11/23 
 
BOOKED: Mark Ray on Great Bend Municipal Court warrant for contempt of court,
bond set at $597.50 cash only. Barton County District Court case for possession
of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, bond set at $10,000 C/S. 
 
BOOKED: Ashlynn Hamby-Raya on Barton County District Court case for possession
of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, no driver’s license, bond
set at $10,000 C/S. 
 
BOOKED: Chandler Leon on Barton County District Court warrant for probation
violation, no bond. 
 
BOOKED: Laveina White on Hoisington Municipal Court warrant for failure to
appear, bond set at $1,000 C/S. 
 
RELEASED: Martin Gutierrez on Sedgwick County District Court warrant for
failure to appear, posted a $10,000 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonding. 
 
RELEASED: Mark Ray on BCDC case for possession of meth, drug paraphernalia,
posted $10,000 bond through Ace Bail Bonding. Pawnee County District Court
warrant for contempt of court, posted cash bond of $962.96. GBMC warrant for
contempt of court, posted cash bond of $597.50. 
 
RELEASED: Jessica Garcia on Stafford County District Court case for domestic
battery and criminal damage, posted $5,000 bond through Around the Clock Bail
Bonding. 
 
RELEASED: Ashlynn Hamby-Raya on BCDC case for possession of methamphetamine,
possession of paraphernalia and driving without a valid license by posting a
$10,000 bond through Ace Bail Bonding. 
 
11/24 
 
BOOKED: David Mayers on Barton County District Court case for serve sentence,
no bond. 
 
RELEASED: Laveina White on Hoisington Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear
with a $1,000 bond through Ace Bail Bonding. 
 
11/25 
 
BOOKED: Jazmine Jones on Barton County District Court warrant for probation
violation with a $500 cash bond. BCDC case for obstruction with a bond of
$2,500 C/S. 
 
BOOKED: Jon Alger on Great Bend Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear
with a $1,000 C/S. GBMC warrant for failure to appear with a $1,000 C/S. 
 
BOOKED: Richard Booker on Barton County District Court case for aggravated
domestic battery and theft, bond set at $20,000 C/S. 
 
BOOKES: Sean Shepard on Barton County District Court case for driving under the
influence and illegal transportation of alcohol, bond set at $1,000 C/S. 
 
RELEASED: Sean Shepard posted a $1,000 bond through Ace Bail Bonding on BCDC
case for driving under the influence and illegal transportation of alcohol. 
 
11/26 
 
BOOKED: Virdiana Dominguez on Barton County District Court case for aggravated
child endangerment and battery with a bond of $20,000 C/S. 
 
11/27 
 
BOOKED: Flynt Hendricks on Barton County District Court warrant for failure to
appear, bond set at $200 cash only. 
 
BOOKED: Curtis Hickel on Barton County District Court case for DUI, improper
turn, left to center and driving without headlights when needed, bond set at
$1,000 C/S. 
 
BOOKED: Roscoe Lofton on Barton County District Court case for possession of
methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent
to distribute and possession of paraphernalia with a bond set at $100,000 C/S. 
 
BOOKED: Kenneth Reed on Barton County District Court warrant for probation
violation, bond set at $50,000 C/S. 
 
BOOKED: Michael Warrant on BTDC case for criminal threat, bond set at $5,000
C/S. 
 
BOOKED: Juvenile on BTDC case for interference with LEO, possession of
marijuana, drug paraphernalia, possession of alcohol by minor, possession of
tobacco by minor. 
 
RELEASED: Flynt Hendricks on BCDC warrant for failure to appear, posted $200
cash bond. 
 
RELEASED: Curtis Hickel on BCDC case for DUI, improper turn, left to center,
and driving without headlights when needed, after posting the $1,000 bond
through Ace Bail Bonding. 
 
RELEASED: Jeremy Harris on BCDC warrant for probation violation to serve a
60-day sanction. Time served. 
 
RELEASED: David Mayers on BCDC warrant on a serve sentence. 
 
RELEASED: Darlene Gihon on BCDC case for serve sentence. 
 
RELEASED: Juvenile on BTDC case for interference with LEO, possession of
marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of alcohol by minor,
possession of tobacco by minor to juvenile intake, St. Francis.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606242247715.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>11/23 
 
BOOKED: Mark Ray on Great Bend Municipal Court warrant for contempt of court,
bond set at $597.50 cash only. Barton County District Court case for possession
of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, bond set at $10,000 C/S. 
 
BOOKED: Ashlynn Hamby-Raya on Barton County District Court case for possession
of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, no driver’s license, bond
set at $10,000 C/S. 
 
BOOKED: Chandler Leon on Barton County District Court warrant for probation
violation, no bond. 
 
BOOKED: Laveina White on Hoisington Municipal Court warrant for failure to
appear, bond set at $1,000 C/S. 
 
RELEASED: Martin Gutierrez on Sedgwick County District Court warrant for
failure to appear, posted a $10,000 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonding. 
 
RELEASED: Mark Ray on BCDC case for possession of meth, drug paraphernalia,
posted $10,000 bond through Ace Bail Bonding. Pawnee County District Court
warrant for contempt of court, posted cash bond of $962.96. GBMC warrant for
contempt of court, posted cash bond of $597.50. 
 
RELEASED: Jessica Garcia on Stafford County District Court case for domestic
battery and criminal damage, posted $5,000 bond through Around the Clock Bail
Bonding. 
 
RELEASED: Ashlynn Hamby-Raya on BCDC case for possession of methamphetamine,
possession of paraphernalia and driving without a valid license by posting a
$10,000 bond through Ace Bail Bonding. 
 
11/24 
 
BOOKED: David Mayers on Barton County District Court case for serve sentence,
no bond. 
 
RELEASED: Laveina White on Hoisington Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear
with a $1,000 bond through Ace Bail Bonding. 
 
11/25 
 
BOOKED: Jazmine Jones on Barton County District Court warrant for probation
violation with a $500 cash bond. BCDC case for obstruction with a bond of
$2,500 C/S. 
 
BOOKED: Jon Alger on Great Bend Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear
with a $1,000 C/S. GBMC warrant for failure to appear with a $1,000 C/S. 
 
BOOKED: Richard Booker on Barton County District Court case for aggravated
domestic battery and theft, bond set at $20,000 C/S. 
 
BOOKES: Sean Shepard on Barton County District Court case for driving under the
influence and illegal transportation of alcohol, bond set at $1,000 C/S. 
 
RELEASED: Sean Shepard posted a $1,000 bond through Ace Bail Bonding on BCDC
case for driving under the influence and illegal transportation of alcohol. 
 
11/26 
 
BOOKED: Virdiana Dominguez on Barton County District Court case for aggravated
child endangerment and battery with a bond of $20,000 C/S. 
 
11/27 
 
BOOKED: Flynt Hendricks on Barton County District Court warrant for failure to
appear, bond set at $200 cash only. 
 
BOOKED: Curtis Hickel on Barton County District Court case for DUI, improper
turn, left to center and driving without headlights when needed, bond set at
$1,000 C/S. 
 
BOOKED: Roscoe Lofton on Barton County District Court case for possession of
methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent
to distribute and possession of paraphernalia with a bond set at $100,000 C/S. 
 
BOOKED: Kenneth Reed on Barton County District Court warrant for probation
violation, bond set at $50,000 C/S. 
 
BOOKED: Michael Warrant on BTDC case for criminal threat, bond set at $5,000
C/S. 
 
BOOKED: Juvenile on BTDC case for interference with LEO, possession of
marijuana, drug paraphernalia, possession of alcohol by minor, possession of
tobacco by minor. 
 
RELEASED: Flynt Hendricks on BCDC warrant for failure to appear, posted $200
cash bond. 
 
RELEASED: Curtis Hickel on BCDC case for DUI, improper turn, left to center,
and driving without headlights when needed, after posting the $1,000 bond
through Ace Bail Bonding. 
 
RELEASED: Jeremy Harris on BCDC warrant for probation violation to serve a
60-day sanction. Time served. 
 
RELEASED: David Mayers on BCDC warrant on a serve sentence. 
 
RELEASED: Darlene Gihon on BCDC case for serve sentence. 
 
RELEASED: Juvenile on BTDC case for interference with LEO, possession of
marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of alcohol by minor,
possession of tobacco by minor to juvenile intake, St. Francis.

Barton County Sheriff's Booking Activity (11/23 - 11/27)

By COLE REIF Great Bend Post

The process of handling abatements has never been an easy task for the
City of the Great Bend, or any municipality for that matter. Telling a property
owner that they are in violation of city ordinances and are required to clean
up their lot can be a touchy subject. 
If a property owner is in violation for trash and refuse in their yard, Great
Bend officials attempt to notify the owner verbally or in writing. If no movement
has been made by a certain deadline, a notice to abate the property is sent to
the owner containing the date the violation will be discussed by the Great Bend
City Council. 
Code Enforcement’s Hoyt Kinsinger said their department makes the effort to
notify citizens. 
"We take the letter itself, it will say unclaimed, and we scan it into the system and put it into the case file," said Kinsinger. "This shows we have a record that we attempted to try to contact these people. I've found that some people just don't want to pick them up." 
Once a property is deemed to be in violation of city ordinance and the trash or
refuse is not cleaned up, the owner is sent a first-class mailing of the
resolution. 
Kinsinger mentioned the city does place the resolution on the front door of the
property, the same resolution that will be discussed at the city council
meeting.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669466641454.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostThe process of handling abatements has never been an easy task for the
City of the Great Bend, or any municipality for that matter. Telling a property
owner that they are in violation of city ordinances and are required to clean
up their lot can be a touchy subject. 
If a property owner is in violation for trash and refuse in their yard, Great
Bend officials attempt to notify the owner verbally or in writing. If no movement
has been made by a certain deadline, a notice to abate the property is sent to
the owner containing the date the violation will be discussed by the Great Bend
City Council. 
Code Enforcement’s Hoyt Kinsinger said their department makes the effort to
notify citizens. 
"We take the letter itself, it will say unclaimed, and we scan it into the system and put it into the case file," said Kinsinger. "This shows we have a record that we attempted to try to contact these people. I've found that some people just don't want to pick them up." 
Once a property is deemed to be in violation of city ordinance and the trash or
refuse is not cleaned up, the owner is sent a first-class mailing of the
resolution. 
Kinsinger mentioned the city does place the resolution on the front door of the
property, the same resolution that will be discussed at the city council
meeting.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Great Bend’s efforts to notify owners of violations, abatements

Today Increasing clouds, with a high near 55. South wind 13 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Tonight Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 35. South southeast wind 11 to 15 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph.

Tuesday A slight chance of rain between noon and 3pm, then a slight chance of snow after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a temperature falling to around 31 by 5pm. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 15 mph becoming north northwest 18 to 23 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday Night A 20 percent chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 14. Blustery, with a north northwest wind 17 to 22 mph decreasing to 7 to 12 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 34 mph.

Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 39. West northwest wind 6 to 8 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 22.

Thursday Sunny, with a high near 49. Breezy.

Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Breezy.

Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.

Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 29.

Saturday Partly sunny, with a high near 44.

Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 28.

Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Today Increasing clouds, with a high near 55. South wind 13 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.Tonight Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 35. South southeast wind 11 to 15 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph.Tuesday A slight chance of rain between noon and 3pm, then a slight chance of snow after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a temperature falling to around 31 by 5pm. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 15 mph becoming north northwest 18 to 23 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.Tuesday Night A 20 percent chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 14. Blustery, with a north northwest wind 17 to 22 mph decreasing to 7 to 12 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 34 mph.Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 39. West northwest wind 6 to 8 mph becoming south in the afternoon.Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 22.Thursday Sunny, with a high near 49. Breezy.Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Breezy.Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 29.Saturday Partly sunny, with a high near 44.Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 28.Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Monday Weather

First,
everyone have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.&nbsp;
The drought monitor report as of Tuesday, November 22 is a broken
record.&nbsp; We are still in extreme drought
and exceptional drought is creeping ever closer. The six to ten-day outlook (November
28 to December 2) indicates near normal temperatures and precipitation.&nbsp; The eight to fourteen-day outlook (November 30
to December 6) indicates normal up to a 40% chance of above normal temperatures
and a 33 to 40% chance of below normal precipitation.&nbsp; Maybe the Thanksgiving weekend rain will pan
out as after that things look pretty slim.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; One of the hot topics across all
forms of media is the increased cost of a Thanksgiving dinner.&nbsp; Actually, the increase in food costs has been
a topic all year.&nbsp; Media throws out a
reason or two as do politicians, especially prior to the last election.&nbsp; But what are the reasons your Thanksgiving
feast is costing more?&nbsp; And while prices
have gone up and it hurts, especially in lower and fixed income households, our
food is much cheaper than in most countries.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The
price of energy – crude oil and natural gas.&nbsp;
Prices have now dropped substantially for crude oil but it will take a
while for those to filter down.&nbsp; This
upshot is increased prices due to increased transportation costs and even for
packaging made from plastic.&nbsp; It caused
nitrogen fertilizer prices to more than double and while they have come down,
they are still much higher than a year ago.&nbsp;
And transportation costs affect all aspects of agricultural
production.&nbsp; And with a shortage of
available means of transporting goods, this has led to supply/demand issues.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The
overall costs of food production for producers also play a role.&nbsp; Increased prices for everything from
fertilizer to pesticides and parts and equipment all play a role.&nbsp; Also, with a labor shortage across all
sectors of ag from production to processing, increased labor costs play a role.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The
invasion of Ukraine by Russia caused huge disruption in grain and oilseed
exports causing markets to spike.&nbsp;
Ukraine is a major world supplier of corn, wheat, and vegetable
oils.&nbsp; Not for us but for much of Africa,
and other parts of the world.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Strong
demand worldwide for grains and oilseeds coupled with supply interruptions
caused increased prices for feedstuffs.&nbsp;
We tend to forget that ag commodities and things like oil are a global,
not local market.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Avian
flu had a dramatic effect on poultry prices.&nbsp;
Chicken supplies can ramp back up fairly easily, however, turkeys take
longer.&nbsp; 

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Weather
has helped increase prices.&nbsp; Everything
from severe drought and heat to floods and below normal temperatures.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Another
factor is a lack of competition in many parts of the agriculture sector,
especially in meat and poultry.&nbsp; And it
pays to remember there isn’t a great deal of competition among grocery chains.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Finally,
supply chains and production are still recovering from the effects of the pandemic.

<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>First,
everyone have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.&nbsp;
The drought monitor report as of Tuesday, November 22 is a broken
record.&nbsp; We are still in extreme drought
and exceptional drought is creeping ever closer. The six to ten-day outlook (November
28 to December 2) indicates near normal temperatures and precipitation.&nbsp; The eight to fourteen-day outlook (November 30
to December 6) indicates normal up to a 40% chance of above normal temperatures
and a 33 to 40% chance of below normal precipitation.&nbsp; Maybe the Thanksgiving weekend rain will pan
out as after that things look pretty slim.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; One of the hot topics across all
forms of media is the increased cost of a Thanksgiving dinner.&nbsp; Actually, the increase in food costs has been
a topic all year.&nbsp; Media throws out a
reason or two as do politicians, especially prior to the last election.&nbsp; But what are the reasons your Thanksgiving
feast is costing more?&nbsp; And while prices
have gone up and it hurts, especially in lower and fixed income households, our
food is much cheaper than in most countries.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The
price of energy – crude oil and natural gas.&nbsp;
Prices have now dropped substantially for crude oil but it will take a
while for those to filter down.&nbsp; This
upshot is increased prices due to increased transportation costs and even for
packaging made from plastic.&nbsp; It caused
nitrogen fertilizer prices to more than double and while they have come down,
they are still much higher than a year ago.&nbsp;
And transportation costs affect all aspects of agricultural
production.&nbsp; And with a shortage of
available means of transporting goods, this has led to supply/demand issues.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The
overall costs of food production for producers also play a role.&nbsp; Increased prices for everything from
fertilizer to pesticides and parts and equipment all play a role.&nbsp; Also, with a labor shortage across all
sectors of ag from production to processing, increased labor costs play a role.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The
invasion of Ukraine by Russia caused huge disruption in grain and oilseed
exports causing markets to spike.&nbsp;
Ukraine is a major world supplier of corn, wheat, and vegetable
oils.&nbsp; Not for us but for much of Africa,
and other parts of the world.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Strong
demand worldwide for grains and oilseeds coupled with supply interruptions
caused increased prices for feedstuffs.&nbsp;
We tend to forget that ag commodities and things like oil are a global,
not local market.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Avian
flu had a dramatic effect on poultry prices.&nbsp;
Chicken supplies can ramp back up fairly easily, however, turkeys take
longer.&nbsp; ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Weather
has helped increase prices.&nbsp; Everything
from severe drought and heat to floods and below normal temperatures.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Another
factor is a lack of competition in many parts of the agriculture sector,
especially in meat and poultry.&nbsp; And it
pays to remember there isn’t a great deal of competition among grocery chains.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Finally,
supply chains and production are still recovering from the effects of the pandemic.

Barton Ag Instructor Dr. Vic Martin - Why Thanksgiving Costs More

Join the City of Larned as they celebrate their 102nd Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 3 beginning at 11 a.m. in downtown Larned. 

Sign up your parade entry at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.larnedks.org/parade-entry?fbclid=IwAR3GiCY4IT6k0qdkMDAQNv2WLu5akH-cLz5smoszmibLzYGWEowrLKpFRpM" target="_blank">www.larnedks.org/parade-entry</a>.

This years’ theme: Have a Super(hero) Christmas!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669130027979.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Join the City of Larned as they celebrate their 102nd Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 3 beginning at 11 a.m. in downtown Larned. Sign up your parade entry at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.larnedks.org/parade-entry?fbclid=IwAR3GiCY4IT6k0qdkMDAQNv2WLu5akH-cLz5smoszmibLzYGWEowrLKpFRpM" target="_blank">www.larnedks.org/parade-entry</a>.This years’ theme: Have a Super(hero) Christmas!<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669130080595.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Join Larned's Christmas Parade on Dec. 3

Giving Tuesday allows you to support the organizations that mean the most to you. Many organizations have created profiles on the main page of&nbsp;<a href="https://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=96449791&amp;msgid=226619&amp;act=A0C9&amp;c=1792719&amp;pid=5985795&amp;destination=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldenbeltgives.org%2F&amp;cf=24937&amp;v=f84166a9ea2cc897c001ec08b5b56fbdf78d3cd1f3e0b37fb51d5f776723663d" target="_blank">goldenbeltgives.org</a>, which you can review to learn more about their&nbsp;mission and programs.&nbsp;It also might be helpful to download the 'Printable Giving Form' to mark your selections.&nbsp;<a href="https://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=96449791&amp;msgid=226619&amp;act=A0C9&amp;c=1792719&amp;pid=5985795&amp;destination=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldenbeltgives.org%2Fpdf%2F2022-Giving-Form.pdf&amp;cf=24937&amp;v=dc5cd9b6a40bb5ade5c1cd9666a0bd110e4b82ef0bad5dd07a3ae4730114d8fd" target="_blank">2022 GT FORM (goldenbeltgives.org</a>)

Gifts to organizations with endowment funds within the Golden Belt Community Foundation may be eligible for a proportional match, thus making your donation even bigger.

You may give anytime, in any amount, from Nov. 1 through Nov. 29. On Giving Tuesday, Nov. 29, give during one of our special incentive times for a chance to win extra funds for your favorite organization.&nbsp;The full list of Giving Incentives, as well as information on the Most Generous City challenge, may be found on our Facebook page.&nbsp;<a href="https://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=96449791&amp;msgid=226619&amp;act=A0C9&amp;c=1792719&amp;pid=5985795&amp;destination=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGoldenBeltCF&amp;cf=24937&amp;v=7e6ca549a87fa545569cd10aed73d8789868fce194bad83fd5486bfd528abdcb" target="_blank">Golden Belt Community Foundation | Great Bend KS | Facebook</a>

Bank Drop off locations are for Nov. 29 only.

<a href="https://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=96449791&amp;msgid=226619&amp;act=A0C9&amp;c=1792719&amp;pid=5985795&amp;destination=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldenbeltgives.org%2F&amp;cf=24937&amp;v=f84166a9ea2cc897c001ec08b5b56fbdf78d3cd1f3e0b37fb51d5f776723663d" target="_blank">Take a look at the Giving Tuesday Leaderboard!</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575407555835.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Giving Tuesday allows you to support the organizations that mean the most to you. Many organizations have created profiles on the main page of&nbsp;<a href="https://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=96449791&amp;msgid=226619&amp;act=A0C9&amp;c=1792719&amp;pid=5985795&amp;destination=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldenbeltgives.org%2F&amp;cf=24937&amp;v=f84166a9ea2cc897c001ec08b5b56fbdf78d3cd1f3e0b37fb51d5f776723663d" target="_blank">goldenbeltgives.org</a>, which you can review to learn more about their&nbsp;mission and programs.&nbsp;It also might be helpful to download the 'Printable Giving Form' to mark your selections.&nbsp;<a href="https://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=96449791&amp;msgid=226619&amp;act=A0C9&amp;c=1792719&amp;pid=5985795&amp;destination=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldenbeltgives.org%2Fpdf%2F2022-Giving-Form.pdf&amp;cf=24937&amp;v=dc5cd9b6a40bb5ade5c1cd9666a0bd110e4b82ef0bad5dd07a3ae4730114d8fd" target="_blank">2022 GT FORM (goldenbeltgives.org</a>)Gifts to organizations with endowment funds within the Golden Belt Community Foundation may be eligible for a proportional match, thus making your donation even bigger.You may give anytime, in any amount, from Nov. 1 through Nov. 29. On Giving Tuesday, Nov. 29, give during one of our special incentive times for a chance to win extra funds for your favorite organization.&nbsp;The full list of Giving Incentives, as well as information on the Most Generous City challenge, may be found on our Facebook page.&nbsp;<a href="https://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=96449791&amp;msgid=226619&amp;act=A0C9&amp;c=1792719&amp;pid=5985795&amp;destination=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGoldenBeltCF&amp;cf=24937&amp;v=7e6ca549a87fa545569cd10aed73d8789868fce194bad83fd5486bfd528abdcb" target="_blank">Golden Belt Community Foundation | Great Bend KS | Facebook</a>Bank Drop off locations are for Nov. 29 only.<a href="https://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=96449791&amp;msgid=226619&amp;act=A0C9&amp;c=1792719&amp;pid=5985795&amp;destination=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldenbeltgives.org%2F&amp;cf=24937&amp;v=f84166a9ea2cc897c001ec08b5b56fbdf78d3cd1f3e0b37fb51d5f776723663d" target="_blank">Take a look at the Giving Tuesday Leaderboard!</a>

The Tuesday when the world comes together to give

From the&nbsp;Barton County Conservation District...

Earlier this week the district attended the annual convention of the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts.&nbsp; There, we received an update on what NASA is working on to increase the value of data collected by satellites for the benefit of agriculture, and attended breakout sessions about well received outreach and education events around the state this past year, panels on Climate Smart Agriculture and Precision Agriculture.&nbsp; We received program updates, and learned about new opportunities coming up in 2023. &nbsp;

Farmer to Farmer meet-ups:&nbsp;&nbsp;Conservation districts around the state will begin hosting farmer-to-farmer meet ups around their counties to make it easier to get information out to producers and also listen to what is working and what they need at the local level. District managers will be able to relay that information to state and federal agencies.&nbsp; We will also be able to use this feedback to better drive the cost share program ranking in our own counties so our producers are getting the programs that they need and that will have a greater impact on conservation efforts at the grass roots.&nbsp; This is something we’re pretty excited about!

In Barton County, I’ll be reaching out to retailers and groups to co-sponsor these get-togethers so producers from all over the county can easily get to a few over the year. &nbsp;

Locally Led Work Group meetings: &nbsp;Last year was the first year that the LLWG meeting was a three-county management unit event.&nbsp; Partnering with our neighbors paid off in the quality and quantity of information we gathered, and that is helping to shape the state programs already.&nbsp; One of the big take-aways was the need to change the time of year the meeting is held.&nbsp; This year, instead of April and May, we are shooting to have this meeting in January or February so more owners and operators will be able to make it.&nbsp; Having it later meant most were in the field, and that was not effective!&nbsp; We will let the community know as soon as we have our meeting scheduled.&nbsp; We hope to see many more non-agency people there, because those are the voices we really need to hear!

Kansas Climate Smart Initiative:&nbsp;Beginning this year, the KCSMI, a partnership with KACD, has signed up nearly 100,000 acres in the cover crop incentive program.&nbsp; We heard from Keith Koch, the Climate Smart Origination Manager of Arthur Daniels Midland West Region, who answered the question everyone has about the program-- what’s in it for ADM? (What’s the catch). &nbsp;

ADM partnered with KACD and the Farmers Business Network in this program because they want to meet their sustainability goals.&nbsp; Essentially, their customers want to purchase products from ADM that satisfy their marketing goals-- they want to show their customers that they are doing something positive to impact the environment.&nbsp; That something boils down to reducing emissions on the products that they sell.

The partners have identified “regenerative ag” as a good way to do this, and cover cropping provides a lot of benefits towards doing this. &nbsp;

They’ve paid attention to other programs that have been around for the past few years and learned from them.&nbsp; The cover crop initiative is simple, it doesn’t rely on ranking, it doesn’t penalize early adopters of the cover cropping practice, and it is flexible.&nbsp; In 2022, those who contracted will receive around $10 an acre for planting cover crops on their land.

We realize that dry conditions may have kept many from signing up this year, but the good news is the program is a four year commitment, and contracts can be from one to four years, plus they approved an additional 50,000 acres to sign up in Kansas, so there is time to get into this for 2023.&nbsp; You have to sign up through the conservation district, so please get in touch with me if you are interested in learning more. &nbsp;

Sustainable Farm Workshop:&nbsp;&nbsp;Mark your calendars now! Monday, December 5, Barton and Rush Counties are partnering on a Sustainable Farm Workshop with a great line-up of speakers and a panel made up of local farmers who will be sharing about their climate smart practices.&nbsp; You won’t want to miss this! &nbsp; This spring, the two counties partnered on an on-farm trial with Ken Urban and Mike Younger.&nbsp; They both planted soft winter white wheat and will share what they learned.&nbsp; Also, Tim Maier, a Barton County Conservation District supervisor, will share about minimal-till and cover cropping and more.&nbsp; Attendees can look forward to a good catered lunch and quality give-aways as well.&nbsp; Attendance is free, but reservations are required, so get yours in now.

Earth Team opportunities:&nbsp;&nbsp;Volunteer opportunities through the Barton County Earth Team are available. The Earth Team activities will include the Victory Garden, help with hosting farmer to farmer meetups, our annual spring nursery tree sale and other outreach activities to be announced.&nbsp; This is a great way to get involved with and learn more about conservation related careers, the changing field of agriculture, find your tribe of outdoor enthusiasts or even brush up on some work skills.&nbsp; Get in touch with Veronica and come in and visit about the opportunities that we have for you!

Grass drill update:&nbsp;&nbsp;Our 2022 Great Plains Grass Drill will be ready for use this spring!&nbsp; We anticipate offering the 2003 drill for sale in December.&nbsp; Email Veronica at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:bcconservation.dis@gmail.com" target="_blank">bcconservation.dis@gmail.com</a>, stop in or call and leave a voicemail if you would like to receive more details.&nbsp; Please share this information! &nbsp;

January is fast approaching, and that means gardening classes will soon begin.&nbsp; We’ve been working on our class outlines and scheduling.&nbsp; We will send out an announcement in the next newsletter and share with area organizations in December.&nbsp; The classes will be about an hour long, and will be held every two weeks beginning in January.&nbsp; They will be free, but attendees need to sign up ahead of time so we can make sure we will have enough class materials for all.&nbsp; Much of the class will be outside and hands-on demonstration, but we will be inside for discussion.&nbsp; Sign up for the whole series, or just a couple of classes at a time.&nbsp; They will be held on Thursdays in the afternoon throughout the growing season, and attendees are welcome to stop out at the Victory Garden outside of class. &nbsp;

Contact us: The Barton County Conservation District is located at the USDA Service Center located at 926 S. Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530.&nbsp; We are in a cooperative agreement with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and share an office space.&nbsp; The Great Bend Farm Service Agency office is also located in the same building

Our phone number is (620) 792-3346.&nbsp; We are at extension 303. &nbsp;

Barton County Conservation District Manager&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Veronica Coons,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:bcconservation.dis@gmail.com" target="_blank">bcconservation.dis@gmail.com</a>&nbsp;

NRCS Supervisory District Conservationist&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Haley Bond,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:haley.bond@usda.gov" target="_blank">haley.bond@usda.gov</a>

NRCS Soil Technician&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Dan Frieb,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dan.frieb@usda.gov" target="_blank">dan.frieb@usda.gov</a>&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620306273203.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>From the&nbsp;Barton County Conservation District...Earlier this week the district attended the annual convention of the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts.&nbsp; There, we received an update on what NASA is working on to increase the value of data collected by satellites for the benefit of agriculture, and attended breakout sessions about well received outreach and education events around the state this past year, panels on Climate Smart Agriculture and Precision Agriculture.&nbsp; We received program updates, and learned about new opportunities coming up in 2023. &nbsp;Farmer to Farmer meet-ups:&nbsp;&nbsp;Conservation districts around the state will begin hosting farmer-to-farmer meet ups around their counties to make it easier to get information out to producers and also listen to what is working and what they need at the local level. District managers will be able to relay that information to state and federal agencies.&nbsp; We will also be able to use this feedback to better drive the cost share program ranking in our own counties so our producers are getting the programs that they need and that will have a greater impact on conservation efforts at the grass roots.&nbsp; This is something we’re pretty excited about!In Barton County, I’ll be reaching out to retailers and groups to co-sponsor these get-togethers so producers from all over the county can easily get to a few over the year. &nbsp;Locally Led Work Group meetings: &nbsp;Last year was the first year that the LLWG meeting was a three-county management unit event.&nbsp; Partnering with our neighbors paid off in the quality and quantity of information we gathered, and that is helping to shape the state programs already.&nbsp; One of the big take-aways was the need to change the time of year the meeting is held.&nbsp; This year, instead of April and May, we are shooting to have this meeting in January or February so more owners and operators will be able to make it.&nbsp; Having it later meant most were in the field, and that was not effective!&nbsp; We will let the community know as soon as we have our meeting scheduled.&nbsp; We hope to see many more non-agency people there, because those are the voices we really need to hear!Kansas Climate Smart Initiative:&nbsp;Beginning this year, the KCSMI, a partnership with KACD, has signed up nearly 100,000 acres in the cover crop incentive program.&nbsp; We heard from Keith Koch, the Climate Smart Origination Manager of Arthur Daniels Midland West Region, who answered the question everyone has about the program-- what’s in it for ADM? (What’s the catch). &nbsp;ADM partnered with KACD and the Farmers Business Network in this program because they want to meet their sustainability goals.&nbsp; Essentially, their customers want to purchase products from ADM that satisfy their marketing goals-- they want to show their customers that they are doing something positive to impact the environment.&nbsp; That something boils down to reducing emissions on the products that they sell.The partners have identified “regenerative ag” as a good way to do this, and cover cropping provides a lot of benefits towards doing this. &nbsp;They’ve paid attention to other programs that have been around for the past few years and learned from them.&nbsp; The cover crop initiative is simple, it doesn’t rely on ranking, it doesn’t penalize early adopters of the cover cropping practice, and it is flexible.&nbsp; In 2022, those who contracted will receive around $10 an acre for planting cover crops on their land.We realize that dry conditions may have kept many from signing up this year, but the good news is the program is a four year commitment, and contracts can be from one to four years, plus they approved an additional 50,000 acres to sign up in Kansas, so there is time to get into this for 2023.&nbsp; You have to sign up through the conservation district, so please get in touch with me if you are interested in learning more. &nbsp;Sustainable Farm Workshop:&nbsp;&nbsp;Mark your calendars now! Monday, December 5, Barton and Rush Counties are partnering on a Sustainable Farm Workshop with a great line-up of speakers and a panel made up of local farmers who will be sharing about their climate smart practices.&nbsp; You won’t want to miss this! &nbsp; This spring, the two counties partnered on an on-farm trial with Ken Urban and Mike Younger.&nbsp; They both planted soft winter white wheat and will share what they learned.&nbsp; Also, Tim Maier, a Barton County Conservation District supervisor, will share about minimal-till and cover cropping and more.&nbsp; Attendees can look forward to a good catered lunch and quality give-aways as well.&nbsp; Attendance is free, but reservations are required, so get yours in now.Earth Team opportunities:&nbsp;&nbsp;Volunteer opportunities through the Barton County Earth Team are available. The Earth Team activities will include the Victory Garden, help with hosting farmer to farmer meetups, our annual spring nursery tree sale and other outreach activities to be announced.&nbsp; This is a great way to get involved with and learn more about conservation related careers, the changing field of agriculture, find your tribe of outdoor enthusiasts or even brush up on some work skills.&nbsp; Get in touch with Veronica and come in and visit about the opportunities that we have for you!Grass drill update:&nbsp;&nbsp;Our 2022 Great Plains Grass Drill will be ready for use this spring!&nbsp; We anticipate offering the 2003 drill for sale in December.&nbsp; Email Veronica at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:bcconservation.dis@gmail.com" target="_blank">bcconservation.dis@gmail.com</a>, stop in or call and leave a voicemail if you would like to receive more details.&nbsp; Please share this information! &nbsp;Now, here’s some news you can use!<figure>
 <img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/9hCBjFp96hO6kjE7B1ymWcvKvfqus1cjE-QJYieWr-0-FMZgzGl9eOnwzlNtGPMR5xVrCZQMeWLAYzfMHSeWigot2c5cRmt-f2VOVMYvvtO8lM4cKJrkD2hGIeJCMI63At3LUq1nMiyg3Jw_f5zzktRF2e-SfYvGSyCLJqsTfI-8elXrJFCFY9r9YlpRhA" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/kpFcpz57FBN5Kj2Z0QTI3-FXhTeBOof-rnabAgT0S59IbPm0pEaEd6nudKdUNhHb71kFWCVByIm3a2-d-7L0CkdtNMdlm1tYgd_3xcm8EGTU6Q17mGKAF1YYZWwkPrl4ZxkCb8LcpzbUs-yahHi71XjblaWRFFuDqO1HlDs-VkfRXI3XN1Su9SWy1V3c3g" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>January is fast approaching, and that means gardening classes will soon begin.&nbsp; We’ve been working on our class outlines and scheduling.&nbsp; We will send out an announcement in the next newsletter and share with area organizations in December.&nbsp; The classes will be about an hour long, and will be held every two weeks beginning in January.&nbsp; They will be free, but attendees need to sign up ahead of time so we can make sure we will have enough class materials for all.&nbsp; Much of the class will be outside and hands-on demonstration, but we will be inside for discussion.&nbsp; Sign up for the whole series, or just a couple of classes at a time.&nbsp; They will be held on Thursdays in the afternoon throughout the growing season, and attendees are welcome to stop out at the Victory Garden outside of class. &nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/hktqd1_W79oGp4apKiCFwVPzyZfbdu2KxQzsTJI687r8-Z_9M8q_SxXW0vB25iAI2oY2cMnmINOKwJn_rNqbv6v7nRDao4HYXh10IXQ-PFLLapji3Uor4yEe9hNfrAHwOKisT7rkpQ6yXp42pEf4BVWghRNl5SnLqSxpgkvzKGJuVoPdceO8PA8DTIYBkQ" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/3CEhZLRkFFbjfPfTfrKuKnURHX5GNqKVdKSS_4DFAGN_sogSHYagrFaEe43zJNwnNobnLCN-gvZp_jfjKBV8iZhL5H5xhhSxBkZGLkqMWT1sn-nCX7X3uXvSnijv1wPfkaauli0L9CWbVBq9QJjRqPH_UTeRcmGgQ27Q24HfVSMBAysazy6IKOA0dpWl7A" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Contact us: The Barton County Conservation District is located at the USDA Service Center located at 926 S. Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530.&nbsp; We are in a cooperative agreement with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and share an office space.&nbsp; The Great Bend Farm Service Agency office is also located in the same buildingOur phone number is (620) 792-3346.&nbsp; We are at extension 303. &nbsp;Barton County Conservation District Manager&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Veronica Coons,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:bcconservation.dis@gmail.com" target="_blank">bcconservation.dis@gmail.com</a>&nbsp;NRCS Supervisory District Conservationist&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Haley Bond,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:haley.bond@usda.gov" target="_blank">haley.bond@usda.gov</a>NRCS Soil Technician&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Dan Frieb,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dan.frieb@usda.gov" target="_blank">dan.frieb@usda.gov</a>&nbsp;

Barton Co. Conservation District newsletter

It’s your time to vote for the “Best Christmas Window!” Now through Dec. 2 you can tour the decorated Christmas Windows in downtown Great Bend and vote for your favorite. For the first time in its three-year existence, the Christmas Window Decorating Contest is offering $1,500 for the People’s Choice Award.

Ballots and a voting box are available in front of Rosewood Foundation Office, 1213 Main Street, Great Bend, adjacent to Rosewood Bargain Barn. Voter’s must sign a confidential ballot, allowing one vote per person. The request by organizers is to “Keep it Fun and Fair!”

Boundaries for the window-decorating contest cover 10th to 18th Streets, and from Williams to Kansas Streets in Great Bend.

As with the past two holiday seasons, $3,000 is up for grabs in prize money for the Christmas Window Decorating Contest in downtown Great Bend. In addition to the top-prize People’s Choice, the contest will provide a Judges 1st Place award that will pay $1,000 in prize money. The Judges 2nd Place award winner will earn $500 in prize money.

Through Dec. 2, a panel of community members are currently judging the windows for second and third prizes. Christmas Window Decorating Contest winners will be announced on Dec. 5.

The ‘Christmas Window Decorating Contest’ is organized by the Rosewood Roots &amp; Wings Santa Committee that also is associated with ‘Santas Around The World,’ the multicultural holiday exhibit, which opens Saturday evening for the Christmas season in downtown Great Bend.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669390007689.jpeg" alt="2022 People’s Choice Award voting location, 1213 Main Street." />
 <figcaption>2022 People’s Choice Award voting location, 1213 Main Street.</figcaption>
 </figure>It’s your time to vote for the “Best Christmas Window!” Now through Dec. 2 you can tour the decorated Christmas Windows in downtown Great Bend and vote for your favorite. For the first time in its three-year existence, the Christmas Window Decorating Contest is offering $1,500 for the People’s Choice Award.Ballots and a voting box are available in front of Rosewood Foundation Office, 1213 Main Street, Great Bend, adjacent to Rosewood Bargain Barn. Voter’s must sign a confidential ballot, allowing one vote per person. The request by organizers is to “Keep it Fun and Fair!”Boundaries for the window-decorating contest cover 10th to 18th Streets, and from Williams to Kansas Streets in Great Bend.As with the past two holiday seasons, $3,000 is up for grabs in prize money for the Christmas Window Decorating Contest in downtown Great Bend. In addition to the top-prize People’s Choice, the contest will provide a Judges 1st Place award that will pay $1,000 in prize money. The Judges 2nd Place award winner will earn $500 in prize money.Through Dec. 2, a panel of community members are currently judging the windows for second and third prizes. Christmas Window Decorating Contest winners will be announced on Dec. 5.The ‘Christmas Window Decorating Contest’ is organized by the Rosewood Roots &amp; Wings Santa Committee that also is associated with ‘Santas Around The World,’ the multicultural holiday exhibit, which opens Saturday evening for the Christmas season in downtown Great Bend.

People’s Choice Award voting until Dec. 2 for GB Christmas Window Contest

Hear this month's Kansas Strong show with Eagle Radio's Scott Donovan and Executive Director of the Kansas Oil and Gas Producers Association Warren Martin that aired Nov. 23, 2022.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596658271505.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hear this month's Kansas Strong show with Eagle Radio's Scott Donovan and Executive Director of the Kansas Oil and Gas Producers Association Warren Martin that aired Nov. 23, 2022.<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/31nh3ekx/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>The Kansas Strong program airs the fourth Wednesday every month at 8:30 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.&nbsp;

🎙Kansas Strong show - Oil & gas education

Nutrition education is a fun part of my job. Earlier in the week I visited 7th grade Skills for Adolescence classes at the Great Bend Middle School. I packed a lot of information in the 50-minute class period and am hopeful that they will remember my visit when making future food choices.

I started out by asking the students if they had eaten breakfast. Only about half of them raised their hands so they got my 5 minute “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day” speech. The most common reason given for skipping breakfast was the lack of time. I encouraged students to find something like a piece of fruit with whole grain cereal or toast with peanut butter to jump start their day. Research shows that when someone starts their day with breakfast, they actually consume less calories in the day. All too often, when breakfast is skipped, a person gets so hungry that by lunch time they are grabbing an unhealthy option.

The main part of my presentation focused on my favorite food group – vegetables. Sadly, the American diet is lacking in nutrient dense veggies. The MyPlate guide for healthy eating recommends eating at least 5 – 9 servings of vegetables and fruits each day. Talking about vegetables is one thing, but letting the students sample parsnip, jicama, and sweet potato, was a new experience for some. Plus we made a recipe of hummus to dip their veggies in.

Another message I left with the 7th graders was the importance of choosing whole food options instead of eating highly processed food that have added fat, sugar and sodium. We talked about empty calories that are found in soft drinks and other sweetened beverages. We looked at nutrition fact labels to show how to determine if the food is a healthy choice.

And finally, we talked about making sure each day has a good amount of physical activity built in. Recommendations are currently set for one hour of physical activity daily. If students don’t participate in an organized sport, they may need to find ways to move more.

If you or someone you know is interested in doing nutrition education I hope you will visit the following website: www.ksre.k-state.edu/jobs There you will find the position description and application process for a full time SNAP-Ed nutrition educator based in either our Hays or Great Bend office. The screening begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Please give me a call if you have any questions!

Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669393032283.png" alt="written by: Donna Krug - Cottonwood Extension District" />
 <figcaption>written by: Donna Krug - Cottonwood Extension District</figcaption>
 </figure>Nutrition education is a fun part of my job. Earlier in the week I visited 7th grade Skills for Adolescence classes at the Great Bend Middle School. I packed a lot of information in the 50-minute class period and am hopeful that they will remember my visit when making future food choices.I started out by asking the students if they had eaten breakfast. Only about half of them raised their hands so they got my 5 minute “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day” speech. The most common reason given for skipping breakfast was the lack of time. I encouraged students to find something like a piece of fruit with whole grain cereal or toast with peanut butter to jump start their day. Research shows that when someone starts their day with breakfast, they actually consume less calories in the day. All too often, when breakfast is skipped, a person gets so hungry that by lunch time they are grabbing an unhealthy option.The main part of my presentation focused on my favorite food group – vegetables. Sadly, the American diet is lacking in nutrient dense veggies. The MyPlate guide for healthy eating recommends eating at least 5 – 9 servings of vegetables and fruits each day. Talking about vegetables is one thing, but letting the students sample parsnip, jicama, and sweet potato, was a new experience for some. Plus we made a recipe of hummus to dip their veggies in.Another message I left with the 7th graders was the importance of choosing whole food options instead of eating highly processed food that have added fat, sugar and sodium. We talked about empty calories that are found in soft drinks and other sweetened beverages. We looked at nutrition fact labels to show how to determine if the food is a healthy choice.And finally, we talked about making sure each day has a good amount of physical activity built in. Recommendations are currently set for one hour of physical activity daily. If students don’t participate in an organized sport, they may need to find ways to move more.If you or someone you know is interested in doing nutrition education I hope you will visit the following website: www.ksre.k-state.edu/jobs There you will find the position description and application process for a full time SNAP-Ed nutrition educator based in either our Hays or Great Bend office. The screening begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Please give me a call if you have any questions!Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

KRUG: Nutrition education opportunities in the Cottonwood District

The University of Kansas Health System is pleased to announce the addition of three members to its orthopedic care team at Central Kansas Orthopedic Group – Matthew Vopat, MD, orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist, and physician assistants Dane Mitchell and Jessica Onken.

Dr. Vopat is looking forward to getting to know the Great Bend community. He earned his medical degree at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita and completed a sports medicine fellowship at the Steadman-Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colorado.

Dr. Vopat joins Thomas Dagg, MD, Wade Babcock, PA-C, and Jake Thompson, DPT, in providing sports medicine care.

Mitchell grew up in a small town in northeast Kansas and appreciates the opportunity to provide healthcare services in a rural community. He earned his Master of Physician Assistant at Wichita State University.

Onken chose to specialize in orthopedics because of her background in sports, including playing collegiate volleyball. She also earned her Master of Physician Assistant from Wichita State University.

To schedule an appointment with these providers, or any of the providers at Central Kansas Orthopedic Group, call 620-792-4383.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669390263703.jpeg" alt="Matthew Vopat, MD" />
 <figcaption>Matthew Vopat, MD</figcaption>
 </figure>BUSINESS NEWSThe University of Kansas Health System is pleased to announce the addition of three members to its orthopedic care team at Central Kansas Orthopedic Group – Matthew Vopat, MD, orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist, and physician assistants Dane Mitchell and Jessica Onken.Dr. Vopat is looking forward to getting to know the Great Bend community. He earned his medical degree at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita and completed a sports medicine fellowship at the Steadman-Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colorado.Dr. Vopat joins Thomas Dagg, MD, Wade Babcock, PA-C, and Jake Thompson, DPT, in providing sports medicine care.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669390287286.jpeg" alt="Dane Mitchell, PA" />
 <figcaption>Dane Mitchell, PA</figcaption>
 </figure>Mitchell grew up in a small town in northeast Kansas and appreciates the opportunity to provide healthcare services in a rural community. He earned his Master of Physician Assistant at Wichita State University.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669390315670.jpeg" alt="Jessica Onken, PA" />
 <figcaption>Jessica Onken, PA</figcaption>
 </figure>Onken chose to specialize in orthopedics because of her background in sports, including playing collegiate volleyball. She also earned her Master of Physician Assistant from Wichita State University.To schedule an appointment with these providers, or any of the providers at Central Kansas Orthopedic Group, call 620-792-4383.

Great Bend hospital's orthopedics care team continues to grow

There is something fishy happening in Ecuador, but it is a good growth opportunity in a market that already appreciates Kansas hard red winter wheat, thanks to the relationships built by Kansas Wheat and U.S. Wheat Associates (USW), the wheat industry’s export market development organization.&nbsp;

“One of the interesting stories is that a lot of high protein hard red winter wheat is going into fish food,” said Aaron Harries, Kansas Wheat Vice President of Research and Operations, who joined USW staff for a series of crop quality seminars in South America in early November. “In Ecuador, specifically, they’re using it to feed shrimp. And in southern Chile, they’re using it to feed salmon.”

Aquaculture is a rapidly growing market in South America, thanks to imports from an equally expanding Chinese market. Salmon are top feeders, so feed pellets must float so salmon will come to the surface and eat. Shrimp are the opposite — they are bottom feeders — but feed pellets still need to sink slowly. HRW wheat fits the bill in helping with buoyancy and providing high protein content.&nbsp;

“They use high protein HRW wheat because they want higher protein content for the fish food,” Harries said. “They can also use soybean meal, but wheat has a viscosity that makes the pellet float. So that’s a market we’ll certainly be exploring and making sure we’re getting them the product they want to meet these needs.”&nbsp;

Fish food was a hot topic during the USW crop quality seminars, but the main event featured the results of the 2021 Crop Quality Report, the latest in a series of reports by USW. Each year, the organization gathers thousands of samples throughout the harvest season and at export locations to analyze for wheat, flour and end-product qualities. These results are compiled into an overall report for all six wheat classes and broken down into individualized reports by wheat class.

After the report is finalized, USW conducts crop quality seminars to dive deep into the information with global customers, like the ones Harries participated in this November in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Chile. Harries also discussed prospects for next year’s wheat crop and addressed challenges from the strength of the U.S. dollar, high competition from corn and soybean exports, problems on the Mississippi River, potential rail strikes and other issues.

“In terms of HRW wheat, we had good news to deliver as far as the quality of the crop — just excellent milling and baking quality,” Harries said. “Of course, the downside of that is price. The market competitiveness of hard red winter wheat is just not great right now.”

While the seminars provide a wealth of information, they also allow state wheat commission staff, U.S. farmers and USW staff a chance to meet with the best customers for U.S. wheat. In Colombia, Harries had the chance to reconnect with millers that had traveled to Kansas as part of trade teams — some as recently as this past summer and some from a decade earlier. These relationships, when combined with transparent crop quality data, help secure long-lasting, steady customers.&nbsp;

“These meetings are important because when you meet face-to-face, the buyer can sense the transparency that we provide to our marketplace,” Harries said. “We don’t pull the wool over their eyes; we tell them exactly how things are in person so they can judge our message. And I think they do have confidence in us.”

Whether HRW is destined for fish food or bread, the trading relationships built through this exchange of information help build lasting markets for Kansas wheat producers in South America.

“This is a set of customers that really like U.S. wheat and they’re looking for value opportunities,” Harries said. “They’re trying to get creative on how they use U.S. wheat, whether it’s in blends or their milling process, but they like the quality of wheat and they try to make it work, even if the price is high.”

Learn more about how Kansas Wheat works with U.S. Wheat Associates to promote HRW around the world at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001TqQuRD6cHTd-YKkUGq46FbPeqcWzNTwWemNDZ8ahVdybl2ZcfWgzVkJJK-kpClg0AXpbs5yXkz2p3Pcl3LzkuAG_yFwJ3LNAYBjOHlYezrIM0S91lwV74EyF8TK_jxxE4ELBq8K4kthwEclxoXY5WszdxFSDceaalbWTPF7pyDg=&amp;c=nGRIbgH3tkHH_Zvh_7ZwF9o3QvpEZfrztolrdrZxSk-oaA1Z6jbq_w==&amp;ch=Dn8gW_8PlKCxjgSTLbXXoTvA6SoFYGB_sqZ2dcBnBM7V8GzT4KvVJw==" target="_blank">https://kswheat.com/international-buyers</a>.&nbsp;

Written by Julia Debes for Kansas Wheat

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1628192871161.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>There is something fishy happening in Ecuador, but it is a good growth opportunity in a market that already appreciates Kansas hard red winter wheat, thanks to the relationships built by Kansas Wheat and U.S. Wheat Associates (USW), the wheat industry’s export market development organization.&nbsp;“One of the interesting stories is that a lot of high protein hard red winter wheat is going into fish food,” said Aaron Harries, Kansas Wheat Vice President of Research and Operations, who joined USW staff for a series of crop quality seminars in South America in early November. “In Ecuador, specifically, they’re using it to feed shrimp. And in southern Chile, they’re using it to feed salmon.”Aquaculture is a rapidly growing market in South America, thanks to imports from an equally expanding Chinese market. Salmon are top feeders, so feed pellets must float so salmon will come to the surface and eat. Shrimp are the opposite — they are bottom feeders — but feed pellets still need to sink slowly. HRW wheat fits the bill in helping with buoyancy and providing high protein content.&nbsp;“They use high protein HRW wheat because they want higher protein content for the fish food,” Harries said. “They can also use soybean meal, but wheat has a viscosity that makes the pellet float. So that’s a market we’ll certainly be exploring and making sure we’re getting them the product they want to meet these needs.”&nbsp;Fish food was a hot topic during the USW crop quality seminars, but the main event featured the results of the 2021 Crop Quality Report, the latest in a series of reports by USW. Each year, the organization gathers thousands of samples throughout the harvest season and at export locations to analyze for wheat, flour and end-product qualities. These results are compiled into an overall report for all six wheat classes and broken down into individualized reports by wheat class.After the report is finalized, USW conducts crop quality seminars to dive deep into the information with global customers, like the ones Harries participated in this November in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Chile. Harries also discussed prospects for next year’s wheat crop and addressed challenges from the strength of the U.S. dollar, high competition from corn and soybean exports, problems on the Mississippi River, potential rail strikes and other issues.“In terms of HRW wheat, we had good news to deliver as far as the quality of the crop — just excellent milling and baking quality,” Harries said. “Of course, the downside of that is price. The market competitiveness of hard red winter wheat is just not great right now.”While the seminars provide a wealth of information, they also allow state wheat commission staff, U.S. farmers and USW staff a chance to meet with the best customers for U.S. wheat. In Colombia, Harries had the chance to reconnect with millers that had traveled to Kansas as part of trade teams — some as recently as this past summer and some from a decade earlier. These relationships, when combined with transparent crop quality data, help secure long-lasting, steady customers.&nbsp;“These meetings are important because when you meet face-to-face, the buyer can sense the transparency that we provide to our marketplace,” Harries said. “We don’t pull the wool over their eyes; we tell them exactly how things are in person so they can judge our message. And I think they do have confidence in us.”Whether HRW is destined for fish food or bread, the trading relationships built through this exchange of information help build lasting markets for Kansas wheat producers in South America.“This is a set of customers that really like U.S. wheat and they’re looking for value opportunities,” Harries said. “They’re trying to get creative on how they use U.S. wheat, whether it’s in blends or their milling process, but they like the quality of wheat and they try to make it work, even if the price is high.”Learn more about how Kansas Wheat works with U.S. Wheat Associates to promote HRW around the world at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001TqQuRD6cHTd-YKkUGq46FbPeqcWzNTwWemNDZ8ahVdybl2ZcfWgzVkJJK-kpClg0AXpbs5yXkz2p3Pcl3LzkuAG_yFwJ3LNAYBjOHlYezrIM0S91lwV74EyF8TK_jxxE4ELBq8K4kthwEclxoXY5WszdxFSDceaalbWTPF7pyDg=&amp;c=nGRIbgH3tkHH_Zvh_7ZwF9o3QvpEZfrztolrdrZxSk-oaA1Z6jbq_w==&amp;ch=Dn8gW_8PlKCxjgSTLbXXoTvA6SoFYGB_sqZ2dcBnBM7V8GzT4KvVJw==" target="_blank">https://kswheat.com/international-buyers</a>.&nbsp;###Written by Julia Debes for Kansas Wheat

Wheat Scoop: Kansas Wheat discusses HRW market opportunities

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

Even the reindeer need to rest ahead of a big day of Christmas deliveries. That's why Santa will be driving a horse-drawn carriage at the Fort Larned Christmas Open House on Dec. 10. A free event for the entire family, Park Ranger Celeste Dixon said it's a good way to remember some of the sacrifices soldiers made then and now.

"We want to emphasize that Christmas, just like it is today, was an important family time for the soldiers, and the officers and people stationed at the fort," she said. "It's a special celebration."

All events are free for the Open House, which will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be living history and cooking demonstrations. A blacksmith will be in his shop, and there will be soldiers walking around the fort. Cider and coffee will be available in the visitor's center. But the star of the show will be Santa.

"Santa's actually going to be driving the carriage, so people will get their picture taken with Santa, and then they can ride in the carriage," Dixon said. "Then they'll come back and pick up the pictures that will be printed for them."

Santa will be wearing an old-fashioned suit for the Open House, located at the Fort Larned National Historical Site, approximately 5.5 miles west of Larned. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669048450138.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostEven the reindeer need to rest ahead of a big day of Christmas deliveries. That's why Santa will be driving a horse-drawn carriage at the Fort Larned Christmas Open House on Dec. 10. A free event for the entire family, Park Ranger Celeste Dixon said it's a good way to remember some of the sacrifices soldiers made then and now."We want to emphasize that Christmas, just like it is today, was an important family time for the soldiers, and the officers and people stationed at the fort," she said. "It's a special celebration."All events are free for the Open House, which will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be living history and cooking demonstrations. A blacksmith will be in his shop, and there will be soldiers walking around the fort. Cider and coffee will be available in the visitor's center. But the star of the show will be Santa."Santa's actually going to be driving the carriage, so people will get their picture taken with Santa, and then they can ride in the carriage," Dixon said. "Then they'll come back and pick up the pictures that will be printed for them."Santa will be wearing an old-fashioned suit for the Open House, located at the Fort Larned National Historical Site, approximately 5.5 miles west of Larned.

Santa making an appearance at Fort Larned Open House

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

<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/b2e9b67f-ec2f-4c5f-b2a2-d28e781d64f3">Great Bend says hello to newest police officer</a>

<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/1cd246b0-af98-4522-9adb-0e919b6c7340">Burns fills long-time vacant Great Bend Assist. City Administrator's role</a>

<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/611daadb-3a30-46ad-afd9-8b1ccd35adb4">Local couple to reopen grocery store in La Crosse</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669132283491.jpeg" alt="Officer Logan Wooters was introduced to the Great Bend City Council on Nov. 21, 2022 as the latest hire at the police department." />
 <figcaption>Officer Logan Wooters was introduced to the Great Bend City Council on Nov. 21, 2022 as the latest hire at the police department.</figcaption>
 </figure>It’s a two-minute recap of the headlines that broke this past week in the Golden Belt. For the full stories, click the links below.<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/bfdbkusy/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/b2e9b67f-ec2f-4c5f-b2a2-d28e781d64f3">Great Bend says hello to newest police officer</a><a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/1cd246b0-af98-4522-9adb-0e919b6c7340">Burns fills long-time vacant Great Bend Assist. City Administrator's role</a><a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/611daadb-3a30-46ad-afd9-8b1ccd35adb4">Local couple to reopen grocery store in La Crosse</a>

Eagle Radio's News Week in Review

The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce invite holiday shoppers to shop locally during the 2023 holiday shopping window. To incentivize consumers,&nbsp;the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce will be giving away Chamber Gift Certificates to those entered to win during their second annual “Shop Local &amp; Win” campaign. This campaign was first introduced in 2021 and returns for 2022 starting on Small Business Saturday, November 26th.

Chamber president and CEO Megan Barfield reminds consumers of the impact their dollars have, “Every dollar spent in our local communities with our local business owners allows our businesses to keep their doors open and continue serving our trade area.

With prices going up, and shipping delays, we know consumers may be more cautious with their spending this holiday season, but shop owners are working harder than ever to stock their racks and shelves in hopes that what is being spent can be done so inside their stores here locally.”

When consumers spend at least $20 with a Great Bend Chamber member, they can email a picture of their receipt and contact information to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:shoplocal@greatbend.org" target="_blank">shoplocal@greatbend.org</a>. Every transaction totaling at least $20 is an additional entry. Winners will be drawn live on the Chamber’s Facebook page, December 21st at 10AM. Consumers can find a list of chamber members by viewing the Membership Directory at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.greatbend.org/" target="_blank">www.greatbend.org</a>.

Many thanks to our generous sponsors: Brentwood Builders and Nex-Tech Wireless. For more information, contact the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce at (620) 792-2401.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660742177301.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce invite holiday shoppers to shop locally during the 2023 holiday shopping window. To incentivize consumers,&nbsp;the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce will be giving away Chamber Gift Certificates to those entered to win during their second annual “Shop Local &amp; Win” campaign. This campaign was first introduced in 2021 and returns for 2022 starting on Small Business Saturday, November 26th.Chamber president and CEO Megan Barfield reminds consumers of the impact their dollars have, “Every dollar spent in our local communities with our local business owners allows our businesses to keep their doors open and continue serving our trade area.With prices going up, and shipping delays, we know consumers may be more cautious with their spending this holiday season, but shop owners are working harder than ever to stock their racks and shelves in hopes that what is being spent can be done so inside their stores here locally.”When consumers spend at least $20 with a Great Bend Chamber member, they can email a picture of their receipt and contact information to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:shoplocal@greatbend.org" target="_blank">shoplocal@greatbend.org</a>. Every transaction totaling at least $20 is an additional entry. Winners will be drawn live on the Chamber’s Facebook page, December 21st at 10AM. Consumers can find a list of chamber members by viewing the Membership Directory at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.greatbend.org/" target="_blank">www.greatbend.org</a>.Many thanks to our generous sponsors: Brentwood Builders and Nex-Tech Wireless. For more information, contact the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce at (620) 792-2401.

Great Bend Chamber incentivizes shopping locally

Hear this week's City Edition episode with Eagle Radio's Cole Reif and Great Bend Human Resources Director Randy Keasling that aired Nov. 23, 2022.

The City Edition program airs every Wednesday 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 week's City Edition episode with Eagle Radio's Cole Reif and Great Bend Human Resources Director Randy Keasling that aired Nov. 23, 2022.<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/tku2otal/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>The City Edition program airs every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.&nbsp;

🎤City Edition: Human Resources Director Randy Keasling

Schedule for Saturday's Home for the Holiday's Festival in Great Bend

On November 23 at about 5 a.m., the Barton County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a report of an injury accident in the 10 block of NE 20th Road. 

Upon arrival, deputies discovered a single-vehicle accident in which a 1991 Chevrolet pickup struck a parked 2003 Peterbilt tractor-trailer unit. 

The driver of the Chevrolet pickup was identified as Jeremy Combs, age 37 of Great Bend. Combs stated he thought he saw something in the roadway and veered to the right striking the tractor trailer unit. There was heavy fog and limited visibility at the time of the accident.

Combs was transported to The University of Kansas Health System in Great Bend by the Great Bend EMS service with non-life-threatening injuries.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642278379680.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>On November 23 at about 5 a.m., the Barton County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a report of an injury accident in the 10 block of NE 20th Road. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a single-vehicle accident in which a 1991 Chevrolet pickup struck a parked 2003 Peterbilt tractor-trailer unit. The driver of the Chevrolet pickup was identified as Jeremy Combs, age 37 of Great Bend. Combs stated he thought he saw something in the roadway and veered to the right striking the tractor trailer unit. There was heavy fog and limited visibility at the time of the accident.Combs was transported to The University of Kansas Health System in Great Bend by the Great Bend EMS service with non-life-threatening injuries.

Great Bend man injured after accident in heavy fog

By COLE REIF Great Bend Post

While the addition of another dog at the Great Bend Police Department is
not to bring in a friend for K-9 Menta, the new four-legged officer will
provide a more flexible schedule for Menta and her handler. 
Police Chief Steve Haulmark said Officer Matthew Barker and newly acquired K-9
Nico will travel to Texas in December for training. "The handlers and K-9s are working a beat in a patrol car, but they'll respond if need be for their K-9 partner," said Haulmark. "We're going to have them on different shifts so they compliment each other. They won't be working at the same time." 
Nico is also a Belgian Malinois breed. Haulmark said Menta is around six years
old and still in good health.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669066452554.jpeg" alt="Great Bend Police Department's K-9 Menta pictured. A second K-9, Nico, will begin training in December for the department." />
 <figcaption>Great Bend Police Department's K-9 Menta pictured. A second K-9, Nico, will begin training in December for the department.</figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostWhile the addition of another dog at the Great Bend Police Department is
not to bring in a friend for K-9 Menta, the new four-legged officer will
provide a more flexible schedule for Menta and her handler. 
Police Chief Steve Haulmark said Officer Matthew Barker and newly acquired K-9
Nico will travel to Texas in December for training. "The handlers and K-9s are working a beat in a patrol car, but they'll respond if need be for their K-9 partner," said Haulmark. "We're going to have them on different shifts so they compliment each other. They won't be working at the same time." 
Nico is also a Belgian Malinois breed. Haulmark said Menta is around six years
old and still in good health.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Second K-9 ready to lend a helping paw for Great Bend Police

Thanksgiving Day is about showing gratitude for the good things in our lives. The Tuesday after Thanksgiving is a day to give to organizations that help make some of those good things possible. Last year, the Golden Belt Community Foundation raised nearly $340,000 for 98 area organizations through its Giving Tuesday campaign. GBCF Development and Communications Coordinator Mackenzie Mitchell said there are even more organizations to assist this year.

"We have 104 organizations this year, which is the most we've ever had, so that's super exciting," she said. "We have four organizations this year that have never been part of Giving Tuesday."

Giving Tuesday started as a day for anyone to give and has grown into the biggest giving movement in the world. The local campaign actually began on Nov. 1, but Giving Tuesday on Nov. 29 is the final big push.

There are several ways to donate on Giving Tuesday. Stop in at the GBCF building at 1307 Williams Street in Great Bend, or mail donations to Golden Belt Community Foundation, PO Box 1911, Great Bend, Kan. 67530. Many banks in Barton, Pawnee, Stafford, and Rush counties will also be taking donations on Nov. 29.

"If people don't want to come to our office, or if they just have a few minutes on their lunch break, they can do a drive-by at the bank and drop them off there," Mitchell said. "And we do still have the incentives for giving online at certain times throughout the day on Giving Tuesday."

The website is goldenbeltgives.org. Four random winners picked from select donation times will win $100 to give to their favorite organization. That contest begins at 6 a.m. on Nov. 29 and wraps up at midnight.

The community that donates the most funds, per capita, will win a $1,000 special grant to be used to support a community program or project. Olmitz won the award last year, and Great Bend won two years ago, opting to use the money on a youth police academy.

Each participating organization will have the option of using the funds immediately or building its endowment fund at GBCF. Last year, GBCF awarded $240,000 in grants at the Great Charity Giveback event in mid-December. Last year saw an 85-percent increase in donations, and Mitchell hopes to see similar numbers this December.

"Looking at gifts coming in, it looks the same as last year," she said. "We're intrigued to see how it's going to turn out. Last year was a huge year. The world is in a different place now, and if you listen to media, giving is down, or people don't seem to be giving as much. On our end, it's coming in, and it looks just like last year. It will be interesting to see if we can keep that momentum going." 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669135607038.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostThanksgiving Day is about showing gratitude for the good things in our lives. The Tuesday after Thanksgiving is a day to give to organizations that help make some of those good things possible. Last year, the Golden Belt Community Foundation raised nearly $340,000 for 98 area organizations through its Giving Tuesday campaign. GBCF Development and Communications Coordinator Mackenzie Mitchell said there are even more organizations to assist this year."We have 104 organizations this year, which is the most we've ever had, so that's super exciting," she said. "We have four organizations this year that have never been part of Giving Tuesday."Giving Tuesday started as a day for anyone to give and has grown into the biggest giving movement in the world. The local campaign actually began on Nov. 1, but Giving Tuesday on Nov. 29 is the final big push.There are several ways to donate on Giving Tuesday. Stop in at the GBCF building at 1307 Williams Street in Great Bend, or mail donations to Golden Belt Community Foundation, PO Box 1911, Great Bend, Kan. 67530. Many banks in Barton, Pawnee, Stafford, and Rush counties will also be taking donations on Nov. 29.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639677519773.jpeg" alt="Last year, Golden Belt Community Foundation raised nearly $340,000 for 98 area organizations." />
 <figcaption>Last year, Golden Belt Community Foundation raised nearly $340,000 for 98 area organizations.</figcaption>
 </figure>"If people don't want to come to our office, or if they just have a few minutes on their lunch break, they can do a drive-by at the bank and drop them off there," Mitchell said. "And we do still have the incentives for giving online at certain times throughout the day on Giving Tuesday."The website is goldenbeltgives.org. Four random winners picked from select donation times will win $100 to give to their favorite organization. That contest begins at 6 a.m. on Nov. 29 and wraps up at midnight.The community that donates the most funds, per capita, will win a $1,000 special grant to be used to support a community program or project. Olmitz won the award last year, and Great Bend won two years ago, opting to use the money on a youth police academy.Each participating organization will have the option of using the funds immediately or building its endowment fund at GBCF. Last year, GBCF awarded $240,000 in grants at the Great Charity Giveback event in mid-December. Last year saw an 85-percent increase in donations, and Mitchell hopes to see similar numbers this December."Looking at gifts coming in, it looks the same as last year," she said. "We're intrigued to see how it's going to turn out. Last year was a huge year. The world is in a different place now, and if you listen to media, giving is down, or people don't seem to be giving as much. On our end, it's coming in, and it looks just like last year. It will be interesting to see if we can keep that momentum going."

GBCF hoping for big follow after successful 2021 Giving Tuesday campaign

On Oct. 3, deputies with the Barton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported theft in the 2300 block of Railroad Avenue just south the city of Great Bend. 

The person reporting the theft advised law enforcement that a 2018 Jayco Jayflight bumper-pull camper had been stolen sometime the night before. The estimated value of the camper was $20,500.

On Nov. 22, detectives obtained a search warrant to retrieve the camper. Detectives went to a location in Hutchinson where they located the camper and it was seized. Deputies transported it back to Barton County. 

This investigation is continuing, and additional search warrants and arrest warrants are expected in the near future. The Barton County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Reno County Sheriff’s Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1628645760323.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>On Oct. 3, deputies with the Barton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported theft in the 2300 block of Railroad Avenue just south the city of Great Bend. The person reporting the theft advised law enforcement that a 2018 Jayco Jayflight bumper-pull camper had been stolen sometime the night before. The estimated value of the camper was $20,500.On Nov. 22, detectives obtained a search warrant to retrieve the camper. Detectives went to a location in Hutchinson where they located the camper and it was seized. Deputies transported it back to Barton County. This investigation is continuing, and additional search warrants and arrest warrants are expected in the near future. The Barton County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Reno County Sheriff’s Office.

Barton Co. law enforcement recovers stolen camper

The world is a different place than it was in 1971. In September of that year, Gary Demel began his long career as a Barton County employee. Demel did a little of everything for the Road and Bridge Department, working as shop foreman since 1988. That run came to an end with a retirement luncheon on Friday, Nov. 18.

"It's time for me to step back and let some younger person in there," Demel said. "I like to believe I did a good job. I saved the county a lot of money by performing the maintenance and all that stuff on the equipment."

A lifetime resident of Great Bend, Demel took a county job straight out of high school. With just a high school diploma, he did the dirty work first, shoveling asphalt on his first day out.

Demel was learning on the job while the Vietnam War raged on in Southeast Asia. Demel's birthday of Oct. 6 was called in the draft lottery in 1970. With the war winding down, Demel served stateside with basic training at Fort Knox, Ky., and almost two years in Fort Riley. Following that, Demel spent a year with NATO forces in Turkey. "It was a very good experience," he said. "It builds character and makes a man out of you."

Demel returned home in 1975. With an ongoing embargo, jobs were scarce, and Demel still had a position with Barton County. He returned to county employment, using the GI Bill to further his education. He earned an associate's degree from Barton Community College, majoring in business and general science.

"I took probably over 130 hours at the college," said Demel. "It moved me up the ladder. I just kept moving up the ladder, learning new things from truck driving to operating equipment. One day they asked me if I wanted to become a mechanic."

Some mechanic courses paid off, and Demel assumed that role in the late 1970s. He stayed in that position until he was promoted to shop foreman in 1988. As a working foreman, Demel helped maintain more than 80 pieces of self-propelled equipment, plus other large equipment like an asphalt plant and dredges. He also helped purchase new equipment and said two of the first three trucks he helped purchase in 1990 are still in use by the county - the other one was in a crash.

"My job was to bring in equipment that was dependable, long-lasting, low maintenance, and then perform the maintenance on them, and run the shop and yard," Demel said.

Over time, Demel picked up an additional role, marking graves and performing some of the maintenance at the county's then newly-acquired Hillcrest and Golden Belt cemeteries. It was complicated work, he said, because no two cemeteries are alike.

Naturally, technology changed over the course of five decades. Demel and staff purchased manuals for new equipment and received some maintenance training from the vendors. They sampled oil from vehicles and machines to perform preventative maintenance.

"A lot of the equipment we had, outside of Venture, nobody else in Barton County has that equipment, so the maintenance people would have to come out of Wichita, Springfield, Mo., Kansas City, Denver," Demel said. "We learned that aspect of maintaining the equipment."

Then again, some jobs were just a little too dangerous. The 480-volt asphalt plant required an electrician, and other big jobs required some outside help. "It's a very simple world when you think about it," said Demel. "You learn what you can, and you know your limitations and try not to step outside the box."

Outside of work, Demel and his first wife raised four kids. Being a county employee allowed Demel to watch his kids grow up. His first wife passed away, and Demel remarried 12 years ago. He looks forward to enjoying the country life in his new retirement.

"I've lived in Great Bend all my life, and I'm looking forward to moving to the country," he said. "I built a garage out there, and I want to tinker and spend time with my grandkids and kids. We both have extended family so I have plenty to keep me busy."

The key to Demel's long career as a county employee: being a big talker. "I think that's how I survived, being able to talk to people and being able to get along with people," he said. "Basically, that's what you have to do if you're going to work in a job like shop foreman for a highway department. You have to be able to get along and communicate and pick up ideas. A lot of my knowledge was experienced first hand, and it worked out very well for me."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669145790720.jpeg" alt="Gary Demel and Road and Bridge Director Darren Williams celebrated Demel's 50th year with the county last year." />
 <figcaption>Gary Demel and Road and Bridge Director Darren Williams celebrated Demel's 50th year with the county last year.</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostThe world is a different place than it was in 1971. In September of that year, Gary Demel began his long career as a Barton County employee. Demel did a little of everything for the Road and Bridge Department, working as shop foreman since 1988. That run came to an end with a retirement luncheon on Friday, Nov. 18."It's time for me to step back and let some younger person in there," Demel said. "I like to believe I did a good job. I saved the county a lot of money by performing the maintenance and all that stuff on the equipment."A lifetime resident of Great Bend, Demel took a county job straight out of high school. With just a high school diploma, he did the dirty work first, shoveling asphalt on his first day out.Demel was learning on the job while the Vietnam War raged on in Southeast Asia. Demel's birthday of Oct. 6 was called in the draft lottery in 1970. With the war winding down, Demel served stateside with basic training at Fort Knox, Ky., and almost two years in Fort Riley. Following that, Demel spent a year with NATO forces in Turkey. "It was a very good experience," he said. "It builds character and makes a man out of you."Demel returned home in 1975. With an ongoing embargo, jobs were scarce, and Demel still had a position with Barton County. He returned to county employment, using the GI Bill to further his education. He earned an associate's degree from Barton Community College, majoring in business and general science."I took probably over 130 hours at the college," said Demel. "It moved me up the ladder. I just kept moving up the ladder, learning new things from truck driving to operating equipment. One day they asked me if I wanted to become a mechanic."Some mechanic courses paid off, and Demel assumed that role in the late 1970s. He stayed in that position until he was promoted to shop foreman in 1988. As a working foreman, Demel helped maintain more than 80 pieces of self-propelled equipment, plus other large equipment like an asphalt plant and dredges. He also helped purchase new equipment and said two of the first three trucks he helped purchase in 1990 are still in use by the county - the other one was in a crash."My job was to bring in equipment that was dependable, long-lasting, low maintenance, and then perform the maintenance on them, and run the shop and yard," Demel said.Over time, Demel picked up an additional role, marking graves and performing some of the maintenance at the county's then newly-acquired Hillcrest and Golden Belt cemeteries. It was complicated work, he said, because no two cemeteries are alike.Naturally, technology changed over the course of five decades. Demel and staff purchased manuals for new equipment and received some maintenance training from the vendors. They sampled oil from vehicles and machines to perform preventative maintenance."A lot of the equipment we had, outside of Venture, nobody else in Barton County has that equipment, so the maintenance people would have to come out of Wichita, Springfield, Mo., Kansas City, Denver," Demel said. "We learned that aspect of maintaining the equipment."Then again, some jobs were just a little too dangerous. The 480-volt asphalt plant required an electrician, and other big jobs required some outside help. "It's a very simple world when you think about it," said Demel. "You learn what you can, and you know your limitations and try not to step outside the box."Outside of work, Demel and his first wife raised four kids. Being a county employee allowed Demel to watch his kids grow up. His first wife passed away, and Demel remarried 12 years ago. He looks forward to enjoying the country life in his new retirement."I've lived in Great Bend all my life, and I'm looking forward to moving to the country," he said. "I built a garage out there, and I want to tinker and spend time with my grandkids and kids. We both have extended family so I have plenty to keep me busy."The key to Demel's long career as a county employee: being a big talker. "I think that's how I survived, being able to talk to people and being able to get along with people," he said. "Basically, that's what you have to do if you're going to work in a job like shop foreman for a highway department. You have to be able to get along and communicate and pick up ideas. A lot of my knowledge was experienced first hand, and it worked out very well for me."

Demel retires after 51 years as Barton County employee

Today Sunny, with a high near 52. West northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. South southwest wind 3 to 7 mph.

Saturday A 30 percent chance of rain after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52. South southwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming east in the afternoon.

Saturday Night A 50 percent chance of rain, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Light and variable wind becoming north 13 to 18 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph.

Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. North northwest wind 12 to 17 mph becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph.

Sunday Night Clear, with a low around 30.

Monday Sunny, with a high near 54.

Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.

Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. Breezy.

Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 18.

Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 39.

Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 21.

Thursday Sunny, with a high near 49. Breezy.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Today Sunny, with a high near 52. West northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming south in the afternoon.Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. South southwest wind 3 to 7 mph.Saturday A 30 percent chance of rain after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52. South southwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming east in the afternoon.Saturday Night A 50 percent chance of rain, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Light and variable wind becoming north 13 to 18 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph.Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. North northwest wind 12 to 17 mph becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph.Sunday Night Clear, with a low around 30.Monday Sunny, with a high near 54.Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. Breezy.Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 18.Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 39.Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 21.Thursday Sunny, with a high near 49. Breezy.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Friday Weather

Many television viewers around the area are already aware of educational daytime programming on Smoky Hills PBS. Fewer are aware of the station's Literacy Leadership Program. Smoky Hills recently received a $2,000 grant from the Golden Belt Community Foundation, and Marketing Director Amanda Smith said that will allow Smoky Hills to continue its First Book Club.

"Through our partnership with the Golden Belt Community Foundation, the funds they give us, we are able to provide free books to children enrolled in preschool in Barton, Pawnee, and Rush counties," Smith said. "This is something we're able to do every year because of the Golden Belt Community Foundation."

Children enrolled in preschool or Head Start programs in those three counties are eligible to sign up for free books. The books will be distributed in the winter, spring, and fall semesters of 2023.

"It's a great thing to provide free books to those communities because, in some cases, these will be the only books children have at home," said Smith. "So to be able to provide them with these free books is definitely a great thing, and we are so happy we are able to partner with the Golden Belt Community Foundation to make this happen."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655818101437.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostMany television viewers around the area are already aware of educational daytime programming on Smoky Hills PBS. Fewer are aware of the station's Literacy Leadership Program. Smoky Hills recently received a $2,000 grant from the Golden Belt Community Foundation, and Marketing Director Amanda Smith said that will allow Smoky Hills to continue its First Book Club."Through our partnership with the Golden Belt Community Foundation, the funds they give us, we are able to provide free books to children enrolled in preschool in Barton, Pawnee, and Rush counties," Smith said. "This is something we're able to do every year because of the Golden Belt Community Foundation."Children enrolled in preschool or Head Start programs in those three counties are eligible to sign up for free books. The books will be distributed in the winter, spring, and fall semesters of 2023."It's a great thing to provide free books to those communities because, in some cases, these will be the only books children have at home," said Smith. "So to be able to provide them with these free books is definitely a great thing, and we are so happy we are able to partner with the Golden Belt Community Foundation to make this happen."The Golden Belt Community Foundation was established in 1996 to provide non-profit organizations in Barton, Pawnee, Rush, and Stafford counties with a permanent source of support. Smoky Hills PBS serves 71 counties in Central and Western Kansas.