 
At 4:50 p.m. Dennis Arnberger reported barking dogs at 2825 Meadowlark. 
 
Driving / Driver Complaint 
 
At 5:51 p.m. Danica Strickland reported a driving complaint at 10th
&amp; Morton. 
 
Interference with LEO 
 
At 10:51 p.m. an officer arrested Ryan Wong for possession of marijuana and
interference with LEO at 4101 10th Street. 
 
K-9 Use / Call Out 
 
At 10:57 p.m. K-9 Menta was used on a traffic stop at 4101 10th
Street.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574791204982.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Barton County Sheriff’s
Office Incident Log (2/13) 
 
Sick Person 
 
At 11:55 a.m. a sick person was reported at 217 S. US 281 Highway. 
 
Traffic Arrest 
 
At 2:27 p.m. a traffic arrest was reported at S. US 281 Highway at MM 103. 
 
K-9 Use / Call Out 
 
At 2:44 p.m. the K-9 was called out to S. US 281 Highway at MM 103. 
 
Battery 
 
At 4:34 p.m. a battery case was reported at 4th &amp; Kiowa. 
 
Fire 
 
At 5:32 p.m. a fire was reported in the 1000 block of NW 50 Avenue. 
 
Great Bend Police Department Incident
Log (2/13) 
 
Injury Accident 
 
At 9:21 a.m. an accident with a vehicle and pedestrian was reported at 1309
Main Street. 
 
Trespassing / Criminal 
 
At 9:23 a.m. Alan Burton reported criminal trespassing at 2415 Coronado Avenue.
Jason Loss served NTA. 
 
Parking Complaint 
 
At 11:18 a.m. a parking complaint was reported at Broadway &amp; Odell. 
 
Convulsions / Seizures 
 
At 1:10 p.m. EMS assistance was needed at 1801 Williams. 
 
Trash Complaint / Dumping 
 
At 1:28 p.m. Don Carlman reported a dumping complaint at 2501 Railroad Avenue. 
 
Animal Complaint 
 
At 2:13 p.m. Janis Link reported barking dogs at 5286 Timber Creek. 
 
Traffic Arrest 
 
At 3:15 p.m. Robert Streiner was arrested for DWS in the 1500 block of Stone
Street. 
 
Driving / Driver Complaint 
 
At 3:26 p.m. Faith Hatten reported a driving complaint at 18th &amp;
Monroe. 
 
Injury Accident 
 
At 3:42 p.m. a two-vehicle accident was reported at 12th &amp; Jackson. 
 
Animal Complaint 
 
At 4:50 p.m. Dennis Arnberger reported barking dogs at 2825 Meadowlark. 
 
Driving / Driver Complaint 
 
At 5:51 p.m. Danica Strickland reported a driving complaint at 10th
&amp; Morton. 
 
Interference with LEO 
 
At 10:51 p.m. an officer arrested Ryan Wong for possession of marijuana and
interference with LEO at 4101 10th Street. 
 
K-9 Use / Call Out 
 
At 10:57 p.m. K-9 Menta was used on a traffic stop at 4101 10th
Street.

Cop Shop (2/13)

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach on Jan. 31 announced his intent to sue the federal government unless the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service withdraws a rule that would list the lesser prairie chicken as a threatened species.

“The Biden administration’s listing of this species will have a devastating impact on Kansas ranchers, Kansas oil producers, and Kansas wind farms. Moreover, it is illegal,” Kobach said in a press release. “Kansas will lead the way in fighting against this overreach by the Biden administration.”

Gov. Laura Kelly told members of the Kansas Farm Bureau on Feb. 7 she would oppose the lesser prairie chicken's listing on the endangered species list.&nbsp;

Sen. Roger Marchall, R-Kan., as well as three of the Republican members of the U.S. House, also signed a letter to delay the final rule that will list the lesser prairie-chicken under the Endangered Species Act.

However, Jessica Augustine, executive director of the Kansas Audobon Society and an expert on prairie chickens, said ranchers and energy producers can work together to preserve the prairie chicken. She is arguing in support of greater protection for the species and its habitat.

Kobach said in his press release the rule change would require Kansas ranchers to seek the federal government’s permission to shift a cattle herd to a new field. He said it also creates tougher restrictions for energy pipelines, roads and other development, including oil drilling.

Augustine said Kobach's statements were misleading. Augustine took particular issue with Kobach's assertion that the designation would require the ranchers to seek federal permission when shifting their cattle herds.

According to Augustine, who cited the U.S. Fish and Wildlife webpage, farmers can continue agricultural activities on existing cultivated land. This includes pastures that are being grazed, in hay or in row crops, she said.

"If farmers have been doing agricultural things, they can continue to do that," she said. "This listing is not going to change that.

"I think that is a scare tactic to get farmers worked up, but that is just not true."

Kobach emailed a response to&nbsp;Augustine's statements.

“Ms. Augustine apparently has not read the USFWS Federal Register listing, or she does not understand it," Kobach said. "The Federal Register Listing of the lesser prairie chicken states very clearly that ranchers who own land in the northern region (which includes Kansas) must develop a 'prescribed grazing' plan and have that plan approved by an agency to be designated by the federal government.  If ranchers do not comply with this requirement, they can be penalized for a "take" of the species.

Kansas ranchers currently have the freedom to move their cattle from one pasture to another without following a "prescribed grazing" plan that is approved by a federally-designated agency, Kobach said.

"That freedom will end when the USFWS listing takes effect," he said. "This is a severe restriction on Kansans' property rights that is not consistent with federal law or the Constitution.  That is why my office, along with other states, will be suing the Biden Administration to stop this listing.”

Augustine, who has a doctorate in biology, has studied prairie chickens since 2003. Eight of those years were spent specifically studying lesser prairie chickens in western Kansas.

She said cattle grazing can help create the ideal habitat for lesser prairie chickens and the two species can occur in harmony. All the areas she studied in her research were on private land that was also being grazed by cattle.

"People are trying to push the story that cattle and prairie chickens can't co-exist, but they can and have been and that's why they're still here. Grasslands that are healthy for cattle are also great grasslands for lesser prairie chickens," Augustine said.

Prairie chickens need grass of different heights throughout their breeding cycle. They need short grass and usually pick open areas or hills for displaying and mating.&nbsp;

Females will choose thick, tall grass to hide their nests. After the chicks hatch, the juveniles need grass that is at about 50 percent height and density.&nbsp;

Hay fields can provide taller grass, CRP can provide nesting grounds and grazed land can provide mating and brooding areas, Augustine said.

"They really do work well in an agricultural landscape," she said.

There would be restrictions in the federal regulations for new oil and wind production in the prairie chicken's range under the new listing. It wouldn't affect existing oil, gas and wind energy production. It would not completely stop new oil and gas wells from being drilled or wind farms from being constructed.

However, it would require developers who wish to drill new wells or build new turbines in prime lesser prairie chicken habitats to restore habitat in other areas of the birds' range, Augustine said.

"It's just encouraging that development to occur in locations that have the least amount of impact on lesser prairie chickens and their habitat," she said.

Scientists estimate prairie chickens need about 50,000 open acres to have a healthy population, but that does not exist anywhere in the birds' range.

"The wind turbines and transmission lines fragment the habitat," Augustine said. "The prairie chickens avoid those areas."

In her studies, Augustine has personally recorded lesser prairie chicken groups leaving areas where oil and gas production were introduced.

Greater prairie chickens that are found in other parts of the state seem to be less affected by these structures, Augustine said.

Members of the U.S. Congressional delegation as well as Kobach have suggested conversation efforts remain voluntary.

Augustine said those voluntary efforts have proven ineffective in stabilizing the lesser prairie chicken population.

Current threats to the lesser prairie chicken remain, including habitat loss and fragmentation through human development and the encroachment of woody vegetation such as honey mesquite and cedars.

"We have been trying to do voluntary conservation efforts for 20 years, and they haven't improved the number of prairie chickens," she said. ... 

"Voluntary efforts have shown not to be enough to increase the population sizes. I really hope this legislation will increase the funding and incentives for farmers and private land owners to do more for the prairie chickens.'

"I hope this will be enough to preserve the species," Augustine said of the listing.

Conservation efforts were enacted in 2013, when the lesser prairie chickens' population hit its lowest point. About 17,000 birds remained. That was a year after a significant drought.

As wetter conditions returned, the population increased to about 34,000 as of 2021. However, that is still a fraction of the 125,000 birds in the population as recently as 1990.

Since the conservation effort began, about 17,000 acres of lesser prairie chicken habitat has been restored, which is still not enough to sustain a healthy population, Augustine said. The rainfall and not conservation efforts were more likely the reason for the rebound in the population, she said.

Augustine predicted the lesser prairie chicken population for 2022 and 2023 will be down significantly due to severe drought.

Of the 34,000 birds in the birds' population, about two-thirds of those are in western Kansas. Populations are declining in all the surrounding states that are included in the birds' range. Western Kansas is the only location in the birds' range where populations are stable.&nbsp;

"If we lose what we have in western Kansas, we are losing the core and the future of the prairie chicken population," Augustine said.

"For me [prairie chickens] are a look into our history and our connection with the environment and the connection with our food source," Augustine said.

Prairie chickens were eaten in large quantities by the early plains settlers.

"Plus they are so darn cute," she said. "They make these displays and they try to attract the female, and they have been doing that for centuries."

The Kansas Audobon Society had its first LekTrek prairie chicken viewing event last year and hosted 90 people from 25 states in western Kansas.

This year the event,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansaslektreks.org/">Kansas Lek Treks</a>, will be April 13 to 16 in Hays. Visitors will be able to view the birds during their mating or "booming" season.

"They are a source of inspiration today and have importance through ecotourism plus they are a sign that we have healthy grasslands," Augustine said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668724822944.png" alt="Photo courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostKansas Attorney General Kris Kobach on Jan. 31 announced his intent to sue the federal government unless the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service withdraws a rule that would list the lesser prairie chicken as a threatened species.“The Biden administration’s listing of this species will have a devastating impact on Kansas ranchers, Kansas oil producers, and Kansas wind farms. Moreover, it is illegal,” Kobach said in a press release. “Kansas will lead the way in fighting against this overreach by the Biden administration.”Gov. Laura Kelly told members of the Kansas Farm Bureau on Feb. 7 she would oppose the lesser prairie chicken's listing on the endangered species list.&nbsp;Sen. Roger Marchall, R-Kan., as well as three of the Republican members of the U.S. House, also signed a letter to delay the final rule that will list the lesser prairie-chicken under the Endangered Species Act.However, Jessica Augustine, executive director of the Kansas Audobon Society and an expert on prairie chickens, said ranchers and energy producers can work together to preserve the prairie chicken. She is arguing in support of greater protection for the species and its habitat.<h2>Scare tactics</h2>Kobach said in his press release the rule change would require Kansas ranchers to seek the federal government’s permission to shift a cattle herd to a new field. He said it also creates tougher restrictions for energy pipelines, roads and other development, including oil drilling.Augustine said Kobach's statements were misleading. Augustine took particular issue with Kobach's assertion that the designation would require the ranchers to seek federal permission when shifting their cattle herds.According to Augustine, who cited the U.S. Fish and Wildlife webpage, farmers can continue agricultural activities on existing cultivated land. This includes pastures that are being grazed, in hay or in row crops, she said."If farmers have been doing agricultural things, they can continue to do that," she said. "This listing is not going to change that."I think that is a scare tactic to get farmers worked up, but that is just not true."Kobach emailed a response to&nbsp;Augustine's statements.“Ms. Augustine apparently has not read the USFWS Federal Register listing, or she does not understand it," Kobach said. "The Federal Register Listing of the lesser prairie chicken states very clearly that ranchers who own land in the northern region (which includes Kansas) must develop a 'prescribed grazing' plan and have that plan approved by an agency to be designated by the federal government. If ranchers do not comply with this requirement, they can be penalized for a "take" of the species.Kansas ranchers currently have the freedom to move their cattle from one pasture to another without following a "prescribed grazing" plan that is approved by a federally-designated agency, Kobach said."That freedom will end when the USFWS listing takes effect," he said. "This is a severe restriction on Kansans' property rights that is not consistent with federal law or the Constitution. That is why my office, along with other states, will be suing the Biden Administration to stop this listing.”<h2>Conservation, ag complimentary</h2>Augustine, who has a doctorate in biology, has studied prairie chickens since 2003. Eight of those years were spent specifically studying lesser prairie chickens in western Kansas.She said cattle grazing can help create the ideal habitat for lesser prairie chickens and the two species can occur in harmony. All the areas she studied in her research were on private land that was also being grazed by cattle."People are trying to push the story that cattle and prairie chickens can't co-exist, but they can and have been and that's why they're still here. Grasslands that are healthy for cattle are also great grasslands for lesser prairie chickens," Augustine said.Prairie chickens need grass of different heights throughout their breeding cycle. They need short grass and usually pick open areas or hills for displaying and mating.&nbsp;Females will choose thick, tall grass to hide their nests. After the chicks hatch, the juveniles need grass that is at about 50 percent height and density.&nbsp;Hay fields can provide taller grass, CRP can provide nesting grounds and grazed land can provide mating and brooding areas, Augustine said."They really do work well in an agricultural landscape," she said.<h2>Provisions for energy producers</h2>There would be restrictions in the federal regulations for new oil and wind production in the prairie chicken's range under the new listing. It wouldn't affect existing oil, gas and wind energy production. It would not completely stop new oil and gas wells from being drilled or wind farms from being constructed.However, it would require developers who wish to drill new wells or build new turbines in prime lesser prairie chicken habitats to restore habitat in other areas of the birds' range, Augustine said."It's just encouraging that development to occur in locations that have the least amount of impact on lesser prairie chickens and their habitat," she said.Scientists estimate prairie chickens need about 50,000 open acres to have a healthy population, but that does not exist anywhere in the birds' range."The wind turbines and transmission lines fragment the habitat," Augustine said. "The prairie chickens avoid those areas."In her studies, Augustine has personally recorded lesser prairie chicken groups leaving areas where oil and gas production were introduced.Greater prairie chickens that are found in other parts of the state seem to be less affected by these structures, Augustine said.<h2>The case for more protection</h2>Members of the U.S. Congressional delegation as well as Kobach have suggested conversation efforts remain voluntary.Augustine said those voluntary efforts have proven ineffective in stabilizing the lesser prairie chicken population.Current threats to the lesser prairie chicken remain, including habitat loss and fragmentation through human development and the encroachment of woody vegetation such as honey mesquite and cedars."We have been trying to do voluntary conservation efforts for 20 years, and they haven't improved the number of prairie chickens," she said. ... "Voluntary efforts have shown not to be enough to increase the population sizes. I really hope this legislation will increase the funding and incentives for farmers and private land owners to do more for the prairie chickens.'"I hope this will be enough to preserve the species," Augustine said of the listing.Conservation efforts were enacted in 2013, when the lesser prairie chickens' population hit its lowest point. About 17,000 birds remained. That was a year after a significant drought.As wetter conditions returned, the population increased to about 34,000 as of 2021. However, that is still a fraction of the 125,000 birds in the population as recently as 1990.Since the conservation effort began, about 17,000 acres of lesser prairie chicken habitat has been restored, which is still not enough to sustain a healthy population, Augustine said. The rainfall and not conservation efforts were more likely the reason for the rebound in the population, she said.Augustine predicted the lesser prairie chicken population for 2022 and 2023 will be down significantly due to severe drought.Of the 34,000 birds in the birds' population, about two-thirds of those are in western Kansas. Populations are declining in all the surrounding states that are included in the birds' range. Western Kansas is the only location in the birds' range where populations are stable.&nbsp;"If we lose what we have in western Kansas, we are losing the core and the future of the prairie chicken population," Augustine said.<h2>Why save lesser prairie chickens?</h2>"For me [prairie chickens] are a look into our history and our connection with the environment and the connection with our food source," Augustine said.Prairie chickens were eaten in large quantities by the early plains settlers."Plus they are so darn cute," she said. "They make these displays and they try to attract the female, and they have been doing that for centuries."The Kansas Audobon Society had its first LekTrek prairie chicken viewing event last year and hosted 90 people from 25 states in western Kansas.This year the event,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansaslektreks.org/">Kansas Lek Treks</a>, will be April 13 to 16 in Hays. Visitors will be able to view the birds during their mating or "booming" season."They are a source of inspiration today and have importance through ecotourism plus they are a sign that we have healthy grasslands," Augustine said.

Kansas conservationist makes case for prairie chicken protection

2/13 BOOKED: Jeremiah Morris on Great Bend Municipal Court case for Assault on Law Enforcement Officer, Simple Assault, and Criminal Damage to Property, bond set at $1,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Kristopher Clone on Barton and Sedgwick County District Court warrants, to serve sentence.

BOOKED: Rodrigo Ceniceros-Samaniego on Barton County District Court case for Driving with No Driver's License and Illegal Transportation of Liquor, bond set at $1,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Robert Streiner on Great Bend Municipal Court case for Driving While Suspended, bond set at $500 C/S or 48-hour OR.

BOOKED: Tristen Rader on Barton County District Court case for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and No Driver's License, bond set at $10,000 C/S; and on Barton County District Court warrant for Theft, bond set at $5,000 C/S.

RELEASED: Jeremiah Morris on Great Bend Municipal Court case for Assault on Law Enforcement Officer, Simple Assault, and Criminal Damage to Property, after posting $1,000 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonds.

RELEASED: Nicholas Garrison to McPherson County District Court, for Probation Violation.

RELEASED: Kelly Polzin on Barton County District Court case, after time served.

RELEASED: Rodrigo Ceniceros-Samaniego on Barton County District Court case for Driving with No Driver's License and Illegal Transportation of Liquor, after posting $1,000 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonds.

RELEASED: Adam Thompson on Barton County District Court warrant, to Rooks County by order of the court.

RELEASED: Richard Fletch, Jr., on Barton County District Court case, with&nbsp; time served.

RELEASED: Robert Streiner on Great Bend Municipal Court case for Driving While Suspended, after posting $500 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonds.

RELEASED: Tristen Rader on Barton County District Court case for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and No Driver's License; and on Barton County District Court warrant for Theft, after posting total surety bond of $15,000 through Ace Bail Bonds.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639765862512.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>2/13 BOOKED: Jeremiah Morris on Great Bend Municipal Court case for Assault on Law Enforcement Officer, Simple Assault, and Criminal Damage to Property, bond set at $1,000 C/S.BOOKED: Kristopher Clone on Barton and Sedgwick County District Court warrants, to serve sentence.BOOKED: Rodrigo Ceniceros-Samaniego on Barton County District Court case for Driving with No Driver's License and Illegal Transportation of Liquor, bond set at $1,000 C/S.BOOKED: Robert Streiner on Great Bend Municipal Court case for Driving While Suspended, bond set at $500 C/S or 48-hour OR.BOOKED: Tristen Rader on Barton County District Court case for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and No Driver's License, bond set at $10,000 C/S; and on Barton County District Court warrant for Theft, bond set at $5,000 C/S.RELEASED: Jeremiah Morris on Great Bend Municipal Court case for Assault on Law Enforcement Officer, Simple Assault, and Criminal Damage to Property, after posting $1,000 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonds.RELEASED: Nicholas Garrison to McPherson County District Court, for Probation Violation.RELEASED: Kelly Polzin on Barton County District Court case, after time served.RELEASED: Rodrigo Ceniceros-Samaniego on Barton County District Court case for Driving with No Driver's License and Illegal Transportation of Liquor, after posting $1,000 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonds.RELEASED: Adam Thompson on Barton County District Court warrant, to Rooks County by order of the court.RELEASED: Richard Fletch, Jr., on Barton County District Court case, with&nbsp; time served.RELEASED: Robert Streiner on Great Bend Municipal Court case for Driving While Suspended, after posting $500 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonds.RELEASED: Tristen Rader on Barton County District Court case for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and No Driver's License; and on Barton County District Court warrant for Theft, after posting total surety bond of $15,000 through Ace Bail Bonds.

Barton County Sheriff's Booking Activity (2/13)

Today Rain likely, mainly before 2 p.m. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 56. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 17 to 22 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 29. Blustery, with a west-northwest wind 16 to 21 mph becoming west 9 to 14 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph.

Wednesday A 50-percent chance of snow after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. Breezy, with a north northeast wind 15 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Wednesday Night Snow, mainly before midnight. The snow could be heavy at times. Patchy blowing snow after 7 p.m. Low around 15. Wind chill values as low as -3. Blustery, with a north-northwest wind 24 to 28 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 33. Breezy, with a north-northwest wind 20 to 25 mph decreasing to 14 to 19 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 33 mph.

Thursday Night Clear, with a low around 13.

Friday Sunny, with a high near 45.

Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 29.

Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Breezy.

Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 30.

Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.

Sunday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34.

Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Today Rain likely, mainly before 2 p.m. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 56. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 17 to 22 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 29. Blustery, with a west-northwest wind 16 to 21 mph becoming west 9 to 14 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph.Wednesday A 50-percent chance of snow after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. Breezy, with a north northeast wind 15 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.Wednesday Night Snow, mainly before midnight. The snow could be heavy at times. Patchy blowing snow after 7 p.m. Low around 15. Wind chill values as low as -3. Blustery, with a north-northwest wind 24 to 28 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 33. Breezy, with a north-northwest wind 20 to 25 mph decreasing to 14 to 19 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 33 mph.Thursday Night Clear, with a low around 13.Friday Sunny, with a high near 45.Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 29.Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Breezy.Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 30.Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.Sunday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34.Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Tuesday's Weather

USD 428 Assistant Superintendent John Popp tripled checked to ensure a first-step agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management comes with no fees. But, he said at Monday's Board of Education meeting, the agreement is the way to move forward in a partnership with Enterprise to examine the Great Bend district's fleet of 38 vehicles. 

"In order to get some real actual numbers about vehicles we might potentially move forward with, we need to sign the agreement with them," Popp said. "We can choose to spend zero dollars on zero vehicles, but the agreement allows us to start to work with them to design a plan that will help us to move forward."

The board heard from Enterprise Consultant Ken Olsen during the January meeting. The program would allow the district to update its fleet of vehicles to provide safer, more-reliable options while also reducing maintenance costs. Board Member Chad Burroughs was at first skeptical, but was part of the 7-0 vote to move forward with the agreement.

"I've tried to shoot holes in this," Burroughs said. "When we first got this, I thought there's no way this is real. I've tried very hard to shoot holes in it, and I can't find where to put the hole."

With the agreement, Popp and Director of Grounds and Transportation Cody Schmidt will work with Enterprise to determine a possible action plan for the district. Everything remains speculative until those future meetings.

"I think the next guy in Enterprise will recommend trading out some of our newer vehicles that have more equity to potentially help defray the cost of the purchases of these other vehicles, but I'm not sure about that," Popp said. "We really want to move to the next step."

According to Olsen's presentation in January, the district could save approximately $89,000 in the first year of the program alone by switching out its 23 oldest vehicles. In that proposal, all vehicles would be switched out by year six of the program, and the district would save approximately $359,000 over 10 years. The district would have the option of exiting the plan at any time.

Superintendent Khris Thexton said the programs are very popular with government entities that operate fleets of vehicles. Not only would the program increase the safety and reliability of vehicles, but also the district's ability to purchase vehicles in a timely manner while still utilizing a reduced government fleet rate and keeping a local dealership involved.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673368374912.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostUSD 428 Assistant Superintendent John Popp tripled checked to ensure a first-step agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management comes with no fees. But, he said at Monday's Board of Education meeting, the agreement is the way to move forward in a partnership with Enterprise to examine the Great Bend district's fleet of 38 vehicles. "In order to get some real actual numbers about vehicles we might potentially move forward with, we need to sign the agreement with them," Popp said. "We can choose to spend zero dollars on zero vehicles, but the agreement allows us to start to work with them to design a plan that will help us to move forward."The board heard from Enterprise Consultant Ken Olsen during the January meeting. The program would allow the district to update its fleet of vehicles to provide safer, more-reliable options while also reducing maintenance costs. Board Member Chad Burroughs was at first skeptical, but was part of the 7-0 vote to move forward with the agreement."I've tried to shoot holes in this," Burroughs said. "When we first got this, I thought there's no way this is real. I've tried very hard to shoot holes in it, and I can't find where to put the hole."With the agreement, Popp and Director of Grounds and Transportation Cody Schmidt will work with Enterprise to determine a possible action plan for the district. Everything remains speculative until those future meetings."I think the next guy in Enterprise will recommend trading out some of our newer vehicles that have more equity to potentially help defray the cost of the purchases of these other vehicles, but I'm not sure about that," Popp said. "We really want to move to the next step."According to Olsen's presentation in January, the district could save approximately $89,000 in the first year of the program alone by switching out its 23 oldest vehicles. In that proposal, all vehicles would be switched out by year six of the program, and the district would save approximately $359,000 over 10 years. The district would have the option of exiting the plan at any time.Superintendent Khris Thexton said the programs are very popular with government entities that operate fleets of vehicles. Not only would the program increase the safety and reliability of vehicles, but also the district's ability to purchase vehicles in a timely manner while still utilizing a reduced government fleet rate and keeping a local dealership involved.

Great Bend BOE moves to next step in fleet management program

Barton Community College Board of Trustees Monthly Study Session Tuesday, Feb. 14 – 4 p.m. F-30, Fine Arts Building/ZOOM

1. Dual Credit Cooperative Agreements – Karly Little

2. January Financial Statement – Mark Dean

3. TRIO Presentations – Angie Maddy &nbsp; &nbsp;• Barton County Upward Bound – Kelsey Hall &nbsp; &nbsp;• Central Kansas Upward Bound – Patrick Busch &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  Kirsten Meier – Ellsworth High School graduate, current Barton Student &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  Ashlyn Armstrong – Central Plains High School student &nbsp; &nbsp;• Education Opportunity Center – Ray Kruse &nbsp; &nbsp;• Student Support Services – Rita Thurber

4. Dr. Heilman approved the following: &nbsp; &nbsp; MLT &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • MAWD Pathology Group; Lenexa KS &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • Citizens Medical Center; Colby, KS &nbsp; &nbsp; Dietary Manager &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • North Kansas City Hospital; North Kansas City, MO &nbsp; &nbsp; Agreement/MOU &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • Kansas Department of Commerce &nbsp; &nbsp; Nursing &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • Camber Children’s Mental Health; Hays, KS &nbsp; &nbsp; IS/IT &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • Yuja Inc. amendment &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • Enrollment RX amendment &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • Libris renewal &nbsp; &nbsp; Dual Credit Cooperative Agreements &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 112 Central Plains &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 112 Wilson &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 303 Ness City &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 327 Ellsworth &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 347 Kinsley &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 349 Stafford &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 350 St. John &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 351 Macksville &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 355 Ellinwood &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 395 LaCrosse &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 401 Chase &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 403 Otis-Bison &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 405 Lyons &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 407 Russell &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 428 Great Bend &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 431 Hoisington &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 495 Larned &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 496 Pawnee Heights

Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees Tuesday, Feb. 14 – to begin after the Study Session concludes Room F-30, lower level, Fine Arts Building/ZOOM

1. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

2. EXECUTIVE SESSION &nbsp; &nbsp;In compliance with KSA 75-4319, the Board will recess to executive session in compliance with the Kansas Open Meetings Act.

3. AG COMPLEX BIDS &nbsp; &nbsp;Mark Dean, Vice President of Administration will present for the Board’s consideration of approval.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627047186061.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Barton Community College Board of Trustees Monthly Study Session Tuesday, Feb. 14 – 4 p.m. F-30, Fine Arts Building/ZOOMDiscussion Topics1. Dual Credit Cooperative Agreements – Karly Little2. January Financial Statement – Mark Dean3. TRIO Presentations – Angie Maddy &nbsp; &nbsp;• Barton County Upward Bound – Kelsey Hall &nbsp; &nbsp;• Central Kansas Upward Bound – Patrick Busch &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  Kirsten Meier – Ellsworth High School graduate, current Barton Student &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  Ashlyn Armstrong – Central Plains High School student &nbsp; &nbsp;• Education Opportunity Center – Ray Kruse &nbsp; &nbsp;• Student Support Services – Rita Thurber4. Dr. Heilman approved the following: &nbsp; &nbsp; MLT &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • MAWD Pathology Group; Lenexa KS &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • Citizens Medical Center; Colby, KS &nbsp; &nbsp; Dietary Manager &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • North Kansas City Hospital; North Kansas City, MO &nbsp; &nbsp; Agreement/MOU &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • Kansas Department of Commerce &nbsp; &nbsp; Nursing &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • Camber Children’s Mental Health; Hays, KS &nbsp; &nbsp; IS/IT &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • Yuja Inc. amendment &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • Enrollment RX amendment &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • Libris renewal &nbsp; &nbsp; Dual Credit Cooperative Agreements &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 112 Central Plains &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 112 Wilson &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 303 Ness City &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 327 Ellsworth &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 347 Kinsley &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 349 Stafford &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 350 St. John &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 351 Macksville &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 355 Ellinwood &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 395 LaCrosse &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 401 Chase &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 403 Otis-Bison &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 405 Lyons &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 407 Russell &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 428 Great Bend &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 431 Hoisington &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 495 Larned &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; • USD 496 Pawnee HeightsSpecial Meeting of the Board of Trustees Tuesday, Feb. 14 – to begin after the Study Session concludes Room F-30, lower level, Fine Arts Building/ZOOM1. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE2. EXECUTIVE SESSION &nbsp; &nbsp;In compliance with KSA 75-4319, the Board will recess to executive session in compliance with the Kansas Open Meetings Act.3. AG COMPLEX BIDS &nbsp; &nbsp;Mark Dean, Vice President of Administration will present for the Board’s consideration of approval.4. ADJOURNMENT

BCC Board of Trustees study session agenda (2/14)

The Barton County Historical Society welcomes Prisca Barnes to present on the Dockum Drugstore Sit-In. 

In 1958, Wichita’s Black students organized and staged a sit-in at Wichita’s Dockum Drugstore, seeking racial equity and an end to segregation. Long denied entry into the city’s movie theaters and restaurants, students exercised their right to peacefully protest over a three-week period at the popular lunch counter. 

What transpired, how it ended, and the lasting impact it had on race relations in the city is the focus of this talk. More broadly, the talk will explore how these types of protests transformed the struggle for racial equity in America. 

Priscia Barnes is the founder of Storytime Village Inc., a nonprofit organization in Wichita that promotes reading among low-income children and families. She is a passionate advocate for equity in education and literacy. 

Admission for this event is free thanks to Humanities Kansas. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the program will begin at 7 p.m. on Feb. 27, light refreshments are provided.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657710396550.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Barton County Historical Society welcomes Prisca Barnes to present on the Dockum Drugstore Sit-In. In 1958, Wichita’s Black students organized and staged a sit-in at Wichita’s Dockum Drugstore, seeking racial equity and an end to segregation. Long denied entry into the city’s movie theaters and restaurants, students exercised their right to peacefully protest over a three-week period at the popular lunch counter. What transpired, how it ended, and the lasting impact it had on race relations in the city is the focus of this talk. More broadly, the talk will explore how these types of protests transformed the struggle for racial equity in America. Priscia Barnes is the founder of Storytime Village Inc., a nonprofit organization in Wichita that promotes reading among low-income children and families. She is a passionate advocate for equity in education and literacy. Admission for this event is free thanks to Humanities Kansas. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the program will begin at 7 p.m. on Feb. 27, light refreshments are provided.

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