The Great Bend High School Madrigal Pop Singers will host a car wash and bake sale at Orscheln Farm &amp; Home store located at 5320 10th Street on Sunday, Sept. 11 from 1-5 pm.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662744016073.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Great Bend High School Madrigal Pop Singers will host a car wash and bake sale at Orscheln Farm &amp; Home store located at 5320 10th Street on Sunday, Sept. 11 from 1-5 pm.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662744028945.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Great Bend Madrigals hosting car wash/bake sale Sunday

Wheatland Electric Cooperative, Inc. announced today that its Sharing Success Fund, managed by the Scott Community Foundation, has awarded a $1,000 grant to the Central Kansas Dream Center.

The Central Kansas Dream Center serves more than 400 people a week through a number of faith-based ministries, including a women and children’s shelter; a nine-month in-house discipleship program; a yearlong residential treatment program for trafficking victims; a program to help teens who have aged out of foster care; Kingdom Kloset, a boutique that provides clothing, linens, and household items and the DC kitchen which has served over 30,000 hot meals in the past year.

Sharing Success grant funds will be used to purchase items needed to support the Dream Center’s efforts, reaching hurting people, restoring families, and realizing dreams by providing the people they serve with a sense of physical, spiritual, and emotional security.

The Scott Community Foundation began formally accepting applications for grants from the Wheatland Electric Sharing Success Fund from community-based organizations on December 1, 2012. Wheatland Electric and CoBank have each contributed $10,000 this again year to the fund. The program will continue to run until the funds are exhausted. Since 2012, the Sharing Success Fund has made $125,000 available to community-based organizations and projects across Wheatland’s service territory.

Community based organizations interested in receiving funding from the Wheatland Electric Sharing Success Fund can apply online at https://www.weci.net/sharing-success-program. Questions should be referred to Alli Conine, Director of Member Services &amp; Corporate Communications, at 620-874-4563 or aconine@weci.net.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662734448442.jpeg" alt="Wheatland Electric member services and key accounts manager Mary Hoisington (right) presents a $1,000 Sharing Success grant to Angela Chill, representing the Central Kansas Dream Center. Grant funds will be used to purchase items needed to support the organization’s mission and the people they serve." />
 <figcaption>Wheatland Electric member services and key accounts manager Mary Hoisington (right) presents a $1,000 Sharing Success grant to Angela Chill, representing the Central Kansas Dream Center. Grant funds will be used to purchase items needed to support the organization’s mission and the people they serve.</figcaption>
 </figure>Wheatland Electric Cooperative, Inc. announced today that its Sharing Success Fund, managed by the Scott Community Foundation, has awarded a $1,000 grant to the Central Kansas Dream Center.The Central Kansas Dream Center serves more than 400 people a week through a number of faith-based ministries, including a women and children’s shelter; a nine-month in-house discipleship program; a yearlong residential treatment program for trafficking victims; a program to help teens who have aged out of foster care; Kingdom Kloset, a boutique that provides clothing, linens, and household items and the DC kitchen which has served over 30,000 hot meals in the past year.Sharing Success grant funds will be used to purchase items needed to support the Dream Center’s efforts, reaching hurting people, restoring families, and realizing dreams by providing the people they serve with a sense of physical, spiritual, and emotional security.The Scott Community Foundation began formally accepting applications for grants from the Wheatland Electric Sharing Success Fund from community-based organizations on December 1, 2012. Wheatland Electric and CoBank have each contributed $10,000 this again year to the fund. The program will continue to run until the funds are exhausted. Since 2012, the Sharing Success Fund has made $125,000 available to community-based organizations and projects across Wheatland’s service territory.Community based organizations interested in receiving funding from the Wheatland Electric Sharing Success Fund can apply online at https://www.weci.net/sharing-success-program. Questions should be referred to Alli Conine, Director of Member Services &amp; Corporate Communications, at 620-874-4563 or aconine@weci.net.

Central Kansas Dream Center receives grant from Wheatland Electric

September is a busy month for Kansas producers, who are making final selections for wheat varieties, prepping equipment and spraying volunteer wheat and weeds ahead of planting this year’s wheat crop. K-State Agronomy recently released guidance on one other action that could help save some cost and set the 2023 wheat harvest up for success from day one — soil sampling.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In a K-State Agronomy eUpdate on August 25, Nutrient Management Specialist Dorivar Ruiz Diaz noted soil sampling “is particularly important with higher fertilizer prices contributing to very tight margins for wheat.”&nbsp;

Ruiz Diaz wrote, “Accurate decisions are especially important during years with low grain prices and tight budgets. Furthermore, after variable conditions and yield levels across the state, fertilizer needs may require adjustments based on soil test…Now is the time to get those samples taken, to ensure there will be enough time to consider those test results when planning your fall fertilizer programs.”

Producers should plan for 10 to 20 soil samples per field for an accurate measure of nutrients throughout the field, rather than applying nutrients based on sampling in only a small area. While the specific soil tests producers should order depend on location, application methods and level of tillage, the most common nutrients to which wheat shows good responses are nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) with low soil pH rounding out “the Big 3.” However, in Kansas, sulfur and chloride deficiencies are becoming more common.&nbsp;

Producers can opt for one of two standard soil samples — 0-6 inches and 0-24 inches. The standard 0-6 inch sample helps test for nutrients Phosphorus&nbsp;&nbsp;and potassium (K), both of which are buffered processes in Kansas soils. According to Ruiz Diaz, “This simply means that the soil contains significant quantities of these nutrients, and the soil tests we commonly use provide an index value of the amounts available to the plant, not a true quantitative measure of the amounts present.”&nbsp;

Wheat takes up the majority of its N before flowering, but “in many years, especially following dry summers like this year, significant amounts of N can be present in soils at wheat planting.” Still, these residual N levels may be lower than “default” values and producers need to adjust applications according to sampling recommendations.&nbsp;

For P, Ruiz Diaz noted: “Wheat is the most P-responsive crop we grow in Kansas, and while the P removal with wheat may be less than with corn or soybeans, the relative yield response is often the highest.”

K-State also noted low soil pH is an increasing concern, especially in fields with high rates of previous N applications. Potassium (K) deficiency could also be an issue in southeast and south central Kansas, but the focus of most K testing is with rotation crops like corn and soybeans.

Other options producers can monitor with this standard sample include soil organic matter and micronutrients like zinc, both of which are especially important when planning for rotation crops like corn and grain sorghum. Soil organic matter also helps producers calculate N needs; K-State calculates 10 pounds of available N for every 1% of soil organic matter.&nbsp;

Without soil sampling, Kansas producers could waste valuable resources by applying too many or too few nutrients, which could result in excess foliage, increased plant disease, inefficient use of water and reduced yields. In contrast, combining soil sampling information with yield maps, topography, personal experience on the land and other information allows producers to build layers of management for each wheat field. Doing so long-term helps growers minimize cost, maximize yield and build healthier soil for the upcoming growing season and wheat harvests for years to come.&nbsp;

Read the full K-State Agronomy eUpdate articles on soil testing at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Aup7pHlJN3Zc2DC4ItEiPMyeUCUOu8z299y6NB0tGyVGWJ8Tdvb7nQzMd16HwS4yKvnr_5B_BAddkW4u4FKJS8rCRCQk5O6B5AQd4iD-ZBmu7Ek46YN98n7LTk7KuRViZUNoTmovd-dfYYULT2K-uhRCul-wr9Gg&amp;c=MpmksbsekVX8j-_xCVJ5QsQjJxr9kPxO2QOkQ8ZNtdBD4e2x_3uD9A==&amp;ch=XHH8856BBM0LYkwH5qk9wjjFQe_mkAVvXEkish67tQQm2j1s9HP54Q==" target="_blank">https://eupdate.agronomy.ksu.edu</a>.&nbsp;

For more information on soil sampling and submitting samples to the K-State Soil Testing Laboratory, visit their website at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Aup7pHlJN3Zc2DC4ItEiPMyeUCUOu8z299y6NB0tGyVGWJ8Tdvb7nQ3XFFrenNmbAxXd_AT7XNXgZnFkMlXLbEESZHmyZ7cB3JsFkOuT-h-JVAjEZKPEyYbugkWRfa6GuGhsxz46txENw52la0txiCgWhJ_4eMzAFJ6BNGQWov22kPq7Ch8E3mCAEx_ksTsm&amp;c=MpmksbsekVX8j-_xCVJ5QsQjJxr9kPxO2QOkQ8ZNtdBD4e2x_3uD9A==&amp;ch=XHH8856BBM0LYkwH5qk9wjjFQe_mkAVvXEkish67tQQm2j1s9HP54Q==" target="_blank">http://www.agronomy.k-state.edu/services/soiltesting/</a>.

Written by Julia Debes for Kansas Wheat

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662733814858.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>September is a busy month for Kansas producers, who are making final selections for wheat varieties, prepping equipment and spraying volunteer wheat and weeds ahead of planting this year’s wheat crop. K-State Agronomy recently released guidance on one other action that could help save some cost and set the 2023 wheat harvest up for success from day one — soil sampling.&nbsp;&nbsp;In a K-State Agronomy eUpdate on August 25, Nutrient Management Specialist Dorivar Ruiz Diaz noted soil sampling “is particularly important with higher fertilizer prices contributing to very tight margins for wheat.”&nbsp;Ruiz Diaz wrote, “Accurate decisions are especially important during years with low grain prices and tight budgets. Furthermore, after variable conditions and yield levels across the state, fertilizer needs may require adjustments based on soil test…Now is the time to get those samples taken, to ensure there will be enough time to consider those test results when planning your fall fertilizer programs.”Producers should plan for 10 to 20 soil samples per field for an accurate measure of nutrients throughout the field, rather than applying nutrients based on sampling in only a small area. While the specific soil tests producers should order depend on location, application methods and level of tillage, the most common nutrients to which wheat shows good responses are nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) with low soil pH rounding out “the Big 3.” However, in Kansas, sulfur and chloride deficiencies are becoming more common.&nbsp;Producers can opt for one of two standard soil samples — 0-6 inches and 0-24 inches. The standard 0-6 inch sample helps test for nutrients Phosphorus&nbsp;&nbsp;and potassium (K), both of which are buffered processes in Kansas soils. According to Ruiz Diaz, “This simply means that the soil contains significant quantities of these nutrients, and the soil tests we commonly use provide an index value of the amounts available to the plant, not a true quantitative measure of the amounts present.”&nbsp;Wheat takes up the majority of its N before flowering, but “in many years, especially following dry summers like this year, significant amounts of N can be present in soils at wheat planting.” Still, these residual N levels may be lower than “default” values and producers need to adjust applications according to sampling recommendations.&nbsp;For P, Ruiz Diaz noted: “Wheat is the most P-responsive crop we grow in Kansas, and while the P removal with wheat may be less than with corn or soybeans, the relative yield response is often the highest.”K-State also noted low soil pH is an increasing concern, especially in fields with high rates of previous N applications. Potassium (K) deficiency could also be an issue in southeast and south central Kansas, but the focus of most K testing is with rotation crops like corn and soybeans.Other options producers can monitor with this standard sample include soil organic matter and micronutrients like zinc, both of which are especially important when planning for rotation crops like corn and grain sorghum. Soil organic matter also helps producers calculate N needs; K-State calculates 10 pounds of available N for every 1% of soil organic matter.&nbsp;Without soil sampling, Kansas producers could waste valuable resources by applying too many or too few nutrients, which could result in excess foliage, increased plant disease, inefficient use of water and reduced yields. In contrast, combining soil sampling information with yield maps, topography, personal experience on the land and other information allows producers to build layers of management for each wheat field. Doing so long-term helps growers minimize cost, maximize yield and build healthier soil for the upcoming growing season and wheat harvests for years to come.&nbsp;Read the full K-State Agronomy eUpdate articles on soil testing at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Aup7pHlJN3Zc2DC4ItEiPMyeUCUOu8z299y6NB0tGyVGWJ8Tdvb7nQzMd16HwS4yKvnr_5B_BAddkW4u4FKJS8rCRCQk5O6B5AQd4iD-ZBmu7Ek46YN98n7LTk7KuRViZUNoTmovd-dfYYULT2K-uhRCul-wr9Gg&amp;c=MpmksbsekVX8j-_xCVJ5QsQjJxr9kPxO2QOkQ8ZNtdBD4e2x_3uD9A==&amp;ch=XHH8856BBM0LYkwH5qk9wjjFQe_mkAVvXEkish67tQQm2j1s9HP54Q==" target="_blank">https://eupdate.agronomy.ksu.edu</a>.&nbsp;For more information on soil sampling and submitting samples to the K-State Soil Testing Laboratory, visit their website at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Aup7pHlJN3Zc2DC4ItEiPMyeUCUOu8z299y6NB0tGyVGWJ8Tdvb7nQ3XFFrenNmbAxXd_AT7XNXgZnFkMlXLbEESZHmyZ7cB3JsFkOuT-h-JVAjEZKPEyYbugkWRfa6GuGhsxz46txENw52la0txiCgWhJ_4eMzAFJ6BNGQWov22kPq7Ch8E3mCAEx_ksTsm&amp;c=MpmksbsekVX8j-_xCVJ5QsQjJxr9kPxO2QOkQ8ZNtdBD4e2x_3uD9A==&amp;ch=XHH8856BBM0LYkwH5qk9wjjFQe_mkAVvXEkish67tQQm2j1s9HP54Q==" target="_blank">http://www.agronomy.k-state.edu/services/soiltesting/</a>.Written by Julia Debes for Kansas Wheat

Wheat Scoop:  K-State recommends testing soils ahead of planting

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

Deadlines for several facade improvement projects are just around the corner. At Wednesday's meeting, the Barton County Commission granted extensions on two of the improvements and granted additional funds for construction on a project in Hoisington.

"The rule of thumb we've kind of set out, just so everybody knows, if somebody is wanting an extension, for the most part, they need to come in," said Commission Chair Shawn Hutchinson. "We'll make an exception if they can't be here for some reason, or if they need more money, they need to come in. If they come in under budget or on budget, they don't have to come back. We'll use the before and after pictures and put it on our Facebook page or website that shows the progress."

The county's Facade Improvement Grant provides financial assistance to businesses and property owners for facade improvements to downtown areas to create a visual impact and increase economic prosperity. Prior to the original deadline of Dec. 31, 2021, businesses could be provided up to 75 percent of eligible project costs with a cap of $20,000.

Loretta Miller with The Gallery, located on Forest Avenue in Great Bend, asked for an extension to June 30, 2023. Contractors have completed some work around her two properties, but she ran into delays due to the replacement of a plate glass window.

"It will be different than what we originally planned because I thought we could keep the big plate glass windows, but we can't because when you do work like that, you have to put in something different because they're old," she said. "They're not considered safe."

Miller said the new windows will give the business a cottage look. Improvements at The Gallery will also include new paint, new awnings, and an unused door that has been bricked over. Miller expects the final bit of construction work to begin in November. Miller was allocated a total of $23,370.33 for the two properties in Sept. 2021.

The commission also approved an extension to June 30, 2023, on B&amp;H Development's properties located at 2015 and 2017 Lakin in Great Bend. Barton County Director of Operations Matt Patzner spoke on behalf of delays regarding historic stained-glass windows in the properties. B&amp;H was allocated $20,000 in Sept. 2021.

Patzner also shared details on improvements to Twisted Fusion at 167 S. Main Street in Hoisington. After contractor issues, that property finished its improvements but exceeded the budget by $539. The commission agreed to award additional funds in the amount of $404 per the original agreement to push the total allocation to $19,566.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662730620908.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostDeadlines for several facade improvement projects are just around the corner. At Wednesday's meeting, the Barton County Commission granted extensions on two of the improvements and granted additional funds for construction on a project in Hoisington."The rule of thumb we've kind of set out, just so everybody knows, if somebody is wanting an extension, for the most part, they need to come in," said Commission Chair Shawn Hutchinson. "We'll make an exception if they can't be here for some reason, or if they need more money, they need to come in. If they come in under budget or on budget, they don't have to come back. We'll use the before and after pictures and put it on our Facebook page or website that shows the progress."The county's Facade Improvement Grant provides financial assistance to businesses and property owners for facade improvements to downtown areas to create a visual impact and increase economic prosperity. Prior to the original deadline of Dec. 31, 2021, businesses could be provided up to 75 percent of eligible project costs with a cap of $20,000.Loretta Miller with The Gallery, located on Forest Avenue in Great Bend, asked for an extension to June 30, 2023. Contractors have completed some work around her two properties, but she ran into delays due to the replacement of a plate glass window."It will be different than what we originally planned because I thought we could keep the big plate glass windows, but we can't because when you do work like that, you have to put in something different because they're old," she said. "They're not considered safe."Miller said the new windows will give the business a cottage look. Improvements at The Gallery will also include new paint, new awnings, and an unused door that has been bricked over. Miller expects the final bit of construction work to begin in November. Miller was allocated a total of $23,370.33 for the two properties in Sept. 2021.The commission also approved an extension to June 30, 2023, on B&amp;H Development's properties located at 2015 and 2017 Lakin in Great Bend. Barton County Director of Operations Matt Patzner spoke on behalf of delays regarding historic stained-glass windows in the properties. B&amp;H was allocated $20,000 in Sept. 2021.Patzner also shared details on improvements to Twisted Fusion at 167 S. Main Street in Hoisington. After contractor issues, that property finished its improvements but exceeded the budget by $539. The commission agreed to award additional funds in the amount of $404 per the original agreement to push the total allocation to $19,566.

Barton Co. Commission approves extensions on facade improvements

I must admit when I arrived back at my air-conditioned office last Wednesday after spending the day at Kid’s Ag Day, it felt good to sit down. The cool early morning temperatures gave way to a hot day, but that did not take away from the fun learning experienced by 4th graders in Barton County. Fourth grade is the perfect age for kids to learn about where their food and other products they use daily come from. The station that my team member, Monique, and I manned for the day emphasized the importance of adding whole grains and other nutritious foods to the diet. We also provided a snack of animal crackers and a serving of 100% fruit juice.

Fourth graders are old enough to learn about reading a nutrition fact label, found on food products. During our short session we talked about looking for whole wheat or another whole grain as the first ingredient and making sure that the food had very little added sugar. I know when we had young kids at home, our rule was that they could choose cereal that had seven grams or less of sugar in a serving. That is a harder assignment than you might think. Many of the popular cereals advertised today have upwards of fifteen or more grams of sugar per serving. And then what about the person who fills an enormous cereal bowl with two cups of cereal? You will need to double the amount of sugar that is consumed. Yikes!

Another benefit of eating whole grains is the amount of fiber that contributes to healthier bodies. A feeling of fullness and healthy elimination are achieved when we consume around 30 grams of fiber each day. Our demonstration showed how fast a slice of white bread disintegrates when dipped in water and how the 100% whole wheat slice held together.

Besides talking about eating whole grains, we had Kassie Linsner, from Hoisington, visit with the 4th graders about joining 4-H. It’s always good to see our young people sharing what they are passionate about.

Hats off to our Great Bend Chamber for putting together such a well-planned event. In it’s 28th year, many of the volunteers have helped lead a session or demonstration every year. I know I appreciated the help of June, Imogene, Aleta, Marilyn, and Kay who served the snacks.

Short after the calendar turns to October the Hays area 4th graders will be treated to a similar event. Their Kid’s Ag Day is sponsored by Farm Bureau on October 5th. Stacy Campbell, a Cottonwood District Ag and Natural Resources Agent, will have a station teaching young people about corn and the many by products they use daily.

I’m so glad we live in communities that value and promote the farming community and want our young people to develop an appreciation as well!

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141404420.png" alt="written by: Donna Krug - Cottonwood Extension District" />
 <figcaption>written by: Donna Krug - Cottonwood Extension District</figcaption>
 </figure>I must admit when I arrived back at my air-conditioned office last Wednesday after spending the day at Kid’s Ag Day, it felt good to sit down. The cool early morning temperatures gave way to a hot day, but that did not take away from the fun learning experienced by 4th graders in Barton County. Fourth grade is the perfect age for kids to learn about where their food and other products they use daily come from. The station that my team member, Monique, and I manned for the day emphasized the importance of adding whole grains and other nutritious foods to the diet. We also provided a snack of animal crackers and a serving of 100% fruit juice.Fourth graders are old enough to learn about reading a nutrition fact label, found on food products. During our short session we talked about looking for whole wheat or another whole grain as the first ingredient and making sure that the food had very little added sugar. I know when we had young kids at home, our rule was that they could choose cereal that had seven grams or less of sugar in a serving. That is a harder assignment than you might think. Many of the popular cereals advertised today have upwards of fifteen or more grams of sugar per serving. And then what about the person who fills an enormous cereal bowl with two cups of cereal? You will need to double the amount of sugar that is consumed. Yikes!Another benefit of eating whole grains is the amount of fiber that contributes to healthier bodies. A feeling of fullness and healthy elimination are achieved when we consume around 30 grams of fiber each day. Our demonstration showed how fast a slice of white bread disintegrates when dipped in water and how the 100% whole wheat slice held together.Besides talking about eating whole grains, we had Kassie Linsner, from Hoisington, visit with the 4th graders about joining 4-H. It’s always good to see our young people sharing what they are passionate about.Hats off to our Great Bend Chamber for putting together such a well-planned event. In it’s 28th year, many of the volunteers have helped lead a session or demonstration every year. I know I appreciated the help of June, Imogene, Aleta, Marilyn, and Kay who served the snacks.Short after the calendar turns to October the Hays area 4th graders will be treated to a similar event. Their Kid’s Ag Day is sponsored by Farm Bureau on October 5th. Stacy Campbell, a Cottonwood District Ag and Natural Resources Agent, will have a station teaching young people about corn and the many by products they use daily.I’m so glad we live in communities that value and promote the farming community and want our young people to develop an appreciation as well!Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: (620) 793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

KRUG: 4th graders learn where their food comes from

The competition in Class 5A has been especially tough for runners over the past two decades. St. Thomas Aquinas has won the last eight 5A state cross country championships, and last October, two Aquinas runners led the state field before heading on to NCAA Div. I schools.

Right behind them was Great Bend's Kaiden Esfeld. Logan Seger won last year's title in 15:39, followed by teammate Ashton Higgerson in 15:51. Esfeld, in 15:54, was the only other 5A runner to crack 16 minutes at state. Now a senior, Esfeld is the de facto front runner for this year's 5A championship. He opened the season strong on Sept. 1 by setting the course record at Lake Barton.

"I know it will probably be a good battle with some of the other guys up there with me," Esfeld said, "but I do consider myself one of the top ones to be up there with them."

Esfeld set the Lake Barton record in 16:09.6, 33 seconds ahead of Garden City's silver medalist Devin Chappel, who ran fourth at the 6A state cross country meet last October. 

Not that the wins come easy. Esfeld said there were a lot of early morning practices this summer, and he's changed his diet to maximize endurance. By the end of the summer, he was running 50-70 miles a week in preparation for the season.

"Training-wise, it's not as horrible as what it seems like after we get done," he said. "During it, it seems like a very painful thing, and sometimes it's one of the worst things we're doing. Really, I've gotten more used to the training style (Great Bend Coach Lyles) Lashley has, and I've kind of adapted my body to be able to take it pretty well."

Like many distance runners, Esfeld shows his versatility on the track each spring. As a sophomore, he swept the Western Athletic Conference in the 800, 1600, and 3200m races. Last May he repeated as the 800m champion but lost the 1600 and 3200m league titles to Chappel.

"The kid from Garden had beat him twice at the WAC track meet last year, so it was nice for him to avenge that loss," Lashley said.

Esfeld went on to win 5A regional titles in the 800m and 1600m runs, not competing in the 3200m race. A week later at the state meet in Wichita, with no Seger in the races for Aquinas, Esfeld placed fourth in the 1600m run and fell to ninth in the 800, missing the final state medal by just a quarter of a second. 

Now a senior and with many of the horses in front of him gone to graduation, Esfeld is on the short list of contenders for the Class 5A title this year. He set the course record in his first meet, running alone. His time will only improve as he runs against better competition.

"A lot of my races were running with someone and trying to take in that last 400 or 800 meters," he said. "I would have to say I enjoy those races more. It's a lot easier when you have someone to go back and forth with, pushing each other, compared to your having to push yourself and stay mentally strong throughout the whole race."

Kaiden got his start as a runner in middle school after watching his sister, McKenna, run for the Lady Panthers. She finished her prep cross country career with a 47th-place finish at the state meet in 2019. With no spring season in 2020, she ended her prep track career with state medals in the 800m run and 4x800m relay as a junior.

Following high school, Kaiden plans to study construction science management and run at a college to be determined.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662728599100.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostThe competition in Class 5A has been especially tough for runners over the past two decades. St. Thomas Aquinas has won the last eight 5A state cross country championships, and last October, two Aquinas runners led the state field before heading on to NCAA Div. I schools.Right behind them was Great Bend's Kaiden Esfeld. Logan Seger won last year's title in 15:39, followed by teammate Ashton Higgerson in 15:51. Esfeld, in 15:54, was the only other 5A runner to crack 16 minutes at state. Now a senior, Esfeld is the de facto front runner for this year's 5A championship. He opened the season strong on Sept. 1 by setting the course record at Lake Barton."I know it will probably be a good battle with some of the other guys up there with me," Esfeld said, "but I do consider myself one of the top ones to be up there with them."Esfeld set the Lake Barton record in 16:09.6, 33 seconds ahead of Garden City's silver medalist Devin Chappel, who ran fourth at the 6A state cross country meet last October. Not that the wins come easy. Esfeld said there were a lot of early morning practices this summer, and he's changed his diet to maximize endurance. By the end of the summer, he was running 50-70 miles a week in preparation for the season."Training-wise, it's not as horrible as what it seems like after we get done," he said. "During it, it seems like a very painful thing, and sometimes it's one of the worst things we're doing. Really, I've gotten more used to the training style (Great Bend Coach Lyles) Lashley has, and I've kind of adapted my body to be able to take it pretty well."Like many distance runners, Esfeld shows his versatility on the track each spring. As a sophomore, he swept the Western Athletic Conference in the 800, 1600, and 3200m races. Last May he repeated as the 800m champion but lost the 1600 and 3200m league titles to Chappel."The kid from Garden had beat him twice at the WAC track meet last year, so it was nice for him to avenge that loss," Lashley said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662060670769.jpeg" alt="Esfeld nearing the finish line on his Sept. 1 record run" />
 <figcaption>Esfeld nearing the finish line on his Sept. 1 record run</figcaption>
 </figure>Esfeld went on to win 5A regional titles in the 800m and 1600m runs, not competing in the 3200m race. A week later at the state meet in Wichita, with no Seger in the races for Aquinas, Esfeld placed fourth in the 1600m run and fell to ninth in the 800, missing the final state medal by just a quarter of a second. Now a senior and with many of the horses in front of him gone to graduation, Esfeld is on the short list of contenders for the Class 5A title this year. He set the course record in his first meet, running alone. His time will only improve as he runs against better competition."A lot of my races were running with someone and trying to take in that last 400 or 800 meters," he said. "I would have to say I enjoy those races more. It's a lot easier when you have someone to go back and forth with, pushing each other, compared to your having to push yourself and stay mentally strong throughout the whole race."Kaiden got his start as a runner in middle school after watching his sister, McKenna, run for the Lady Panthers. She finished her prep cross country career with a 47th-place finish at the state meet in 2019. With no spring season in 2020, she ended her prep track career with state medals in the 800m run and 4x800m relay as a junior.Following high school, Kaiden plans to study construction science management and run at a college to be determined.

GBHS senior Kaiden Esfeld gunning for state cross country title

History buffs&nbsp;are&nbsp;always&nbsp;in&nbsp;search&nbsp;for stories of the past. They want to&nbsp;learn&nbsp;about the landscape, animals, people and&nbsp;communities&nbsp;connected to those who came before&nbsp;them. Anytime they take a&nbsp;drive or wander about an old homestead or&nbsp;ghost&nbsp;town, their&nbsp;imaginations&nbsp;go into overdrive, wondering how those&nbsp;people’s&nbsp;lives compare to&nbsp;the&nbsp;modern world. This condition has afflicted me since childhood,&nbsp;and I&nbsp;challenge&nbsp;my husband’s patience as I distract him from looking for&nbsp;wild&nbsp;game to seek out&nbsp;evidence of these tales.&nbsp;

We recently traveled to rural area of SE Wyoming,&nbsp;once a mining and logging empire that evolved into a ranching, tourism, and wind energy&nbsp;driven economy.&nbsp;While there are plenty of updated sights to see, plenty of&nbsp;vintage&nbsp;log, stone, and brick structures remain to remind newcomers of the past.

The&nbsp;ranch&nbsp;where&nbsp;we stayed has modern log cabins with&nbsp;wi-fi, TV,&nbsp;hot and cold running water, and&nbsp;electricity&nbsp;for guests.&nbsp;As a counterbalance, it&nbsp;maintains&nbsp;the&nbsp;old homestead cabin and barn to remind&nbsp;owners and guests&nbsp;of its humble beginnings.&nbsp;

Imagine being one of the earliest pioneers in the Platte Valley where summer is short and winter is long.&nbsp;Settlers&nbsp;required&nbsp;protection from&nbsp;the elements&nbsp;in an area small enough they could&nbsp;readily&nbsp;heat it.&nbsp;As a result, these first cabins are&nbsp;small&nbsp;even though you know some families were large. All required minimal construction,&nbsp;and each has a stove pipe hole or remnants of a stone chimney even if they’re&nbsp;tumbling&nbsp;down. &nbsp;Every ranch we drove past still has original buildings on site.&nbsp;One reason,&nbsp;I’m sure,&nbsp;is for esthetics. Another has to be to remind&nbsp;them&nbsp;how hard life was for their ancestors.&nbsp;

Seeing these&nbsp;historic remnants caused me to&nbsp;compare&nbsp;my&nbsp;Great Plains ancestors to&nbsp;those mountain&nbsp;residents’ forebearers. Just&nbsp;as&nbsp;native people&nbsp;around&nbsp;the world used the resources at hand to construct homes, so did&nbsp;my&nbsp;predecessors. Those who settled mountains had forests to provide logs and rivers where they could access stone building materials. Those of us on the prairie&nbsp;struggled&nbsp;to find&nbsp;enough logs to build an&nbsp;outhouse,&nbsp;let alone a&nbsp;cabin. &nbsp;They left sod and dirt as their construction choices.

For&nbsp;prairie&nbsp;immigrants, rock&nbsp;required&nbsp;first&nbsp;a source,&nbsp;then&nbsp;quarrying, cutting, and hauling, efforts that&nbsp;required&nbsp;time&nbsp;enough&nbsp;it put folks in danger of facing winter without roof&nbsp;or&nbsp;walls. &nbsp;To outwit Mother Nature, inventive ancestors discovered they could&nbsp;build a dugout in a creek bank or&nbsp;cut sod and&nbsp;stack it into walls to build&nbsp;a home that mostly kept weather out until they could build something more substantial.&nbsp;According to family lore,&nbsp;I don’t think&nbsp;these earth dwellings&nbsp;kept out snakes and bugs.

Those first prairie homes didn’t hold up&nbsp;well&nbsp;against weather&nbsp;extremes&nbsp;so we don’t see many&nbsp;remaining&nbsp;on family&nbsp;farm sites.&nbsp;When visiting&nbsp;old homesteads, check for indentions in banks of creeks or sides of hills. &nbsp;Look for&nbsp;piles of melted sod with remnants of stove pipes, wood frames, or odd metal&nbsp;sticking out.&nbsp;Today, those interested in&nbsp;such&nbsp;stories can visit museums&nbsp;with reproduction&nbsp;soddies&nbsp;or look through old&nbsp;family&nbsp;photos to see how&nbsp;prairie&nbsp;relatives&nbsp;fared compared to those who&nbsp;lived&nbsp;back East or in the mountains.

Based on experience,&nbsp;I find&nbsp;it’s easier to&nbsp;find&nbsp;fragments&nbsp;of the past where pioneers built with long lasting resources like rock and wood. However, it’s worth&nbsp;getting permission&nbsp;to walk old farmsteads&nbsp;to find original soddy or dugout&nbsp;sites.&nbsp;Once you discover one, be careful walking around.&nbsp;Spying&nbsp;the&nbsp;lid to an old stove that great great-gramma cooked on is a Eureka moment that memorializes&nbsp;where you came from and&nbsp;the&nbsp;sturdy folk who made you.

Karen is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and
 sixth-generation Kansan. After a time away, she’s glad to be home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662568668351.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN MADORINHistory buffs&nbsp;are&nbsp;always&nbsp;in&nbsp;search&nbsp;for stories of the past. They want to&nbsp;learn&nbsp;about the landscape, animals, people and&nbsp;communities&nbsp;connected to those who came before&nbsp;them. Anytime they take a&nbsp;drive or wander about an old homestead or&nbsp;ghost&nbsp;town, their&nbsp;imaginations&nbsp;go into overdrive, wondering how those&nbsp;people’s&nbsp;lives compare to&nbsp;the&nbsp;modern world. This condition has afflicted me since childhood,&nbsp;and I&nbsp;challenge&nbsp;my husband’s patience as I distract him from looking for&nbsp;wild&nbsp;game to seek out&nbsp;evidence of these tales.&nbsp;We recently traveled to rural area of SE Wyoming,&nbsp;once a mining and logging empire that evolved into a ranching, tourism, and wind energy&nbsp;driven economy.&nbsp;While there are plenty of updated sights to see, plenty of&nbsp;vintage&nbsp;log, stone, and brick structures remain to remind newcomers of the past.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658158605319.jpeg" alt="Karen Madorin" />
 <figcaption>Karen Madorin</figcaption>
 </figure>The&nbsp;ranch&nbsp;where&nbsp;we stayed has modern log cabins with&nbsp;wi-fi, TV,&nbsp;hot and cold running water, and&nbsp;electricity&nbsp;for guests.&nbsp;As a counterbalance, it&nbsp;maintains&nbsp;the&nbsp;old homestead cabin and barn to remind&nbsp;owners and guests&nbsp;of its humble beginnings.&nbsp;Imagine being one of the earliest pioneers in the Platte Valley where summer is short and winter is long.&nbsp;Settlers&nbsp;required&nbsp;protection from&nbsp;the elements&nbsp;in an area small enough they could&nbsp;readily&nbsp;heat it.&nbsp;As a result, these first cabins are&nbsp;small&nbsp;even though you know some families were large. All required minimal construction,&nbsp;and each has a stove pipe hole or remnants of a stone chimney even if they’re&nbsp;tumbling&nbsp;down. &nbsp;Every ranch we drove past still has original buildings on site.&nbsp;One reason,&nbsp;I’m sure,&nbsp;is for esthetics. Another has to be to remind&nbsp;them&nbsp;how hard life was for their ancestors.&nbsp;Seeing these&nbsp;historic remnants caused me to&nbsp;compare&nbsp;my&nbsp;Great Plains ancestors to&nbsp;those mountain&nbsp;residents’ forebearers. Just&nbsp;as&nbsp;native people&nbsp;around&nbsp;the world used the resources at hand to construct homes, so did&nbsp;my&nbsp;predecessors. Those who settled mountains had forests to provide logs and rivers where they could access stone building materials. Those of us on the prairie&nbsp;struggled&nbsp;to find&nbsp;enough logs to build an&nbsp;outhouse,&nbsp;let alone a&nbsp;cabin. &nbsp;They left sod and dirt as their construction choices.For&nbsp;prairie&nbsp;immigrants, rock&nbsp;required&nbsp;first&nbsp;a source,&nbsp;then&nbsp;quarrying, cutting, and hauling, efforts that&nbsp;required&nbsp;time&nbsp;enough&nbsp;it put folks in danger of facing winter without roof&nbsp;or&nbsp;walls. &nbsp;To outwit Mother Nature, inventive ancestors discovered they could&nbsp;build a dugout in a creek bank or&nbsp;cut sod and&nbsp;stack it into walls to build&nbsp;a home that mostly kept weather out until they could build something more substantial.&nbsp;According to family lore,&nbsp;I don’t think&nbsp;these earth dwellings&nbsp;kept out snakes and bugs.Those first prairie homes didn’t hold up&nbsp;well&nbsp;against weather&nbsp;extremes&nbsp;so we don’t see many&nbsp;remaining&nbsp;on family&nbsp;farm sites.&nbsp;When visiting&nbsp;old homesteads, check for indentions in banks of creeks or sides of hills. &nbsp;Look for&nbsp;piles of melted sod with remnants of stove pipes, wood frames, or odd metal&nbsp;sticking out.&nbsp;Today, those interested in&nbsp;such&nbsp;stories can visit museums&nbsp;with reproduction&nbsp;soddies&nbsp;or look through old&nbsp;family&nbsp;photos to see how&nbsp;prairie&nbsp;relatives&nbsp;fared compared to those who&nbsp;lived&nbsp;back East or in the mountains.Based on experience,&nbsp;I find&nbsp;it’s easier to&nbsp;find&nbsp;fragments&nbsp;of the past where pioneers built with long lasting resources like rock and wood. However, it’s worth&nbsp;getting permission&nbsp;to walk old farmsteads&nbsp;to find original soddy or dugout&nbsp;sites.&nbsp;Once you discover one, be careful walking around.&nbsp;Spying&nbsp;the&nbsp;lid to an old stove that great great-gramma cooked on is a Eureka moment that memorializes&nbsp;where you came from and&nbsp;the&nbsp;sturdy folk who made you.Karen is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and
 sixth-generation Kansan. After a time away, she’s glad to be home.

MADORIN: The stuff of sturdy folk

Western Athletic Conference Hays 33, Great Bend 7 Junction City 42, Dodge City 21 Garden City 77, Wichita North 6 Liberal 53, Emporia 0

Central Kansas League Hoisington 28, Halstead 0 Larned 54, Lyons 0 Pratt 28, Hesston 14 Smoky Valley 42, Haven 13 Hillsboro 21, Nickerson 0

Other 11-Man Games Douglas 14, Ellinwood 0 Russell 27, Plainville 7 Ellsworth 32, Republic County 0 TMP 35, Ellis 0 Marion 32, Sterling 14

8-Man Games Macksville 42, Central Plains 12 Kinsley 46, Otis-Bison 0 Ness City 12, St. John 8 Victoria 60, La Crosse 14 Stafford 46, Pratt-Skyline 24 Bucklin 62, Kiowa County 0 Meade 48, Hodgeman County 0 Lakeside 34, Wilson 12 Little River 57, Rural Vista 6

6-Man Games Pawnee Heights 81, Chase 60

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662238176075.jpeg" alt="Week 2 Schedule" />
 <figcaption>Week 2 Schedule</figcaption>
 </figure>Western Athletic Conference Hays 33, Great Bend 7 Junction City 42, Dodge City 21 Garden City 77, Wichita North 6 Liberal 53, Emporia 0Central Kansas League Hoisington 28, Halstead 0 Larned 54, Lyons 0 Pratt 28, Hesston 14 Smoky Valley 42, Haven 13 Hillsboro 21, Nickerson 0Other 11-Man Games Douglas 14, Ellinwood 0 Russell 27, Plainville 7 Ellsworth 32, Republic County 0 TMP 35, Ellis 0 Marion 32, Sterling 148-Man Games Macksville 42, Central Plains 12 Kinsley 46, Otis-Bison 0 Ness City 12, St. John 8 Victoria 60, La Crosse 14 Stafford 46, Pratt-Skyline 24 Bucklin 62, Kiowa County 0 Meade 48, Hodgeman County 0 Lakeside 34, Wilson 12 Little River 57, Rural Vista 66-Man Games Pawnee Heights 81, Chase 60

Area High School Football Scores - Week 2

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) have issued several public health advisories for Kansas lakes due to blue-green algae.&nbsp;

A harmful algal bloom (HAB) may look like foam, scum or paint floating on the water and be colored blue, bright green, brown or red. Blooms can develop rapidly; if the water appears suspicious or there is decaying algae on the shore, avoid contact and keep dogs away. These toxins can be absorbed by ingestion, inhalation of aerosols and even skin contact. Symptoms vary depending upon the type of exposure (e.g. direct contact, ingestion, inhalation) but can include rash, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, and headache. If you, or your dog, come into contact with algae rinse the area with clean, fresh water. Suspected HAB-related health incidents, whether human or animal, regardless of season, should be reported at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA5MDkuNjM0NzI0OTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5rZGhlLmtzLmdvdi8xMTYzL1JlcG9ydC1hbi1JbGxuZXNzLW9yLUhlYWx0aC1JbmNpZGVudD91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.RUPIa7OO5nh2ZZW-cRz8Lg5wD967GCYbaMNukRscEio/s/1305943097/br/143768132741-l" target="_blank">https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/1163</a>.&nbsp;

Warning&nbsp; Colwich City Lake, Sedgwick County&nbsp; Crystal Lake, Anderson County Ford County Lake, Ford County Gathering Pond, Geary County&nbsp; Hain SFL, Ford County&nbsp; Jerry Ivey Pond, Saline County&nbsp; Kingston Lake, Johnson County Melvern Outlet (River) Pond, Osage County&nbsp; Milford Lake Zone C, Geary and Clay County&nbsp; Overbrook City Lake, Osage County (Elevated on September 9) Rooks County SFL, Rooks County Summercrest Lake, Johnson County&nbsp;

Watch Carbondale City Lake (Strowbridge), Osage County (Lowered on September 9) Lake Scott State Park, Scott County Louisburg Old Lake (City Lake), Miami County&nbsp; Marion Reservoir, Marion County&nbsp; Milford Lake Zone A, Dickinson and Geary Counties&nbsp; Milford Lake Zone B, Geary County&nbsp;

A&nbsp;Warning status&nbsp;indicates that conditions are unsafe for human and pet exposure.&nbsp; Contact with the waterbody should be avoided.&nbsp;

When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:&nbsp;

A&nbsp;Watch status&nbsp;means that blue-green algae have been detected and a harmful algal bloom is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water.&nbsp;

During the watch status, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:&nbsp;

KDHE investigates publicly-accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on credible field observation and sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

If you observe a scum or paint-like surface on the water, small floating blue-green clumps or filaments in the water, or if the water is an opaque green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.&nbsp;

For information on blue-green algae and reporting potential harmful algal blooms, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA5MDkuNjM0NzI0OTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5rZGhlLmtzLmdvdi9IQUI_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0.s7Dzi6Kd7id_Nupl7_csdnFDFym-t9z_WTF_mj0lmuY/s/1305943097/br/143768132741-l" target="_blank">https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/HAB</a><a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA5MDkuNjM0NzI0OTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmtkaGVrcy5nb3YvYWxnYWUtaWxsbmVzcy9pbmRleC5odG0_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0._aBz627iyUauvE2ez1-loWOfv9aCgvj8n3Hw4ubxzUs/s/1305943097/br/143768132741-l" target="_blank"></a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1593727789226.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) have issued several public health advisories for Kansas lakes due to blue-green algae.&nbsp;A harmful algal bloom (HAB) may look like foam, scum or paint floating on the water and be colored blue, bright green, brown or red. Blooms can develop rapidly; if the water appears suspicious or there is decaying algae on the shore, avoid contact and keep dogs away. These toxins can be absorbed by ingestion, inhalation of aerosols and even skin contact. Symptoms vary depending upon the type of exposure (e.g. direct contact, ingestion, inhalation) but can include rash, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, and headache. If you, or your dog, come into contact with algae rinse the area with clean, fresh water. Suspected HAB-related health incidents, whether human or animal, regardless of season, should be reported at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA5MDkuNjM0NzI0OTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5rZGhlLmtzLmdvdi8xMTYzL1JlcG9ydC1hbi1JbGxuZXNzLW9yLUhlYWx0aC1JbmNpZGVudD91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.RUPIa7OO5nh2ZZW-cRz8Lg5wD967GCYbaMNukRscEio/s/1305943097/br/143768132741-l" target="_blank">https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/1163</a>.&nbsp;Active Advisories&nbsp;Warning&nbsp; Colwich City Lake, Sedgwick County&nbsp; Crystal Lake, Anderson County Ford County Lake, Ford County Gathering Pond, Geary County&nbsp; Hain SFL, Ford County&nbsp; Jerry Ivey Pond, Saline County&nbsp; Kingston Lake, Johnson County Melvern Outlet (River) Pond, Osage County&nbsp; Milford Lake Zone C, Geary and Clay County&nbsp; Overbrook City Lake, Osage County (Elevated on September 9) Rooks County SFL, Rooks County Summercrest Lake, Johnson County&nbsp;Watch Carbondale City Lake (Strowbridge), Osage County (Lowered on September 9) Lake Scott State Park, Scott County Louisburg Old Lake (City Lake), Miami County&nbsp; Marion Reservoir, Marion County&nbsp; Milford Lake Zone A, Dickinson and Geary Counties&nbsp; Milford Lake Zone B, Geary County&nbsp;A&nbsp;Warning status&nbsp;indicates that conditions are unsafe for human and pet exposure.&nbsp; Contact with the waterbody should be avoided.&nbsp;When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Lake water is not safe to drink for pets or livestock.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Lake water, regardless of blue-green algae status, should never be consumed by humans.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Water contact should be avoided.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water and only the fillet portion is consumed, while all other parts are discarded.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Do not allow pets to eat dried algae.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>If lake water contacts skin, wash with clean water as soon as possible.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>A&nbsp;Watch status&nbsp;means that blue-green algae have been detected and a harmful algal bloom is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water.&nbsp;During the watch status, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Signage will be posted at all public access locations.&nbsp;</li><li>Water may be unsafe for humans/animals.&nbsp;</li><li>Avoid areas of algae accumulation and do not let people/pets eat dried algae or drink contaminated water.&nbsp;</li><li>Swimming, wading, skiing and jet skiing are discouraged near visible blooms.&nbsp;</li><li>Boating and fishing are safe. However, inhalation of the spray may affect some individuals. Avoid direct contact with water, and wash with clean water after any contact.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Clean fish well with potable water and eat fillet portion only.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>KDHE investigates publicly-accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on credible field observation and sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you observe a scum or paint-like surface on the water, small floating blue-green clumps or filaments in the water, or if the water is an opaque green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.&nbsp;For information on blue-green algae and reporting potential harmful algal blooms, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA5MDkuNjM0NzI0OTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5rZGhlLmtzLmdvdi9IQUI_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0.s7Dzi6Kd7id_Nupl7_csdnFDFym-t9z_WTF_mj0lmuY/s/1305943097/br/143768132741-l" target="_blank">https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/HAB</a><a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA5MDkuNjM0NzI0OTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmtkaGVrcy5nb3YvYWxnYWUtaWxsbmVzcy9pbmRleC5odG0_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0._aBz627iyUauvE2ez1-loWOfv9aCgvj8n3Hw4ubxzUs/s/1305943097/br/143768132741-l" target="_blank"></a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Public health advisories for Kansas lakes due to blue-green algae

By COLE REIF Great Bend Post The city-wide cleanup is approaching in Great Bend, and city
officials want to make sure all citizens have the help they need to dump their
items for free. 
 
Several construction-sized dumpsters will be stationed at the Sunflower
Diversified Services parking lot at 5605 10th Street from Sept. 24 - Oct. 2. 
 
The site will be staffed with city workers to help unload citizens’ items, but
City Administrator Kendal Francis wanted the public to be aware that there is
an option for volunteers to assist anyone unable to make the trip to the
cleanup site. 
 "If anyone knows someone that will be needing assistance, they can call," said Francis. "I'll get those scheduled, and we'll put together a route for volunteers to help assist with that." 
 
Anyone needing assistance loading or transporting items to dispose, should
contact Francis at 620-793-4111 or email <a href="mailto:kfrancis@greatbendks.net">kfrancis@greatbendks.net</a>. 
 
Francis estimated the cost to the city for the cleanup will be between $15,000 - $20,000. 
 
While no household hazardous waste will be taken, tires, trash, metal,
mattresses and appliances will be accepted.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656521228228.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend Post The city-wide cleanup is approaching in Great Bend, and city
officials want to make sure all citizens have the help they need to dump their
items for free. 
 
Several construction-sized dumpsters will be stationed at the Sunflower
Diversified Services parking lot at 5605 10th Street from Sept. 24 - Oct. 2. 
 
The site will be staffed with city workers to help unload citizens’ items, but
City Administrator Kendal Francis wanted the public to be aware that there is
an option for volunteers to assist anyone unable to make the trip to the
cleanup site. 
 "If anyone knows someone that will be needing assistance, they can call," said Francis. "I'll get those scheduled, and we'll put together a route for volunteers to help assist with that." 
 
Anyone needing assistance loading or transporting items to dispose, should
contact Francis at 620-793-4111 or email <a href="mailto:kfrancis@greatbendks.net">kfrancis@greatbendks.net</a>. 
 
Francis estimated the cost to the city for the cleanup will be between $15,000 - $20,000. 
 
While no household hazardous waste will be taken, tires, trash, metal,
mattresses and appliances will be accepted.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662574885703.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Great Bend’s city-wide cleanup approaching, help hauling available

Staff from the Great Bend Fire Department received training on grain bin rescues on Friday, Sept. 9. A crew from Oklahoma State University Fire Service Training conducted the training in Great Bend.

Watch one of the practiced rescues below.

Staff from the Great Bend Fire Department received training on grain bin rescues on Friday, Sept. 9. A crew from Oklahoma State University Fire Service Training conducted the training in Great Bend.Watch one of the practiced rescues below.<div><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/sVZGiJAK-KcBmu4K3.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Video Sep 09, 2 11 16 Pm" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div>

🎥Great Bend Fire Dept. train on grain bin rescues 

Reading is a gift that keeps on giving. That's why it's crucial to turn young minds onto books. Since 1995, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has donated more than 182 million free books to children in five countries, including the United States. In July, Governor Laura Kelly announced the state would assist in funding the program. And now United Way of Central Kansas is making it easier to access the program with online registration.

"Reading is just so important in those early years," said UWCK Director Charell Owings. "Not all of us have the opportunity, maybe, to get to the library or the bookstore as often as we'd like. This is at least getting, at a minimum, one book in that home a month for kids. It's age-appropriate. They're really good, high-quality books.

"I know from my own kids they are some of the ones we read on a consistent and regular basis. I have multiple of them memorized probably at this point because they are some of their favorites. They're really good books for kids."

The Imagination Library started in 1995 as a way to give books in Sevier County, Tenn., where the country legend grew up. Within 10 years, the program had extended to all 50 states. It is now open to any child ages 0-5 years. Participating families will receive one free book mailed to the home each month.

In July, Gov. Kelly's office announced the Kansas Children's Cabinet would begin matching dollar-for-dollar investments made by local Imagination Library programs. 

"That cut our monthly bill in half, which is fantastic because that doubles the amount of time we have funding for," said Owings. "We're also really making a push to get more kids enrolled, and we have now opened up online enrollment."

In August, UWCK mailed 541 books to children in Barton and Pawnee counties. Since opening online registration just a week ago, the program has grown with 70 new participants.

<a href="https://unitedwayinc.org/our-work/youth-success/imagination-library/">CLICK HERE</a> for online registration to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604428514200.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostReading is a gift that keeps on giving. That's why it's crucial to turn young minds onto books. Since 1995, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has donated more than 182 million free books to children in five countries, including the United States. In July, Governor Laura Kelly announced the state would assist in funding the program. And now United Way of Central Kansas is making it easier to access the program with online registration."Reading is just so important in those early years," said UWCK Director Charell Owings. "Not all of us have the opportunity, maybe, to get to the library or the bookstore as often as we'd like. This is at least getting, at a minimum, one book in that home a month for kids. It's age-appropriate. They're really good, high-quality books."I know from my own kids they are some of the ones we read on a consistent and regular basis. I have multiple of them memorized probably at this point because they are some of their favorites. They're really good books for kids."The Imagination Library started in 1995 as a way to give books in Sevier County, Tenn., where the country legend grew up. Within 10 years, the program had extended to all 50 states. It is now open to any child ages 0-5 years. Participating families will receive one free book mailed to the home each month.In July, Gov. Kelly's office announced the Kansas Children's Cabinet would begin matching dollar-for-dollar investments made by local Imagination Library programs. "That cut our monthly bill in half, which is fantastic because that doubles the amount of time we have funding for," said Owings. "We're also really making a push to get more kids enrolled, and we have now opened up online enrollment."In August, UWCK mailed 541 books to children in Barton and Pawnee counties. Since opening online registration just a week ago, the program has grown with 70 new participants.<a href="https://unitedwayinc.org/our-work/youth-success/imagination-library/">CLICK HERE</a> for online registration to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.&nbsp;

Online registration now available for Dolly Parton Imagination Library

By Vanessa Whiteside,&nbsp;<a href="https://onedelightfullife.com/" target="_blank">One Delightful Life</a>. Written in partnership with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.exploregreatbend.com/" target="_blank">Explore Great Bend</a>. Photos by One Delightful Life.&nbsp;

August 16, 2022&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a href="https://onedelightfullife.com/author/vanessaw/">Vanessa Whiteside</a>

Disclosure:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.exploregreatbend.com/" target="_blank">Explore Great Bend</a>&nbsp;sponsored this post. However, all opinions and photographs are my own.

When you’re looking for fun places to explore in Kansas, all roads should lead you to Great Bend. With an abundance of things to do, especially during a summer festival weekend, there’s never a dull moment. Whether you follow my trip itinerary exactly or use my experience to create your own, you’re going to love Great Bend’s go-to places.

I had the pleasure of starting my Great Bend experience at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/perkscoffeegb/about/?ref=page_internal" target="_blank">RePerks Coffee Shop</a>&nbsp;(1216 Main St.) in the heart of downtown. What is it about a coffee shop that seems to calm and center oneself? The smell of the roasted beans. A glass case is full of delectable desserts. Add a friendly barista, and it’s the ultimate start to the day.

RePerks is a local hangout that attracts residents and out-of-towners in search of a scratch-made breakfast served all day. But that’s not all – the lunch and dinner menus promise hearty portions appealing to those who want down-home comforting meals. Known for Fried Chicken Friday and Prime Rib Saturday, the quaint coffee shop will exceed your expectations.

Make a point of checking the dessert case prior to ordering. Inside, you’ll discover towering pies sold whole or by the slice.

Apparently, I didn’t read the menu close enough because I inadvertently ordered a BLT sandwich for my breakfast meal, but hey, it was delicious. I talked to the owner between bites and learned that they are also building another restaurant on the premises, Teller’s 1972. The steakhouse will open to welcome guests in October 2022.

A big draw of visitors to Great Bend during the summer is Party in the Park. With minutes to spare after breakfast, I drove over to Veterans Memorial Park to watch the kickstart of the Wet/Dry Parade. My contact from Explore Great Bend picked me up in a golf cart, and we sped off to position ourselves on the “dry side.”

The town’s first responders led a long trail of trucks and cars pulling floats. Kids sat in truckbeds poised with Supersoaker water blasters ready to spray parade bystanders. But the onlookers also had their own water canons! The energy was palpable as groups took their place on both sides of the railroad’s tracks that separated onlookers.

Later, we decided to drive the golf cart at the tail end of the parade. Just as I thought we were in the clear, an onery firefighter released a firehose in our direction soaking us from head to foot. Needless to say, it was a blast.

I love a challenge, and clearly, the town’s residents were up for a challenge as well. Multiple teams showed up at the park’s 12-acre lake to compete in the Anything That Floats Race. As each team dropped in their float, you could hear teams ribbing each other in the competitive spirit of the race. Would the town’s police officers win? The mother-son team? Who would take home the trophy?

I laughed as I watched boaters paddle their way through the designated path on the water. It was a lot of fun to watch townies cheer on race participants, especially as “the interns” paddled their way to first place. People gathered on the shore to snap pictures of them with the trophy.

Party in the Park’s car show was impressive with over 80 cars and trucks. Don’t you love a car show? If only we could take our pick of the selection and drive off in one, right?

If you’ve never been to a car show, you can expect the owners to sit in chairs behind their vehicles eagerly waiting to answer questions. Take a look inside and under the hood. Imagine yourself cruising down the road with the windows down. It’s the quintessential event of the summer.

The site of the festival,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartoncounty.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/Health%20Department%7CHeartland%20Walking%20Trails%3E%3EGreat%20Bend%20Veterans%27%20Memorial%20park" target="_blank">Veterans Memorial Park</a>, offers quite a bit to do any time of year. I took note of a fitness trail, newly added playground, sand volleyball area, baseball parks, paddleboat &amp; kayaks, disc golf course, and tennis courts. I was drawn to the monuments honoring the veterans located near the front entrance, which showcased a tank on display.

The park is large enough that you may want to drive and park your car depending on the areas you choose to explore. With ample shade trees and plenty of parking, you’ll find it easy to navigate to the ideal spot.

I was feeling energized after the festival’s morning festivities and ready to eat lunch.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.handlebargreatbend.com/" target="_blank">Handlebar Bar &amp; Grill</a>&nbsp;(807 10th St.) is open six days a week serving classic sports bar grub with a full bar of cold drinks.

When I pulled into the parking lot and scanned the area for open space, I didn’t find one and instead created my own under a shade tree. Inside, vintage motorcycle helmets and Harley Davidson relics dangled from the ceiling.

The restaurant is incredibly popular with locals who bring their families to dine on everything from buffalo wings and nachos to ribeyes and street tacos. Whatever you’re craving, you’ll find it on the&nbsp;<a href="http://chrome-extension//efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.handlebargreatbend.com/_files/ugd/866064_8076ca7b77b740e5b64c2b6f8523c49e.pdf" target="_blank">menu</a>. The Shrimp Po’ Boy hoagie sandwich came recommended, so I didn’t hesitate to order it. The addictive sriracha mayo and crispy breaded shrimp were appetizing.

If you arrive during the peak lunch or dinner hour, expect to wait for a table. If dining alone, it’s easy to snag a seat at the bar. Happy Hour is 4 pm -6 pm Tuesday-Friday. Ask about the bartender’s drink special and the featured menu item.

Make the most of a road trip to Great Bend by making your way downtown to shop locally. The first stop?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057584854449" target="_blank">Heart of Kansas Mercantile and Miss Pretty Pickles</a>&nbsp;(1212 and 1214 Main St.).

With a little something for everyone, the Heart of Kansas Mercantile store carries a large selection of home decor and specialty foods made in The Sunflower State. Tables and shelves are stacked with jellies and jams, jarred pickles, candles, kitchen towels, artwork, and more. Walk past the register and you find yourself inside Miss Pretty Pickles, a boutique store that stocks plush toys and children’s clothes.

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SweetDreamsCandyShopLLC" target="_blank">Sweet Dreams Candy Shop</a>&nbsp;(1403 Main St.) is a family-owned and operated store specializing in gummy candy, gum, retro hard candy, and flavorful sodas. The smell of sweet treats hits you as you enter the front door. Rows upon rows of brightly colored packaged candy await purchase on store shelves.

I chose to build my own six-pack of cream sodas and root beers to use for an at-home soda flight. If you love fudge, this is the place to shop for it. Loaves of Pecan Turtle, Belgian Chocolate, and Mint Chocolate fudge sit in a glass case ready to be sliced and sold.

Note: At the time of publication, Sweet Dreams Candy Shop was for sale. According to their Facebook page, if a buyer doesn’t take over the store, it will close by December 23, 2022.

<a href="http://rosewoodcreations.com/wine-cellar" target="_blank">Rosewood Wine Cellar</a>&nbsp;(1901 Lakin Ave.) is a shop devoted to vino enthusiasts. Of course, you’ll find a wine tasting bar (free samples!) as well as rows of handcrafted wine bottles for sale, but the store is much more than another retail store. Rosewood Wine Cellar’s products are made or harvested by client-employees with disabilities. Each time you make a purchase at the shop, you sustain employment for them.

The staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about the award-winning wines. They carry two dozen varieties of wine that are grown a short drive west of town. I was pleased to discover that they carried dry wines that were not overly sweet. However, if you’re someone who appreciates fruit-forward sweeter wines, you’re in luck. The store is an excellent place to bring a friend or purchase a gift for one.

You won’t leave empty-handed at Rosewood Winery Cellars. The inventory includes jars of gourmet relishes, salsas, honey, crackers, and more. If you’re on the lookout for a housewarming gift for someone, bath products, kitchenware, or aprons make shopping a breeze. Seasonal displays beckon home decor shoppers in search of accessories.

Calling art lovers! Lace up your sneakers and head out on the Great Bend Mural Walk to see street art created by students, community artists, and professional painters. Several locals encouraged me to find the newest installment by artist Ryan “ARCY” Christensen. Located at the corner of Forest and Williams, the scene is aviation-themed and was partially inspired by a 1940s poster.

Originally from Connecticut, Christensen has painted murals in urban areas across the country. His trademark? He paints a “hidden” Mickey Mouse in all of his murals. Do you see it?

Located nearby, I spotted a brightly colored Kansas landscape painted on the side of a commercial property by artist Melanie Ryan. The scene depicting Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area took up the entire west side of the building and wrapped around its backside. Located five miles north on US Highway 281, Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area is a marsh where birdwatchers flock to see shorebirds and waterfowl. In fact, 356 of the 482 species of birds currently known to occur in Kansas have been spotted at Cheyenne Bottoms.

A short drive across downtown led me back to Main Street to view “Starting Line,” a 3,000-square-foot mural serving as the perfect backdrop for race fans. If you’re headed to the dragstrip west of town, make a detour to this mural for a selfie or group photo.

Directly across the same parking lot is another beautiful mural on the side of the building housing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dillyanddoc.com/" target="_blank">Dilly &amp; Doc Creative Studio</a>&nbsp;(1110 Main Street). The paint-your-own creation studio welcomes wannabe artists and hosts private parties.

These large-scale paintings are a small sampling of the new and old ones you’ll discover in the area. For a map and self-guided tour of the murals, reach out to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bartoncounty.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/Health%20Department%7CHeartland%20Walking%20Trails%3E%3EGreat%20Bend%20Mural%20Walk" target="_blank">City of Great Bend</a>&nbsp;at 620-793-4111.

The sculptures outside of Barton County Courthouse in the center of downtown dot the landscape. Great Bend has been the county seat since 1867; however, the courthouse that exists today wasn’t built until 1918. According to its website, “Barton helped to provide medical supplies to soldiers during the Civil War and founded the American Red Cross in 1881.”

Situated in front of the&nbsp;<a href="https://greatbendpl.info/" target="_blank">Great Bend Library</a>&nbsp;(1409 Williams Street), you’ll spot sculptures with natural patina. Nestled amongst native grass, shrubs, and river rock, each sculpture depicts children enjoying reading or playing in a garden setting. Go inside the library to inquire about scheduled events such as movie night for adults.&nbsp;

If you’d prefer not to walk or drive to each public art installation, consider renting a free electric scooter. You’ll spot groupings of scooters sitting around the downtown corridor. Simply download&nbsp;<a href="https://go.bird.co/" target="_blank">The Bird app</a>&nbsp;and take a ride.

In a hurry after viewing public art, I raced back to Veterans Memorial Park to partake in more of the festival’s entertainment. The sun was shining and it was hot. I spotted a shade tent with a crowd of people preparing for an event. It was the annual eating contest.

If you could choose one food to eat in a hurry to beat the clock, what would it be? This year, the festival’s eating contest served a pan of Fruit Loops marshmallow treats and boy were the contestants pumped to compete. After snapping a few photos, I had to look away out of fear of what could happen. The winner was the person I predicted to win. She took her Fruit Loop speed eating responsibilities seriously.

If you had told me that I was going to serve as a guest judge for Party in the Park’s Best Mullet Contest, I would have immediately raised my hand for a high-five. “Yes!” The hair trend is back, and it was a complete thrill to join others in judging contestants’ hair that screamed: “business in the front, party in the back.”

We asked them questions like “Can you, please turn and move your hair?” and “Where do you get your hair cut?” of each contestant. In the end, each age group’s winner won a trophy and entrance to the festival’s evening live music show and fireworks display. Party on, man!

Rock on! Party in the Park always ends with a live music performance followed by fireworks. This year, Fool House – The Ultimate 90s Dance Party had festival goers jamming in their seats. After the band’s first set, people danced their way to the stage and boogied down to cover hits by the Backstreet Boys, Madonna, Spice Girls, and Blink 182.&nbsp;If attending the annual outdoor concert, tote a collapsable lawn chair and a BYOB cooler.

Earlier in the day, I appreciated a relaxing dinner at&nbsp;<a href="https://thepageanamericanbistro.com/" target="_blank">The Page An American Bistro</a>&nbsp;(2920 10th Street). Another local favorite, the inconspicuous restaurant sits directly behind Perkins Restaurant &amp; Bakery. If you blink, you might miss it. &nbsp;For those craving a more upscale meal for a romantic dinner or gathering with friends, The Page is the place.

The ribeye steak came with one choice of vegetable side and complimentary warm rolls with butter. Although I asked for medium rare, my steak was cooked medium. That didn’t take away from the steak’s flavor made better by the herbed butter on top. It also came with a bourbon sweet dipping sauce, but I preferred to stick with the herbed butter. The restaurant’s menu also features burgers, wraps, and pasta dishes.

Before the main course arrived, I devoured a dinner salad and sipped a glass of Kendall Jackson Chardonnay. The bar has a decent selection of wines including the town’s ever-popular Rosewood Cellars selections. House wine by the glass is $6.

The dining room is small in size so once it’s full, chatter from other tables creates white noise as diners enjoy their meal underneath a wall of TVs broadcasting sporting events. I recommend arriving early to beat the dinner rush.

During the early morning house of Day 2 of my Great Bend adventure, I drove to Brit Spaugh Park for a behind-the-scenes tour of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatbendks.net/84/Zoo" target="_blank">zoo</a>&nbsp;(2200 Main Street). Regular zoo-goers know that the best time to catch most of the animals active is during the breakfast hour. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

The zoo features species from all over the world. Unlike some small town zoos I’ve toured, Brit Spaugh Zoo impresses with the number of mammals on-site. Big cats, grizzly bears, and monkeys keep it interesting. Animal lovers in search of wild birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates will find it equally impressive.

I observed several grizzly bears in a tall grass habitat lounging on rocks and inside a man-made pond. The siblings played with one another and splashed around under the waterfall providing an opportunity to observe the bears’ natural behavior. Later, I was given the chance to use a slingshot to toss apple slices to them, which they happily enjoyed. Would you feed a bear if given a chance? Watch a video of the experience&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/ChUrAWGAm0m/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank">here</a>.

Another amazing animal encounter was when I had the privilege of meeting a Great Horned Owl named Thurston. Raised in captivity since it was a baby on a Kansas farm, it wasn’t skittish around humans. In fact, I stood six feet from it as it mimicked the sounds a zookeeper called to it. It mimicked clucking sounds like a chicken! Today, Thurston comes along for zoo presentations to school children and small groups.

The sister lions in the photo below took an interest in me. Perhaps it was because I was tagging along with a zookeeper. Whatever the reason, it was fascinating watching them sun themselves and flick their tails. The male African lion was inside a building out of sight, but I heard that he is large for his size and most certainly dominates his territory.

Blog: A Guide to Great Bend’s Go-To Places

Hear this week's City Edition episode with Eagle Radio's Steve Webster and Great Bend Municipal Airport Manager Martin Miller that aired Sept. 7, 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 Steve Webster and Great Bend Municipal Airport Manager Martin Miller that aired Sept. 7, 2022.<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/eu1p0sqo/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: Airport Manager Martin Miller

The Great Bend Fire Department personnel responded to a single vehicle accident Thursday, Sept. 8 in the 1100 block of west U.S. 56 Highway.

When crews arrived on scene shortly before 6 a.m., staff found a patient trapped in a vehicle. Crews worked to extricate the patient and transfer the patient to the hospital.

On their social media post, the GBFD stated it takes many hours of training and specialized equipment to safely and efficiently remove a person from entrapment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662735144922.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Great Bend Fire Department personnel responded to a single vehicle accident Thursday, Sept. 8 in the 1100 block of west U.S. 56 Highway.When crews arrived on scene shortly before 6 a.m., staff found a patient trapped in a vehicle. Crews worked to extricate the patient and transfer the patient to the hospital.On their social media post, the GBFD stated it takes many hours of training and specialized equipment to safely and efficiently remove a person from entrapment.

Great Bend first responders extricate entrapped motorist 

By COLE REIF Great Bend Post

The outside-the-box approach to bring workforce back to Great Bend
starts next week in…New Mexico. 
In June, Great Bend Economic Development Director Sara Hayden announced her
staff would head to the New Mexico State Fair in Albuquerque to advertise
workforce opportunities in Great Bend. "If there are employers that still wish to give us information to advertise their company, please feel free to give that information to me," said Hayden. "That might be a one-page flyer about what's special about your company and why someone would want to come work for you." 
The New Mexico State Fair is Sept. 8-18.
Great Bend is teaming up with Liberal and Dodge City to split up the days to
recruit fairgoers to Kansas. The Great Bend Eco Devo staff will be down there
for three days. "If you're an employer that would like to come down for one, or all of those days, to better represent your company, you're welcome to do that," said Hayden. Please get in touch with us ASAP." 
Great Bend targeted New Mexico because the state has a large amount of people
looking for public sector, manufacturing and service positions.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662580021566.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostThe outside-the-box approach to bring workforce back to Great Bend
starts next week in…New Mexico. 
In June, Great Bend Economic Development Director Sara Hayden announced her
staff would head to the New Mexico State Fair in Albuquerque to advertise
workforce opportunities in Great Bend. "If there are employers that still wish to give us information to advertise their company, please feel free to give that information to me," said Hayden. "That might be a one-page flyer about what's special about your company and why someone would want to come work for you." 
The New Mexico State Fair is Sept. 8-18.
Great Bend is teaming up with Liberal and Dodge City to split up the days to
recruit fairgoers to Kansas. The Great Bend Eco Devo staff will be down there
for three days. "If you're an employer that would like to come down for one, or all of those days, to better represent your company, you're welcome to do that," said Hayden. Please get in touch with us ASAP." 
Great Bend targeted New Mexico because the state has a large amount of people
looking for public sector, manufacturing and service positions.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Great Bend hopeful new workforce is coming from New Mexico

Barton County Sheriff’s
Office Incident Log (9/8)


At 5:50 a.m. an accident was reported at SW 110 Avenue &amp; W. US 56 Highway
in Pawnee Rock.



At 8:16 a.m. an accident was reported in the 700 block of E. K-4 Highway.



At 11:40 a.m. a driving complaint was reported at 482 N. US 281 Highway.



At 3:29 p.m. a report of cattle out was made at 75 E. K-4 Highway in
Hoisington.



At 4:48 p.m. a traffic arrest was reported at 2nd &amp; Main.



At 4:52 p.m. the K-9 was called out to 2nd &amp; Main.

Non-Injury Accident



At 9:39 p.m. an accident was reported at 18th &amp; Polk.


Great Bend Police Department Incident Log (9/8)


At 12:04 a.m. K-9 Menta was utilized on a traffic stop.



At 4:26 a.m. K-9 Menta was utilized for a traffic stop at 10th &amp;
Stone.



At 10:05 a.m. possible theft from a storage yard was reported at 610 10th
Street.



At 1:37 p.m. an accident was reported at 1615 Harrison Street.



At 2:41 p.m. EMS assistance was needed at 5210 10th Street Apt. 22.



At 3:33 p.m. EMS assistance was needed at 1412 Hoover Street.



At 3:55 p.m. EMS assistance was needed at 955 K Street.



At 9:39 p.m. a report of running into someone else on a bicycle was made at 18th
&amp; Polk.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592405093656.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Barton County Sheriff’s
Office Incident Log (9/8)

Injury Accident

At 5:50 a.m. an accident was reported at SW 110 Avenue &amp; W. US 56 Highway
in Pawnee Rock.

Non-Injury Accident

At 8:16 a.m. an accident was reported in the 700 block of E. K-4 Highway.

Driving / Driver Complaint

At 11:40 a.m. a driving complaint was reported at 482 N. US 281 Highway.

Cattle Out

At 3:29 p.m. a report of cattle out was made at 75 E. K-4 Highway in
Hoisington.

Traffic Arrest

At 4:48 p.m. a traffic arrest was reported at 2nd &amp; Main.

K-9 Use / Call Out

At 4:52 p.m. the K-9 was called out to 2nd &amp; Main.

Non-Injury Accident

At 9:39 p.m. an accident was reported at 18th &amp; Polk.

Great Bend Police Department Incident Log (9/8)

K-9 Use / Call out

At 12:04 a.m. K-9 Menta was utilized on a traffic stop.

At 4:26 a.m. K-9 Menta was utilized for a traffic stop at 10th &amp;
Stone.

Theft

At 10:05 a.m. possible theft from a storage yard was reported at 610 10th
Street.

Injury Accident

At 1:37 p.m. an accident was reported at 1615 Harrison Street.

Medical Alarm

At 2:41 p.m. EMS assistance was needed at 5210 10th Street Apt. 22.

Sick Person

At 3:33 p.m. EMS assistance was needed at 1412 Hoover Street.

At 3:55 p.m. EMS assistance was needed at 955 K Street.

Non-Injury Accident

At 9:39 p.m. a report of running into someone else on a bicycle was made at 18th
&amp; Polk.

Cop Shop (9/8)

9/7 BOOKED: Terri Swift on Barton County District Court case for DUI, Child Endangerment, and Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign, bond set at $2,500 C/S.

BOOKED: Chad Arnold on Barton County District Court case for a KDOC warrant, no bond set; and on Barton County District Court case for Interference with LEO and Battery of LEO, bond set at $5,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Tammy Clarke on Barton County District Court warrant for Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, bond set at $10,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Kevin Pekarek on Barton County District Court case for Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Paraphernalia, bond set at $10,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Albert Hass on KDOC Order to Arrest and Detain warrant, no bond set; and on new case for Interference with Law Enforcement and Possession of Marijuana, bond set at $10,000 C/S.

RELEASED: Terri Swift on Barton County District Court case for DUI, Child Endangerment, and Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign, after posting $2,500 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonds.

RELEASED: Bryce Hofmeister on Barton County District Court case for Aggravated Indecent Liberties with a Child, Indecent Solicitation of a Child, Electronic Solicitation, Sexual Exploitation of a Child, and Contributing to a Child's Misconduct or Deprivation, after posting $20,000 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonds.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632144146661.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure>9/7 BOOKED: Terri Swift on Barton County District Court case for DUI, Child Endangerment, and Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign, bond set at $2,500 C/S.BOOKED: Chad Arnold on Barton County District Court case for a KDOC warrant, no bond set; and on Barton County District Court case for Interference with LEO and Battery of LEO, bond set at $5,000 C/S.BOOKED: Tammy Clarke on Barton County District Court warrant for Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, bond set at $10,000 C/S.BOOKED: Kevin Pekarek on Barton County District Court case for Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Paraphernalia, bond set at $10,000 C/S.BOOKED: Albert Hass on KDOC Order to Arrest and Detain warrant, no bond set; and on new case for Interference with Law Enforcement and Possession of Marijuana, bond set at $10,000 C/S.RELEASED: Terri Swift on Barton County District Court case for DUI, Child Endangerment, and Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign, after posting $2,500 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonds.RELEASED: Bryce Hofmeister on Barton County District Court case for Aggravated Indecent Liberties with a Child, Indecent Solicitation of a Child, Electronic Solicitation, Sexual Exploitation of a Child, and Contributing to a Child's Misconduct or Deprivation, after posting $20,000 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonds.9/8 BOOKED: Michael Brown on Barton County District Court case for Probation Violation, no bond set.BOOKED: Nelson Adams, Sr., on Barton County District Court warrant for Violation of Kansas Registration Offender Act, bond set at $40,000 C/S.BOOKED: Bobbi Sowell on Great Bend Municipal Court warrant for Contempt of Court, bond set at $1,751.50 cash only; and on Barton County District Court case for Driving While Suspended, bond set at $2,500 C/S.BOOKED: Cirus Feil on Barton County District Court warrant for Probation Violation, no bond set.BOOKED: Kenneth Lee, Jr., on Stafford County District Court warrant for Probation Violation, bond set at $20,000 C/S.BOOKED: David Sims, Sr., on Hoisington Municipal Court case for Domestic Battery,&nbsp; bond set at $1,000 C/S.RELEASED: Charles Rowe, Sr., on Barton County District Court case for Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Paraphernalia, on $10,000 OR bond.RELEASED: Brandon Leon on Barton County District Court warrants for Probation Violation, Burglary to a non-dwelling to Commit Felony Theft, Criminal Damage to Property, and Theft of Property or Services, on an $10,000 OR bond.RELEASED: Lorenzo Jimenez on Barton County District Court warrants for Stalking in Violation of a Protection Order and Violation of a Protection Order, after warrants dismissed by order of the court.RELEASED: Christopher Rust on Barton County District Court warrant for DUI, Unsafe Turning or Stopping, and Failure to Give Proper Signal, on an OR bond.RELEASED: Tammy Clarke on Barton County District Court case for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, on $10,000 OR bond.RELEASED: Phillip Ledesma on Great Bend Municipal Court case for Pedestrian Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs, after 48 OR bond.

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