BOOKED: Leonard Boese on two Barton County District Court warrants for Probation Violation, bonds set at $10,000 and $2,500 C/S.

BOOKED: Joshua Alonzo on Barton County District Court warrant for Probation Violation, bond set at $10,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Randy Chambers on Barton County District Court warrant for Probation Violation, bond set at $10,000 C/S.

RELEASED: Christopher DeLauder on Barton County District Court case for Contempt of Court, after serving time.

RELEASED: Craig Gowdy on Barton County District Court case, after serving time.

RELEASED: Jill Alexander on Barton County District Court case, after serving time.

RELEASED: Tara Bailey on Barton County District Court warrant for Contempt of Court, after being granted $10,000 OR bond by Judge Burgess.

RELEASED: Omar Dominguez-Campos on Barton County District Court case, after being granted $5,000 OR bond; and on Rice County District Court warrant for Probation Violation, after posting a cash bond of $786.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632144146661.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>8/11BOOKED: Leonard Boese on two Barton County District Court warrants for Probation Violation, bonds set at $10,000 and $2,500 C/S.BOOKED: Joshua Alonzo on Barton County District Court warrant for Probation Violation, bond set at $10,000 C/S.BOOKED: Randy Chambers on Barton County District Court warrant for Probation Violation, bond set at $10,000 C/S.RELEASED: Christopher DeLauder on Barton County District Court case for Contempt of Court, after serving time.RELEASED: Craig Gowdy on Barton County District Court case, after serving time.RELEASED: Jill Alexander on Barton County District Court case, after serving time.RELEASED: Tara Bailey on Barton County District Court warrant for Contempt of Court, after being granted $10,000 OR bond by Judge Burgess.RELEASED: Omar Dominguez-Campos on Barton County District Court case, after being granted $5,000 OR bond; and on Rice County District Court warrant for Probation Violation, after posting a cash bond of $786.

Barton County Sheriff's Booking Activity (8/11)

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

From the sidelines of Great Bend High School to the dugout in Minnesota's Target Field, recent Great Bend High grad Molly Kaiser is making the most of her time at Kansas State University. This summer, she is winding down her journalism degree with an internship with the Minnesota Twins. 

"I started in high school with yearbook," Kaiser said. "That's kind of where my passion for sports photography grew. I had a passion for photography since a pretty young age, but through yearbook, I got introduced to the profession of sports photography, and just made it my goal to make it."

After graduating from GBHS in 2019, Kaiser headed to Manhattan to study journalism and mass communications with a minor in sports marketing. She did not shoot photos during her freshman year at K-State, but after COVID hit, she applied and was accepted for an internship with K-State Athletics. That turned into a paid position, and Kaiser has shot every sport at the school. Last year, she traveled with the women's basketball team as a full-time photographer.

"It was cool to experience the NCAA Tournament," she said. "I'm really excited for this year because we're going to the U.S. Virgin Islands for one of our tournaments. I think the coolest place I went last year was South Carolina."

All along, Kaiser is able to keep up with her school work. She gives credit to her advisor, who helps her with online classes and meeting with professors ahead of each semester.

"It is very challenging, and I definitely have to have my priorities straight on making sure school is still my top priority throughout all this," she said.

Approximately 10 Major League Baseball teams offer internships to photographers, and Kaiser applied for the position in four of the markets. She advanced in the process with Cleveland and Minnesota, eventually accepting a paid job with the Twins.

"I decided that the Twins were right for me," Kaiser said. "The sports photographer they have on staff has been a huge mentor for me, even before this internship. It's just super cool to be learning from him."

Kaiser uses her own equipment while shooting for K-State, but gets to borrow some additional items in Minneapolis. She uses two cameras during games, but with another photographer in the other dugout, does not have to operate by remote.

"All the guys are so nice on the Twins," she said. "I don't think I've had a bad interaction with any of the guys. It's just so awesome to be within arm's reach of some of the best athletes. Our setup for the stadium is super nice. We have positions right by our dugout and the visiting dugout. We are very spoiled."

Kaiser's boss in Minnesota is also an affiliate for USA Today and Getty Images, which sends photos to media outlets worldwide. He put Kaiser in touch with freelancers at USA Today, and for that publication, she will be working the upcoming Major League Soccer All-Star Game in neighboring St. Paul this weekend. Kaiser recently worked a concert by country artist Cole Swindell.

"It was a very cool experience," she said. "It was the first of its kind. I got to shoot directly for Cole Swindell. I got to really get to know him before the concert and was able to capture the experience of the first-ever after-game concert series."

Kaiser is preparing for her senior year at K-State. After that, the future remains wide open but will probably involve a camera.

"I would love to stay with a pro team," she said. "I'm leaning toward MLB just because I like the schedule; I like all the games in a row. It's what I like to do. I know there will be some college opportunities if I'm unable to get an MLB position right off the bat."

Molly is the daughter of Leonard and Brenda Kaiser of Great Bend.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660229009906.jpeg" alt="Molly Kaiser, a 2019 Great Bend High School graduate, is completing an internship with the Minnesota Twins." />
 <figcaption>Molly Kaiser, a 2019 Great Bend High School graduate, is completing an internship with the Minnesota Twins.</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostFrom the sidelines of Great Bend High School to the dugout in Minnesota's Target Field, recent Great Bend High grad Molly Kaiser is making the most of her time at Kansas State University. This summer, she is winding down her journalism degree with an internship with the Minnesota Twins. "I started in high school with yearbook," Kaiser said. "That's kind of where my passion for sports photography grew. I had a passion for photography since a pretty young age, but through yearbook, I got introduced to the profession of sports photography, and just made it my goal to make it."After graduating from GBHS in 2019, Kaiser headed to Manhattan to study journalism and mass communications with a minor in sports marketing. She did not shoot photos during her freshman year at K-State, but after COVID hit, she applied and was accepted for an internship with K-State Athletics. That turned into a paid position, and Kaiser has shot every sport at the school. Last year, she traveled with the women's basketball team as a full-time photographer.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660229049639.jpeg" alt="Photo by Molly Kaiser" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Molly Kaiser</figcaption>
 </figure>"It was cool to experience the NCAA Tournament," she said. "I'm really excited for this year because we're going to the U.S. Virgin Islands for one of our tournaments. I think the coolest place I went last year was South Carolina."All along, Kaiser is able to keep up with her school work. She gives credit to her advisor, who helps her with online classes and meeting with professors ahead of each semester."It is very challenging, and I definitely have to have my priorities straight on making sure school is still my top priority throughout all this," she said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660229136036.jpeg" alt="Photo by Molly Kaiser" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Molly Kaiser</figcaption>
 </figure>Approximately 10 Major League Baseball teams offer internships to photographers, and Kaiser applied for the position in four of the markets. She advanced in the process with Cleveland and Minnesota, eventually accepting a paid job with the Twins."I decided that the Twins were right for me," Kaiser said. "The sports photographer they have on staff has been a huge mentor for me, even before this internship. It's just super cool to be learning from him."Kaiser uses her own equipment while shooting for K-State, but gets to borrow some additional items in Minneapolis. She uses two cameras during games, but with another photographer in the other dugout, does not have to operate by remote."All the guys are so nice on the Twins," she said. "I don't think I've had a bad interaction with any of the guys. It's just so awesome to be within arm's reach of some of the best athletes. Our setup for the stadium is super nice. We have positions right by our dugout and the visiting dugout. We are very spoiled."Kaiser's boss in Minnesota is also an affiliate for USA Today and Getty Images, which sends photos to media outlets worldwide. He put Kaiser in touch with freelancers at USA Today, and for that publication, she will be working the upcoming Major League Soccer All-Star Game in neighboring St. Paul this weekend. Kaiser recently worked a concert by country artist Cole Swindell.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660229179711.jpeg" alt="Photo by Molly Kaiser" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Molly Kaiser</figcaption>
 </figure>"It was a very cool experience," she said. "It was the first of its kind. I got to shoot directly for Cole Swindell. I got to really get to know him before the concert and was able to capture the experience of the first-ever after-game concert series."Kaiser is preparing for her senior year at K-State. After that, the future remains wide open but will probably involve a camera."I would love to stay with a pro team," she said. "I'm leaning toward MLB just because I like the schedule; I like all the games in a row. It's what I like to do. I know there will be some college opportunities if I'm unable to get an MLB position right off the bat."Molly is the daughter of Leonard and Brenda Kaiser of Great Bend.&nbsp;

Recent Great Bend grad shooting photos for Minnesota Twins

Today Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. South wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.

Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 67. South southeast wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Saturday Sunny and hot, with a high near 100. South southwest wind 8 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

Saturday Night Clear, with a low around 70. South wind 8 to 10 mph.

Sunday Sunny and hot, with a high near 102. South southwest wind 6 to 13 mph.

Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 73.

Monday Sunny and hot, with a high near 103.

Monday Night A 30-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.

Tuesday A 30-percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.

Tuesday Night A 30-percent chance of showers, mainly after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.

Wednesday A 20-percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.

Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.

Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Today Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. South wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 67. South southeast wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.Saturday Sunny and hot, with a high near 100. South southwest wind 8 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.Saturday Night Clear, with a low around 70. South wind 8 to 10 mph.Sunday Sunny and hot, with a high near 102. South southwest wind 6 to 13 mph.Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 73.Monday Sunny and hot, with a high near 103.Monday Night A 30-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.Tuesday A 30-percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.Tuesday Night A 30-percent chance of showers, mainly after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.Wednesday A 20-percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Friday's Weather

By COLE REIF Great Bend Post

For years, Barton Community College has been offering ways for high
school students to get a head start on their college plans by taking classes at
Barton while in high school. 
Barton has partnerships with 17 high schools around the area to offer classes.
Students have the options for taking classes taught by an instructor at their
high school, taught online by a Barton instructor with a high school mentor in
the room, taught on campus or completely online. 
Barton staff tries to inform high school principals, counselors and advisors
about the availability of their college classes, but Board of Trustees Chair Mike
Johnson said the responsibility to disburse that information to the students
still relies on the high school advisors. 
"Most advisors at that level are bombarded," said Johnson. "You don't know how much they're grasping. Are they taking your info and putting it in the bottom drawer? In addition to us reaching out to them, four-year institutions are reaching out, other community colleges and tech colleges are reaching out. We have to continue to look at what can make our stuff stand out." 
High school students who are sophomores and above, or freshmen with a gifted Individualized Education Plan (IEP), can take Barton’s college classes. Enrollment is ongoing until Aug. 26. Apply online at <a href="https://www.bartonccc.edu/highschool">bartonccc.edu</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660143443266.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostFor years, Barton Community College has been offering ways for high
school students to get a head start on their college plans by taking classes at
Barton while in high school. 
Barton has partnerships with 17 high schools around the area to offer classes.
Students have the options for taking classes taught by an instructor at their
high school, taught online by a Barton instructor with a high school mentor in
the room, taught on campus or completely online. 
Barton staff tries to inform high school principals, counselors and advisors
about the availability of their college classes, but Board of Trustees Chair Mike
Johnson said the responsibility to disburse that information to the students
still relies on the high school advisors. 
"Most advisors at that level are bombarded," said Johnson. "You don't know how much they're grasping. Are they taking your info and putting it in the bottom drawer? In addition to us reaching out to them, four-year institutions are reaching out, other community colleges and tech colleges are reaching out. We have to continue to look at what can make our stuff stand out." 
High school students who are sophomores and above, or freshmen with a gifted Individualized Education Plan (IEP), can take Barton’s college classes. Enrollment is ongoing until Aug. 26. Apply online at <a href="https://www.bartonccc.edu/highschool">bartonccc.edu</a>.

Barton CC getting the word out: Take college classes in high school

The election process in the United States has become a point of contention in recent years. At Wednesday's Barton County Commission meeting, former County Commissioner and current Kansas Senator Alicia Straub voiced concerns about the recent primary election in Kansas. Straub said many items are out of Barton County Election Officer and County Clerk Bev Schmeidler's hands.

"We have the federal government regulating elections, we have the state government regulating elections," Straub said. "We have the Secretary of State issuing orders and things. It's just important that we all are aware of it. Not to sound too conspiracy theory-ish here today, but we must have secure elections."

Straub said currently the state has no way to audit voter rolls, or list of voters for a given area. Straub also mentioned election discrepancies in Reno and Cherokee counties. In Cherokee County, election officials have confirmed all counting was correct but original results put the incorrect vote totals next to the two candidates. Two hand counts have confirmed the correct results. In Reno County, advanced ballots caused a recount in the state treasurer's race. Both counties resolved the issues prior to the official canvass of votes.

"The system has that time gap in between election night to the final canvass to catch all these things," said Patrick Hoffman, counselor for Barton County. "I think in Reno County it's going to work out. They do a hand canvass, which has one member of each political party, and then a third person to watch them. They're going through all those by hand to get it right. At the end of the day it will take longer, but they'll get the correct vote in."

Schmeidler reported a clean election in Barton County. She said the voting equipment was tested before and after the election to ensure proper counting. Further, the Secretary of State tells the counties which races must be audited, and an outside agency randomly selects which precincts in those races to audit. Three races are typically audited locally, but five races were audited for this primary.

"We hire an independent board to conduct the audit," Schmeidler explained after the meeting. "We had four people who came in all day Thursday and again on Friday morning. They had to go through all of the ballots in each precinct and separate the ballots to be audited for each race from all of the others. They hand count and tally the results. They matched to our election night results exactly on every race audited. We were able to report a clean audit to the Secretary of State and were granted permission for the Board of County Canvassers to conduct the canvass this past Monday, Aug. 8."

Straub's concern about voting rolls involved those who may have address changes. 

"The county clerks go through them periodically and remove people who are deceased, or have updated their drivers license," she said. "For any other purpose, we don't audit the voter roll. So we could have hundreds, thousands - statewide hundreds of thousands of people who are on our voter rolls who don't actually reside where their voter registration says they do."

County clerks use various methods to keep voting lists as accurate as possible. The National Change of Address process compares voter addresses to postal service addresses. Clerks also use addresses to confirm residency. The office uses obituaries, death notices, and felony conviction notices to update lists, and gets cancellations when voters register in another jurisdiction. DMV records are also used to solidify the list.

Straub plans to address some of her concerns in future legislative sessions.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1621346419755.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostThe election process in the United States has become a point of contention in recent years. At Wednesday's Barton County Commission meeting, former County Commissioner and current Kansas Senator Alicia Straub voiced concerns about the recent primary election in Kansas. Straub said many items are out of Barton County Election Officer and County Clerk Bev Schmeidler's hands."We have the federal government regulating elections, we have the state government regulating elections," Straub said. "We have the Secretary of State issuing orders and things. It's just important that we all are aware of it. Not to sound too conspiracy theory-ish here today, but we must have secure elections."Straub said currently the state has no way to audit voter rolls, or list of voters for a given area. Straub also mentioned election discrepancies in Reno and Cherokee counties. In Cherokee County, election officials have confirmed all counting was correct but original results put the incorrect vote totals next to the two candidates. Two hand counts have confirmed the correct results. In Reno County, advanced ballots caused a recount in the state treasurer's race. Both counties resolved the issues prior to the official canvass of votes."The system has that time gap in between election night to the final canvass to catch all these things," said Patrick Hoffman, counselor for Barton County. "I think in Reno County it's going to work out. They do a hand canvass, which has one member of each political party, and then a third person to watch them. They're going through all those by hand to get it right. At the end of the day it will take longer, but they'll get the correct vote in."Schmeidler reported a clean election in Barton County. She said the voting equipment was tested before and after the election to ensure proper counting. Further, the Secretary of State tells the counties which races must be audited, and an outside agency randomly selects which precincts in those races to audit. Three races are typically audited locally, but five races were audited for this primary."We hire an independent board to conduct the audit," Schmeidler explained after the meeting. "We had four people who came in all day Thursday and again on Friday morning. They had to go through all of the ballots in each precinct and separate the ballots to be audited for each race from all of the others. They hand count and tally the results. They matched to our election night results exactly on every race audited. We were able to report a clean audit to the Secretary of State and were granted permission for the Board of County Canvassers to conduct the canvass this past Monday, Aug. 8."Straub's concern about voting rolls involved those who may have address changes. "The county clerks go through them periodically and remove people who are deceased, or have updated their drivers license," she said. "For any other purpose, we don't audit the voter roll. So we could have hundreds, thousands - statewide hundreds of thousands of people who are on our voter rolls who don't actually reside where their voter registration says they do."County clerks use various methods to keep voting lists as accurate as possible. The National Change of Address process compares voter addresses to postal service addresses. Clerks also use addresses to confirm residency. The office uses obituaries, death notices, and felony conviction notices to update lists, and gets cancellations when voters register in another jurisdiction. DMV records are also used to solidify the list.Straub plans to address some of her concerns in future legislative sessions.

Sen. Straub voices election concerns at Barton Co. Commission meeting

The City of Great Bend will be closing the 1400 block of Stone and Morphy for street work. Crews will begin working on the streets Friday, Aug. 12. 

Work is expected to take one week for the completion of the project dependent on weather and unforeseen circumstances.&nbsp;

Please make sure to make accommodation for alternative routes around the work area.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact&nbsp;Sreehitha Kadiyala, Assistant City Engineer, (620) 793-4150,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:skadiyala@greatbendks.net" target="_blank">skadiyala@greatbendks.net</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1626787747279.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The City of Great Bend will be closing the 1400 block of Stone and Morphy for street work. Crews will begin working on the streets Friday, Aug. 12. Work is expected to take one week for the completion of the project dependent on weather and unforeseen circumstances.&nbsp;Please make sure to make accommodation for alternative routes around the work area.If you have any questions or concerns, contact&nbsp;Sreehitha Kadiyala, Assistant City Engineer, (620) 793-4150,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:skadiyala@greatbendks.net" target="_blank">skadiyala@greatbendks.net</a>.

1400 block Stone & Morphy closing in Great Bend Friday

Find out more about the grant program through the linked story below. <a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/668074a0-0d20-478e-943c-f3f2a49f5851">Facade improvement grants coming to an end in Barton County</a>

Find out more about the grant program through the linked story below. <a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/668074a0-0d20-478e-943c-f3f2a49f5851">Facade improvement grants coming to an end in Barton County</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660229689962.jpeg" alt="Cates Carquest, 261 S. Main Street in Hoisington, received improvements to its exterior with help from the facade improvement grant program through Barton County." />
 <figcaption>Cates Carquest, 261 S. Main Street in Hoisington, received improvements to its exterior with help from the facade improvement grant program through Barton County.</figcaption>
 </figure>

Before & After: Hoisington downtown facade improvement

Demolition was underway Thursday, Aug. 11 at the Wendy's restaurant in Great Bend.

In early June, Wendy's announced the restaurant would be closed for a few months for a remodel.

<div><div itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/VideoObject"><meta itemprop="uploadDate" content="Thu Aug 11 2022 15:39:47 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time)"/><meta itemprop="name" content="Wendys"/><meta itemprop="duration" content="P0Y0M0DT0H0M54S" /><meta itemprop="thumbnailUrl" content="https://content.jwplatform.com/thumbs/oSmbDfjK-960.jpg"/><meta itemprop="contentUrl" content="https://content.jwplatform.com/videos/oSmbDfjK-4TtZ4bid.mp4"/><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/oSmbDfjK-KcBmu4K3.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Wendys" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></div>Demolition was underway Thursday, Aug. 11 at the Wendy's restaurant in Great Bend.In early June, Wendy's announced the restaurant would be closed for a few months for a remodel.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660250048968.jpeg" alt="Wendy's in Great Bend on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022" />
 <figcaption>Wendy's in Great Bend on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660250088720.jpeg" alt="Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022" />
 <figcaption>Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660250127894.jpeg" alt="Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022" />
 <figcaption>Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660250178519.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

🎥 Demolition underway at Wendy's in Great Bend

written by: Stacy Campbell - Cottonwood Extension District

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, (Figure 1) is known to feed on over 80 host plants. In Kansas, it can damage several important crops as well as pasture, turf, and home landscaping. This insect does not overwinter in Kansas. Rather, it is native to the tropical regions of the western hemisphere and is active year-round along the gulf coast and southern Florida, migrating in from these locations each year. Two full generations are possible in Kansas with defoliation and grain damage being the biggest concerns.

In late June, large numbers of fall armyworm were being recovered from pheromone traps in the Texas panhandle. The offspring from these large flights have been emerging and are continuing to move north. Fall armyworm adults were detected in southwest Kansas pheromone traps during the first week of July and trap numbers are beginning to increase. Adult moths are most likely active throughout the southern portion of the state.

Start scouting now - at-risk crops should be scouted regularly for the remainder of the growing season. Caterpillars increase in size at an exponential rate and a majority of feeding occurs during the later stage of development. It is critical to scout thoroughly and treat, if needed, before the caterpillars are over ½ inch long. Larger caterpillars are harder to control and do the most damage. Recommended thresholds and products labeled for Sorghum Insect Management can be found at www.cottonwood.ksu.edu click onto the Crops and Livestock tab and look under Hot Topics.

Fall armyworm thresholds - Alfalfa: 1-2 caterpillars per square foot can destroy seedling alfalfa. 10-15 per square foot can destroy 12” tall plants. Corn: damage to whorl stage in early summer; treatment may be needed if 75% of plants are damaged. Bt corn may prevent ear damage. Sorghum: damage to whorl stage in early summer; treatment may be needed if 75% of plants are damaged. 1-2 larvae/head during flowering to soft dough reduces yield 5-10%. Wheat: Larval “window-paning” in early planted wheat can be a concern. If 25-30% of plants show damage, examine field frequently. Treat at 2-3 active larvae/ft.

Sorghum midge and sorghum aphid - have recently been found in Kansas, so growers are urged to be scouting their fields.

Historically in Kansas, the midge has been considered a minor pest confined to the southeast part of the state. Kansas producers have never actively treated fields for the pest.

“However, between 2017 and 2021, there were reports of large infestations resulting in significant losses in southwest and southeast Kansas,” reports Anthony Zukoff, Extension Entomologist, Garden City. “So far, there is no clear pattern to these events, and locations that experienced losses one year have not necessarily ended up with problems in the years following.”

Last week the first report of sorghum aphid (previously called the sugarcane aphid) was reported in Ellsworth County. “Every year since 2014 we have seen these aphids migrate into the state, generally being reported from south to north, and I would expect the same this year”, said Jeff Whitworth Extension Entomologist, Manhattan.

Since about 2018, however, they have not been as large or widespread a problem as they were in 2015-2017. Every year since 2018 sorghum colonies have been decimated by beneficial insects. “That is why you do not want to be too quick to make an insecticide application”, says Whitworth. Lastly when scouting fields keep mindful of one other insect pest—headworms. Once sorghum is between flowering and soft dough stages, headworms need to be monitored as well.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660052559421.png" alt="Figure 1. Full grown fall armyworm caterpillar. Department of Entomology, Kansas State University." />
 <figcaption>Figure 1. Full grown fall armyworm caterpillar. Department of Entomology, Kansas State University.</figcaption>
 </figure>written by: Stacy Campbell - Cottonwood Extension DistrictFall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, (Figure 1) is known to feed on over 80 host plants. In Kansas, it can damage several important crops as well as pasture, turf, and home landscaping. This insect does not overwinter in Kansas. Rather, it is native to the tropical regions of the western hemisphere and is active year-round along the gulf coast and southern Florida, migrating in from these locations each year. Two full generations are possible in Kansas with defoliation and grain damage being the biggest concerns.In late June, large numbers of fall armyworm were being recovered from pheromone traps in the Texas panhandle. The offspring from these large flights have been emerging and are continuing to move north. Fall armyworm adults were detected in southwest Kansas pheromone traps during the first week of July and trap numbers are beginning to increase. Adult moths are most likely active throughout the southern portion of the state.Start scouting now - at-risk crops should be scouted regularly for the remainder of the growing season. Caterpillars increase in size at an exponential rate and a majority of feeding occurs during the later stage of development. It is critical to scout thoroughly and treat, if needed, before the caterpillars are over ½ inch long. Larger caterpillars are harder to control and do the most damage. Recommended thresholds and products labeled for Sorghum Insect Management can be found at www.cottonwood.ksu.edu click onto the Crops and Livestock tab and look under Hot Topics.Fall armyworm thresholds - Alfalfa: 1-2 caterpillars per square foot can destroy seedling alfalfa. 10-15 per square foot can destroy 12” tall plants. Corn: damage to whorl stage in early summer; treatment may be needed if 75% of plants are damaged. Bt corn may prevent ear damage. Sorghum: damage to whorl stage in early summer; treatment may be needed if 75% of plants are damaged. 1-2 larvae/head during flowering to soft dough reduces yield 5-10%. Wheat: Larval “window-paning” in early planted wheat can be a concern. If 25-30% of plants show damage, examine field frequently. Treat at 2-3 active larvae/ft.Sorghum midge and sorghum aphid - have recently been found in Kansas, so growers are urged to be scouting their fields.Historically in Kansas, the midge has been considered a minor pest confined to the southeast part of the state. Kansas producers have never actively treated fields for the pest.“However, between 2017 and 2021, there were reports of large infestations resulting in significant losses in southwest and southeast Kansas,” reports Anthony Zukoff, Extension Entomologist, Garden City. “So far, there is no clear pattern to these events, and locations that experienced losses one year have not necessarily ended up with problems in the years following.”Last week the first report of sorghum aphid (previously called the sugarcane aphid) was reported in Ellsworth County. “Every year since 2014 we have seen these aphids migrate into the state, generally being reported from south to north, and I would expect the same this year”, said Jeff Whitworth Extension Entomologist, Manhattan.Since about 2018, however, they have not been as large or widespread a problem as they were in 2015-2017. Every year since 2018 sorghum colonies have been decimated by beneficial insects. “That is why you do not want to be too quick to make an insecticide application”, says Whitworth. Lastly when scouting fields keep mindful of one other insect pest—headworms. Once sorghum is between flowering and soft dough stages, headworms need to be monitored as well.Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: Moths appearing in southern Kansas

Kansas temperatures dipped into the low 90s last week, but the heat break came a little early for Great Bend's 10th Annual Party in the Park. Those high temperatures make Saturday's wet/dry parade, wet inflatables, and Anything that Floats race all the more enticing. One change made for this year's event is the cancellation of the obstacle run. Great Bend Community Coordinator Christina Hayes said it came down to numbers.

"In the past, we've always had 60-plus pre-registrations," she said. "We've had less than 20. It's just so much work to get all those obstacles out and to do all that work. It was best for us because we didn't know, pre-registration-wise, how many we would have. So no run this year, but I am going to make it into a 5-year deal. Every five years, we'll have a really big run; we'll make it really great. We'll bring the foam machine, we'll do it all out. The next one will not actually be until 2025."

Hayes said entry numbers are still down for the Kiwanis Anything that Floats race scheduled for 11:45 a.m. Saturday at Vets Lake. Registration ends at 11:30 that morning. Creative entries are still encouraged so long as they do not have a hull.

"If you have something you would like to make Anything that Floats for that piece, it doesn't cost anything other than the amount it costs for you to figure out what you're going to put in your materials," Hayes said.

Hayes said there has been confusion about entries to other events. Registration is required for the raft race, floats for the parade, car show, Oozefest mud volleyball tournament, Froot Loop eating contest, mullet contest, and cornhole tournament. Wrist bands for Saturday's concert are $5 ahead of time and $10 at the gate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629211722864.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostKansas temperatures dipped into the low 90s last week, but the heat break came a little early for Great Bend's 10th Annual Party in the Park. Those high temperatures make Saturday's wet/dry parade, wet inflatables, and Anything that Floats race all the more enticing. One change made for this year's event is the cancellation of the obstacle run. Great Bend Community Coordinator Christina Hayes said it came down to numbers."In the past, we've always had 60-plus pre-registrations," she said. "We've had less than 20. It's just so much work to get all those obstacles out and to do all that work. It was best for us because we didn't know, pre-registration-wise, how many we would have. So no run this year, but I am going to make it into a 5-year deal. Every five years, we'll have a really big run; we'll make it really great. We'll bring the foam machine, we'll do it all out. The next one will not actually be until 2025."Hayes said entry numbers are still down for the Kiwanis Anything that Floats race scheduled for 11:45 a.m. Saturday at Vets Lake. Registration ends at 11:30 that morning. Creative entries are still encouraged so long as they do not have a hull."If you have something you would like to make Anything that Floats for that piece, it doesn't cost anything other than the amount it costs for you to figure out what you're going to put in your materials," Hayes said.Hayes said there has been confusion about entries to other events. Registration is required for the raft race, floats for the parade, car show, Oozefest mud volleyball tournament, Froot Loop eating contest, mullet contest, and cornhole tournament. Wrist bands for Saturday's concert are $5 ahead of time and $10 at the gate.

Spots still available for Party in the Park's Anything that Floats race

A Kansas man accused in a violent altercation in Larned made his first court appearance Wednesday.

Mateo Francisco Alonzo, 25, Larned, was charged with Attempted First Degree Murder and one count of Forgery, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett. The Murder charge contains an alternate charge of Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon.

The charges stem from an alleged stabbing at a residence in Larned, Kansas, during the earlier morning hours of August 6.

A private vehicle transported the victim to the Pawnee Valley Community Hospital for treatment, according to McNett.

The allegations were investigated by the Larned Police Department with the assistance of the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department. Alonzo was arrested without incident at a separate residence approximately an hour after law enforcement received the initial dispatch call.

&nbsp;A Preliminary Hearing has been scheduled for Aug. 19.

Alonzo is being held in Pawnee County on a $100,000 bond, according to McNett.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660173703114.png" alt="Mateo Francisco Alonzo" />
 <figcaption>Mateo Francisco Alonzo</figcaption>
 </figure>A Kansas man accused in a violent altercation in Larned made his first court appearance Wednesday.Mateo Francisco Alonzo, 25, Larned, was charged with Attempted First Degree Murder and one count of Forgery, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett. The Murder charge contains an alternate charge of Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon.The charges stem from an alleged stabbing at a residence in Larned, Kansas, during the earlier morning hours of August 6.A private vehicle transported the victim to the Pawnee Valley Community Hospital for treatment, according to McNett.The allegations were investigated by the Larned Police Department with the assistance of the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department. Alonzo was arrested without incident at a separate residence approximately an hour after law enforcement received the initial dispatch call.&nbsp;A Preliminary Hearing has been scheduled for Aug. 19.Alonzo is being held in Pawnee County on a $100,000 bond, according to McNett.

Larned man charged for violent stabbing

Hear this week's City Edition episode with Eagle Radio's Steve Webster and Great Bend Community Coordinator Christina Hayes that aired Aug. 10, 2022.

The City Edition program airs every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596658271505.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hear this week's City Edition episode with Eagle Radio's Steve Webster and Great Bend Community Coordinator Christina Hayes that aired Aug. 10, 2022.<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/zxaezb0l/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>The City Edition program airs every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.&nbsp;

🎧City Edition: Community Coordinator Christina Hayes

Plans are still coming along for the construction of a 14,000-square-foot Ag Technology Center at Barton Community College. The college
intends to create a 50-credit hour Top Tech Program in the fall of 2023 that
will provide training to become technicians for Case New Holland (CNH). 
The partnership with CNH and Barton started in 1995 where the college provides
training to currently employed technicians. 
Barton Executive Director of Workforce Training Mary Foley said technicians come to Great Bend from all over the United States and beyond. 
"The majority of our technicians come from the Midwest," said Foley. "41% come from Kansas, 16% from Nebraska and 11% from Missouri. There will be technicians from all over the country. We've actually had technicians come in from Jamaica and Australia."

The new program will help students get their careers started. Preliminary renderings of the new facility were shown to the Board of Trustees at their Tuesday study session.

The new facility will also be used for agriculture business management, crop protection, beef cattle production and the college’s Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) programs. 
Barton received a $1.8 million grant from the Kansas Board of Regents to help
construct the $3.6 million facility on the east side of campus. The grant
requires a local match. 
Barton hopes to open the program to 16 students.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660147909030.jpeg" alt="Preliminary rendering of the new 14,000-square-foot Ag Technology Center to be built at Barton Community College." />
 <figcaption>Preliminary rendering of the new 14,000-square-foot Ag Technology Center to be built at Barton Community College.</figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostPlans are still coming along for the construction of a 14,000-square-foot Ag Technology Center at Barton Community College. The college
intends to create a 50-credit hour Top Tech Program in the fall of 2023 that
will provide training to become technicians for Case New Holland (CNH). 
The partnership with CNH and Barton started in 1995 where the college provides
training to currently employed technicians. 
Barton Executive Director of Workforce Training Mary Foley said technicians come to Great Bend from all over the United States and beyond. 
"The majority of our technicians come from the Midwest," said Foley. "41% come from Kansas, 16% from Nebraska and 11% from Missouri. There will be technicians from all over the country. We've actually had technicians come in from Jamaica and Australia."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660147982149.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The new program will help students get their careers started. Preliminary renderings of the new facility were shown to the Board of Trustees at their Tuesday study session.The new facility will also be used for agriculture business management, crop protection, beef cattle production and the college’s Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) programs. 
Barton received a $1.8 million grant from the Kansas Board of Regents to help
construct the $3.6 million facility on the east side of campus. The grant
requires a local match. 
Barton hopes to open the program to 16 students.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Renderings released for Barton’s new Ag Technology Center

Barton County Sheriff’s
Office Incident Log (8/10) 
 
Controlled Burn 
 
At 7:11 a.m. a controlled burn was reported at 337 SE 80 Avenue in Ellinwood. 
 
At 8:07 a.m. a controlled burn was reported at 1094 E. Barton County Rd in
Ellinwood. 
 
At 8:45 a.m. a controlled burn was reported at 1461 NE 10 Road in Ellinwood. 
 
Animal Complaint 
 
At 11:01 a.m. an animal complaint was reported at 866 SE 20 Road in Ellinwood. 
 
Cattle Out 
 
At 1:52 p.m. a report of cattle out was made in the 400 block of NE 140 Road in
Hoisington. 
 
K-9 Use / Call Out 
 
At 3:31 p.m. the K-9 was called out in the 1800 block of Holland Street. 
 
Cattle Out 
 
At 7:45 p.m. a report of cattle out was made at NW 90 Avenue &amp; NW 80 Road. 
 
Noise Complaint 
 
At 8:15 p.m. a noise complaint was reported at 487 SE 50 Avenue. 
 
Great Bend Police Department Incident
Log (8/10) 
 
Theft 
 
At 10 a.m. theft of keys from an ex-employee was reported at 3502 10th
Street. 
 
Fire 
 
At 10:40 a.m. a report of a subject burning trash was made at 1441 2nd
Street. 
 
Chest Pain 
 
At 12:01 p.m. EMS assistance was needed at 1615 16th Street. 
 
Non-Injury Accident 
 
At 12:54 p.m. an accident was reported at 10th &amp; Heizer. 
 
Traffic Arrest 
 
At 1:24 p.m. Christopher Rust was arrested for felony DUI at 10th
&amp; Heizer. 
 
Sick Person 
 
At 3:33 p.m. EMS assistance was reported at 2317 Washington Street. 
 
Non-Injury Accident 
 
At 4:19 p.m. an accident was reported at 10th &amp; Harrison. 
 
Animal Complaint 
 
At 4:43 p.m. animal control requested assistance with a dog attack at 2532 11th
Street. 
 
Structure Fire 
 
At 6:11 p.m. a fire alarm was reported at 1820 Main Street. 
 
Convulsions / Seizures 
 
At 6:32 p.m. EMS assistance was needed at 1033 Adams Street. 
 
Battery 
 
At 9:12 p.m. a juvenile call was handled at 2309 Franklin Street. 
 
K-9 Use / Call Out 
 
At 9:30 p.m. K-9 Menta was utilized on a traffic stop at 3929 10th
Street. 
 
At 10:41 p.m. K-9 Menta was utilized on a traffic stop at 1221 10th
Street.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592405093656.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Barton County Sheriff’s
Office Incident Log (8/10) 
 
Controlled Burn 
 
At 7:11 a.m. a controlled burn was reported at 337 SE 80 Avenue in Ellinwood. 
 
At 8:07 a.m. a controlled burn was reported at 1094 E. Barton County Rd in
Ellinwood. 
 
At 8:45 a.m. a controlled burn was reported at 1461 NE 10 Road in Ellinwood. 
 
Animal Complaint 
 
At 11:01 a.m. an animal complaint was reported at 866 SE 20 Road in Ellinwood. 
 
Cattle Out 
 
At 1:52 p.m. a report of cattle out was made in the 400 block of NE 140 Road in
Hoisington. 
 
K-9 Use / Call Out 
 
At 3:31 p.m. the K-9 was called out in the 1800 block of Holland Street. 
 
Cattle Out 
 
At 7:45 p.m. a report of cattle out was made at NW 90 Avenue &amp; NW 80 Road. 
 
Noise Complaint 
 
At 8:15 p.m. a noise complaint was reported at 487 SE 50 Avenue. 
 
Great Bend Police Department Incident
Log (8/10) 
 
Theft 
 
At 10 a.m. theft of keys from an ex-employee was reported at 3502 10th
Street. 
 
Fire 
 
At 10:40 a.m. a report of a subject burning trash was made at 1441 2nd
Street. 
 
Chest Pain 
 
At 12:01 p.m. EMS assistance was needed at 1615 16th Street. 
 
Non-Injury Accident 
 
At 12:54 p.m. an accident was reported at 10th &amp; Heizer. 
 
Traffic Arrest 
 
At 1:24 p.m. Christopher Rust was arrested for felony DUI at 10th
&amp; Heizer. 
 
Sick Person 
 
At 3:33 p.m. EMS assistance was reported at 2317 Washington Street. 
 
Non-Injury Accident 
 
At 4:19 p.m. an accident was reported at 10th &amp; Harrison. 
 
Animal Complaint 
 
At 4:43 p.m. animal control requested assistance with a dog attack at 2532 11th
Street. 
 
Structure Fire 
 
At 6:11 p.m. a fire alarm was reported at 1820 Main Street. 
 
Convulsions / Seizures 
 
At 6:32 p.m. EMS assistance was needed at 1033 Adams Street. 
 
Battery 
 
At 9:12 p.m. a juvenile call was handled at 2309 Franklin Street. 
 
K-9 Use / Call Out 
 
At 9:30 p.m. K-9 Menta was utilized on a traffic stop at 3929 10th
Street. 
 
At 10:41 p.m. K-9 Menta was utilized on a traffic stop at 1221 10th
Street.

Cop Shop (8/10)

By DAVID CONDOS <a href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2022-08-08/western-kansas-was-hells-aquarium-80-million-years-ago-heres-what-it-can-teach-us-today">Kansas News Service</a>

CASTLE ROCK BADLANDS —&nbsp;How do you save sea turtles from climate change? Maybe start by digging around in the arid badlands of western Kansas.

Eighty million years ago, this dry, desolate landscape was completely covered by water, teeming with exotic forms of life.

And the remnants of that life — embedded in the region’s rocky outcrops — have made western Kansas a magnet for generations of scientists studying long-gone oceans.

A lot has to go right for any fossil to last 80 million years.

Scientists estimate they’ve only found fossilized evidence of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20180215-how-does-fossilisation-happen" target="_blank">less than 1%</a>&nbsp;of all the species that have ever lived. And most layers of sediments that settled to the bottom of prehistoric oceans are still underwater today.

So without the discoveries made possible by the badlands of western Kansas, the world might never have the chance to learn about the ecosystems that thrived beneath the ancient waves.

“If we didn't have these sediments,” Fort Hays State University paleontologist Laura Wilson said, “we would just be looking at the dinosaurs on land. And that’s only half the picture.”

Western Kansas might hold clues for the future of ocean life, too.

Wilson is the chief curator at the&nbsp;<a href="https://sternberg.fhsu.edu/" target="_blank">Sternberg Museum of Natural History</a>&nbsp;in Hays and studies how prehistoric sea turtles grew and evolved on a greenhouse planet hotter than the one we know today. Her studies of Kansas fossils could inform conservationists about how modern turtles might adapt to a warming climate.

“(Scientists are) looking to see what allowed animals to survive huge environmental disruptions,” Wilson said, “and what that could mean for biodiversity on the planet going forward.”

In the Cretaceous Period — it ran from about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/Cretaceous-Period" target="_blank">145 million years ago to 66 million years ago</a>&nbsp;— western Kansas sat beneath the waves of the Western Interior Seaway, a body of water hundreds of miles wide that split North America in half from the Arctic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico.

Back then, sea monsters patrolled these waters. Bus-length reptiles with razor-sharp teeth. Giant, carnivorous fish. Clams the size of car hoods.

“My favorite description I’ve heard of the Western Interior Seaway,” Wilson said, “is ‘hell’s aquarium.’”

Wilson’s research on ancient sea turtles marks just the latest chapter in a surprisingly rich tradition of discovery in western Kansas that dates back to the late 1800s and has shaped our understanding of prehistoric ocean life.

From swimming mosasaurs to flying pteranodons — the two&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/state-fossils/18626" target="_blank">state fossils</a>&nbsp;of Kansas — some of America’s biggest early paleontological discoveries happened on these plains. Specimens from these chalk beds now grace the halls of the world’s premier museums, from New York to London to Germany.

“I consider western Kansas the birthplace of American paleontology,” Wilson said. “Western Kansas made an impact on paleontology around the globe.”

This particular corner of Kansas rose to international fame&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEUKTJctyO4" target="_blank">70 years ago</a>&nbsp;this summer, thanks to pioneering Hays-based paleontologist&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/george-f-sternberg/17251" target="_blank">George F. Sternberg</a>, whose family is the museum’s namesake.

That’s when he dug up a 14-foot-long fish with a perfectly intact eight-foot-long fish in its belly, meaning it swallowed the colossal prey whole right before it died. Their intertwined skeletons are so large that they wouldn’t fit in Sternberg’s truck and had to be sawed in half.

The specimen is now known far and wide as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/3035" target="_blank">fish-within-a-fish</a>. Images of the famous fossil adorn billboards, t-shirts, even the can of a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hdnews.net/2022/06/06/sternberg-museum-defiance-release-gillicus-island-brew/" target="_blank">new beer from the local brewery</a>.

And today, this wall-length double-fish spectacle greets visitors as they step into the Sternberg Museum.

“This is the most photographed fossil in our collection by a longshot,” collections manager Aly Baumgartner said. “Everybody takes their picture with this.”

But giant monster skeletons like this one make up only a small fraction of all the fossils found here.

In the museum basement, Baumgartner slides open drawer after drawer of specimens — from iridescent ammonite shells to dainty pterosaur wings to mosasaur teeth shaped like ping pong balls that were used for crunching up oysters.

In all, this collection is home to more than 20,000 fossils. And that’s what continues to draw the world’s scientists here.

On the other side of the room, Japanese researcher Mori Chida holds up a fossilized fish jaw and compares it with a scanned image on her laptop of another jaw.

Chida traveled to Hays from the University of Alberta in Canada specifically to study the abundance of fish fossils in this building. Nowhere else has this many well-preserved fossils, she said, so it’s well worth the trip.

“That is not common in the other places in the world,” Chida said. “That’s why here is special.”

So what makes western Kansas such a paleontological marvel?

To dig up the bottom of most prehistoric oceans, scientists would have to dive to the depths of the Pacific or the Atlantic. But in Kansas, stuff that used to cover the seafloor lingers in the crust of the prairies. That makes it easy for scientists to get to.

Also, 80-million-year-old marine fossils tend to be extremely fragile. Think of the thin bones of today’s fish. Or the hollow bones that enabled pteranodons to soar over the ancient seas even though they had wingspans the size of Uhaul trucks.

Western Kansas is one of few places on Earth where the rock encasing those bones is actually more delicate than the bones themselves. These badlands are made of soft chalk, so scientists can brush it away without wrecking the fragile skeletons inside.

At a counter across from the fish-within-a-fish display, Baumgartner greets a wide-eyed young visitor who walks over to watch a Fort Hays State student in a lab coat gently scrape chalk from a mosasaur vertebra with a bamboo skewer. His parents are surprised to learn this sea monster came from the western Kansas county they just drove through on their way to the museum.

Time and time again, Baumgartner said, Kansans find it hard to believe that this often-overlooked part of the world plays such a pivotal role in the chronicles of scientific discovery. That makes it all the more gratifying when she gets to tell them.

“It’s fun to tell people from Kansas how important this is because we are often the butt of jokes, and it shouldn’t be the case,” Baumgartner said. “The history of Kansas includes sea monsters. How cool is that?”

A lot has changed since George Sternberg unearthed his fish-within-a-fish masterpiece.

Modern trucks have grown big enough to carry a 14-foot fish. New technology can make&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/sternberg.museum/posts/pfbid0sEcJ8NaLpzkgs4PqHppapusYrYQnUnh7ehJGYvkecYQoawek2UG3Tv7Z3rDP9i6yl" target="_blank">three-dimensional scans</a>&nbsp;of a fossil with lasers and electronically share those detailed images with researchers around the globe.

And the philosophy of paleontology, Baumgartner said, has shifted away from prioritizing showmanship — making the prettiest fossils for display — to prioritizing preservation and ensuring that future generations have the chance to discover new things about mounted fossils that today’s scientists might have missed.

But one thing that hasn’t changed all that much? The actual work of finding and excavating fossils.

Paleontologists continue to rely on a lot of the same tools that Sternberg would have used in the field 70 years ago — often repurposed household items like paint scrapers, dental picks and brushes.

And making a new discovery in the western Kansas chalk beds still requires a lot of staring down at the ground.

One morning at the Castle Rock badlands, paleobiologist David Levering leads a group from Fort Hays State through the towering pillars of white and golden rock.

Each member of the party fans out, slowly and methodically making their way up a draw toward the top of a ridge. One square foot at a time, they squat down to sift through the rubble, looking for any small sign of the creatures that once swam here.

“There’s fragments of them all over the place,” Levering said. “I can see maybe seven at your feet right now where I'm standing.”

Out here, those signs of ancient life are everywhere.

But spotting a pea-sized fossil fragment in a sea of broken chalk takes resolve. And patience.

Program assistant Katie Gatlin brushes her hand across a small pile of rocks that have collected on the uphill side of a sagebrush. That’s a good place to start, she said, because it’s where pieces of these fragile chalk formations end up when the rain washes them down.

“If I don't see anything,” Gatlin said, “I'll stand up and then take one or two steps forward and just do the same thing. Over and over again.”

Being a paleontologist more often involves small incremental discoveries than earth-shattering revelations. But those incremental discoveries add up — especially when scientists across the globe can share their research with each other — like putting together a giant puzzle one tiny piece at a time.

By the end of the morning, Levering’s group had examined dozens of clam pieces, some fish bones and a few shark teeth. One still looks sharp, a glistening black arrow rooted in the white chalk.

Each little puzzle piece marks another small step toward understanding life in this dried-up sea — and maybe another step toward building more Kansas pride in the watery world that once called this place home.

“Kansas has a lot of appreciation for the modern prairie,” Levering said. “The seaway is worthy of a similar level of respect and … celebration.”

Chuck Bonner knows the triumphs and travails of western Kansas fossil hunting all too well.

About an hour west of Castle Rock, Bonner flips through photos from decades of family fossil expeditions inside&nbsp;<a href="https://www.keystonegallery.com/" target="_blank">Keystone Gallery</a>, the 1916 stone church that he and his wife, Barbara, turned into a DIY fossil museum that their brochures tout as “conveniently located in the middle of nowhere.”

There’s a picture that shows his father and brother digging out the skull of a long-necked marine reptile called a plesiosaur. Another shows him and his son excavating a skeleton that’s now at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles.

On the wall hangs a childhood portrait of his older sister at a family fossil hunt. She’s holding up a white cloth to shade her head from the sun.

“That’s my diaper,” Bonner said. “So that's how long I’ve been in the fossil bed. … I was just born into it.”

As a kid, Bonner remembers seeing his dad — who was a friend and collaborator of George Sternberg’s — assemble plesiosaur skeletons on the family’s dining room table.

To remove minerals from the fossils, sometimes his dad would heat them up in their oven.

“It was a joke that we were going to have plesiosaur for supper,” Bonner said. “But it didn’t ever go that far.”

Fossils the Bonner family have discovered are now part of prestigious museum collections from Germany to China. They even had a species of pteranodon named after them.

And Bonner has carried on that family tradition, excavating hundreds of fossils over the years, all dug up within a 30-mile radius of his home in Logan County. The first mosasaur he ever found is now at the Field Museum in Chicago — he’s never seen it there, but it’s on his bucket list.

For Bonner, fossil hunting isn’t about fame or purely academic study — he said he’d rather be out in the field than in a museum basement.

He hunts for the thrill of discovery. To unearth a new clue about a bizarre, bygone era right in his backyard.

And he said that’s what will keep him digging around in the western Kansas badlands for as long as he has the strength to do it.

“People say, ‘What’s your favorite fossil?’” Bonner said. “I say, ‘The next one.’”

David Condos covers western Kansas for High Plains Public Radio and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter<a href="https://twitter.com/davidcondos" target="_blank">&nbsp;@davidcondos</a>.

80M years ago, western Kansas was 'hell's aquarium' — here's what it can teach us

8/10 BOOKED: Kenneth Reed on Barton County District Court warrant for Probation Violation, bond set at $50,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Christopher Rust on Barton County District Court case for Felony DUI and No Turn Signal, bond set at $40,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Tyler Smith on Pawnee County District Court warrant for Theft, bond set at $360.00 cash only.

RELEASED: Caden Bieker on Barton County District Court warrant for Aggravated Criminal Sodomy and two counts of Aggravated Sexual Battery, released on $100,000 OR Bond through Judge Johnson.

RELEASED: Tyler Smith on Pawnee County District Court warrant for Theft, after posting cash bond of $360.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623272376285.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>8/10 BOOKED: Kenneth Reed on Barton County District Court warrant for Probation Violation, bond set at $50,000 C/S.BOOKED: Christopher Rust on Barton County District Court case for Felony DUI and No Turn Signal, bond set at $40,000 C/S.BOOKED: Tyler Smith on Pawnee County District Court warrant for Theft, bond set at $360.00 cash only.RELEASED: Caden Bieker on Barton County District Court warrant for Aggravated Criminal Sodomy and two counts of Aggravated Sexual Battery, released on $100,000 OR Bond through Judge Johnson.RELEASED: Tyler Smith on Pawnee County District Court warrant for Theft, after posting cash bond of $360.

Barton County Sheriff's Booking Activity (8/10)

Ever since Anna Popp was a young child, she loved drawing. When she
entered Great Bend High School she did not believe art could ever be a career. 
“I eventually realized art was the only thing I enjoyed, as far as a job,” said
Popp. “I started to pursue it, and I’ve been really surprised at how many
opportunities I’ve had. It’s been cool seeing it go from a dream to a reality.” 
Popp graduated from GBHS in 2021 and will be entering her second year at the
University of Kansas this fall where she is studying visual arts. 
Popp received one of those opportunities to showcase her talents on a large
platform when she was asked to paint a mural in western Kansas. 
“My aunt runs the youth center in Atwood, Kansas in Rawlins County,” said Popp.
“They’ve been looking for someone to paint a mural for the longest time. It’s
hard to get people to come out to those rural areas, so she contacted me.”

5ten Main, the youth center in Atwood, under the guidance of the Main St.
Foundation, offered Popp an internship this summer. Main St. Foundation
provides a place for junior and senior high school students to hang out, work on
homework, and receive tutoring and specialized classes. 

Popp’s internship
largely focused on painting a side of the foundation building that was
approximately 55 feet long and 12 feet tall. 
“The mascot for the high school in Rawlins County is the buffalo,” said Popp. “With
the youth center for kids in middle school and high school, my aunt wanted the mural
centered on buffalo.”

With no design, Popp began the project in May. 
“Buffaloes are really cool animals, but they’re boring brown colors,” said
Popp. “I ended up using highlights of yellows and oranges. I made the shadows
blues and purples. It made it super bright and fun.” 
Anna enjoyed working with another artist on the mural. Atwood native Sophie
Ginther helped with the detail work of the project. 
“It’s so different painting a mural,” said Popp. “With a paper, you can see the
whole picture in front of you, and it’s easy to see proportion. On the mural, I
was painting a buffalo nose that was as big as my face. There was a lot of
doing sketches, standing back and seeing proportions. It took a while in the
beginning getting the proportions right.”

Popp said growing up, painting a mural was a dream and was pleased she was able
to complete one this early in her life. Popp has now been asked by a few more
organizations in western Kansas to paint murals. 
“This buffalo mural is probably my favorite piece of art I’ve done because I’ve
put the most time into this,” said Popp. “I feel like a small piece is cool,
especially if you can put a lot of detail into it. But there’s something about
seeing a huge piece of art in front of you…just takes your breath away.” 
The Rawlins County mural is a nice addition to Anna’s portfolio and she plans to go
into her sophomore year at KU with open arms. 
“I’m going to see what I get out of my classes,” added Popp. “I would love to
follow through with one of those mural opportunities next summer. We’ll just
see where life takes me.”&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660065155047.jpeg" alt="Anna Popp, Great Bend High School graduate, completed this buffalo mural this summer in Atwood, KS." />
 <figcaption>Anna Popp, Great Bend High School graduate, completed this buffalo mural this summer in Atwood, KS.</figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostEver since Anna Popp was a young child, she loved drawing. When she
entered Great Bend High School she did not believe art could ever be a career. 
“I eventually realized art was the only thing I enjoyed, as far as a job,” said
Popp. “I started to pursue it, and I’ve been really surprised at how many
opportunities I’ve had. It’s been cool seeing it go from a dream to a reality.” 
Popp graduated from GBHS in 2021 and will be entering her second year at the
University of Kansas this fall where she is studying visual arts. 
Popp received one of those opportunities to showcase her talents on a large
platform when she was asked to paint a mural in western Kansas. 
“My aunt runs the youth center in Atwood, Kansas in Rawlins County,” said Popp.
“They’ve been looking for someone to paint a mural for the longest time. It’s
hard to get people to come out to those rural areas, so she contacted me.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660065246334.jpeg" alt="The youth center wall in Atwood prior to Popp's mural." />
 <figcaption>The youth center wall in Atwood prior to Popp's mural.</figcaption>
 </figure>5ten Main, the youth center in Atwood, under the guidance of the Main St.
Foundation, offered Popp an internship this summer. Main St. Foundation
provides a place for junior and senior high school students to hang out, work on
homework, and receive tutoring and specialized classes. Popp’s internship
largely focused on painting a side of the foundation building that was
approximately 55 feet long and 12 feet tall. 
“The mascot for the high school in Rawlins County is the buffalo,” said Popp. “With
the youth center for kids in middle school and high school, my aunt wanted the mural
centered on buffalo.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660065317958.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>With no design, Popp began the project in May. 
“Buffaloes are really cool animals, but they’re boring brown colors,” said
Popp. “I ended up using highlights of yellows and oranges. I made the shadows
blues and purples. It made it super bright and fun.” 
Anna enjoyed working with another artist on the mural. Atwood native Sophie
Ginther helped with the detail work of the project. 
“It’s so different painting a mural,” said Popp. “With a paper, you can see the
whole picture in front of you, and it’s easy to see proportion. On the mural, I
was painting a buffalo nose that was as big as my face. There was a lot of
doing sketches, standing back and seeing proportions. It took a while in the
beginning getting the proportions right.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660065356437.jpeg" alt="Anna Popp stops painting to pose by the large mural in Atwood." />
 <figcaption>Anna Popp stops painting to pose by the large mural in Atwood.</figcaption>
 </figure>Popp said growing up, painting a mural was a dream and was pleased she was able
to complete one this early in her life. Popp has now been asked by a few more
organizations in western Kansas to paint murals. 
“This buffalo mural is probably my favorite piece of art I’ve done because I’ve
put the most time into this,” said Popp. “I feel like a small piece is cool,
especially if you can put a lot of detail into it. But there’s something about
seeing a huge piece of art in front of you…just takes your breath away.” 
The Rawlins County mural is a nice addition to Anna’s portfolio and she plans to go
into her sophomore year at KU with open arms. 
“I’m going to see what I get out of my classes,” added Popp. “I would love to
follow through with one of those mural opportunities next summer. We’ll just
see where life takes me.”&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660065413269.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660065437109.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660065456253.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Recent Great Bend grad completes large mural in western Kansas

Today Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Light south southeast wind becoming east southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 61. East southeast wind 6 to 10 mph.

Friday Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. South wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.

Friday Night Clear, with a low around 67. South southeast wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Saturday Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. South southwest wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Saturday Night Clear, with a low around 70.

Today Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Light south southeast wind becoming east southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning.Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 61. East southeast wind 6 to 10 mph.Friday Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. South wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.Friday Night Clear, with a low around 67. South southeast wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.Saturday Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. South southwest wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.Saturday Night Clear, with a low around 70.Sunday Sunny and hot, with a high near 102.Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 72.Monday Sunny and hot, with a high near 101.Monday Night A 20-percent chance of rain and thunderstorms after 1 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.Tuesday A 30-percent chance of rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95.&nbsp;Tuesday Night A 30-percent chance of rain and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.Wednesday A 30-percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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