By GERARD WELLBROCK Hays Post

The newest member of the Fort Hays State football team’s coaching staff is a familiar name and face. Layton Hickel, who played for the Tigers, is in his first season as defensive line coach. Hickel replaced Ike Eguae who left for a similar position at Division I Stephen F. Austin after seven seasons with the Tigers.

Prior to joining the Tigers coaching staff, Hickel served as a high school assistant, most recently as defensive coordinator at Hays High School.

“I always stayed in touch with coach (Cooper) Harris and coach (Chris) Brown when I was back.” Hickel said. “They did a great job of mentoring me and helping me with some struggles I was having as a coordinator."

"When the job opened, they reached out and it was really a no-brainer. It was tough to leave where I was at. I loved Tony and that staff, but coach Brown has always been like a father figure to me and I have so much respect for Cooper Harris and that defense and to be a part of that and learn from that was something that I had to be a part of.” Hickel said.

The Claflin native graduated from FHSU in 2013 after spending five years in the Tigers program. Hickel started in 22 off the 44 games he played in during his career and earned All-MIAA Honorable Mention honors as a senior when he led the team in tackles with 101. He finished his career ranked fourth in career tackles for the NCAA II era at Fort Hays State.

Hickel says he’s still getting used to the talent level at the collegiate level.

“The game hasn’t changed tremendously (since Hickel played), at least I don’t feel like it because I’ve been involved in the game, but the size of these kids out here is just unbelievable. I feel like we did not look like this when we were in college. The size and athleticism of these kids is so impressive to see as a coach now in the college level. You one or two in high school but you have a team full of them at the college (level).” Hickel said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661171796707.jpeg" alt="Claflin native Layton Hickel oversees a drill with the defensive line during practice." />
 <figcaption>Claflin native Layton Hickel oversees a drill with the defensive line during practice.</figcaption>
 </figure>By GERARD WELLBROCK Hays PostThe newest member of the Fort Hays State football team’s coaching staff is a familiar name and face. Layton Hickel, who played for the Tigers, is in his first season as defensive line coach. Hickel replaced Ike Eguae who left for a similar position at Division I Stephen F. Austin after seven seasons with the Tigers.Prior to joining the Tigers coaching staff, Hickel served as a high school assistant, most recently as defensive coordinator at Hays High School.“I always stayed in touch with coach (Cooper) Harris and coach (Chris) Brown when I was back.” Hickel said. “They did a great job of mentoring me and helping me with some struggles I was having as a coordinator.""When the job opened, they reached out and it was really a no-brainer. It was tough to leave where I was at. I loved Tony and that staff, but coach Brown has always been like a father figure to me and I have so much respect for Cooper Harris and that defense and to be a part of that and learn from that was something that I had to be a part of.” Hickel said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661171859931.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Claflin native graduated from FHSU in 2013 after spending five years in the Tigers program. Hickel started in 22 off the 44 games he played in during his career and earned All-MIAA Honorable Mention honors as a senior when he led the team in tackles with 101. He finished his career ranked fourth in career tackles for the NCAA II era at Fort Hays State.Hickel says he’s still getting used to the talent level at the collegiate level.“The game hasn’t changed tremendously (since Hickel played), at least I don’t feel like it because I’ve been involved in the game, but the size of these kids out here is just unbelievable. I feel like we did not look like this when we were in college. The size and athleticism of these kids is so impressive to see as a coach now in the college level. You one or two in high school but you have a team full of them at the college (level).” Hickel said.

Claflin native Hickel excited to coach at the collegiate level

Today Sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming east southeast 5 to 7 mph in the morning.

Tonight Clear, with a low around 61. East southeast wind 5 to 9 mph becoming south southwest after midnight.

Thursday Sunny, with a high near 95. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.

Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 65. South wind 6 to 9 mph.

Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. South southeast wind 5 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.

Saturday A 30-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.

Saturday Night A 40-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.

Sunday A 30-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.

Sunday Night A 20-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 66.

Monday A 20-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 92.

Monday Night A 20-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.

Tuesday A 20-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Today Sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming east southeast 5 to 7 mph in the morning.Tonight Clear, with a low around 61. East southeast wind 5 to 9 mph becoming south southwest after midnight.Thursday Sunny, with a high near 95. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 65. South wind 6 to 9 mph.Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. South southeast wind 5 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.Saturday A 30-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.Saturday Night A 40-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.Sunday A 30-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.Sunday Night A 20-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 66.Monday A 20-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 92.Monday Night A 20-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.Tuesday A 20-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Wednesday's Weather

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

BOARD OF BARTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

County Commission and Fire District No. 1 Meetings Aug. 24 9 a.m. Until Close

I. OPENING BUSINESS: &nbsp; &nbsp;A. Call Meeting to Order. &nbsp; &nbsp;B. Recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. &nbsp; &nbsp;C. Consider Approval of the Agenda. &nbsp; &nbsp;D. Minutes of the July 13, 2022, Regular Meeting. Minutes of the July 20, 2022, the July 27, 2022, the August 3, 2022, the August 10, 2022 and the August 17, 2022, Regular Meetings are not available. &nbsp; &nbsp;E. Any citizen wishing to make statements during the discussion of any item must first be recognized by the Commission Chair. After being recognized, that person should state their name and the name of any organization represented. Statements should be limited to five minutes. &nbsp; &nbsp;F. Cell phones and other electronic devices, other than those used by the media and law enforcement, should be shut off.

II. OLD BUSINESS - Items tabled, or scheduled, from previous Commission Meetings, will be heard at this time.

&nbsp; &nbsp;A. CITY OF ELLINWOOD: Water and Wastewater Improvements: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Chris Komarek, Ellinwood City Administrator, will provide details. For some time, the City of Ellinwood has worked to develop a water and wastewater improvement project. Included in the project are both the new hospital and new housing area. As quotes are currently being accepted for needed materials, the City will ask that the County provide financial assistance. This item was tabled on July 27, 2022.

&nbsp; &nbsp;B. RURAL WATER DISTRICT NO. 1: Infrastructure Improvement Assistance: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Mary Anne Stoskopf, Secretary/Treasurer, Barton County Rural Water District No. 1, will provide details. Russell County Rural Water District No. 3 has proposed acquiring Rural Water District No. 1. In addition to providing Barton County residents with an option for an improved water system, the consolidated Water Districts would be poised for a planned project that involves purchasing water from the City of Hoisington to sell in bulk to the City of Bunker Hill. Ms. Stoskopf will ask that the Commission contribute funding to improve infrastructure. This item was tabled on August 17, 2022.

III. NEW BUSINESS - All new business to be considered by the Commission will be heard at this time.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;A. CITY OF CLAFLIN: Assistance with Grant Award: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Casey Hubbard, Claflin City Council member, will provide details. The City of Claflin was awarded a Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) grant for the purchase of a new recycling trailer. The grant award is $15,720.75, with a cash match amount of $5,240.25. The City of Claflin asks that the County assist by providing up to 50% of that match.

&nbsp; &nbsp;B. SUNFLOWER DIVERSIFIED SERVICES: Glass Recycling Project: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Sunflower Diversified Services has requested matching funds for a grant to support glass recycling efforts. It is suggested that the County provide up to a fifty percent match for the $12,878.96 project.

&nbsp; &nbsp;C. FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT: Grant Deadline Extension: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Matt Patzner, Director of Operations, will provide details. During the September 21, 2021, Commission Meeting, AJN Investments, LLC was allocated $20,000.00 for façade improvements for the building located at 1315 Main, Great Bend, Kansas. As the building has now been moved into an historical district, project planning has been delayed. The Commission will be asked to extend the grant period to June 30, 2023.

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

&nbsp; &nbsp;A. ANNOUNCEMENTS: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Following the close of the Agenda Meeting, the Commission will consider the authorization of personnel changes for classified positions, sign any documentation approved during the agenda meeting or sign any other documentation required for regular County business. Similar action may take place throughout the day.

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

&nbsp; &nbsp;9:45 a.m. or following the close of the Agenda Meeting – Program Update – Barry McManaman, County Engineer.

&nbsp; &nbsp;10:00 a.m. – Budget Hearing and Agenda Meeting – Fire District No. 1.

&nbsp; &nbsp;10:15 a.m. or following the close of the Fire District Meeting – Grant Updates – Amy Boxberger, CKCC Director, and Marissa Woodmansee, Juvenile Services Director.

&nbsp; &nbsp;10:30 a.m. – Audit Review – Melissa Ille, Adams Brown.

&nbsp; &nbsp;11:15 a.m. – Program Update – Karen Winkelman, Health Director, and Kori Hammeke, Child Care Licensing.

&nbsp; &nbsp;11:30 a.m. – Regular Business Discussion – Matt Patzner, Director of Operations.

&nbsp; &nbsp;1:30 p.m. – The Commission will tour a building located at 18th and Main,&nbsp;Great Bend.

THE COUNTY EDITION, KVGB-AM – Thursdays at 11:05 a.m. Commissioner Kirby Krier is scheduled for August 25, 2022.

V. OTHER BUSINESS: &nbsp; &nbsp;A. Discussion Items.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;B. Citizens or organizations may present requests or proposals for initial consideration. &nbsp; &nbsp;C. The Commissioners are available to the Public on Wednesdays during regular business hours. &nbsp; &nbsp;D. One or more Commissioners may be present in the Commission Chambers conducting county business throughout the day on Wednesdays. &nbsp; &nbsp;E. The Commissioners may, individually, schedule personal appointments related to County business at their discretion. &nbsp; &nbsp;F. The next Regular Meeting will be at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 31, 2022.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1630010099167.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Commission meeting will be live-streamed through Microsoft Teams. Citizens may view the meeting through their own sign in or by signing in “anonymously”. Please follow this link: https://bit.ly/3wnHEzC. If you wish to participate in the discussion of any item, please call (620) 793-1800 for instructions.BOARD OF BARTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERSAgendaCounty Commission and Fire District No. 1 Meetings Aug. 24 9 a.m. Until CloseI. OPENING BUSINESS: &nbsp; &nbsp;A. Call Meeting to Order. &nbsp; &nbsp;B. Recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. &nbsp; &nbsp;C. Consider Approval of the Agenda. &nbsp; &nbsp;D. Minutes of the July 13, 2022, Regular Meeting. Minutes of the July 20, 2022, the July 27, 2022, the August 3, 2022, the August 10, 2022 and the August 17, 2022, Regular Meetings are not available. &nbsp; &nbsp;E. Any citizen wishing to make statements during the discussion of any item must first be recognized by the Commission Chair. After being recognized, that person should state their name and the name of any organization represented. Statements should be limited to five minutes. &nbsp; &nbsp;F. Cell phones and other electronic devices, other than those used by the media and law enforcement, should be shut off.II. OLD BUSINESS - Items tabled, or scheduled, from previous Commission Meetings, will be heard at this time.&nbsp; &nbsp;A. CITY OF ELLINWOOD: Water and Wastewater Improvements: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Chris Komarek, Ellinwood City Administrator, will provide details. For some time, the City of Ellinwood has worked to develop a water and wastewater improvement project. Included in the project are both the new hospital and new housing area. As quotes are currently being accepted for needed materials, the City will ask that the County provide financial assistance. This item was tabled on July 27, 2022.&nbsp; &nbsp;B. RURAL WATER DISTRICT NO. 1: Infrastructure Improvement Assistance: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Mary Anne Stoskopf, Secretary/Treasurer, Barton County Rural Water District No. 1, will provide details. Russell County Rural Water District No. 3 has proposed acquiring Rural Water District No. 1. In addition to providing Barton County residents with an option for an improved water system, the consolidated Water Districts would be poised for a planned project that involves purchasing water from the City of Hoisington to sell in bulk to the City of Bunker Hill. Ms. Stoskopf will ask that the Commission contribute funding to improve infrastructure. This item was tabled on August 17, 2022.III. NEW BUSINESS - All new business to be considered by the Commission will be heard at this time.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;A. CITY OF CLAFLIN: Assistance with Grant Award: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Casey Hubbard, Claflin City Council member, will provide details. The City of Claflin was awarded a Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) grant for the purchase of a new recycling trailer. The grant award is $15,720.75, with a cash match amount of $5,240.25. The City of Claflin asks that the County assist by providing up to 50% of that match.&nbsp; &nbsp;B. SUNFLOWER DIVERSIFIED SERVICES: Glass Recycling Project: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Sunflower Diversified Services has requested matching funds for a grant to support glass recycling efforts. It is suggested that the County provide up to a fifty percent match for the $12,878.96 project.&nbsp; &nbsp;C. FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT: Grant Deadline Extension: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Matt Patzner, Director of Operations, will provide details. During the September 21, 2021, Commission Meeting, AJN Investments, LLC was allocated $20,000.00 for façade improvements for the building located at 1315 Main, Great Bend, Kansas. As the building has now been moved into an historical district, project planning has been delayed. The Commission will be asked to extend the grant period to June 30, 2023.IV. ENDING BUSINESS – After new items are heard by the Commission, the following items, including announcements, will be heard.&nbsp; &nbsp;A. ANNOUNCEMENTS: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Following the close of the Agenda Meeting, the Commission will consider the authorization of personnel changes for classified positions, sign any documentation approved during the agenda meeting or sign any other documentation required for regular County business. Similar action may take place throughout the day.&nbsp; &nbsp;B. APPOINTMENTS: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Although subject to change, the following appointments have been scheduled:&nbsp; &nbsp;9:45 a.m. or following the close of the Agenda Meeting – Program Update – Barry McManaman, County Engineer.&nbsp; &nbsp;10:00 a.m. – Budget Hearing and Agenda Meeting – Fire District No. 1.&nbsp; &nbsp;10:15 a.m. or following the close of the Fire District Meeting – Grant Updates – Amy Boxberger, CKCC Director, and Marissa Woodmansee, Juvenile Services Director.&nbsp; &nbsp;10:30 a.m. – Audit Review – Melissa Ille, Adams Brown.&nbsp; &nbsp;11:15 a.m. – Program Update – Karen Winkelman, Health Director, and Kori Hammeke, Child Care Licensing.&nbsp; &nbsp;11:30 a.m. – Regular Business Discussion – Matt Patzner, Director of Operations.&nbsp; &nbsp;1:30 p.m. – The Commission will tour a building located at 18th and Main,&nbsp;Great Bend.THE COUNTY EDITION, KVGB-AM – Thursdays at 11:05 a.m. Commissioner Kirby Krier is scheduled for August 25, 2022.V. OTHER BUSINESS: &nbsp; &nbsp;A. Discussion Items.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;B. Citizens or organizations may present requests or proposals for initial consideration. &nbsp; &nbsp;C. The Commissioners are available to the Public on Wednesdays during regular business hours. &nbsp; &nbsp;D. One or more Commissioners may be present in the Commission Chambers conducting county business throughout the day on Wednesdays. &nbsp; &nbsp;E. The Commissioners may, individually, schedule personal appointments related to County business at their discretion. &nbsp; &nbsp;F. The next Regular Meeting will be at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 31, 2022.VI. ADJOURN.

Barton County Commission meeting agenda (8/24)

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

The Golden Belt Community Foundation recently announced the recipients of eight Golden Belt Spring Community Building Grants totaling just over $15,000. Stafford County Economic Development was awarded the largest of those grants at $5,000, and Stafford's Executive Director Kathleen Norman said the grant was beneficial in helping the county solidify a daycare plan.

"This was very helpful, especially in the beginning, to help analyze options," she said. "We did get significant funding once we knew what our plan was, from the city and county, but this really helped us explore our options and figure out what we can do."

Like other area cities and counties, St. John and Stafford County are facing a childcare shortage. Norman said the GBCF grant was used to look at locations that could have served as daycares.

"There are some people interested in being childcare providers, but they don't want to provide out of their own home," Norman said. "They would like to have a different location, but the challenge is it's hard to find another location that would be suitable. Housing is tight right now so you can't just find another house to solely run a daycare out of."

When weighing the options of renovating some of those properties to meet childcare standards, the group instead used some of the GBCF grant to purchase land for a new modular classroom that will house two daycares and serve up to 18 children. Two independent providers will be able to use the new classroom to open their childcare businesses. 

"We're hoping it will be operational early next year," said Norman. "We're currently in the process of getting the land, and the modular unit itself has already been secured. Once we have the land in possession we'll have more of a timeline. Because it's not in a residential house, we'll have to have a fire marshal inspection and a KDHE inspection, so that will add some length of time to being fully operational."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661189248008.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostThe Golden Belt Community Foundation recently announced the recipients of eight Golden Belt Spring Community Building Grants totaling just over $15,000. Stafford County Economic Development was awarded the largest of those grants at $5,000, and Stafford's Executive Director Kathleen Norman said the grant was beneficial in helping the county solidify a daycare plan."This was very helpful, especially in the beginning, to help analyze options," she said. "We did get significant funding once we knew what our plan was, from the city and county, but this really helped us explore our options and figure out what we can do."Like other area cities and counties, St. John and Stafford County are facing a childcare shortage. Norman said the GBCF grant was used to look at locations that could have served as daycares."There are some people interested in being childcare providers, but they don't want to provide out of their own home," Norman said. "They would like to have a different location, but the challenge is it's hard to find another location that would be suitable. Housing is tight right now so you can't just find another house to solely run a daycare out of."When weighing the options of renovating some of those properties to meet childcare standards, the group instead used some of the GBCF grant to purchase land for a new modular classroom that will house two daycares and serve up to 18 children. Two independent providers will be able to use the new classroom to open their childcare businesses. "We're hoping it will be operational early next year," said Norman. "We're currently in the process of getting the land, and the modular unit itself has already been secured. Once we have the land in possession we'll have more of a timeline. Because it's not in a residential house, we'll have to have a fire marshal inspection and a KDHE inspection, so that will add some length of time to being fully operational."

GBCF grant helps Stafford County find daycare solution

Breastfeeding offers remarkable health benefits for both infants and mothers and helps protect against certain illnesses and diseases. Changing to meet an infant’s nutritional needs as they grow, breast milk is found to be the best source of nutrition for most infants. But, due to a variety of factors, a startling 60% of mothers do not breastfeed for as long as they intend according to the CDC. To help mothers with any breastfeeding questions, or those just needing additional support, Clara Barton Medical Center is excited to now offer Lactation Consultations at the Hoisington clinic location.

The Certified Lactation Counselor® (CLC) certification is the premier National Certification in Lactation Management in the United States. CLC certification means that a person has received training and competency verification in breastfeeding and human lactation support, including assessing the latching and feeding process, providing corrective interventions, counseling mothers, understanding and applying knowledge of milk production, including in special circumstances and other commonly encountered situations.

The two Certified Lactation Counselors® at Clara Barton Medical Clinic are Breanna Helton, RN, and Emily DeLaurentis, RN. Both Barton County natives, Helton grew up in Claflin and got her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Fort Hays State University. She started her career as an OB nurse in Colby, KS, for 2 years, got married, and started a family of her own. After deciding to move back to her hometown, Helton has been a clinic nurse at Clara Barton for 2 years – working in Pediatrics with Dr. Kayla Johnson for the last year and a half. 

DeLaurentis was born and raised in Great Bend and received her Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Barton Community College. After graduating, she started her nursing career working nights in the ER and as a circulating nurse in the OR. After having her child, she made the switch to Clara Barton and has been a clinical nurse with Brandi Lowe, PA-C for 3 years. Both Helton and DeLaurentis received their CLC certification through the Healthy Children Project, Inc: Center for Breastfeeding, the largest national provider of lactation management.

“When I had a baby of my own, I realized how nice it was to have someone tell me that I was doing things right or help me fix the things I was doing wrong,” said Helton. “Working with Dr. Johnson, I quickly realized that some of the mothers we saw were discharged without the simple information I used to routinely give as an OB nurse. I found it frustrating, so I decided to take action. My goal as a CLC is to give moms confidence in their abilities to feed their baby and I hope they know they will always have someone in their corner to help them if they ever need it!”

Women who could benefit from these services are those who are planning to get pregnant, are currently pregnant, and those interested in more information about breastfeeding. In addition, mothers who’ve already had their babies and are facing obstacles on their breastfeeding journey - or needing extra support - are welcome.

“I chose to get the extra certification because I think that a lot of women/mothers could benefit from the education and help,” said DeLaurentis. “When I had my daughter, I realized smaller communities don’t tend to have an abundance of resources, and I definitely wish I had more access to these types of services – then I might have been more successful. Breastfeeding is a job in itself and this is an amazing opportunity to support mothers and babies on their breastfeeding journey, helping them reach their goals whether it be a month, a year, or more.”

If you are a new patient, the first visit may last anywhere from 30-45 minutes long. Follow-up visits are generally shorter, lasting anywhere from 15-20 minutes. Phone consultations are available, however, you may be asked to come into the office to be seen in person, depending on the problem or concern as most assessments are based on visualization. If you are already seeing a provider for an appointment, talk with them about consulting with a Certified Lactation Counselor while you’re there.

No additional items need to be brought during your consult other than yourself, your baby, and any essentials you need or utilize when breastfeeding. If you are needing consultation for an issue, bring your baby slightly hungry so the consultants can observe a feeding while you are in the clinic.

Currently, lactation consults are only offered at the Hoisington clinic location. Scheduled visits will primarily be on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. However, consultants are available Monday – Friday (as long as the clinic is open) for any over-the-phone consultations/questions, if there is a breastfeeding emergency, or if you are already in the office seeing another provider and need assistance.

No referral is needed for a lactation consult. If you are not a current patient at any of our clinics, please contact any of the three Clara Barton clinics - in Great Bend, Hoisington, or Russell. Let them know you are wanting a lactation consult and, if available, a CLC will talk with you over the phone and get you scheduled or answer any questions you may have. Lactation consults are currently free to the public, so if you are having any sort of problems, need extra support, or have any questions, call 620-653-2386. New patients are always welcome.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661181668184.jpeg" alt="(left to right) Breanna Helton, RN, and Emily DeLaurentis, RN are Certified Lactation Counselors at Clara Barton Medical Clinic in Hoisington, offering education, guidance, and support to breastfeeding mothers – free of charge." />
 <figcaption>(left to right) Breanna Helton, RN, and Emily DeLaurentis, RN are Certified Lactation Counselors at Clara Barton Medical Clinic in Hoisington, offering education, guidance, and support to breastfeeding mothers – free of charge.</figcaption>
 </figure>BUSINESS NEWSBreastfeeding offers remarkable health benefits for both infants and mothers and helps protect against certain illnesses and diseases. Changing to meet an infant’s nutritional needs as they grow, breast milk is found to be the best source of nutrition for most infants. But, due to a variety of factors, a startling 60% of mothers do not breastfeed for as long as they intend according to the CDC. To help mothers with any breastfeeding questions, or those just needing additional support, Clara Barton Medical Center is excited to now offer Lactation Consultations at the Hoisington clinic location.The Certified Lactation Counselor® (CLC) certification is the premier National Certification in Lactation Management in the United States. CLC certification means that a person has received training and competency verification in breastfeeding and human lactation support, including assessing the latching and feeding process, providing corrective interventions, counseling mothers, understanding and applying knowledge of milk production, including in special circumstances and other commonly encountered situations.The two Certified Lactation Counselors® at Clara Barton Medical Clinic are Breanna Helton, RN, and Emily DeLaurentis, RN. Both Barton County natives, Helton grew up in Claflin and got her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Fort Hays State University. She started her career as an OB nurse in Colby, KS, for 2 years, got married, and started a family of her own. After deciding to move back to her hometown, Helton has been a clinic nurse at Clara Barton for 2 years – working in Pediatrics with Dr. Kayla Johnson for the last year and a half. DeLaurentis was born and raised in Great Bend and received her Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Barton Community College. After graduating, she started her nursing career working nights in the ER and as a circulating nurse in the OR. After having her child, she made the switch to Clara Barton and has been a clinical nurse with Brandi Lowe, PA-C for 3 years. Both Helton and DeLaurentis received their CLC certification through the Healthy Children Project, Inc: Center for Breastfeeding, the largest national provider of lactation management.“When I had a baby of my own, I realized how nice it was to have someone tell me that I was doing things right or help me fix the things I was doing wrong,” said Helton. “Working with Dr. Johnson, I quickly realized that some of the mothers we saw were discharged without the simple information I used to routinely give as an OB nurse. I found it frustrating, so I decided to take action. My goal as a CLC is to give moms confidence in their abilities to feed their baby and I hope they know they will always have someone in their corner to help them if they ever need it!”Women who could benefit from these services are those who are planning to get pregnant, are currently pregnant, and those interested in more information about breastfeeding. In addition, mothers who’ve already had their babies and are facing obstacles on their breastfeeding journey - or needing extra support - are welcome.“I chose to get the extra certification because I think that a lot of women/mothers could benefit from the education and help,” said DeLaurentis. “When I had my daughter, I realized smaller communities don’t tend to have an abundance of resources, and I definitely wish I had more access to these types of services – then I might have been more successful. Breastfeeding is a job in itself and this is an amazing opportunity to support mothers and babies on their breastfeeding journey, helping them reach their goals whether it be a month, a year, or more.”If you are a new patient, the first visit may last anywhere from 30-45 minutes long. Follow-up visits are generally shorter, lasting anywhere from 15-20 minutes. Phone consultations are available, however, you may be asked to come into the office to be seen in person, depending on the problem or concern as most assessments are based on visualization. If you are already seeing a provider for an appointment, talk with them about consulting with a Certified Lactation Counselor while you’re there.No additional items need to be brought during your consult other than yourself, your baby, and any essentials you need or utilize when breastfeeding. If you are needing consultation for an issue, bring your baby slightly hungry so the consultants can observe a feeding while you are in the clinic.Currently, lactation consults are only offered at the Hoisington clinic location. Scheduled visits will primarily be on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. However, consultants are available Monday – Friday (as long as the clinic is open) for any over-the-phone consultations/questions, if there is a breastfeeding emergency, or if you are already in the office seeing another provider and need assistance.No referral is needed for a lactation consult. If you are not a current patient at any of our clinics, please contact any of the three Clara Barton clinics - in Great Bend, Hoisington, or Russell. Let them know you are wanting a lactation consult and, if available, a CLC will talk with you over the phone and get you scheduled or answer any questions you may have. Lactation consults are currently free to the public, so if you are having any sort of problems, need extra support, or have any questions, call 620-653-2386. New patients are always welcome.

Clara Barton offering Lactation Consults at Hoisington Clinic

I saw a funny post on a friend’s Facebook page a few years ago that said “If parenthood came with a GPS, it would mostly just say ‘recalculating’”. While I had to giggle, it resonated with me as a former 4-H parent and now 4-H agent.

We talk a lot in 4-H about Experiential Learning – Learning by Doing; and having good adults to help youth by setting examples and modeling behavior. This is also much of how we learn to parent!

It is tough to talk through a situation with your child and then, watch them make a mistake in handling it. Unless it has grave consequences, it is much better for them to stub their toe while they are under our direction and guidance than to face plant as a 25-or 30-year old because they have never been allowed to make their own decisions. Are they going to make good decisions all of the time – NOPE! But I would challenge that neither did you or I at that age.

One of my favorite youth development authors, Dr. Tim Elmore, noted in a 2019 article in “Growing Leaders” that parents can make a couple of critical mistakes when it comes to youth and responsibility.

In his opinion, the first occurs when parents take responsibility too often when we should let go. He bases this thought on a 2019 nationwide survey that noted “Parents help their kids in a variety of ways, and that includes financial support, even when their children grow older. Nearly half of millennials get some level of financial help from mom and dad on a monthly basis, according to a new survey released by Money Under 30.”

I agree with Dr. Elmore that sometimes our adult children need our help but does that continued dependence on parents delay a young adult’s ability to shoulder responsibility? He goes on to state that “millions of today’s young adults are forced to delay professional goals because we’ve failed to teach them how to do without luxuries: smartphones, eating out, big tv’s” – which means their life goals….IF they have set them…..are pushed further away.

The second part of Dr. Elmore’s article also notes that parents let go of responsibility too often when we should still be taking it on and modeling appropriate behaviors. Do we expect our schools to teach money management, time management, daily living tasks such as preparing a meal, laundry, or basic car maintenance? Or, are we modelling these behaviors for our kids? Even if we are not great money managers or fantastic cooks, are we looking for resources to improve our own skills knowing that those young people are watching?

Dr. Elmore wraps up his article with a couple of great thoughts about committing to long-term thinking. He states “Let’s delegate responsibility to our young adults for their sake, so they can learn what it means to experience self-efficacy and autonomy. Let’s assume responsibility for our young adults for their sake, so they can see what it looks like to act from honor and justice.”

I see parents who are frustrated that their teens/young adults don’t seem to be responsible but this is not a skill that suddenly appears. It takes practice and some failed attempts to get better. Starting out with small responsibilities as young children and seeing adults model responsibility, good decision-making, and acknowledging their own errors is the best way to help youth develop solid life-time skills. It is Experiential Learning for all of us!

Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth Development resources, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton Office at 620-793-1910.

Kansas State University is committed to making its services, activities and programs accessible to all participants. If you have special requirements due to a physical, vision, or hearing disability.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579114162620.jpeg" alt="written by: Michelle Beran - Cottonwood Extension District" />
 <figcaption>written by: Michelle Beran - Cottonwood Extension District</figcaption>
 </figure>I saw a funny post on a friend’s Facebook page a few years ago that said “If parenthood came with a GPS, it would mostly just say ‘recalculating’”. While I had to giggle, it resonated with me as a former 4-H parent and now 4-H agent.We talk a lot in 4-H about Experiential Learning – Learning by Doing; and having good adults to help youth by setting examples and modeling behavior. This is also much of how we learn to parent!It is tough to talk through a situation with your child and then, watch them make a mistake in handling it. Unless it has grave consequences, it is much better for them to stub their toe while they are under our direction and guidance than to face plant as a 25-or 30-year old because they have never been allowed to make their own decisions. Are they going to make good decisions all of the time – NOPE! But I would challenge that neither did you or I at that age.One of my favorite youth development authors, Dr. Tim Elmore, noted in a 2019 article in “Growing Leaders” that parents can make a couple of critical mistakes when it comes to youth and responsibility.In his opinion, the first occurs when parents take responsibility too often when we should let go. He bases this thought on a 2019 nationwide survey that noted “Parents help their kids in a variety of ways, and that includes financial support, even when their children grow older. Nearly half of millennials get some level of financial help from mom and dad on a monthly basis, according to a new survey released by Money Under 30.”I agree with Dr. Elmore that sometimes our adult children need our help but does that continued dependence on parents delay a young adult’s ability to shoulder responsibility? He goes on to state that “millions of today’s young adults are forced to delay professional goals because we’ve failed to teach them how to do without luxuries: smartphones, eating out, big tv’s” – which means their life goals….IF they have set them…..are pushed further away.The second part of Dr. Elmore’s article also notes that parents let go of responsibility too often when we should still be taking it on and modeling appropriate behaviors. Do we expect our schools to teach money management, time management, daily living tasks such as preparing a meal, laundry, or basic car maintenance? Or, are we modelling these behaviors for our kids? Even if we are not great money managers or fantastic cooks, are we looking for resources to improve our own skills knowing that those young people are watching?Dr. Elmore wraps up his article with a couple of great thoughts about committing to long-term thinking. He states “Let’s delegate responsibility to our young adults for their sake, so they can learn what it means to experience self-efficacy and autonomy. Let’s assume responsibility for our young adults for their sake, so they can see what it looks like to act from honor and justice.”I see parents who are frustrated that their teens/young adults don’t seem to be responsible but this is not a skill that suddenly appears. It takes practice and some failed attempts to get better. Starting out with small responsibilities as young children and seeing adults model responsibility, good decision-making, and acknowledging their own errors is the best way to help youth develop solid life-time skills. It is Experiential Learning for all of us!Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth Development resources, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton Office at 620-793-1910.Kansas State University is committed to making its services, activities and programs accessible to all participants. If you have special requirements due to a physical, vision, or hearing disability.

BERAN: Children becoming responsible

On Tuesday, Aug. 23 at approximately 10:05 a.m., the Great Bend Police Department, the Barton County Sheriff's Office and Great Bend Fire Department ambulance personnel were dispatched to Fuller Industries LLC, 15 SW 40 Avenue in Great Bend.&nbsp;

The call was in reference to an employee being severely injured in a workplace accident. 

Leo Sobba, age 53, was transported to The University of Kansas Health System - Great Bend Campus by Great Bend Fire Department ambulance personnel for treatment of his injuries.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631886379684.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>On Tuesday, Aug. 23 at approximately 10:05 a.m., the Great Bend Police Department, the Barton County Sheriff's Office and Great Bend Fire Department ambulance personnel were dispatched to Fuller Industries LLC, 15 SW 40 Avenue in Great Bend.&nbsp;The call was in reference to an employee being severely injured in a workplace accident. Leo Sobba, age 53, was transported to The University of Kansas Health System - Great Bend Campus by Great Bend Fire Department ambulance personnel for treatment of his injuries.

Industrial accident at Great Bend's Fuller Industries

News from the Oil Patch, Aug. 22 John P. Tretbar The government reports US crude production dropped slightly last week but remained above 12 million barrels per day. The Energy Information Administration says US operators produced just over 12.1 million barrels per day in the week through August 12, down 118-thousand barrels per day from the week before. EIA reports US crude-oil inventories dropped by 7.1 million barrels from a week earlier. The tally on August 12th was 425 million barrels, or about six percent below the five-year average for this time of year. Gasoline stockpiles were down by 4.6 million barrels, and are about eight percent below the five-year seasonal average Crude imports for the week dropped by 39-thousand barrels per day. The four week average reached 6.5 million barrels per day. The government says that's half a percent higher than the same four-weeks a year ago. So far this year, 203 Kansas operators have spudded 916 wells, an increase of 322 wells over the tally at this time last year. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service was scouting 434 wells in various stages of drilling and completion, up nearly 50% from a year ago. The Rig Count in Kansas was up two in the eastern half of the state to to 27 rigs. West of Wichita, the count is down one at 34 rigs.&nbsp; On Friday, drilling was underway on two leases in Ellis County and two in Stafford County, with operators expected to spud a new well soon on a lease in Russell County. The weekly Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes was down one gas rig to 762 active rigs nationwide. The count in Texas was down three rigs, while New Mexico gained two. Kansas regulators okayed 36 new drilling locations over the last week, 27 in eastern Kansas and nine west of Wichita. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 1,037 new drilling permits statewide so far this year. Barton County was unchanged with 30 new permits so far this year. Ellis County adds two permits, 28 so far this year. Russell County is unchanged at 12 new permits this year, and Stafford County is unchanged at 17 new drilling permits in calendar-year 2022. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 31 newly completed wells across the state during the week through August 18th, with 15 east of Wichita and 16 in Western Kansas. Operators have completed 1,004 new wells statewide so far this year. Barton County added two completions last week, 41 so far this year. The tally in Ellis County is unchanged at 24 completed wells. Russell County is up one at eleven wells. Stafford County gained one to 23 completed wells. Gasoline prices continued to drop. The auto club AAA reports a national average pump price of just over $3.93 per gallon, down six cents a gallon from a week ago, and 59 cents cheaper than a month ago. The average across Kansas is down 83 cents from a month ago, at $3.51 per gallon. &nbsp;(8/22) US natural gas prices have skyrocketed to levels unseen since 2008. Futures last week surged seven percent to their highest closing price since August 1, 2008. US shale producers' inventory of drilled but uncompleted wells dipped by 20 wells last week. The Energy Information Administration says the Permian basin saw a drop of 21 DUCs. Several plays reported increases. US oil-by-rail traffic was up for the week but down compared to last year. The Association of American Railroads reports 9,732 tanker carloads hauling petroleum or petroleum products during the week through August 13th. That's up 51 tanker carloads from the week before, but down 5.6% from the same week a year ago. Canadian traffic was up nearly 500 tankers for the week and 8.7% higher than last year at this time. Even though Mexico imports nearly all of its natural gas, the country is hoping to become a major exporter. Bloomberg reports the country's proximity to booming US supplies positions it well to supply American gas to customers in Europe and Asia. They have a total of eight new gas export projects in the planning stages. If their hopes pan out the Latin American newcomer would join a very small club of nations that ship liquefied natural gas abroad, behind only the US, Australia and Qatar in output. Earthstone Energy announced the closing of a deal to buy the New Mexico assets of Titus Oil &amp; Gas for $574 million in cash and about 3.9 million shares of stock. The assets are located in the northern Delaware Basin of the Permian play, and bring Earthstone's production base to nearly 100-thousand barrels of oil-equivalent per day. The company plans to deploy an additional drilling rig soon to expand its drilling program.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577125598039.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>News from the Oil Patch, Aug. 22 John P. Tretbar The government reports US crude production dropped slightly last week but remained above 12 million barrels per day. The Energy Information Administration says US operators produced just over 12.1 million barrels per day in the week through August 12, down 118-thousand barrels per day from the week before. EIA reports US crude-oil inventories dropped by 7.1 million barrels from a week earlier. The tally on August 12th was 425 million barrels, or about six percent below the five-year average for this time of year. Gasoline stockpiles were down by 4.6 million barrels, and are about eight percent below the five-year seasonal average Crude imports for the week dropped by 39-thousand barrels per day. The four week average reached 6.5 million barrels per day. The government says that's half a percent higher than the same four-weeks a year ago. So far this year, 203 Kansas operators have spudded 916 wells, an increase of 322 wells over the tally at this time last year. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service was scouting 434 wells in various stages of drilling and completion, up nearly 50% from a year ago. The Rig Count in Kansas was up two in the eastern half of the state to to 27 rigs. West of Wichita, the count is down one at 34 rigs.&nbsp; On Friday, drilling was underway on two leases in Ellis County and two in Stafford County, with operators expected to spud a new well soon on a lease in Russell County. The weekly Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes was down one gas rig to 762 active rigs nationwide. The count in Texas was down three rigs, while New Mexico gained two. Kansas regulators okayed 36 new drilling locations over the last week, 27 in eastern Kansas and nine west of Wichita. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 1,037 new drilling permits statewide so far this year. Barton County was unchanged with 30 new permits so far this year. Ellis County adds two permits, 28 so far this year. Russell County is unchanged at 12 new permits this year, and Stafford County is unchanged at 17 new drilling permits in calendar-year 2022. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 31 newly completed wells across the state during the week through August 18th, with 15 east of Wichita and 16 in Western Kansas. Operators have completed 1,004 new wells statewide so far this year. Barton County added two completions last week, 41 so far this year. The tally in Ellis County is unchanged at 24 completed wells. Russell County is up one at eleven wells. Stafford County gained one to 23 completed wells. Gasoline prices continued to drop. The auto club AAA reports a national average pump price of just over $3.93 per gallon, down six cents a gallon from a week ago, and 59 cents cheaper than a month ago. The average across Kansas is down 83 cents from a month ago, at $3.51 per gallon. &nbsp;(8/22) US natural gas prices have skyrocketed to levels unseen since 2008. Futures last week surged seven percent to their highest closing price since August 1, 2008. US shale producers' inventory of drilled but uncompleted wells dipped by 20 wells last week. The Energy Information Administration says the Permian basin saw a drop of 21 DUCs. Several plays reported increases. US oil-by-rail traffic was up for the week but down compared to last year. The Association of American Railroads reports 9,732 tanker carloads hauling petroleum or petroleum products during the week through August 13th. That's up 51 tanker carloads from the week before, but down 5.6% from the same week a year ago. Canadian traffic was up nearly 500 tankers for the week and 8.7% higher than last year at this time. Even though Mexico imports nearly all of its natural gas, the country is hoping to become a major exporter. Bloomberg reports the country's proximity to booming US supplies positions it well to supply American gas to customers in Europe and Asia. They have a total of eight new gas export projects in the planning stages. If their hopes pan out the Latin American newcomer would join a very small club of nations that ship liquefied natural gas abroad, behind only the US, Australia and Qatar in output. Earthstone Energy announced the closing of a deal to buy the New Mexico assets of Titus Oil &amp; Gas for $574 million in cash and about 3.9 million shares of stock. The assets are located in the northern Delaware Basin of the Permian play, and bring Earthstone's production base to nearly 100-thousand barrels of oil-equivalent per day. The company plans to deploy an additional drilling rig soon to expand its drilling program.&nbsp;&nbsp;

News from the Oil Patch: Natural gas prices spike; gas still dropping

September is Suicide Awareness Month, and a pair of activities are lined up to raise awareness in Great Bend. Suicide Prevention Task Force is hosting the 10th Annual Golden Belt Glow 4 Life one-mile walk and 5K remembrance ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 17, and the second annual Pedal for Prevention event on Saturday, Sept. 24. Suicide Prevention Task Force Chair Holly Bowyer said the events are important reminders for the community.

"Unfortunately, suicide can impact anyone," she said. "It's impacting children at the grade-school level all the way up to the geriatric level. Sometimes people don't even know somebody is suffering because they try to make everybody else happy."

Early registration for the Glow 4 Life event ends Aug. 31. For $25, participants will receive a T-shirt and glow stick. Registration after Aug. 31 is $30.

"We also do luminaries for those who have lost a loved one," Bowyer said. "Each registration is included with one, or they can purchase additional ones. We have them so they can pick them up on Monday, Sept. 12, take them and decorate them and bring them back that night."

Glow 4 Life begins at 6 p.m. at Vets Park with a brief remembrance ceremony. A warm-up follows before the races, with the runners taking off ahead of the walkers.

Great Bend student Devin Randolph was 14 years old when he passed away in September 2020. A year later, his parents created Devin's Ride to remember their son and raise suicide awareness. The bike ride traced one of Devin's favorite routes from the skate park at Brit Spaugh Zoo to Vets Park. Riders wore orange shirts - Devin's favorite color - with his picture.

"At the end, they had s'mores and a time of remembrance," Bowyer said. "They did 150 T-shirts, just for first-come, first-serve, and they had probably over 250 people that rode that ride. They had bicycles, they had people walking, they had RZRs, they had trucks, they had all kinds of things."

The Pedal for Prevention event begins Saturday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. near the skate park in Brit Spaugh Zoo. Pre-registration is preferred and costs $15, with proceeds going towards a scholarship fund.

For additional registration information, contact Bowyer at the Center for Counseling by calling (620) 792-2544, or by emailing hollyb@thecentergb.org. Registration forms may also be found at ckpartnership.org under the Suicide Prevention tab.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660836903359.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostSeptember is Suicide Awareness Month, and a pair of activities are lined up to raise awareness in Great Bend. Suicide Prevention Task Force is hosting the 10th Annual Golden Belt Glow 4 Life one-mile walk and 5K remembrance ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 17, and the second annual Pedal for Prevention event on Saturday, Sept. 24. Suicide Prevention Task Force Chair Holly Bowyer said the events are important reminders for the community."Unfortunately, suicide can impact anyone," she said. "It's impacting children at the grade-school level all the way up to the geriatric level. Sometimes people don't even know somebody is suffering because they try to make everybody else happy."Early registration for the Glow 4 Life event ends Aug. 31. For $25, participants will receive a T-shirt and glow stick. Registration after Aug. 31 is $30."We also do luminaries for those who have lost a loved one," Bowyer said. "Each registration is included with one, or they can purchase additional ones. We have them so they can pick them up on Monday, Sept. 12, take them and decorate them and bring them back that night."Glow 4 Life begins at 6 p.m. at Vets Park with a brief remembrance ceremony. A warm-up follows before the races, with the runners taking off ahead of the walkers.Great Bend student Devin Randolph was 14 years old when he passed away in September 2020. A year later, his parents created Devin's Ride to remember their son and raise suicide awareness. The bike ride traced one of Devin's favorite routes from the skate park at Brit Spaugh Zoo to Vets Park. Riders wore orange shirts - Devin's favorite color - with his picture.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660836929615.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"At the end, they had s'mores and a time of remembrance," Bowyer said. "They did 150 T-shirts, just for first-come, first-serve, and they had probably over 250 people that rode that ride. They had bicycles, they had people walking, they had RZRs, they had trucks, they had all kinds of things."The Pedal for Prevention event begins Saturday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. near the skate park in Brit Spaugh Zoo. Pre-registration is preferred and costs $15, with proceeds going towards a scholarship fund.For additional registration information, contact Bowyer at the Center for Counseling by calling (620) 792-2544, or by emailing hollyb@thecentergb.org. Registration forms may also be found at ckpartnership.org under the Suicide Prevention tab.

Get active in September: Two Great Bend events for Suicide Awareness

On Thursday, Aug. 25, Pawnee County Road &amp; Bridge crews will be replacing a culvert pipe that runs under the curve at 200th Ave and F5 Roads, west of Garfield. 

The road will be closed to thru traffic for the day during the repair. Crews will have the new culvert in and repaired by the end of the day.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661273120111.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>On Thursday, Aug. 25, Pawnee County Road &amp; Bridge crews will be replacing a culvert pipe that runs under the curve at 200th Ave and F5 Roads, west of Garfield. The road will be closed to thru traffic for the day during the repair. Crews will have the new culvert in and repaired by the end of the day.

Road near Garfield to close for repairs Thursday

The Great Bend Coop reported its first load of corn at Albert. 

Moisture - 17.4% Test weight - 51.5 lbs

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661275844407.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Great Bend Coop reported its first load of corn at Albert. Moisture - 17.4% Test weight - 51.5 lbs

Great Bend Coop reports first load of corn

Plans to grow Ellinwood are still in the works. City Administrator Chris Komarek will attend Wednesday's Barton County Commission meeting to ask for assistance on a water and wastewater improvement project that will serve both the new hospital and a proposed housing development in the northwest corner of the city.

"We've been talking to the county commissioners in study sessions for the last six months, a couple of different times," Komarek said. "They're wanting to help the communities with housing and growth. In Great Bend, they assisted with funding for the daycare and stuff like that. The biggest thing we're doing, we're trying to get a development in the northwest corner of town to add some new housing. We're only asking to share in the cost of the material - the water line and sewer line to put in."

Komarek last spoke about the project at the June 8 commission meeting. The new housing development would have the potential for adding 15 large lots for housing. One concern is a 114-year-old water pipe that would need to be addressed for the new projects. Groundbreaking on the new $22 million hospital facilities was originally expected to begin as early as this fall.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642796042139.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostPlans to grow Ellinwood are still in the works. City Administrator Chris Komarek will attend Wednesday's Barton County Commission meeting to ask for assistance on a water and wastewater improvement project that will serve both the new hospital and a proposed housing development in the northwest corner of the city."We've been talking to the county commissioners in study sessions for the last six months, a couple of different times," Komarek said. "They're wanting to help the communities with housing and growth. In Great Bend, they assisted with funding for the daycare and stuff like that. The biggest thing we're doing, we're trying to get a development in the northwest corner of town to add some new housing. We're only asking to share in the cost of the material - the water line and sewer line to put in."Komarek last spoke about the project at the June 8 commission meeting. The new housing development would have the potential for adding 15 large lots for housing. One concern is a 114-year-old water pipe that would need to be addressed for the new projects. Groundbreaking on the new $22 million hospital facilities was originally expected to begin as early as this fall.

Ellinwood improvements on agenda for Barton Commission meeting

Eldridge Fencing is more than just your Fencing Headquarters at 80 East 10th Street in Great Bend. Eldridge Fencing offers a full showroom of Traeger &amp; Napoleon grills, spices, rubs, grilling pellets, charcoal and everything else you need to cook like a pro! Stop in at 80 East 10th Street, Great Bend. Call them at (620) 793-7970 or visit them online at https://www.eldridgefencing.com/ or on their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/EldridgeFence/.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mYfu2llI2hI" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Eldridge Fencing is more than just your Fencing Headquarters at 80 East 10th Street in Great Bend. Eldridge Fencing offers a full showroom of Traeger &amp; Napoleon grills, spices, rubs, grilling pellets, charcoal and everything else you need to cook like a pro! Stop in at 80 East 10th Street, Great Bend. Call them at (620) 793-7970 or visit them online at https://www.eldridgefencing.com/ or on their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/EldridgeFence/.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1651294600645.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

🎥SPONSORED: Eldridge Fencing - BBQ Tips - Brisket

By COLE REIF Great Bend Post

The Great Bend Recreation Commission kept their mill levy flat since
2013, but on Monday the GBRC Board approved to increase their tax rate for the
2022-2023 budget. The rec’s overall mill levy for the upcoming budget will be
9.75, an increase of one mill from the year prior. 
Following the approval of the budget last year, Great Bend Rec Executive Director
Diann Henderson mentioned the mill levy would be going up for the next budget
to eliminate the use of cash reserves to cover differences or extra expenses.

Going from 8.75 to 9.75 mills will allow the rec to stay competitive with staff
wages. 
"The increase to the general fund comes from a variety of sources, whether it's contractual, commodities or personnel," said Henderson. "Personnel is a lot of that. We're looking to invest in our employees. That mill levy was raised so we can accommodate to stay in the market to provide funding to staff our employees." 
The Great Bend Rec has two separate taxes, one for their general fund and the other
for their employee benefit and insurance fund. The general fund will go from
seven to eight mills, while the employee benefit and insurance fund will remain
at 1.75. 
Based on valuations, one mill is estimated to bring in $169,811. Between tax collections, cash carryover and activity fees, the rec plans
on collecting just over $4.9 million in revenue overall. Bumping up the general
fund mill levy to eight mills puts the rec at its maximum expenditure. 
At 41%, the majority of GBRC’s expenditures go toward personnel. 
"Personnel is one of the top winners on expenditures," said Henderson. "We value our staff. It's been demonstrated in some of the policies we've made in the last two years to increase people to our staff." 
Last year, GBRC budgeted a 3% pay increase for all employees. Last November,
the board approved an additional 10% - 14% average wage increase for seasonal
and temporary employee levels, with an average of 3% - 6% increase for all other
employee classifications.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1626279263614.jpeg" alt="Great Bend Recreation Commission staff (file photo)" />
 <figcaption>Great Bend Recreation Commission staff (file photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostThe Great Bend Recreation Commission kept their mill levy flat since
2013, but on Monday the GBRC Board approved to increase their tax rate for the
2022-2023 budget. The rec’s overall mill levy for the upcoming budget will be
9.75, an increase of one mill from the year prior. 
Following the approval of the budget last year, Great Bend Rec Executive Director
Diann Henderson mentioned the mill levy would be going up for the next budget
to eliminate the use of cash reserves to cover differences or extra expenses.
Going from 8.75 to 9.75 mills will allow the rec to stay competitive with staff
wages. 
"The increase to the general fund comes from a variety of sources, whether it's contractual, commodities or personnel," said Henderson. "Personnel is a lot of that. We're looking to invest in our employees. That mill levy was raised so we can accommodate to stay in the market to provide funding to staff our employees." 
The Great Bend Rec has two separate taxes, one for their general fund and the other
for their employee benefit and insurance fund. The general fund will go from
seven to eight mills, while the employee benefit and insurance fund will remain
at 1.75. 
Based on valuations, one mill is estimated to bring in $169,811. Between tax collections, cash carryover and activity fees, the rec plans
on collecting just over $4.9 million in revenue overall. Bumping up the general
fund mill levy to eight mills puts the rec at its maximum expenditure. 
At 41%, the majority of GBRC’s expenditures go toward personnel. 
"Personnel is one of the top winners on expenditures," said Henderson. "We value our staff. It's been demonstrated in some of the policies we've made in the last two years to increase people to our staff." 
Last year, GBRC budgeted a 3% pay increase for all employees. Last November,
the board approved an additional 10% - 14% average wage increase for seasonal
and temporary employee levels, with an average of 3% - 6% increase for all other
employee classifications.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

To benefit employees, Great Bend Rec increasing taxes

Barton County Sheriff’s
Office Incident Log (8/22) 
 
Missing Person / Runaway 
 
At 2:21 a.m. a missing/runaway person was reported at 59 Karen Street. 
 
At 2:25 a.m. a missing/runaway person was reported at 2109 30th
Street. 
 
Cattle Out 
 
At 11:47 a.m. a report of cattle out was made at NE K-156 Highway at MM 131. 
 
Driving / Driver Complaint 
 
At 3:34 p.m. a driving complaint was reported at K-96 at MM 167. 
 
Animal Complaint 
 
At 9:08 an animal complaint was reported in Susank. 
 
Non-Injury Accident 
 
At 9:18 p.m. an accident was reported at NE 110 Avenue &amp; NE K-156 Highway
in Claflin.

Great Bend Police Department Incident Log (8/22)

At 12:12 a.m. Jacob Garcia reported a possible explosion at 205 Maple Street.

At 12:34 a.m. K-9 Menta was utilized during a traffic stop at 2312 10th Street.

At 9:57 a.m. a request for extra patrol in the area was made on Sunset Road due to a suspicious suspect.

At 10:41 a.m. ambulance assistance was needed at 1615 16th Street.

At 12:38 p.m. ambulance assistance was needed at 3022 18th Street.

At 1:36 p.m. a report of someone putting cat food in her driveway was made at 707 Taft Street.

At 3:42 p.m. a white car speeding in the area was reported at Birchwood Dr. and Cherry Ln.

At 5:04 p.m. a fire alarm was reported at 3713 22nd Street. False alarm.

At 5:05 p.m. an accident was reported at 3709 10th Street.

At 5:36 p.m. an accident was reported at 1811 Main Street.

At 9:03 p.m. ambulance assistance was needed at 2714 20th Street.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592405093656.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Barton County Sheriff’s
Office Incident Log (8/22) 
 
Missing Person / Runaway 
 
At 2:21 a.m. a missing/runaway person was reported at 59 Karen Street. 
 
At 2:25 a.m. a missing/runaway person was reported at 2109 30th
Street. 
 
Cattle Out 
 
At 11:47 a.m. a report of cattle out was made at NE K-156 Highway at MM 131. 
 
Driving / Driver Complaint 
 
At 3:34 p.m. a driving complaint was reported at K-96 at MM 167. 
 
Animal Complaint 
 
At 9:08 an animal complaint was reported in Susank. 
 
Non-Injury Accident 
 
At 9:18 p.m. an accident was reported at NE 110 Avenue &amp; NE K-156 Highway
in Claflin.Great Bend Police Department Incident Log (8/22)Noise Complaint&nbsp;At 12:12 a.m. Jacob Garcia reported a possible explosion at 205 Maple Street.K-9 Use / Call OutAt 12:34 a.m. K-9 Menta was utilized during a traffic stop at 2312 10th Street.StalkingAt 9:57 a.m. a request for extra patrol in the area was made on Sunset Road due to a suspicious suspect.EMS / Fire AssistanceAt 10:41 a.m. ambulance assistance was needed at 1615 16th Street.Abdominal Pain / ProblemsAt 12:38 p.m. ambulance assistance was needed at 3022 18th Street.Trash Complaint / DumpingAt 1:36 p.m. a report of someone putting cat food in her driveway was made at 707 Taft Street.Driving / Driver ComplaintAt 3:42 p.m. a white car speeding in the area was reported at Birchwood Dr. and Cherry Ln.Structure FireAt 5:04 p.m. a fire alarm was reported at 3713 22nd Street. False alarm.Non-Injury AccidentAt 5:05 p.m. an accident was reported at 3709 10th Street.At 5:36 p.m. an accident was reported at 1811 Main Street.Breathing ProblemsAt 9:03 p.m. ambulance assistance was needed at 2714 20th Street.

Cop Shop (8/22)

8/22 BOOKED: John Carson on three Stafford County District Court cases for Probation Violation, to serve sentence.

BOOKED: Rakel Ryan on Barton County District Court warrant for Failure to Appear, bond set at $200 cash only.

RELEASED: Cody Day on Great Bend Municipal Court case, after time served.

RELEASED: Eduardo Torres on Barton County District Court case for Possession of Stimulant, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, on OR bond.

RELEASED: Hailey Lewis on Great Bend Municipal Court case for Contempt of Court, per order of court.

RELEASED: Rakel Ryan on Barton County District Court warrant for Failure to Appear, after posting a $200 cash bond.

RELEASED: Melissa Slack on Barton County District Court case for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Paraphernalia, and Driving While Suspended, after posting $10,000 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonds.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632144146661.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>8/22 BOOKED: John Carson on three Stafford County District Court cases for Probation Violation, to serve sentence.BOOKED: Rakel Ryan on Barton County District Court warrant for Failure to Appear, bond set at $200 cash only.RELEASED: Cody Day on Great Bend Municipal Court case, after time served.RELEASED: Eduardo Torres on Barton County District Court case for Possession of Stimulant, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, on OR bond.RELEASED: Hailey Lewis on Great Bend Municipal Court case for Contempt of Court, per order of court.RELEASED: Rakel Ryan on Barton County District Court warrant for Failure to Appear, after posting a $200 cash bond.RELEASED: Melissa Slack on Barton County District Court case for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Paraphernalia, and Driving While Suspended, after posting $10,000 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonds.

Barton County Sheriff's Booking Activity (8/22)

Now that the dogs had their turn, the pool season is officially closed
at the Great Bend Wetlands Waterpark. 
Aug. 14 was the last day the pool was open for the public to
swim, but last Saturday was “Bark in the Park” where dogs were allowed to swim
around. 
After starting, Memorial Day weekend, Great Bend Recreation Commission Aquatics
Director Megan Hammeke said numbers were good this year at the pool. 
"We were busy," said Hammeke. "We didn't have many rain or cold days. We still had the numbers. We had the average of 200 to 300 people a day." 
The waterpark staff included 44 lifeguards and 10 concession stand workers this
summer. All those employees were between the ages of 15 and 22.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

According to Hammeke, more than 300 children participated in swim lessons at the waterpark this year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661181279276.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostNow that the dogs had their turn, the pool season is officially closed
at the Great Bend Wetlands Waterpark. 
Aug. 14 was the last day the pool was open for the public to
swim, but last Saturday was “Bark in the Park” where dogs were allowed to swim
around. 
After starting, Memorial Day weekend, Great Bend Recreation Commission Aquatics
Director Megan Hammeke said numbers were good this year at the pool. 
"We were busy," said Hammeke. "We didn't have many rain or cold days. We still had the numbers. We had the average of 200 to 300 people a day." 
The waterpark staff included 44 lifeguards and 10 concession stand workers this
summer. All those employees were between the ages of 15 and 22.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;According to Hammeke, more than 300 children participated in swim lessons at the waterpark this year.

Good numbers this summer at Great Bend pool

Today Sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the morning.

Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 61. East southeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming south after midnight.

Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 93. Light and variable wind becoming south southwest 5 to 7 mph in the morning.

Wednesday Night Clear, with a low around 62. Southeast wind 5 to 8 mph.

Thursday Sunny, with a high near 94. South southwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.

Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 65.

Friday Sunny, with a high near 94.

Saturday A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Saturday Night A 30-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.

Sunday A 20-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 93.

Sunday Night A 20-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.

Monday A 20-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 92.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Today Sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the morning.Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 61. East southeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming south after midnight.Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 93. Light and variable wind becoming south southwest 5 to 7 mph in the morning.Wednesday Night Clear, with a low around 62. Southeast wind 5 to 8 mph.Thursday Sunny, with a high near 94. South southwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 65.Friday Sunny, with a high near 94.Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.Saturday A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.Saturday Night A 30-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.Sunday A 20-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 93.Sunday Night A 20-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.Monday A 20-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 92.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Tuesday's Weather

REGULAR MEETING and BUDGET HEARING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

BARTON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE Board of Trustees meeting and budget hearing

Tuesday, Aug. 23 at 4 p.m. Room F-30/ZOOM, Fine Arts Building

1. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE &nbsp; &nbsp;Gary Burke, Board Vice-Chair will call the meeting to order.

3. PUBLIC COMMENT &nbsp; &nbsp;Gary Burke, Board Vice-Chair will invite public comments.

4. FY23 BUDGET HEARING &nbsp; &nbsp;Gary Burke, Board Vice-Chair will open the Budget Hearing.

5. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS AND NEW EMPLOYEES &nbsp; &nbsp;Carl Heilman, President will provide introductions and recognition of personnel.

6. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY &nbsp; &nbsp;Lee Miller, Director of Innovation and Compliance and Stephanie Joiner, Executive Director of Foundational Education will give this presentation.

7. STRATEGIC PLANNING UPDATE &nbsp; &nbsp;Todd Mobray, Director of Institutional Effectiveness will facilitate this update.

8. MONITORING REPORT – END 8: CONTINGENCY PLANNING &nbsp; &nbsp;Todd Mobray, Director of Institutional Effectiveness will facilitate this report.

9. CONSENT AGENDA &nbsp; &nbsp;Routine items are presented for action in one motion. Any Trustee may remove an item from the consent agenda for individual discussion and action. It is recommended that the Board approve the consent agenda as presented. &nbsp; &nbsp;a. Personnel &nbsp; &nbsp;b. BOT Meeting Minutes of July 26, 2022

10. CLOSE BUDGET HEARING – APPROVE PROOF OF PUBLICATION &nbsp; &nbsp;Mark Dean, Vice President of Administration will present for the Board’s consideration.

11. INCIDENTAL INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION ITEMS &nbsp; &nbsp;a. President’s Report of Monthly Activities &nbsp; &nbsp;b. KACCT/Board Chair Report by Mike Johnson, Board Chair &nbsp; &nbsp;c. KBOR Update by Carl Heilman, President &nbsp; &nbsp;d. Upcoming Events &nbsp; &nbsp;e. Miscellaneous

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

13. PUBLIC COMMENT &nbsp; &nbsp;Gary Burke, Board Vice-Chair will again invite public comments.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627047186061.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>REGULAR MEETING and BUDGET HEARING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEESBARTON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE Board of Trustees meeting and budget hearingTuesday, Aug. 23 at 4 p.m. Room F-30/ZOOM, Fine Arts Building1. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE &nbsp; &nbsp;Gary Burke, Board Vice-Chair will call the meeting to order.2. OFFICIAL BOARD MEETINGS3. PUBLIC COMMENT &nbsp; &nbsp;Gary Burke, Board Vice-Chair will invite public comments.4. FY23 BUDGET HEARING &nbsp; &nbsp;Gary Burke, Board Vice-Chair will open the Budget Hearing.5. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS AND NEW EMPLOYEES &nbsp; &nbsp;Carl Heilman, President will provide introductions and recognition of personnel.6. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY &nbsp; &nbsp;Lee Miller, Director of Innovation and Compliance and Stephanie Joiner, Executive Director of Foundational Education will give this presentation.7. STRATEGIC PLANNING UPDATE &nbsp; &nbsp;Todd Mobray, Director of Institutional Effectiveness will facilitate this update.8. MONITORING REPORT – END 8: CONTINGENCY PLANNING &nbsp; &nbsp;Todd Mobray, Director of Institutional Effectiveness will facilitate this report.9. CONSENT AGENDA &nbsp; &nbsp;Routine items are presented for action in one motion. Any Trustee may remove an item from the consent agenda for individual discussion and action. It is recommended that the Board approve the consent agenda as presented. &nbsp; &nbsp;a. Personnel &nbsp; &nbsp;b. BOT Meeting Minutes of July 26, 202210. CLOSE BUDGET HEARING – APPROVE PROOF OF PUBLICATION &nbsp; &nbsp;Mark Dean, Vice President of Administration will present for the Board’s consideration.11. INCIDENTAL INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION ITEMS &nbsp; &nbsp;a. President’s Report of Monthly Activities &nbsp; &nbsp;b. KACCT/Board Chair Report by Mike Johnson, Board Chair &nbsp; &nbsp;c. KBOR Update by Carl Heilman, President &nbsp; &nbsp;d. Upcoming Events &nbsp; &nbsp;e. Miscellaneous12. EXECUTIVE SESSION (if needed) &nbsp; &nbsp;In compliance with KSA 75-4319, the Board will recess to executive session if needed, in compliance with the Kansas Open Meetings Act.13. PUBLIC COMMENT &nbsp; &nbsp;Gary Burke, Board Vice-Chair will again invite public comments.14. ADJOURNMENT

BCC Board of Trustees meeting agenda (8/23)

Comment to&nbsp;Protect Your Access to Atrazine The&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=c5557f7533&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">Summer 2022 Issue</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;Sorghum Grower&nbsp;magazine is hitting mailboxes across the country. On that magazine, you will find a wrap with a postcard included. We encourage you to fill out that card and drop it back in the mailbox to us. The use of atrazine is at stake, a product included in more than 90 herbicide products across the U.S., and one that is utilized on 75 percent of U.S. sorghum acres. You don't have time to wait.&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=2dc14f6367&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">Please take two minutes to fill out the comment form and join us in stopping EPA</a>&nbsp;from limiting your access to atrazine. Join us in the fight.&nbsp; POLICY, REGULATORY AND ISSUE&nbsp;UPDATES

FSA to Release Additional ERP Phase 1 Applications, Correcting Outstanding Issues The USDA Farm Service Agency&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=b453457f80&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;yesterday it will begin sending new or updated pre-filled Emergency Relief Program (ERP, previously WHIP+) applications.&nbsp;This covers the outstanding issues from Phase 1 of ERP (this is not Phase 2 of ERP).&nbsp; &nbsp; In its&nbsp;second stage of Phase 1, FSA will begin mailing pre-filled applications in late August to producers who have potentially eligible losses and fall under one of the following categories:

Producers are expected to receive assistance direct deposited into their bank account within three business days after they sign and return the pre-filled application to the FSA county office and the county office enters the application into the system. &nbsp; USDA has yet to release details on Phase 2 of ERP and ELRP which will be aimed at shallow losses that did not receive a crop insurance indemnity&nbsp;and providing assistance to producers who did not participate in or receive payments through the existing risk management programs. Find details on ERP and ELRP<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=5989b0db34&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=5e66016b51&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp; Guidance on the definitions of farm adjusted gross income (AGI) were also released. Please find more details&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=7ac133cf9e&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>. Although the farm equipment issue remains unresolved, positive movement on&nbsp;prevented plant&nbsp;claims, ERP benefits under Phase I to producers who bought supplemental coverage, and equitable relief for producers with negative&nbsp;adjusted gross income&nbsp;are a credit to lawmakers who pushed for these improvements, including Senators John Thune&nbsp;(R-SD), John Hoeven&nbsp;(R-ND), Kevin Cramer&nbsp;(R-ND), Amy Klobuchar&nbsp;(D-MN), Tina Smith&nbsp;(D-MN), Steve&nbsp;Daines (R-MT), and Jon Tester&nbsp;(D-MT).&nbsp;

NSP Hosts Board of Directors Annual Budget Meeting in Wichita The National Sorghum Producers board of directors met in Wichita, Kansas, this week to hold its annual budget meeting. The budget for FY 2023 was approved and updates were provided on current legislative and regulatory issues. New officers were also elected and will be announced in October. Curious Where Sugarcane Aphids are Popping Up? Defend your crop. Sugarcane aphids are manageable pests we've been treating in sorghum for almost a decade now. For a map showing their reported locations this growing season and other resources, visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=dca0c79c66&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">web page</a>, sponsored by&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=e505c4a1a2&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">Alta Seeds</a>. ICYMI: Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition - New Episode - #015 In this episode, National Sorghum Producers CEO Tim Lust is joined by Triazine Network Co-Chair and Kansas Corn CEO Greg Krissek to discuss the EPA's recent proposal on atrazine and what growers can do to engage in the fight to keep this important tool.

Do You Have Ideas for the Next Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition Podcast?&nbsp; Sorghum Family, we are approaching a milestone for Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition, and we want to know who you want to hear on the next podcast episode or what topic you want to learn more about. Submit your requests&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=19f1e60233&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>! Sorghum Checkoff Still Accepting Applications to Leadership Sorghum The United Sorghum Checkoff Program is accepting applications for&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=b22544ebf0&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">Leadership Sorghum</a>&nbsp;Class VI, a program designed to cultivate the next generation of sorghum leaders. During the 14-month leadership program, class members will have the opportunity to experience various aspects of the sorghum industry in addition to personal development and networking opportunities.&nbsp;Applications are available&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=11682583f9&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;and are due by 5:00 pm CST on September 23.&nbsp;To learn more about Leadership Sorghum, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=5a3e80940d&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">SorghumGrowers.com</a>. Fall Sorghum Grower Magazine: Photo Submissions Get your camera (or even phone camera) ready, we want to see your sorghum field! Submit your field photos&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=95bab29429&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>, or tag us in your #FromTheField photos on social media for a chance to be featured in the upcoming Fall&nbsp;edition of the sorghum grower magazine! Sorghum Crop Update By August 14, sixty-seven percent of the nation’s sorghum acreage had reached the headed stage, 13 percentage points behind last year and 10 points behind the 5-year average. Thirty percent of the sorghum acreage was at or beyond the coloring stage by August 14, equal to last year but 2 percentage points behind average. Twenty-seven percent of the sorghum acreage was rated in good to excellent condition on August 14, two percentage points below the previous week and 33 points below the same time last year. Sorghum Checkoff Releases Weekly Sorghum Basis Snapshot The Sorghum Checkoff, with Southwest Agribusiness Consulting, released its weekly sorghum basis snapshot, available at&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=35f24367ae&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">SorghumCheckoff.com</a>.

NSP Promotes Safe Handling and Storage of Treated Seed During Harvest As harvest begins across the country National Sorghum Producers is reminding farmers about the importance of taking precautions to ensure treated seed does not enter the grain supply. It’s always important to completely remove, and properly dispose of, all treated seed from containers and equipment that will also be used to handle harvested grain. For educational resources on treated seed stewardship, including videos, graphics, one-pagers and FAQs, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=fdb3ab4bc0&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">seed-treatment-guide.com/</a>.&nbsp;To learn more about treated seed benefits and safety, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=f7a361f57f&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">https://www.betterseed.org/treated-seeds/</a>. Sorghum in the Spotlight: <a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=255d1b41d6&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">Texas grain sorghum production off 40%, 'Could have been worse'</a>&nbsp;- Southwest Farm Press <a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=ffda8d344a&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">CSU Sorghum Field Days</a>&nbsp;- Morning Ag Clips <a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=166880e3e3&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">China last week's top destination for corn, sorghum, soybeans</a>&nbsp;- Brownfield Ag News <a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=5bb14cdcf9&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">Sorghum at center stage in new convenience food products</a>&nbsp;- High Plains Journal <a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=0151a6fc18&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">Dry times and what they do to the sorghum crop</a>&nbsp;- High Plains Journal <a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=f4506bfe72&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">French sorghum farmer defies drought with sustainable crop</a>&nbsp;- Reuters

Upcoming Events September 5 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Labor Day-Office Closed September 7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;TAMU Bushland Silage Sorghum Field Day, Bushland, TX September 8&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Biennial Agricultural Field Day, CSU's Arkansas Valley Research Center in Rocky Ford September 13&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=8103cd9b50&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">CSU Sorghum Field Day</a>, Akron USDA-ARS Station - Akron, Colorado September 15&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=e2f080c5c1&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">CSU Sorghum Field Day</a>, Plainsman Research Center - Walsh, Colorado September 20&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=2d85dbeaa4&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">CSU Sorghum Field Day</a>, Field Site north of Brandon - Sheridan Lake, Colorado October 8&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=70dcd0f7c0&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">Food &amp; Nutrition Conference &amp; Expo (FNCE)</a> October 12 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=d4a9df28d9&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">Export Exchange</a>, Minneapolis, MN October 18 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=efdc2f8834&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">2022 Sunbelt Ag Expo</a>, Moultrie, GA October 19 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=f3058a1044&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">KibbleCon</a>, Manhattan, KS November 16 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=87eb6c9ab2&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">Sustainable Agriculture Summit</a>&nbsp;Glendale, AZ Market News&nbsp;-&nbsp;To view this week’s Gulf export grain report, click&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=63843f328d&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>. About Sorghum Notes Sorghum Notes is a publication of the National Sorghum Producers. NSP represents U.S. sorghum producers and serves as the voice of the sorghum industry from coast to coast through education and legislative and regulatory representation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579197583316.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Comment to&nbsp;Protect Your Access to Atrazine The&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=c5557f7533&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">Summer 2022 Issue</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;Sorghum Grower&nbsp;magazine is hitting mailboxes across the country. On that magazine, you will find a wrap with a postcard included. We encourage you to fill out that card and drop it back in the mailbox to us. The use of atrazine is at stake, a product included in more than 90 herbicide products across the U.S., and one that is utilized on 75 percent of U.S. sorghum acres. You don't have time to wait.&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=2dc14f6367&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">Please take two minutes to fill out the comment form and join us in stopping EPA</a>&nbsp;from limiting your access to atrazine. Join us in the fight.&nbsp; POLICY, REGULATORY AND ISSUE&nbsp;UPDATESFSA to Release Additional ERP Phase 1 Applications, Correcting Outstanding Issues The USDA Farm Service Agency&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=b453457f80&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;yesterday it will begin sending new or updated pre-filled Emergency Relief Program (ERP, previously WHIP+) applications.&nbsp;This covers the outstanding issues from Phase 1 of ERP (this is not Phase 2 of ERP).&nbsp; &nbsp; In its&nbsp;second stage of Phase 1, FSA will begin mailing pre-filled applications in late August to producers who have potentially eligible losses and fall under one of the following categories:<ul>
 <li>Received crop insurance indemnities for qualifying 2020 and 2021 disaster events after May 2, 2022.</li><li>Received crop insurance indemnities associated with Nursery, Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO), Stacked Income Protection Plan (STAX), Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) and Margin Protection (MP) policies.</li><li>New primary policyholders not included in the initial insured producer Phase 1 mailing from May 25, 2022, because their claim records had not been filled.</li><li>Certain 2020 prevent plant losses related to qualifying 2020 disaster events that had only been recorded in crop insurance records as related to 2019 adverse weather events and, as such, were not previously provided in applications sent earlier this year.</li><li>New Substantial Beneficial Interest (SBI) records, including SBIs where tax identification numbers were corrected.</li>
 </ul>Producers are expected to receive assistance direct deposited into their bank account within three business days after they sign and return the pre-filled application to the FSA county office and the county office enters the application into the system. &nbsp; USDA has yet to release details on Phase 2 of ERP and ELRP which will be aimed at shallow losses that did not receive a crop insurance indemnity&nbsp;and providing assistance to producers who did not participate in or receive payments through the existing risk management programs. Find details on ERP and ELRP<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=5989b0db34&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=5e66016b51&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp; Guidance on the definitions of farm adjusted gross income (AGI) were also released. Please find more details&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=7ac133cf9e&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>. Although the farm equipment issue remains unresolved, positive movement on&nbsp;prevented plant&nbsp;claims, ERP benefits under Phase I to producers who bought supplemental coverage, and equitable relief for producers with negative&nbsp;adjusted gross income&nbsp;are a credit to lawmakers who pushed for these improvements, including Senators John Thune&nbsp;(R-SD), John Hoeven&nbsp;(R-ND), Kevin Cramer&nbsp;(R-ND), Amy Klobuchar&nbsp;(D-MN), Tina Smith&nbsp;(D-MN), Steve&nbsp;Daines (R-MT), and Jon Tester&nbsp;(D-MT).&nbsp;ORGANIZATION UPDATESNSP Hosts Board of Directors Annual Budget Meeting in Wichita The National Sorghum Producers board of directors met in Wichita, Kansas, this week to hold its annual budget meeting. The budget for FY 2023 was approved and updates were provided on current legislative and regulatory issues. New officers were also elected and will be announced in October. Curious Where Sugarcane Aphids are Popping Up? Defend your crop. Sugarcane aphids are manageable pests we've been treating in sorghum for almost a decade now. For a map showing their reported locations this growing season and other resources, visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=dca0c79c66&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">web page</a>, sponsored by&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=e505c4a1a2&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">Alta Seeds</a>. ICYMI: Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition - New Episode - #015 In this episode, National Sorghum Producers CEO Tim Lust is joined by Triazine Network Co-Chair and Kansas Corn CEO Greg Krissek to discuss the EPA's recent proposal on atrazine and what growers can do to engage in the fight to keep this important tool.Do You Have Ideas for the Next Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition Podcast?&nbsp; Sorghum Family, we are approaching a milestone for Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition, and we want to know who you want to hear on the next podcast episode or what topic you want to learn more about. Submit your requests&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=19f1e60233&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>! Sorghum Checkoff Still Accepting Applications to Leadership Sorghum The United Sorghum Checkoff Program is accepting applications for&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=b22544ebf0&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">Leadership Sorghum</a>&nbsp;Class VI, a program designed to cultivate the next generation of sorghum leaders. During the 14-month leadership program, class members will have the opportunity to experience various aspects of the sorghum industry in addition to personal development and networking opportunities.&nbsp;Applications are available&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=11682583f9&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;and are due by 5:00 pm CST on September 23.&nbsp;To learn more about Leadership Sorghum, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=5a3e80940d&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">SorghumGrowers.com</a>. Fall Sorghum Grower Magazine: Photo Submissions Get your camera (or even phone camera) ready, we want to see your sorghum field! Submit your field photos&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=95bab29429&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>, or tag us in your #FromTheField photos on social media for a chance to be featured in the upcoming Fall&nbsp;edition of the sorghum grower magazine! Sorghum Crop Update By August 14, sixty-seven percent of the nation’s sorghum acreage had reached the headed stage, 13 percentage points behind last year and 10 points behind the 5-year average. Thirty percent of the sorghum acreage was at or beyond the coloring stage by August 14, equal to last year but 2 percentage points behind average. Twenty-seven percent of the sorghum acreage was rated in good to excellent condition on August 14, two percentage points below the previous week and 33 points below the same time last year. Sorghum Checkoff Releases Weekly Sorghum Basis Snapshot The Sorghum Checkoff, with Southwest Agribusiness Consulting, released its weekly sorghum basis snapshot, available at&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=35f24367ae&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">SorghumCheckoff.com</a>.NSP Promotes Safe Handling and Storage of Treated Seed During Harvest As harvest begins across the country National Sorghum Producers is reminding farmers about the importance of taking precautions to ensure treated seed does not enter the grain supply. It’s always important to completely remove, and properly dispose of, all treated seed from containers and equipment that will also be used to handle harvested grain. For educational resources on treated seed stewardship, including videos, graphics, one-pagers and FAQs, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=fdb3ab4bc0&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">seed-treatment-guide.com/</a>.&nbsp;To learn more about treated seed benefits and safety, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=f7a361f57f&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">https://www.betterseed.org/treated-seeds/</a>. Sorghum in the Spotlight: <a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=255d1b41d6&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">Texas grain sorghum production off 40%, 'Could have been worse'</a>&nbsp;- Southwest Farm Press <a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=ffda8d344a&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">CSU Sorghum Field Days</a>&nbsp;- Morning Ag Clips <a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=166880e3e3&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">China last week's top destination for corn, sorghum, soybeans</a>&nbsp;- Brownfield Ag News <a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=5bb14cdcf9&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">Sorghum at center stage in new convenience food products</a>&nbsp;- High Plains Journal <a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=0151a6fc18&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">Dry times and what they do to the sorghum crop</a>&nbsp;- High Plains Journal <a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=f4506bfe72&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">French sorghum farmer defies drought with sustainable crop</a>&nbsp;- ReutersUpcoming Events September 5 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Labor Day-Office Closed September 7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;TAMU Bushland Silage Sorghum Field Day, Bushland, TX September 8&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Biennial Agricultural Field Day, CSU's Arkansas Valley Research Center in Rocky Ford September 13&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=8103cd9b50&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">CSU Sorghum Field Day</a>, Akron USDA-ARS Station - Akron, Colorado September 15&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=e2f080c5c1&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">CSU Sorghum Field Day</a>, Plainsman Research Center - Walsh, Colorado September 20&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=2d85dbeaa4&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">CSU Sorghum Field Day</a>, Field Site north of Brandon - Sheridan Lake, Colorado October 8&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=70dcd0f7c0&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">Food &amp; Nutrition Conference &amp; Expo (FNCE)</a> October 12 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=d4a9df28d9&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">Export Exchange</a>, Minneapolis, MN October 18 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=efdc2f8834&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">2022 Sunbelt Ag Expo</a>, Moultrie, GA October 19 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=f3058a1044&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">KibbleCon</a>, Manhattan, KS November 16 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=87eb6c9ab2&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">Sustainable Agriculture Summit</a>&nbsp;Glendale, AZ Market News&nbsp;-&nbsp;To view this week’s Gulf export grain report, click&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=63843f328d&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>. About Sorghum Notes Sorghum Notes is a publication of the National Sorghum Producers. NSP represents U.S. sorghum producers and serves as the voice of the sorghum industry from coast to coast through education and legislative and regulatory representation.

National Sorghum Producers - Sorghum e-Notes 

Great Bend Police: Behind the badge

Golden Belt Community Foundation is pleased to announce that $15,415 was recently awarded for grants that benefit communities in the Golden Belt area.

The Golden Belt Spring Community Building Grant supports a wide-variety of needs in Barton, Pawnee, Rush, and Stafford County that serve the community at large including but not limited to: quality of life improvements; arts and culture; enhancing community destination points; charitable economic opportunity; planning and development. Favorable projects leverage matching funds for greater community impact.

The community projects awarded funding were:

$2,000 Gray Photography Studio, Inc. Amos Bayer Fund

Gray Photography Studio has been working to restore the historic building at 116 N Main Street in St John, Ks. The vision is to have a space for the community to utilize. The space currently functions as The Arts Center at Gray Photography Studio. The project has used grants from the Kansas Historical Society as well as Historic Tax Credits to address the needs of the building. This grant award will be used to continue to finish the main studio space so that the community may begin using the building.

$1,500 Rush County Memorial Hospital Amos Bayer Fund

Rush County Memorial Hospital is in the process of updating its Long-Term Care unit. The vision is to restore and/or paint each room. Many of the rooms will look like homes by adding false windows and window boxes. They are adding to other rooms and areas of the unit by creating a barbershop and other shops in a town with the addition of awnings and false windows. They will also be adding a mural that will create a friendly home environment. This grant award will be used to continue the painting portion of this project.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625238587928.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Golden Belt Community Foundation is pleased to announce that $15,415 was recently awarded for grants that benefit communities in the Golden Belt area.The Golden Belt Spring Community Building Grant supports a wide-variety of needs in Barton, Pawnee, Rush, and Stafford County that serve the community at large including but not limited to: quality of life improvements; arts and culture; enhancing community destination points; charitable economic opportunity; planning and development. Favorable projects leverage matching funds for greater community impact.The community projects awarded funding were:$2,000 Gray Photography Studio, Inc. Amos Bayer FundGray Photography Studio has been working to restore the historic building at 116 N Main Street in St John, Ks. The vision is to have a space for the community to utilize. The space currently functions as The Arts Center at Gray Photography Studio. The project has used grants from the Kansas Historical Society as well as Historic Tax Credits to address the needs of the building. This grant award will be used to continue to finish the main studio space so that the community may begin using the building.$1,500 Rush County Memorial Hospital Amos Bayer FundRush County Memorial Hospital is in the process of updating its Long-Term Care unit. The vision is to restore and/or paint each room. Many of the rooms will look like homes by adding false windows and window boxes. They are adding to other rooms and areas of the unit by creating a barbershop and other shops in a town with the addition of awnings and false windows. They will also be adding a mural that will create a friendly home environment. This grant award will be used to continue the painting portion of this project.$750 Heartland Farm Golden Belt Community Improvement FundHeartland Farm purchased the Meeting Owl Teleconferencing System to enhance the virtual workshops and events that they facilitate. This system is a video conferencing system with camera, microphone and speakers that has smart zooming and noise equalizing capabilities. This will provide easier access to those outside of their area who participate in the workshops and/or meetings. They would like to provide this technology to local area businesses, groups and private individuals as well. The grant award will fund the entire project. $5,000 Stafford County Economic Development KHF Children’s Health Endowment Fund Stafford County Economic Development (EcoDevo) will be bringing in an architectural consultant and/or contractors to assess existing buildings in Stafford County that could be used for childcare while simultaneously starting to move forward with the development of other locations. By concurrently working on renovations to properties that have already been deemed viable they will be able to move more efficiently toward providing Stafford County with additional childcare locations. This grant will provide the opportunity to work on both concerns in Stafford County.$2,000 City of LaCrosse Golden Belt Community Improvement Fund and the Arts &amp; Culture FundIn 1951 the LaCrosse Boy Scouts raised money to build an 8-foot replica of the Statue of Liberty. The brick work and its foundation are in bad need of repairs. They will rebrick the foundation and fix the statue with the use of this grant award.$500 IGather, Inc. Nutrition and Physical Activity Initiative FundMacksville community members, students and staff worked diligently 2 years ago to start a raised tire garden. Thriving with produce each year and drawing in visitors of all ages with its artistic appeal the garden has continued to grow and be successful. In order to have even better success, they are adding an irrigation system. The grant award will fund the new watering system with irrigation hoses reaching into each tire and a timer so that the plants will get the much-needed moisture.$3,665 St. John High School KHF Children’s Health Endowment FundUSD 350 is in the process of implementing a Rural Career Connections project to give students in 7th-12th grade hands-on practical business experience and a place to practice employability skills. Tiger Coffee will launch in phases and the long-term plan is for it to be a school and community coffee shop. Other businesses planning to launch are a school-based bank in conjunction with SJN Bank of KS, a school store with end caps from local businesses (Dollar General, Whites Foodliner, and Kanza Coop), a broadcast/podcast and interview desk connecting to St. John News and St. John Community Television Ch 3, a garment store to design and sell tiger gear for our school sports teams, fans and booster club, a flower shop, and a photography studio. This grant will allow them to continue moving forward with the start of the Tiger Coffee shop.

Local