By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

As the saying goes, choose your battles wisely. But sometimes, it's not a choice at all. Fifteen-year-old Owen Klug was diagnosed with Dravet syndrome, a degenerative form of epilepsy that can cause hundreds of seizures a day. When pharmaceuticals did not work, his parents found hope in hemp oil. With 37 states now offering medical cannabis, and 21 states allowing the drug to be used recreationally, Owen's mother, Kiley, simply wants those same opportunities for her child.

"If you would have told us we would have to go down this road 20 years ago, I would have said nope, no way, never," she said. "But when you love someone, and you do your research, and you're all in as a parent, this was the only path we had available to us. You don't understand it until you have to live it."

Dravet syndrome is chronic and medication-resistant. Many medications actually make the symptoms worse. The Klugs were hoping for a small break during Owen's teenage years, but improvements with seizures have been marginal.

"The teenage years are supposed to be that honeymoon period where they do get better," Kiley said. "I feel like they've gotten better. They have changed a little bit in presentation. Before any kind of therapy, he was having over 250 in an 18-hour period."

Owen has gone through 10 anti-epileptic medicines with little success. He's on a keto, high-fat, low-carb diet to help control seizures. He's had a feeding tube because a well-regulated diet can help with the seizures. And his parents use a vagal nerve stimulator (VNS), which acts like a pacemaker in the brain to shock the brain before the onset of a seizure.

But the best results have come from Haleigh's Hope, a hemp extract containing naturally occurring cannabinoids. By current law, the extract cannot have more than 0.3 percent THC content. The Klugs learned about medical cannabis from a California parent while attending a Dravet conference. Dravet parents have found Haleigh's Hope to be a more effective solution.

"I really feel like these children with Dravet syndrome have been at the forefront, these families, of the medical cannabis revolution," Kiley said. "This movement of, oh my gosh, this stuff actually can help these medical conditions where we've had roadblock after roadblock."

The Klugs eventually weaned Owen off all pharmaceuticals, using only the VNS, keto diet, and Haleigh's Hope. The results have been promising, but as with all drugs, Owen's body has built a tolerance to Haleigh's Hope, and the product has lost some of its healing power.

"He started gaining back these skills," Kiley said. "He started bearing weight again, he started vocalizing, he wasn't asleep all day, he started smiling when his brothers would get in trouble or make funny jokes. He would show meaningful, non-verbal conversation. It was such a gift."

Kiley has returned to teaching full-time, but she spent the first 11 years of Owen's life at home. During that time, she made four trips to Topeka to lobby and educate legislators about the importance of products like Haleigh's Hope, and their impact on patients. She found many conversations with legislators to be less than inspiring.

"Some of the responses I would get were fairly appalling," Kiley said. "I can recall, and this has really stuck with me, one legislator, as he's looking at my son and looking me in the face, he says, 'Well you know, I've got some of that stuff in the ditch behind my house. You're more than welcome to come check that out.' It just breaks my heart that the people who lead our state can't have the empathy to at least refrain from those stereotypical comments in the presence of my son, who struggles day-in, day-out."

The Klugs are not pushing legislation for the recreational use of cannabis. But they do want their son to have access to some of the products now available legally in Colorado and Missouri. Nebraska senators recently held a hearing on a revised medical marijuana bill in that state, and Oklahoma has already passed medical marijuana legislation.

"I think it's time," Kiley said. "We are surrounded by Colorado, Missouri, soon to be Oklahoma. They've had these laws in place for years now, and guess what? Those states are still standing. They're standing, and they're wealthy. Their schools are flourishing.

"We're not going to be a pioneer by any means, but I think we need to follow suit. I think it's time for Kansas to start looking after the people who need it most."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675973870776.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostAs the saying goes, choose your battles wisely. But sometimes, it's not a choice at all. Fifteen-year-old Owen Klug was diagnosed with Dravet syndrome, a degenerative form of epilepsy that can cause hundreds of seizures a day. When pharmaceuticals did not work, his parents found hope in hemp oil. With 37 states now offering medical cannabis, and 21 states allowing the drug to be used recreationally, Owen's mother, Kiley, simply wants those same opportunities for her child."If you would have told us we would have to go down this road 20 years ago, I would have said nope, no way, never," she said. "But when you love someone, and you do your research, and you're all in as a parent, this was the only path we had available to us. You don't understand it until you have to live it."Dravet syndrome is chronic and medication-resistant. Many medications actually make the symptoms worse. The Klugs were hoping for a small break during Owen's teenage years, but improvements with seizures have been marginal.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675971513899.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"The teenage years are supposed to be that honeymoon period where they do get better," Kiley said. "I feel like they've gotten better. They have changed a little bit in presentation. Before any kind of therapy, he was having over 250 in an 18-hour period."Owen has gone through 10 anti-epileptic medicines with little success. He's on a keto, high-fat, low-carb diet to help control seizures. He's had a feeding tube because a well-regulated diet can help with the seizures. And his parents use a vagal nerve stimulator (VNS), which acts like a pacemaker in the brain to shock the brain before the onset of a seizure.But the best results have come from Haleigh's Hope, a hemp extract containing naturally occurring cannabinoids. By current law, the extract cannot have more than 0.3 percent THC content. The Klugs learned about medical cannabis from a California parent while attending a Dravet conference. Dravet parents have found Haleigh's Hope to be a more effective solution."I really feel like these children with Dravet syndrome have been at the forefront, these families, of the medical cannabis revolution," Kiley said. "This movement of, oh my gosh, this stuff actually can help these medical conditions where we've had roadblock after roadblock."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675974056663.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Klugs eventually weaned Owen off all pharmaceuticals, using only the VNS, keto diet, and Haleigh's Hope. The results have been promising, but as with all drugs, Owen's body has built a tolerance to Haleigh's Hope, and the product has lost some of its healing power."He started gaining back these skills," Kiley said. "He started bearing weight again, he started vocalizing, he wasn't asleep all day, he started smiling when his brothers would get in trouble or make funny jokes. He would show meaningful, non-verbal conversation. It was such a gift."Kiley has returned to teaching full-time, but she spent the first 11 years of Owen's life at home. During that time, she made four trips to Topeka to lobby and educate legislators about the importance of products like Haleigh's Hope, and their impact on patients. She found many conversations with legislators to be less than inspiring."Some of the responses I would get were fairly appalling," Kiley said. "I can recall, and this has really stuck with me, one legislator, as he's looking at my son and looking me in the face, he says, 'Well you know, I've got some of that stuff in the ditch behind my house. You're more than welcome to come check that out.' It just breaks my heart that the people who lead our state can't have the empathy to at least refrain from those stereotypical comments in the presence of my son, who struggles day-in, day-out."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675974083223.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Klugs are not pushing legislation for the recreational use of cannabis. But they do want their son to have access to some of the products now available legally in Colorado and Missouri. Nebraska senators recently held a hearing on a revised medical marijuana bill in that state, and Oklahoma has already passed medical marijuana legislation."I think it's time," Kiley said. "We are surrounded by Colorado, Missouri, soon to be Oklahoma. They've had these laws in place for years now, and guess what? Those states are still standing. They're standing, and they're wealthy. Their schools are flourishing."We're not going to be a pioneer by any means, but I think we need to follow suit. I think it's time for Kansas to start looking after the people who need it most."

Barton County family sees benefit of medical cannabis

Today Sunny, with a high near 63. West wind 7 to 12 mph becoming south 13 to 18 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph.

Tonight Rain, mainly after midnight. Low around 41. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 16 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.

Tuesday Rain likely, mainly before noon. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 56. Breezy, with a south-southeast wind 18 to 26 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Tuesday Night Increasing clouds, with a low around 28. Blustery, with a west-northwest wind 15 to 20 mph becoming northwest 9 to 14 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.

Wednesday A slight chance of snow before noon, then a chance of rain and snow between noon and 3 p.m., then a chance of snow after 3 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. Breezy, with a north-northeast wind 14 to 19 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Wednesday Night Snow likely, mainly before midnight. Patchy blowing snow after 7 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. Blustery. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

ThursdayMostly sunny, with a high near 31. Blustery.

Thursday Night Clear, with a low around 11.

Friday Sunny, with a high near 43.

Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 28.

Saturday Sunny, with a high near 55. Breezy.

Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 31.

Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Today Sunny, with a high near 63. West wind 7 to 12 mph becoming south 13 to 18 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph.Tonight Rain, mainly after midnight. Low around 41. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 16 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.Tuesday Rain likely, mainly before noon. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 56. Breezy, with a south-southeast wind 18 to 26 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.Tuesday Night Increasing clouds, with a low around 28. Blustery, with a west-northwest wind 15 to 20 mph becoming northwest 9 to 14 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.Wednesday A slight chance of snow before noon, then a chance of rain and snow between noon and 3 p.m., then a chance of snow after 3 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. Breezy, with a north-northeast wind 14 to 19 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.Wednesday Night Snow likely, mainly before midnight. Patchy blowing snow after 7 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. Blustery. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.ThursdayMostly sunny, with a high near 31. Blustery.Thursday Night Clear, with a low around 11.Friday Sunny, with a high near 43.Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 28.Saturday Sunny, with a high near 55. Breezy.Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 31.Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Monday's Weather

Barton Community College has named 283 students to the Dean’s List for the fall 2022 semester. To qualify for this honor, students must have been enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours and maintained a grade point average of 3.5 to 3.99 on a 4.0 or "A" letter scale.

Basehor Ma Niel Gumban Jackson Herbel

Claflin Brooke Farmer Shaylah Kempke Kassidy Nixon

Dodge City Karina Estrada Karina Herrera Solorzano Goliah Sanchez Wyatt Trombley Ellinwood Cale Batchman Bayne Chism Megan Clemons Mary Dimitt Hailey Gross Gage Hosman Jodi Ledesma Brooke McReynolds Tyler Porter Haley Troyer

Ellsworth Roberto Camacho Vernon Faulkner James Holloman Kirsten Meier Aaron Morgan Errol Reed Christopher Russell Benjamin Sparks Logan Thomas James Urbanek Dametrius Williams

Fort Leavenworth Ashleigh Arnold Jasmine Burton Aidan Collins Hannah Ewert Chloe Howard Hannah Lowe Sarah Troyn

Fort Riley Kaiya Avina Demitri Bergstrom Breanna Boguszewicz Isabelle Brant Arnie Cabonce Oslyn Calder Bethany Cline Emmanuel Echeverria Tyler Fleming Dominic Galarza Haley Gutierrez Jesica Haygood Taylor Jefferson Samantha Kepple Cody Kottke Sara Lozano Rochel Moya Katrina Muller Sunny Murillo Kimberley Peterkin Osayande Philip David Pope Brianna Ramos Danielle Reckers Alexis Rodriguez-Bell Adriana Thomas Zavion Vu Thomas Whiteside

Great Bend Joshua Ball Jasmine Campos Maleny Carrasco Jose Carrillo James Chestnut Shae Cox Lexi Deines Sandra Delgadillo Emily Holguin Elle Hutchinson Jacob Kennedy Sarah Mehlhaff Joseph Moeder Austin Moore Raegan Moore Abby Muth Samantha Naab Andrea Orona Favela Ashton Ramsey Arely Reyes Valerie Ruiz Darien Sanchez Brandi Sander Karter Smith Kayla Souter Juan Vera Gutierrez Kristy Wittig

Hoisington Shawntay Broadnax Audra Brunner Jenna Goddard Isabelle Gonzalez

Junction City Annie Asmus Tiaunna Shanae Baker Murin Burkett Jacob Copas Curtney-Olivia Dawson Madeline Dee Alexandra Driskel Marcos Gonzalez Arthur Hernandez Xochilt Luzier Daphane Melius Eithan Rodriguez Zelah Snider Christopher Solano Haley Voelcker Kiley Weatherwax Emily Wolfe

Lansing Andre Pontbriant Jordahn Barton

Larned&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Andre Claibourn Paige Cobb John Courtney Kirsten Gabel Carlo Malone Tyson Nicholson James Stewart Kameron Turner John Wasinger Carolyn Zook

Leavenworth Nathaniel Blankenship Elena Curtis Jackson&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Goyette Simon Johnson Nicholas Mchugh Olivia Pelker John Sauble Ethan Thomas Cheyenne Villarreal

Manhattan Kyla Barnett Nicole Berger Chalice Carter Lanasia Cottner Blake Dimond Ronald Hill Brendan Hopkins Isaiah Johnson Bryan Marquis Calina Mingo Alaila Muniz

Russell Harley Headley Denise Ketchens Kristy Lynn Sullivan

St. John Adrian Adame Madison Brown

Shawnee Josiah Broeker Zechariah Broeker

Smith Center&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Kandis Frydendall

Topeka Elijah Marshall Aidan Polter Kade Walker

Wichita Mohammad Alashqar Jaysa Anderson Derrick Antonio Jaqueline Antonio Valentina Bequette Cynthia Broadrick Andrea Collins Laci Dryden Lani Dryden Alexander Flinn Samia Jackson Drew Otero Trent Padilla Emily Scheuerman Veronica Simpkins Jaden Wiley

Council Bluffs, Iowa Jaedyn Mauck Willow Olsen

Jefferson City, Mo. Lusitania Savio Dos Reis Fernandes

Kansas City, Mo. Kole Akintujoye Jada Davis

San Antonio, Texas Sara Blue Star Lindsay McKissack

Brazil Genildo Da Silva Gustavo Campos Ana Alice Pauli Tosetto Marcello Ferraz Filho Victor Lucca Ferraz QueZia Bertoni Abrao Henrique Cruz Victor Hugo Goscinski

Canada Riley Silva Ayden Hadley Dryden Howse Almond Small

Japan Rin Sato Hinano Nakagawa Hinata Kojima Shoei Kawamura Kotaro Natsume

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653491444657.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Barton Community College has named 283 students to the Dean’s List for the fall 2022 semester. To qualify for this honor, students must have been enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours and maintained a grade point average of 3.5 to 3.99 on a 4.0 or "A" letter scale.Basehor Ma Niel Gumban Jackson HerbelBelpre Ty Turner Brenda VisosoBuhler Mallory CrossBurdett Elizabeth RasmussenCheney Trenton ReitmayerCimarron Summer McGrewClaflin Brooke Farmer Shaylah Kempke Kassidy NixonColumbus Albert WelchDodge City Karina Estrada Karina Herrera Solorzano Goliah Sanchez Wyatt Trombley Ellinwood Cale Batchman Bayne Chism Megan Clemons Mary Dimitt Hailey Gross Gage Hosman Jodi Ledesma Brooke McReynolds Tyler Porter Haley TroyerEllsworth Roberto Camacho Vernon Faulkner James Holloman Kirsten Meier Aaron Morgan Errol Reed Christopher Russell Benjamin Sparks Logan Thomas James Urbanek Dametrius WilliamsFort Leavenworth Ashleigh Arnold Jasmine Burton Aidan Collins Hannah Ewert Chloe Howard Hannah Lowe Sarah TroynFort Riley Kaiya Avina Demitri Bergstrom Breanna Boguszewicz Isabelle Brant Arnie Cabonce Oslyn Calder Bethany Cline Emmanuel Echeverria Tyler Fleming Dominic Galarza Haley Gutierrez Jesica Haygood Taylor Jefferson Samantha Kepple Cody Kottke Sara Lozano Rochel Moya Katrina Muller Sunny Murillo Kimberley Peterkin Osayande Philip David Pope Brianna Ramos Danielle Reckers Alexis Rodriguez-Bell Adriana Thomas Zavion Vu Thomas WhitesideGarfield Ashlynn HarrelsonGreat Bend Joshua Ball Jasmine Campos Maleny Carrasco Jose Carrillo James Chestnut Shae Cox Lexi Deines Sandra Delgadillo Emily Holguin Elle Hutchinson Jacob Kennedy Sarah Mehlhaff Joseph Moeder Austin Moore Raegan Moore Abby Muth Samantha Naab Andrea Orona Favela Ashton Ramsey Arely Reyes Valerie Ruiz Darien Sanchez Brandi Sander Karter Smith Kayla Souter Juan Vera Gutierrez Kristy WittigHoisington Shawntay Broadnax Audra Brunner Jenna Goddard Isabelle GonzalezHolyrood Elizeia Knapp-BlehmHutchinson Cassidy GoansIola John SimpsonJetmore Valeria Gallardo-PulidoJunction City Annie Asmus Tiaunna Shanae Baker Murin Burkett Jacob Copas Curtney-Olivia Dawson Madeline Dee Alexandra Driskel Marcos Gonzalez Arthur Hernandez Xochilt Luzier Daphane Melius Eithan Rodriguez Zelah Snider Christopher Solano Haley Voelcker Kiley Weatherwax Emily WolfeLakin Maria Alvarado ArreolaLansing Andre Pontbriant Jordahn BartonLarned&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Andre Claibourn Paige Cobb John Courtney Kirsten Gabel Carlo Malone Tyson Nicholson James Stewart Kameron Turner John Wasinger Carolyn ZookLawrence Kay Lee RichardsonLeavenworth Nathaniel Blankenship Elena Curtis Jackson&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Goyette Simon Johnson Nicholas Mchugh Olivia Pelker John Sauble Ethan Thomas Cheyenne VillarrealLewis Ximena FuentesLincoln Albus HuskeyLittle River Trey RolfsLyons Colton Bennett Tessa MillerManhattan Kyla Barnett Nicole Berger Chalice Carter Lanasia Cottner Blake Dimond Ronald Hill Brendan Hopkins Isaiah Johnson Bryan Marquis Calina Mingo Alaila MunizMcLouth Margaret BlackwellMilton Joseph DaerrMulvane Austin MoeNewton Samantha SmithOtis Taylor CroisantPaxico Jordan MagetteRussell Harley Headley Denise Ketchens Kristy Lynn SullivanSabetha Madelyn WehnerSt. John Adrian Adame Madison BrownSalina Griffin PetersonShawnee Josiah Broeker Zechariah BroekerSmith Center&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Kandis FrydendallSylvan Grove MeKelle HurlbutTecumseh Aidan Van MetreTopeka Elijah Marshall Aidan Polter Kade WalkerUdall Trenton WhitemanWakefield Adam Hardin Jason HolleyWamego Josie MehlWellington Timeka BettsWichita Mohammad Alashqar Jaysa Anderson Derrick Antonio Jaqueline Antonio Valentina Bequette Cynthia Broadrick Andrea Collins Laci Dryden Lani Dryden Alexander Flinn Samia Jackson Drew Otero Trent Padilla Emily Scheuerman Veronica Simpkins Jaden WileyMobile, Ala. Jeramiah MartinTexarkana, Ark. &nbsp; Shana PickensMenifee, Calif. Amanda RamirezOceanside, Calif. Chelsea RustenburgBrighton, Colo. Halie StonekingCastle Rock, Colo. Lillian ThomasKit Carson, Colo. Yulissa GutierrezSeverance, Colo. Kyrstin VanattaHollywood, Fla. Ashanti HarveyRichmond Hill, Ga. Howard HosangCouncil Bluffs, Iowa Jaedyn Mauck Willow OlsenSouth Holland, Ill. Marlon WordlowBowie, Md. Malachi CarterBlue Springs, Mo. Quinton RobertsonCameron, Mo. Pauline Johan EsteraFort Leonard Wood, Mo. Jessica EagerJefferson City, Mo. Lusitania Savio Dos Reis FernandesKansas City, Mo. Kole Akintujoye Jada DavisCape Carteret, N.C. Heather GipsonGreensboro, N.C. Sanchez ReddenJacksonville, N.C. Amanda MeekFirth, Neb. Colton WahlstromLawton, Okla. Mikaela HallMustang, Okla. Micah DavisSasakwa, Okla. Ivy BiblePortland, Ore. Liam DaleMonroeville, Pa. Marydiana ScottBeaufort, S.C. June WinebrightCampobello, S.C. Melissa SuddethEagle Butte, S.D. Michael BarbosaClarksville, Tenn. Jayden WileyCookeville, Tenn. Essa AldossaryFrisco, Texax Jordan BedellHouston, Texas Brandon NguyenSan Antonio, Texas Sara Blue Star Lindsay McKissackTerrell, Texas Kayla BeersRichmond, Va. Mackenzie WoodMadison, Wis. Manjot SinghPlymouth, Wis. Elizabeth LauAustria Samuel JoergBelgium Nicolas GalanisBolivia Luigi BallivianBotswana Oarabile TshosaBrazil Genildo Da Silva Gustavo Campos Ana Alice Pauli Tosetto Marcello Ferraz Filho Victor Lucca Ferraz QueZia Bertoni Abrao Henrique Cruz Victor Hugo GoscinskiCanada Riley Silva Ayden Hadley Dryden Howse Almond SmallChile Felipe Ramos PeraltaJamaica Danae NembhardJapan Rin Sato Hinano Nakagawa Hinata Kojima Shoei Kawamura Kotaro NatsumeMexico Andrea Peraza Jonathan Santibanez PizarNepal Samyak BajracharyaNigeria Mary Racheal EmmanuelSouth Africa Zoe Watson Giovanna Barbosa Carmen LyonsSouth Sudan Nicodemo MajuecSweden Otto HedenThailand Pornnapa InmeeTrinidad and Tobago Christopher CrawfordTurkey Buse Kocakaya

Barton Community College students named to Dean’s List for fall 2022

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

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596658271505.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hear this month's Focus on Hoisington show with Hoisington City Manager Jonathan Mitchell and Code Enforcement Officer Dolores Kipper that aired Feb. 9, 2023.<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/ge1umvtz/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>The Focus on Hoisington program airs the second Thursday of the month at 11:30 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.&nbsp;

🎤Focus on Hoisington show

The
drought monitor report as of Tuesday, February 7 indicates no change.&nbsp; The forecast isn’t likely to help alleviate
these extreme and exceptional drought conditions in the near term.&nbsp; If this trend doesn’t change, it will be a
challenge making decisions for the winter crop and as we head into spring
planting.&nbsp; The six to ten-day outlook (February
14 to 18) indicates near normal temperatures and 40 to 50% chance of above
normal precipitation.&nbsp; The eight to fourteen-day
outlook (February 16 to 22) indicates normal to slightly above normal
temperatures and a near normal precipitation.&nbsp;
We are slowly seeing the precipitation chances increasing trending
upward a tick or two.

Last
week, this week, and going back as far as last November, Barton Community
College has hosted career exploration events for area students.&nbsp; The Career Fair this past Friday had over
seven hundred students in attendance.&nbsp;
The Senior Day was well attended and the Junior Day this Wednesday also
has a significant registration.&nbsp; The
careers explored range from one semester certificates to two- and four- year
degrees.&nbsp; This is a column about
agriculture and that’s what we’ll focus on.&nbsp;
Roughly five to ten percent of participants were interested in some
aspect of an agricultural career.&nbsp;
However, to fill the expected need for trained employees, all of these students
and many more are needed.&nbsp; As are older,
nontraditional students.&nbsp; All are sought
by an industry that has an aging workforce, an ever changing, more and more
technical industry, and is expected to become more efficient, even more
environmentally safe, while increasing production is a changing climate.

The good news is that opportunities
for that training for interested individuals exists – from one and two semester
certificates to two- and four- year and even graduate degrees.&nbsp; Community colleges like Barton provide
focused programs preparing individuals for careers in areas from Crop
Protection, Beef Cattle, Ag. Business Management, Agriculture, and Agronomy to
CDL and Scales Technician.&nbsp; All these are
vital to agriculture and employers from individual producers to Co-Ops and even
the FSA and NRCS are constantly contacting the college for potential
employees.&nbsp; Many are willing to hire
individuals part-time while attending college.&nbsp;
Some will even reimburse individuals as they successfully complete their
coursework.

Salaries and benefit packages vary
but most are good paying jobs with good to excellent benefits packages and
opportunities for advancement.&nbsp; Many only
require a certificate or two-year degree.&nbsp;
And these organizations are looking for excellent employees from a pool
that consists of a pool of those just graduating high school to those with
twenty or more years of work experience under their belts.

Besides what has already been
outlined, one of the major advantages of these careers is that everyone has to
eat and in an ever changing, rapidly evolving industry, careers are pretty
secure for those willing to put in the effort.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1596200583759.jpeg" alt="Barton Community College Agriculture Instructor Dr. Vic Martin" />
 <figcaption>Barton Community College Agriculture Instructor Dr. Vic Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>The
drought monitor report as of Tuesday, February 7 indicates no change.&nbsp; The forecast isn’t likely to help alleviate
these extreme and exceptional drought conditions in the near term.&nbsp; If this trend doesn’t change, it will be a
challenge making decisions for the winter crop and as we head into spring
planting.&nbsp; The six to ten-day outlook (February
14 to 18) indicates near normal temperatures and 40 to 50% chance of above
normal precipitation.&nbsp; The eight to fourteen-day
outlook (February 16 to 22) indicates normal to slightly above normal
temperatures and a near normal precipitation.&nbsp;
We are slowly seeing the precipitation chances increasing trending
upward a tick or two.Last
week, this week, and going back as far as last November, Barton Community
College has hosted career exploration events for area students.&nbsp; The Career Fair this past Friday had over
seven hundred students in attendance.&nbsp;
The Senior Day was well attended and the Junior Day this Wednesday also
has a significant registration.&nbsp; The
careers explored range from one semester certificates to two- and four- year
degrees.&nbsp; This is a column about
agriculture and that’s what we’ll focus on.&nbsp;
Roughly five to ten percent of participants were interested in some
aspect of an agricultural career.&nbsp;
However, to fill the expected need for trained employees, all of these students
and many more are needed.&nbsp; As are older,
nontraditional students.&nbsp; All are sought
by an industry that has an aging workforce, an ever changing, more and more
technical industry, and is expected to become more efficient, even more
environmentally safe, while increasing production is a changing climate.The good news is that opportunities
for that training for interested individuals exists – from one and two semester
certificates to two- and four- year and even graduate degrees.&nbsp; Community colleges like Barton provide
focused programs preparing individuals for careers in areas from Crop
Protection, Beef Cattle, Ag. Business Management, Agriculture, and Agronomy to
CDL and Scales Technician.&nbsp; All these are
vital to agriculture and employers from individual producers to Co-Ops and even
the FSA and NRCS are constantly contacting the college for potential
employees.&nbsp; Many are willing to hire
individuals part-time while attending college.&nbsp;
Some will even reimburse individuals as they successfully complete their
coursework.Salaries and benefit packages vary
but most are good paying jobs with good to excellent benefits packages and
opportunities for advancement.&nbsp; Many only
require a certificate or two-year degree.&nbsp;
And these organizations are looking for excellent employees from a pool
that consists of a pool of those just graduating high school to those with
twenty or more years of work experience under their belts.Besides what has already been
outlined, one of the major advantages of these careers is that everyone has to
eat and in an ever changing, rapidly evolving industry, careers are pretty
secure for those willing to put in the effort.

Barton Ag Instructor Dr. Vic Martin - Ag Related Career Opportunities 

The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce invites the business community to come together for the 101st Annual Awards on&nbsp;Feb. 25 at the Great Bend Events Center. This annual event is the premier event of the year celebrating the people and the businesses who've paved the way for a bright future.

The evening will include a cocktail &amp; social hour, catered dinner - featuring three local caterers, live music and the special recognition of the community award winners.

Presented in between awards, guests will be given the opportunity to vote for one female &amp; one male to win the first-ever Best Dressed award. Voting will be live the evening of.&nbsp;

Deadline&nbsp;to reserve seats is&nbsp;Monday, Feb. 13.&nbsp;Click&nbsp;<a href="https://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=33470319&amp;msgid=781147&amp;act=JQEP&amp;c=116427&amp;pid=1816281&amp;destination=https%3A%2F%2Fmembers.greatbend.org%2Fevents%2Fdetails%2F101st-annual-chamber-awards-night-11610%3FcalendarMonth%3D2023-02-01&amp;cf=5504&amp;v=3fa4179bb4f14caa411a2018a6b30c906f7405b15c7da688eb30b97a248c1508" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to reserve.&nbsp;

Businesses...reserve your corporate tables today to show your support of this year's award winners. View table options&nbsp;<a href="https://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=33470319&amp;msgid=781147&amp;act=JQEP&amp;c=116427&amp;pid=1816281&amp;destination=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticapp.icpsc.com%2Ficp%2Fresources%2Fmogile%2F116427%2Fb75c4b05c156f781f100f91752650c26.pdf%3Ff_type%3Dfile%26f_name%3D101st-Annual-Awards-Night-Sponsorship-Opps.pdf&amp;cf=5504&amp;v=0f7e4baea92db76ab752b117cffd3d521e1fb7b518d54b39960fc378ac2d6554" target="_blank">here</a>.

Interested in sponsoring? Click&nbsp;<a href="https://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=33470319&amp;msgid=781147&amp;act=JQEP&amp;c=116427&amp;pid=1816281&amp;destination=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticapp.icpsc.com%2Ficp%2Fresources%2Fmogile%2F116427%2Fb75c4b05c156f781f100f91752650c26.pdf%3Ff_type%3Dfile%26f_name%3D101st-Annual-Awards-Night-Sponsorship-Opps.pdf&amp;cf=5504&amp;v=0f7e4baea92db76ab752b117cffd3d521e1fb7b518d54b39960fc378ac2d6554" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;for further information.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645800792384.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce invites the business community to come together for the 101st Annual Awards on&nbsp;Feb. 25 at the Great Bend Events Center. This annual event is the premier event of the year celebrating the people and the businesses who've paved the way for a bright future.The evening will include a cocktail &amp; social hour, catered dinner - featuring three local caterers, live music and the special recognition of the community award winners.Presented in between awards, guests will be given the opportunity to vote for one female &amp; one male to win the first-ever Best Dressed award. Voting will be live the evening of.&nbsp;Deadline&nbsp;to reserve seats is&nbsp;Monday, Feb. 13.&nbsp;Click&nbsp;<a href="https://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=33470319&amp;msgid=781147&amp;act=JQEP&amp;c=116427&amp;pid=1816281&amp;destination=https%3A%2F%2Fmembers.greatbend.org%2Fevents%2Fdetails%2F101st-annual-chamber-awards-night-11610%3FcalendarMonth%3D2023-02-01&amp;cf=5504&amp;v=3fa4179bb4f14caa411a2018a6b30c906f7405b15c7da688eb30b97a248c1508" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to reserve.&nbsp;Businesses...reserve your corporate tables today to show your support of this year's award winners. View table options&nbsp;<a href="https://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=33470319&amp;msgid=781147&amp;act=JQEP&amp;c=116427&amp;pid=1816281&amp;destination=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticapp.icpsc.com%2Ficp%2Fresources%2Fmogile%2F116427%2Fb75c4b05c156f781f100f91752650c26.pdf%3Ff_type%3Dfile%26f_name%3D101st-Annual-Awards-Night-Sponsorship-Opps.pdf&amp;cf=5504&amp;v=0f7e4baea92db76ab752b117cffd3d521e1fb7b518d54b39960fc378ac2d6554" target="_blank">here</a>.Interested in sponsoring? Click&nbsp;<a href="https://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=33470319&amp;msgid=781147&amp;act=JQEP&amp;c=116427&amp;pid=1816281&amp;destination=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticapp.icpsc.com%2Ficp%2Fresources%2Fmogile%2F116427%2Fb75c4b05c156f781f100f91752650c26.pdf%3Ff_type%3Dfile%26f_name%3D101st-Annual-Awards-Night-Sponsorship-Opps.pdf&amp;cf=5504&amp;v=0f7e4baea92db76ab752b117cffd3d521e1fb7b518d54b39960fc378ac2d6554" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;for further information.&nbsp;

Reserve your seats today for Great Bend Chamber's banquet

The Barton County Commission has had a full plate in recent weeks, with discussions about the HVAC project at the courthouse to the appointment of Matt Patzner as county administrator. Part of that went into the decision to renew Patrick Hoffman's contract as county counselor, even though his bid was slightly higher than that of Don Anderson.

"We had two good applicants, but I think with everything we have going on, I think it would be prudent to stay with Mr. Hoffman at this time," said Commission Chair Shawn Hutchinson.

The county accepted proposals for the position through Jan. 25, but no bids were received. The commission then interviewed Hoffman and Anderson. Anderson submitted a monthly bid of $5,250, while Hoffman asked for a renewal of his current rate of $5,500 a month. Commissioner Barb Esfeld said Anderson might be the more local attorney, but Hoffman's schedule and knowledge of county affairs made him a better fit.

"With the workload of this position, in my opinion, Patrick Hoffman has already proven his ability," she said. "And he's already worked with all the departments, and he has a lot of experience in representing anybody from the county appraiser's office to anything, so we haven't had to hire anybody extra."

Hoffman will be paid $66,000 annually for the contract, which will run from Feb. 1 through Jan. 25, 2025.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638915423823.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostThe Barton County Commission has had a full plate in recent weeks, with discussions about the HVAC project at the courthouse to the appointment of Matt Patzner as county administrator. Part of that went into the decision to renew Patrick Hoffman's contract as county counselor, even though his bid was slightly higher than that of Don Anderson."We had two good applicants, but I think with everything we have going on, I think it would be prudent to stay with Mr. Hoffman at this time," said Commission Chair Shawn Hutchinson.The county accepted proposals for the position through Jan. 25, but no bids were received. The commission then interviewed Hoffman and Anderson. Anderson submitted a monthly bid of $5,250, while Hoffman asked for a renewal of his current rate of $5,500 a month. Commissioner Barb Esfeld said Anderson might be the more local attorney, but Hoffman's schedule and knowledge of county affairs made him a better fit."With the workload of this position, in my opinion, Patrick Hoffman has already proven his ability," she said. "And he's already worked with all the departments, and he has a lot of experience in representing anybody from the county appraiser's office to anything, so we haven't had to hire anybody extra."Hoffman will be paid $66,000 annually for the contract, which will run from Feb. 1 through Jan. 25, 2025.

Barton County renews Hoffman contract as county counselor

L &amp; M Contractors of Great Bend plans to begin work the week of Feb. 13 for the replacement of a bridge deck over Cow Creek on Northeast 70 Road. 

 The bridge is located on NE 70 Road, approximately 1/4 mile west of NE 150 Avenue, or approximately 4.5 miles southeast of Claflin. 

 L&amp;M was awarded the $168,697.50 project that will involve the removal of the existing deteriorated steel bridge deck and the construction of a new reinforced concrete deck. 

 NE 70 Road will be closed at the bridge site, and work is anticipated to last for around two months.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675969404815.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>L &amp; M Contractors of Great Bend plans to begin work the week of Feb. 13 for the replacement of a bridge deck over Cow Creek on Northeast 70 Road. The bridge is located on NE 70 Road, approximately 1/4 mile west of NE 150 Avenue, or approximately 4.5 miles southeast of Claflin. L&amp;M was awarded the $168,697.50 project that will involve the removal of the existing deteriorated steel bridge deck and the construction of a new reinforced concrete deck. NE 70 Road will be closed at the bridge site, and work is anticipated to last for around two months.

Work to begin on bridge replacement southeast of Claflin

Construction is underway for a new Wendy's restaurant in Great Bend.

Wendy's announced last June that the store would be closing for a remodel. The restaurant on 10th Street was demolished shortly after the closing last summer.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676072470877.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Construction is underway for a new Wendy's restaurant in Great Bend.Wendy's announced last June that the store would be closing for a remodel. The restaurant on 10th Street was demolished shortly after the closing last summer.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676072681835.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Construction underway for new Wendy's restaurant in Great Bend

Hear this week's County Edition show with Eagle Radio's Steve Webster and Barton County Attorney Levi Morris that aired Feb. 9, 2023.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596658271505.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hear this week's County Edition show with Eagle Radio's Steve Webster and Barton County Attorney Levi Morris that aired Feb. 9, 2023.<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/1skdn4hz/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>The County Edition program airs every Thursday at 11:05 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.&nbsp;

🎙County Edition: Attorney Levi Morris

Barton Community College has named 256 students to the President’s List for the fall 2022 semester. To qualify for this honor students must have been enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours and maintained a grade point average of 4.0 on a 4.0 or "A" letter scale.

Alma Briana Drinkwater&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Baldwin City Olivia Kerr&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Belleville Ty Sothers&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Beloit Brian Thiessen&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Belpre Melanie Vargas-Cervantes&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Bonner Springs Jacqueline Dunham&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Bucklin Nathan Bowman&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Maci Kirk&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Cheney Rylan Doshier&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Conner Eastman&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Keegan O'Shea&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Cimarron Troy Hawley Chance Unruh&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Claflin Matthew Donecker&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Hannah Redetzke&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Callie Zink&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Colwich Owen Reynolds&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Cunningham Morgan Meyers&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Derby Tatum Boettjer&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Dodge City Brandon Halling&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Aidan Sowers&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Easton Ariannah Heller&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

El Dorado Emma King&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Ellinwood Jordan Elliott&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Mya Maxwell&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Ellis Lakyn Fischer&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Ellsworth Aaron Anderson&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Levi Gordon&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Ryan Sallee&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Jordan Thornton&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Alexander Winters&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Fort Leavenworth Michela Fontana&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Alianah Lands&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Leslie Sorensen&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Blaise Timmons&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Fort Riley Alicia Abrego&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Mireya Arreola&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Dolly Binns&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Sahryah Bolden&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Michelle Castillo&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Regan Fowler&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Mekayla Galdamez&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Zaira Giordano&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Glorys Gomez Ramos&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Madeline Gonzales&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Veronika Hicks&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Nayoung Kim&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Diana Palivoda-Brunn&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Mireya Payne-Malave&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Elyza Jo Peitsmeyer&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Carlos Rodriguez&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Nathalia Rosell Ochoa&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Sabrina Salcedo&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Moana Sappa&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Kelsey Shelton&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Bryston Smith&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Tyler Wiegand&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Sha'Kierriah Williams&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Garden Plain Victoria Kilmer&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Gardner Jonathan Beers&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Grainfield Dustin Henry&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Great Bend Jaime Arellanes&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Adriana Arras Rodriguez&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Dakota Aumiller&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Jordan Avila&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Bradley Beck&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Caden Bieker&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Sienna Cauley&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Jenna Dean&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Ashton Ensley&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Brody Feist&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Melyne Fletchall&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Hailey Hicks&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Bryce Hopkins&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Madison Huslig&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Beau Mettlen&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Austin Miller&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Antony Reyes Pilo&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Ashton Smith&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Kayci Stevenson&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Brandon Taylor&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Madalyn Toll&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Einar Vargas&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Brady Wharton&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Isabelle Willms&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Keeley Wolf&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Hanston Sloan Seiler&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Harveyville Anna Truesdale&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Hays Emily Christensen&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Tasiah Nunnery&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Herington Angela Thompson&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Hiawatha Clara Lindstrom&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Hoisington Audra Clark&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Brayden Copp&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Chandra Ehler&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Jennah Jeffrey&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Penelope Mccraw&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Shaiann Montoya&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Tyler Reif&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Addison Smith&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Kadence Urban&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Holton Katina Bartel&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Hudson Baylee Schrag&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Junction City Gnimdou Adoki&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Brooke Benjamin&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Dolly Binns&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Alexander Critton&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Jessica Dee&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Danyelle Johnston&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Chelcie Lomax&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Bailey Oloughlin&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Joseph Palone&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Kimberly Remily&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Manuel Roman-Esparza&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Ashlynn Shea&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Noah Solano&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Vanessa Staley&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Meilia Taylor&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Megan Toole&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Jason Weatherwax&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Lauren Weaver&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Kensington Brennan Kirchhoff&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Lansing Alexander Mack&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Makenna Rogers&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Larned Lance Anson&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Cagney Lemuz&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Sarah Macmahon&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Kaden Pontius&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Joseph Theis&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Lawrence Gianna Cooper &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Leavenworth Charles Cottle&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Rebekah Hickerson&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Jewel Lake&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Valerie Marshall&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Abby Olsen&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Phyne Pettis&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Liberal Ramona Rubio&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Lincoln Kaylee Babcock&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Lyons Janessa Jaime&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Macksville Angel Lopez&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Autumn Pate&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Manhattan Taylor Davis&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Antoinette Hatcher&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; John McNabb&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Christina Price&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; LeiLani Sumile&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

McPherson Cameron Pelzel&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Milford Joshua Schwanke&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Ogden Mackenzie Walker&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Olathe Ayden Blachowicz&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Sofia Morales&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Alexander Thisius&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Osawatomie Michael Rivera&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Osborne Charlie Seifert&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Overland Park Julia Carey&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Phillipsburg Jacie Roth&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Pratt Elizabeth Adame&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Rose Hill Jarron King&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Russell Stephan Baldwin&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Russell Jesse Schreiner&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Sabetha Bobbi Dillon&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

St. John Luis Holguin&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Jonathan Lyon&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Damian Rios&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Darby Smith&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Hunter Smith&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Salina Caiten Britt&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Jenna Henderson&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Scott City Ella Rumford&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Misti Wick&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Stafford Madison Pata&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Toby Woolf&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Topeka Braden Chrisman&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Cooper Holloway&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Kayden Smith&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Kaden Stones&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Trysten Tobler&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Valley Falls Megan Royer&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Wakeeney Lili Shubert&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Wakefield Traci Gray&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Wamego Bristol Swann&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Wellsville HaLena Lykins&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Wichita Quentin Bickham&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Bailey Bontrager&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Jadyn Brown&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Hanna Miller&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Stephanie Ramirez&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Anastasia Stanton&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; V-Thoon Thanasouk&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Emily Wilson&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Wilson Adam Kirkbride&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Military Overseas Lillian De Visser Shelby Novak Sydnee Stanley

Colorado Springs, Colo. Leeya Van Druff

Lamar, Mo. Courtney Parker Elijah Parker

Clifton, N.J. Avigayil Bloom Malie Schwab Shaindi Weissmann

Cambria Heights, N.Y. Mijolla Innocent

Spring Valley, N.Y.&nbsp; Faigy Berkowitz Leah Rosenberg

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632946513956.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Barton Community College has named 256 students to the President’s List for the fall 2022 semester. To qualify for this honor students must have been enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours and maintained a grade point average of 4.0 on a 4.0 or "A" letter scale.Albert Thomas Bahr&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Alma Briana Drinkwater&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Baldwin City Olivia Kerr&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Belleville Ty Sothers&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Beloit Brian Thiessen&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Belpre Melanie Vargas-Cervantes&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Bonner Springs Jacqueline Dunham&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Bucklin Nathan Bowman&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Maci Kirk&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Bushton Emily Robl&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Cheney Rylan Doshier&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Conner Eastman&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Keegan O'Shea&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Cimarron Troy Hawley Chance Unruh&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Claflin Matthew Donecker&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Hannah Redetzke&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Callie Zink&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Colwich Owen Reynolds&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Cunningham Morgan Meyers&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Derby Tatum Boettjer&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Dodge City Brandon Halling&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Aidan Sowers&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Easton Ariannah Heller&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;El Dorado Emma King&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Ellinwood Jordan Elliott&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Mya Maxwell&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Ellis Lakyn Fischer&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Ellsworth Aaron Anderson&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Levi Gordon&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Ryan Sallee&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Jordan Thornton&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Alexander Winters&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Fort Leavenworth Michela Fontana&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Alianah Lands&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Leslie Sorensen&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Blaise Timmons&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Fort Riley Alicia Abrego&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Mireya Arreola&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Dolly Binns&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Sahryah Bolden&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Michelle Castillo&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Regan Fowler&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Mekayla Galdamez&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Zaira Giordano&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Glorys Gomez Ramos&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Madeline Gonzales&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Veronika Hicks&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Nayoung Kim&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Diana Palivoda-Brunn&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Mireya Payne-Malave&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Elyza Jo Peitsmeyer&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Carlos Rodriguez&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Nathalia Rosell Ochoa&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Sabrina Salcedo&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Moana Sappa&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Kelsey Shelton&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Bryston Smith&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Tyler Wiegand&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Sha'Kierriah Williams&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Garden Plain Victoria Kilmer&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Gardner Jonathan Beers&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Grainfield Dustin Henry&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Great Bend Jaime Arellanes&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Adriana Arras Rodriguez&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Dakota Aumiller&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Jordan Avila&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Bradley Beck&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Caden Bieker&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Sienna Cauley&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Jenna Dean&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Ashton Ensley&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Brody Feist&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Melyne Fletchall&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Hailey Hicks&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Bryce Hopkins&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Madison Huslig&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Beau Mettlen&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Austin Miller&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Antony Reyes Pilo&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Ashton Smith&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Kayci Stevenson&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Brandon Taylor&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Madalyn Toll&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Einar Vargas&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Brady Wharton&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Isabelle Willms&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Keeley Wolf&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Hanston Sloan Seiler&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Harveyville Anna Truesdale&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Hays Emily Christensen&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Tasiah Nunnery&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Herington Angela Thompson&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Hiawatha Clara Lindstrom&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Hoisington Audra Clark&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Brayden Copp&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Chandra Ehler&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Jennah Jeffrey&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Penelope Mccraw&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Shaiann Montoya&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Tyler Reif&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Addison Smith&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Kadence Urban&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Holton Katina Bartel&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Hope Aidan Pruente&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Hudson Baylee Schrag&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Junction City Gnimdou Adoki&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Brooke Benjamin&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Dolly Binns&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Alexander Critton&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Jessica Dee&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Danyelle Johnston&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Chelcie Lomax&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Bailey Oloughlin&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Joseph Palone&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Kimberly Remily&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Manuel Roman-Esparza&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Ashlynn Shea&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Noah Solano&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Vanessa Staley&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Meilia Taylor&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Megan Toole&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Jason Weatherwax&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Lauren Weaver&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Kensington Brennan Kirchhoff&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Lansing Alexander Mack&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Makenna Rogers&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Larned Lance Anson&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Cagney Lemuz&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Sarah Macmahon&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Kaden Pontius&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Joseph Theis&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Lawrence Gianna Cooper &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Leavenworth Charles Cottle&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Rebekah Hickerson&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Jewel Lake&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Valerie Marshall&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Abby Olsen&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Phyne Pettis&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Lebo Kyle Reese&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Liberal Ramona Rubio&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Lincoln Kaylee Babcock&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Lyons Janessa Jaime&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Macksville Angel Lopez&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Autumn Pate&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Manhattan Taylor Davis&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Antoinette Hatcher&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; John McNabb&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Christina Price&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; LeiLani Sumile&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;McPherson Cameron Pelzel&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Meade April Hough&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Milford Joshua Schwanke&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Ogden Mackenzie Walker&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Olathe Ayden Blachowicz&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Sofia Morales&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Alexander Thisius&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Osawatomie Michael Rivera&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Osborne Charlie Seifert&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Otis Chloe Schenk&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Overland Park Julia Carey&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Perry Colby Easum&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Phillipsburg Jacie Roth&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Pratt Elizabeth Adame&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Rose Hill Jarron King&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Russell Stephan Baldwin&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Russell Jesse Schreiner&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Sabetha Bobbi Dillon&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;St. John Luis Holguin&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Jonathan Lyon&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Damian Rios&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Darby Smith&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Hunter Smith&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Salina Caiten Britt&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Jenna Henderson&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Scott City Ella Rumford&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Misti Wick&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Stafford Madison Pata&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Toby Woolf&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Topeka Braden Chrisman&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Cooper Holloway&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Kayden Smith&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Kaden Stones&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Trysten Tobler&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Valley Falls Megan Royer&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Wakeeney Lili Shubert&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Wakefield Traci Gray&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Wamego Bristol Swann&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Wellsville HaLena Lykins&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Wichita Quentin Bickham&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Bailey Bontrager&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Jadyn Brown&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Hanna Miller&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Stephanie Ramirez&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Anastasia Stanton&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; V-Thoon Thanasouk&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Emily Wilson&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Wilmore Keith Dunn&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Wilson Adam Kirkbride&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Military Overseas Lillian De Visser Shelby Novak Sydnee StanleyAuburn, Ala. Jennifer MackSan Dimas, Calif. Hussein HalawiColorado Springs, Colo. Leeya Van DruffTrumbull, Conn. Megan ShepardTallahassee, Fla. Sayaka KawaiHampton, Ga. Noah LansburyEvanston, Ill.&nbsp; Liam ArmstrongBaltimore, Md. GiAndre LeeAugusta, Maine&nbsp; Clark DavisColumbia, Mo. Anna RedelfsLamar, Mo. Courtney Parker Elijah ParkerNevada, Mo. Kezzia BrendleWindsor, Mo. Megan AmsbaughDurham, N.C. Silsila RahmanMinot, N.D. Traci UrquhartGrand Island, Neb. Leslie RamosLincoln, Neb. Brock MerkelClifton, N.J. Avigayil Bloom Malie Schwab Shaindi WeissmannMetuchen, N.J. Kevin BeckerCambria Heights, N.Y. Mijolla InnocentMonsey, N.Y. Shaindy KleinSpring Valley, N.Y.&nbsp; Faigy Berkowitz Leah RosenbergUniondale, N.Y.&nbsp; Deborah LoweAda, Okla. Isabel HammondEdmond, Okla. Jadyn CallawayNewkirk, Okla. Aubrey BrowerTulsa, Okla.&nbsp; Angela EstesGresham, Ore. Taylor DoserLeander, Texas Jaron CottonMagnolia, Texas Molly NorrisMidland, Texas Joshua DanielsSugar Land, Texas Mistry HammonSpokane, Wash. Amber SteckerAustralia Angok Anyang&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Joseph Locandro&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Brazil Luciana Braga&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Beatriz Rissi&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Burundi Amiri Ndayisaba&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Cameroon Sheryl Boyo&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Jenny Laetitia Nkem Womsi&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Canada Reece Hemmerling&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Efe Latham&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Estonia Hannes Saar&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Mexico Silvana Jacquez Viveros&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Netherlands Ytje Oosterbaan&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Nigeria Grace John&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Singapore Genevieve Chow&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;South Africa Marno Du Plessis&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Taiwan Yu-Wei Chiang

Barton Community College students named to President’s List for fall 2022

Governor Laura Kelly mentioned Kansas’ water crisis in her 2023 State of the State Address, but so far she has proposed few specific policies to alleviate the problem.&nbsp; Will this be the year that Kansas policymakers step up?

Some 90 years ago, the state endured the catastrophic Dust Bowl from 1931 to 1939.&nbsp; This tragedy was not caused by drought alone.&nbsp; The Dust Bowl was aided and abetted by the removal of natural grasslands for farmland.&nbsp; Tilling the soil made it vulnerable to drought and wind, and much of the topsoil blew away.&nbsp; Agricultural policies during the New Deal era aimed to prevent a second disaster.&nbsp; They included planting trees as windbreaks, offering incentives for low- and no-till farming, paying farmers to leave land fallow on a rotating basis, and the creation of soil and water conservation districts.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Today, we face a similar crisis with the High Plains Aquifer.&nbsp; Discovered in the late 1800s, the Aquifer is the reason why much of today’s agriculture in Western Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma is possible.&nbsp; Large-scale reliance on the Aquifer followed, with center-pivot irrigation becoming popular by the late Twentieth Century.&nbsp; Once known as the “Great American Desert,” suddenly this land could support non-drought resistant crops including soybeans and corn, in addition to winter wheat, which was already being grown there. In those earlier days, there were minimal limitations on how much water could be pumped and the level fell accordingly. &nbsp; Rainfall amounts vary greatly from year to year, and water levels vary in different places, but on balance, the water levels in the Aquifer have been falling for some time.&nbsp; Agriculture accounts for 94% of groundwater use in Kansas, according to the Kansas Geological Survey.

Thirty-seven years ago, author Marc Reisner’s 1986 book Cadillac Desert concluded that the Aquifer would one day reach a level where no more water could be pumped, effectively shutting down most agriculture in and around Western Kansas.&nbsp; Reisner also chronicled various proposals, some of which were downright bizarre, such as making entire rivers flow in the opposite direction.&nbsp; Wisely, policymakers rejected such foolishness.&nbsp; Not so wisely, they chose instead to implement only limited solutions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Today, climate change complicates the problem further.&nbsp; Droughts have become more common, and average temperatures around here have risen by 1.5 degrees.&nbsp; Hotter temperatures mean more evaporation.&nbsp; Rainfall patterns throughout the year are changing, necessitating more adaptations.

Unfortunately, our farmers still face strong incentives to pump as much water as possible.&nbsp; Water rights have been set for well users for some time, but regulation and compliance are complicated.&nbsp; Droplines reduce lost water from center-pivot systems, but they are not enough without additional changes such as increased crop rotation.&nbsp; The United States continues to overproduce corn, a water-intensive, heat-sensitive crop that is not the best fit for Western Kansas’ climate, though newer farm legislation has begun to move away from that.&nbsp; Other waterways are threatened, too.

Without strong, bipartisan leadership, this issue could be yet another one sucked into our country’s wider culture wars, sowing distrust and making it harder to reach agreements between farmers and other conservation advocates.&nbsp; That would be a shame.&nbsp; Kansas farmers proudly help feed the world.&nbsp; The decisions we make today will decide if they can do so in the future.

Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639601062071.jpeg" alt="written by: Michael Smith - Professor at Emporia State University" />
 <figcaption>written by: Michael Smith - Professor at Emporia State University</figcaption>
 </figure>Governor Laura Kelly mentioned Kansas’ water crisis in her 2023 State of the State Address, but so far she has proposed few specific policies to alleviate the problem.&nbsp; Will this be the year that Kansas policymakers step up?Some 90 years ago, the state endured the catastrophic Dust Bowl from 1931 to 1939.&nbsp; This tragedy was not caused by drought alone.&nbsp; The Dust Bowl was aided and abetted by the removal of natural grasslands for farmland.&nbsp; Tilling the soil made it vulnerable to drought and wind, and much of the topsoil blew away.&nbsp; Agricultural policies during the New Deal era aimed to prevent a second disaster.&nbsp; They included planting trees as windbreaks, offering incentives for low- and no-till farming, paying farmers to leave land fallow on a rotating basis, and the creation of soil and water conservation districts.&nbsp;&nbsp;Today, we face a similar crisis with the High Plains Aquifer.&nbsp; Discovered in the late 1800s, the Aquifer is the reason why much of today’s agriculture in Western Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma is possible.&nbsp; Large-scale reliance on the Aquifer followed, with center-pivot irrigation becoming popular by the late Twentieth Century.&nbsp; Once known as the “Great American Desert,” suddenly this land could support non-drought resistant crops including soybeans and corn, in addition to winter wheat, which was already being grown there. In those earlier days, there were minimal limitations on how much water could be pumped and the level fell accordingly. &nbsp; Rainfall amounts vary greatly from year to year, and water levels vary in different places, but on balance, the water levels in the Aquifer have been falling for some time.&nbsp; Agriculture accounts for 94% of groundwater use in Kansas, according to the Kansas Geological Survey.Thirty-seven years ago, author Marc Reisner’s 1986 book Cadillac Desert concluded that the Aquifer would one day reach a level where no more water could be pumped, effectively shutting down most agriculture in and around Western Kansas.&nbsp; Reisner also chronicled various proposals, some of which were downright bizarre, such as making entire rivers flow in the opposite direction.&nbsp; Wisely, policymakers rejected such foolishness.&nbsp; Not so wisely, they chose instead to implement only limited solutions.&nbsp;&nbsp;Today, climate change complicates the problem further.&nbsp; Droughts have become more common, and average temperatures around here have risen by 1.5 degrees.&nbsp; Hotter temperatures mean more evaporation.&nbsp; Rainfall patterns throughout the year are changing, necessitating more adaptations.Unfortunately, our farmers still face strong incentives to pump as much water as possible.&nbsp; Water rights have been set for well users for some time, but regulation and compliance are complicated.&nbsp; Droplines reduce lost water from center-pivot systems, but they are not enough without additional changes such as increased crop rotation.&nbsp; The United States continues to overproduce corn, a water-intensive, heat-sensitive crop that is not the best fit for Western Kansas’ climate, though newer farm legislation has begun to move away from that.&nbsp; Other waterways are threatened, too.Without strong, bipartisan leadership, this issue could be yet another one sucked into our country’s wider culture wars, sowing distrust and making it harder to reach agreements between farmers and other conservation advocates.&nbsp; That would be a shame.&nbsp; Kansas farmers proudly help feed the world.&nbsp; The decisions we make today will decide if they can do so in the future.Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.

Insight Kansas: Not a drop to drink

Wheatland Electric Cooperative, Inc. announced that its Board of Trustees voted to pledge $15,000 over the next five years to the Caldwell Area Hospital Health Foundation (CAHHF) to be used toward its Next Century Campaign, providing life-saving services to those in need of medical intervention in the region.

The purpose of the CAHHF Next Century Campaign is to secure equipment, modern technology and improved facilities by helping to finance the development of a diagnostic services center featuring leading-edge sonography, CT and X-ray imaging systems; an open, modern space specifically designed for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and rehabilitative services; a state-of-the-art emergency and critical care facility with an ambulatory bay and trauma and triage areas; an expansive clinical services center with multiple exam offices, special procedural rooms and nursing station; an innovative pain management center offering medication infusions and draw labs as well as endoscopy services; and a cafeteria and kitchen to help ensure optimal health and well-being for patients, employees, and caregivers.

In addition to promoting the long-term health of Caldwell and the surrounding communities, the new facilities will increase jobs, bolster the local economy, attract new community members and provide direct access to healthcare and emergency services for the entire region.

The new hospital, Caldwell Regional Medical Center (CRMC), is located just outside the eastern edge of Caldwell in Sumner County and officially opened on Monday, January 30, 2023. The single regional location integrates both the new hospital and rural health clinic.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675869682259.jpeg" alt="Wheatland Electric Cooperative pledged $15,000 to the Caldwell Area Hospital and Health Foundation’s Next Century Campaign to help secure equipment and other facilities for Caldwell Regional Medical Center. Pictured are Wheatland Board Trustees Mark Arnold (left) and Dustin Stansbury (right). Also pictured are Caldwell Area Hospital and Health Foundation members Rachel Sproul, CRMC CFO, Brooke Bollman, CRMC CEO, Chair Pam Schneider, Secretary Leo Schiltz, Treasurer Pat Moreland, Cindy Belmear and Al Melichar along with Mary Hoisington, Wheatland member services and key accounts manager." />
 <figcaption>Wheatland Electric Cooperative pledged $15,000 to the Caldwell Area Hospital and Health Foundation’s Next Century Campaign to help secure equipment and other facilities for Caldwell Regional Medical Center. Pictured are Wheatland Board Trustees Mark Arnold (left) and Dustin Stansbury (right). Also pictured are Caldwell Area Hospital and Health Foundation members Rachel Sproul, CRMC CFO, Brooke Bollman, CRMC CEO, Chair Pam Schneider, Secretary Leo Schiltz, Treasurer Pat Moreland, Cindy Belmear and Al Melichar along with Mary Hoisington, Wheatland member services and key accounts manager.</figcaption>
 </figure>BUSINESS NEWSWheatland Electric Cooperative, Inc. announced that its Board of Trustees voted to pledge $15,000 over the next five years to the Caldwell Area Hospital Health Foundation (CAHHF) to be used toward its Next Century Campaign, providing life-saving services to those in need of medical intervention in the region.The purpose of the CAHHF Next Century Campaign is to secure equipment, modern technology and improved facilities by helping to finance the development of a diagnostic services center featuring leading-edge sonography, CT and X-ray imaging systems; an open, modern space specifically designed for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and rehabilitative services; a state-of-the-art emergency and critical care facility with an ambulatory bay and trauma and triage areas; an expansive clinical services center with multiple exam offices, special procedural rooms and nursing station; an innovative pain management center offering medication infusions and draw labs as well as endoscopy services; and a cafeteria and kitchen to help ensure optimal health and well-being for patients, employees, and caregivers.In addition to promoting the long-term health of Caldwell and the surrounding communities, the new facilities will increase jobs, bolster the local economy, attract new community members and provide direct access to healthcare and emergency services for the entire region.The new hospital, Caldwell Regional Medical Center (CRMC), is located just outside the eastern edge of Caldwell in Sumner County and officially opened on Monday, January 30, 2023. The single regional location integrates both the new hospital and rural health clinic.

Wheatland Electric pledges $15K to Caldwell Area Hospital foundation

The Barton Community College basketball teams will travel to Pratt on Saturday, Feb. 11 to face the Beavers.

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

The women's game in Pratt begins at 2 p.m. with the men's game to follow at 4 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647912774016.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Barton Community College basketball teams will travel to Pratt on Saturday, Feb. 11 to face the Beavers.You can follow all the action by listening on 104.3 FM, online at <a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/ce/index.cfm?stationCallSign=kvgbfm2">greatbendpost.com</a> or the B104.3 mobile app.The women's game in Pratt begins at 2 p.m. with the men's game to follow at 4 p.m.

🎧LISTEN Live: Barton 🏀 at Pratt

February arrives, bringing with it Valentines, MLK Day, Presidents’ Day, and tax prep time. Some recollect it’s also down-to-the-wire time for junior classes and prom sponsors. Yes, for that memory-making night to occur as scheduled, it’s time to spend money juniors raised their previous two-and-a-half years of high school while mining the depths of teenage energy and teaching life lessons.

Anyone who attended western Kansas schools will read this and take a nostalgic journey. Remember hours spent scouring thick catalogues to pick themes and decor, selecting a logo unique to the class, ordering logo-embossed glasses and napkins, and considering menus. Proms require time, analysis, effort, budgeting, mediation, and strong interpersonal skills. A highlight of 11th grade is this effort toward a common goal.

While prom night lasts approximately six hours, excluding after-prom activities, hosting a successful event requires juniors, parents, administrators, janitors, cooks, and sponsors to commit 1000s of hours beginning with fund-raising throughout freshman and sophomore years. In small schools, already-busy kids sign up for everything; otherwise, prom won’t happen.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658158605319.jpeg" alt="written by: Karen Madorin" />
 <figcaption>written by: Karen Madorin</figcaption>
 </figure>February arrives, bringing with it Valentines, MLK Day, Presidents’ Day, and tax prep time. Some recollect it’s also down-to-the-wire time for junior classes and prom sponsors. Yes, for that memory-making night to occur as scheduled, it’s time to spend money juniors raised their previous two-and-a-half years of high school while mining the depths of teenage energy and teaching life lessons.Anyone who attended western Kansas schools will read this and take a nostalgic journey. Remember hours spent scouring thick catalogues to pick themes and decor, selecting a logo unique to the class, ordering logo-embossed glasses and napkins, and considering menus. Proms require time, analysis, effort, budgeting, mediation, and strong interpersonal skills. A highlight of 11th grade is this effort toward a common goal.While prom night lasts approximately six hours, excluding after-prom activities, hosting a successful event requires juniors, parents, administrators, janitors, cooks, and sponsors to commit 1000s of hours beginning with fund-raising throughout freshman and sophomore years. In small schools, already-busy kids sign up for everything; otherwise, prom won’t happen.During planning 101, the class selects a theme. Simple, right? Keep in mind males and females do not think alike. To complicate matters, some individuals like fancy and others plain. Toss in video game and movie special effect concepts kids admire, and throw in veteran sponsors who know how long it actually takes to decorate and tear down decorations. It triggers new appreciation for crepe paper streamer and balloon décor days. Granted it takes a while to cut and hang enough crepe to form a big top over the dining and dancing area, but. . ..After picking a theme, planners review their budget again. Sponsors assisted by sophomore leaders scheduled a DJ the year before, a known expense, to guarantee this year’s music. While one group selects styles and logos for glassware and napkins, another consults the head cook for menu options. Others pour through catalogues, choosing decoration choices to share with classmates. Budget drives all decision-making. The class can only spend what it earned.Organizing a function of this size challenges everyone involved. Factor in interpersonal issues and stress multiplies when juniors gather to vote. Everyone values individualism until a class must decide NOW. Good mediators or uneven enrollment numbers to prevent ties make for faster decisions.By February’s end, juniors have ordered supplies, established menus, and set up before and after school and weekend decorating schedules around academics, music, athletics, plays, forensics, jobs, friends, and family. Oh, and guys order tuxes while gals search for perfect prom dresses. Far-sighted juniors make corsage and boutonniere, hair, tanning, and nail appointments as well.One night in late April or early May, this well-dressed group of teens who graduate in another year hosts an event that becomes a life-long memory for them, families and friends, and the seniors they honor. Their efforts taught them to budget, plan, organize, work hard, deal with adversity, and collaborate with others. Best school lesson ever.Karen is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and sixth-generation Kansan. After a time away, she’s glad to be home.

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