The Scott County Record

A Great Blue Herron takes flight from the Big Springs at Lake Scott State Park

30 Pages • Four Sections

Volume 22 • Number 23

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Published in Scott City, Ks.

$1 single copy

What are the odds?

Petition puts SRC mill levy SC home is hike on ballot struck by vehicles twice in past year

If the Scott Recreation Commission is going to gain an additional two mills for operating expenses and towards construction of a community center it will first need to be approved by voters.

A petition asking that the two mill question be placed on the ballot was presented to Scott County Clerk Alice Brokofsky earlier this week.

There were 301 signatures on the petitions with 289 verified by the clerk, which was easily enough to require an election.

Brokofsky says the mill levy question will appear on the ballot in the April 7 general election.

The SRC currently levies two mills for general operations, but has the authority to levy up to four mills. The SRC board has said it needs one additional mill for general operating expenses and another mill would be used to help retire the debt for a community center.

Preliminary plans are for the center to include basketball courts, a walking path and SRC staff offices. It would be located at the Sports Complex.

COLA, merit pay hikes for SC employees

Employees with the City of Scott City were given salary increases by the Scott City Council ranging from 3.7 to 4.7 percent for 2015.

The increases include a cost-of-living-adjustment of 1.7 percent - which is in line with what the federal government is giving Social Security recipients - in an across-the-board pay hike for all employees.

In addition, employees can earn merit pay increases which vary depending on evaluations by their department heads.

Of the 30 employees, three received an additional two percent pay hike. The other 27 received merit pay hikes of three percent.

“We have a lot of long-term employees who have been on the job a long time,” says Mayor Dan Goodman. “To be honest, they’re pretty good employees.

“We all know that three percent doesn’t keep up with the rise in inflation,” he added.

(See RAISES on page two)

What are the odds of having your home hit by a vehicle?

One in a million? Ten million?

How about twice in the same year?

“Betty Ryan lived in this house when it was first built and had lived here for a long time. When she heard about the second accident she was about to cry,” says Lori Vasquez about the home at 302 Antelope in Scott City. “She said this house has been here 50 years and nothing like this had ever happened before. And now it’s happened twice.”

Lori and her husband, Eric, are trying to determine what to do next after a pickup crashed into their bedroom during the early morning hours on New Year’s Day. The couple feels fortunate that, for a second time, they and their eight-year-old son, Baylor, escaped serious injury.

The emotional trauma is another matter.

“The first time that our house was hit, Baylor and I stayed at my parent’s for the next nine days,” notes Lori.

This time around, Baylor has refused to return to their home.

“Baylor is petrified. When it gets dark he wants to go to grandma’s,” Eric says. “I’m not sure if we can get Baylor to stay here again overnight without being scared.”

First Collision The first six years that the family lived in their home were without incident. That changed on Feb. 3 a year ago when a pickup crashed through the living room at 2:00 a.m.

The incident could have been much worse than it turned out.

The family had won tickets to attend a Wichita State University basketball game and had only been home a short time.

“We got back late from the game and Baylor sometimes likes to sleep on the couch, so we got his blankets and pillow and had things fixed up for him,” Lori says.

For some reason, however, she then told Baylor that he needed to sleep in his room. Two hours later a pickup crashed into the couch where Baylor

Lori Vasquez and her eight-year-old son, Baylor, stand outside the corner of their home which was most recently hit by a pickup. It caused damage to a bedroom and to the roof of the home at 302 Antelope.

(Record Photo)

would have been sleeping.

The following day, with about 25-30 friends and family gathered around the Vasquez home, the driver of the pickup returned to apologize. He also assisted with making some temporary repairs to help get the home enclosed.

“We were pretty upset, but we didn’t press charges. Everybody does something stupid,” says Lori.

A Second Time However, as an added precaution, the Vasquezes have since parked their pickup in front of the house to provide some peace of mind. Even that wasn’t enough to prevent a second occurrence early on New Year’s Day. At about 1:30 a.m., a pickup traveling at a high rate of speed down Third Street crashed into the Vasquez pickup and the driver of the other vehicle careened into the bedroom and struck the bed where Eric and Lori were sleeping.

“The front of the pickup, up to the wheels, was in our bedroom. The foundation was all that kept it from coming further into our home,” says Lori.

The driver had hit the Vasquez pickup bed with such force that it was totaled. The pickup struck a tree which was all that prevented it from spinning around completely, says Lori.

After the vehicle had crashed through the bedroom wall, the driver struck the home and backed into the pickup three more times before he was able to move the Vasquez pickup enough to leave the scene. Neighbors who had been awakened by the crash were able to provide a description of the pickup as it left.

While Eric was up immediately and had run to the front door in an attempt to see who the driver was and to get a description of the vehicle, Lori’s immediate concern was Baylor. Follow(See ODDS on page eight)

Cameras are now part of SC police uniform If you should ever be in a situation where you are confronted by a Scott City police officer it’s advisable to be careful what you say, watch what you do . . . and smile.

Police officers are now wearing video cameras.

They are part of a growing trend by departments across the country following the incident in Ferguson, Mo., and other cities where the conduct of police officers and people being arrested has raised questions about whether officers have responded appropriately.

The Scott City Police De-

partment had already made the decision to purchase the minicameras for its officers before the shooting incident in Ferguson which attracted so much national attention.

“But after what happened in Missouri, it was a no-brainer,” says Police Chief Chris Jurgens, who says his officers have been wearing the cameras for about three months.

The cost for each camera is about $700.

Of course, the department has had video cameras in its vehicles for several years which have been used when making

06 Main, St. Scott City • 620-872-2090 www.scottcountyrecord.com

Historic Leoti home is on the National Register Page 23

traffic stops. The body cameras are invaluable when an officer needs to enter the school, a home or even in the office, says Jurgens.

The quality of the filmed image is “pretty impressive,” says Jurgens.

And even if something should happen that an officer doesn’t capture everything on video, the device also captures the audio.

The cameras are very small and hardly noticeable. Officer Joe Conner’s camera clips to his pen pocket.

(See CAMERAS on page two)

The small camera now worn by Scott City police officers captures video and audio when officers are making an arrest or conducting an investigation.

(Record Photo)

406 Main, St. Scott City • 620-872-2090 www.scottcountyrecord.com Opinion • Pages 4-6 Calendar • Page 7 Health care • Pages 10-11 Deaths • Page 12 Church services • Page 13

LEC report • Page 14 Sports • Pages 15-22 Farm section • Pages 24-25 Classified ads • Pages 27-29 Annual rainfall • Page 30

SCHS sends four into championship finals at Norton Page 15

The Scott County Record • Page 2 • Thursday, January 15, 2015

Vet Center to offer counseling in SC Saturday

The Wichita Vet Center will be traveling through Western Kansas in an effort to assist local veterans and their families.

The center will be at the Scott County Library on Sat., Jan. 17, from 1:30-3:30 p.m.

This is a question and answer session only. No applications will be processed, or no entries made on behalf of veterans.

Vet Centers are designed to provide community-based read-

justment counseling. Veterans and their families are eligible for this counseling if the veteran served in any combat zone and received a military campaign ribbon.

Individual and family group counseling is available.

Services for a veteran may include individual and group counseling in areas such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Military Sexual Trau-

Cameras

(continued from page one)

“They have Bluetooth capability so you can watch the video from a phone or a tablet in real time,” he says.

For most purposes, however, the recording feeds into a small pack that the officer carries and is later downloaded to a computer.

“They’ve been great,” says Conner. “I can’t remember everything that’s been said when something happens. You may enter a home during a domestic disturbance or for some other reason and there may be four or five people talking at the same time. When I get back to the LEC I can review the video before I do my narrative.”

Best of all, says Conner, “it eliminates the ‘he

ma (MST), suicide prevention referrals, bereavement counseling, and drug and alcohol assessment.

The Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center located in Wichita, serves over 30,000 veterans living in 59 counties. It also includes six community-based outpatient clinics in Dodge, Hays, Hutchinson, Liberal, Parsons and Salina.

Veterans can enroll in the VA

said, she said” situations the facial expressions and body language.” that can often arise.

When responding to a child in need of care inRecording Testimony It’s also better for wit- cident, Jurgens says he nesses who don’t want to walked around to each do a written report, but room in the house so that will give a field interview the camera could record that can be recorded. Of- everything he was seeing. ficers will write down a This video documentation brief synopsis of the in- can then be made available to the court or other terview with a copy of the agencies which are invideo provided to the city volved with the case. or county attorney, if necessary. If the case should Changes Demeanor go to court, the video can Cameras have the addbe played for the judge ed benefit of making most and jury. individuals less confron“Actually, the video tational. has its advantages,” notes There are times when Conner. “It can provide a police officer makes context to what’s been a routine traffic stop, or said that you can’t get responds to a domestic from a written report. disturbance, that it brings You can hear the tone in out the worst in people. somebody’s voice and see When people are angry, or

Raises

Health Care System by calling 1-888-878-6881 and press 7.

Veteran Lifetime Electronic Record (VLER) is a program that shares certain parts of your health record between the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense (DoD), and non-VA health care providers. Anyone with questions can call 316-685-2221 Ext: 57010.

Anyone with concerns regarding compensation/pen-

embarrassed about a situation, they can say or do things which can escalate an already tense situation, or which they may later regret.

“It changes their demeanor a lot,” says Jurgens. “Once people see the camera they’re a lot easier to get along with.”

“It doesn’t completely stop bad behavior, but it’s improved how people act,” agrees Conner.

“Now there’s no way they can say something happened that didn’t happen.

They know they’re being recorded.”

And if an officer is accused of improper conduct, Conner says, it’s recorded so the police chief can make his own determination.

More video, adds Con-

sions can call 1-800-827-1000.

Those with questions related to military sexual trauma (male or female) and/or those women veterans who have questions concerning claims related to women’s issues can call 316688-6823.

Elderly veterans with general claim questions can call 316651-2931. For all other veterans’ questions call 316-6886834.

ner, allows the full story of an incident to be viewed.

“All too often, when you see something involving a police officer on YouTube videos it’s because someone has turned on their phone or some other device to show that an officer is using force.

With our body cameras you see the entire incident, from start to finish. You get the full story which is better for everyone.”

While recording devices, other than dash mounted cameras in a patrol car, are fairly new, Jurgens says “it really shouldn’t be that big of a deal.”

“Everyone has a recording device or a phone these days. We aren’t doing anything that people aren’t already used to seeing.”

Veterans rep in SC Tuesday

(continued from page one)

With respect to all 30 employees receiving an “exceeds expectations” evaluation from their department heads, Councilman Everett Green asked if there had ever been an instance where any employees didn’t get a raise.

He was told there had been.

“I just want to know that the evaluation system is working,” replied Green.

“I’m surprised that they all exceed expectations,” noted Councilman Perry Nowak. “I have a lot of good employees, but they don’t all exceed expectations.”

Mayor Goodman noted that a 20-page evaluation form is used in rating each employee’s job performance.

The mayor also pointed out that the process is “weighed pretty heavily on job experience and we don’t have a lot of turnover.”

The pay increases received unanimous support from the council.

Jody Tubbs, representing the Kansas Commission on Veterans’ Affairs, will be at the Scott County Library on Tues., Jan. 20, 10:00 a.m., to assist veterans and their dependents with VA claims work.

Anyone unable to meet with Tubbs at that time can contact her office in Colby on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays at (785) 462-3572.

‘Moonshiners’ at VIP Center

“The Moonshiners” will be performing at the Scott County VIP Center, Scott City, on Sun., Jan. 18, from 2:30-5:00 p.m.

Everyone is invited to attend. Refreshments will be served.

Must renew dog licenses

Scott City residents who are dog owners are reminded that licenses must be renewed at the start of each year.

The fee, which is paid at City Hall, is $1 for neutered/spayed dogs and $3 for all others.

Owners must also provide proof of a current rabies vaccination.

Owners of dogs which are considered “potentially dangerous” must pay a $100 registration fee.

Friendship ‘Meals to Go’ Good for special diets • only $3.25/meal • Call 872-3501

What’s for Lunch in Scott City?

Sun. - Sat., Jan. 18-24

Majestic Theatre 420 Main • 872-3840

Hours

Lunch • Tues., Wed., Thurs., Fri. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Evenings • Thurs., Fri., Sat. 5:30 -10:00 p.m.

What’s for Supper?

Wed. • Smothered steak with mashed potatoes and gravy.

Thurs. • Pork chop dinner.

Fri. • Chicken enchilada dinner.

102 Main St. • 872-5055

1211 Main • 872-3215

5Buck Lunch 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Tues. • Open faced prime rib sandwich with french fries.

The Broiler

• Chili Cheese Dog • Bacon Cheeseburger • 3 Piece Chicken Strips

Includes Fries, 21 oz. Drink and Small Sundae

1304 S. Main • 872-5301

6

$

49

Buffet

Mon. - Sat. • 5:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Sun. • 5:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Mon. • Chicken fry Tues. • Hamburger steak with mushrooms and onions Wed. • Fried chicken Thurs. • Mountain oysters Fri. • Seafood specials

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Sat. • Prime rib

Breakfast specials every night.

Community Living

The Scott County Record

Page 3 - Thursday, January 15, 2015

Homework can save lots when buying a vehicle Purchasing a vehicle can require a loan, but shoppers who look for the lowest price may save more if they are willing to do a little homework first.

Try these suggestions to save: Check your credit rating in advance.

Prospective lenders typically check a prospective borrower’s credit rating before offering a loan rate. If, for example, a prospective customer has a history of paying bills or making payments prompt-

ly, he or she usually will be offered a lower rate.

If you know your credit rating, you’ll be better able to compare offers and evaluate rates, and do so with more than one loan Visit With Your Banker provider.

To shop for a loan, Special promotions start with a financial sersuch as zero down (pay- vice provider with whom

Recipe favorites . . .

Creamy Banana Bread

The combination of bananas and cream cheese make this a very moist bread.

Ingredients 1/2 cup 1 (8 ounce) pkg.

1-1/4 cups 2 1 cup 1 teaspoon 2-1/4 cups 1-1/2 teaspoons 1/2 teaspoon 3/4 cup 2 tablespoons 2 teaspoons

ment) or zero percent loans may result in a low rate during the early months of the loan, but increase the rate during the life of the loan; lengthen the life of the loan; or apply only to certain individuals or car models, so get the full story.

It’s up to the buyer to be fully informed before making the purchase.

margarine, softened cream cheese, softened white sugar eggs mashed bananas vanilla extract all-purpose flour baking powder baking soda chopped pecans brown sugar ground cinnamon

Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 8x4-inch loaf pans.

Cream the margarine and cream cheese together.

Gradually add the white sugar, and continue beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the mashed bananas and vanilla. Add flour, baking powder, and baking soda; mix until batter is just moist.

In a small bowl, mix together chopped pecans, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, and cinnamon.

Divide half the batter between the two prepared loaf pans. Sprinkle pecan mixture over the batter in the pans, and top with remaining batter.

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center of each loaf comes out clean, about 45 minutes.

Household tips •Polish jewelry. Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes.

•Clean a thermos bottle. Fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka Seltzer tablets, and let soak for an hour (or longer, if necessary).

•Candles will last a lot longer if placed in the freezer for at least three hours prior to burning.

•Crayon marks on walls? This worked wonderfully! A damp rag, dipped in baking soda. Comes off with little effort.

you have other accounts, and use the time as an opportunity to discuss your overall financial ability and your credit rating.

And, if your credit rating isn’t what you’d like it to be, take this opportunity to ask for suggestions about how to improve it before moving forward.

Check local and national offers marketed by automakers and dealers. Look closely at any add-ons that can add to the price of the car and/or the cost of the loan that is offered dur-

ing the financing process.

Read the fine print on any contract before you sign.

Ask to take the contract home and look it over before you make a final decision.

Also, stretching out payments for a longer period of time may mean more money in your pocket every month, but extending the payment period adds to the cost of the vehicle, plan to pay off a vehicle as quickly as you can without short-

changing other essentials to minimize interest costs.

Consider a two-to-fouryear loan as a start. A longer payment period may be a red flag that you are trying to buy more vehicle than you can comfortably afford.

There is nothing wrong with purchasing a used vehicle, just have a reliable mechanic look it over first. Often, a used vehicle is the better buy when it comes to the cost of the loan, taxes and insurance.

(See VEHICLE on page 8)

Consumer willing to pay extra for steak Consumers were willing to reach deeper in their wallets to pay for steak in the latest Food Demand Survey from Oklahoma State University’s D epartment of Agricultural Economics.

The monthly survey collects data on consumer’s willingness-topay for a variety of food items. The December survey showed an increased willingness-to-pay for all products except chicken breast and hamburger, which declined by 2.71 percent and 2.81 percent

respectively (or to $5.02 per pound for chicken breast and $4.49 per pound for hamburger).

The largest increase in the survey was steak at 11.43 percent higher or $7.80 per pound. Also increasing were pork chops, deli ham, chicken wings, beans and rice and pasta.

The OSU survey each month asks a variety of questions, and in December, the ad hoc questions related to the future of food production.

The first question related to consumers’ willingness to eat or drink a variety of products that might be available in the future. According to the survey, only around 20 percent of respondents said they would be willing to eat hamburger from meat grown in a lab, pizza made for a 3D food printer, and a protein bar made with insect flour.

On the other end of the spectrum, nearly 65 percent of respondents said they would be willing to eat rice with higher levels

of vitamin A, and nearly half of respondents said they would drink milk from a carton that changes color according to freshness, and an apple that does not turn brown after peeling.

The second ad hoc question related to concerns consumers have about the future of agriculture. The largest concern was “having affordable food for me and my family” and the lowest concern was “inequitable distribution of food throughout the world.”

The Scott County Record

Editorial/Opinion

Page 4 - Thursday, January 15, 2015

editorially speaking

Defining ‘core’:

What does it mean for education, communities?

As the Kansas Legislature attempts to wiggle out of an economic mess of its own making there are going to be some interesting solutions that may, or may not, gain traction among lawmakers.

One term Kansans may want to pay particular attention to is the word “core” - as in core curriculum or core government services. In a nutshell, what it means is doing the minimum.

You know how it goes. There are those students who do the minimum in class. They do just enough to get by and are satisfied with a “D” average as they walk across the stage to receive their high school diploma. Apparently, a number of these same students have grown up to become Kansas lawmakers.

So what could this mean for Kansas?

For years, there has been a fairly small group of individuals pushing the core curriculum concept which would identify math, social studies and English as basic classes needed for an adequate education. We’d like to include science on that short list, but given the resistance by some lawmakers to accept scientific teaching as fact-based, we can’t be certain that it would be approved as a core curriculum class.

With the current fiscal dilemma, the core curriculum concept might find growing support as a means of solving two problems - the state’s budget crunch and school funding.

If the legislature decides it is responsible only for funding the core curriculum, that would significantly reduce the state’s financial obligation for public education. If a school wants to offer foreign languages, debate, art, music, industrial arts or sports, it can continue doing so, but the entire tab for those curriculum and extra-curricular offerings would be picked up by local taxpayers.

Those school districts which have the financial resources could pick up the added tax burden.

Districts that couldn’t afford the added cost would either have to severely limit academic and extracurricular opportunities for their students or close their doors.

That’s a small price to pay in order for conservative lawmakers to satisfy their bigger agenda of cutting taxes (and to keep existing tax cuts in effect) and to put the school funding issue on the back burner for years to come. Imagine the joy that would come from conservative lawmakers if they could reduce school spending by 40, 50 or 60 percent by “adequately funding” public education as they define it.

What of the financial burden that would suddenly become the responsibility of local taxpayers? Do you really think some lawmakers care about that? They’ve been doing this exact thing in smaller, more incremental steps for years. The only difference with having the legislature define core curriculum classes is the pace at which the state could defund public education.

The concept isn’t limited to education.

“I think we had better get used to the idea of core functions of government,” we were told by one lawmaker. “That will be a measuring stick of what gets cut and what doesn’t.”

As might be expected, everyone has their idea of what those core functions should be.

Is a county Extension service a core function of government? Some counties certainly would think so. Others, probably not.

What about early childhood education, weather modification and research on drought-tolerant varieties of wheat or sorghum? What about Meals on Wheels or similar nutrition programs for senior citizens? What of funding for recycling programs in the state or that promote tourism?

These are just a sampling of the many areas in which there could be serious debate over what meets the core functions of government.

Kansas communities have already experienced the closing of driver’s license exam offices because of cuts in state funding. Scott County saw this as an important core function of government and is picking up the tab in order for exams to continue to be offered locally. But that decision came with a price tag that not every community can afford. And should the state decide to shed itself of more services how much greater will the tax burden become for local units of government?

A number of lawmakers are so anti-government - and so committed to fulfilling Grover Norquist’s dream of making government so small “we can drown it in the bathtub” - that they have lost sight of what makes sense fiscally, socially and morally.

Too many lawmakers are willing to take the short-term view of fiscal savings while ignoring the long-term harm their actions cause for society.

If, or when, lawmakers begin talking about core curriculum and core government services, Kansans need to pay close attention. The end result could be devastating to small communities, public education and the way of life we’ve come to expect in rural Kansas.

An intercepted letter for Sam Hey, Sam, it’s been awhile.

Normally, I wouldn’t bother to write a letter.

It’s typically not My style.

But since I don’t text or Facebook . . . call me Old Testament . . . I figured this might be the best way to get in touch with you.

I see that you’ve created quite a mess in Kansas. I haven’t seen anything like this in quite some time and, trust Me, I’ve seen a lot in My billions and billions of years.

(I don’t know where this 6,000 year thing that you and others talk about ever started, but I sure wish people would put it to rest.

For once, I wish people would trust science).

Seems that you’ve also been using this fiscal disaster as an opportunity to encourage people to pray.

That’s never a bad idea. I kind of wish you’d have tried a little more of it earlier. Maybe this budget crisis you’re in could have been avoided but, to be honest - and I know of no other way to be - I’m not sure you’d have listened anyway. Seems to Me that you and some of your

friends were pretty hellbent (I don’t get to use that word much around here) on your tax plan and what it would achieve.

Sometimes it’s best that people learn from their mistakes. I’ve always found that to be true (heard of Solomon?) but, in this instance, what really disturbs Me is that so many other people are suffering because of this misguided thinking.

And that’s where we get into something else you’ve been saying a lot lately about a “crisis of the family.” Surely, you knew I’d be listening.

You won’t hear any argument from Me that families aren’t what they used to be. That’s going to happen when both parents have to work to make ends meet. It happens when a parent has to hold down two jobs just to put food on the table. When a marriage ends in a divorce

and a single parent has to take care of the kids, life is hard for everyone. It’s tough and it grieves Me to see it happening to so many on such a frequent basis.

Sam, here’s a little truism that you won’t find in My book, but it still applies: If you aren’t part of the solution then you’re part of the problem.

Just in case the meaning of that slipped by, let me clarify. You’re part of the problem.

You want to strengthen families, but then you allow the state to adopt a new food stamp policy that cuts aid to many U.S.born children of illegal immigrants. You changed the rules so that many families lost their food stamp eligibility and that means kids don’t eat.

These are My children, Sam. I don’t see them as legal or illegal.

And you do this so that your wealthy friends can take home a few more dollars? I’ll tell you straight out, Sam, there’s nothing right about that.

I wish that were the only example I’ve seen

from you and these selfrighteous lawmakers in your party who come up with these ideas.

In case you overlooked this little statistic while passing tax cuts, did you know that for the first time in Kansas more than 50 percent of the kids in your schools qualify for free or reduced price meals?

People are suffering.

Kids aren’t eating like they should. It’s tough for families to make ends meet. This is the real crisis of the family. And you’re making it harder for these children and their families to get help.

There’s also this thing you like to call Obamacare. I know you don’t like it, but when you refuse to expand Medicaid eligibility you are preventing more than 182,000 adults and children from qualifying for health care assistance. This contributes to the crisis of the family, Sam. How can you stand by and do nothing or, worse yet, make life even more difficult for the people in this state when you have (See LETTER on page six)

‘16 is taking us back to the future Run, Mitt, run! You too, Jeb, and please bring along the whole roadshow of perennial Republican also-rans. Across the aisle: Go for it, Hillary! What all of you see so clearly is that the nation desperately wants to be led forward into the past, or back to the future, or something.

Okay, not really. I don’t actually believe the nation is eager to see the 2016 presidential race devolve into a contest of attrition among the tired, the shopworn, the unviable and the famously surnamed.

For the moment, however, this is the direction in which history appears to be trudging.

From the narrow, selfinterested viewpoint of an opinion columnist who often writes about politics, the best news in months is that Mitt Romney has told political donors that he is seriously considering

Where to Write

another view by Eugene Robinson

yet another run for president. If you are starting to laugh, take note that a Bloomberg poll last month found that Romney would do better than any of the other leading GOP contenders in a race against Hillary Clinton.

Why is this good news for scribes? Because the jokes are already written - the dog strapped to the roof of his car, the automotive elevator in one of his mansions, the compassionate vision of corporate personhood, the conviction that 47 percent of Americans are deadbeats.

Just dust off this material, freshen it up a bit and you’re done before lunch.

Of course, Romney would have some explaining to do. He promised

Gov. Sam Brownback 2nd Floor - State Capitol Topeka, Ks. 66612-1501 (785) 296-3232

to reduce unemployment to six percent within four years; President Obama, who Romney said was clueless about economics, cut the jobless rate to 5.6 percent in just two years.

In fact, the U.S. economy - with solid growth, plunging deficits and essentially no inflation - is the envy of the world.

If technocratic competence is not a promising way for Romney to frame his appeal, maybe he can try fiery passion.

Seriously, I’d pay money to see that.

Romney reportedly has told a senior Republican that he “almost certainly will” run. If he doesn’t, however, the candidate most likely to win the backing of the Republican Party’s establishment wing is Jeb Bush. He would seem almost the ideal candidate to win the presidency - a conserva-

Sen. Pat Roberts 109 Hart Senate Office Bldg.

Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-4774 roberts.senate.gov/email.htm

tive who doesn’t frighten independents and gives the GOP a chance to win the most important swing state of all.

But, of course, there is one big problem: Tell me when anyone, Republican or Democrat, has ever uttered the words, “What this country really, truly needs is another Bush as president.”

If Bush had a different last name, I doubt anyone would even be giving Romney the time of day.

But the GOP establishment is looking at options.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker seems to be the flavor of the week - but keep in mind that the party has a habit of becoming infatuated with Midwestern governors who end up either not running (Mitch Daniels) or not gaining traction (Tim Pawlenty).

(See FUTURE on page six)

Sen. Jerry Moran 141 Hart Senate Office Bldg.

Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-6521 www.house.gov/moranks01/

The Scott County Record • Page 5 • Thursday, January 15, 2015

Tuition-free college a bold initiative Republican lawmakers are setting the stage for a disastrous two years in Congress marked by manufactured crisis after crisis and ignoring the needs of working families. Fortunately, President Barack Obama is showing some much-needed backbone by refusing to cave to the GOP’s agenda.

Obama ended the year by taking a strong stand on Net Neutrality and firm action on immigration, followed by the seemingly out-of-the-blue announcement that the United States will normalize relations with Cuba.

Now he’s started the new year with the equally unexpected announcement of a plan to provide two years of tuition-free community college to “any student willing to work for it.”

The plan, titled America’s College Promise, is modeled after Tennessee Promise, a program signed into law by Republican Governor Bill Haslam and supported by Republican Senators Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander from that state.

The White House will release more details after Obama delivers his State of the Union address. He will introduce proposals for funding the program,

behind the headlines

by Josh Hoxie

which is key to pushing the initiative through the Congressional gridlock.

As a recent report from the think tank Demos points out, a stronger initiative would ensure not just free tuition, but debt-free education - tuition makes up a fairly small part of community college expenses.

The United States Student Association, the country’s largest student-led organization, supported Obama’s proposal, calling it a “big deal.” At the same time, the group reiterated its support for a future United States with “truly free higher education.”

The community college program, if implemented, would back up Obama’s vow to not let Congress’s intransigence hold him back from pursuing policies important to the American people.

His executive actions on raising the minimum wage for government contractors, along with his declared intention to veto the Keystone XL pipeline,

offer additional proof that he is serious.

In stark contrast to Obama’s populist actions, the Republican majority in Congress is setting the stage to continue its unrelenting attack on working families.

After the outsized role played by the wealthy in the most recent election with the top 100 donors matching the combined donations of the nearly five million people who gave $200 or less - the push for policies that benefit the one percent at the expense of the poor should come as no surprise.

For an illuminating example, look no further than the Republican attack on Social Security on the first day of the new legislative session. Social Security, the most successful anti-poverty program in United States history, has unwavering public support.

The latest attack on the nation’s biggest retirement program came in the form of a measure House Republicans introduced regarding their bi-annual rule changes, a normally mundane affair, to prevent funds from moving freely within the Social Security Administration.

Until recent years, marijuana prohibitionists have been able to intimidate most reform-minded politicians by simply threatening to brand them as “soft on drugs.”

But finally, thanks to determined activists and broad support from the general public, politicians are starting to use common sense when it comes to pot.

Already, 32 states have legalized medical marijuana in some form or another. And in last November’s election, voters in Alaska, Oregon, and the District of Columbia opted to join Colorado and Washington in legalizing the recreational use of marijuana.

Even Congress is starting to climb

aboard the cannabis common sense bandwagon.

Tucked into the 2014 Farm Bill was an amendment allowing universities, colleges, and state agriculture departments to grow research plots of industrial hemp - a species of cannabis that’s a cousin to marijuana but produces no high.

From West Virginia to Hawaii, 10 states already have laws on their books to allow for this.

That means our country is finally “advancing” back to the 1790s, when George Washington and Thomas Jefferson considered hemp America’s most beneficial crop. Oh, progress!

Congress also included a provision in its December federal spending bill to stop the DEA and the Department of Justice from going after states that le-

take $100 million away from spending on the state’s highways and use a bit of numbers jujitsu to tinker with pension spending. But these tweaks will only carry the state through the current year.

As further tax cuts phase in over time - the state’s income tax rate, which has already fallen from 6.45 percent to 4.9 percent, is set to fall another point by 2018 - the gap between spending commitments and revenue will only grow more dire. For fiscal year 2016, which starts in July, state legislators will need to slash an additional $650 million, according to the legislature’s research office.

Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s, two of the top three credit-ratings agencies, downgraded the state’s credit rating last year due to the budget woes.

Brownback eked out a reelection victory in November, winning by four points, even as voters turned on the tax reform. Four points is a solid margin of victory in most places, but in a deep(See LAFFER on page six)

(See DISASTER on page six)

(See TUITION on page six)

galize medical marijuana.

Federal agents can no longer raid licensed marijuana outlets that service patients who use the drug to treat everything from the side effects of cancer treatments to epileptic seizures.

The marijuana farmers that serve these businesses are now safe to cultivate the plant, and the patients themselves are now safe from prosecution for possessing it.

But with federal pot prohibition still on the books, we’ve got a long way to go.

Marijuana Policy Project and Vote Hemp are two organizations that are working with the public and our lawmakers to change the laws and regulations surrounding cannabis.

Jim Hightower is a national radio commentator, writer, public speaker and author

Kansas fiscal mess is no Laffer Koch tax paradise is wrecking budget In 2012, when Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback first pitched his plan to drastically slash the state’s income taxes, he promised “a shot of adrenaline into the heart of the Kansas economy.” Brownback brought in Arthur Laffer, Ronald Reagan’s trickle-down economics guru, to help sell the idea that the cuts - which zeroed out taxes for 200,000 businesses and slashed rates for top earners - were guaranteed to boost the state’s fortunes, prop up the economy, and bring in countless new jobs as businesses and individuals flocked to Kansas to escape the tyrannies of higher-tax states.

Two years later, those rosy predictions have turned to doom and gloom. With a new session underway in the state legislature, lawmakers face a daunting budget deficit that will

other voices

by Patrick Caldwell

require either overturning Brownback’s tax cuts or shaving hundreds of millions from the state’s budget.

A recent string of court cases mandating increased funds for education will make that job trickier. Thanks to Brownback’s efforts to transform the state into the Koch brothers’ dreamland, Kansas is now mired in a fiscal disaster.

Unlike the federal government, which can leave deficits on its books, state governments have to keep their budgets balanced from year to year.

Throughout 2014, monthly tax revenues in Kansas came in far below expectations. Tax revenue in December alone came in $15 million below target.

Before the end of the fiscal year this summer, Brownback will need to trim $279 million from the current budget. Brownback’s proposal would

by Robert Reich

Republicans who now run Congress say they want to cooperate with President Obama, and point to the administration’s Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, as the model.

The only problem is the TPP would be a disaster.

If you haven’t heard much about the TPP, that’s part of the problem right there. It would be the largest trade deal in history - involving countries stretching from Chile to Japan, representing 792 million people and accounting for 40 percent of the world economy - yet it’s been devised in secret.

Lobbyists from America’s biggest corporations and Wall Street’s biggest banks have been involved but not the American public. That’s a recipe for fatter profits and bigger paychecks at the top, but not a good deal for most of us, or even for most of the rest of the world.

First some background. We used to think about trade policy as a choice between “free trade” and “protectionism.” Free trade meant opening our borders to products made elsewhere.

Protectionism meant putting up tariffs and quotas to keep them out.

In the decades after World War II, America chose free trade. The idea was that each country would specialize in goods it produced best and at least cost. That way, living standards would rise here and abroad. New jobs would be created to take the place of jobs that were lost. And communism would be contained.

For three decades, free trade worked. It was a win-win-win.

But in more recent decades the choice has become far more complicated and the payoff from trade agreements more skewed to those at the top.

Tariffs are already low. Negotiations now involve such things as intellectual property, financial regulations, labor laws, and rules for health, safety, and the environment.

It’s no longer free trade versus protectionism. Big corporations and Wall Street want some of both.

They want more international protection when it comes to their intellectual property and other assets. So they’ve been seeking trade rules that secure and extend their patents, trademarks, and copyrights abroad, and protect their global franchise agreements, securities, and loans.

But they want less protection of consumers, workers, small investors, and the environment, because these interfere with their profits. So they’ve been seeking trade rules that allow them to override these protections.

Not surprisingly for a deal that’s been drafted mostly by corporate and Wall Street lobbyists, the TPP provides exactly this mix.

What’s been leaked about it so far reveals, for example, that the pharmaceutical industry gets stronger patent protections, delaying cheaper generic versions of drugs. That will be a good deal for Big Pharma but not necessarily for the inhabitants of developing nations who won’t get certain lifesaving drugs at a cost they can afford.

The TPP also gives global corporations an international tribunal of private attorneys, outside any nation’s legal system, who can order compensation for any “unjust expropriation” of foreign assets.

Even better for global companies, the tribunal can order compensation for any lost profits found to result from a nation’s regulations.

Philip Morris is using a similar provision against Uruguay (the provision appears in a bilateral trade treaty between Uruguay and Switzerland), claiming that Uruguay’s strong antismoking regulations unfairly diminish the company’s profits.

Common sense on cannabis

by Jim Hightower

Why TPP agreement is a pending disaster

The Scott County Record • Page 6 • Thursday, January 15, 2015

Be wary of changes made to school funding There are likely some big changes ahead for public education in Kansas, due in part to the school funding court decision released in late December.

Although the final outcome of that court suit may be delayed, it will trigger legislative activity almost immediately.

Gov. Brownback and others want to revise the formula, calling it too complicated and unworkable. But I believe the formula is complex because what it is designed to accomplish is complex.

The authors of the school funding formula

Letter the power to do otherwise?

I don’t get it, Sam. In spite of all My wisdom and having watched civilizations come and go for century after century, that’s something I’ve never been able to understand.

As advanced as you want to imagine you are today as a people you have made such little progress when it comes to taking care of each other.

What you fail to un-

Laffer red state in which Brownback won his first gubernatorial term by 30 percent, it counts as a squeaker.

And Brownback lucked out. Revenue was coming in below projections all year, but it wasn’t until shortly after he won reelection that the legislative researchers released the $279 million figure.

The governor’s initial pass at solving the fiscal crisis spared the state’s schools. He has indicated that he’d like to reduce education funding during the next round of budget reductions. But unfortunately for Brownback, the courts say the current level of school funding is too low.

Future Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, in any event, are standing by.

There was a time when it looked as if New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie would be the establishment’s favorite son, but that was before the George Washington Bridge scandal. Watching him try to make it through the campaign without losing his temper would be entertaining but not particularly edifying.

I’ll go out on a limb

Tuition This change, while seemingly minor, was designed to create a future showdown over the solvency of Social Security with the potential for an arbitrary and unnecessary

Legislative Update Rep. Don Hineman 118th District

may not have had the Rose Standards in mind as they crafted the formula in 1992 and later refined it. But I believe the formula is, in fact, in harmony with the objective of the Rose Standards, which the Kansas Supreme Court declared should be the benchmark for measuring adequacy of school funding.

It is designed to direct

the money to where it is most needed. It sends extra funds to those school districts with student populations that are more difficult and therefore more expensive to educate.

It may be time to review the entire formula with a view to making it appropriate to today’s student population and to verify that the various weightings are valid. But if folks attempt to revise the formula with an objective of simplifying and saving a great deal of money then we will have moved away from both equity

and adequacy of funding - funds in Kansas for the exactly the issues that got benefit of private educaus embroiled in the court tion.

That provision was one case in the first place. of the primary reasons Policy Reforms that I voted no on the bill.

Some legislators see an But here is the thing: opportunity to implement public education does not policy reforms that would exist for the benefit of studivert public funds toward dents or for the benefit of private schools or home their parents. It exists for schooling. the benefit of the social In fact, the first step in order.

Public schools were that direction was taken with the education appro- established in America to priation bill last spring. insure that future generaIt included a provision tions of citizens have an for state subsidies of cor- appreciation for demoporate scholarships for cratic values, understand private education . . . a our common American significant use of public heritage, and have the

(continued from page four)

derstand, Sam, is that the wealthy always survive just fine. Floods, famine, locusts . . . whatever . . . the wealthy may complain from time to time. There are even times when they complain the loudest because of what they think are tough times. But they really have no idea.

They aren’t the ones you need to be listening to. You need to pay more attention to the families who truly are in crisis.

You really want to strengthen families?

Don’t make life tougher than it already is for those in need. I really wish that you’d try harder to be part of their solution rather than contributing to their problems.

In the meantime, you keep praying and I’ll keep listening. But I will offer this one final tidbit of advice. There isn’t a prayer chain big enough to eliminate a $700 million bud-

get deficit. You created the problem. You fix it.

In doing so, keep in mind that it really is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than it is for a wealthy person to get into heaven.

You might want to keep that in mind as you decide who is, and isn’t, affected by your budget solution.

I’m watching, Sam. Rod Haxton can be reached at editor@screcord.com

(continued from page five)

In March, the state Supreme Court ruled that the government was violating the state’s constitutional guarantee of an adequate education. The court said the government had failed to allocate enough money for its students, and the justices tossed the decision back to a lower panel to determine what exactly would constitute a sufficient level of spending.

That lower court has now ruled that funding for students “is inadequate from any rational perspective of the evidence presented or proffered to us.” The three-judge panel held that per pupil spending should be between

$4,654 and $4,980 per year. Either number would be a huge jump over the $3,852 per student that the state currently spends.

That district court ruling is bound to be stuck in the appeals process for the foreseeable future.

But if upheld, it would cost the state somewhere between $550 million and $770 million each year.

The state’s current money troubles would essentially double.

Pair that jump in education spending with the already massive hole in next year’s budget, and Brownback’s tax cuts are too big not to fail. Social welfare programs have already been cut to the

bone, leaving little room for the Republicans to reduce them further.

Brownback touted the benefits of his billions in tax cuts throughout his reelection campaign, but even he is recognizing that his plan might not be sustainable.

“Everything is on the table, including the tax policy,” the governor’s budget director told the New York Times last month. Brownback might have held on for a second term in office, but his dream of becoming a trendsetter for his fellow Republican governors is no more.

Patrick Caldwell is a reporter in Mother Jones’ DC bureau

(continued from page four)

and predict that recidivist candidates Rick Perry, Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum will not win the nomination. Most remaining options come from the Republicans’ tea party wing, which is energetic, enthusiastic and kind of crazy.

Sen. Marco Rubio is trying his best to get back into the conversation.

Sen. Ted Cruz seems to have an interesting strategy: Alienate virtually all of the party’s leadership, then wait to be offered an

ermine robe and a crown of laurels.

That leaves Sen. Rand Paul, who already has a formidable grass-roots organization. Could he run away with the nomination? Can he keep up the fiction that he’s a Republican and not a libertarian? I’ll admit I’m skeptical.

Democrats, don’t be smug. Tell me with a straight face that you hear America singing, “What this country really, truly needs is another president

named Clinton.”

It is a mistake, in my view, to dismiss the whole dynastic issue as trivial.

If Hillary Clinton doesn’t run - or perhaps even if she does - Sen. Elizabeth Warren is seen as an alternative. But her national appeal is untested.

In a nation of more than 310 million souls, we can do better. Um, can’t we?

Eugene Robinson is a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and former assistant managing editor for The Washington Post

(continued from page five)

cut in benefits to recipients.

Obama’s support for Social Security hasn’t exactly been solid. And his support for a corporate-hugging international

pact called the TransPacific Partnership is troubling to say the least.

However, credit should be given where it’s due.

The Obama administration’s recent show of

backbone is a hopeful sign for what’s ahead in the next two years.

Josh Hoxie is the director of the Project on Opportunity and Taxation at the Institute for Policy Studies

skills to be productive members of society.

It isn’t necessary for one to be a student or the parent of a student to benefit from public education. Each of us benefits each and every day by the existence of a welleducated populace.

Some feel that public education is not the right choice for their child, for a variety of reasons, but often that reason has to do with religion. Those individuals are certainly free to choose private alternatives but that choice does not entitle them to public (See FUNDING on page 7)

Romney seen as stalker by most Americans

by Andy Borowitz

WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report) - In a possible setback for Mitt Romney’s latest Presidential ambitions, a new poll reveals that a majority of Americans now regard the former Massachusetts governor as a stalker.

The poll results suggest that Romney’s presence in every Presidential campaign in recent memory has taken its toll on the American people, who have expressed disbelief that he would return after being repeatedly told in no uncertain terms that he was not wanted.

Additionally, many of those surveyed said that they previously felt harassed by the Massachusetts governor’s relentless e-mails and phone calls, and favored some form of intervention to keep Romney from contacting them in the future.

In an indication of how much Romney’s serial candidacies have traumatized the American people, more than fifty per cent said that they would support a restraining order to keep the former nominee five hundred feet from the United States until the 2016 election had safely passed.

In an interview on Monday, Romney said that the inauspicious poll results would not discourage him from seeking the White House for a third time.

“I know that I’m the right man for the American people and nothing they say or do will stop me,” he said.

Andy Borowitz is a comedian and author

Disaster

(continued from page five)

Anyone believing the TPP is good for Americans take note: The foreign subsidiaries of U.S.-based corporations could just as easily challenge any U.S. government regulation they claim unfairly diminishes their profits - say, a regulation protecting American consumers from unsafe products or unhealthy foods, investors from fraudulent securities or predatory lending, workers from unsafe working conditions, taxpayers from another bailout of Wall Street, or the environment from toxic emissions.

The administration says the trade deal will boost U.S. exports in the fast-growing Pacific basin where the United States faces growing economic competition from China. The TPP is part of Obama’s strategy to contain China’s economic and strategic prowess.

Fine. But the deal will also allow American corporations to outsource even more jobs abroad.

In other words, the TPP is a Trojan horse in a global race to the bottom, giving big corporations and Wall Street banks a way to eliminate any and all laws and regulations that get in the way of their profits.

At a time when corporate profits are at record highs and the real median wage is lower than it’s been in four decades, most Americans need protection - not from international trade but from the political power of large corporations and Wall Street.

The Trans Pacific Partnership is the wrong remedy to the wrong problem. Any way you look at it, it’s just plain wrong.

Robert Reich is a former secretary of labor, is currently a professor at the University of California at Berkeley

The Scott County Record • Page 7 • Thursday, January 15, 2015

Funding funds for private schooling.

Some are suggesting that the state ease its current budget problems by raiding school district reserve funds since there is a significant amount of money available there.

But there are problems with that logic.

Some of those funds never came from the state, but were from local sources or the federal government. The state obviously has no right to those funds.

And the funds that did come from the state were distributed through the school funding formula, designed to get the dollars where the need is greatest.

If the state were to now reclaim those funds, it would raise serious ques-

editor’s mail . . .

(continued from page six)

tions with regard to both equity and adequacy of funding, once again raising the specter of future lawsuits.

Aside from the question of legality, there is the practical effect that sweeping these funds would have. We would be training every school district in Kansas to spend every dollar we send them with the knowledge that if they don’t we will take it back.

We would be rewarding those districts who spent every last dollar since they would have no reserves to recapture.

We would also be penalizing those districts who were fiscally prudent and responsible, spending only what was necessary

and saving the rest for unforeseen contingencies.

That can’t be sound fiscal policy, and it amazes me that anyone thinks that is a good idea.

There are several valid reasons that schools carry healthy reserve balances at the end of the fiscal year on June 30. That marks the beginning of the new school year cycle and schools typically have healthy reserves built up at that time in anticipation of large supplies purchases in late summer.

Districts also save up funds in reserve accounts to make capital purchases such as a new school bus, or for unforeseen emergencies.

Carrying some cash in reserve is a sound, conservative principle for

Spaying, neuturing is adviseable, inexpensive

any individual or entity, whether public or private, and that is especially true for Kansas schools.

During the recent recession the state was experiencing cash flow problems, and frequently was late in making scheduled payments to schools.

Given the tight budget situation the state is now facing, I expect those cash flow issues to again be a problem.

That will force schools to rely on their cash reserves until the state check shows up in the mailbox.

I’d like to offer a clarification to the recent news article about the Silent Angels Rescue Shelter.

While those who operate the shelter indicated that the cost to neuter and vaccinate a dog costs approximately $500, the actual cost is much lower.

Every veterinary clinic has different rates. I know those procedures in this area at any number of clinics would be significantly less than $500.

As veterinarians, we actively encourage pet owners to spay and neuter their pets and to keep their pets’ vaccinations current. These preventative measures not only benefit the pet’s health, but also help ensure the health and safety of the general public.

Spaying, neutering and vaccinations are affordable and are a direct benefit to both the animal and human population in our community.

Charles Sourk, D.V.M. Sourk Veterinary Clinic Scott City

Rep. Don Hineman’s 118th District includes Scott, Lane and Wichita counties. He can be reached at 785-2967636 (Topeka) or e-mail: don. hineman@house.ks.gov

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Attend the church of your choice.

Turner Sheet Metal Tuesday

Moonshiners @ VIP Center, 2:30-5:00 p.m. ,

City Council mtg., 7:30 p.m.

No charge for community events

Wednesday

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Thursday

Friday

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Veterans rep., @ Scott Senior Etiquette Day County Library, 10:00 p.m.

SCHS Wrestling Dual vs. Holcomb, 6:00 p.m.

SCHS Orange and Black BB tournament @ Colby- Boys vs. Pine Creek, 3:00 p.m. - Girls vs. Pine Creek, 4:45 p.m.

ES Family math night, 6:00 p.m.

7th Boys BB @ Colby, 4:00 p.m.

Pack 66/Troop 149, 5:00 p.m.

8th Boys BB vs. Colby, 4:00 p.m.

Saturday

23 SCHS Orange and Black BB tournament @ Colby

24 SCHS Orange and Black BB tournament @ Colby SCHS Wrestling @ Lexington, Nebr.

Al-Anon meeting @ Community Christian Church, 6:30 p.m.

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7th/8th Boys BB

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SCHS B/G BB

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SCHS BB

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The Scott County Record • Page 8 • Thursday, January 15, 2015

Odds ing the first accident, it wasn’t uncommon for Baylor to sleep on a mattress on the floor in his parents’ bedroom. The bed had been pushed over the mattress where Baylor often slept, only Baylor wasn’t there.

“I panicked,” says Lori.

“I couldn’t imagine what had happened to Baylor.”

Earlier that night, Eric and Baylor had been watching some New Year’s Eve celebrations on television and Baylor fell asleep on the couch.

Rather than wake him, Eric let him stay there for the night.

Eric’s left shoulder was injured in the collision.

“I don’t know if it was flying debris or if I was actually hit by the pickup,” says Eric, who later went to the hospital emergency room to be checked over.

“They think there might be a bone chip. We’re going to have a MRI done,” Eric says.

While the driver of the pickup was able to make an escape, he left behind a headlight in the Vasquez’s front yard and another

Vehicle Plus the depreciation value is not as steep on a used vehicle.

Insurance companies generally check a prospective customer’s credit rating (in addition to their driving record) before offering a quote, so a good credit rating may also mean a lower insurance premium.

In Kansas, prospective buyers may want to call the county treasurer’s office to compare the taxes due on a new vehicle; you might be surprised. Add

County Plat Maps Scott

Logan

Ness

Wichita

Gove

Wallace

Lane

Greeley

Finney

Kearney

(continued from page one)

headlight was found on Main Street. It is believed that the same pickup took a dirt road south from the airport road where it eventually lost a front tire. The pickup was discovered at about noon on New Year’s Day. “We got a call from the police the next day. They found the pickup behind the recycling center,” Lori says. “The police knew right away it was the same pickup that hit our house.”

Later on New Year’s Day the owner of the pickup turned himself into the police, but Lori says “we haven’t seen hide nor hair of him in order to apologize for what he did.”

In spite of the two incidents, Lori feels “we have an angel watching over us,” as she tries not to imagine what could have happened to them or their son.

That hasn’t made the aftermath any easier for the family.

Insurance will pay off the remaining loan on the pickup, but that means Eric and Lori will once again have to come up

with enough money for another vehicle.

“We were going to have it paid off in July. Now we have to start over again,” says Eric. “We aren’t going to have enough money to buy another pickup.

And they are still trying to figure out what to do next about their home.

While repair costs are covered by insurance, the Vasquezes will have to pick up the added cost that would hopefully prevent a third incident. They are looking at some type of galvanized steel posts and fencing that could be erected in front of their home.

“But we don’t want this place to feel or look like a fortress,” she says.

“Plus, that’s going to cost even more money that we don’t have. But we can’t risk this happening a third time.

“And we can’t afford to move somewhere else.

We put everything we had into this place,” adds Lori, noting that the money to purchase their home came from an insurance settle-

(continued from page three)

up all of the costs before making your final choice to see if you can afford such a large purchase.

After paying off an auto loan, continue to put an amount similar to the payment into an interestbearing savings account.

When it’s time to replace your current vehicle, use the savings to pay for the vehicle or reduce the amount of the loan.

Purchasing a new vehicle can be exciting and fun, but in these uncertain times, be realistic with what you can actually af-

ford. A lesser expensive car can still get you from point A to point B just as well as a very expensive car.

Purchase your vehicle to match your needs, not your wants. Being debtfree is more important than driving a large expensive car.

For more information visit with your accountant, banker, or stop by the Extension Office for some financial information to get you started in the right direction.

ment when Eric lost part of his right arm, just above the elbow, in a work-related accident in 2006. “We don’t know if we can get Baylor to live here again.”

Eric notes that while neither accident was their fault they have to live with the impact that it’s had on their lives - financially and emotionally.

“Life’s been hard.

We’ve struggled to make ends meet. Just when it seemed like our life was drifting back together we have this to deal with,” Lori says.

“Thank God we have my parents to live with until we can figure this out.”

J&R Car and Truck Center

208 W. 5th St., Scott City 620-872-2103 800-886-2103 Come Grow With Us!

www.JRCARandTRUCK.com 2315 Cars 2010 Buick Lacrosse CXL, V6, HUD, Loaded ............White Dia/Tan Lthr.... 58K mi.....(1676A) ... $18,800 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback, GTS Package ...Silver/Black Cloth.. 111K mi.....(1514A) ..... $9,900 2011 Buick Lacrosse CXL, V6 ............................ White Dia/Gray Leather.... 81K mi.....(1898A) ... $13,900 2012 Nissan Maxima, S Package, V6, Sunroof ....... Black/Black Leather.... 43K mi.....(1694A) ... $18,500 2012 Chevy Impala LTZ, Sunroof, V6 ....................... Black/Black Leather.... 62K mi.... (1826B) ... $12,900 2013 Chevy Malibu LT ...................................................White/Gray Cloth.... 26K mi.......(1741) ... $17,900 2013 Chevy Sonic LT, FWD, Mylink ..................... Crystal Red/Gray Cloth...... 4K mi.......(1395) ... $15,500 2014 Chevy Malibu LTZ..................... Black Granite Metallic/Tan Leather.... 25K mi.......(1835) ... $21,900 2014 Chevy Cruze 2LT, RS, Sunroof............... Crystal Red/Black Leather.... 19K mi.......(1844) ... $17,500 2014 Buick Lacrosse Premium 2, V6, Snrf, Heads up, Silver/Tan Leather . 15K mi.......(1869) ... $30,500 2014 Chevy Cruze 2LT RS, Mylink ........................... Silver/Black Leather.... 11K mi.......(1909) ... $17,500 SUVs 2004 Chevy Tahoe LT, 4x4, Sunroof, 2nd Row Buckets .. White/Gray Lthr.. 128K mi.... (1821C) ..... $9,900 2008 Buick Enclave CXL, AWD, NAV, DVD, SNRF, White Diamond/Gray Lthr, 90K mi, (1643A) ... $17,900 2009 Dodge Journey SXT, FWD, 3.5L V6 ......................Blue/Black Cloth.. 147K mi.....(1708A) ..... $5,900 2009 Chevy Traverse LT, AWD, 2nd Row Buckets ...... Blue/Gray Leather.... 69K mi.....(1907A) ..... $CALL 2010 Chevy Traverse LTZ, AWD, Sunroof, DVD .......... Blue/Gray Leather.... 71K mi.....(1634A) ... $22,900 2010 GMC Acadia SLT-2, AWD, Sunroof, DVD, V6 ....Silver/Gray Leather.... 82K mi.....(1768A) ... $20,900 2011 GMC Yukon XL Denali, AWD, Sunroof, DVD, NAV, Gold Mist/Tan Lthr, 85K mi ...(1814A) ... $33,500 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, 4x4, V6 .............. Black/Gray Cloth.... 60K mi.... (1815B) ... $21,600 2012 GMC Terrain SLT-2, AWD, V6, Sunroof .....Red Jewel/Gray Leather.... 45K mi.......(1710) ... $23,900 2013 Ford Escape SEL, FWD, 2.0L Ecoboost ..............Silver/Tan Leather.... 32K mi.... (1616B) ... $22,500 2013 Ford Escape SEL, FWD, 2.0L Ecoboost .......... White/Black Leather.... 45K mi.....(1764A) ... $19,500 2013 Buick Enclave, AWD ........................................ Silver/Black Leather.... 35K mi.......(1790) ... $32,500 2013 GMC Acadia SLT, AWD, 3.6L V6, 2nd R Buckets, Silver/Black Leather, 35K mi .....(1792) ... $32,600 2013 GMC Yukon Denali, AWD, NAV, DVD, Champagne Silver/Tan Leather, 13K mi.....(1896A) ... $48,500 2014 Chevy Equinox LTZ, AWD, Sunroof, V6................ Blue/Tan Leather.... 16K mi.......(1808) ... $29,700 2014 GMC Terrain SLT-2, AWD, Sunroof, V6 .............Gray/Black Leather.... 29K mi.......(1807) ... $28,500 Pickups 2004 Ford F250 Crew Cab, 2WD, Lariat, Diesel ......... White/Tan Leather.... 73K mi.... (1638B) ... $14,900 2006 Ford F250 Ext Cab XL, 4x4, Diesel, Long Box .....White/Gray Cloth.. 144K mi.... (1464B) ..... $8,800 2008 GMC 1500 Reg Cab WT, 4x4, 5.3L ......................White/Black Cloth.... 79K mi.....(1652A) ... $13,900 2008 Chevy 1500 Reg Cab LT, 4x4, 5.3L ...................... Silver/Gray Cloth.. 100K mi.....(1847A) ... $13,900 2010 Ford F150 Crew XLT, 4x4, 5.4L, Bucket Seats..Maroon/Gray Cloth.... 80K mi.....(1625A) ... $23,500 2011 GMC 2500HD Crew SLT, 4x4, 6.6L Diesel .........Silver/Gray Leather.... 92K mi.....(1798A) ... $35,900 2011 Chevy 1500 Ext Cab LT, 4x4, 5.3L ......................White/Black Cloth.... 65K mi.....(1885A) ... $23,400 2011 Chevy 1500 Crew LT, 4x4, 6.2L...........................Black/Tan Leather.... 54K mi.....(1903A) ... $28,500 2011 Chevy 1500 Crew LT, 4x4, Z71, 5.3L ..................White/Black Cloth.... 47K mi.....(1854A) ... $27,800 2013 Chevy 2500HD Crew LT, 4x4, 6.0L Gas, Z71, 20” Wheels, Wh/Blk Cloth, 24K mi, (1876A) . $35,900 2013 Chevy 3500HD Crew LTZ, 4x4, 6.6L Diesel, Z71, SRW, Red/Black Lthr, 32K mi, (1877A) ... $45,500 2013 Chevy 1500 Crew LTZ, 4x4, Z71, 5.3L ..............Black/Gray Leather.... 30K mi.......(1740) ... $33,900 2013 2500 HD Crew, LT, 4x4, 6.6L Diesel, ...................White/Black Cloth.... 57K mi.......(1745) ... $37,900 2013 GMC 1500 Crew Denali, AWD, 6.2L, NAV, DVD ...... Black/Tan Lthr.... 63K mi.....(1571A) ... $34,900 2013 Chevy 2500HD Reg Cab LT, 4x4, Diesel, Flatbed, Graystone/Gray Cloth, 58K mi (1886A).. $31,500 2013 GMC 2500HD Crew Denali, 4x4, 6.6L Diesel, 20” Wheels, Wh/Tan Lthr, 44K mi, (1883A)... $47,800 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew, SLE, 4x4, 5.3L..............White/Black Cloth...... 3K mi.......(1750) ... $37,900 2014 Chevy 1500 Crew LTZ, 4x4, NAV, Sunroof, Rhino Lining, Tonneau Cover, 20” Wheels, Brownstone/Tan Leather ... 27K mi .....(1785A) ... $41,900

406 Main • Scott City 620 872-2090

2014 Chevy 1500 Crew 2LT, 4x4, 5.3L, Z71 .................White/Gray Cloth.... 19K mi.......(1837) ... $34,900 2014 GMC 1500 Crew SLT, 4x4, 6.2L, NAV, 6’ 6” Box ....Wh Dia/Tan Lthr.... 44K mi.....(1890A) ... $38,900

The Scott County Record

Youth/Education

Page 9 - Thursday, January 15, 2015

County 4-H Club News

Jayhawkers deliver ‘goodie bag’ to WKCAC The December meeting/Christmas party of the Manning Jayhawkers 4-H Club started with caroling at Park Lane Nursing Home and the Scott County Library.

After returning from caroling, the club members had hot chocolate and could pick from a “Naughty or Nice” snack.

Cooper Griffith led the club in the flag salute.

Roll call was answered by 23 members with the question of, “What is your favorite Christmas movie?”

Last month’s minutes

Manning Jayhawkers with their “goodie bags” for the Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center are (front row, from left) Austin Thon, Peyton Berry, Brynna Burnett, Aden Frederick, Jacob Fisher, Bennett Frederick, Cally Cramer, Madison Roberts and Jace Miller. (Middle row) Trella Davis and Jaden Jones. (Back row) Melanie Tilton, Clarissa Ratzlaff, Christina Tilton, Rachel Fisher, Eddie Tilton, Chance Jones, Kaitlyn Roberts and Asher Huck.

(Courtesy Photo)

were read and approved and the treasurer presented the budget to the club. The community

leader gave her report and be completed before the announced that the new end of December. enrollment is now availThe meeting was able online and needs to adjourned with the 4-H

pledge. We then had a Western Kansas Child citizenship project where Advocacy Center. members made ornaments Aden Frederick, and goodie bags for the reporter

212 earn semester academic honors at SCMS There were 214 students earning first semester academic honors at Scott City Middle School.

The honor students included 56 who were on the Platinum list for maintaining a 4.0 grade point average.

Other honor lists are Gold (3.75-3.99), Silver (3.5-3.74) and Bronze (3.0-3.49).

Honor roll students include: Platinum Honor List Eighth: Cindy AraizaCatano, Wyatt Hayes, Kristen Karnaze, Kodi Rogers, Irit Sanchez, Jack Thomas, Parker Vulgamore, Hallie Wiechman, Kaitlyn Wolkensdorfer.

Seventh: MaKenna Ashmore, William Cupp, Brian Galaviz, Cynthia Gonzalez, Lanae Haupt, Kevin Herman, Blake Koehn, Abbigail LeBeau, Jackson Lewis, Kylee Logan, Gabrielle Martinez,

Justus McDaniel, Lillian Pepper, Jacy Rose, Madison Shapland, Rosa Trejo, Piper Wasinger, Emily Weathers, Kaden Wren.

Sixth: Lizette Bejarano-Anchondo, Ryan Cure, Sophia Garrison, Harrison King, Paige Prewit, Sawyer Stevens, Isaac Tarango-Fernandez, Landon Trout, James Turner, Paige Vulgamore.

Fifth: Armando Armendariz, Conner Armendariz, Domanick Bates, Erick Castillo-Morales, Cesar Contreras, Evelyn Gonzalez-Lopez, Carter Gooden, Payton Goodman, Isabella GutierrezMyers, Leightyn Heim, Natalie Herman, Ashleigh Hickert, Paige Hoelting, Kennedy Holstein, Julian Lopez-Arroyo.

Alivia Noll, Nash Nowak, Allison Patton, Chelsie Rose, Ella Rumford, Eric Shap-

land, Rhiley Stoppel, Jamie Thrasher, Giovanni Vichique, Kale Wheeler, Brooklynne Zielke.

Gold Honor List Eighth: Karina Ayala, Dulce Ayala-Chanez, Stacy Dominguez-Peregrino, Jera Drohman, Kevin Duong, Molly Eikenberry, Aubriana Gutierrez, Aspyn Nix, Jose Trejo.

Seventh: Samantha Aguilar, Parker Gooden, Cale Goodman, Braylin Heim, Diego Lopez, Jose Martinez, Rosa Martinez, Victor Martinez, Shelby Patton, Isidro Ponce, Lyndi Rumford, Brandon Winderlin, Hunter Yager.

Sixth: Allison Brunswig, Kaely Capps, Marisela Chavez, Conner Cupp, Justin Davis, Loren Faurot, Brooke Hoeme, Ashlynne Oswald, Joshua Rosin, Claire Rumford, Kevin Serrano-Gonzalez, Megan Vance.

Fifth: Kairae Berry,

Joshua Browning, Brynna Burnett, Carson Faurot, Victoria Ford, Melany Gerstner, Esperanza Hernandez, Conner Hudson, Jaxson Kough, Broderick LaPlant.

Amber Latta, Wyatt Lowe, Lance Miller, Susana Nolasco, Dalton Pazdernik, Bethany Prochnow, Zachery Rohrbough, Stryder Sowers, Efren Tarango-Fernandez, Austin Thon, Ronald Weathers, Diane Willette.

Silver Honor List Eighth: Josiah Evans, Marshall Faurot, Miles Haire, Alexis Hoeme, Emily Leavens, Briane Murphy-Amack, Jose Rodriguez, Ashley SerranoGonzalez, Allison Smith, Alyssa Storm, Aly Tarango-Fernandez.

Seventh: Briana Amezcua, Aleczander Berry, Bruce Colbary, Kobe Collins, Jose Garcia, Morgan Irwin, Samuel Irwin,

Johnny Lara, Courtney Latta, Fox Morris, Andrew Prochnow, Jamie Wiebe-Neufeld, Maricio Zarate.

Sixth: Gisselle Aguirre-Apodaca, Gabriel Bowers, Samantha Castillo, Aalyson Collins, Joshua Culp, Colton Cupp, Anastasia Rojas.

Fifth: Damian Estrella, Damian Ortiz-Venegas, Natalie Rosas, Amiah Shreve, Winsome Worf.

Bronze Honor List Eighth: Vance Armstrong, Jaren Berning, Alexis Buxton, Tatyana Castillo, Jordan Cramer, Chaseton Cupp, Jose Flores, Abbigale Ford, Justin Hundertmark, Kally Kough, Ashley Lightner, Viviana Medellin, Cariana Ortiz, Emily Parkinson, Vicky Ruiz-Velasco, Theron Tucker, Benhard Unger, Lynell Wessel.

Seventh: Luis AlfaroReyes, Elijah Amack,

Jaiden Amack, Jacelynn Buffington, Emmanuel Frances-Aguilar, Eric Frances-Cortez, Yovanni Galaviz, Conner Jameson, Noah Kliesen, Hailey-Jo Leonard, Nathan Nowak, Byron Sowers, Stormy Wells, Jessica West, Christian Wright, Luke Wright.

Sixth: Roberto Apodaca-Armendariz, Darwin Armendariz, Alyssa Chorak, Blake Foster, Dylan Fulton, Daniela, Garcia, Andres Gonzalez, Taylor Heili, Lisa Ivey, Jaden Jones, Gustavo Rivero, Peyton Samms, Annie Stratmeier, Aamyiah Unger, Olivia Wagner, Taia Waldrop.

Fifth: Kayla Apalategui, Xavier Cluster, Shyanne Dempsey, Dawson Fox, Alonso FrancesAguilar, Justen Lucas, Alexander Rodriguez, Emilio Zarate.

Scott City Elementary School was presented an award for outstanding participation and for exceeding the fidelity criteria in order to receive second year funding from the Governor’s Kansas Reading Initiative. (KRI). Presenting the award was Beth Unruh of Educational Design Solutions. Accepting the award was SCES Principal Shawn Roberts.

(Courtesy Photo)

SCES students reach Governor’s reading initiative Scott City Elementary School students achieved goals in the Governor’s Kansas Reading Initiative (KRI).

There were 444 students completing 145,033

Lexia Units - each closing a skill gap or deficiency.

Currently 300 schools are participating in KRI. In year one, the percentage of students working at grade level increased from

45% to 94% on the more rigorous reading standards. Seventy percent of the students met their year-end benchmarks.

SCES will continue to work through the 2014-15

school year with a goal of getting 100 percent of their students achieving at, or above, grade level.

The KRI is a two-year pilot program designed to improve reading out-

comes using educational technology. KRI is managed by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCF) and overseen by the Kansas Cabinet for the Children’s

Initiatives Fund (CIF).

KRI includes a budget of up to $6 million in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 school years. This is available from the Tobacco Settlement Funds.

The Scott County Record • Page 10 • Thursday, January 15, 2015

Judge blocks pay requirements for caregivers Dave Ranney KHI News Service

A federal district court judge on Wednesday blocked implementation of a U.S. Department of Labor regulation that would have required state Medicaid programs to pay in-home care workers minimum wage and overtime.

“The judge vacated the regulation,” said Mike Oxford, executive director at the Topeka Independent Living Resource Center, a nonprofit program that helps arrange in-home services for people with physical disabilities.

“That means he threw the whole thing out. It’s gone.”

No minimum wage, overtime for in-home workers The ruling upheld a 40-year-old provision in the Fair Labor Standards Act that allows some care workers to be paid less than minimum wage.

“This is a very good thing for Kansas,” Oxford said. “If the regulation had gone into effect like it was supposed to on Jan. 1, the state would have been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and every provider would have been exposed to lawsuits for overtime, double overtime, back pay and economic damages.”

The ruling, he said, in no way endorsed low wages for workers who

Doing chores to be expected of kids by the American Counseling Association

You expect your children to actively help in family life, but they often don’t. While there may be multiple requests, or even threats, often it can become such a hassle to get the kids to do what’s asked that many parents just let it slip or do the chore themselves.

They shouldn’t.

Getting kids to do assigned chores can be an important factor in helping them develop in positive ways. Chores are a way for a child to feel part of the family and to gain a sense of contributing toward the family good. They provide early life lessons that makes it easier for a person to feel like an active, contributing member of society later in life.

Chores are also a way to learn about responsibility and about meeting expectations, skills necessary for success in school and the workplace.

While family chores may involve simple activities, like making a bed daily, helping with the family pet, or taking out the trash, the lessons derived from successfully completing such activities carry over into later life.

Getting chores completed successfully, however, does require planning and work on the part of parents. You want to assign chores that are appropriate for a child’s age and abilities so that there’s the opportunity for successful completion and a positive experience.

You also want to keep your expectations realistic. Act the perfectionist and find reason to criticize how every chore is completed and you’re setting your child up for failure, unable to reach the bar you’re setting. At the same time, letting your child get away with little or no effort only teaches him or her to have low expectations about his or her ability to perform.

Talk with your child about setting up a chore system. Make it clear what the child’s responsibilities are and how to measure their successful completion. Develop a system of rewards for work well done. Then take the time to monitor chore activities and to offer honest praise when work is done well. Don’t make the mistake of only offering criticism for efforts that fall short.

When a child can successfully complete chores and receive positive reinforcement for doing the work well, it helps to build self-esteem and selfconfidence. Start your child early in life to accept and complete chores and the result will be a confident, responsible child with stronger life skills.

“Counseling Corner” is provided by the American Counseling Association. Visit the ACA website at counseling.org

care for the state’s frail elders and for people with disabilities.

“That’s not what this is about,” Oxford said.

“This was about legislative process and how the Department of Labor went about doing what it did.”

In Kansas, he said, most attendant care workers are paid between $9.50 and $10 an hour - above the hourly minimum wage of $7.25. Most do not work more than 40 hours a week.

In August, Oxford and Kansas Department for Disability and Aging Services Secretary Kari Bruffett alerted legislators

to the new rule’s potential for increasing costs and reducing access to Medicaid-funded services that help frail elders and people with disabilities live in community-based settings rather than in nursing homes.

At the time, Bruffett said the regulatory change could affect more than 10,700 Kansans receiving in-home services.

Sleep Cycle Support As many as 1,400 people, she said, could see reductions in sleep cycle support, a service that involves paying someone - often an adult family

member - to stay with an individual who should not be left alone at night due to their disability or medical condition.

In Kansas, most sleep cycle support workers are paid about $25 per six-hour night, which is less than minimum wage.

Many of these workers are related to those they are caring for.

Angela de Rocha, a KDADS spokesperson, declined comment on the ruling late Wednesday afternoon, noting that department officials had not had time to review the 12-page decision.

The decision stemmed

from a lawsuit filed by the Home Care Association of America, International Franchise Association and National Association for Home Care and Hospice.

The associations accused the Department of Labor of disregarding rejection of similar legislation by Congress on several occasions in recent years.

Bruffett filed a sixpage affidavit in support of the plaintiffs’ claims, saying the regulatory change would create a “landscape of uncertainty” and potentially “disrupt services and supports for thousands of our most vulnerable Kansans.”

Offsetting the projected increases in sleep cycle (See JUDGE on page 11)

Legislative committee begins hearings on Medicaid expansion Andy Marso Kaiser Health News

Experts on rural Kansas hospitals gave dire predictions about their fiscal futures in a legislative hearing Wednesday that laid groundwork for a discussion of Medicaid expansion.

Rep. Tom Sloan, chairman of the Vision 2020 Committee, said that he’s trying to facilitate a discussion about how to craft an expansion plan that addresses the needs of stakeholders and the concerns of those wary of its connections to federal health care reforms spearheaded by President Barack Obama.

“I’ve heard the governor and legislative leaders say they don’t want the Affordable Care Act, but they would like to see a ‘Kansas’ plan,” said Sloan, a Lawrence Republican. “None of the other standing committees have had the time to devote to it. We’re going to.”

There’s no formal bill for expansion yet, but the Kansas Hospital Association continues to lobby for it through a more conservative approach, similar to those being taken by other states led

by Republican governors.

Sloan’s committee spent Wednesday hearing about how the lack of

expansion is affecting the finances of rural hospitals.

“In many of our rural areas, the hospital is the largest employer, or one of the top two or three employers in that area,” said Chad Austin, the hospital association’s senior vice president. “So, they are a large economic engine.”

Melissa Hungerford, the hospital association’s executive vice president, said the future is uncertain for many of the state’s rural hospitals.

It’s difficult to recruit physicians to rural areas, she said, and with shrinking populations in a majority of Kansas counties, some hospitals no

longer have the patient load to support their infrastructure.

“We’re going to have to look for ways to reduce costs and find efficiencies wherever we can, but at some point you can’t go any deeper,” Hungerford said. “And some of our hospitals are at that point already.”

Kansas is home to more small critical access hospitals than any other state. Medicaid expansion is a crucial issue for many of them, said Scott Taylor, CEO of St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City.

“This large number of critical access hospitals in western Kansas, many (See HEARINGS on page 11)

Tick-borne ‘Bourbon Virus’ is unlike anything seen in U.S. Bryan Thompson Kansas Public Radio

Researchers have identified the cause of a Kansas farmer’s mysterious death this summer as Bourbon virus.

Thought to be transmitted by ticks, the virus “was fast-moving and severe, causing lung and kidney failure, and shock,” officials reported, killing the previously healthy man after only 10 days in the hospital.

Together, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and

University of Kansas Hospital researchers identified the virus as a thogotovirus, says Dana Hawkinson, M.D., an infectious disease specialist at The University of Kansas Hospital.

Bourbon virus, named after Bourbon County, Kansas, where the only known patient lived, is similar to viruses seen previously in Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia, said Hawkinson, but nothing like it had ever been identified in the Western Hemisphere until now.

He called the experi-

. . . named after Bourbon County, Kansas, where the only known patient lived, is similar to viruses seen previously in Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia, said Hawkinson, but nothing like it had ever been identified in the Western Hemisphere until now.

ence of working with a never-before-seen virus frustrating, as the lack of understanding of the illness left many questions unanswered for both the patient’s family and the researchers.

“We don’t know the full spectrum of the disease because it’s the first case,” he said.

For example, no one knows whether or not the

disease is usually deadly or if there could be more mild cases from which future patients could recover.

Symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches and a general feeling of malaise. But while similar tick-borne illnesses typically are treated with antibiotics, this disease is transmit(See VIRUS on page 11)

The Scott County Record • Page 11 • Thursday, January 15, 2015

Medical marijuana supporters try again in legislature

Kansas State Sen. David Haley (D-Kansas City) has filed the same bill, Senate Bill 9, for the last four years in the hopes that one day the State of Kansas will have a conversation on legalizing marijuana.

The bill has never had a hearing.

“One day, medical marijuana will be a non-issue, in not only Kansas, but in the rest of the country.

Whether you are for or against any issue I believe that in a democracy we should hear from proponents and opponents to any issue,” said Haley.

Senate Bill 9 would

Hearings of whom require a county subsidy to keep their doors open, could benefit immensely from an expansion of Medicaid,” Taylor said in an interview earlier this week.

Additional Medicaid funding, Taylor said, would help to maintain “a health care infrastructure in rural Kansas” where patient volume is low and operating margins are thinner as a result.

Dennis Franks, CEO of Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center, said at Wednesday’s committee hearing that expansion also would help reduce the amount

hopes it will be different in the Kansas legislature.

Nearly half the nation has legalized some form of medical marijuana, and in 2014, just across the border, Missouri legalized hemp oil for children suffering with epilepsy .

“Some of the new research has given me

(continued from page 10)

of uncompensated care hospitals provide, because many of uninsured Kansans who don’t qualify for ACA subsidies would be eligible for Medicaid.

Franks said patients without insurance coverage still receive care, but often in its most costly form: in the emergency room.

“What happens then is we all pay for that,” Franks said. “This expansion is going to cover a lot of that.”

Neosho Memorial serves an area of southeast Kansas where 12.5 percent of residents are

Influenza on the rise, state urges vaccination

Influenza activity has increased substantially in Kansas, and health officials are encouraging everyone six months of age and older to get vaccinated, if they have not already done so this season.

Overall, more than 10 percent of patient visits to clinics during the week ending December 20 were due to influenza-like illnesses. Since September 1, 333 influenza- or pneumonia-related deaths have been reported in Kansas.

Nationally, influenza A (H3N2) viruses have been reported most frequently, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), higher rates of hospitalizations and deaths tend to occur when influenza A (H3N2) viruses are predominant, particularly among older persons, very young children, and persons with certain chronic medical conditions.

The influenza vaccination coverage rate was approximately 47 percent in Kansas during the 2013-2014 season, leaving more than half the population unprotected.

During the peak of the 2013-14 influenza season in Kansas, approximately six percent of all health care visits were due to influenza-like illness.

Influenza or pneumonia contributed to or was the direct cause of 1,135 deaths in Kansas.

Judge

authorize a health care professional to allow a patient to have prescribed marijuana to resolve some of the issues they may be suffering. This would include patients suffering from cancer, HIV, ALS and epilepsy among other diseases.

This year, Sen. Haley

(continued from page 10)

Offsetting the projected increases in sleep cycle support costs, she said, would cost “more than $30 million in all funds, or $21,428 per consumer.”

Last month, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon in Washington, D.C., ordered the Department of Labor to temporarily delay implementation of the new rule.

In the order, Leon was harshly critical of the Labor Department, characterizing the new rule as “nothing short of yet another thinly-veiled effort to do through regulation what could not be done through legislation.”

The Department of Labor, Oxford said, could appeal the judge’s latest ruling. “They have that option,” he said, “but for now we can continue to provide home and community-based services like we have in the past.”

uninsured and 20 percent live below the poverty level, he said.

That led to $1.4 million in “charity care” last year that the hospital could ill afford.

“We’re in one of the roughest times we’ve ever been in,” Franks said.

Without Medicaid expansion, the hospital will lose about $250,000 to $300,000 per year, he said.

Uncompensated Care Legislators had several questions about the possible effects of Medicaid expansion, with freshman Rep. Shannon Francis, a

Virus

Republican from Liberal, asking how much uncompensated care the state’s hospitals were providing in total.

Austin said that figure is “just south of a billion dollars” annually.

The Affordable Care Act decreased federal reimbursements for uncompensated care under the assumption that the law’s Medicaid expansion would reduce the number of uninsured and the amount of uncompensated care.

But the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that states cannot be compelled to expand their Medicaid.

(continued from page 10)

ted by a virus, and therefore won’t respond to the medication.

Indeed, the Kansas patient did not respond to traditional therapies after testing negative for typical tickborne diseases at the University of Kansas Hospital.

Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in the U.S., with over 27,000 confirmed cases in 2013, the most recent year from which data is available.

Cold weather typically keeps ticks and diseasetransmitting insects at bay, but from roughly April to September, Hawkinson said, be sure to protect yourself by wearing long clothes and insect repellent when you could be exposed, and to do a thorough tick check after returning home.

pause that in the past I would have dismissed,” Republican Kansas State Sen. Greg Smith from Overland Park said. “On the medical side, I think that there is some evidence there that it could help certain issues. In no way shape or form do I want to become Colorado,

but I am open to a discussion on medical marijuana.”

Sen. Haley is optimistic.

“There are many voices, many voices across Kansas and Missouri, that do want to weigh in on the pros and cons on the issue of medical marijuana.”

The Scott County Record • Page 12 • Thursday, January 15, 2015

Deaths Joyce Lucille Bohnert Joyce Lucille Bohnert, 74, died Jan. 11, 2015, at Park Lane Nursing Home, Scott City.

She was born on March 24, 1940, in Scott City, the daughter of Chester Earl and Velma Blanche (Turley) Fairchild.

A lifetime resident of Scott City, she was a homemaker.

Joyce was a member of the First Christian Church, Christian Women’s Fellowship, past elder and deaconess of the First Christian Church, Sunflower Swingers Square Dance Club, Scott County Genealogical Society and the Scott County Historical Society, all of Scott City.

On July 14, 1957, she married Herbert Harry Bohnert in Scott City. He died Sept. 24, 2012, in Scott City.

Survivors include: four daughters, Glenda Gra-

ham, and husband, Alan, Scott City, Lois Hutchins, and husband, Alan, Kansas City, Mo., Janet Gallardo, and husband, Gabe, Garden City, and Lora Strandridge, and husband, Ralph, Shreveport, La.; two brothers, Kenneth Fairchild, Newton, and Chester Fairchild, Scott City; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Hazel Morton.

Funeral service was held Jan. 15 at the First Christian Church, Scott City, with Pastor Steve Payne and Pastor Scott Wagner officiating.

Interment was at the Scott County Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church in care of Price and Sons Funeral Home, 401 S. Washington St., Scott City, Ks. 67871.

Dan Depperschmidt Dan Depperschmidt, 79, died Jan. 11, 2015, at Garden Terrace Care Center, Overland Park.

H e was born on Oct. 31, 1935, in Grinn e l l , the son of AuDan g u s t i n e Depperschmidt “Gus” and Catherine “Katie” (Mader) Depperschmidt.

Dan owned the bowling alley in Oakley, farmed, worked at PlainJan’s, Camp Lakeside and the Scott County Recycling Center, Scott City. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. Survivors include: one son, John, and wife, Angie, Springfield, Mo.; one daughter, Missy

Guastello, and husband, George, Prairie Village; one brother, Tom, Oakley; two sisters, Jeannine Call, Hays, and Wanda Depperschmidt, Scott City; and six grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral service will be held Fri., Jan. 16, 10:00 a.m., at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Oakley.

Interment with military honors will be at St. Joseph Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Dan Depperschmidt Memorial Fund or St. Joseph Cemetery Fund in care of Kennedy Koster Funeral Home, Box 221, Oakley, Ks, 67748.

On-line condolences can be left at www.kennedykosterfh.com.

Lois M. Warrington Lois M. Warrington, 86, died Jan. 9, 2015, at the Harper Hospital, Harper.

She was born March 13, 1927, in Benedict, the daughter of Harry Homer and Olive Mae (Coder) Cole. She graduated from Thayer High School in 1945.

On March 2, 1946, she married Kenneth Arlo Warrington in Erie. They lived in Wichita County, Modoc and Conway Springs. He died May 8, 2012.

Survivors include: one son, Kent Warrington, and wife, Rachael, Wichita; four daughters, Katherine Sones, and husband, Ward, Conway Springs, Cynthia Allen, and husband, Ron, McPherson, Debbie Meyers, and husband, Joseph, Huntsville, Tex., and Lori

Michelle Green, Salina; 18 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Robert and Russell Cole; and two sisters, Betty Cole and Marjorie Hart.

Funeral service was held Jan. 13 at the First Christian Church, Conway Springs, with Pastor Bill Nestelroad, officiating.

Interment was at the Conway Springs Cemetery.

Memorials may be sent to the First Christian Church C.W.F., Scott City, in care of Ebersole Mortuary, Box 156, Conway Springs, Ks. 67031.

An on-line guest book and condolences are available at www.ebersolemortuary.com.

New state website for senior, aging services The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) has launched its new website, www. kdads.ks.gov.

“I believe people will find it useful, informative and easy to navigate,” says KDADS Secretary Kari Bruffett. “We are excited about the new design and have tried to make it as user-friendly as possible.”

The new KDADS website offers quick and convenient access to essential agency information about the programs and services the agency administers, placing them in three comprehensive groupings according to the commission under which they fall: •Commission on Aging

•Commission on Community Services and Programs •Commission on Survey, Certification and Credentialing.

“Many Kansans depend on KDADS programs for the services that allow them to live independent lives in their home communities,” said Bruffett.

Individuals accessing the new website for the first time or using previously bookmarked pages should delete their browser history and old bookmarks for quick access to pages on the new website.

Provider information and applications continue to be available at: http://www.aging.ks.gov/, to which the new public website provides a link at the top of the home page.

Feb. 15 deadline to enroll for health care

Q) I’d like to change the healthcare coverage that I signed up for through Healthcare.gov.

How can I do that?

A) Open enrollment for Affordable Healthcare coverage ends February 15. During this time you can enroll in a new plan or change current plans using the Affordable Care Act’s Marketplace.

To continue health coverage in 2015, simply renew the current health plan, or choose a new plan through the Marketplace.

Once the open enrollment deadline passes, the only way to get coverage for 2015 is to qualify for a “Special Enrollment Period” due to a qualifying life event as specified

by HealthCare.gov.

Find out more about HealthCare.gov’s open

Social Security Q and A enrollment period at www.healthcare.gov. * * * Q) I’m creating my budget for 2015. How much will my benefit increase at the beginning of the year?

A) The monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits for nearly 64 million Americans will increase by 1.7 percent in 2015.

This annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is tied to the Consumer Price Index as determined by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Sr. Citizen Lunch Menu Week of January 19-23 Monday: Chicken and rice, savory carrots, broccoli, whole wheat roll, plums Tuesday: Roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, three bean salad, whole wheat roll, strawberries and bananas.

Wednesday: Creamy noodles and ham, green beans, marinated tomato, whole wheat bread, ranger cookies.

Thursday: Mexican chicken, winter mix vegetables, tossed salad, applesauce.

Friday: Baked fish fillet, corn, oriental vegetables, whole wheat bread, citrus fruit cup. meals are $3.25 • call 872-3501

The Scott County Record • Page 13 • Thursday, January 15, 2015

Health insurance info required on tax returns

In preparation for the 2015 tax filing season, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Treasury Department are putting in place resources to provide tax filers with the information and resources they need to get their questions answered.

Millions of Americans who get their health insurance through work

are benefitting from the Affordable Care Act, and millions of others have signed up for the Health Insurance Marketplaces and received financial assistance to lower their monthly premiums.

Starting this year, consumers will see some changes to their tax returns. While the vast majority of tax filers over three quarters - will just need to check a box

on their tax return indicating they had health coverage in 2014, people who have coverage through the Marketplaces, or decided not to enroll in coverage, should be aware of some additional steps that will be a part of the tax filing process starting this year.

In the coming weeks, the Administration will launch additional resources to help consumers pre-

pare for tax filing season, including online tools to help individuals determine if they are eligible for an exemption.

For the vast majority of Americans, tax filing under the Affordable Care Act will be as simple as checking a box to show they had health coverage all year.

A fraction of taxpayers will take different steps, like claiming an

exemption if they could not afford insurance or ensuring they received the correct amount of financial assistance. A smaller fraction of taxpayers will pay a fee if they made a choice to not obtain coverage they could afford.

While including health insurance information will become a routine step in filing taxes, this is the first time families will

be asked to answer basic questions regarding their health insurance on their tax returns.

Those with Marketplace coverage will receive a new form in the mail from the Marketplace - Form 1095-A - that they will use to reconcile their upfront financial assistance.

General resources can be found at www.IRS. gov/ACA or https://www. healthcare.gov/taxes/.

Attend the Church of Your Choice

Sanctity of Human Life This Sunday (January 18) is recognized by many churches and their denominations, as the Sanctity of Human Life Sunday.

This is a Sunday where the issue of life, more specifically abortion, is discussed and hopefully brought to the forefront of our minds, if only for a day. In many cases abortion is the “elephant in the room” that no one wants to talk about. My guess is that this issue has reached and impacted every community in our nation; yes even ours in Western Kansas.

It is a hot topic during election cycles and has divided the closest of families and friends. My feeling is that creating and nurturing a culture of life is key to ending the infanticide in our nation.

I believe in democratic process and electing politicians that agree with my ideologies but I think a better way is to be a change agent in the culture in which I live. Consider this passage from Deuteronomy 30:15-20.

Today I offer you life and prosperity or death and destruction. This is what I’m commanding you today: Love the Lord your God, follow His directions, and obey His commands, laws, and rules. Then you will live, your population will increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you’re about to enter and take possession of.

But your hearts might turn away, and you might not listen. You might be tempted to bow down to other gods and worship them. If you do, I tell you today that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live for a long time in the land that you’re going to take possession of when you cross the Jordan River. I call on heaven and earth as witnesses today that I have offered you life or death, blessings or curses.

Choose life so that you and your descendants will live. Love the Lord your God, obey Him, and be loyal to Him. This will be your way of life, and it will mean a long life for you in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

God is describing for Israel what a “culture of life” will be like for them; the blessing for choosing life, the curse for choosing death. My challenge to each of us is to be a part of the culture of life and blessing.

Intercessions for Life •For all unborn children, that our love for them may keep them safe until the joyous day of their birth; We pray to the Lord •For the children of our country, especially those who are forgotten or neglected, that their presence might remind us of the infinite value of human life; We pray to the Lord •For new parents, That they may rejoice in the splendor and beauty of God’s creation of new life, We pray to the Lord •For our legislators, that they may preserve the right of each of us to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; We pray to the Lord •For a growing love of the weak and the vulnerable, that in the model of Christ Jesus, our Lord, we might work to sustain and protect the lives of all who are in need; We pray to the Lord In Christ Alone, Pastor Scott Wagner First Christian Church, Scott City

Scott City Assembly of God

Prairie View Church of the Brethren

1615 South Main - Scott City - 872-2200 Ed Sanderson, Senior Pastor 9:00 a.m. - Pre-Service Prayer 10:00 a.m. - Sunday Worship Service and Children’s Church Wednesday: 7:00 p.m. - Bible Study and Prayer

4855 Finney-Scott Rd. - Scott City - 276-6481 Pastor Jon Tuttle Sunday School: 10:00 a.m.

Morning Worship: 11:00 a.m.

Men’s Fellowship • Tuesday breakfast at 6:30 a.m.

Held at Precision Ag Bldg. west of Shallow Water Wednesday Bible Study, 7:00 p.m., at the church

St. Joseph Catholic Church

Holy Cross Lutheran Church

A Catholic Christian Community 1002 S. Main Street - Scott City Fr. Bernard Felix, pastor • 872-7388 Secretary • 872-3644 Masses: 1st Sunday of month - 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.

Other weekends: Sat., 6:00 p.m.; Sun., 11:00 a.m.

Spanish Mass - 2nd and 4th Sundays, 1:30 p.m.

1102 Court • Box 283 • Scott City 620-872-2294 • 620-872-3796 Pastor Warren Prochnow holycross-scott@sbcglobal.net Sunday School/Bible Class, 9:00 a.m.

Worship every Sunday, 10:15 a.m.

Wed.: Mid-Week School, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Pence Community Church

Community Christian Church

8911 W. Road 270 10 miles north on US83; 2 miles north on K95; 9 miles west on Rd. 270 Don Williams, pastor • 874-2031 Wednesdays: supper (6:30 p.m.) • Kid’s Group and Adult Bible Study (7:00 p.m.) • Youth Group (8:00 p.m.)

Sunday School: 9:30 • Morning Worship: 10:30 a.m.

12th & Jackson • Scott City • 872-3219 Shelby Crawford, pastor Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship, 10:45 a.m.

Wednesday Night Bible Study, 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday: God’s High School Cru, 7:30 p.m.

First Baptist Church

Immanuel Southern Baptist Church

803 College - Scott City - 872-2339

1398 S. US83 - Scott City - 872-2264

Kyle Evans, Senior Pastor Bob Artz, Associate Pastor

Robert Nuckolls, pastor - 872-5041

Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.

Sunday School: 9:45 a.m. • Worship: 11:00 a.m.

Sunday morning worship: 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

Wednesday Bible Study, 7:00 p.m.

Gospel Fellowship Church

1st United Methodist Church

Morning Worship: 10:30 a.m.

5th Street and College - Scott City - 872-2401 Dennis Carter, pastor 1st Sunday: Communion and Fellowship Sunday Services at 9:00 a.m. • Sunday School, 10:30 a.m.

All Other Sundays • Worship: 8:30 and 10:45 a.m.

Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. • MYF (youth groups) on Wednesdays Jr. High: 6:30 p.m. • Sr. High: 7:00 p.m.

First Christian Church

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

701 Main - Scott City - 872-2937 Scotty Wagner, pastor Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; Worship, 10:45 a.m.

Wednesday is Family Night Meal: 5:45 p.m. • Study: 6:15 p.m.

Website: www.fccscottcity.org

Elizabeth/Epperson Drives • Scott City • 872-3666 Father Don Martin Holy Eucharist - 11:45 a.m.

St. Luke’s - 872-5734 (recorded message) Senior Warden Bill Lewis • 872-3347 or Father Don Martin - (785) 462-3041

Scott Mennonite Church

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

12021 N. Eagle Rd. • Scott City

9th and Crescent - Scott City - 872-2334 Bishop Irvin Yeager • 620-397-2732 Sacrament, 9:30 a.m.

Sunday School, 10:50 a.m.

Relief Society and Priesthood, 11:20 a.m.

YMYW Wednesday, 8:00 p.m.

120 S. Lovers Lane - Shallow Water Larry Taylor, pastor Sunday School: 9:30 a.m.

Franklin Koehn: 872-2048 Charles Nightengale: 872-3056 Sunday School Worship Service: 10:00 a.m.

Sunday Evening Service: 7:00 p.m.

Moving? Contact The Scott County Record to update your address, so you don’t miss your paper.

P.O. Box 377, Scott City, Ks. 67871 • 620-872-2090 • www.scottcountyrecord.com

For the Record Brownback tax code changes to cost state $5B The Scott County Record

Tax cuts passed by the Legislature during Gov. Sam Brownback’s first term will cost the state about $5 billion over seven years, according to a memo from the Kansas Legislative Research Department.

That number is not new, but it’s a reminder of the cost of cutting taxes as lawmakers prepare to face a $648 million deficit for next year.

The memo, which was reviewed by the House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, shows the combined impact of a 2012 bill that

The Scott County Record Page 14 • Thursday, January 15, 2015

reduced income tax rates and eliminated them for certain businesses and a 2013 bill that included some measures to partially offset the tax cuts.

The cumulative impact is a $4.99 billion loss for fiscal year 2013 through fiscal year 2019.

During that period, the state will take in $6.8 billion less in income tax revenue than it would have had it not passed the tax cuts. Changes to the severance tax included in the 2012 bill amount to an additional $433 million, and the sales tax bill Brownback signed the following year generates

Scott City Council Agenda Mon., January 19 • 7:30 p.m.

City Hall • 221 W. 5th •Call to Order •Approve minutes of Jan. 5 regular meeting •Mayor’s appointments to Planning Commission •Open agenda: audience is invited to voice ideas or concerns. A time limit may be requested Pool Department 1) Recommendation for pool manager 2) Set manager’s monthly and hourly wages Police Department 1) Request to attend Hostage Negotiation Training in Hutchinson Parks Department 1) Misc. business Public Works Department 1) Open pickup bids 2) Request to participate in Kansas Water Authority regional goal setting/advisory team Clerk’s Department 1) Municipal software/hardware installation and annual fees contract •Financial and investment reports •Mayor’s comments

Scott County Commission Agenda Tuesday, January 20 County Courthouse 3:00 p.m.

County business Approve minutes, accounts payable Appoint Park Lane Nursing Home board member Approve memberships in SW Kansas Area Agency on Aging and Scott City Chamber of Commerce Discuss Kone Elevator Update on landfill

3:30 p.m.

Karen Sattler health department update

4:30 p.m.

Larry Sharp K-Camp insurance renewal update

5:00 p.m.

Public Works Director Richard Cramer

Agenda may change before the meeting. Contact County Clerk Alice Brokofsky for an updated agenda (872-2420) or visit www.scott.kansasgov.com

Public Notice (First published in The Scott County Record, Thurs., Jan. 1, 2015; last published Thurs., Jan. 15, 2015)3t IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF SCOTT COUNTY, KANSAS IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF HOWARD L. SPITZER, deceased Case No. 2014-PR-18 NOTICE OF HEARING THE STATE OF KANSAS TO ALL PERSONS CONCERNED: You are hereby notified that a Petition has been filed in this Court by Dorothy L. Spitzer, duly appointed, qualified and acting executor of the Estate of Howard L. Spitzer, deceased, praying that her acts be approved; that the Will be construed and the Estate be assigned to the persons entitled thereto; that fees and expenses be allowed; that the costs

be determined and ordered paid; that the administration of the Estate be closed; that the Executor be discharged and that she be released from further liability.

You are required to file your written defenses thereto on or before the 26th day of January, 2015, at 10:00 o’clock a.m., of said day, in said Court, in the City of Scott City, in Scott County, Kansas, at which time and place said cause will be heard. Should you fail therein, judgment and decree will be entered in due course upon the Petition.

Dorothy L. Spitzer WALLACE, BRANTLEY & SHIRLEY 325 Main - P. O. Box 605 Scott City, Kansas 67871 (620) 872-2161 Attorneys for Petitioner

an additional $1.37 billion, not enough to offset the impact of the tax cuts.

“It was anticipated all along,” Mark Tallman, associate executive director of the Kansas Association of School Boards, said when asked his thoughts on the numbers. “All the projections showed there would be a substantial reduction in revenue. I mean, that was the point.”

Still, many lawmakers have been caught by surprise by the projected shortfall for next year’s budget. They also must pass a bill to approve the governor’s initial fixes for

the current year’s budget hole of $280 million.

Additional income tax reductions that went into effect Jan. 1 stand to cost the state $153 million this year.

Republican lawmakers say they don’t want to repeal the tax cuts, but they may tinker with the tax code.

“We will look at all options,” said Rep. Ron Ryckman Jr. (R-Olathe), the appropriations chairman.

Lawmakers are also scrutinizing the cost of K-12 education. At the same meeting, Rep. Jerry Lunn (R-Overland Park)

Public Notice (First published in The Scott County Record Thurs., Jan. 15, 2015; last published Thurs., Jan. 22, 2015)2t NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SCOTT COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT To all qualified electors residing within the boundaries of the Scott County Conservation District, notice is hereby given that pursuant to K.S.A. 2-1907, as amended, on the 7th day of February, 2015, at 6:00 p.m., an annual meeting of the Scott County Conservation District will be held at the Wm. Carpenter 4-H Building, Scott City, Ks. The meeting agenda will include the following business items: One: The supervisors of the Scott County Conservation District shall make full and due report of their activities and financial affairs since the last annual meeting.

Two: The supervisors shall conduct an election by secret ballot of qualified electors, there present, of one supervisor to serve for a term of three years from date of said meeting.

The terms of Aaron Beaton and Bill Winderlin are expiring.

All in the County of Scott in the State of Kansas.

Aaron Beaton, chairperson Scott County Conservation District Attest Monica Beeson, district manager

noted that the state’s current school finance formula allocates aid as though the state has more students than it actually does.

The state has about 459,700 public school students, but the school finance formula allots aid as though there were more than 680,000, according to the Legislative Research Department.

That’s because weightings, which address districts’ needs based on transportation costs or number of low-income students, inflate the number used to calculate state aid.

Several Brownback administration officials have said in recent weeks that current education spending levels are unsustainable.

Tallman disagrees. He said that Kansas’ spending on education has declined in recent years in proportion to total personal income.

“As a part of our economy, what we’re spending on education has been declining. Not increasing.

So what we’re spending on education is only unsustainable if our revenues continue to shrink,” Tallman said.

Scott Co. LEC Report Scott City Police Department Jan. 12: Amanda Tucker, 36, was arrested for possession of a depressant and possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to use. She was transported to the LEC. Jan. 12: Kenneth Crow, 29, was arrested for possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia. He was transported to the LEC. Scott County Sheriff’s Department Jan. 10: Bradley Johnson, 23, was northbound on Road 80 when he lost control of his vehicle into the north ditch and came to a stop in a field.

Sports Griffith’s return is golden Scoring drought

Lady Beavers searching for offense after losses to Eagles, Horns • Page 17

The Scott County Record

www.scottcountyrecord.com

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Page 15

4 Beavers in Norton finals

SCHS 170-pound junior Abe Wiebe collects near-fall points in an 11-2 win over Cimarron’s Derek Bogner at the Norton tournament last Saturday.

(Record Photo)

Having been away from wrestling action for more than a year due to shoulder and knee injuries, there was a lot of curiosity surrounding Cooper Griffith’s return to action last weekend in Norton.

Not only had the Scott Community High School junior missed his entire sophomore season, but he hadn’t even been cleared to practice with his teammates until Tuesday - which meant just four practice days ahead of his first tournament.

“There was some rust, which is to be expected for the first tournament of the year,” said Griffith.

There wasn’t enough rust to keep Griffith from knocking off the tournament’s top three seeds on his way to a gold medal in the 195-pound division.

“I wouldn’t say I’m surprised,” Griffith says. “After being away from the wrestling for so long, it’s a great feeling to come into a tough tournament like this and get some wins.”

After pinning Norton’s Jordan Dole (5:45) in the opening round, Griffith slipped by third-seeded Chris Cox (Oakley), 5-0, in the quarter-finals to set up a tough semifinal match against Zeke Herrera (Garden City), ranked No. 1 in Class 6A. (See GRIFFITH on page 20)

Area high school teams in tourney action next week

Mid-season basketball tournament action will get underway for high school teams in the area on Monday.

Scott Community High School will return to the Orange and Black Classic in Colby with first round play starting on Thursday. The SCHS boys (6-1) will face Pine Creek (5-6) at 3:00 p.m. at Colby High School.

The Eagles are led in scoring by a pair of sophomores. Jeremiah Pruitt (6-0, G/SF) is averaging 13 points per game while guard Quentin Gutierrez is averaging 13.8 points. Both are effective from the perimeter where Pruitt is 20-of-45 from three-point range while Gutierrez is 29-of-62. Contributing to Pine Creek’s long-range offense are senior point guard Jared Savage (8.4 ppg, 10-of-39 3-pt. FG) and senior forward Logan Thomas (5.8 ppg, 10-of-25 3-pt. FG).

Controlling the paint is junior forward Kale Eaton (6-5, 3.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg).

Pine Creek is averaging 55.8 points per game.

On top half of the bracket with SCHS are McCook (3-8) and Kansas City Schlagel (3-3).

(See TOURNEYS on page 22)

SCHS boys crush Colby in GWAC Dominating play at both ends of the floor, the Scott City boys had no trouble crushing Colby, 83-27, on the home floor last Friday in Great West Activities Conference play.

The game was over almost as soon as it started with the Beavers (6-0) pouncing on Colby for a 24-6 first quarter lead and stretching that margin to 50-13 by halftime.

Senior guard Brett Meyer (7-of-11 FG) led four Beavers in double figures with 17 points, including 3-of-4 from beyond the three-point line. He also had five assists and three steals.

Senior guard Trey O’Neil added 15 points and a team high eight assists and seven steals.

Also in double figures was senior guard Chantz Yager who was 3-of-5 from beyond the arc for 10 points, along with sophomore Bo Hess who added 10 points on 5-of-6 from the field.

SCHS shot 57 percent from the field (33-of-58) and pulled down 34 rebounds.

SCHS senior Chantz Yager knocks the ball away from Holcomb’s Trey Sleep as both players try to gain possession during second half action at Holcomb on Tuesday.

(Record Photo)

Beavers have no answer for Horns’ domination on boards

Tuesday’s league contest between Scott City and Holcomb was everything you’d expect in a battle between two of the state’s basketball heavyweights.

Even though SCHS faced a huge size disadvantage against the No. 1 ranked team in Scott City 53 Holcomb 61 Class 4A-Division II, the Beavers kept battling back from deficits and were able to take a 50-48 lead with less than three minutes remaining.

The Longhorns, playing on their home floor, held a 13-3 scoring edge down the stretch - nine of those coming at the charity stripe - to hand the Beavers (6-1) their first loss of the season, 61-53.

Holcomb’s size allowed them to hold a 35-18 rebounding edge and all but shutout SCHS under the offensive boards where they had very few

second-chance scoring opportunities.

Scott City had just four offensive rebounds.

As a result, the Beavers found themselves battling from behind for most of the game.

Even with four three-pointers in the first half, Scott City still needed a steal and layup by senior guard Trey O’Neil in the final minute to pull even, 26-26, at the intermission.

“We let their big boys establish position too close to the basket, especially in the first half,” says assistant coach Brian Gentry. “When they did miss a shot they were right there for the easy putback. It seemed that in the first half they were able to keep shooting until they made it.”

long range in the second half with four treys in the third period.

Just 12 seconds into the second half they hit their first three-pointer of the game and that set the tone for the remainder of the quarter.

Scott City quickly answered with a basket by senior guard Brett Meyer, who finished with nine points, and the second trey of the night from junior guard Dylan Hutchins that put SCHS back on top, 31-29, with 6:11 on the clock.

That would be Scott City’s final basket from outside the paint.

Holcomb’s Calen Rupp hit a threepointer late in the period that gave Holcomb its largest lead to that point, 43-36.

Turn the Tables The Longhorns, who didn’t have a basket beyond six feet from the rim in the first half, finally began hitting from

Final Comeback O’Neil, who finished with a game high 22 points, scored nine of those (See BOARDS on page 22)

The Scott County Record • Page 16 • Thursday, January 15, 2015

Outdoors in Kansas by Steve Gilliland

Squirrels: sentinels of the woods

Squirrels - even though they totally trash the front yard with acorn shells from my oak trees, and even drag big acorns in from a couple blocks away - well, you still gotta’ love ‘em.

They hang upside down from the trunk of the tree, chase each other around through the branches and drive the dogs absolutely bonkers with their taunting.

Last Saturday morning, I sat overlooking a big soybean stubble field in a last ditch effort to put venison in the freezer.

The end of the pasture directly behind me was home to numerous hedge apple trees.

Hedge apples are a staple for squirrels during winter, and the ground beneath each tree was littered with piles of freshly chewed hedge apple flesh.

The morning was as calm as Kansas mornings ever get. I don’t like deer hunting when it’s so calm.

A good breeze moves the tall grass and tree limbs around slightly, making a little noise in the process and allowing sometimes bumbling hunters like myself to get away with a little more noise and movement.

The resident squirrels must have suddenly noticed my presence and I soon became the object of their scolding. Squirrels use a barking/ chattering sound to scold intruders and once you know that sound you will never forget it.

They start with sort of a barking sound followed by several quieter almost clucking sounds, during which their bushy tails twitch and jerk with each note, and then the whole ballad repeats itself over and over again.

(See SQUIRRELS on page 21)

Cramer pours in 21 against T-Hawks Sara Cramer may have found a new home on the court.

The Dighton High School sophomore poured in a career high 21 points in leading the Lady Hornets to a 49-38 win at Wheatland-Grinnell on Tuesday night.

Normally playing the point, Cramer was moved to shooting guard when

Kiara Budd ran into foul trouble.

“I keep emphasizing to the girls they have to look to score and not just pass,” says head coach Amy Felker. “Sara really took that to heart. She was attacking the basket in addition to a couple of steals that led to easy scores.”

The Lady Hornets needed a big offen-

sive game from Cramer against a strong Thunderhawks squad. After building a 24-18 halftime lead, the DHS lead dwindled to a single basket, 33-31, entering the final period.

“With Sara on the wing it allowed her to attack the baseline and create scoring opportunities,” Felker says.

Cramer still had re-

sponsibility for bringing the ball up the floor against Wheatland-Grinnell’s pressure, but once they were in the halfcourt it was senior guards Regan Foos and Madison O’Brien running the show.

Cramer also contributed a team high six steals, five rebounds and three assists.

Sophomore center Jor-

dan Speer was also in double figures with 16 points, hitting 6-of-11 from the field, to go along with eight rebounds.

“Jordan did a nice job of posting up and going to the basket,” Felker says.

“And the girls were getting her the ball.

Budd, Foos and Dakota Hoffman each added four points.

Schumacher scores 31 as WCHS tops Trojans It was a tale of two halves for the Wichita County High School boys in their Hi-Plains League win over Stanton County last Friday.

After giving up 34 points in the first half, the Indians brought the defensive pressure down on the Trojans in the second half, allowing just 18 more points in a 60-51 win.

“This was our best game of the year, by far,” says head coach Haydon Parks after his team erased a 33-25 halftime deficit. “The second half was about as good as we can possibly play. We played tough defense and were patient on offense. We worked for good shots and we hit them.”

Enjoying a huge offensive night was junior Jacob Schumacher who scored a career high 31 points on 11-of18 from the field.

“Jacob was aggressive on offense, but he also took advantage of some steals and easy baskets from our press,” says Parks. Schumacher had a team high six steals to go along with five rebounds and three assists.

WCHS had erased the entire halftime deficit with a 17-7 scoring run in the third period to take a 42-40 lead.

Senior guard Treven Burch, who was 3-of-9 from beyond the three-point line, finished with nine points and five assists while Matt Huber, who was 4-of-5 from the field, contributed eight and four rebounds.

Fall to Hoxie After a solid first half offensive performance, WCHS (3-4) was limited to just nine second half points in a 4839 loss to Hoxie on Tuesday night.

“In the first half, both teams had their offenses going,” says Parks after team entered the intermission trailing, 32-30. “Our offense was flat in the second half and I’m not sure why.

(See LEOTI on page 19)

SCHS sophomore guard Justin Faurot drives the baseline during Tuesday’s game at Holcomb.

(Record Photo)

Short-handed Beavers struggle to find offense against Longhorns Scott City’s junior varsity dug itself into an early 10 point hole and couldn’t climb out of it in a 60-47 loss at Holcomb on Tuesday.

The short-handed Beavers fell behind 18-8 and didn’t have enough offensive firepower to make a run at the Longhorns.

An ankle injury to guard Drake McRae kept him out of the lineup and sophomore forward Kyle Cure was only available for two quarters of play.

“We missed Drake’s offense and his size,” says coach Brian Gentry. “And we didn’t shoot well.”

Sophomore Drew Duff, who

finished with 10 points, was the only bright spot early in the game when he knocked down a pair of treys in the first quarter.

Trailing 26-13 at the half, SCHS finally found some offense with 34 second half points which also matched Holcomb’s second half production.

“We moved the ball well, but we didn’t have the size or the scorers to match up with Holcomb,” Gentry says. “We got some good looks at the basket, but we still have to quit settling for so many outside jump shots.”

Sophomore guard Justin Faurot led the team with 15 points - 13 in the second half - while Cure added eight.

Roll Over Eagles With three players in double figures, the Beavers had no trouble rolling to a 50-23 win over Colby on the home field last Friday.

Sophomore guard Matt Jenkins knocked down three first quarter field goals as SCHS jumped out to a 13-2 lead. It was Duff who caught fire in the second period with nine of his 10 points, including a trey, and McRae added three field goals as Scott City built a 33-7 halftime lead.

Jenkins, Duff and McRae each finished with 10 points.

Faurot added nine points, including a trey.

The Scott County Record • Page 17 • Thursday, January 15, 2015

SC Classic to feature several ranked matmen

SCHS junior Madison Orr (right) and Holcomb’s Taylor Sleep try to gain control over a loose ball during Tuesday’s league action at Holcomb.

(Record Photo)

Lack of offense means lost opportunity, game at Holcomb With Holcomb’s leading scorer on the sideline, Scott City head coach Shelby Crawford knew that if his girls were to beat Holcomb, this was probably their best opportunity.

However, on a night in which both teams struggled offensive- Scott City 29 Holcomb 47 ly, it was the Lady Beavers who struggled more in a 47-29 road loss on Tuesday.

“This was a missed opportunity,” says Crawford. “A little offense would have sure helped.”

Despite scoring just nine first half points, the Lady Beavers trailed by just eight, 17-9, at the break. They pulled to within six points, 29-23, following a free throw by Paige Winderlin with 6:49 remaining in the game.

However, three consecutive turnovers by Scott City allowed

Holcomb to extend its lead to 34-23. SCHS added just two more field goals during the final six minutes.

“We cannot figure out a zone defense at all,” says Crawford.

“We need someone who will get in the middle of it and kick out or make the right read. I was hoping that Bailey (Latta) could be that girl, but she keeps her head down too much to see what’s happening around her or to kick the ball back out. I love attacking the middle of the zone, but we don’t do it.”

Early in the game, SCHS didn’t even have an opportunity to get into their offense because of full-court pressure that resulted in several turnovers.

Holcomb jumped out to an 8-0 lead before Scott City was able to get things under control.

While the Lady Beavers were able to cut the lead to five, 12-7, that eight point lead held up for the remainder of the half.

SCHS trailed by 15 points, 29-14, before Kiana Yager sparked a 9-0 scoring run with a three-point basket. A basket by freshman Jordan Miller made it a 29-19 score at the end of the third period.

Nancy Wiebe followed with a pair of free throws while Latta and Paige Winderlin connected on one of two free throw attempts that cut the deficit to 29-23.

Yager led the team in scoring with nine points, followed by Mariah Campbell and Wiebe with six and five points, respectively.

Better ball movement, says Crawford, is needed for the Lady Beavers to execute their offense.

“We get lazy on the perimeter. We’re not cutting or making the right moves,” he says. “In the first half we did a better job of moving the ball and getting it to the right person, but there

were to many times we’d hold it at the top (of the key). We don’t want the ball at the top of the key. Not much happens there for us.

“I tell the girls they should see if they have a shot or if they’re going to drive, but that should take only a half second.

After that, you have to move it because the defense has to move in a zone. The times we moved it and skipped over their heads we had driving lanes,” he says.

He was pleased with rebounding at both ends of the floor, particularly by Winderlin.

And the effort was much better than in a loss to Colby the previous Friday.

“Had we put out this kind of effort against Colby we might have come away with a win,” Crawford says. That’s something we can control. If we play with effort there are winnable games on our schedule.”

Colby’s full-court press and had seven at the end of the first quarter while shooting 0-of-7 from the field.

If that wasn’t enough for SCHS to overcome, the Lady Eagles were torrid from longrange, hitting four consecutive three-point baskets during a 45 second stretch in the first quarter which contributed to a 19-0 lead at the first break.

“The biggest disappoint-

ment was our effort,” says head coach Shelby Crawford. “I didn’t see any intensity from the girls. If we’d have played anything close to what I’ve seen from these girls in our other games we could have stayed with Colby.”

In fact, Scott City did just that in the second quarter when each team scored seven points.

All of the SCHS scoring came from the charity stripe.

4 advance in free throw contest

The annual Knights of Columbus free throw contest was held on Jan. 11 at the Scott Community High School gym.

First place winners in each age division were: 9-years-old: Brady Welker.

10-years-old: Hannah Tucker.

12-years-old: Harrison King.

14-years-old: Shea Morris.

The district championship will be held at the Dighton High It wasn’t until 5:40 left in School gym on February 8. the third quarter that Scott City finally scored its first field goal on a backdoor cut by Mariah Campbell. They limited Colby to just one third quarter field goal, but still trailed at the end of the period, 36-12.

Freshman guard Bailey Latta led the Lady Beavers with 10 points while Campbell added four.

Pressure takes toll against Colby When you have more turnovers than points you know it’s been a long night.

It was that kind of game for the Scott Community High School girls in a 48-23 Great West Activities Association loss to Colby on the home floor last Friday.

The Lady Beavers committed turnovers on each of their first four possessions against

There will be several stateranked grapplers on hand this Saturday during the Scott City Classic, but wrestling fans may want to pay particular attention to one weight class.

The 138-pound division could be brutal with at least four state-ranked wrestlers and the possibility of a fifth.

Leading the list of wrestlers is Tribune’s Caleb Austin (No. 2) who was champion at the Norton tournament last weekend. He needed overtime to get past Scott City senior James Jurgens, 5-2, in the tournament semi-finals.

Jurgens is ranked No. 4 in state as a 132-pounder, but is competing in the higher weight division.

Also competing for top honors in the division are Dalton Hensley (soph., Ellis), who is ranked No. 4 in Class 3-2-1A, along with Marco Perez (Ulysses), ranked No. 4 in Class 4A. There is also the possibility that sophomore Tristan Porsch (Hoxie), unbeaten and a defending state champion, will step up from the 132-pound class where he’s ranked No. 1 in state.

“If all those boys come together at 138 it’s going to be a fun weight class to watch,” says SCHS head coach Jon Lippelmann.

SCHS has two ranked grapplers in the tournament field with Zach Tucker (106, No. 4) and Lane Hayes (285, No. 6).

Other ranked matmen include: 220: A.J. Cooper (Cimarron, No. 1 in 3-2-1A); Diego Maravilla (Ulysses, No. 2, Class 4A).

285: Austin Ochoa (Ulysses, No. 6, Class 4A).

The tournament field includes: Cimarron, Ellis, HaysTMP, Holcomb, Holly (Colo.), Hoxie, Lakin, Leoti, Liberal, St. Francis, Scott City, Sublette, Tribune and Ulysses.

Action will begin at 10:00 a.m.

The Scott County Record • Page 18 • Thursday, January 15, 2015

Patience is rewarded with KU’s Traylor Jamari Traylor (6-8, 225) didn’t play organized basketball until his junior year in high school. After a redshirt year, he’s a junior in his fourth year as an active member of KU’s team.

Traylor by isn’t your Mac normal young Stevenson man from a high school in Chicago.

Without going into painful detail, he went through some rough times as a teenager. Traylor’s father was in prison and he and his mother had their differences.

KU coach Bill Self recognized Traylor’s athletic ability early in the recruiting process. And he also knew that patience would be required before Traylor began to realize his natural ability.

Early on, Self said, “I love his motor, he makes our program better. He catches onto things really quickly. Jamari’s upside is very, very high.”

Even Self might not have recognized just how high that upside was. In his last few games, Traylor has progressed to where he might become something extra special.

KU has made significant progress during the semester break, which is normal with Coach Self’s teams.

Freshman center Cliff Alexander (6-8, 245) is similar in size to KU grad Thomas Robinson, but Alexander is bigger and a better athlete.

Alexander is playing at a higher level as a freshman than Robinson did; if he keeps improving, Kansas will be a match in the pivot against Big 12 opponents.

Perry Ellis has been KU’s only major disappointment.

Ellis’ situation is difficult to figure out; he’s been inconsistent.

Ellis will play one superb game and then have two or three substandard outings.

For whatever reason, the junior has regressed.

Guard Devonte Graham played well against Texas Tech and showed no signs that his injured toe was bothering him. If Graham can play the rest of the season without injury problems, it will give the Jayhawks a huge boost.

(See TRAYLOR on page 21)

SC matmen are still trying to earn respect Rodney Dangerfield made a living as the comedian who could get no respect.

He would love the Scott Community High School wrestling team. Three Beavers defeated state-ranked opponents in Class 6A during the Norton tournament last weekend, but only two of them show up in the latest rankings in Class 3-2-1A. Absent from the rankings are Wyatt Kropp (160) who defeated Jesse Nunez (Garden City), who is still ranked No. 3 in Class 6A following the loss. The same is true for Cooper Griffith (195) who decisioned Garden City’s Zeke Herrera (ranked No. 2).

Lane Hayes (285) who was a 1-0 winner over Garden City’s Aaron Lozano (still ranked No. 3), barely climbed into the rankings at the No. 6 position.

The only other Beavers who find themselves in the rankings are Zach Tucker (103) who showed up in the No. 4 spot after his win over a ranked opponent from Oakley. Senior James Jurgens is ranked No. 4 in the 132-pound division though he’s been wrestling at 138 and intends to stay there.

So what do Scott City’s omissions from the rankings tell us? One of three things: •The competition in Class 3-2-1A is brutal.

•It shows how little respect there is for the Class 6A division.

•Or that, despite some impressive wins over the weekend, those who compiled the rankings are still questioning just how good SCHS really is.

Perhaps it’s a combination of the three.

Lack of respect is part of the fallout to be expected when the Beavers are coming off a season when they sent just two boys to the Class 4A state tournament and only one of them medaled.

Respect has to be earned. Even the warnings of SCHS head coach Jon Lip-

pelmann weren’t enough to get Cooper, a first place finisher at Norton, any respect during the seeding meeting with other coaches. Griffith missed his sophomore season due to surgery and had yet to wrestle this season. And his freshman year wasn’t particularly memorable.

Lippelmann tried to get Griffith seeded, but no one was listening.

“I told them that if they match Coop up with a number-one or a number-two seed in the first round, someone’s going to be in for a big surprise,” Lippelmann said.

It could have happened. After the top five boys were seeded, everyone else was drawn into the bracket randomly.

Griffith knocked off the No. 3 seed in the quarter-finals, the No. 2 seed in the semi-finals and the No. 1 seed in the finals.

Maybe the next time that Lippelmann offers a warning other coaches will listen.

138-Pound Fireworks The Scott City Classic always offers some outstanding wrestling, but the 138-pound division could be particularly entertaining this weekend with the prospect of five state-ranked opponents.

Scott City’s Jurgens is in that mix.

Even as a two-time state finalist and a one-time state champion, Jurgens won’t

be seeded higher than number two and could possibly be bumped into the number three spot.

He’ll be looking to avenge a tough overtime loss at the Norton tournament to Tribune senior Caleb Austin should the two have a chance to meet on Saturday. What remains to be seen is whether Hoxie sophomore Tristan Porsch will jump up a weight class and join an already talented 138-pound field. Porsch was undefeated in winning a state title as a freshman and has yet to lose this season.

“We’re being told that he may move (to 138-pounds) just for the competition,” says Lippelmann.

It may also be a chance for Porsch to get some necessary matches at 138-pounds should he decide to make the jump permanently later this season.

There’s more-than-serious speculation that Porsch is looking to challenge Brandon Ball (Hoisington) a three-time state champion who is currently ranked No. 1 in Class 3-2-1A. “If that does happen, you have to respect that a wrestler is willing to risk an undefeated season and possibly being a four-time state champion so he can wrestle against the best,” says Lippelmann of a possible Porsch-Ball matchup in the state tournament.

Support wildlife with a tax donation More than 4,500 birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, crustaceans and mollusks are considered nongame species, or species that are not trapped, fished, or hunted, in Kansas.

We share our state with hummingbirds and herons, bats and butterflies, turtles and toads, mussels and snakes, and almost everything in between.

Collectively, nongame wildlife makes up more than 99 percent of all species in Kansas.

While habitat management efforts designed for game

KDWP Report species also benefit nongame wildlife, there was a need for programs specific to nongame species, so the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism established the Kansas Nongame Wildlife Improvement Program, also known as the Chickadee Checkoff Program.

The program, which seeks support through tax-deductible donations, provides funding for nongame wildlife research, habitat enhancement and restoration projects, as well as a

variety of educational projects.

Private donations are crucial in funding these vital programs, especially when Chickadee Checkoff proceeds are matched by federal funds.

Contributions have been steadily decreasing in recent years, making it imperative that every Kansan consider donating this tax season.

To make a contribution, taxpayers can simply mark the Chickadee Checkoff box on their state income tax forms (line 36 on Form K-40) and designate the amount they would like to donate.

There is no minimum or incremental requirement, and donations can also be made directly to the Chickadee Checkoff program at any time throughout the year by mailing the donation to Chickadee Checkoff c/o Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) 512 SE 25th Ave, Pratt, KS 67124.

For more information on how you can support Kansas’ nongame wildlife, visit www. ksoutdoors.com and click “Services/Wildlife Diversity/ Chickadee Checkoff.”

The Scott County Record • Page 19 • Thursday, January 15, 2015

2015 Orange and Black Classic

2015 Orange and Black Classic

Boy’s Bracket • January 22-24 • at Colby

Girl’s Bracket • January 22-24 • at Colby

Friday 4:45 p.m.

High School

Scott City (6-1)

KC Schlagel (6-2)

Thursday • 3:00 p.m.

High School

Thursday • 3:00 p.m.

Community Bldg.

Pine Creek (5-6) McCook (3-8) Thursday • 4:45 p.m.

Community Bldg.

Friday 3:00 p.m.

High School

Friday 4:45 p.m.

Community Bldg.

KC Schlagel (3-3) 4th Place

Saturday • 2:00 p.m.

High School

Hays (7-1)

Fountain (5-5) Palmer Ridge (7-1) Thursday • 8:15 p.m.

Community Bldg.

4th Place

Saturday • 2:00 p.m.

Community Bldg.

Saturday • Noon Community Bldg.

Thursday • 4:45 p.m.

High School

Friday 6:30 p.m.

High School

Friday 4:45 p.m.

Community Bldg.

Palmer Ridge (5-3)

Saturday • 6:00 p.m.

Community Bldg. Champion

Thursday • 6:30 p.m.

Community Bldg.

Colby (0-8) 7th Place

Pine Creek (7-4)

Friday 3:00 p.m.

Community Bldg.

Scott City (2-5) Saturday • 8:15 p.m.

Community Bldg. Champion

Thursday • 6:30 p.m.

High School Friday 6:30 p.m.

High School

Ft. Lupton (2-7)

Colby (3-5) McCook (4-8) Thursday • 8:15 p.m.

High School

Friday 6:30 p.m.

Community Bldg.

Fountain (4-7) Saturday • 4:00 Community Bldg.

3rd Place

7th Place

Saturday • Noon High School

Saturday • 4:00 High School

3rd Place

Lessons learned in DHS win over Thunderhawks Dighton High School boy’s head coach Dean Cramer expects his young team to make mistakes.

H e also expects to see his t e a m l e a r n Dighton 51 f r o m Wheat/Gr 44 t h o s e mistakes.

The Hornets (4-4) looked like they accomplished that goal in Tuesday’s 51-44 North-

west Kansas League win at Wheatland-Grinnell.

Dighton’s ability to erase a deficit late in the game and pull away for the win was in contrast to the previous Friday’s overtime loss against Quinter when a late lead slipped away from the Hornets.

“We played smarter and we made better decisions late in the game,” says Cramer. “That’s something we’d emphasized all week after the

loss to Quinter when we made some poor decisions down the stretch.”

Sophomore guard Dylan Foos, who finished with 11 points and three offensive rebounds, pulled down two rebounds of missed Dighton free throws late in the game.

“Those rebounds were huge and they allowed us to pull the ball out and spread the floor,” says Cramer.

Trailing 44-43, the Hornets took the lead to

stay with a pair of free throws by Wyatt Habiger who finished with 13 points. That was followed moments later by an easy layup by Habiger with an assist from Tyler Lingg.

After a missed threepoint attempt by the Thunderhawks, Foos drove to the basket, was fouled, and converted the threepoint play that put DHS on top, 50-44.

This was a nice win for the Hornets who had

been defeated by W/G in the opening round of the Castle Rock Classic in December. DHS was able to get W/G into early foul trouble with T. Lingg being more aggressive to the basket and drawing fouls.

He finished with a game and season high 20 points, including 10-of-10 at the charity stripe.

“When playing against a man defense our spacing hasn’t been very good,” notes Cramer. “There were too many times that

boys were cutting in front of Tyler and that would mess up opportunities to get the ball inside to him.

We did a better job of creating space and better passing lanes.”

Dighton finished the game with 24 rebounds nine each from T. Lingg and Foos.

As a team, the Hornets were 14-of-28 from twopoint range and 3-of-9 from beyond the threepoint arc.

Late rally not enough in OT loss at Quinter

Dighton guard Wyatt Habiger shoots a running jumper in the lane during Northwest Kansas League action at Quinter on Friday.

(Record Photo)

Leoti “They switched to a 2-3 zone, which we handled without any problem against Stanton County. For some reason we couldn’t score against it this time.

“We made some good drives to the basket, but

(continued from page 16)

we didn’t finish them off.

We missed too many layups in traffic.”

The Indians also committed 17 turnovers.

Huber, who was 10-of20 from the field, finished with a team high 24 points and 12 rebounds. Schum-

acher added five points and seven steals.

“Matt was able to battle inside for some putbacks and he forced some turnovers that led to baskets.

He’s played much better since the Christmas break,” says Parks.

After erasing a seven point second half deficit, and taking a two point lead in overtime, the Dighton High School boys were unable to protect that advantage, losing a tough 62-58 thriller at Quinter in Northwest Kansas Liberty League action on Friday.

“We made some mistakes at the end of the game,” says head coach Dean Cramer. “We had some young boys who were more aggressive than they needed to be and forced a couple of shots they didn’t have to.

It’s something we hope to learn from.”

There were seven first half lead changes before Quinter seized the momentum when they put together a 10-0 scoring run that started in the second period and ended with a three-point play early in the second half that put the Bulldogs on top, 3528.

Sophomore guard Lake Lewis, who finished with 13 points, pulled the Hornets back into the game with a pair of three-point baskets that jump-started

an 11-2 third period scoring blitz. Dighton opened up its biggest lead of the game when Tyler Lingg, who finished with a team high 18 points, scored on an assist from Jordan Horn that put the Hornets on top, 42-37.

The momentum continued to swing back and forth with Quinter regaining a 48-44 advantage before another scoring burst by the Hornets tied the game at 50-50 following a basket by T. Lingg with 3:27 left on the clock.

Quinter was able to take advantage of a missed field goal and a turnover

by Dighton to take a 53-50 lead with 41.2 seconds remaining. Eleven seconds later, Lewis answered with his third trey of the night, this time from the corner, that tied the game at 53-53.

A Quinter turnover with 11.8 seconds to play, followed by a pair of missed field goal attempts

by Dighton in the final six seconds sent the game into overtime.

Foos gave the Hornets the early lead when he hit

a jumper in the lane, but Quinter answered with a pair of free throws and a bucket. A three-pointer play by T. Lingg with 1:42 remaining once again put Dighton back on top, 5857, but when he fouled out seven seconds later it dealt a big blow to the DHS offense.

The Bulldogs scored on their next possession and Dighton committed a huge turnover with a five-second call on an inbounds play under their own basket with 26.5 seconds to play. Moments later, Quinter was put on the free throw line where they extended the lead to 61-58.

Wyatt Habiger also finished in double figures with 12 points.

“There were times late in regulation and in overtime when we were out of control,” says Cramer. “If we drive to the basket and the shot isn’t there, we have to know when to pull it back out and run our offense again. We tried to force shots instead and that’s usually not going to end well.”

The Scott County Record • Page 20 • Thursday, January 15, 2015

Perimeter play sets tone at Quinter With the Quinter defense focused on taking away the dual offensive threat of Jordan Speer and Kiara Budd, Dighton High School head coach Amy Felker knew other girls would have to fill the offensive void.

She didn’t have to wait long for those girls to respond.

The Lady Hornets were 4-of-5 from the field to start the game, including baskets from senior guards Regan Foos and Madison O’Brien, as they jumped out to an 8-0 lead on their way to a 37-20 in Northwest Kansas League play last Friday.

“I was real pleased with the way we started the game offensively when (Quinter) jumped into a triangle and two. The girls who weren’t being guarded didn’t hesitate to shoot and they knocked down some early shots,” says Felker.

“We kept finding the open girls. We were attacking them and doing some good things.”

Foos and O’Brien finished with only four and two points, respectively, and didn’t score again after that early burst, but

the quick start and stingy defense were more than enough for DHS. For all intents, the game was over after the Lady Hornets put together a 12-0 scoring run that began early in the second period and ended with Sara Cramer’s steal and layup to start the second half which opened up a 26-4 advantage.

Quinter briefly came to life with 11 unanswered points that included three consecutive treys, cutting the deficit to 26-13 with 3:38 left in the third period. The Lady Bulldogs were unable to get closer than 11 points the remainder of the night.

Speer, a 5-10 sophomore, finished with a team high 11 points, but struggled from the field with 2-of-16 shooting while being double-teamed. However, she was also able to draw fouls and hit 7-of-11 at the charity stripe.

“We did a better job of getting the ball to Jordan late in the first quarter and she was able to get to the free throw line,” says Felker. “In the second half when she got the ball she was going back

to her habit of shooting fadeaways and not attacking. She has to attack the basket, draw fouls and get the (opposing team’s) big girls in foul trouble.”

With Speer drawing extra attention in the low post, junior Dakota Hoffman was able to take advantage of drives to the basket for nine points, including 5-of-8 at the line.

“When teams aren’t guarding her real well, Dakota’s got some quickness. She’s capable of driving to the basket and either getting a field goal or getting to the line,” Felker notes.

Cramer also finished with nine points on 4-of6 from the field, easily the best shooting night of any Lady Hornet.

“Sara does a nice job of creating scoring opportunities for other girls, but when a team is going to defend Kiara like Quinter did, we have to set some good screens and give her better shots,” Felker adds.

Despite the outstanding start to the game, Dighton cooled off considerably and hit just 22 percent from the field (12-of-55).

One of the bright spots were the 38 team re-

Dighton sophomore Jordan Speer shoots over two defenders during action at Quinter last Friday.

(Record Photo)

bounds, including 14 offensive boards. Speer and Hoffman led the way with 12 and nine rebounds, respectively. Even more impressive was Dighton’s ability to keep Quinter off

the boards, allowing just six offensive rebounds, including two in the first half.

“Everybody boxed out well and gave us the chance to get rebounds.

Griffith (continued from page 15)

Griffith grabbed a 3-0 lead in the second period with an escape and takedown, but Herrera cut the lead to 3-2 early in the third period with a reversal. The SCHS junior answered with a reversal and controlled Herrera the remainder of the match.

“That was a big win, to knock off the Garden City boy with the big ranking next to his name. I was figuring that he’d be one of the toughest kids here,” says Griffith. “That’s what you want as a competitor.

You want to test yourself.”

Griffith’s shortest match of the day came in the championship finals when he needed just 1:03 to pin top-seeded Jaret Matson.

“It’s been so long since we’ve seen Coop on the mat that we weren’t sure what to expect,” says head coach Jon Lippelmann.

“I’d say the teams who hadn’t seen him wrestle in more than a year were more surprised than we were.

“Even though he hadn’t been on the mat in more than a year, he was still in the room with us and he was learning. What you don’t get back is the 35 matches that you would have wrestled. That’s tough to overcome, but he’s a good enough athlete to do it.”

3 More in Finals The Beavers also advanced Zach Tucker (106), Wyatt Kropp (160) and Lane Hayes (285) into the finals with each claiming silver medals.

Along with third place finishes by James Jurgens (138) and Abe Wiebe (170) and a fourth place finish by Trey Stewart (182), the Beavers were able to earn a third place team finish with 141 points.

SCHS senior Wyatt Eitel puts Kyler Zweygardt to his back for a second period fall during 220-pound action at the Norton tournament on Saturday.

(Record Photo)

Garden City (224.5) was first in the 17-team field, followed by Norton (201).

SCHS had a strong showing in the semi-finals where, in addition to Griffith, they knocked off three other state-ranked opponents.

Tucker pinned Eastin Slack (Oakley), the number two seed in the tournament and the No. 6 ranked wrestler in Class 3-2-1A. It was a dominating performance by the Scott City junior who had a first period takedown and a second period reversal for a 4-0 lead before ending the match in the third period.

His only loss came in the finals to No. 4 ranked Ryan Johnson (Norton) by a 5-2 decision. Tucker’s first period takedown held up until the third period when Johnson scored with a takedown and near fall.

“Zach had two very good matches against kids who are ranked in state.

He’s showing that he can wrestle at that level,” says

Lippelmann. “Now he needs to create some offense when he’s on bottom.”

Top Ranked Opponents Kropp and Hayes added wins over state-ranked opponents in Class 6A to earn a spot in the finals.

Kropp was the number five seed in the tournament, but picked up his first big win of the day with a 5-1 decision over Juan Anguiano (Ulysses) who had defeated him earlier in the season. That was followed by a 3-1 decision over top-seeded and state-ranked Jesse Nunez (Garden City).

After Nunez took a 1-0 lead in the second period with an escape, Kropp answered with three points in the final period - two by penalties. Twice, Nunez locked hands in an effort to keep Kropp from escaping.

“I’d wrestled with him before and knew it would be a tough match,” Kropp says. “I felt good about being able to get away

on bottom. It probably should have happened quicker than it did, but it all worked out.

“You have to wrestle smart and be aggressive and that will sometimes force a wrestler into making mistakes,” Kropp adds. “You’re trying to force the issue and he’s trying to force the issue.

You don’t want to be the one to slip up and, fortunately, it wasn’t me.”

In the finals, however, it was Kropp who made the slip up in the third period with the match tied 1-1.

Kropp was awarded two points for a takedown that would have given him the lead, but in a split second Shelton McCain (Atwood) was able to hit a switch for a reversal and catch Kropp in a move which put him to his back. In that same instance, the official took away Kropp’s takedown points. The SCHS junior was pinned with just three seconds remaining in the match.

“I don’t know how you take away points once they’ve been awarded,” noted Lippelmann.

He said that had the takedown points remained, even with McCain’s reversal the match would have remained tied.

“When Wyatt realized that he was behind by two instead of the match being tied that forces him into doing things he might not otherwise have done,” Lippelmann says.

Hayes, who was the No. 4 seed, got a big 1-0 win over top-seeded and state-ranked Aaron Lozano (Garden City) in the semi-finals. The only point came from a second period escape.

In the finals, he dropped a 2-0 decision to number-two seeded Dalton Goodenberger (McCook).

“Getting to the finals should send a message that Lane’s a better than average heavyweight,” says Lippelmann. “He’s starting to pick up some quality wins.”

We did a real nice job of getting good position under the offensive boards,” Felker noted. “It’s something we’d talked about a lot over the break and the girls were working hard.”

The Scott County Record • Page 21 • Thursday, January 15, 2015

Takedown Kids Wrestling Kansas Young Guns Shootout Jan. 10, 2015 6-Years and under 43B: Kasey Rohrbough dec. Luke Seiler (Brawlers) 1310; pinned by Daysun Warford (Winfield) 0:53; dec. by Kirbey Rohrbough (Scott City) 10-6; maj. dec. by Broderick Beard (Maize) 16-3. Fourth place 43B: Kirbey Rohrbough pinned by Daysun Warford (Winfield) 1:39; maj. dec. by Broderick Beard (Maize) 9-0; dec.

Kasey Rohrbough (Scott City) 10-6; maj. dec. Luke Seiler (Brawlers) 15-6. Third place 46A: Trenton Frank dec. by Triston Tomlinson (Great Bend) 5-4; pinned Brayden Breese (Augusta) 1:28; pinned Boston Graber (Ark City) 1:00; dec. Christopher Evans (Hutchinson) 6-4. Second place 52A: Matthew Wheeler maj. dec. Samuel Harp (Brawlers) 8-0; dec. by Aaron Wyrick (Parsons) 3-1; dec. by Dane Renick (Dodge City) 5-2.

55A: Brodey Rohrbough pinned by Maximus Miller (Garden Plain) 0:43; pinned by Gauge Lopez (Eureka) 2:16.

8-Years-Old 73: Houston Frank dec. Isaiah Wilson (Brawlers) 7-0; tie breaker by Quinton Harding (Parsons) TB-1 4-3; dec. Christopher Bohannan (Bulldog) 2-0; dec. Isaiah Wilson (Brawlers) 2-0. Third place 9-10-Years-Old 73A: Zachery Rohrbough dec. by Kelby Eck (Brawlers) 2-1; maj. dec. Addison Roberts (Haysville) 13-0; dec. Caleb Means (Haysville) 3-1; maj. dec. by Macoy Johnson (Paola) 8-0.

76A: Conner Armendariz tech. fall Dominic Davis (Renegades) 16-0; pinned Trent Moses (Mulvane) 1:24; maj. dec.

by Zachary Wessley (Ks., Young Guns) 13-0; maj. dec. Nolan Beavan (Ks., Young Guns) 11-2; dec. Collin Pearson (MAC) 9-7. Third place 95A: Leightyn Heim pinned Rhett Lathers (Ark City) 0:57; dec. by Jace High (Bulldogs) 7-0; dec. Will Coultis (Andover) 6-0; sudden victory Connor Padgett (Hillsboro) SV-1 4-2; pinned by Austin Fager (Lawrence) 0:33.

120: Ronnie Weathers pinned Issac Ybarra (Liberal) 0:16; pinned Hunter Long (Haysville) 0:23. First place HWT: Jarron Gregory pinned Jacob Jenkins (Team Lightning) 0:34; pinned Jacob Jenkins (Team Lightning) 0:30.

First place 11-12-Years-Old 92: Kale Wheeler dec. Bryce Winsor (Pratt) 7-3; dec. by Nathan Bowen (Ks., Young Guns) 9-3;dec. by Brady Pacha (Carroll Jr.) 6-0.

150: Jarron Gregory pinned Jonah Scott (MAC) 1:16; pinned by Gavin Carter (Trailhands) 0:49. Second place 13-14-Years-Old 110: Kaden Wren pinned E.j. Kretzer (MAC) 1:56; pinned Iziah Cook (Pratt) 2:19; pinned Hunter Wetta (Maize) 0:59; pinned Mya Kretzer (MAC) 2:40; dec. by Trevor Dopps (Ks., Young Guns) 8-4. Second place Jan. 10, 2015 • at Atwood 6-Years and under 55: Blaze Goosman pinned Kaleb Dixion (Colby) 2:18; dec. by Brody Schlosser (Goodland) 9-5; dec. by Creighton Kelley (Oberlin) 6-4. Third place 8-Years-Old 58: Waylon Ricker dec. Sage Bryan (Oberlin) 8-4; maj. dec. by Ryan Sramek (Atwood) 15-4; dec. Max Kersenbrock (Colby) 12-6; pinned by Noah Dowell (Hoxie). Fourth place 58B: Kade John pinned Jack Delzeit (Colby) 1:22; maj. dec. by Wyatt Gardner (Leoti) 13-0; dec. by Barrett Schlosser (Goodland) 8-6.

70B: Jacob Franco dec. by JJ Altman (Leoti) 8-7; dec.

by Linkon Cure (Goodland) 12-7; pinned by Ace Plummer (Oakley) 0:18. Fourth place 9-10-Years-Old 67: Max Tuttle maj. dec. by Macon Sekavec (Southwest Grapplers) 10-0; pinned by Dayton Bell (Hill City).

95-100: Izak Venegas dec. by Chandler Seaton (Leoti) 12-5; pinned Dawsyn Lemman (Colby); pinned by Chandler Seaton (Leoti). Fourth place 130: Lance Miller pinned Ivan Jirak (Oakley); pinned Ivan Jirak (Oakley). First place 11-12-Years-Old 115: Jeffery Nix pinned by Dawson Holub (Goodland); dec. by Yoni Castillo (Leoti) 14-7. Third place 130: Caleb VanDegrift maj. dec. Cyrus Green (Atwood) 8-0; pinned by Jayce Hamel (Hill City) 2:23; pinned Cody Blew (Phillipsburg) 0:14; pinned Leyton Cure (Goodland) 0:26. Second place

SCHS Wrestling J.R. Durham Invitational Jan. 10, 2015 • in Norton Team scores: Garden City 224.5, Norton 201, Scott City 141, Marion 96, Oakley 94.5, Cimarron 61, Smith Center 60, McCook (Nebr.)

58, Atwood 57, Beloit 49.5, Cozad (Nebr.) 49.5, Holcomb 39.5, Hoxie 34, St. Francis 31, Ulysses 26.5, Tribune 26, Hays-TMP 25 106: Zach Tucker pinned Max Gerlach (Marion) 1:13; pinned Estin Slack (Oakley) 4:55; dec. by Ryan Johnson (Norton) 5-2. Second place 138: James Jurgens tech. fall Daniel Kramer (Garden City) 2:53; pinned Garrett Brunk (St. Francis) 3:22; dec.

by Caleb Austin (Tribune) 5-2; maj. dec. Cameron Griffis (Cozad) 13-0; maj. dec. Garrett Brunk (St. Francis) 11-1. Third place 145: Jarrett Jurgens tech, fall Zeke Stone (Tribune) 2:18; dec. Wyatt Murphy (Oakley) 10-6; pinned by Tevin Briscoe (Garden City) 3:39; dec. by Branson Sandovol (Cimarron) 3-1 OT. 160: Wyatt Kropp pinned Jimmy He (TMP) 0:21; dec.

Juan Anguiano (Ulysses) 5-1; dec. Jesse Nunez (Garden City) 3-1; pinned by Shelton McCain (Atwood) 5:57. Second place 170: Abe Wiebe pinned Jarred Dirks (Oakley) 1:05; pinned by Kendall Miller (Norton) 3:29; pinned by Zac Finch (Garden City) 2:30; maj. dec. Derek Bogner (Cimarron) 11-2; pinned Eric Langan (McCook) 3:35.

Third place 182: Tre Stewart pinned Collin Sharpe (Oakley) 5:57; pinned by Gavin Lively (Norton) 0:47; maj. dec. Wyatt Schutte (Cozad) 8-0; pinned

by Adam Janzen (Marion) 1:38. Fourth place 195: Cooper Griffith pinned Jordan Dole (Norton) 5:45; dec. Chris Cox (Oakley) 5-0; dec. Zeke Herrera (Garden City) 5-2; pinned Jaret Matson (McCook) 1:03. First place 220: Wyatt Eitel pinned Gunnar Pollat (Cozad) 0:24; dec. by Dylan Gassmann (Oakley) 7-3; pinned Kyler Zweygardt (St. Francis) 2:20; dec. by Jacob Green (Norton) 6-3.

285: Lane Hayes dec.

Leo Jirak (Oakley) 6-2; dec.

Aaron Lozano (Garden City) 1-0; dec. by Dalton Goodenberger (McCook) 2-0. Second place

Traylor

(continued from page 18)

Kansas plays at Iowa head straightened out and State this Saturday (Jan. play superbly down the 17) which is always a stretch. challenge.

Kansas State’s defense carried the day against KSU Saves Season OU. The Wildcats played Kansas State was tee- aggressive basketball tering on the brink of a lost right from the start and basketball season when never let up. K-State’s they traveled to Oklahoma win was one of the biggest last Saturday. The Sooners upsets of the season. smacked Texas in Austin If Hurt continues to a week earlier and they make progress, it changes were looking like the class the outlook for the Wildof the Big 12. OU was a cats. He’s come a long prohibitive favorite and way since the start of the the Wildcats went toe-to- season and Weber will toe with them and pulled be able to play Hurt and an improbable upset, 66- Thomas Gipson together 63. in some situations.

Coach Bruce Weber K-State has talent. had to be relieved to see They just hadn’t put it all center Stephen Hurt (6-11, together. Then the atti270) play his best game tude problem with Foster for K-State and watch reared its ugly head and it Marcus Foster get his appeared that all might be

Squirrels The first irritated squirrel made its displeasure known from somewhere to my left, barking and clucking incessantly for several minutes, then a second displeased protester joined in from my right. Its scolding began like the cries of a bluejay and ended with muffled little clucks.

I figured by then that every deer in the township was on high alert, and just when I figured the woods couldn’t get any louder, a third objector joined the clamor.

This went on nonstop for a good 20 minutes.

Then, as if someone had

lost. That’s not so. Coach Weber appears to have everything under control and Kansas State looks like a new team.

Too Many Commercials The National Football League is painting itself into a corner. Because of the ridiculously high salaries that the television networks and crowds in attendance are paying for, TV is calling the shots.

And that means less play on the field is being televised compared to the interminable flow of commercials during games.

It’s going to reach a point where fans are going to quit watching as many games, both in person and on TV.

(continued from page 16)

thrown a switch, all was instantly silent! I’ve never heard scolding squirrels quiet themselves so abruptly. It kind of spooked me. I was afraid Bigfoot or Moth Man might be about to pounce on me from behind!

Suddenly the overhanging branches in front of me began to dance slightly, first one then another, as if a breeze had developed.

“Odd,” I thought “that the whole tree would not move at once.” I began hearing a muffled chattering sound of some sort and looked up to see one of the resident squirrels that disapproved of my presence,

starring at me about six feet above my head and rebuking me with funny little mumbling sounds as it danced from limb to limb.

I went home to breakfast with no deer but satisfied that I had been in the front row for yet another theatrical performance by Mother Nature.

As noisy and obnoxious as they are, squirrels are comical and amazing little creatures . . . and they taste just like chicken.

Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!

Steve can be contacted by email at stevegilliland@idkcom.net

Household Estate

Saturday, January 24 • 10:00 a.m.

Sunday, February Location: 4-H Building at the fairgrounds, Garden City 2 • 11:00 a.m.

Vicki Micheau Estate - Owner

Furniture and Appliances 6-drawer dresser 2-Queen size water beds 6-drawer oak dresser with mirror and 2-matching night stands 3-drawer chest Regular size bedroom suite with 6-drawer dresser and chest of drawers 4-drawer waterfall chest Computer desk Sectional book cases Blue divan Baker’s rack Baldwin console piano Brown divan with end recliners 4-Oak dining chairs Wooden utility cabinet Roper washing machine GE dryer Oak china hutch Sewing machine in cabinet Antique Furniture Round oak dining table with claw feet Oak china hutch, curved glass door, needs side glass Dresser with mirror Roll top writing desk Leaded glass curio cabinet Oak book case

Antiques and Collectibles Pyrex bowls Kitchen utensils Child’s rocker Old electric lamp Precious Moments Hallmark ornaments Barbies Angel collection Large decanter bottles Collectable toys and games Comic books Hull pottery Amber depression glass Sheet music Knife collection including one large jungle knife 8-place setting of Blue Willow china with extras Sports memorabilia including: 5-bobble heads of Jerry Rice, Dan Marino, Cal Ripken and others Autographed basketballs Starting Line Up sports cards with rookie cards KC Chiefs blanket Wheaties boxes Lots of other sports collectables, some with autographs Tyco electric train set Buffalo figurine and picture Lots of jewelry

Saddle Household Items Pictures Quilts 2-drawer file cabinet Weight bench Books Holiday decorations Kitchen utensils Set of stoneware Lots of new household items, new in box BB and pellet rifle Small kitchen appliances Panasonic microwave New aquarium and supplies Luggage Many other items Mowers and Shop Items Yard Machine 20 hp riding lawn tractor, 42” cut Murray 18 hp riding lawn tractor, 46” cut MTD 8 hp riding mower, 30” cut Murray self propelled walk behind mower, rear bag Weed eaters Shovels, rakes, hoes, etc.

Lawn fertilizer spreader Shop vac MAC chain saw, gas Lots of hand tools Nuts and bolts assortment Ice coolers

Fishing and camping items Fishing poles Metal shelves Barn mail box Metal office desk work bench Golf clubs Coins 2013 Silver Eagle, West Point 75th Anniversary, first release 2013 Silver Eagle, San Francisco mint, first release 2011 Silver Eagle, San Francisco mint, first release 2012 Canadian Maple Leaf, first release 1921 Morgan silver dollar 1907 Barber quarter 1898 Barber dime Mercury dimes Indian head pennies Silver Roosevelt dimes Rolls of Wheat and Lincoln pennies 1940s and 1950s Washington quarters Walking Liberty quarters Franklin half dollars Buffalo nickels 1940s and 1950s Washington nickels Silver certificate Bottles of old pennies 1937 Austrian Crown Lots of foreign coins

Terms: Lunch Served. Must have ID to register, no exceptions! Cash or approved check day of sale. Everything sold as is.

No warranties expressed or implied. Not responsible for theft or accident. Announcements day of sale take precedence over printed material. Check us out: www.berningauction.com and facebook

The Scott County Record • Page 22 • Thursday, January 15, 2015

Boards

(continued from page 15)

during a two minute stretch which began with 1.1 seconds remaining in the third period when he hit a pair of free throws.

O’Neil opened the fourth quarter with a basket, followed by a steal and layup, that cut the lead to 43-42.

He added another driving layup with 5:59 to play that again cut the deficit to one point, 45-44.

Baker, who scored the final seven points of the game for SCHS, was on the receiving end of an assist from O’Neil who set up the scoring opportunity with another steal, that put the Beavers on top, 48-46. Both teams exchanged baskets over the next two minutes with Baker, who scored 12 points, adding another basket at the 2:54 mark that gave SCHS its final lead of the game, 50-48.

Holcomb guard Dalton Gottschalk put the Longhorns on top, 52-50, with a pair of free throws with 2:16 remaining. After a Baker shot attempt was blocked under the basket, Gottschalk followed with another field goal for a 54-50 advantage.

Holcomb collected their final seven points at the charity stripe in the final minute.

“This was a good opportunity for our younger guys to learn what it means to play bigger roles in a big game,” says Gentry. “In the second half especially, every possession is magnified. There were times when it looked like we had boys who were more worried about making a mistake than just playing the game the way they know how.”

Gentry says that Holcomb, because of their size, presents challenges they won’t face against other teams. He said they can’t allow the Longhorns’ big boys inside position where they have the easy putbacks.

“Ever since (Trey) Sleep has been playing against us he’s made a living off second-chance scoring opportunities,” Gentry says.

The Beavers must also keep the 6-4 Gottschalk from penetrating the lane where he can dish the ball off to the 6-4 Sleep or 6-6 sophomore Conner VanCleave.

Scott City’s lack of perimeter offense in the second half, says Gentry, is a matter of better ball movement.

“We have to move the ball better and create gaps,” Gentry says. “Bo (Hess) had a couple of threes that rattled in and out. Brett had a shot late in the game that rimmed in and out. Everyone has to stay aggressive and be a threat to score. Those are shots that will eventually fall.”

Tourneys

(continued from page 15)

In the bottom half of the bracket are Hays (7-1), Fountain/Ft. Collins (5-5), Palmer Ridge (7-1) and Colby (0-8).

The Lady Beavers (2-5) will also face Pine Creek (7-4) in opening round play on Thursday at the high school. Tipoff is at 4:45 p.m.

If they win, SCHS will likely face Kansas City Schlagel (6-2) on Friday. Their likely opponent if they go into the consolation bracket will be Ft. Lupton (2-7).

NWKL Tournament Dighton will be traveling to Quinter for the Northwest Kansas League Tournament which will be played on Jan. 20, 23 and 24.

The Lady Hornets (6-2) are the tournament’s No. 2 seed and will face Greeley County on Tues., Jan. 20, at 6:00 p.m.

Also in the bottom half of the bracket are Oberlin (5-4) and St. Francis (3-5).

Top-seeded and unbeaten Hoxie plays Atwood in the opening round and will face the winner of Sharon Springs (2-3) and Quinter (4-4) in the semi-finals.

The DHS boys (4-4) are the No. 6 seed in a very balanced bracket. They are coming off an overtime loss to Quinter (6-2) which is the No. 2 seed.

“Wallace County is the favorite to win league, but after that I think it’s a tossup,” says Dighton head coach Dean Cramer. “I think it should be a very competitive and fun league tournament.”

Dighton will play Oberlin (6-3) in first round action on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. Joining them in the bottom half of the bracket are Quinter and Tribune (3-4).

Sharon Springs (7-1) has the top seed and will open action against Atwood (0-8). Should the Wildcats win, they will face the winner of Hoxie (5-3) and St. Francis (5-3).

Hi-Plains League Meade will be the site of first round games in the Hi-Plains League Tournament on January 19-20. All other games from Jan. 22-24 will be played on the campus of Garden City Community College.

Leoti (3-4) will face No. 3 seeded Southwestern Hts. (5-2) on Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. They are in the bottom half of the bracket with Sublette (5-2) and Stanton County (3-4).

Top-seeded Meade (6-2) will face the pigtail winner of Elkhart (2-5) and Cimarron (2-6). Also in the top of the bracket are Syracuse (4-3) and Lakin (4-5).

The WCHS girls (0-7) are in a pigtail game against Southwestern Hts. (1-6) on Monday at 6:00 p.m. The winner will play No. 1 seeded Cimarron (8-0) on Tuesday.

Other teams in the field include Stanton County (5-3) vs Lakin (4-5); Meade (6-2) vs Sublette (3-4); and Elkhart (5-3) vs Syracuse (3-4).

Give me just one good reason why I shouldn’t go home with you.

Can’t do it, can you.

My friends and I need forever home Drive out and see us at homes.

Silent Angels Rescue Shelter!

Jasmine

620-521-2305 or 620-260-0418 From Leoti on K96 Hwy-9 miles west , 6 miles north (K96 Hwy-9 miles, north on Road 3-6miles, east on Road J--rst house on the south) www.facebook.com/SilentAngelsNoKillAnimalShelter

The Scott County Record • Page 23 • Thursday, January 15, 2015

the ‘big house’

Historic home restored to its former grandeur Wichita County residents have always been aware of the unique nature of the two-story Victorian home located at the corner of J and 3rd Street.

The “big house,” as it has often been called over the years, is now finding an even larger group of admirers with its recent designation to the National Register of Historic Places.

“That will give the place more recognition and will help us when we apply for grants for future projects,” notes Jeanene French, a board member of the Wichita County Historical Society. “We were notified that the (historic site) designation was approved in June and we’ve already had people who made a trip through Leoti just to see it.”

Officially known as the Washington-Ames house, the wood-framed structure was first occupied by William B. and Julia Washington who moved to Leoti from Kentucky. A pioneer lawyer, he moved to Wichita County and established his practice before the county had even been settled.

The home remained in private ownership for more than 120 years before it was donated to the historical society four years ago by the descendants of Margie and Oren Ames who had purchased the home in 1958. It wasn’t long after her husband passed away that Margie moved into a smaller home.

The “big house” had become a sort of museum packed with antiques and collectibles and remained that way until she died in 2004.

“The house was packed with so many antiques that it took four auctions for the family to get rid of everything,” recalls French, who estimated the home had been vacant for about 20 years.

Despite being unoccupied for such a long time, she says the home was in surprisingly good conditions when it was donated to the historical society.

“The outside of the home looked horrible because it hadn’t been painted for about 40 years,” she said.

The historical society and community volunteers addressed that need by painting the exterior like one of the Victorian Painted Ladies of that era. They replicated how the home appeared during that time, based on photos that showed it was a dark color with light trim.

The decorative gingerbread trim was also replaced.

In addition, replacing a leaking roof was another immediate project in order to prevent further damage to the interior.

“We had to do some work inside because of water leaks but, overall, it was in remarkable condition,” says French as she looks around the home that has been restored to its original Victorian splendor. It’s been completely furnished as a home would have been in the late 1800s along with a few unique elements.

Margie Ames was well-known for her overwhelming collection of hats, so the historical society has devoted a room in the home to her memory that’s called Margie’s Boutique and Millinery Shop.

“As hats were going out of style, Margie was collecting them at garage sales, auctions or anywhere else she could find them,” notes WCHS board member Karen Walk.

A bedroom has been converted into a law office, complete with an original desk that W.B. Washington brought with him from Kentucky.

The historical society has been able to fund the renovations with the help of a donation of about $46,000 as their share of an annuity from long-time board member Lorene Harvey.

In addition, nearly all of the furnishings have been donated

by Wichita County families “so this is pertinent to our county’s history,” French says.

When representatives from the Kansas State Historical Society were on site during the process of applying for inclusion on the National Registry, they were surprised at the condition of the home.

“Sarah Martin (with the KSHS) said it’s so unusual to visit something like this and to see a finished project rather than one that’s needing a lot of work,” French said. “She was so impressed with what we’d done to restore the home to the way it once was.

“We’re extremely happy with how the renovation project has turned out. This is a wonderful addition to Leoti,” says French.

The attraction is proving popular with local residents and groups outside the area. The home has hosted teas and birthday parties. It’s even been used as a backdrop for wedding photos.

“We’re thrilled to be able to share the home with others,” adds French. “It’s a part of our history and we want people to appreciate and experience that.”

There are no regular hours when the home is open, but tours and special events can be arranged by contacting the Museum of the Great Plains (375-2316).

(From top to bottom) The WashingtonAmes home in Leoti.

Jeanene French refers to a scrapbook with early photos of the home and the Washington and Ames families.

(Above) The library/office featuring the desk used by W.B. Washington. W.B. and Julia Washington were the original owners of the home.

(Right) A bedroom typical to the time period of the house at the turn of the century.

(Below) Another view of the historic home.

(Photos by Larry Caldwell)

The Scott County Record

Farm

‘Cover Your Acres Jan. 20-21 in Oberlin

K-State Extension is teaming up with the Northwest Kansas Crop Residue Alliance to host the annual Cover Your Acres Winter Conference for crop producers and consultants on Jan. 20-21 at the Gateway Center in Oberlin. The same program will be offered both days.

Cover Your Acres is a producer-driven meeting focused on new ideas and research-based updates in crop production in northwest Kansas and the central High Plains.

The conference, which typically draws more than 600 attendees from Kansas and other states, highlights the latest technology, methods and conservation practices to improve crop production in the region.

This year it will feature university specialists and industry representatives discussing issues such as kochia control, cover crops and soil microbiology, drought-tolerant corn, wheat growth and development effects on yield, the Ogallala Aquifer, implications of the new farm bill and crop insurance.

Registration will begin at 7:45 a.m., with educational sessions ending at 5:00 p.m. This will be followed by a “bull session” on Tuesday evening where attendees can visit with industry and university specialists.

The cost is $50 per day. The conference fee includes lunch and educational materials.

To view conference details and for online registration, visit www.northwest.ksu.edu/coveryouracres.

If you have questions call 785-462-6281.

Page 24 - Thursday, January 15, 2015

Water plan attempts to tackle supply, demand

Gov. Sam Brownback’s effort to create a 50-year water plan for the state is moving into its first stages - with selection of a panel to mull statewide conservation solutions and a series of five-member regional teams to find local ones.

Eber Phelps was a member of the Hays City Commission in 1991 when two of the city’s water wells went dry, sucking up nothing but air.

Until then, Hays had virtually no comprehensive plan to save water.

The city dug wells here and there and let residents do what they pleased with their plumbing systems.

That all changed when the wells went dry.

Phelps and the other commissioners called in hydrology experts to tell the city where to dig so it could operate its municipal water system with

fewer, more efficient wells. City officials provided incentives for residents to install low-flow toilets and showerheads and high-efficiency washing machines and eventually required the equipment for new construction and significant remodels.

City leaders went to local schools to talk with students about the importance of saving water.

“The theory here was to educate the kids, and they’d go teach their parents about water conservation,” Phelps said.

The effort was a resounding success.

Hays dropped its water usage by 50 percent. The city of 21,000 people now uses about the same amount of water as it did in 1970, when the population was near 15,000.

The changes proved crucial in recent years as record drought gripped

Hays, along with the rest of western Kansas.

“Through our water conservation efforts, we were able to make it through some really tough years,” Phelps said.

Now Gov. Sam Brownback and others hope the story of Hays can be writ large throughout the state, as Kansas attempts to implement a 50-year water vision to sustain its most basic resource amid dwindling supply.

The plan emphasizes that access to clean water is key to nearly every aspect of Kansas’ future, including the health of its residents. As it notes: “The Vision attempts to make clear water is necessary for human health and welfare as well as environmental stewardship and our economic wellbeing.”

Implementing the

plan will require balancing short-term economic interests with long-term sustainability, state officials say.

About 85 percent of the state’s water is used to irrigate crops. While much of the 50-year plan focuses on incentives for conservation, those carrots are accompanied by the stick of strengthened penalties for overpumping.

It remains to be seen how one of the state’s historically most important industries - agriculture will respond.

An Aqueduct Plan There are also some who believe that the main water source for western Kansas, the Ogallala Aquifer, is past the point of no return when it comes to natural recharge. A plan to build a giant aqueduct to transport water from the (See WATER on page 25)

Meat of the matter: A troubling farm forecast

USDA latest compilation of the size, ownership and productivity of U.S. agricultural operations offers some cautionary data on where the nation’s food productivity is headed in the future.

The latest report on the agricultural economy is both enlightening and sobering.

115 projects approved for conservation partnerships The USDA released a list of 115 projects across the country that will receive federal funding under the new Regional Conservation Partnership Program, a program created in the 2014 Farm Bill to leverage partnership contributions with federal dollars to fund projects related to water quality, supporting wildlife habitat and enhancing the environment.

In all, the 115 projects across all 50 states will receive more than $370 million from the federal government. Local, regional or statewide partners are contributing an estimated $400 million in partner contributions.

“These partnerships empower communities to set priorities and lead the way on conservation efforts important for their region. They also encourage private sector investment so we can make an impact that’s well beyond what the federal government could accomplish on its own,” said USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack.

There were more than 600 pre-proposals submitted for RCPP funding in 2014.

Projects are focused on improving soil health, water quality and water use efficiency, wildlife habitat, and other related natural resources on private lands.

ag outlook Dan Murphy contributing columnist

Drovers CattleNetwork

Enlightening because the data dispels one of the most prevalent myths surrounding the nation’s farms and farming community. Sobering because the financial status of way

too many farms in this country is precarious, which doesn’t bode well for the future of domestic food production.

Before diving into the data, let’s specify that if sustainability is an issue, if reducing the impact of energy consumption matters long-term, heck, if national security is a

priority, then food selfsufficiency is critical.

Right now, the prospects of ensuring all that are not good.

The study in question is a new report recently released by USDA’s Economic Research Service that documents the role of family farms in U.S. agricultural produc-

Farm Bill meeting is January 27 in Scott City The Farm Service Agency and K-State Extension will conduct several area meetings on the new Farm Bill. The tour will be in Scott City on Tues., Jan. 27, at the Wm. Carpenter 4-H Bldg.

Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. with presentations starting at 8:30 a.m. The conference adjourns at noon.

The programs are Agricultural Rick Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC). Presenters will include Art Barnaby, Jr., and Mykel Taylor from Kansas State University and Lora Wycoff from the Scott County FSA.

Presenters will review the options and economics of the new farm program elections.

Those planning to attend are asked to contact the Scott County Extension office (872-2930) or email County Agent John Beckman at jbeckman@ksu.edu by Friday, January 23.

The Extension tour also includes Western Kansas stops in Goodland on January 26; Dodge City on January 29; and Hays on February 11.

Visit www.agmanager.info for more information on these meetings.

tion, including financial performance, sources of farm household income and extent of off-farm work.

Equally important, the 2014 Edition of The Family Farm Report provides detailed information on the structure of U.S. farms, including the relationship of farm size

and type to agricultural production, data which shatter the myth too many people believe that most farming in America is done by giant corporate entities in bed with Monsanto and entrenched with Big Ag commodity brokers, processors and food marketers.

(See FORECAST on page 25)

Market Report Closing prices on January 13, 2015 Scoular, at Pence Bartlett Grain Wheat..................

$ 5.42

Wheat.................. $ 5.30

White Wheat .......

$ 5.59

White Wheat ....... $ 5.30

Milo ....................

$ 3.96

Milo (bu.).............

$ 3.90

Corn ...................

$ 3.96

Corn....................

$ 3.90

Soybeans (new crop) $ 9.21 Scott City Cooperative

Weather H

L

Wheat..................

$ 5.44

White Wheat .......

$ 5.59

January 6

38 18

Milo (bu.).............

$ 3.96

January 7

22 10

Corn....................

$ 3.96

January 8

52 12

Soybeans ...........

$ 9.21

January 9

28 19

Sunflowers..........

$ 17.60

January 10

47 21

January 11

45 17

January 12

27 15

ADM Grain

P

Wheat..................

$ 5.52

Milo (bu.).............

$ 3.96

Corn....................

$ 4.04

Soybeans............

$ 9.21

January

.05

Sunflowers..........

$ 18.15

2015 Total

.05

Moisture Totals

Forecast According to the report, family farms accounted for 97 percent of U.S. farms in terms of numbers (2011 data). That bears repeating: Only three percent of all U.S. farms are actually corporate-owned and operated. Talk to a couple dozen people on the street about that statistic, and you’d probably elicit guesstimates that reversed those numbers.

Even more compelling: Small family farms - ones that report annual gross farm income of less than $350,000 a year comprise 90 percent of all farms, according to USDA, and account for 52 percent of the nation’s farmland.

Again, I can guarantee that you’d have to search to find a typical urban res-

Water Missouri River hundreds of miles has been floated, but it would involve tremendous expense and is not formally a part of the 50-year water plan.

Right now the plan consists of dozens of suggestions for ways that the state, and specific regions within it, can conserve water and re-create the Hays success story.

But Phelps, who was a Democratic state legislator from 1997 to 2012, said he doesn’t have a lot of hope for quick legislative action in a session with grave and immediate fiscal concerns.

“Given the revenue reports and the education funding lawsuit, I see this being put on the back burner,” Phelps said.

Agriculture Secretary Jackie McClaskey is more optimistic.

After serving as part of a group that has toured the state explaining the 50-year plan to thousands of stakeholders, McClaskey said legislators appear ready to engage.

“If we don’t act now, we’re not going to get done what we need to,” McClaskey said.

Bipartisan Consensus Brownback opened his second year as governor in 2012 with a slate of ambitious goals: revamp the state income tax code, change the school funding formula, scrap the state employee pension plan in favor of a 401(k)-style plan, privatize Medicaid administration through managed care contracts and modernize the state’s water use laws.

Most were controversial. By comparison, the water use changes were bipartisan and widely supported. The drought was lingering, reservoirs were drying up and the already depleted Ogallala Aquifer that is the lifeblood of western Kansas agriculture was being pumped at a dangerous rate. Nearly everyone in state government agreed that water conservation had to be a priority.

The 2012 changes scrapped the state’s “useit-or-lose-it” water rights policy that had discouraged conservation by taking water rights from

The Scott County Record • Page 25 • Thursday, January 15, 2015

(continued from page 24)

ident who would answer with those numbers if asked about the relative prevalence of small farmers.

Of course, small farms account for a smaller share of production, about 26 percent, according to the report. Other than broilers, 56 percent of which are grown by small farmers - or maybe they should be more accurately labeled as contractors small farms produce only about one-quarter of total domestic agricultural production.

Midsize and large-scale family farms combined are responsible for some 60 percent of U.S. agricultural output. In terms of numbers, larger family farms make up only about 8 percent of all U.S.

farms, but they account for nearly two-thirds of the value of U.S. agriculture.

Of the corporate-owned agricultural operations, “non-family farms” in USDA parlance, 85 percent of their output was from farms with gross farm income of $1 million or more.

Financial Straits Now for the sobering part of the report.

According to USDA data, about three-fourths of U.S. farms are in “the critical zone” for rate of return on assets (a value less than one percent), and two-thirds are in the critical zone for operating profit margin (a value less than 10 percent).

The smaller the farm

(continued from page 24)

irrigators who did not use their full allotment in a given year. It also expanded the state’s “water banks” system and allowed groups of water rights holders in depleted areas to voluntarily form Local Enhanced Management Areas (LEMAs) where property holders would be bound to reduce water use.

A group of farmers in Sheridan County, just west of Hays, formed the first LEMA. There were high hopes that more would form and local buy-in could help solve the state’s water problems.

But almost three years later, Sheridan County’s LEMA remains the only one in the state.

“I don’t think any of us would deny that we did want to see more LEMAs and for them to be implemented faster than they have been,” McClaskey said. “But I think we’ve learned a lot of really good lessons.”

Among those lessons: Some people want to form LEMAs through county governments, local conservation districts or even informal groups of neighbors, rather than being restricted to working through groundwater management districts.

In another instance, some farmers shied from forming a LEMA in Scott County because of uncertainty about how having a reduced irrigation allotment would affect their crop insurance.

McClaskey said a bill is being drafted to provide landowners more flexibility in forming LEMAs. Tracy Streeter, director of the Kansas Water Office, said he’s working with a risk management agency on the insurance question so it doesn’t hang over the next LEMA vote.

But it’s also become clear to McClaskey and others that voluntary conservation measures like LEMAs have to be paired with harsher penalties for those who pump more than their water rights allow.

The state initiated hundreds of enforcement actions for overpumping in recent years, but the fines had little effect during a time when commod-

ity prices were high and surface water was low.

“They’re just not large enough to sway someone from not pumping more water, because the economic gain is greater than the cost (of the fine),” she said. “It’s a pretty simple decision for someone to make in those cases.”

McClaskey said she believes the department has the authority to increase the penalties without going through the formal regulatory process, but she plans to do so anyway in order to give the public a chance to weigh in. She said any increases would be accompanied with a more transparent and consistent penalty system so violators know the consequences.

McClaskey said she’s heard little dissent about increased overpumping penalties during her travels explaining the water vision.

“There are a lot of people out there trying to do the right thing,” she said. “They’re very frustrated when they see people that abuse their water rights and abuse Kansas water law, and they don’t believe the penalties are stiff enough to deter that if someone chooses to act unlawfully.”

The Aqueduct Question Donn Teske, president of the Kansas Farmers Union, said his organization would welcome higher overpumping penalties.

But the group isn’t sold on the Brownback administration’s commitment to conservation.

Teske said the governor’s attempt to focus the state’s attention on water issues is “commendable.” But he wonders how much of the agendasetting is meant to whet public appetite for the Missouri River aqueduct, or as Teske calls it, “the big damn ditch across the state.”

The feasibility and cost of the aqueduct, which would carry Missouri River floodwater hundreds of miles to western Kansas, is still under study. Streeter said he expects to issue a report soon.

He, Teske and Phelps all agree that cost will be a significant hurdle.

operation in terms of revenue, the worse the financial situation. In fact, as anyone connected with agriculture knows all too well, the majority of small-farm households rely on off-farm income to stay afloat.

The USDA report asked the pertinent question: “Given small farms’ poor financial performance, why do so many continue to exist?”

The answer is clear: “Small-farm households typically receive substantial off-farm income and do not rely primarily on their farms for their livelihood [and] they often invest in their farm operations with off-farm income.”

That’s what is concerning. It’s well-known that

the median age of farmers in some key producing regions, such as the Midwest, is in the mid50s. That means in the next decade there will be a changing of the guard - hopefully. But if family members decide not to continue in agriculture, many of those smaller farms are going to be sold, subdivided and retired from production permanently.

The loss of farmland is almost as damaging as the exodus of farmers.

The Family Farm Report demonstrates that we need large-scale, highly productive farms if the nation is to maintain its agricultural productivity.

The data don’t lie: The majority of our food and fiber comes from big,

well-capitalized farms with an efficiency of scale that is essential to the availability and affordability of the food supply.

But we also need the millions of small farmers and ranchers just as much. Even though their total output is far less than that of bigger operations, in terms of numbers and acreage they’re critical to the long-term future of U.S. farm productivity.

We lose small farmers, and we lose the farmland in which they formerly operated.

We lose that farmland, and we’re never getting it back.

As the USDA report so clearly shows, we need both big and not-so-big farms. For now, and for the future.

$

7

The Scott County Record • Page 26 • Thursday, January 15, 2015

Call 872-2090 today!

Per Week

The Scott County Record Professional Directory

There’s no better way to reach your potential customers in Scott County and the surrounding areas.

Agriculture

Clifton Smith Construction

Preconditioning and Growing

• 45 Years Experience • Managed and owned by full-time DVM • 2,000 Head capacity Office - 872-5150 • Scott City

Call:

620-214-2674

Stuart Doornbos Home - 872-2775 Cell - 874-0951

Painting • Remodeling • Handicap Bath Remodels

Licensed and Bonded

Construction/Home Repair

Sager’s Pump Service CHAMBLESS • Irrigation • Domestic • Windmills • Submersibles

Cell: 874-4486 • Office 872-2101

ELLIS AG SERVICES • Custom Manure Conditioning • Hauling and Spreading • Custom Swathing and Baling • Rounds-Net or Twine • Gyp and Sand Sales • Custom Harvesting Call Brittan Ellis • 620-874-5160

20 years experience See us for any type of work!

ROOFING Residential

All Types of Roofing

Commercial

Cedar Shake and Shingle Specialists Return to Craftsmanship Attention to Detail and Quality Guaranteed 620-872-2679 • 1-800-401-2683

SPENCER PEST CONTROL RESIDENTIAL – COMMERCIAL Termite Baiting Systems • Rodents Weed Control • Structural Insects Termite Control Box 258, Scott City • (620) 872-2870

Dirks Earthmoving Co. Precision Land Forming of terraces and waterways; feed lot pens and ponds; building site preparation; lazer equipped

Richard Dirks • Scott City, Ks. (Home) 872-3057 • 877-872-3057 (Cell) 872-1793

Automotive Willie’s Auto A/C Repair Willie Augerot Complete A/C Service Mechanic Work and Diagnostics Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Walker Plumbing, Inc.

404 Kingsley • Scott City • 874-1379

Backhoe & Trenching services • Irrigation & gas leak repairs • Full-line irrigation parts T-L center pivot dealer Floor heat systems Pump & install septic systems Boring equipment

423 S. Mesquite Rd. • Scott City • 872-2130

Medical

Charles Purma II D.D.S. P.A. General Dentistry, Cosmetics, and Insurance Accepted

We welcome new patients.

324 N. Main • Scott City • 872-2389 Residence 872-5933

Contact:

Landscaping • Lawn/Trees

Berning Tree Service David Berning • Marienthal

620-379-4430

Tree Trimming and Removal Hedge and Evergreen Trimming Stump Removal

Fully Insured

SCOT AYTES • 874-1646

Red

Specializing in

all coatings t Paint i or any other color

PC Painting, Inc.

We service and repair all that we sell.

Paul Cramer 620-290-2410 620-872-8910 www.pcpaintinginc.com

1602 S. Main • Scott City • 872-2232 Toll Free : 1-866-672-2232

Over 20 Years Experience

Professional Extermination Commercial & Residential

• Termites • Rodents • Soil Sterilization • Pre Treats • Lawn Care • Fly Parasites

John Kropp, Owner • Scott City 874-2023 (cell) • 872-3400 (office) • prox2@live.com

RT Plumbing Rex Turley, Master Plumber

Residental and Commercial Plumbing Water Systems, water lines, sewer cleaning faucets and fixtures, garbage diposals and more

Marienthal, Ks.

Owner, Chris Lebbin • 620-214-4469

For your home medical supply and equipment needs!

Paint inside and out residential, commercial, and industrial.

Free estimates and 16 plus years of experience.

Pro Ex II

Call today for a Greener Healthier Lawn

Horizon Health

620-909-5014 (H) • 620-874-4128 (C)

Pro Health Chiropractic Wellness Center (Scott City Chiropractic) “TLC”...

Technology Lead Chiropractic

Dr. James Yager 110 W. 4th St. • Scott City • 872-2310 Toll Free: 800-203-9606

Dr. Jeffrey A. Heyd Optometrist 20/20 Optometry

Treatment of Ocular Disease • Glaucoma Detection Children’s Vision • Glasses • Contact Lenses

Complete family eye center!

106 W. 4th • Scott City • 872-2020 • Emergencies: 872-2736

$

7

The Scott County Record • Page 27 • Thursday, January 15, 2015

Call 872-2090 today!

Per Week

Professional Directory Continued

Services

Berning Auction “Don’t Trust Your Auction to Just Anyone”

For all your auction needs call:

(620) 375-4130

Scott City Clinic

Russell Berning Box Q • Leoti

872-2187

Christian Cupp, MD

Melissa Batterton, APRN

Elizabeth Hineman, MD

Megan Dirks, APRN

Matthew Lightner, MD

Joie Tedder, APRN

Floyd Hockersmith, MD

Ryan Michels, PA-C

William Slater, MD FACS

Caley Roberts, PA-C

Sandy Cauthon

105 1/2 W. 11th St., Scott City 620-874-1813 scottcitymfr@gmail.com FB: Scott City Myofascial Release

Retail

Gene’s Appliance Over 200 appliances in stock!

COMPARE OUR PRICES!

We have Reverse Osmosis units in stock.

Remember us for parts in stock for all brands of all appliances.

Sales and Service Days • Mon. - Sat. Deliveries • Mon.-Sat.

Largest Frigidaire appliance dealer in Western Ks. 508 Madison • Scott City • 872-3686

Legal Aid

Networktronic, Inc.

SOCIAL SECURITY disability benefits. Unable to work? Denied benefits? We can help! Win or pay nothing. Contact Bill Gordon and Associates at 1-800-737-4275 to start your application today.

Computer Sales, Service and Repair Custom computers!

Networking solutions!

Mon. - Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

402 S. Main, Scott City • 872-1300

Northend Disposal A garbologist company.

Scott City • 872-1223 • 1-800-303-3371

PC Cleaning Services, Inc. Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

www.reganjewelers.com

412 N. Main • Garden City • 620-275-5142

Homes

$2,000 SCHOLARSHIPS. Better Business Bureau Foundation Student of Integrity Award Scholarships. Application deadline is March 6, 2015. http://bbb.org/h/mqf or 316-263-3146/800-8562417, ext. 4208 ––––––––––––––––––––– NEED CLASS A CDL training? Start a career in trucking today. Swift Academies offer PTDI certified courses and offer best-in-class training. New Academy classes weekly.

No money down or credit check. Certified mentors ready and available. Paid (while training with mentor). Regional and dedicated opportunities. Great career path. Excellent benefits package. Please call: (602) 714-9455.

Call me to schedule your Myofascial Release

Office (620) 276-3131 Toll Free 1-800-794-9052 Cell (620) 874-0014 Fax (620) 276-8876 1007 N. 8th, Garden City, KS 67846 www.officesolutionsinc.biz

GUN SHOW. Jan. 17-18. Sat. 9:00-5:00; Sunday 9:00-3:00. Topeka ExpoCentre (19th and Topeka Blvd.). Buy-SellTrade. For info call (563) 927-8176.

Education

RN

Sales Consultant b.rogers@officesolutionsinc.biz

Sporting Goods Truck Driving

LENDERS OFFERING special government programs for manufactured homes. $0 down for land owners. FHA for firsttime buyers. VA: $0 down for veterans. Section 184 for federal tribe members.

Lenders accepting less than perfect credit. 866858-6862.

Scott City Myofascial Release

Brent Rogers

Kansas Classifieds Ad Network

The classified ads below are appearing in 147 Kansas newspapers with a total circulation of 500,000 the classified display ads appear in 142 Kansas newspapers with a total circulation of 457,000. KCAN line ad is $300 for up to 25 words and $12 each additional word. A 2x2 display ad is $800 per insertion and a 2x4 display ad is $1,650 per insertion. To find out more, contact The Scott County Record at 872-2090.

We'll clean your home, business or do remodeling clean-up Available seven days a week!

Paul Cramer, Owner

620-290-2410

All Under One Roof

Revcom Electronics

BUTLER TRANSPORT. Your partner in excellence. Drivers needed.

Great hometime. $650 sign-on bonus. All miles paid. 1-800-528-7825. www.butlertransport.com.

––––––––––––––––––––– GREAT PLAINS Trucking of Salina is looking for experienced OTR tractor-trailer flatbed drivers or recent driving school graduates. Our drivers travel 48 U.S. states as well as the lower Canadian provinces. We offer excellent compensation, benefits, home time and equipment. Please contact Brett or Randy at 785-823-2261 or brettw@ gptrucking.com, randyl@ gptrucking.com.

––––––––––––––––––––– START WITH OUR training or continue your solid career. You have options. Company drivers, lease/purchase or owner/operators needed.

(888) 670-0392. www.

CentralTruckDrivingJobs. com.

––––––––––––––––––––– HOGAN IS HIRING CDL-A truck dedicated drivers. Up to $75,000 annually. $4,000 signon bonus. Home weekly guaranteed. Roundtrip miles. Great benefits. Call 866-284-3594.

For Sale VIAGRA AND CIALIS users. A cheaper alternative to high drug store prices. 50 pill special, $99.

Free shipping. 100% guaranteed. Call now, 1-800906-4338.

––––––––––––––––––––– ALL NEW. Happy Jack DuraSpot. Kills and repels fleas, ticks and larvae.

Repels mites, lice and mosquitoes.

Contains Nylar IGR. Orschlen Farm & Home. www.happyjackinc.com.

District 11 AA Meetings

Scott City

Unity and Hope Mon., Wed. and Fri. • 8:00 p.m.

807 Kingsley Last Sat., Birthday Night, 6:30 p.m.

All open meetings, 874-8207 • 874-8118

Dighton

Thursday • 8:30 p.m.

535 Wichita St. All open meetings, 397-5679 • 397-2647

Dining

Your RadioShack Dealer Two-way Radio Sales & Service Locally owned and operated since 1990

1104 Main • Scott City • 872-2625

C-Mor-Butz BBQ

Barbecue, the only sport where a fat bald man is a GOD...

& Catering

Kyle Lausch 620-872-4209

Bryan Mulligan & Chris Price 620-874-8301 & 620-874-1285

Support your hometown merchants who back your school and community activities throughout the year!

www.cmorbutzbbq.com • cmorbutzbbq@gmail.com

Classifieds

The Scott County Record • Page 28 • Thursday, January 15, 2015

Buy, sell, trade, one call does it all 872-2090 ot fax 872-0009

Classified Ad Deadline: Monday at 5:00 p.m.

Classified Ad Rate: 20¢ per word. Minimum charge, $5.

Blind ad: $2.50 per week extra. Card of thanks: 10¢ per word. Minimum charge, $3. Classified Display Ad rate: $5.50 per column inch.

Classified advertising must be paid in advance unless business account is established.

If not paid in advance, there will be a $1 billing charge.

Tear sheet for classified ad will be $1 extra.

Pine Village Apartments 300 E. Nonnamaker

Apartments available for qualifying tenants 62+ or disabled with rental assistance available.

Hours: Tuesday, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. by appointment Call Steve 872-2535 or (620) 255-4824.

19tfc

START SMART!

Newly listed 2-bedroom

home with new carpeting and inside paint. Large double garage!

Lawrence and Associates

Deb Lawrence, GRI Broker Shorty Lawrence, Sales Assoc.

513 Main • Scott City 872-5267 ofc. 872-7184 hm. lawrenceandassocrealty.com Sheila Ellis, Broker Assoc.

872-2056 Kerry Gough, Sales Assoc.

872-7337 Russell Berning, 874-4405 www.berningauction.com

Agriculture

Rentals

Services

Help Wanted

WANTED TO BUY. Stored corn. Call for basis and contract information.

1-800-579-3645.

Lane County Feeders, Inc. 32tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– WANTED TO BUY. Wheat straw delivered.

Call for contracting information. Lane County Feeders. 397-5341. 44tfc

HIDE AND SEEK STORAGE SYSTEMS. Various sizes available. Virgil and LeAnn Kuntz, (620)874-2120.

41tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– MULTIPLE HOUSES FOR RENT. 1 bedroom homes available. Also 8x10 storage units available. Stop by PlainJans to fill out an application or call 872-5777.

01tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– STORAGE UNITS in various sizes available at The Storehouse, Don and Trudy Eikenberry 620872-2914.

07tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– 1 AND 2 BEDROOM apartments for rent. Please call 620-874-8353.

10tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– 2-BEDROOM HOME water and trash paid. No pets. Call 620-872-5570.

WANTED: Yards to mow and clean up, etc. Trim smaller trees and bushes too. Call Dean Riedl, (620) 872-5112 or 8744135.

34tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– FURNITURE REPAIR and refinishing. Lawn mower tune-up and blade sharpening. Call Vern Soodsma, 872-2277 or 874-1412.

36tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– MOWER REPAIR, tuneup and blade sharpening.

Call Rob Vsetecka at 620214-1730.

36tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– METAL ROOFING, SIDING and TRIMS at direct-to-the-public prices. Call Metal King Mfg., 620-872-5464. Our prices 37tfc will not be beat!

––––––––––––––––––––– “JEN’S GROOMING” also offering boarding.

By Jennifer Milner, hours: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. call 620-214-0097. Located in 09tfc Shallow Water.

USD 466 NEEDS substitute route bus drivers. For applications and additional information contact Lance Carter at 620-872-7655.

Notice

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS If you want to drink, that’s your business.

If you want to stop, that’s ours.

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

Tuesday nights at 8:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church basement (use west door).

412 College, Scott City.

REWARD FOR STOLEN GREEN BLISS (LASER) LIGHTS (4 sets). Stolen around Dec. 30 from Elizabeth St. Call 620-872-2292 and leave message or call police if you or someone you know stole these lights. $50 reward.

22tfc

23tfc

5 bedrooms, 1 3/4 baths, S/A garage, full basement, newer windows, paint, and flooring! Located in a nice neighborhood with low traffic!

Al-Anon at same time and location.

Contact: 874-0472 or 872-3137. 30t52

02tfc

––––––––––––––––––––– FA R M W O R K E R , 2/27/15-12/1/15, Mesquite Farms, Scott City, 5 temp., jobs. Drive trucks/tractors to perform a variety of crop duties. Field ready implements/equipment.

Cultivate, harrow, fertilize, plant, spray, harvest crops. Operate/ repair farm implements. Transport farm commodities to market. Mow/clean premises and equipment. 3 months experience, CDL, Clean MVR, employment reference, English required. $13.59/hr., ¾ work guarantee, tools/equipment/ housing provided, trans and subsistence expense reimbursed. Apply at Kansas Works, 620-2272149. Job #9418832. 23t2c

NEW LISTINGS

Beautiful immaculate 2,000 sq. ft./full basement home in a friendly rural community. Near Scott City, Oakley and Garden City. On 1 acre and mature landscape with sprinkler and drip line watering system. Will make a great place to work a sells territory from or a wonderful, beautiful, quiet home to retire in. $232,000.

Brick home 1,430 sq. ft., 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 car garage and sprinkler in yard.

2,000 sq. ft., with 3-bedrooms, 3-baths, 4-car garage. Very nice southwest location.

A 3-bedroom, newer heat and air, fenced yard. $55,000 Buy lots in the Eastridge addition for your new home location.

Thomas Real Estate www.thomasreal-estate.com

914 W. 12th Scott City, Ks. 67871 (620)-872-7396 Cell: (620)-874-1753 or Cell: (620)-874-5002

O

O “MO

?”

G -VIN

Don’t forget to “moo-ve” your paper too!

406 Main • PO Box 377 Scott City, Ks. 67871 620-872-2090 Admit Answer Arose Birth Blood Broad Bruised Circling Crisper Decade Dress Drown Eight Exhibit Expense Fatty Fishing Fleet Fluid Freely Habit Harbor Hutches Ideals Ideas Issues Knees

Nanny Nouns Opened Party Penny Plans Plump Recreation Resist Sadly Salty Slept Spell Stool Subject Theme Thing Throw Tickles Tiger Twelve Vases Where Whispers Woven Years

WORD SEARCH

The Scott County Record • Page 29 • Thursday, January 15, 2015

Employment Opportunities LIFEGUARDS The City of Scott City is accepting applications for Lifeguards for the 2015 season.

Applications may be picked up at: City Hall, 221 W. 5th St., Scott City.

Applications will be accepted until Febuary 16, 2015.

23t1c

CUSTODIAN Unified School District No. 466 is looking for a qualified applicant for a full-time night shift custodian position for all USD 466 Schools.

For applications and additional information please contact: Lance Carter Board of Education Building 704 College, Scott City, Ks. 67871 (620)-640-7276 USD #466 is an EOE Employer.

22tfc

SPECIAL EDUCATION PARA-PROFESSIONAL For High Plains Educational Cooperative Scott Community High School is seeking a special education Para-Professional to work with students.

The position is available for the beginning of the 2014-15 school year. Start date is as soon as possible.

For more information and application please contact.

Susan Carter Board of Education Building 704 College, Scott City, Ks. 67871 (620) 872-7600 20tfc

DISPATCH SUPERVISOR The Lane County Sheriffs Office, Dighton, is taking applications for a full-time 911 dispatcher/call-taker.

Must be 18, possess HS Diploma or equivalent, have NO felony or serious misdemeanor convictions, pass drug screening and criminal background check and be able to work well with the public. Basic computer operating experience and operation of other office equipment required.

Full-time Lane County employees receive health insurance, vacation after first year of employment and sick leave. The Sheriff’s Office offers competitive wages and is an EOE. Please call or stop by: Lane County Sheriff’s Office for an application. 620-397-2828.

22t3c

SPECIAL EDUCATION PARA-PROFESSIONAL For High Plains Educational Cooperative Scott City Elementary School is seeking a special education Para-Professional to work with students.

The position is available as soon as possible.

For more information and application please contact.

Susan Carter Board of Education Building 704 College, Scott City, Ks. 67871 (620) 872-7600 22t2c

SPECIAL EDUCATION PARA-PROFESSIONAL For High Plains Educational Cooperative Scott City Middle School is seeking a special education Para-Professional to work with students.

The position is available for the beginning of the 2014-15 school year. Start date is August 21, 2014.

For more information and application please contact.

Susan Carter Board of Education Building 704 College, Scott City, Ks. 67871 (620) 872-7600

02tfc

PARK LANE NURSING HOME Has openings for the following positions: Part-time CNA (evening) PRN CNA/CMA Full-time Housekeeping Aide Full-time Dietary Aide Shift differential pay offered for evening and night shifts!

Please apply in person at:

Park Lane Nursing Home

210 E. Parklane Scott City, KS 67871 Or visit us at our website: www.parklanenursinghome.org “Quality Care Because We Care”

23tfc

POOL MANAGER AND ASSISTANT MANAGER The City of Scott City is accepting applications for Pool Manager and Assistant Manager for the 2015 season.

Applications may be picked up at: City Hall, 221 W. 5th St., Scott City.

Applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m., Monday, January 19, 2015.

22t2c

SCOTT COUNTY HOSPITAL HAS OPENINGS FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS PATIENT CARE Acute Care RNs Physical Therapist Respiratory Therapist Operating Room RN C.N.A.s CLERICAL Admissions Clerk Ward Clerk SERVICE PRN Dietary Aide/Cook Housekeeping Aide Applicants for these positions are required to be able to read, speak and understand English.

Pre-employment physical, drug/alcohol screening, immunization titer, physical assessment and TB skin test required. We are a tobacco free campus.

We offer competitive pay and great benefits.

Due to our recent expansion of services and rapid growth, we are in need of Acute Care RNs and are offering financial incentives.

Applications are available through Human Resources at Scott County Hospital 201 Albert Ave. Scott City, Ks. 67871 620-872-7772 or online at www.scotthospital.net

21tfc

The Scott County Record • Page 30 • Thursday, January 15, 2015